Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 411 (Part 2):

While Helmut engaged in a less-than-peaceful conversation with the Grand Duke and his wife, Charlotte was handling the aftermath of the martial tournament.

She, too, would return to Renosa with Helmut tomorrow.

Though the remaining tasks would be handled by the Crown Prince, until then, she had work to do.

The moment Charlotte had longed for had come to pass, but her worries lingered.

‘Michael.’

What would become of her twin brother? A sigh escaped her lips. Michael stirred her sense of guilt.

Twins grow together in their mother’s womb. It was said that one’s weakness stemmed from the other’s strength, siphoning nutrients from the mother.

If Michael’s body hadn’t been so frail, he might not have developed such a twisted personality.

Charlotte couldn’t shake the thought that the root of the problem was tied to her from the moment of their birth.

‘What will become of Michael?’

What did Helmut intend to do with him? If he were spared, Michael, stripped of his position as Renosa’s heir, would never remain docile.

As Charlotte gazed at the empty tournament arena, lost in thought, a voice suddenly called out.

“Why the glum face, Charlotte? The tiresome martial arts tournament is over, and your work is done, isn’t it?”

It was Asuka, sauntering over.

“Will you remain in the Empire, Senior?”

“Well, yeah. I guess I have to? Sian’s going along, but I can’t exactly do that.”

As the heir of Grand Duke Farnese and a member of the imperial family, he couldn’t freely decide his own path.

Asuka seemed displeased that everyone else was heading to Renosa while he stayed behind.

“Don’t get all perfectionist and overdo it. Just wrap things up haphazardly and hand it over. The Crown Prince will take care of the annoying, difficult stuff.”

“Who decided that?”

A voice from the other side made Asuka and Charlotte turn simultaneously.

There stood the Crown Prince, his expression one of displeasure.

“How dare you treat me like a servant doing cleanup? You’ve got some nerve.”

Asuka responded nonchalantly.

“Don’t sulk like a petty eavesdropper. If you’re going to show up, make your presence known first, Your Highness.”

“Sulk? What a vulgar expression. The heir of Farnese needs to retake his etiquette lessons.”

“Don’t be cheap and keep bringing up those damn etiquette lessons. And isn’t managing the tournament cleanup something you can handle? It’s no big deal.”

“To someone who got eliminated early and has been lounging around, this might seem trivial. Not that your help would’ve been useful anyway.”

The Crown Prince’s sarcasm finally got under Asuka’s skin.

“What did you say? You don’t even have the skill to compete in the tournament!”

“Your paltry swordsmanship was laid bare in this tournament. How does it feel to know your level?”

“Hey, I got unlucky and faced a top contender, that’s why I was eliminated, not because of my skill!”

“You’ve got a long way to go. That holy knight seemed around your age, didn’t he?”

“You need to know how to wield a sword to judge skill. Does Your Highness even have the eye for it?”

Watching their bickering somehow brought a smile to Charlotte’s face. Her eyes softened, and a bright smile formed.

Before she realized it, a soft laugh escaped her.

Both Asuka and the Crown Prince froze upon witnessing it.

Asuka, recovering first, narrowed his eyes.

“…What’s that look? Like you’re watching kids?”

“N-No, it’s not that. You two just seemed… close.”

“Close? The Duchess has an overly optimistic view.”

The Crown Prince cleared his throat, adding his own remark.

But the urge to argue had dissipated.

“I heard you’re leaving early tomorrow,” he said.

“Yes, that’s the plan,” Charlotte replied.

The Crown Prince flashed a dazzling smile toward her.

“I may have reason to visit Renosa soon. It’s a pity, but I look forward to our meeting then.”

Asuka’s eyes shot up fiercely.

“Who said you could visit Renosa? Charlotte, if the Crown Prince tries to come, refuse him.”

“Even if we’re academy seniors and juniors, that’s utterly disrespectful. Ordering the Duchess of Renosa around?”

Charlotte responded belatedly.

“…That’s not something I can decide.”

Asuka declared, as if to intercept.

“If Your Highness visits Renosa, I’m coming too.”

“On whose authority, and for what reason?”

“As an escort. You’re weak and frail, so I’ll have to protect you.”

A sharp exchange of glares passed between the Crown Prince and Asuka.

Charlotte’s expression turned wry, her earlier amusement gone.

For her, it would be easier if only one of them visited—or better yet, neither.

But Charlotte was a trained Duchess of Renosa. She replied with formal courtesy.

“Yes, if both of you visit Renosa, I will gladly welcome you.”

Charlotte remained entangled in this troublesome triangle to the very end.

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