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Chapter 68
Prince Alexander yawned loudly and wrapped up his announcement.
“So, this incident will officially be ruled an accident—Handmaid Sophie’s accidental death.”
Charlier bit down on the fury rising inside her.
‘Sophie’s death means nothing to them. This whole meeting was just a warning—telling us not to speak about it ever again.’
A death with no responsibility. A death no one mourned.
Charlier’s skin crawled. She couldn’t stop thinking: Sophie’s fate could just as easily have been hers.
“……”
Michaela’s face didn’t change at all.
Whenever Charlier had suffered under Michaela’s curses, she had always wondered what kind of expression Michaela wore.
‘So this is it.’
That expressionless face. Acting as if nothing had happened. As if a worthless insect had died, not a human being.
Charlier hid her trembling hands under the table.
“The Crown Prince and the future Empress will now leave!”
With the loud announcement, Alexander and Michaela exited the banquet hall. For a long while after they were gone, no one dared speak.
Then, little by little, people began rising from their seats, leaving quietly while watching one another carefully.
Charlier leaned against the palace corridor wall. Her excitement, fear, and horror hadn’t calmed down at all.
Another innocent death. When she had lived in the palace before, it had happened from time to time.
There were deaths—but never responsibility. If she listed all the people Michaela had destroyed, it would already fill a hand’s worth of fingers.
‘This is my last chance.’
Charlier thought about the ruby ring and curse orb Tiago had given her. Maybe this was her only chance left.
She had survived until now by running away. She had feared Michaela’s power—no, the entire Pavillon family’s overwhelming power—and she had hated the Trinity family that stood behind them.
Every time fear struck, she had chosen to run. That was why she was still alive. Otherwise, Sophie’s death would have been hers.
“……”
Charlier shut her eyes tightly. Her head spun. Behind all her pain, suffering, and fear inside the palace—there was always Michaela. Michaela was what she feared and hated most.
If not for Tiago’s help, she would never even have thought of revenge. That was how powerful Michaela was. But now, thanks to Tiago, she thought—maybe, just maybe—this time she could win.
“……”
Charlier swallowed hard and made up her mind.
‘Yes. I’ll talk to Michaela—just once. For the last time. I’ll see how she reacts.’
Her eyes glinted coldly. She checked that the ruby necklace was hidden well beneath her clothes, then began walking.
“This will be the first and last time.”
She had never gone to Michaela’s bedroom before. Even while writhing in pain from curse orbs, she had never dared to confront her directly.
But this time was different. This was her last chance. Tiago had destroyed all the other curse orbs she’d collected. Only one remained.
‘The last curse orb. If I only have one left, then I’ll use it on Michaela—the one I’ve always feared but never dared to strike.’
Her lips tightened. Tonight would be their first and last real conversation.
‘And that man, Tiago…’
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
‘Why did he leave me one curse orb? He must have known. If there was only one left, I would never waste it on Delphine. Of course I’d use it on Michaela. Hah… I’m completely dancing in his hands.’
Strangely, she didn’t hate the thought. Instead, she felt a trace of gratitude toward Tiago.
Charlier slowly climbed the palace stairs. The familiar royal crest glinted on the walls.
‘If only Tiago liked me…’
But she knew he never would. With most men, she could read the desire in their eyes. But Tiago was different.
He was the type who hid every feeling, who endured to the very end. The most dangerous type of man—and the one she could never seduce.
‘Then how on earth did Delphine charm him? Really ridiculous. Maybe Tiago just likes easy women.’
Charlier pushed down the jealousy boiling inside her and kept walking.
‘Tiago…’
His image wouldn’t leave her mind. When she thought of his touch, her stomach tightened strangely.
‘Enough. Focus. Michaela comes first. The last curse orb matters more than anything. I’ll confront her one final time before using it.’
Her footsteps echoed heavily through the empty hall.
When she reached Michaela’s bedroom, one of Michaela’s personal maids greeted her.
“Good evening, my lady. What brings you here?”
“I’ve come to see Michaela.”
“My lady is busy.”
‘I knew she’d say that.’
Charlier brushed past her, striding directly to the door. The maid panicked, chasing after her.
“You mustn’t do this, please—stop!”
Ignoring her, Charlier stopped at the door.
“Shall I knock? Or will you?”
The maid realized she had no choice. She tapped on the door weakly.
“My lady, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor? I said I’m resting!”
A harsh, grating voice snapped from inside. The maid flinched in fright.
Charlier raised her voice.
“It’s me, Michaela. Open the door.”
“…Crazy woman.”
After some clattering noises, the door flew open.
“What do you want?”
Michaela glared, face twisted in irritation.
“You really treat your guests with warmth, don’t you, Lady Michaela? I’m coming in.”
With bold steps, Charlier pushed her way inside. Her confidence was so overwhelming that Michaela instinctively stepped aside.
Charlier glanced back.
“No tea needed. Just close the door and come here. We have a lot to talk about.”
“You’ve lost your mind.”
Michaela rolled her eyes in disbelief, then slammed the door shut. The maid outside winced, shoulders shrinking, then sighed deeply.
Charlier sat on Michaela’s sofa, legs crossed. Michaela stared at her, stunned.
“Charlier, you’ve finally gone insane.”
“Maybe. Hard not to, with all your curses flying at me.”
Michaela widened her eyes, pretending she didn’t know what Charlier meant.
“Curse orbs? Why bring that up to me?”
“Sophie’s death—that was your doing, wasn’t it? I’m harder to kill because I’m a duke’s daughter, but a handmaid with nothing? Much easier.”
Michaela looked away, forcing an awkward smile.
“You’re insane. Barging in here, spouting nonsense.”
“So you’ll just deny everything, huh?”
Charlier laughed coldly. Michaela wasn’t capable of remorse. Not even close.
Charlier let out a bitter chuckle.
“This is your last chance.”
Arms folded, she stared Michaela down.
“It was you, wasn’t it? The one who killed Sophie. The one who used curse orbs on me.”
“Not even worth answering. I didn’t do it.”
Michaela’s lips twitched.
“Charlier, you’re really pushing it. In one week, you won’t be able to talk to me like this anymore. I’ll be empress! The empress!”
Her voice rang through the grand chamber.
Charlier tilted her head and smirked.
“I know. That’s why I came now. While you’re still only the crown prince’s fiancée. While your marriage could still be broken off.”
“You lunatic.”
Charlier shrugged.
“You lost your chance. I only wanted an apology. A promise you wouldn’t repeat what you’ve done. But there’s no hope for you.”
“……”
Michaela’s teeth ground audibly as she glared. Charlier, calm as ever, went on:
“Because of you, I couldn’t sleep for nights. I had nightmares. Every thought of this palace made me feel sick with fear. Even when I got the coronation invitation, I hated it. This place is pure horror for me.”
“……”
Charlier rose and stepped toward Michaela.
“All because of you. You turned my life into a nightmare.”
“Pathetic. You’re just weak—”
Charlier pressed a finger to her lips.
“I’m not finished.”
“Mmmph—!”
“I thought maybe if I cursed others, I’d feel better. But it didn’t work. You’re still the same—cursing, and now even killing.”
A twisted smile spread across her face, chilling. Michaela shoved her hand away and stumbled back.
Charlier advanced slowly, step by step.
“Now I’m done being your victim. I’ll do the same back to you. Exactly what you did to me.”
“…Wh-what are you saying…?!”
