Chapter 4 - 4

In the book, the tyrant Roxidian was a person who was born with a congenital lack of emotion.

The beast's blood mixed into the royal ancestors unfortunately manifested too strongly in Roxidian.

Because of this, Roxidian was numb to the various emotions a person would naturally have.

Though intelligent, he had difficulty learning etiquette and common sense.

Because it was hard for him to suppress his innate wildness instinctively.

Taking pity on him, the late Emperor and Empress used magic to forcibly instill emotions into Roxidian.

In childhood, that was fine... but as he grew older, the magic's power gradually faded.

'As it faded, the madness began to reappear.'

That was why he earned the name tyrant.

And later, this became a setting that added to the R-rated flavor, as the female lead appeared and he endured his madness, becoming obsessive, etc., but...

'Why, in front of me, does he change so ridiculously?'

Noah knelt down on one knee in front of me.

"Forgive my late greeting, Countess. And congratulations. You have managed to suppress His Majesty's madness."

"..."

"You have removed one of the Empire's hidden ailments."

...No, it's not like I removed that ailment because I wanted to.

"It's too early to congratulate. There are side effects."

"Side effects, you say?"

"Ugh... I don't want to say it myself."

"Pardon?"

"I said I don't want to say it. Ah."

"But as you know, Your Majesty, I am in a situation where I need to know everything. I would understand even if the side effect was you becoming an idiot, so please tell me anything. I am prepared."

"Do you want to die? Ha... Seeing is believing. Hey."

Roxidian called me, and Noah naturally looked at me. I tilted my head.

"Seems like 'Mother' left a very nice gift."

At the same time, Roxidian's expression subtly changed, starting with his gaze towards me.

A soft, gentle smile appeared.

"Indeed, Riz. Mother seems to have left a good gift for my little sister."

"...Your Majesty?"

"Come to think of it, is there anything you want?"

I could see Noah's mouth drop open just like mine had a moment ago, as he watched the tyrant busily chattering to himself.

Regardless, Roxidian, with the face of a kind brother, crouched his large body next to me, busily asking how I was in a gentle manner.

His crumpled posture was exactly like a tiger trying to squeeze its body into a small box, believing itself to be a cat.

While he was doing this, Noah barely suppressed his laughter, then had to stifle it like crazy under Roxidian's fierce gaze once he returned to normal.

"Ah, th-that, uh, how did this happen... pfft, ah, I'll find out."

Roxidian got up.

"Phew, let's postpone the business for today. You. I'm warning you, don't wander around outside."

"..."

I just watched his departing back in bewilderment.

It felt like a storm had passed.

* * *

Roxidian, who seemed like he would return any moment, didn't come looking for me afterwards.

And for some reason, my maternal grandfather, the Duke of Altsbeit, who returned from his outing that day, was furious.

'So Roxidian and the Duke of Altsbeit don't get along.'

That was one of the facts I learned as Charlize's memories gradually came back.

For some reason, the Duke and Roxidian didn't get along.

No, should I say they got along terribly?

Despite being a maternal grandfather and grandson, they were practically political enemies.

Nevertheless, both were generous towards Charlize.

'Well, even if she lived as a tyrant, they had enough affection to clean up after her.'

In front of me lay a pile of gifts sent by one of them, my maternal grandfather.

"The Duke prepared these, concerned about the Countess who hasn't been going out at all lately."

"Oh."

I inwardly whistled, but at the same time, I was lost in thought.

'Wow, even with this, he won't see me?'

Because I still hadn't been able to meet the person I absolutely must meet, my fiance.

Moreover, the dozens of invitations I sent returned unopened, as always.

At the same time, documents demanding the broken engagement from my fiance kept arriving at the Altsbeit Ducal residence.

I thought I had been quite polite. It was time to act myself.

'I wanted to create a polite first meeting since the core has changed, but...'

I had information about Askin in my head.

"I'm going out."

"Yes, Countess. I will prepare immediately."

The place where that man would be at this time is...

Only one.

A moment later, I looked at the hem of my outdoor dress and admired it quietly.

"...I chose the most modest one."

In Charlize's wardrobe, where extravagance was a virtue, the word 'modesty' did not exist.

'It is really beautiful though...'

It was true. My face was so beautiful that I never got tired of looking at it.

If I debuted in the entertainment industry like this, wouldn't I earn enough for my descendants to live on for three generations without having to worry about making a living?

Although she had a somewhat fierce and vicious look.

Perhaps absolute beauty covers this up.

'Charlize must have been very aware of her appearance. And she would have used it well.'

Her wardrobe was full of clothes that suited her, though extravagant.

Thanks to that, finding a non-revealing dress was like finding a needle in a haystack. So I was about to put on a jacket and leave the residence.

"Um, C-Countess!"

I became puzzled.

A maid blocked my path, bowed her head deeply, and then raised it again. She was trembling as if to say "Please don't kill me!"

What is it, is there a problem?

The maids here are all afraid of Charlize.

Even though I've treated them well for a few days, they couldn't overcome their fear overnight.

...Just how many people did she kill?

Anyway, I tilted my head.

So why are you blocking me?

"A guest has arrived."

"A guest?"

"Yes, the Countess's close friends..."

"Ah."

Friends? As I tilted my head, Charlize's memory came to mind.

Ah. Friends. They mean those kids.

Charlize didn't commit her evil deeds alone.

She had a group she often caused trouble with.

It was a collection of cunning people who either had similar tendencies to her or aimed to pick up the crumbs falling from Charlize's powerful background.

'Named the Capital's Tyrants' Gathering. I remember they called it 'Ty Gath' for short.'

Like the name suggests, these people's lives would later be ruined... It could be said it was due to the karma they accumulated themselves.

And Charlize, the de facto leader of this group, met the most horrific end.

I rubbed my neck.

'Wow, I vividly feel that I've possessed an angsty novel.'

If the story proceeds exactly like the original, I, Charlize, will be killed by the person she loved and obsessed over, and her trusted brother will be too captivated by the woman he loves to help her.

In short, I would die alone, painfully, and horribly, wishing I'd never be born again.

'Honestly, I've already met that brother... but it's not like betrayal, it's just that when the female lead appears, he'll probably take her side in a heartbeat.'

In the original, they were close siblings.

No matter how I looked at it, he didn't even like me, thought I was worse than a stray dog, and after being severely hurt himself, I'm just lucky his anger towards me didn't grow.

The fortunate thing is, if I just survive well here for one year...

'It will be completely different from the original.'

I can go back before Charlize's impending death in the original!

Even if the timing is tight.

So.

"Cancel the carriage preparations."

"...Yes, Countess."

'To survive safely for the next year, I need to cut off those bad friends in advance.'

The tyrant friends who came to visit me now wouldn't be helpful at all for my future plans.

It's good to cut off the roots in advance.

'Wait for me, fiance. I'll come see your face soon.'

It's a shame I couldn't see the face of my fiance, who I need to negotiate with as soon as possible.

But thinking of it as one step back for two steps forward, it wasn't a loss.

"Show the guests in."

* * *

A lavish reception room.

Charlize's reception room differed from the usual reception room structure.

Normally, a noble lady's reception room prefers pretty tables for tea or large windows.

On the contrary, Charlize's reception room didn't have large windows, and even the existing windows had blackout curtains.

Thanks to this, it could create an atmosphere like night even in broad daylight, and now was no different.

The scene with subtle magical lights flickering evoked an image of an upscale pub.

'When I watch dramas, there are scenes of rich people playing in upscale bars, but this doesn't look any different from those bars...'

It was true.

The servants of this household, accustomed to Charlize's tyranny and fear, had prepared everything without being asked.

And on the comfortable, plush sofas sat several men and women.