Chapter 4 Part 2. Poor Charlotte

Understanding? No, this was not understanding. It was just a realization. I knew why my father had suddenly regained Charlotte’s identity. It was a touching story, the return of a daughter he had lost so long ago, but there was more to it than just the beauty behind it. Especially because she’s a woman, she was bound to be involved in worse rumors. In order to prevent this, my father tried to make it seem that me and the returned Charlotte were the same person. If I were to disappear, she would become the perfect Young Miss of Tiodurop.

“Please do me a favor. If you listen to it, I’ll leave the mansion quietly without anyone knowing.”

“Yes?”

“Please, give me the Malata territory.”

With Charlotte back, staying at Tiodurop Manor would only make things worse.

I’d rather get what I need and leave the mansion forever.

“Malata…? That’s…”

My father slurred his words with a confused face.

“I know what the land is like,” he said, “but you want Malata?”

“Yes, it’s beautiful. It shouldn’t be such an unreasonable request even for you, father.”

“Are you sure that’s all you want? You can tell me if you need anything else.”

“Yes, that’s good enough for me. I don’t need anything else.”

What I needed was the hidden treasure in the Malata, and I had to have it in order to receive the help of Archduke Mona Chareuteu.

“But…”

“If I stay in the capital, I’ll be a nuisance to you, father.”

My father never told me to leave. But it was my wish that I should leave.

“I’m sorry,” he said cautiously, looking at me. Funny enough, his expression was much calmer than before

“Don’t be sorry, because we are finally going back to our original positions.”

I swallowed my insinuations and avoided my father’s gaze. I didn’t know if I said that so that my father would reconsider it or not. But I knew that if the words had come from Charlotte’s mouth, it would have been the greatest wound to my father.

“Thank you for saying so. I’ll make sure that everything you ask for is ready as soon as possible.”

I smiled as I realised that he really did want me to leave as soon as possible. I thought that there was a slight bond between us, but it seemed that a fake was no match for the real.

****

“Take it. It’s what you asked for.”

The document my father had given me was full of details proving Malata’s ownership. I paused for a moment to examine the contents of the document. Instead of Charlotte, the name “Symphonia” was written on the document.

I was no longer Charlotte.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

I put the documents in order and held them in my hand.

“No, I’m more grateful and I’m sorry,” he said and went silent for a while. There was so much emotion in the way he looked at me that I felt strange.

“So…..when are you planning to leave?”

“There’s no need to delay, I’ll be leaving tonight.”

It was all so emotional. Neither my father nor I had forgotten the reality.

“I sent someone to the villa in Malata to fix it, just in case. It won’t be any inconvenience for you there.”

“Yes, thank you. But please don’t do it again. You don’t have to help me anymore. The more help I receive, the more I’ll become dependent on it. The more support I receive, the more I’ll rely on it, especially if it’s from you, father.”

“Charlotte.”

“Please don’t call me by that name. I shall have nothing to do with you anymore.”

Unknowingly, my hands were tightened and the documents were crumpled, but I succeeded in maintaining my facial expression. I stared at my father, trying my best to look as calm as I could. Nevertheless, the heartache was inevitable.

“If anything happens, call me right away. If you need my help, I’ll be happy to help you.”

“It won’t happen.” I shook my head firmly.

“I know you’re upset, but can’t you just understand me?”

“I’m leaving because I understand. This is the last gift I can give you, father.”

I was hurt. I didn’t mean to deny what my father gave me. It was true that I enjoyed a lot as the Young Miss of Tiodurop.

“…..”

“Take care, father.”

Then, as it was my habit, I was going to say I love you, but I stopped immediately. The words were no longer suitable for us. That’s when it happened. The tightly closed door of the office was opened.

“I’m sorry! I thought you were alone… “

And then the voice that followed right after quickly made me strain.