Chapter 3

I didn't leave the royal capital right away.

My elder sister Margaret was still in the Farnese Palace.

She had been unconscious for five years, and her body was weak to the point of breaking. I had to see her.

I rented a modest room at an inn in the back alley of the Farnese Palace, using the only piece of silver jewelry I had left to exchange for a few copper coins.

It was something Christian Farnese had casually given me five years ago. Now it served as travel money — fitting, I suppose.

On the third day, my sister's personal maid found me in secret.

"Miss Charlotte Lacy, Miss Margaret wishes to see you."

I followed the maid and slipped into the Farnese Palace through the side gate.

My sister was staying in the most secluded courtyard of the Palace.

Christian Farnese had brought her into the estate, but had given her a legit identity — only calling her his "benefactor."

When I pushed open the door, my sister was leaning against the bed, coughing.

She was gaunt, emaciated, her face as pale as paper. Only her eyes remained the same — gentle as ever.

"Charlotte…"

Her eyes reddened the moment she saw me, and she struggled to sit up.

I hurried forward and pressed her back down.

"Margaret, don't move."

She grabbed my hand tightly, her eyes sweeping over me from head to toe, tears streaming down her face.

"Your illness… are you all better now?"

I nodded. "Yes. I remember everything now."

Margaret sobbed, unable to hold back her tears. "It's my fault. If I hadn't fallen unconscious, Mother and Father never would have put you in this situation. These five years… you've suffered so much."

"I didn't suffer." I wiped her tears away. "You're the one who truly suffered. You nearly gave your own life to save him."

Margaret let out a bitter smile, her gaze dimming.

"Saving him — I did that willingly. I just never imagined he would treat you like that…"

She paused, didn't say the word "poison" out loud.

"He thought you had deceived him, and his anger got the better of him. But he's not a bad person at heart, Charlotte. Don't blame him."

I looked at my sister's sickly face — still making excuses for Christian — and felt a dull ache in my chest.

She loves him.

She had loved him ever since the moment she carried him up from the bottom of that cliff five years ago.

"I don't blame him," I said calmly. "Margaret, I came today to say goodbye."

Margaret froze. "You're leaving? Where to?"

"Leaving the royal capital. Southward, to Napoli."

"But—" Margaret's voice turned anxious. "You're a young woman, all alone, with no one to rely on. Where can you go? Stay. I'll plead with Duke Farnese to arrange a proper place for you."

"Margaret." I cut her off, my voice was firm. "I can't stay."

"If I stay here, I'll only remind Christian Farnese every day that he was once made a fool of. And it will put you in an impossible position between us."

"I'm clear-headed now. I am perfectly able bodied. I can support myself."

Margaret looked at me, reluctant and worried.

She knew my nature. Once I'd made up my mind, nothing could change it.

"Then… will you ever come back?"

"I don't know." I shook my head. "Maybe. Maybe not. Margaret, take care of yourself. Christian Farnese owes you. Demand what you're owed. Don't sell yourself short."

Margaret nodded, tears still flowing.

I stood up, ready to leave.

Just then, a commotion erupted from outside the door.

"Let us in! We want to see Duke Farnese! We're his father-in-law and mother-in-law!"

My brow furrowed.

It was my parents.