"What did you say?" Margaret couldn't believe what she heard from her best friend.
"I reckoned you heard me alright. But, since I was in a pleasant mood, I will repeat it," Charlotte said, "I'm going to meet Prince Logan in the afternoon."
"He invited you the Royal Library after the East Garden?" Margaret eyes enlarged.
"Yes, I supposed that's what happened."
Margaret put the book she had been reading on the table. She couldn't venture the idea that Charlotte had actually managed to charm Logan. Her best friend might be beautiful and smart, but that doesn't mean a prince would fall in love with Charlotte out of the blue after one meeting. On top of that, Prince Damian abruptly manifested an interest in her. Could the crazy plan actually work?
"Truthfully, my feeling told me that he's hiding something," Charlotte burst out Margaret's thought bubble.
"Who are you talking about?"
"Prince Logan, of course," Charlotte a little mad at Margaret lack of attention.
"What about Prince Damian sudden interest?"
"Knowing his personality, I'm sure you understand the reason he showed up in the garden."
"Then, the plan was running along better than anticipated."
"That's right," Charlotte smiled smugly.
Prince Logan and Damian bad relationship were well known throughout the high society. The two of them were never seen conversating to each other in public. They only ever exchanged crude greetings, boorish remarks, or scurrilous sarcasms.
One thing to be concluded from their conversation would be that both of them hate losing. The ongoing discussion about the crown succession—because the king's health was deteriorating—escalated their competitive behavior. Henceforward, Charlotte and Margaret presumed winning one's favor would fuel the other's curiosity.
"Charlotte, please, please do be careful," Margaret gave her partings words before Charlotte headed to the Royal Palace.
Charlotte nodded and smiled before closing the door. She walked out of the manor to the carriage that had been waiting for her. Part one of her plan—getting an interest of the princes—had been finished. Part two was to get close enough to them to be able to manipulate their important decisions.
"Where are you going now?" Wilson asked as he offered his hand to help his mistress going up.
"The Royal Palace."
"What?" Wilson held Charlotte hand asking an explanation.
"What?" Charlotte protested.
"Why are you going to the Palace?"
"I'm meeting with Prince Logan," Charlotte said casually while retracting the hand Wilson held.
"I hope you're not thinking of making any trouble," Wilson face was full of worry. His eyebrow was furrowed deeply, and his eyes were shaking.
"Trouble is my forte, right?" Charlotte smiled, and the carriage door was closed.
"Please, don't," Wilson whispered.
Unlike the last time, Charlotte didn't wait long on her second visit. It was within her expectation. She knew on her last visit Logan was testing her relationship with Princess Eleanor. This time, he didn't seem to have any need for another test.
Soon after she sat down, Sir Timothy opened the door for Logan. After exchanging a quick pleasantry, Logan quickly escorted her to the Royal Library. It was the biggest library in Gallene. The two-floor library had a high ceiling that was painted beautifully. The books collections were arranged systematically according to the theme. There were sturdy wooden tables and chairs lined up in the middle.
It was the perfect place for book lovers. However, upon gazing at the grand library, Charlotte realized that something was missing. Within that huge library, there were no other people—not even the librarian. There were only the two of them and Timothy. Even then, after Logan gave a certain signal, Timothy went out, closed the door, and just stood there guarding the entrance to the library.
Surely, she thought, it must be the Prince doing. What confidential matters would he have in mind?
"Please sit here, my lady," Logan pulled out a chair for Charlotte.
"Thank you."
Logan sat down across Charlotte. He put both hands on the table and stared down at her for a while. He was staring hard that Charlotte face started to blush.
"Your Highness?" the confused Charlotte asked.
"The last time, I was interrupted by the scoundrel," Logan finally opened his mouth.
"Yes…" Charlotte decided to agree first with whatever he threw at her.
"This time, let me be straight with you. I know the real reason you had been approaching me," Logan dropped the bomb.
He knows? But I don't think I approach him too actively. I only conversed with him at the cemetery. He was the one that invited me again and again?!
Charlotte loosened up her tense facial muscle. She skillfully disguised her shocked expression with a warm pretend smile. If she looked too surprised, it would serve as a confirmation that she was indeed hiding something.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. I don't quite understand your words," Charlotte smiled.
"You don't have to pretend anymore, I know everything," Logan put up one hand toward her, then he sat back crossing his arms.
Charlotte heart was in turmoil. From her observation on the Prince's face, she realize that Logan didn't test her. He genuinely believed she was hiding a secret plan. Nevertheless, she wasn't sure either if her real plan had been disclosed or he found out about other things.
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?" this time Charlotte didn't bother smiling, she showed a serious face.
"I know you are approaching me to get revenge."
Charlotte's heart sunken down. How did Logan know about this? The only person other than Charlotte who knew about her plan was Margaret. And there's no way Margaret would blow the whistle on her.
"Hahaha?! What kind of revenge? It's absurd," Charlotte tried to laugh it off. Even if her plan had been discovered, she would never admit it.
"It's been 11 years. For the past 10 years, you always visited my aunt's grave but never once greeted me. However, this year you took the liberty to initiate a conversation with me. Of course, it does seem strange to me," Logan began his deduction.
"That's because we always visited at different times," Charlotte tried to give an excuse.
"True, that's why I deliberately invited you to the East Garden after doing a thorough investigation. From my investigation, I found out about the petition your family had signed to reduce the tax."
"And then?" Charlotte asked.
"I also found out about protest that goes on within your family business."
Charlotte laughed, "I'm ashamed such rumors to be heard by Your Highness."
Ignoring Charlotte's remark, Logan went on with his deduction, "The ever-rising taxes had taken a toll on the Riverion family which focus on business aside from fief management. You must have known the root of the problem lies within the King who managed the taxes. If everything kept on being like this, you are afraid another incident to happen again just like 13 years ago—an incident that claimed the lives of 6 nobles."
"I hope I didn't worry Your Highness with my petty problem," Charlotte deliberately diverting the topics.
"You want revenge. That's what you wanted."
Logan was right. Charlotte wanted revenge. She wanted to change their topic of discussion before she was accused of treason, thrown into jail, and died by public execution. Her weak attempts seemed to fail. Therefore, she decided to test the water.
"Even if what Your Highness said was true, what kind of revenge am I wishing by associating myself with Your Highness? Wouldn't it make more sense if my goal was power to protect my family?" Charlotte asked with a serious expression.
"Yes, you want the power of crown princess to influence the tax. What kind of revenge would be better than snatching the power of the person who trampled over you?"
He was a very smart prince. He was half-right. Charlotte did want to erase the monarchy of Gallene. However, the King wasn't her only target. She also despised both Princes.
Her initial plan was to create a struggle within three major forces: the King, Crown Prince Logan, and second Prince Damian. When the struggle ended, leaving the crown with a loser who looked incompetent to both nobles and commoners, the house of Lords and Commons would agree to crown a competent successor. The crown would be passed to other Lords than the Pazgallene because the last blood of Pazgallene only flew within the King and his two sons.
In short, Charlotte never planned to gain power for herself. Within their conversations, Charlotte never admitted to treason. Therefore, she decided to be bold.
"Then, what are Your Highness going to do?" Charlotte lips curled up like a villainess.