# 70
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“It seems like you've been fighting a lot with your sister.”
The man did not think that Charlotte could be wrong.
A woman so beautiful that looking directly into her eyes was daunting.
Of course, it was her sister, who was jealous of her stunning beauty, who was teasing her innocent little sister.
“How much psychological pain she suffered until she said something she did not mean about her desire to kill her sister.”
Even the harsh words that came out of her beautiful lips made him feel sorry for her.
Wanting to win her favor, the man began to console her passionately.
"You've been suffering a lot. An older sister should act wiy like an older person, but it seemed like she was deficient in many ways."
“Maybe she was coveting what I had.”
“I completely understand how you feel. So, when I visit your house, I will avoid your sister and only meet your parents...”
“Can you get some water?”
Charlotte interrupted him.
It was clear that she had deliberately changed the subject, but the man brought the water without objection.
While Charlotte was drinking lukewarm water, she asked, looking at a curtain hanging on the wall:
“What is this?”
“Oh, that curtain.”
The man spoke proudly, straightening his shoulders.
“When I was a student, I participated in the fencing tournament at Hilliard as a representative of my school. I got this commemorative curtain for my outstanding performance.”
“Ah, Hilliard.”
“You may not know it as a non-female duelist, but the Hilliard Dueling Championship is considered a very prestigious tournament. Winning an award there means that you are an imperially recognized swordsman.”
“I don't like Hilliard very much.”
Charlotte said in an arrogant tone and turned away.
The man expected her eyes to sparkle as she looked at him with admiration: “A successful young officer who is also good at swordsmanship, really amazing!”
But he was surprised by her unexpected reaction.
Unable to give up his attempt, he added.
“But it is a very prestigious tournament...”
"So what? Am I supposed to be happy about that?"
“No, of course not.”
The man quickly retreated.
"Haha, well, it was prestigious in the past, but now it's just an ordinary tournament. Hilliard's influence in social circles is no longer what it was. Moreover, I heard that an accident happened this year."
"accident?"
“They say there was an explosion at the finals. We heard that several people died.”
“Hmm.”
“Maybe because the Duke was infatuated with a woman and was not in his right mind, such things happened.”
"Heh, he had such a stubborn side too. Did you hear that woman's name?"
“Her name seems to be Ellie… a common name.”
Suddenly, Charlotte's sleepy look turned sharp.
She got up and asked:
"Eli? You mean Elinor?"
“Ah, yes, that seems to be the name.”
“Not Charlotte?”
"What? Who is Charlotte?"
Charlotte's face hardened.
The man realized, without knowing why, that he had made a mistake, so he began watching her reaction.
Charlotte questioned him.
"Why is it said that the Duke is infatuated with Elinor? What is her last name? Is she really Elinor?"
“It…it's just a baess rumour, so I don't know the details. Moreover, it's a rather disgraceful rumour…”
“Don't stutter and tell me everything you know now.”
“The Duke is said to have an illegitimate child.”
Charlotte frowned.
Even this look was as beautiful as a picture, so the man swallowed his saliva and added cautiously.
“At the jousting tournament, the Grand Duchess was carrying a baby. The prince and princess were there too.”
“It's impossible.”
"I'm thinking the same way. But since this happened at the dueling tournament, many people saw it. The only thing known about the woman is her name."
The man watched Charlotte's reaction and asked cautiously.
“Do you know her? If you have unknowingly made a mistake...”
Cough.
Suddenly, the man vomited blood.
His body leaned forward, making the bed shake, and soon the white sheets were stained with red blood. Charlotte raised her head.
“Charles.”
Alexis was standing in front of her, not knowing when he entered.
He took out his bloodstained sword.
“Why are you here?”
Even though he had just committed a murder, he was calm.
It wasn't even really quiet.
Ever since he saw the effects of the relationship on Charlotte's body, his eyes had already rolled over.
He suppressed his feelings that were about to explode.
“Didn't you tell me that you were tired and wanted to rest? So why are you with another man...”
“We were talking about something important!”
But Charlotte didn't care about his reaction.
Instead, she pointed at the collapsed man and shouted angrily at Alexis.
“How could you kill him like that without thinking? This man was telling me about the Duke’s illegitimate child!”
“Charles.”
“How could the rumor spread that the Duke is infatuated with my sister? That my sister bore him a child? The Duke was always obsessed with me. He longed to possess me.”
"Charles! Answer my question first."
Alexis raised his voice, and Charlotte's round eyes flashed.
He frowned and pleaded painfully.
“Why did you spend the night with this stranger? Didn’t you tell me that I was the only one who could touch you in this life?”
If Charlotte and Alexis were just ordinary lovers, Alexis' anger would be justified.
But Charlotte thought about their relationship differently.
slap-
Alexis' cheek turned harshly.
Charlotte frowned.
“Don't overstep your bounds, Alec.”
"Who dare you raise your voice to? Do you think you're something because we spent a few nights together?"
“Who I spend my time with is my freedom. You have nothing to do with it.”
Charlotte felt upset, got out of bed, and put on her clothes on the floor with a frowning face.
She had to verify this rumor quickly.
Although the name Elinor is very common, the concern that this Elinor was her sister has not faded away.
At that moment, a gloomy voice was heard from behind.
“So, did you lie to me?”
Charlotte turned around.
Alexis stared at her, his lips tightly closed.
“Were they just sweet words to take advantage of me?”
“Alec.”
“Why do you care about Duke Hilliard? Whether your sister gives birth to an illegitimate child or not, what does it matter? Or do you intend to go to Duke Hilliard instead of me this time?”
“If he really had an affair with my sister, I wouldn’t put up with it.”
“Don't go.”
Alexis muttered.
"Don't you need my help, Charles? Who helped you steal the sacred item and take you where you want?"
“Anyone can do this, not just you.”
Charlotte replied sharply.
"It's not something only you can do. Don't brag about something like that."
“Anyone could have done this...”
“Yes.”
Alexis lowered his head.
He seemed to have given up on the argument.
How stupid. Charlotte scoffed.
But at that moment, Alexis opened his mouth.
“So, what about killing a baby?”
Charlotte's eyes widened.
Alexis smiled wryly.
“Was that also something anyone could do?”