016: Chapter 1 ~ Tell Me, How to Burn Off Stress ②

January 30, 2021 - 3 minutes read - 627 words

“So, this is my father?” Charlotte

“Yep, and your ex-fiancé” Allen says as he nods.

I made sure to emphasize the “ex” part, it’s important.

“You need to stop being walked over. You need to know when to get angry.” Allen

“Get angry…” Charlotte

“Exactly” Allen

Allen gently puts boxing gloves onto Charlotte’s hands. They’re bloody red. Allen wants to make sure that Charlotte gets a good go at it.

“Patience is important, but sometimes you need to let out your feelings. Otherwise they could build up and make you crazy.” Allen

Emotions that have been encountered won’t just disappear. They will fester in the depths of the heart, and can eventually destroy the person. Allen doesn’t want Charlotte to hurt herself with her feelings of betrayal.

“It can feel weird the first time, but you’ll learn to love it.” Allen

“Mr. Demon King, is that a villain’s way of saying it?” Myaha grumbles.

Charlotte still has a worried face, when looking at the picture of the prince and her father on the punching bag, her shoulders drop.

“But… I-I’m not angry…” Charlotte

Allen had to go through a number of newspapers to find both the pictures. He had learned more about Charlotte’s villainous deeds and reputation in the neighboring Neils kingdom. In addition, it seems a reward has been placed on any information about her whereabouts. The soldiers who had been chasing Charlotte has mentioned she was wanted ‘dead or alive’.

It seems that there is no longer any safe place for Charlotte in her home country. Charlotte has been robbed of her past, she can’t ever go back.

Yet, she hasn’t shown any anger at that. Allen laughs as if he’s giving up.

“The prince and my father must have had some reason…” Charlotte

“So, for some reason, you were thrown away like a rag?” Allen

“They couldn’t help it…” Charlotte says as she shakes her head.

“I have to give thanks to my father for raising me up to this point. I’m sorry that someone like me was chosen as a fiancée… I’m sorry for any inconvenience.” Charlotte

Allen is stunned.

He thinks that Charlotte’s problems are rooted to deep for the current activity.

Allen’s plan can be summed up like this…

Make Charlotte aware of a grudge
Invade the neighboring country and uncover the prince’s wrongdoing
Charlotte is revealed to be innocent and the true villains are hanged
Happy ending!

However, the beginning step is not working. Skipping ahead with the plan isn’t going to heal Charlotte’s heart.

She has to face her heart and past properly. She’s gotten used to suppressing her feelings and is afraid to verbalize how she feels. She’s become afraid or just given up on her own desires and feelings.

She wouldn’t have survived til now otherwise. The shell she built up to protect herself is now choking her.

If her crimes were cleared up and the prince was condemned, she wouldn’t rejoice. Instead she would only be anxious that someone was unhappy because of her.

Myaha pulled Allen’s sleeve to get his attention.

“Mr. Demon King. I’m not sure if it’s polite to comment on a customer’s household…” Myaha

She hesitantly looks at Charlotte, then drops the tone of her voice.

“For Ms. Charlotte… I think it’s better to let it go a little longer.” Myaha

“I almost agree with you.” Allen

“Almost?” Myaha

Charlotte’s trauma is deep, and it will take time to solve. Allen isn’t sure what to do, but he doesn’t want to just wait around and hope it gets better.

“Charlotte” Allen

“Yes?” Charlotte

Allen calls out the frozen Charlotte, then gently takes her hands that were still wearing the gloves.

“Then, instead of the punching bag… hit me.” Allen

“……. Yes?” Charlotte