TUSM 1

Chapter 01

A famous novelist once said this:

Characters in a novel? Who would ever want to become one of those?

Back then, I thought it was just a witty answer. I never imagined it would become my problem.

“Charlotte, I love you.”

Drip.

The black tea I had been holding in my mouth streamed straight down.

“How could I not have realized it? My true love was never Leonie Schmidt—it was you….”

Golden hair that gleamed as if brushed with honey, fresh green eyes, a dazzling face that could pass for a sculpture.

“Please accept my feelings.”

What is this?

Why is he standing right in front of me?

“Fa… Fabian?”

“Yes. Your Fabian.”

“Oh my god.”

Crash!

“Charlotte!”

The teacup slipped from my hand and shattered. The piercing sound jolted me back to my senses.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Guards! Is there no one—!”

“Wait, wait!”

I waved my hands frantically and asked,

“What… did you say my name was?”

“What is wrong, Charlotte?”

Charlotte.

That’s the name of the villainess in my novel.

And he’s the male lead from my novel.

I looked once at Fabian standing before me, once at the lavish reception room of the crown prince’s palace, once at the teacup across the table. Then, with my other hand, I felt along the hem of my dress. Inside the pocket, my fingers brushed against a small vial.

What is this?

Am I dreaming?

“My goodness.”

Slap!

I raised my hand and smacked my cheek.

It hurt.

“Charlotte! Are you all right? You look pale. Shall I call a physician?”

“…Did you?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you really drink it all? That black tea?”

“Didn’t we just drink it together?”

“Damn it….”

No, no—just one drop of that makes you fall madly in love with the first person you see. If Charlotte showed up acting suspicious, you were supposed to throw her out. Why did you drink tea with her?!

“Spit it out! Hurry!”

“Ah, Charlotte. That hurts.”

I jumped up and pounded Fabian on the back, but of course, the tea he had already swallowed wasn’t coming back up.

“What do I do….”

All the strength drained from my body.

Becoming the villainess in my own novel wasn’t bad enough—now I’d even brainwashed the male lead with a magic potion?

Does that make any sense?

No—he just drank it, so if I act fast, maybe I can fix this. Charlotte is the greatest mage in the capital, after all. There has to be a counter-spell.

“Your Highness, please look here for a moment.”

“Yes, if you wish.”

“This is really bad….”

Fabian is listening to Charlotte.

Normally, he should be glaring at her with open contempt, like he doesn’t even want to exchange words with her. So why do his eyes look like they’re dripping with honey? Get a grip.

I felt like crying, but I clenched my teeth and held out my hand.

“All right, Your Highness. I’m going to undo the brainwashing now. You’ll go back to hating me like you’re supposed to. Got it? Hup.”

“…….”

“Hup.”

A dark purple mist flowed from my hand, circled Fabian, and then vanished.

It didn’t work.

Come to think of it, Charlotte made this potion herself. Of course it wouldn’t be easy to undo.

“Charlotte, just what are you trying to show me by acting so adorably? Now that I look closer, your hands are quite pretty and delicate.”

With a look like he was utterly smitten, Fabian gently brushed the back of my hand.

Stop it. That gives me goosebumps.

“Um, Your Highness? Something is seriously going wrong right now, so if you could just wait a moment—”

“My beloved Charlotte. Don’t say another word.”

Cutting me off, Fabian slowly stepped closer, blinking his moist eyes. His large hand softly cupped my cheek.

What is this.

This mood—don’t tell me—

“No! Get away from me!”

“Charlotte?”

Thud—I shoved Fabian away and sprang to my feet.

“I don’t want to kiss you, Fabian!”

You shameless little brat—this is downright immoral!

I’m doomed.

I’ve thought about it at least a hundred times more, and I’m completely, utterly doomed.

“Why did it have to be Charlotte….”

If I’d at least become some random extra with nothing to do with the protagonists. But no—an unnecessarily powerful villainess who ruthlessly shreds the leads’ mental health.

Is this really okay?

When I’m the author?

“Ha….”

Outside the carriage window, the beautiful capital passed by—exactly as I had described it in my novel.

“Hic.”

I was so miserable my nose was running.

“All right, calm down. The damage is already done. Until this is resolved, the Count and Countess Schmidt—and Leonie—must never find out.”

If the Count and Countess learn about Charlotte’s atrocities, it’s over. Leonie will faint, the Count and Countess will try to tear me apart, and once the chaos reaches the Emperor’s ears, I’ll be put on trial and executed.

Maybe the original, insane Charlotte could endure that kind of suffering. I absolutely couldn’t.

“Okay. Hit and run.”

I’ll go back to the estate, pack my things, and then flee—quickly and quietly—to some remote place with beautiful mountains and rivers. From afar, I’ll cheer on my children’s love.

Since I’m a villainess destined to exit anyway, disappearing early will make everyone happier.

“Right. I’m the author—can’t I at least manage that? I can do this.”

I dreamed that dream.

…Yes, I had dreamed it.

Smack!

With a stinging pain, my head snapped to the side. I froze in the exact position of opening the door to the count’s residence.

“You sly, vicious girl. I never should have let you into this house.”

As if she’d been waiting, Countess Schmidt stood at the door, grinding her teeth.

“I took in and raised a worthless creature with nothing but magic, and this is how you repay me? What kind of filthy stunt did you pull?!”

In her hand dangled a letter with its seal torn to shreds—a long, passionate love letter Fabian had sent to Charlotte.

“Ah… His Highness sent that?”

I just got home.