Sold As A Slave, Returned To Be Queen - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

A girl's coming-of-age party at fifteen was meant to be a special milestone—her mother should pin up her hair, dress her in new robes, and help mark her official step into adulthood.
But on Charlotte's coming-of-age day, no one cared.
So when she learned that Irene had remembered the occasion, Charlotte was genuinely moved. Right then and there, she gave a deep, formal bow.
"Thank you, Lady Irene, for remembering. I'm truly grateful for your kindness and generous gift."
The next day, she simply asked Gracie to style her hair in the fashion of a grown woman. No ceremony, no words—just a quiet acknowledgment of the moment.
Compared to the lavish gift Irene had brought for Brielle, Charlotte's own offering—a brocade box small enough to fit in her palm—seemed insignificant.
But to her, it was a treasure. She held it carefully in both hands, treating it like something precious. There was a rare light in her expression—a quiet joy she hadn't felt in a long time.
Irene saw the way she cradled the box, and her expression turned even more conflicted. Whatever words of comfort she might've offered died on her lips. She simply let out a soft sigh and took her leave.
Charlotte returned to her courtyard with the box, unaware that only now had the Hastings family begun to realize: her coming-of-age had already come and gone.
Valeria's eyes turned red with guilt. Brielle, clearly uneasy, clung to Valeria's arm. "Mother, this is my fault. I should've reminded you about Charlotte's party. If I had—"
"And what difference would it have made?" Oliver cut in coldly, laughing bitterly. "She's the one who lost control over something so minor. She nearly embarrassed you in public, and now you're still speaking up for her?"
Brielle bit her lip, tears slipping silently down her cheeks. "It's not really her fault. She's suffered so much these past few years. Her coming-of-age should've been a major event for her—and we overlooked it. Even if she acted out, I understand…"
"Understand what?" Oliver snapped, cutting her off. "She's petty and overly sensitive. That's on her. It has nothing to do with you."
He was already on edge. The more he thought about everything that had happened lately, the more frustrated he became.
He thought, 'Yes, we have forgotten about her coming-of-age. But she has a mouth, doesn't she? Can't she have just said something?
'Why make a scene and put everyone in an awkward position?'
Seething, Oliver abruptly stood and left the hall, using any excuse to get out.
Once he was gone, Brielle turned back to Valeria, gripping her hand anxiously, her voice trembling. "Mother… why didn't Lady Irene say anything about breaking off the engagement? Do you think she doesn't like me? She even gave Charlotte a gift… If she prefers Charlotte, I'm willing to step aside. I'd rather let her have it…"
"What nonsense are you saying?" Valeria quickly soothed her. "That marriage was always meant for you. You're my real daughter—my only daughter."
She gently stroked Brielle's back. "And don't overthink that little gift. Irene was just being polite. A tiny brocade box—what could possibly be inside? It's nothing compared to the chest she brought you."
That cheered Brielle up immediately. She smiled and leaned into her mother, her voice full of playful affection.
"You're right, Mother. Still, I'm curious—what could fit in a box that small?"
"If you really want to know, I'll have someone fetch it for you," Valeria said indulgently. "It's nothing valuable, I'm sure. And I'll make sure your sister gets something else to make up for it."
There was nothing Valeria wouldn't do for Brielle.
Back in Charlotte's courtyard, she had barely returned when the same old maid who'd passed along the previous message came knocking again.
"Lady Charlotte," the maid said, her face expressionless, "now that your engagement to the Marquis' estate has been officially dissolved, it's no longer appropriate for you to keep their gift. Lady Irene's present should be turned over to Lady Valeria for safekeeping."
Her tone was cold, but her eyes betrayed a hint of sympathy.
Charlotte had been raised by Valeria's side for over a decade, yet even the old maid couldn't understand it. 'Why all this fuss over a coming-of-age gift?
'What is the point? Why has Lady Valeria insisted she be the one to collect it?
'The brocade box isn't even big enough to hold a few chases. Is it really worth all this trouble?'
Charlotte had no idea what the maid was thinking.
She gently ran her fingers along the embroidery on the surface of the box, her eyes flickering. Though she felt reluctant to part with it, she still pushed it forward without hesitation.
"If this is what Lady Valeria wishes, then I'll trouble you to deliver it for me."
The maid watched her give it up so calmly and could only sigh, taking the box with her as she turned to report back.
Charlotte had been sitting quietly in the courtyard, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Now, her peace shattered, she turned and walked back to her room, her expression blank.
But the moment she stepped inside, she stopped short. Michael was sitting in her room, legs spread casually, occupying the chair as if it belonged to him. He looked her over with open impatience, like he'd been waiting a while.
Charlotte jumped. "Lord Michael? What are you doing here?"
Before she could finish, he flipped his wrist, and a box identical to the one she had just returned landed squarely in her arms.
"You haven't changed a bit," he said flatly. "Still clueless about protecting what's yours. This one was prepared separately. My mother asked me to bring it to you myself—so make sure you keep it safe."
As he spoke, his narrow eyes sharpened, a flicker of coldness passing through them.
"If I ever see this thing in someone else's hands… you're finished. Got that?"
Charlotte nodded dumbly, overwhelmed. She opened the box, and when she saw what was inside, she froze.
It was a ruby pendant—exquisitely crafted and polished, with a flawless pearl nearly half an inch wide set at the center.
This wasn't just a gift. It was a piece from Irene's wedding gift.
When she was a child, Charlotte had often visited the Marquis' estate. Once, she'd seen the servants organizing the items and had been immediately taken with the ruby pendant. She'd even clung to Irene, begging her for it.
Irene had only stroked her head and said gently, "You are still a little girl. But once you're grown, I will give this to you—how about that?"
Charlotte had long thought she'd never see it again.
Her eyes stung. She blinked quickly, swallowing back the tightness in her throat. "Thank you, Lord Michael, for going out of your way to bring this. And please thank Lady Irene for remembering her promise. I'll never forget her kindness."
Michael frowned slightly at her words. "Forget the gratitude. And don't blame Brielle for everything. She's just been spoiled, that's all. No matter what, she's still the Hastings family's daughter."
Charlotte clutched the ruby pendant tightly, lowering her head until it nearly touched her chest. Even after he left, she didn't say another word.
Brielle was the real daughter of the Hastings family. And she? She was just a placeholder. A counterfeit.
Michael was right. Someone like her had no business coveting things that were never hers to begin with.
She had to leave the Hastings family.
If she stayed, she'd remain nothing more than a convenient target—mocked, humiliated, and stepped on. Even the lowest-ranked maid would look down on her.
She had no money, no power to keep what belonged to her, and no means to save Rosalie.
Charlotte carefully wrapped the ruby pendant in a silk pouch and tied it around her neck, wearing it close to her heart.
That night, under cover of darkness, she slipped out of the Hastings family through a dog hole in the outer wall and made her way straight to Gilded Cage.
The most prestigious music house in Aurenshire.
That was where the person she needed to find would be.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Hastings family, Brielle was clinging to Oliver's arm, her voice soft and coy. "Oliver, take me with you, please? Everyone says the songs at Gilded Cage are worth a fortune. I really want to hear them…"