The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist novel Chapter 306

Chapter 306: Chapter 306 : Desire (3)

"Lately," Charlotte said, "when Edward died... the dam finally broke. Another personality was born from all those bottled-up desires."

Alex’s expression turned grim. "Which is you."

Charlotte smiled. "Correct. That is me."

Alex’s gaze hardened. "Then answer me this—why were you trying to dominate my mind?"

Charlotte tilted her head. "Like I said before, I wanted to peek inside. To find out some of your secrets... and also to show you something."

Alex sighed. ’So that’s why she’s called the disaster birthed by the royal family, huh...’

His system’s voice echoed in his mind.

[ Looks like it, Host. Even if you weren’t involved, with the way things were going, Charlotte would’ve developed this separate personality anyway. And she would likely have wiped out her brothers and anyone who got in her way. ]

’Thanks for defending me,’ Alex thought dryly. ’Still doesn’t feel great knowing I just sped up the process.’

[ That’s just how it is, Host. ]

Alex looked back at Charlotte. "So what’s your next move? What are you going to do now?"

Charlotte pretended to think. "For now, I’ll go back, I suppose. It’s not like I can appear whenever I want. I’m more like... a security mechanism. Whenever *she* refuses to face something, that’s when I come out."

Alex frowned inwardly. ’Two personalities fighting for control... that’s not good.’

"Are you fine with living inside her like that?" he asked quietly.

Silence hung between them for a moment.

"Of course I am," Charlotte answered.

The thought hit Alex immediately. ’She’s lying.’

[ How do you know she’s lying, Host? ] the system asked.

’Even like this, she’s still Charlotte,’ Alex replied in his mind. ’When she lies or tries to manipulate someone face-to-face, she overthinks every word. Her pitch goes just a bit higher too. Most people wouldn’t notice. I do. And that’s exactly what she just did.’

Alex fixed his gaze on her. "Why are you lying?"

Charlotte’s mouth twitched. "I’m not."

"You are," Alex said calmly. "Whenever you try to fool someone, you think too much first."

Charlotte went silent, stunned for a second.

’We can’t just trust this personality,’ Alex thought. ’Not like this.’

He spoke in his mind. ’Scan her brain. Let’s see what we get.’

[ Understood, Host. ]

In an instant, Alex reached forward and placed his hand firmly on Charlotte’s head.

Her eyes sharpened. "I know what you’re trying to do," she said seriously. "And I wouldn’t advise it."

"Sorry," Alex replied quietly, "but you’re too much of a mystery to leave alone. I’m not taking any chances. Also... this might hurt a bit. Be ready."

[ Whenever you’re ready, Host. ]

"Do it," Alex said.

---

The room vanished.

In the next heartbeat, Alex found himself standing somewhere entirely different, like he had been pulled into someone else’s memories.

He was still inside the royal palace—but not as he knew it now. The halls were brighter, untouched by war or tension. Through an open archway, he saw three children playing together in a sunlit garden.

Joseph, Lucas, and Charlotte.

The boys looked about seven—small but energetic, faces still soft and innocent. Charlotte looked around five, her white hair tied into short twin tails as she chased after them with a bright giggle.

"Catch me if you can!" she laughed, running in uneven little steps.

Joseph swooped her up from behind, spinning her in the air as she squealed. "Got you, Charlotte!"

Lucas ruffled her hair. "You’re so slow, you’ll never be queen at this rate."

"But I’m still cute!" Charlotte replied, puffing out her cheeks.

The boys laughed and continued to play, inventing silly games, letting her win sometimes, spoiling her in small ways—offering their sweets, helping her up when she fell, listening seriously as she babbled about childish dreams.

Charlotte giggled, carefree and glowing with the pure innocence of a child surrounded by love.

Then a shadow fell over the scene.

Regina stepped into the garden.

Her maroon hair was perfectly styled, her brown eyes sharp and cold. Her gaze swept over the three children—and stopped on Charlotte.

"Joseph. Lucas." Her voice was stern. "What are you doing?"

The boys stiffened. "We’re just playing with Charlotte, Mother," Joseph answered.

Regina’s expression hardened. "How many times have I told you? Stay away from her."

She strode forward, heels clicking against the stone. "That girl is bad luck for our family."

She grabbed each boy by the arm, pulling them away from Charlotte.

"But Mother—" Lucas tried to protest.

"Enough," Regina snapped. "I will not say it again."

As she turned to leave with her sons, Regina shot a glare back at the small, trembling Charlotte—a glare filled with disgust and something like hatred.

Charlotte, left alone in the garden, shrank back, eyes wide with fear.

The warmth from moments ago vanished, replaced by a cold, empty silence.

From that day the attitude of her brothers changed for her as they started treating her worse and worse.

--

The memory around Alex shifted again.

Now Charlotte was about seven, sitting at a small dining table in a cozy side palace far from the main royal complex. The room was warm, lit by soft lamplight. In front of her, simple but well-prepared dishes were laid out.

On a cushioned chair, Isabella—Charlotte’s mother—held her gently in her lap, feeding her small bites with a fond smile.

"Slow down," Isabella chuckled. "You’ll choke if you eat that fast."

Charlotte giggled, cheeks puffed slightly with food. "But it’s yummy, Mom."

Isabella brushed a stray strand of white hair from Charlotte’s face. "Fine, fine. Eat as much as you like."

For that brief moment, they looked perfectly happy—just a mother and daughter sharing a peaceful meal.

Then Isabella’s hand trembled.

She coughed once.

Then again—harder.

Dark red blood splattered onto the napkin in her hand.

Her vision blurred; the world around her tilted. Her fingers slipped from the spoon as it clattered onto the plate.

"Mom...?" Charlotte’s smile vanished. "Mom, what’s wrong? Mom, open your eyes! What’s happening to you?!"

Isabella slumped back in the chair, breaths growing shallow, face losing color rapidly.

Charlotte’s eyes filled with tears. "Help! Somebody, help!" she screamed.

But no one came.

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