《The Villainess is a Marionette》


 Chapter 1: Scene 1. The Marionette with the Broken Strings

    Scene 1. The Marite with the Broken Strings


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    <span>The most beautiful woman in the world danced in the center of the Grand Hall. Once the song ended, she raised her hand in greeting. The people around her cheered and spilled wine from their sses.


    <span>¡°Please dance with me as well, Your Highness!¡±<span>


    <span>¡°It¡¯s my turn now, Your Highness!¡±<span>


    <span>The woman¡¯s name was Cayena Hill, and she was the first princess of the Eldaim Empire. She was also the elder sister of His Highness, Emperor Rezef.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s the Emperor¡¯s turn now.¡±


    <span>Rezef, who had been watching the hall with his chin on his hand, soon made his way to Cayena. He reced his cold expression with a smile and ced his lips on the back of her hand.


    <span>¡°Happy birthday, sister. Today, tomorrow, and forever after, please continue to be your beautiful self.¡±


    <span>Cayenaughed at Rezef¡¯s words. ¡°It¡¯s as if you put honey on your lips!¡± Such middle-ss ttery was her favorite sort.


    <span>Rezef internally sneered at his sister, who sought validation through these meaninglesspliments.


    <span>¡®You have to stay beautiful so that your usefulness doesn¡¯t decrease.¡¯


    <span>Cayena¡¯s only merits were her legitimacy in the Imperial bloodline, her symbol as the most beautiful woman in the Empire, and her status as the one and only princess.


    <span>¡®My beautiful, foolish doll.¡¯


    <span>¡°Oh, Rezef,¡± Cayena said. She grabbed him and straightened his cor with her long hands. ¡°You¡¯re still a child.¡±


    <span>In reality, her attitude was nothing short of l¨¨se-majest¨¦. However, Cayena didn¡¯t even realize that it was a problem. She saw her younger brother as someone below her, someone that she had to take care of. That was a misperception that Rezef had himself slowly encouraged.


    <span>¡°Do you like your gifts?¡± Rezef asked.


    <span>¡°Very much! I especially like this dress.¡±


    <span>¡°Since you love roses, I wanted to give you a dress that would remind you of them.¡±


    <span>He tenderly tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, and Cayena casually epted his touch.


    <span>She was used to that sort of kindness because she had been loved by so many.


    <span>¡°Now, will you do me the honor of dancing together?¡±


    <span>¡°dly.¡±


    <span>The music began anew as they got into position.


    <span>Today, like all other days, she danced around and around. In the Grand Hall, and in the hands of the Emperor.


    <span>***


    <span>¡°Rezef!¡±


    <span>Cayena ran into the Emperor¡¯s bedroom.


    <span>¡°How could you just¡ª¡± The court attendants were astonished at her nerve. Though she was the princess, there were still rules that Cayena had to observe. Even Cayena, no matter how ignorant she was, could not call the Emperor by his name or run into his room without his permission. Her rash behavior only grew worse over time, and it would finally bring her to ruin.


    <span>The knights tried to stop her, but Rezef raised his hand to make them back down. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he said.


    <span>Cayena, teary-eyed, ran into her younger brother¡¯s arms.


    <span>¡°Rezef, this has to be a conspiracy. It¡¯s a plot! Kill that insolent bitch now!¡±


    <span>But Rezef only looked down at his half-sister with indifferent eyes.


    <span>Not noticing his cold gaze, Cayena evilly continued to deride the other woman. ¡°How dare that rude, dirty bitch try to lure in Duke Kedrey? It¡¯s all her fault. He would be so cold to me if she¡ª¡±


    <span>¡°Cayena.¡±


    <span>Rezef pushed her off of him.


    <span>Rezef had brought down dumb male aristocrats using Cayena as a doll. He had also used her poisonous personality to keep the female aristocrats in line. Until now, she had done an excellent job¡­ but she had gradually be a nuisance to him.


    <span>¡°Do you still not understand? I knew that you were an idiot, but I didn¡¯t know that you were so dumb that you couldn¡¯t read the situation.¡±


    <span>His cold words reached Cayena, and her instinct told her that something was horribly wrong. Unknowingly, she took a step back. Rezef grabbed her to keep her from running.


    <span>¡°You can¡¯t even kill Olivia properly. Youe running to me with your tail between your legs, and you expect me to help you?¡±


    <span>¡°Rezef¡­!¡±


    <span>¡°Do I have no choice but to take care of you myself? What a waste¡­¡±


    <span>He brushed Cayena¡¯s trembling cheek with a gentle hand.


    <span>¡°How can you¡ª how can you do¡­!¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s unfortunate that you couldn¡¯t seduce Duke Kedrey, but his vassal, Viscount Gillian, wants you, so I can at least throw you at him. Then we can negotiate.¡±


    <span>She looked at him in disbelief. ¡°Rezef, I¡¯m you sister. How could you do this to me?¡±


    <span>Rezef sighed at his sister, who still didn¡¯t understand the situation.


    <span>¡°You need to realize that all of your power is borrowed from me. Well, it¡¯s toote for you to do anything about it, anyway.¡±


    <span>¡°I refuse! How dare you insult me!¡±


    <span>Cayena looked as if she was about to go mad.


    <span>It felt like the world and everything she believed in was copsing around her all at once.


    <span>¡°You can¡¯t do this to me! I¡¯m the one who made you the Emperor!¡±


    <span>Rezefughed at her distressed cries. ¡°You still haven¡¯t realized that you were used? My poor, pitiful doll.¡±


    <span>¡°Why? Why are you doing this? Did I do something wrong? Are you angry at me? I honestly don¡¯t know. You have no reason to do this to me.¡± Cayena managed to swallow down her anger and tried to persuade him as pitifully as possible. Her tears had never failed her before.


    <span>¡°Poor Cayena. You should have killed Olivia, then.¡±


    <span>Shaking his head, Rezef went to sit on the sofa.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s really sad. I can¡¯t believe my older sister is such a horrible person.¡±


    <span>¡°What¡­?¡±<span>


    <span>¡°Duke Kedrey asked if he could investigate the incident right? Well, I¡¯ll allow it.¡±


    <span>¡°Resef!¡±


    <span>He leaned on the sofa and looked at Cayena with frosty eyes.


    <span>¡°Lock that evil woman in her room.¡±


    <span>The knights grabbed her roughly. Cayena, who had never been treated like this, screamed.


    <span>¡°Let go! Let me go! This is crazy¡ª How dare you? Who do you think I am?¡±


    <span>She tried to push away the knights¡¯ hands, but her body was too fragile, having been sheltered her whole life.


    <span>¡°Rezef¡ª!¡±


    <span>Cayena called for Rezef as if she was about to spit up blood. But soon enough, she was dragged away by the knights, and the door of the bedroom closed tightly behind her.


    <span>***


    <span>The woman turned off the screen of her cell phone.


    <span>It was a novel she had read many times to check on the viiness¡¯s fall. It was heartbreaking to read about how she was sold to Viscount Gillian to lead a miserable life.


    <span>It was just like what she had experienced.


    <span>¡°Manager, don¡¯t you have a meeting?¡± asked a subordinate to the woman.


    <span>The woman nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ming.¡±


    <span>Even during work, the woman couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the novel. She kept getting a strange sense of deja vu. The woman and the viiness were simr. They were both dolls that had been thoroughly used by someone.


    <span>¡°Are you leaving work already?¡±


    <span>The woman rarely left early, but her subordinate had asked because she had already packed her things. Without a word, the woman nodded and left for the elevator.


    <span>¡°Wait a moment.¡±


    <span>It was Executive Director Kim.


    <span>¡°Let¡¯s go down together.¡±


    <span>The elevator door closed.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re leaving early today,¡± he said.


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>¡°I saw that your work performance in the mid-year review was good. You sure arepetent.¡±


    <span>He put his hand on the woman¡¯s shoulder. It felt like bugs were crawling all over her body.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll leave first,¡± said the woman.


    <span>She rushed out as soon as the elevator door opened. Behind her, the director asked, ¡°Are you still upset?¡±


    <span>The woman stopped walking.


    <span>¡°Thanks to me, you¡¯ve be the youngest team manager, and you¡¯ll soon be the deputy manager as well.¡±


    <i><span>¡°You need to realize that all of your power is borrowed from me. Well, it¡¯s toote for you to do anything about it, anyway.¡±</i>


    <span>The womanughed as she remembered Rezef¡¯s lines in the novel. She looked back.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re saying this because you need me again, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    <span>Director Kim grinned and snapped his fingers at her. ¡°You know, I only have one team manager right now.¡±


    <span>The womanughed and turned back around. She was tired of living as someone¡¯s doll.


    <span>That was when it happened.


    <span>¡°¡­Who are you?¡±<span>


    <span>Someone was standing on the driver¡¯s side of her car. He was wearing a ck sweater and a hat that shaded his face. It felt ominous.


    <span>The man turned to her slowly. ¡°It¡¯s all your fault.¡±


    <span>The woman stepped back.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s because of you that I¡¯ve ended up like this!¡±


    <span>He rushed up to the woman and stabbed her stomach with a knife.


    <span>Director Kim, who was behind her, found the woman copsed between two cars. The man grabbed his knife and attacked him as well.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll kill you, too!¡±<span>


    <span>The woman, grasping at her wound, saw as Director Kim was attacked.


    <span>¡®I guess viinesses all end the same way.¡¯


    <span>Her vision dimmed.


    <span>¡°It isn¡¯t so bad to die like this.¡¯


    <span>That was the woman¡¯sst memory.


    <span>¡°Ugh¡­¡±


    <span>Her head was throbbing and she was thirsty. The woman curled in on herself as she coughed several times.


    <span>¡°Ha¡­ ha¡­¡±


    <span>She cracked open her eyes. Someone¡¯s voice wasing closer.


    <span>¡°Her Highness has awakened! Quickly, call the doctor!¡±


    <span>Holding her throbbing head, the woman looked around.


    <span>What happened? She was definitely stabbed.


    <span>¡°Your Highness! Can you understand us?¡±


    <span>She could feel the nervous energy of the people rushing around her. She squinted her eyes into focus.


    <span>An old-fashioned woman¡ªa foreigner¡ªwas looking at her anxiously. Strangely, the woman felt like she had seen her before.


    <span>Then, the door opened, and someone came in.


    <span>¡°Announcing His Imperial Highness, the Prince.¡±


    <span>¡°Sister.¡±


    <span>It was a young man with golden hair. He narrowed the distance between them in an instant.


    <span>¡°Cayena, are you all right?¡±


    <span>¡®¡­Cayena?¡¯


    <span>The man held the woman¡¯s hand. Then, the woman opened her eyes in shock.


    <span>How, how can this be?


    <span>¡°Rezef¡­¡±


    <span>The realization struck her like lightning.


    <span>¡°Yes, sister. I¡¯m here.¡±


    <span>The man kissed her hand carefully and looked at her with a worried expression.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m back,¡± she said.


    <span>Then, she fainted.


    <hr>

 Chapter 2

    Chapter 2


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    <span>***


    <span>Cayena slowly opened her eyes.


    <span>¡®I¡¯m really back.¡¯


    <span>Lying on the bed, she thought about this chaotic situation.


    <span>Cayena was the viiness of the novel, ¡®The Lady of the ck Rose¡¯.


    <span>¡®That¡¯s right, it¡¯s a novel.¡¯


    <span>However, the situation was not as simple as that.


    <span>In the novel, she acted as a proper viiness and, as befitting of such a role, was killed by her crazy husband.


    <span>In her second life, she was born in the Republic of Korea. Of course, she didn¡¯t remember her life as Cayena, but she had happened to read a novel called ¡®The Lady of the ck Rose¡¯. In that novel, Cayena was portrayed as a foolish and wicked character.


    <span>Actually, most of the characters were like that. All characters except the heroine were socially powerful but insane.


    <span>Rezef was a sociopath; Heinrich was mad with power; and Bayel¡ªwas he even human?


    <span>Among them, Raphael, the male lead, seemed to be the most normal, but he also had some mental problems.


    <span>¡®The novel was about how all the characters were influenced by the heroine.¡¯


    <span>The original heroine, Olivia, was a living stabilizer that filled the characters¡¯ deficiencies.


    <span>Cayena was driven by her jealousy and tried to poison Olivia.


    <span>But even though she was the viiness, Cayena alone wasn¡¯t evil enough to actually kill her.


    <span>Rather, she was used like a marite by her tyrannic younger brother.


    <span>Rezef wanted to get control of Olivia, so he controlled Cayena to poison her.


    <span>It seemed to be sessful.


    <span>But Bayel, the powerful magician and the owner of the ck Rose Garden, gave Olivia his power and revived her.


    <span>That was why the title of the novel was ¡®The Lady of the ck Rose¡¯.


    <span>Afterwards, the story predictably punished the wicked characters.


    <span>However, as the reader, she wasn¡¯t impressed by the narratives of the main characters.


    <span>Rather, she was drawn to the life of the viiness, Cayena. The reason she was so concerned about her story, though, turned out to be because it was her previous life.


    <span>¡®To think that I was the viiness of the novel.¡¯


    <span>For some reason, she had returned to Cayena¡¯s life. More than that, it was also when she was only 19 years old, before she came of age.


    <span>¡®I probably died, right?¡¯


    <span>She only knew the person who stabbed her by his face.


    <span>She remembered that there was a scandal at thepany¡ªthe man had been having an affair. He had to turn over the project he was working on because of that.


    <span>¡®That¡¯s already just a life gone by.¡¯


    <span>She may have lost many things, but it had been a wretched life.


    <span>The woman had beenpetent. She was more thanpetent enough to be usable, and more than enough to pose a threat to others.


    <span>Executive Director Kim had coaxed her to follow hismands and controlled her. It was just like Cayena¡¯s life.


    <span>¡®How did I return as Cayena?¡¯


    <span>She had been abandoned by Rezef and married¡ªsold¡ªto Viscount Gillian. Then, in the end, she was gruesomely murdered by her insane husband.


    <span>Suddenly, she realized why she was in this condition.


    <span>¡®This is when I drank the poison.¡¯


    <span>Not too long ago, she was at a banquet when she drank some alcohol and began spitting up blood. The Grand Hall had echoed with screams and cries.


    <span>¡°Of all things¡­¡±


    <span>Why did she have to return to this time, when her body was still sick?


    <span>¡°Have you woken up?¡±


    <span>The maid who was stationed in the room approached her.


    <span>The maid wiped her face with a wet towel and arranged her hair, as if it was only natural to do so.


    <span>It was bizarre. She had nearly died, but the state of her beauty was still more important.


    <span>However, she only closed her eyes, having no power to stop the maid and no reason to do so.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll begin wiping down your body.¡±


    <span>Herdies-in-waiting began to wash her body and change her into new clothes, and Cayena lost herself in her thoughts.


    <span>Rezef was a terrible tyrant, a poor ruler, and as his older sister, Cayena matched him in her viciousness.


    <span>They were not born good in the first ce.


    <span>He was cruel, impatient, and impudent. Cayena¡¯s ruin was not knowing that he would be the same to her, too.


    <span>Rezef, her younger brother.


    <span>¡®You never thought of me as family.¡¯


    <span>Cayena had been thoroughly abandoned.


    <span>¡°Bring me a mirror.¡±


    <span>Ady-in-waiting lifted arge mirror and ced it in front of her.


    <span>With her blue eyes, she looked at herself in the mirror and brushed the cheek of her reflection.


    <span>¡®How terribly beautiful.¡¯


    <span>The novel had repeatedly described Cayena¡¯s beauty to the point of exhaustion.


    <span>Looking at herself, though, she thought that this sort of beauty was almost a talent.


    <span>¡®But in the end, this beautiful form will only be used as the emperor¡¯s doll.¡¯


    <span>This was the extent of Cayena¡¯s current value.


    <span>Motionless, she nced at her lemon-colored hair in the mirror.


    <span>¡®Will things be all right if I don¡¯t live as a viiness in the future?¡¯


    <span>No. She was still a princess of the Empire.


    <span>As long as her children were viable sessors to the throne, she would be subject to constant check for the rest of her life.


    <span>¡®Right now, I don¡¯t have any power.¡¯


    <span>All she had was this terribly beautiful face.


    <span>She knew that its value was no better than a rare white tiger.


    <span>¡®Beauty is not true power.¡¯


    <span>That was the reality that Rezef had taught her.


    <span>She had personally experienced how her power was merely a mirage, and it could be stripped from her any time he wished.


    <span>¡®I¡¯m d that I at least came back to a point before it was toote.¡¯


    <span>Their father, the Emperor, was still alive. This meant that there was still a way to contain Rezef.


    <span>¡®But there¡¯s not much time left before Rezef takes the throne.¡¯


    <span>Cayena needed to find a ce to escape Rezef.


    <span>¡®The only way to achieve that is to get married.¡¯


    <span>Of course, she couldn¡¯t marry someone like the insane Viscount Gillian.


    <span>¡®How can I run away while deceiving Rezef¡¯s eyes?¡¯


    <span>She didn¡¯t want to live as a princess any more. Even so, she couldn¡¯t run away without a n.


    <span>¡®Marriage¡­¡¯


    <span>Cayena, from the moment she opened her eyes, didn¡¯t have the time to get angry or hesitate because of the situation.


    <span>The pce was filled with schemes and tricks.


    <span>She had returned to a poisoned body, and it had been like an rm; her consciousness was immediately put on edge.


    <span>¡®I need someone who will help me.¡¯


    <span>If she wanted to influence Rezef, she needed someone to move on her behalf.


    <span>However, all the people around her were ced there by Rezef.


    <span>Cayena¡¯s eyes looked at all of herdies-in-waiting, one after the other. They were all unimportant characters.


    <span>Then, her gaze settled on one ce. It was Vera, the seniordy-in-waiting.


    <span>Cayena remembered that in the past, it was Vera who was in charge around here.


    <span>Vera was also one of Rezef¡¯s people. In other words, Cayena¡¯s cute younger brother was controlling her even before she reached her age of majority.


    <span>She knew that she was already in Rezef¡¯s hands, a dancing marite.


    <span>¡®There isn¡¯t anyone here that isn¡¯t one of Rezef¡¯s people, anyway.¡¯


    <span>She recalled how frequently Vera showed up in the novel.


    <span>It could be useful to bring Vera over to her side.


    <span>Cayena asked Vera where Rezef was. ¡°What about Rezef?¡±


    <span>¡°I believe that His Highness has been working since early in the morning to investigate your attempted assassination.¡±


    <span>Vera looked at Cayena and added, ¡°This is a major incident. I¡¯ve heard that he has managed to narrow down the suspect list quite considerably. His Highness will never forgive the one who has harmed you.¡±


    <span>Many eyes were following Prince Rezef, who was greatly angered that someone dared to poison the imperial family.


    <span>¡°I see,¡± Cayena answered gravely.


    <span>Vera handed over the wet towel and bucket to the maid next to her and nced at the princess.


    <span>Cayena leaned back on the cushion with a faraway stare and a bluishplexion.


    <span>Her calm expression was very much unlike her usual self.


    <span>¡®I had expected that she would hit me, at the least.¡¯


    <span>Cayena was not poisoned in her room, but rather at the party.


    <span>However, considering Cayena¡¯s personality, it had been likely that she would have still beat her innocentdies-in-waiting, saying that they had not supported her.


    <span>But Cayena did not cry out to summon Rezef to her or ask about what he was doing.


    <span>¡®Was she that shocked?¡¯


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t look shocked or scared.


    <span>It would be a little strange to say that she was acting this way because she was hurt, but Vera had no other way to exin the situation.


    <span>Vera couldn¡¯t help but feel that a storm was brewing.


    <span>Her mind was filled with spection.


    <span>¡°Vera.¡±


    <span>Cayena called out to Vera somewhat kindly.


    <hr>

 Chapter 3

    Chapter 3


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    Vera startled as if she was electrocuted and looked at Cayena.


    Had Cayena ever been this friendly to one of her servants?


    ¡°Your hands are chapped,¡± Cayena said, grabbing Vera¡¯s hand and looking around.


    Seeing Cayena¡¯s own straight and slender fingers, Vera wanted to hide her hands behind her in shame.


    ¡°You must have suffered a lot.¡±


    ¡°¡­Not at all, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Have you ever heard the term, ¡®Life shing before your eyes¡¯?¡±


    Cayena pulled Vera over to sit on the bed.


    ¡°The moment I drank the poison, I really thought that I would die. In that moment, I thought about the people who supported me. Then, I remembered you, who had worked so hard for me all this time.¡±


    Vera was inwardly delighted by Cayena¡¯s words.


    Until now, she had been Rezef¡¯s faithful servant, holding out on the belief that he would acknowledge her one day. She believed that when Rezef became the emperor, he would recognize and appreciate her true value. However, her desire had gone unfulfilled so far, and it would only continue to be dyed.


    Cayena was like a person who came straight out of Vera¡¯s heart and told her the words that she so desperately wanted to hear.


    ¡°I hope that I¡¯m not toote in saying this, but thank you, Vera.¡±


    Vera¡¯s eyes quickly turned red. ¡°How absurd¡­¡±


    She thought of all the troubles that she had been through. Cayena gently hugged Vera and patted her shoulder, as if she understood her. Vera couldn¡¯t hold back her tears anymore.


    ¡°Don¡¯t cry. We still have a lot of time left together. I¡¯d like for us to get along.¡±


    Vera forced herself to swallow her cries and hupped.


    Cayena didn¡¯t push her away, but rather continued to hold and support her. Then, she addressed the otherdies-in-waiting in the room, who also had red eyes from crying, and asked for a wet towel.


    ¡°Thank you, everyone. It was only due to your efforts that I¡¯m still alive.¡±


    ¡°No, Your Highness!¡±


    All thedies in the room fell to the floor, bowing.


    Vera was embarrassed that she could not stop her tears. Cayena noticed her difort, and she sighed as she smiled.


    She asked the otherdies-in-waiting, ¡°Hmm. Is there anyone here who knows how to calm Vera down?¡±


    Everyone burst intoughter at her remark. The atmosphere in the room quickly turned warm and mellow.


    ¡°Everyone is so tender-hearted,¡± Cayena said.


    They smiled awkwardly and shyly at her words. It was pleasant to be praised so warmly by their superior. They realized then that Cayena had a soft spot and could be nice.


    It was just as Cayena intended.


    ¡°Now, I bet you feel a bit embarrassed to look at me, so you can go take a break, Vera. But before that, I do need some new clothes. My old ones seem to have turned into handkerchiefs.¡±


    Everyone giggled at her joke as Vera¡¯s face turned red.


    ¡°Your, Your Highness!¡±


    Cayenaughed andforted Vera, when suddenly, she curled up and started to cough loudly. Thedies-in-waiting recalled that Cayena was still a patient. Frightened, they began to yell.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°Call a doctor, quickly!¡±


    Once again, they started to look upon Cayena as a patient who needed to be looked after. Their feelings were so shallow.


    Cayena patiently followed their instructions.


    ¡°You should never allow yourself to be overstressed,¡± said the doctor who had entered her room.


    In that brief moment, Cayena¡¯s energy had been drained to a surprising extent.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be all right with some rest,¡± said the doctor, as if Cayena wasn¡¯t in serious condition¡ªbut she didn¡¯t look much better than before.


    Thedies¡¯ expressions also darkened. If there was a problem with the princess, there was no way that they would avoid being reprimanded.


    ¡°Princess, Prince Rezef is asking to see you. Should we allow him in?¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s finally here.¡¯


    The moment that Rezef asked to see her.


    ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡±


    Cayena rose again from where she was lying down. Anybody could see that it was too much for her. She couldn¡¯t, and shouldn¡¯t, stand up.


    But she had to, because she was about to face the real culprit of her poisoning incident: her younger brother.


    ¡®He didn¡¯t intend to kill me, but he intended to frame someone with the crime.¡¯


    She truly was being used by Rezef. The nickname Marite suited her well.


    The door opened, and a handsome young man with blue eyes and blonde hair walked in.


    ¡°Announcing His Highness, Prince Rezef.¡±


    Thedies-in-waiting all bowed their heads and looked at him with restless eyes.


    Rezef Hill was Cayena¡¯s half-brother, the second male lead, and the future emperor of the Eldaim Empire. He was a morally depraved person who killed the current emperor to take the throne.


    Despite his handsome appearance, Rezef was more sadistic than anyone else.


    The current emperor, their father, was cold-blooded even to his children. It was to the point that if others saw how he interacted with them, they wouldn¡¯t even think that they were his children.


    He was especially severe with Rezef. The emperor refused to share his powers with his young son. Having grown up under this cold treatment, Rezef naturally grew up to be a tyrant. Olivia helped Rezef by showing him affection.


    ¡®He¡¯s a poor child, hungry for warmth and someone who cares.¡¯


    Cayena was angry at him, but she could see that much.


    Rezef looked as though he had to find her right after an outing, wearing both a coat and epaulettes.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Cayena?¡±


    Cayena almost burst intoughter. It was such a strange thing to ask,ing from the person who made her sick.


    She put a smile on her face. ¡°I can bear it.¡±


    Rezef, who had expected Cayena toin, paused for a moment at the unexpected reaction.


    He had never seen his sister speak so calmly and gently.


    ¡°¡­Is that so? I¡¯m d to hear that.¡±


    He came to her bedside and sat down without asking for her permission.


    ¡®Now, I can clearly see how carelessly you treat me.¡¯


    His tone was friendly, but there was no respect or courtesy. It was absurd to say that they were close. Rezef and Cayena were incapable of being friendly. Each of his actions showed just what he thought of Cayena.


    ¡°I asked the doctor, and he told me that your recovery seems to be on track. You¡¯ll bepletely well, soon.¡±


    ¡°It seems I worried you needlessly.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t say such things.¡±


    As their conversation continued, Rezef became confused. It was the first time he was able to speak so calmly with Cayena.


    Maybe it was because she was sick and had no energy.


    ¡®Something¡¯s definitely different from the usual.¡¯


    He couldn¡¯t say what exactly it was, but that was what his intuition told him. Moreover, Cayena¡¯s mature attitude made it feel like he was dealing with someone else behind her mask.


    She didn¡¯t feel like his sister.


    ¡°You must be busy. Is it all right that you came here?¡±


    Rezef looked at her with his glistening blue eyes, trying to understand why she was acting so abnormally. On the surface, Cayena just seemed to be tired from being poisoned and sick.


    ¡°My mind couldn¡¯t be at peace until I saw that you were safe. Please forgive my immaturity.¡±


    Rezef was bewildered. She hadn¡¯t grumbled or been irritable like she usually was.


    ¡®If she was her normal self, she would have asked about ten times when I would catch the culprit.¡¯


    Her lips, which had always been loose, had suddenly closed like a m, and Rezef could not read her expression.


    ¡®It must be because she¡¯s sick. She was poisoned, so of course she would be afraid.¡¯


    He understood Cayena like the back of his hand, and it was difficult to think of her in any other way. No, it was more urate to say that he didn¡¯t want to think about her in a different way. He had always thought of her as a beautiful but otherwise useless woman, and that was as it should have been.


    Therefore, he concluded that he was overthinking things.


    ¡°I swear to find the one who poisoned you with my own hands and make him pay. So please don¡¯t worry too much, sister.¡±


    With that said, Rezef squeezed Cayena¡¯s hand to reassure her.


    ¡®You really don¡¯t see me as anything more or less than a tool to gain your throne.¡¯


    Cayena smiled, feeling detached. Getting confirmation of the things she knew felt very strange.


    Right now, the two of them looked like the tonic ideal of a wonderful sibling rtionship. If one didn¡¯t know the truth, they may have thought the two of them were very affectionate. This was because her handsome younger brother acted very obediently and always did what would satisfy her.


    ¡®That¡¯s why I would never have thought that he would poison me.¡¯


    But now, Cayena was well aware that her opponent was a predator who hid his ws while pretending to be a cat.


    It was Rezef, not anybody else, who tried to poison Cayena.


    ¡®To be precise, he was trying to create a situation in which I was clearly poisoned.¡¯


    So it was even more vicious and evil.


    She stared nkly at Rezef. ¡°Stop looking for the culprit, Rezef.¡±


    She felt him flinch.


    ¡°¡­What are you talking about, Cayena?¡±


    In Rezef¡¯s mind, Cayena should have been running around, telling him to find out who was trying to hurt her. Why did she say to stop the search?


    It was so unbelievable that his head went nk for a moment.


    Release Rate: 1 chapter a week


    Release Day: Thursday

 Chapter 4

    Chapter 4


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    Rezef considered his words, and his expression became slightly twisted.


    ¡°But Cayena, you realize that you nearly died.¡±


    Cayena lightly nodded her head, acknowledging the statement.


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡±


    ¡®Because of you.¡¯


    Knowing the truth, Cayena could see clearly how Rezef carefully weaved his words.


    ¡°Are you perhaps afraid of retaliation? If so, please don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.¡±


    Cayena tiredly shook her head. Because she hadn¡¯tpletely healed yet, it was quite burdensome for her to have such a difficult conversation. She had already spent a lot of energy talking with herdies-in-waiting.


    Though Cayena would have liked to rest, this was a conversation she had to finish, even if she passed out at the end. This was her intent.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m not afraid.¡±


    She exhaled, a feverish breath spilling out of her mouth.


    Rezef and thedies-in-waiting in the room held their breaths. This sadness was something they hadn¡¯t expected from the ridiculous Cayena.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to y a game that you¡¯ll lose, Rezef.¡±


    Rezef couldn¡¯t understand her words.


    He was the one who had arranged for the poison to be used, and he had also established himself a suitable alibi. He had already selected which targets he would remove with this opportunity, and all he had to do was to send them to the guillotine. This game waspletely set in his favor; there was no way that he couldn¡¯t win.


    At least, that¡¯s what he thought.


    ¡°Everyone, please leave this area for a little while.¡±


    At her request, everyone left. The only ones left in the room were Cayena and Rezef.


    ¡°Rezef,¡± Cayena called. She spoke so calmly andposedly that Rezef felt strange.


    ¡°You can¡¯t forget that there are more things happening than what you can see with your eyes.¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­?¡±


    ¡°Do you know how many people I¡¯ve danced with in the banquet hall? And how many people brought me food and drinks? Under these circumstances, it¡¯s far too difficult to determine who had poisoned me. On the other hand¡­ These circumstances are perfect to pick the culprit.¡±


    Cayena struggled to remember quickly what had happened regarding this incident.


    Rezef could never have predicted this to happen to his n.


    ¡°There was a young nobleman who was obsessed with me, wasn¡¯t there?¡±


    She recalled the person that Rezef had led to the guillotine. It was her previous husband. She remembered that Viscount Gillian had yet to receive his inheritance, so she merely referred to him as a ¡®young nobleman.¡¯


    ¡°That is¡­¡±


    ¡°Do you intend to execute him and destroy his entire family? Good. He¡¯s one of Kedrey¡¯s vassals. It¡¯s not a bad choice.¡±


    That was the whole reason Rezef had concocted this n.


    The Gillian family was renowned for keeping splendid horses. The price of a single one of their horses surpassed that of a mansion. And the Kedrey duchy had such a family as their vassals.


    The Kedrey family was militant, holding thergest and strongest army in the empire as they protected the western border. They stood in the way of Rezef¡¯s path to the throne, and he was eager to reduce their influence in any way possible.


    Even if the Kedrey duchy wasn¡¯t implicated in the crime, the word that one of their vassals attempted treason would cause them great embarrassment.


    Gently, persuasively, Rezef replied to Cayena. ¡°There must be some misunderstanding, Cayena. That isn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Cayena wasn¡¯t about to let him interrupt her. Despite her throbbing head, she pressed on.


    ¡°However, Rezef, poisons obtained from the ck market may change hands many times. It¡¯s clear that there will be two or three records from the ck market on their ounting books, but can you really condemn them on such flimsy evidence?¡±


    Rezef thought that Cayena was going to say something amazing, but now, he barely stopped himself fromughing at her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure what you¡¯re trying to say, Cayena. It¡¯s already obvious how the poison came to the imperial pce. I only need to publicize this affair to take care of the issue, and then it will all be over.¡±


    ¡®Though I don¡¯t know how she knew I was trying to implicate the Kedreys, her way of thinking is still simple.¡¯


    Speaking admonishingly, like she was dumb, Rezef said, ¡°Are you acting like this because of Raphael Kedrey, perhaps? If so, you have nothing to worry about.¡±


    Cayena almost bit her tongue. Raphael had been her first love. He was also the male lead of the novel.


    Rezef thought that Cayena was dissuading him from his actions because of Raphael, that she was trying to protect the man she loved. This was how he rationalized her actions. She wasn¡¯t acting so differently, after all.


    But though it was true that Raphael was Cayena¡¯s first love, and that she had long loved him unrequitedly, that was a long time ago.


    Cayena had lived far too long to feel that sweet excitement anymore.


    ¡°My maternal grandparents are involved in the ck market. If you try to attack the Kedrey duchy with their connections to the ck market, it¡¯s likely that they will counter-attack.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    It was a reason that Rezef couldn¡¯t have predicted from Cayena.


    The Kedrey duchy would not be quiet if he saw the destruction of one of his vassals.


    While investigating, he would discover that Count Hamel, a rtive of Cayena¡¯s mother, thete empress, was embezzling the emperor¡¯s property. That would lead to the downfall of Count Hamel, and Rezef was suspected for a time to have manipted the evidence and led a biased investigation.


    ¡®You can¡¯t let that happen. Count Hamel will be an important bargaining chip for me.¡¯


    After losing her connection to her mother¡¯s family, Cayena lost all her power, unable to do anything without Rezef by her side. Thus, her obsession with Rezef continued to grow, and Rezef was able to control her more easily.


    ¡®Tampering with the evidence and the investigation isn¡¯t a big problem. The poisoning case, too, will end up fizzling out on its own.¡¯


    Cayena did not want the Hamels to lose their power, thus being unable to help her, but she didn¡¯t want the poisoning incident to have been in vain.


    She exhaled, exhausted, and looked at Rezef. ¡°Do you really need to put yourself at risk just for this slight chance?¡±


    Rezef¡¯s expression turnedpletely stiff.


    Loosening the tension, Cayena said, ¡°Have you heard the fable of the wind and the sun? The wind was unable to blow away a man¡¯s coat by force, but the sun was so warm that the man had no choice but to shed his coat.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Rezef replied, wondering why Cayena was suddenly speaking of storybooks.


    Cayena smiled gently as she met his eyes.


    It was a face that believed that the dynamics of the room had been shifted.


    ¡®¡­This doesn¡¯t make sense.¡¯


    It really didn¡¯t. Rezef felt pressured by her, as if he needed to avoid her gaze. He felt like a child who had been caught red-handed by an adult while pulling a naughty prank.


    Rezef bit the inside of his mouth.


    This was the first time that he realized that Cayena was his elder sister, a princess of the imperial bloodline.


    ¡°Don¡¯t try to bring down the Kedrey duchy. Instead, make them one of yours.¡±


    Rezef sighed inwardly.


    ¡®I want that more than anyone else.¡¯


    Rezef had long attempted to use Cayena¡¯s beauty to bring in Raphael, the Kedrey family¡¯s next duke. However, though Cayena had fallen in love with him, Raphael remained unmoved.


    Rezef had already given up on manipting Raphael through Cayena.


    ¡°Cayena, I¡¯m not sure what you are talking about. What does that dukedom have to do with me?¡±


    Cayena paid no attention to his words and continued to set guidelines for how to make use of the poisoning incident.


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t this incident give us the pretext to do many things?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°I want ady-in-waiting from a trustworthy family. Someone whose identity I know and who will not hurt me.¡±


    Rezef was surprised by Cayena¡¯s sudden remark.


    ¡®What exactly are you thinking, Cayena?¡¯


    ¡°What about Lady Olivia Grace?¡±


    ¡°You mean thedy who is sponsored by the Kedrey family?¡±


    Was she being serious? Rezef knew how much Cayena hated Olivia, having watched her from the sidelines. The fact that Duchess Kedrey chose to sponsor Olivia herself offended Cayena and made her jealous.


    There was nobody involved in high society who didn¡¯t know that Cayena hated Olivia.


    ¡°Yes. Lady Grace is of a mid-ranking nobility.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t high enough to be the courtdy of a princess, but Olivia had more than enough talent.


    ¡°Her family is also deeply intertwined with the Kedrey duchy, which may as well be an iron castle.¡±


    It was actually unclear how much the Kedrey duchy valued the Grace family, but the social world did acknowledge that the two families¡¯ rtionship was unusual.


    Cayena used that point to persuade Rezef. But actually, there was a separate reason why Cayena wanted Olivia as herdy-in-waiting.


    ¡®If this world follows what I know of its future, this is the woman with whom Rezef will fall in love.¡¯


    It was the same as the novel as well as in Cayena¡¯s first life.


    Rezef would want Olivia this time, too. And if she chose Raphael over him, he would try to kill her.


    Cayena continued talking, pretending that she only wanted to win over Olivia for Rezef¡¯s sake.


    ¡°Society will interpret the Grace family¡¯s actions as an extension of the Kedrey duchy¡¯s intentions.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is this really all right?¡± Rezef asked, suspicious.


    Cayena smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t continue doing whatever I please.¡±


    This was what she had foreseen, and it was more efficient to keep Olivia close by so that she could deal with the situation.


    Release Rate: 1 chapter a week


    Release Day: Thursday (12:00 PM +5:30 GMT)

 Chapter 5

    Chapter 5


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    Rezef was very confused.


    ¡®Is this the same Cayena Hill that I know?¡¯


    Until now, Cayena had been like a doll that he could twist to his purposes whenever he needed. However, now it felt as if there was a knife held to his chest. His whole body felt cold and on edge.


    Cayena still was not done, however. ¡°Furthermore,¡± she said. ¡°We need to put greater emphasis on the poisoning incident, but lessen its importance at the same time.¡±


    What was that supposed to mean?


    Rezef was now eager to hear what she had to say.


    ¡°I want you to exaggerate the severity of my condition to create a crisis regarding the session. If both Father and I are rumored to be in poor health, the ministers will be impatient.¡±


    That much was obvious; it could barely even be called a scheme. Rezef felt a little disappointed, but Cayena continued.


    ¡°Then, make this incident into fodder for gossip.¡±


    ¡°Gossip¡­!¡±


    Rezef finally understood what Cayena meant by lessening the importance of the incident.


    ¡°If we frame this incident as a scandalous affairmitted by a man who is in love with me, society is sure to pay attention. That way, people will not pay too much attention to the incident itself, but still discuss the topic.¡±


    They would do just that. People have always been obsessed with love stories. Rezef could already picture the rumors they would spread.


    ¡®Who advised my sister on this? Or was this her own idea?¡¯


    Rezef just had to ask her.


    He looked at her sharply, trying to see through her true intentions. ¡°What in the world are you thinking?¡±


    Cayena didn¡¯t answer. She just stared at him.


    That moment did notst long, however, as she suddenly climbed out of her bed.


    ¡°Cayena?¡± Rezef said, frowning.


    Then, she slowly knelt down on both knees. ¡°My king.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Cayena kissed the hem of Rezef¡¯s clothes, like a servant to her master.


    ¡°What are you doing?!¡±


    Her actions could easily be considered treason.


    Rezef quickly stood, grabbing Cayena by her shoulders and pulling her up.


    ¡°Cayena!¡±


    It was a name that he had called many times before, but it felt strange and unfamiliar, as if its texture hadpletely changed.


    Cayena did not seem concerned as she respectfully held and kissed the back of Rezef¡¯s hand.


    In a low murmur, he said, ¡°Just why¡­?¡±


    Just why was Cayena kissing his hand and acting so respectfully? And she had done it so carefully, grasping his hand with both of hers, as if she was just a servant.


    Rezef had often kissed the back of Cayena¡¯s hand because he wanted her to think him noble and lower her guard, but even he had never used both hands. He didn¡¯t have the sincerity to do so.


    But that was what Cayena was doing to him.


    ¡°You¡¯re the only one who is here for me, Rezef.¡±


    That was what she had always said to him.


    <i>¡°I only have you, Rezef.¡±</i>


    <i>¡°You¡¯re my younger sibling. My only real family.¡±</i>


    ¡°You have to stop¡­!¡±


    Rezef pulled his hand out of hers. He clenched his hand¡ª the one that was just kissed¡ªso tightly that it trembled.


    ¡°You will be the next emperor of the Eldaim Empire. I am only showing you my loyalty, as I would in the future.¡±


    Cayena had clearly gone insane. Was the poison¡¯s effect that serious?


    Rezef glowered at Cayena. ¡°What are you up to?¡±


    ¡°Do you trust me?¡± Cayena asked. She quietly smiled. Even her smile seemed suspicious.


    ¡°¡­What are you referring to?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m asking if you really think of me as your sister.¡±


    For a moment, Rezef was speechless and could not answer.


    Cayena continued her strange questions.


    ¡°What would you do if I was no longer useful to you?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s easy to guess what you would do. You would sell me to a suitable marriage partner that works in your favor in order to dispose of me, and you wouldn¡¯t have to deal with me anymore.¡± Then, she casually said some terrifying words. ¡°Well, unless you end up choosing the wrong man, and I get married to a crazy husband who will kill me.¡±


    If she was sent to marry Gillian again, she may be killed again after facing imprisonment and abuse.


    Cayena remembered her distant past. The awful memories made her feel even more lonely.


    ¡°I know my situation well.¡±


    There was no trace ofughter in her expression.


    ¡°Furthermore, I know that you need me.¡±


    Rezef stared back at Cayena, his expression as cold as hers.


    As she said, Rezef needed Cayena. The emperor was still alive, and so his own position was precarious. Cayena¡¯s social influence was useful to him. Though he could get engaged and leave that part to his fiancee, it would be a waste to get married so young.


    Cayena knew well that Rezef was measuring many things in his head to optimize things to his benefit.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± Rezef asked.


    He decided to take a step back and started the negotiations. He might as well see where this was going.


    Cayena replied by saying something that she never had, but desired so desperately.


    ¡°Freedom.¡±


    Cayena knew that she would look ridiculous by saying this, but it was the most sincere word that she had spoken since she woke up in this world.


    She wanted freedom to be her whole self.


    She wanted freedom to do nothing that othersmanded of her.


    She wanted freedom to think for herself.


    All that she wanted was just that. Freedom.


    Rezef yelled, unable to contain himself. ¡°Freedom?!¡±


    Freedom, she said. The word didn¡¯t suit the imperial princess at all!


    ¡°Are you really going to give up this life of wealth and luxury? Do you think that you¡¯ll be able to be free if you just leave impulsive?¡±


    He sincerely looked at his sister with pity. He gently brushed her pale cheeks with his hand.


    ¡°You may feel that this ce is stuffy, but this is the ce that suits you the most,¡± he said, running his fingers through her soft hair. ¡°Poverty is not beautiful.¡±


    Cayena knew much better than he what poverty was like.


    In her past life, she had been raised by a single mother. Because her mother¡¯s ie was not enough, she couldn¡¯t even attend amon academy. She was smart enough to earn a corporate schrship and finish her studies, but that was all.


    ¡®It was a life full of difficulties.¡¯


    Cayena couldn¡¯t say which of her lives were worse. That in itself was quite pitiful. She just wanted to live out the rest of her life in peace. Couldn¡¯t the world¡¯s story continue without one viiness?


    Cayena then attached another condition, one that Rezef would understand.


    ¡°Let me get married to someone I want. That¡¯s the freedom I desire.¡±


    Her request was very typical of the normal Cayena, and Rezef lost his steam. ¡°Are you talking about Raphael?¡±


    Cayena shook her head. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°¡­No?¡±


    That was unexpected. Rezef looked at Cayena with a frown. ¡°Well, that doesn¡¯t matter. Sister, what can you do for me in exchange?¡±


    Cayena couldn¡¯t answer him right away, hit by a sudden dizziness for a moment.


    ¡®I can¡¯t fall here. Not yet.¡¯


    She felt chills and her vision was fading, but she forced herself to look tranquil.


    Now was the only time Rezef would be this shaken. She couldn¡¯t give him time to think calmly.


    She had no need to be that nervous, as Rezef had interpreted this silence as being significant.


    ¡®What is she going to say, that she has to ruminate on it for this long?¡¯ he thought.


    As soon as she felt that she could talk in an even voice, Cayena opened her lips.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you the emperor.¡±


    She said it so lightly, as if the throne were something that she could give him for a birthday present.


    Rezef was dumbfounded.


    ¡°Sister, are you referring to me?¡±


    Even though Cayena was useful, her support alone could not make him emperor.


    He was about to correct her misperception when she continued.


    ¡°I know that you will be able to gain the throne without my support. However, if you do, you would have to share your powers.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Even if he did be emperor, he would have to pay dearly to those who helped ce him there.


    He couldn¡¯t seed the throne by himself. Cayena dug the point in further.


    ¡°You¡¯ll especially have to fatten the pockets of the Evans family, the one that acts as your strategist.¡±


    The Evans family, who owned the eastern granaries, was already extremely rich and of high rank. Rezef had been keeping an eye on that family, and Cayena was well aware of that fact.


    ¡°¡­Are you appointing yourself as my strategist, then?¡± Rezef asked.


    Cayena smiled softly. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to trust me right now,¡± she said. ¡°But isn¡¯t it time you thought about what you would do after you gain the throne?¡±


    Nobody had ever told Rezef such things. In other words, nobody had been a proper adult figure for him before.


    Then, Cayena¡¯s body teetered.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Instinctively, Rezef¡¯s hand reached out to hold and protect her. Her entire body was burning like fire.


    ¡®To push your body to this extent¡­!¡¯


    Cayena¡¯s forehead was slick with sweat. She had exhausted all her energy into remaining conscious and finishing the conversation.


    It was only now that Rezef realized how severe her condition was. He yelled for a maid.


    ¡°You there! Call for a doctor right now!¡±


    Rezef ced Cayena on the bed. Then, just before shepletely lost consciousness, she gently brushed her hand against his head.


    ¡°You¡¯re a kind child.¡±


    Just like that, she fainted, leaving Rezef with a lost, childlike expression on his face.


    Release Rate: 1 chapter a week


    Release Day: Thursday (12:00 PM +5:30 GMT)

 Chapter 6: Scene 2. Beauty That Calls to Death

    Chapter 6


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ¡°We need to reinvestigate the assassination attempt on the Imperial princess,¡± Rezef said, untying the strings of his cape. He looked like his soul had been drained out of him. Rezef turned to his adjutant, Zenon Evans. ¡°How many times have we orchestrated the downfall of some noble? Choose someone among them with a family to support¡ªsomeone who would willingly face the guillotine in exchange for money.¡±


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    Zenon Evans thought that Rezef was acting rather strange. The prince often looked tired or irritated after visiting Cayena, but Zenon had never seen him look so dispirited before.


    ¡°¡­Also, ce more people around Princess Cayena. Monitor her every movement.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    The more Rezef thought about it, the stranger it was.


    Rezef had always thought that Cayena was under his control. Could it be that it was the other way around?


    He thought not. She wasn¡¯t smart, sensible, nor wise enough to do so.


    ¡®Then, is someone near her giving her advice?¡¯


    It could have been Count Hamel, but why would he reveal his own weaknesses to Rezef like this?


    Before Zenon left to carry out his order, Rezef called to him again.


    ¡°Find me information on Olivia Grace.¡±


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    Zenon left. Rezef¡¯s head was a mess of thoughts, and he ran his hand through his hair.


    ¡°What are you really up to, Cayena?¡±


    The emperor was old and sick. He was as good as dead, already. Though he had children born out of wedlock, Rezef and Cayena were his only officially acknowledged children. The only other person with a im to the throne was the emperor¡¯s half-brother, Archduke Heinrich.


    Ordinarily, Heinrich would have no im to the throne at all, as he was a bastard child, not recognized by the church. Furthermore, he suffered from an incurable disease, and nobody paid attention to one who only had death in his future.


    But suddenly, a young aristocrat appeared, calling himself Heinrich¡¯s son. His name was Yester Heinrich.


    After being imed by the Archduke, Yester quickly positioned the Archduke¡¯s mother to be the empress, and he was thus recognized as a potential legitimate sessor to the throne.


    People talked, wondering if the emperor¡¯s old age or illness had caused him to act so irrationally. But that hadn¡¯t been the case. It was Yester who manipted and ruined the emperor by taking control of the family of the emperor¡¯s lover, Catherine Lindbergh.


    ¡°To think that he would take her hostage¡­¡±


    The emperor, instead of leaving Catherine and her family to their doom, legitimized Archduke Heinrich.


    ¡°If only I had an army¡­!¡±


    Rezef felt his anger re every time he was made helpless by Archduke Heinrich¡¯s so-called family. Family? It was more like a gang.


    Rezef had been thinking of using Cayena to send Archduke Heinrich into hell, but the events of today forced him to revise his n.


    Rezef had spent a long time breaking in Cayena. He had slowly tied her hands and feet, made her reliant on him for everything until she couldn¡¯t do anything on her own. He thought he had seeded, but that was before he talked to her earlier today.


    Rezefid down on the sofa. He couldn¡¯t forget the blue eyes that looked straight at him. They werepletely different from her previously empty eyes that had only sought out pleasure. Rezef had never seen such a profound gaze from anyone among his peers.


    Did his older sister always have such beautiful eyes?


    ¡°Cayena¡­¡±


    Rezef covered his eyes with his hand, blocking the light from the windows. Then, he lifted his hand again. It was the same hand that Cayena had kissed.


    ¡°My foolish but beautiful doll.¡±


    With his other hand, he gently touched the back of that hand. Then, examining the hand, he slowly lowered it, letting it brush against his lips.


    Her eyes had looked at him coolly and directly¡­


    ¡°What should I do with you?¡± he whispered.


    <strong>Scene 2: Beauty That Calls to Death</strong>


    The fever gave way to nightmares.


    <i>¡°You can do it well, right? Subordinate Jung.¡±</i>


    The nightmare was a jumble of scenes from her workce and the Imperial family.


    <i>¡°And yet you call yourself the imperial princess!¡±</i>


    <i>¡°It¡¯s all your fault!¡±</i>


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Cayena¡¯s insides twisted in pain as her eyes flew open.


    ¡®¡­It was just a dream.¡¯


    Shey still on her bed, staring nkly as the tears ran along the side of her face. Then, she came to her senses.


    The tears were meaningless. She had already be numb to the sorrow and pain from her memories.


    ¡°Are you awake, mydy?¡±


    Vera came to her side and began to wipe away Cayena¡¯s tears with a towel dipped in lukewarm water.


    ¡®What sort of nightmare had made her cry like this?¡¯


    ¡°You should drink some water, Your Highness.¡±


    With that, she brought over some lemon water for Cayena.


    It had already been two weeks since Cayena spoke face-to-face with Rezef. Since then, Cayena had been subdued. It wasn¡¯t just that she was recovering. She needed to act unassuming to ay Rezef¡¯s suspicions.


    Rezef was truly evil. He was someone who would kill the ¡°culprit¡± who poisoned Cayena without mercy. For his own safety, he would sacrifice others without hesitation.


    One typical victim of that behavior was Cayena herself.


    ¡®My marriage shouldn¡¯t affect the flow of the story. I just need to find a position that would be difficult for others to manipte.¡¯


    Only then would she be safe, and the story would not copse without her.


    Rezef was suspicious, and he would continue to test Cayena.


    ¡®I do need to stop him from killing Olivia, though. But I¡¯ll only interfere up to that point.¡¯


    In any case, Cayena was the one who had attempted to poison Olivia, having been tricked by Rezef. Even though her crime had been erased with her return to this life, she couldn¡¯t forget what she had done.


    Cayena didn¡¯t want to be manipted anymore. And she was sincere in her request to Rezef about choosing her own husband.


    ¡®Though, the person I will marry won¡¯t exist in this world.¡¯


    Cayena intended to make up a person whom she would ¡°marry.¡±


    ¡®Until then, I just need to continue surviving and keep Rezef happy.¡¯


    ¡°Your Highness, they say that the culprit has been arrested,¡± Vera said, interrupting her thoughts.


    Cayena wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief and replied, ¡°Is that so?¡±


    ¡®So he did as I told him to.¡¯


    Cayena was not in a rush. She only had to wait for the right time until Rezef moved as she wanted.


    ¡°Today is the day of his execution. Will you be going to see it?¡±


    Cayena shook her head. She had no desire to watch something so dreadful.


    In this time period, people gathered to see executions. Now, Cayena only felt repulsed by the practice.


    The aristocrat who had poisoned Her Imperial Princess Cayena kneeled in front of the guillotined. All eyes were on him as he spoke.


    ¡°I did it because I loved her too much! Not even death can stop my love for her!¡±


    The criminal was an unknown aristocrat who had fallen from grace. The nobles mored among themselves, asking if this man had been present at the banquet hall.


    ¡®To think that he would find someone willing to die in just two weeks.¡¯


    The nobles were hesitant to talk about the poisoning case since rumors said that the princess¡¯s condition was serious.


    Rezef¡¯s supporters were making a fuss about how Rezef, though he was young, should be officially appointed as the crown prince. The nobles who supported Archduke Heinrich were trying to hush them and the incident. ¡°Prince Rezef isn¡¯t the only one who can seed the throne! We can¡¯t be too hasty.¡±


    However, all their words were drowned by a well-timed article in the gossip columns, describing how Princess Cayena¡¯s beauty had led to someone¡¯s death.


    ¡®He had to buy off the newspapers as well. He must have been busy.¡¯


    Gossip flowed easily from people¡¯s mouths, and Archduke Heinrich¡¯s people had been devoted to pushing forward their agenda. Now, though, Heinrich was pushed out of the public eye by the incident.


    Heinrich¡¯s people had been overshadowed as everyone was much more interested in talking about Cayena¡¯s beauty.


    ¡°You¡¯ve always been beautiful, but people are really noticing it more now, aren¡¯t they, Your Highness?¡±


    Cayenaughed at Vera¡¯s words. Cayena¡¯s beauty had already been famous, but now, the word ¡®beauty¡¯ alone seemed to becking to describe her.


    ¡®A beauty that calls to death.¡¯


    One gossip magazine had likened Cayena to a rose with a poisonous thorn. The rumors and attention she received continued to grow smoothly, and when Cayena canceled her appearances at the parties she had previously scheduled, the excitement turned into madness.


    Already, stories of the poisoning incident were being told to further the word of Cayena Hill¡¯s beauty.


    ¡°They say that the nobles are looking forward to youring-of-age ceremony.¡±


    The ceremony would involve an unprecedented number of suitors.


    ¡°You may get engaged to someone soon. Do you think Lord Kedrey would be a good match?¡± Vera asked carefully.


    Cayena knew that her answer would be parroted straight back to Rezef. She pretended ignorance.


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure. It seems like it might be too much trouble, considering that the emperor would not approve.¡±


    Release Rate: 1 chapter a week


    Release Day: Thursday (12:00 PM +5:30 GMT)

 Chapter 7

    Chapter 7


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    Vera¡¯s eyes opened wide.


    This was the first time that Cayena had shown such a lukewarm response to Raphael Kedrey.


    It was an open secret that the rtionship between the emperor and Duke Kedrey was poor. Though why their rtions was so bad was unknown, the emperor was frustrated by Cayena¡¯s fascination with Raphael.


    ¡°If Lord Kedrey were to be the emperor¡¯s son-inw, there may be problems with the power structure.¡±


    It was a fairly simple statement, but it was a problem that Cayena never seemed to consider before now.


    Vera quietly refilled the tea and nced at Cayena¡¯s serene profile.


    Cayena hid a calm smile behind her teacup. This matter would not just go to Rezef¡¯s ears. Her remarks would surely be ryed to the emperor as well.


    ¡°I have been obstinate and undignified up to now as I hadn¡¯t understood the will of the emperor.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s desire for Raphael was proportional to the distress she had caused to her surroundings. She had forced herself into his house and summoned him into the pce. Well, actually, the emperor had summoned Raphael to the pce at Cayena¡¯s request every time.


    Of course, this wasn¡¯t necessarily for Cayena, but rather to humiliate the Kedrey family by breaking their next lord¡¯s spirit.


    ¡°He must have listened to your requests because your actions were appropriate enough.¡±


    Cayena agreed inwardly with Vera¡¯s words, but outwardly, she frowned.


    ¡°As the imperial princess, how could I not know that my conduct was inappropriate? Now, at least, I must make up for what I have done.¡±


    ¡°What do you intend to do?¡±


    ¡°First of all, I¡¯ll have to mend the dress for mying-of-age celebration.¡±


    Vera tilted her head as the statement seemed totally unrted to their discussion.


    ¡°Open up the dressing room.¡±


    Soon, there would be a banquet for Cayena¡¯sing-of-age celebration. The dress that she was going to wear had been prepared long ago, but Cayena wanted to revise the concept to make use of the incident.


    ¡°Would you prefer something with a plunging backline to show off your shoulders?¡± Vera asked.


    Seeing the dress, Cayena shook her head. ¡°No, that¡¯s too exposing.¡±


    She had an image in her head.


    ¡®A marite should look more like a marite.¡¯


    Cayena wanted a dress with fancyce decorations, the type that one would dress up their dolls in. She needed to appear as if she cared too much about beauty.


    Cayena checked her reflection in the mirror and nodded her head.


    ¡°As always, nobody will be more beautiful than Your Imperial Highness at the banquet!¡±


    The people around Cayena were busy fawning over her appearance. But Vera thought to herself as she helped Cayena change, ¡®Everyone is d that Her Highness has be well-behaved, but it has never been this easy.¡¯


    Cayena¡¯s aura and image hadpletely changed. Recently, Cayena had been acting very softly, and now everybody wanted to stay by her side.


    Her mildness and inaction seemed like she was conceding the initiative to her opponent, but it was really more like giving a child a snack that would quickly disappear.<sup>1</sup>


    ¡®After she drank the poison, even her speech has be more refined.¡¯


    Vera seemed to be the only one who had noticed the change. She observed Cayena quietly and incessantly.


    Cayena knew well that Vera was agitated.


    ¡®Vera is loyal, but ambitious.¡¯


    None of the courtdies in her pce were worth using other than Vera. Cayena intended to appease her, so she allowed Vera to observe her as she wished.


    Cayena tried on the final dress. It was the dress that Cayena had prepared with utmost care for theing-of-age celebration.


    Cayena had loved roses, and so she liked to wear dresses that were embroidered with roses. The same was true of this dress.


    ¡°My goodness, you look just like a doll!¡±


    Herdies-in-waiting made a fuss, just as they always did. This was the type ofpliment that Cayena used to like the most.


    Vera bit the inside of her mouth to quell herughter.


    Their mistress was no longer pleased with that sort of praise.


    As expected, Cayena smiled quietly, not looking proud or conceited.


    ¡®She really has changed.¡¯


    Vera wondered what this change meant. She kept wanting to discover Cayena¡¯s true intentions.


    Could Cayena be a good master for her?


    There were many cases in which entire families died for supporting the wrong person in the imperial family. Vera had to be cautious. She could tell that despite the conditions against him, Rezef would be emperor one day. It was a very urate judgment.


    And now, Vera¡¯s brilliant insight was quickly re-evaluating Cayena.


    ¡°The rose embroidery isn¡¯t excessive and has been incorporated very well.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s keep this one as is.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll send the rest to the tailor, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena nodded. Then, she looked in the mirror and lifted up her hand. It was as if there were strings attached to her limbs, manipting her.


    That look suited her.


    ¡®All my life, I¡¯ve been controlled by someone.¡¯


    She hadn¡¯t realized that she was someone¡¯s marite, hanging from the puppet lines. She didn¡¯t know whose power it was that she held in her hands.


    ¡®I once thought that I was moving under my own will.¡¯


    But she had learned too much to continue living under that illusion. Cayena had no intention of making the same mistake again.


    ¡®I will live as myself.¡¯


    She dropped her arm, as if the string had been cut.


    ¡°I need to change my clothes.¡±


    Cayena took off her dress and changed into her everyday clothes.


    ¡°Where is Rezef?¡± she asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s still out, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef was quite busy recently as he was in the midst of a power struggle with Archduke Heinrich¡¯s son for the position of crown prince.


    ¡®Rezef, did you think that raising my value would contribute to your own power?¡¯


    Though Rezef would eventually be a tyrant of an emperor, he was still only 18 years old right now. He was a child.


    On the other hand, Cayena was only wearing the skin of a young woman; she had already lived two lives. Cayena had experienced horrible things in her lifetimes, and so to her, Rezef was like a young child.


    ¡®He¡¯s overlooking the fact that there are others who can lend me their strength at this point in time. How foolish.¡¯


    Cayena addressed Vera. ¡°I must go see the emperor.¡±


    ***


    The emperor of the Eldaim Empire, Esteban Hill,y in his bed and drank medicine. Then, he looked at his daughter, Cayena, with lifeless eyes.


    ¡°To think that you woulde looking for me first like this¡­ It must be something special.¡±


    At his words, Cayena grabbed the hem of her dress. Curtsying, she said, ¡°Please forgive me for my disrespect, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    The emperor was not one who would be moved by such words. His voice was cold, knowing that his tone would hurt Cayena¡¯s pride.


    His daughter was a fool. He was contemting when she woulde to her senses when she spoke again.


    ¡°Though it iste, please look kindly upon your daughter who is now trying to fulfill her duty as your obedient child.¡±


    Her words were as sweet as honey. They weren¡¯t the sort of words that Cayena would usually say.


    The emperor¡¯s eyebrows raised in wonder. Cayena drew nearer to his side.


    ¡°I must have been causing you to worry as ofte,¡± she said.


    It didn¡¯t really matter whether or not the emperor had been concerned. What was important was that Cayena showed that she thought of him and his well-being.


    ¡°I¡¯vee to greet you so that you do not need to worry. I have nearly recovered fully.¡±


    Cayena took the dish with the teapot and cups that an attendant was bringing over for the emperor. She helped him drink the tea with a silver spoon, her actions as natural as the flowing water.


    ¡®Were the rumors true?¡¯


    It had been reported to him that Cayena¡¯s attitude had changed considerably after the poisoning incident. They said that there were mercy and generosity in her words and actions now.


    He couldn¡¯t remember when his daughter was ever kind, except for when she was very young.


    At some point, the rtionship between the father and daughter had grown apart. Cayena felt ufortable near the emperor, and the emperor began to feel contempt for her.


    But now, Cayena did not look ufortable at all as she sat in the chair beside him and cared for him.


    ¡°Whose plot is this?¡±


    The emperor had lived as a ruler all his life. This sort of incident never happened on its own.


    He began to wonder if the process of finding the culprit as well as the aftermath of the incident had all been fabricated.


    ~~~


    <sup>1. This is just a metaphor; Vera has no reason to think that Cayena has an opponent at this point in the story.?</sup>

 Chapter 8

    Chapter 8


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ¡®Is he aware that Rezef is the true culprit?¡¯


    To buy time, Cayena took a silk handkerchief from a servant and smoothly wiped the emperor¡¯s lips. The emperor¡¯s question was open-ended and ambiguous, as expected of a seasoned politician. The original Cayena would certainly have been caught in the trap. But instead, she spoke slyly.


    ¡°Please look upon me kindly.¡±


    Her voice was unexpectedly soft.


    Moreover, herposed smile was not that of an immature young woman, and the emperor was inwardly impressed.


    ¡®Was this child always this skilled at hiding her true self?¡¯


    The emperor wondered what change had ovee his daughter while he was ill.


    ¡®Has she finallye to her senses?¡¯


    His daughter had changed.


    The emperor¡¯s eyes shed. ¡°You don¡¯t mind if the real criminal is not caught?¡±


    If Cayena wanted it, the emperor was willing to lend his help in bringing out the real criminal.


    The situation was not yet clear, but it was highly likely that Rezef was the culprit. The emperor thought it might also be a good time to put Rezef in his ce again.


    ¡®Is he suspicious of Rezef? If Rezef¡¯s power decreases at this time, I won¡¯t be able to use him.¡¯


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°Rezef will punish the real culprit. I thought that it would be better to deal with this incident in this way rather than inciting the nobility.¡±


    The emperor felt a spark of admiration for his daughter. ¡°That¡¯s quite impressive.¡±


    ¡°I was afraid that my foolish thoughts would disturb your state, Father.¡±


    Even as Cayena revealed her tactics, she credited her results to the emperor.


    ¡°You have trusted in and waited for your firstborn daughter this entire time, so now I will do my part.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, the emperor burst intoughter.


    It seemed that a king¡¯s child was born with a king¡¯s ability. With a happy heart, he thought that he should give Cayena some sort of reward.


    ¡°Now that I think of it, youring-of-age ceremony ising up.¡±


    Cayena did not reply. She just handed over the teacup to a servant.


    Then, the emperor said, ¡°I must start looking for a good marriage partner for you.¡±


    A marriage partner.


    At that phrase, Cayena immediately thought of Raphael Kedrey. It was something like a habit.


    However, she tried hard to push down her agitation.


    ¡°You¡¯re correct, Father. I¡¯lle of age soon.¡±


    In her first life, Cayena was courted by many, but she did not have any marriage partners. Eventually, she was sold off to Viscount Gillian.


    The emperor passed on without any interest in her marriage. Rezef, on the other hand, actively encouragedpetition over the position of the emperor¡¯s son-inw.


    They may have been the imperial family, but how could anyone call this a family?


    ¡®Am I really your daughter?¡¯


    Contrary to her cold feelings toward her father, Cayena asked with a smile, ¡°Did you have anyone in mind?¡±


    The emperor did not show it, but he was surprised.


    He thought for certain that Cayena would mention Raphael Kedrey if he brought up marriage.


    If she answered as he expected, he would have been disappointed in her again.


    But Cayena didn¡¯t even mention Lord Kedrey.


    It seemed that she had finally learned that her marriage was not a card that she should waste on love or desire.


    Just to be certain, the emperor asked, ¡°Do you mean that you would marry someone else after investing so much time and effort into Raphael Kedrey?¡±


    The question made Cayena think of her first love, like a distant memory.


    ¡®I wasn¡¯t meant for him, anyway.¡¯


    It would be a lie to say that she had no regrets. Even if she disregarded her personal feelings, Raphael was an excellent marriage partner.


    But Raphael despised her. She didn¡¯t want to cling on to someone who hated her. Furthermore, she had to be friends with Raphael. His role was necessary for her to marry sessfully.


    ¡®To be more exact, it¡¯s the power of Duke Kedrey that I need.¡¯


    Cayena fixed her smile and said calmly, ¡°As I don¡¯t have any sisters, how could I allow myself to be swayed by a momentary emotion and make such a mistake? I will follow your will, Father.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve surprised me many times today,¡± the emperor said. Generously, he added, ¡°Choose your partner carefully. Take your time to examine your options.¡±


    At those extraordinary words, the servants who were nearby forgot themselves, dropping their jaws and gasping.


    ¡®Now, if I can rid myself of Rezef¡¯s interest, it won¡¯t matter whom I get married to.¡¯


    Cayena had aplished what she hade here for.


    Politely, she said, ¡°Thank you for giving this matter your attention. I will make sure that my partner is truly suitable to join the imperial family.¡±


    The emperor nodded and beckoned the grand chambein. This meant that he was going to lie down and rest.


    Cayena greeted him once more and left the bedroom, taking herdies-in-waiting with her.


    ¡°It seems she¡¯se for her senses after growing up.¡±


    The grand chambein bowed his head at the emperor¡¯s remark and smiled softly.


    ¡°The princess has already grown and matured so admirably¡ªhow time flies.¡±


    The emperor smiled. ¡°You¡¯re twisting my words,¡± he said.


    ***


    As Cayena left the emperor¡¯s room, she came across someone unexpected.


    Naturally, her footsteps stopped.


    She could feel the wariness of the approaching courtdies, the nearby knights, and the servants.


    But of course they were wary. The one that she had run into was well known as Cayena¡¯s unrequited love.


    ¡®Raphael Kedrey.¡¯


    The raven-ck hair and crimson eyes were the symbols of the Kedrey ducal family. Raphael was born with those distinct features. Cayena, who was pale and blonde, had been fascinated by his vivid presence.


    In fact, even though Cayena was experienced and living her third life, she thought that he was a wonderful and beautiful person.


    Raphael stood out from other noblemen his age, starting with his presence. He had the heavy, vivid, and overwhelming aura of those who had experienced the battlefield. Combined with his natural beauty and figure, he was unrivaled among his peers.


    Cayena was just another girl who was helpless to his rare charm.


    ¡®In my first life, I thought he was merely a nice person.¡¯


    Raphael from the novel was not just a gentleman, though. He was obsessively meticulous in how he interacted with people, and it tired him to have to meet people and keep up social rtionships.


    Originally, Olivia helped him with hispulsion, and Raphael had fallen in love with her.


    ¡°Raphael Kedrey greets Her Imperial Highness.¡±


    Raphael, who had been in the waiting room, greeted Cayena in a dry manner.


    Suddenly, Cayena felt relieved. He didn¡¯t hate her as much as she had expected. Raphael only thought of her as a bother right now, rather than outright loathing her. She had time to fix her mistakes.


    Now she just had to not do all the things she had previously done.


    If she stopped pretending to be close to him and touching him¡ªwhile also being careful not to be rude¡ªshe would be able to have a much better rtionship with him than before.


    Anyway, it wasn¡¯t like she wanted to be remembered as an awful woman by her first love.


    ¡°You may rise.¡±


    Cayena made her decision.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Lord Kedrey.¡±


    ¡®¡­Lord Kedrey?¡¯


    Raphael looked puzzled at her polite address, as she usually called him ¡®Raphy.¡¯


    Come to think of it, even though Cayena had found him, she didn¡¯t run to him and hug his arm.


    He was not the only one pondering her behavior. Everyone present was looking at Cayena with wide eyes.


    ¡®What, why is Her Highness acting like this?¡¯


    Cayena was normally very rude and uninhibited.


    While everyone was confused, Cayena looked around herself and was lost in other thoughts.


    ¡®Even though Raphael hade, nobody announced his presence.¡¯


    Seeing that it was clear that the emperor was keeping Raphael in check.


    ¡°Are you here to see His Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    If she was the original Cayena, she would have talked nonstop to get Raphael¡¯s attention by now. But Cayena knew her part well.


    She was the viiness, not a heroine.


    ¡®Now I know my ce.¡¯


    Cayena called forth a servant.


    ¡°Tell His Majesty that Lord Kedrey is asking for an audience.¡±


    Release Rate: 2 chapters a week


    Release Day: Thursday (12:00 PM +5:30 GMT)

 Chapter 9

    Chapter 9


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    <span>The servant hesitated for a moment. It had been ording to the Emperor¡¯s will that he dyed announcing Raphael¡¯s presence.


    <span>¡°What are you doing.¡±


    <span>As Cayena stopped smiling and turned cold, the servant had no choice but to go to the Emperor¡¯s chambers. It was better for him to inform the Emperor of Raphael¡¯s request for an audience than it was to deal with the fuss if he dared to ignore the princess.


    <span>Raphael watched this series of events suspiciously. Though Cayena frequently acted out to get his attention, this was the first time she had actually helped him.


    <span>Was she doing this so that she could bother him again?


    <span>But Cayena seemed to act cautious after she gave the order to the servant. She seemed reluctant to even meet Raphael¡¯s eyes.


    <span>How strange. He was usually able to read her clearly, but Raphael couldn¡¯t sense any intent behind her action.


    <span>It was like her favor just now did not have any ulterior motives.


    <span>¡°Then, I¡¯ll leave it at this.¡±


    <span>Cayena left the waiting room, taking herdies-in-waiting with her. It was clear to everyone in the room that Cayena was obviously keeping her distance from Raphael.


    <span>Raphael nearly called out to Cayena. He looked at her with a slight frown as she passed by, feeling odd.


    <span>Then, one of the Emperor¡¯s attendants called out to him.


    <span>¡°Lord Kedrey.¡±


    <span>Only then did Raphael turn away from the door through which Cayena just left.


    <span>¡°His Majesty is resting right now, so you will have to call on him again tomorrow,¡± the attendant said awkwardly.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s retainers, who had been in the waiting room with him, were deeply angered.


    <span>¡°Are you telling the truth? Her Highness just left his room!¡±


    <span>They looked at the attendant ferociously and clenched their fists.


    <span>¡°Stop.¡±


    <span>Raphael ordered them to cease their murderous aura.


    <span>¡°We are in front of His Majesty¡¯s room. Do not raise your voice.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Yes, sir.¡±


    <span>To roam the battlefield meant bing familiar with murder. The servants, who had just faced their potential deaths, sighed with relief.


    <span>They thought it was fortunate that Raphael was a gentleman, but their thought was a short-sighted illusion.


    <span>In fact, Raphael had nothing to lose from this scenario. He had a significant amount of power, and he was not interested in the quarrel over the throne.


    <span>¡®Emperor Esteban should know that I am not taking a side with either faction.¡¯


    <span>And the Emperor couldn¡¯t be this stubborn forever.


    <span>Raphael was only being lenient now as he did not want to bother with it.


    <span>¡°Then, I¡¯ll be back,¡± he said.


    <span>The attendant nodded his head, wiping away the cold sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.


    <span>¡°Yes, yes. Pleasee backter.¡±


    <span>Raphael walked out of the waiting room, but then stopped in his tracks.


    <span>Cayena had been waiting outside for him. Ah, he knew it¡­ He had wondered why she had retreated so mildly earlier.


    <span>¡°As expected, the Emperor did not meet with you.¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯splexion was still poor, not having recovered fully from the poison¡¯s effects, but she had still stood in the hallway to wait for Raphael toe out.


    <span>What noble behavior this was. In fact, the courtdies who were waiting on her looked to be overwhelmed with shame.


    <span>Only one of herdies-in-waiting, the one who was closest by her side, appeared unbothered.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s gaze quickly looked around their surroundings before settling back on Cayena. But the look in her eyes was unfamiliar, somehow.


    <span>¡°Since it¡¯s turned out like this, would you apany me for a cup of tea?¡±


    <span>Raphael would usually have turned down her offer without a second thought. He still would have, if it wasn¡¯t for what she said next.


    <span>¡°I think I could help you with some of your troubles.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­I don¡¯t know what you mean by my troubles.¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Really?¡± she said.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s aides cleared their throats, enchanted as they were by her lovely appearance.


    <span>She continued, ¡°It¡¯s closely rted to the reason you wanted an audience with His Majesty.¡±


    <span>¡®She knows why I want to see the Emperor?¡¯


    <span>Raphael wanted to meet with the Emperor to request military rule over the west in return for his contributions to the war two years ago. It was an authority that could only be granted to a duke, but Raphael had his reasons for wanting this.


    <span>¡®She would have no idea that I¡¯m trying to avoid pressure from my family to get married.¡¯


    <span>It hadn¡¯t been announced yet, but the Duke and Duchess Kedrey were in the midst of a divorce.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s mother, Noa Kedrey, was someone who was raised to be a wife, not as the sessor to the ducal line. There had been no need, as she had had two older brothers.


    <span>The previous duke had never thought that both of his sons would die in the war.


    <span>Because of that, he hurriedly weed Leo Francis as his son-inw. However, Leo Francis cheated on his wife before Raphael even came of age.


    <span>Since then, he had been at odds with the proud Duchess Noa.


    <span>They had been unable to part ways because Raphael was too young to take over the dukedom, but now, they were quietly filing for divorce.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s mother did not want to give her husband any alimony. And, considering Leo Francis¡¯s ipetence, it was possible for Raphael to seed as the duke immediately.


    <span>However, Raphael first had to be unanimously recognized as the next head of the household by his family¡¯s vassals.


    <span>There was only a slight problem.


    <span>Rumors of Raphael¡¯s sexual orientation, specifically regarding the possibility of heirs, had been secretly circting among the vassals.[1]


    <span>It was because he had never even held a woman¡¯s hand in his 23 years of life.


    <span>Nobles who wanted to use him had pushed women into his bedroom, but Raphael had coldly turned them away.


    <span>This rumor had reached Raphael¡¯s mother¡¯s ears as well. She had been pushing him to marry in order to dispel the scandalous and groundless rumors that had attached themselves to her son.


    <span>Raphael did not want to marry, though, so he wanted to ask the Emperor to recognize his military conquest over the western territory, an honor that would only be granted to a duke.


    <span>Raphael thought that with that authority, the vassals would acknowledge him as the next head of the household.


    <span>How could Cayena help him with that?


    <span>But Raphael could feel weight that he had never seen before behind Cayena¡¯s blue eyes.


    <span>¡®¡­Interesting.¡¯


    <span>He had a strong intuition that he should ept Cayena¡¯s invitation.


    <span>¡°Thank you for the invitation.¡±


    <span>Raphael approached Cayena¡¯s side to escort her, and Cayena ced her hand on his arm.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ve got just the tea for the asion. I think it¡¯ll suit your tastes.¡±


    <span>Cayena conversed with him nonstop without saying anything of substance.


    <span>On the surface, it seemed that Cayena had only made another attempt to interact with Raphael, as she always did.


    <span>But something was strange.


    <span>Cayena often talked rudely in her speech. She ignoredmon courtesy and talked about sensitive issues, asking bluntly about marriage, property issues, and such. But now, she was talking about the weather, standards for tea leaves, and how to make delicious tarts¡ªthough where she had learned the recipe, he had no idea.


    <span>¡®Is she trying to lighten up the conversation?¡¯


    <span>Looking at the rxed countenance of herdies-in-waiting, Raphael was convinced of it.


    <span>Cayena came to a stop at the garden on the path to her pce.


    <span>¡°The sun feels nice today, so I¡¯d like to drink tea in the garden,¡± she said.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll go prepare it now, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena dismissed all of thedies-in-waiting except for Vera.


    <span>¡°Now, I suppose we should finish discussing what I had mentioned.¡±


    <span>Raphael thought of what she had said earlier about his troubles.


    <span>What sort of solution would the princesse up with?


    <span>Cayena opened her red lips.


    <span>¡°Since my lord is at that age, your family must be fussing over your marriage, correct?¡±


    <span>Raphael started to think that she was going to say something deluded again, like proposing to him.


    <span>It wasn¡¯t just that he was personally reluctant to marrying her. It was also that he didn¡¯t want the Imperial family and the Kedrey duchy to merge. Both were already too powerful, and it would be difficult to make sure that the interests and power of the two families remained separate.


    <span>¡°You already have a marriage partner, yes?¡±


    <span>¡°A marriage partner?¡± Raphael was confused.


    <span>¡°Ah,¡± Cayena said, covering her lips. ¡°Is it that you don¡¯t know yet¡­?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­What do you mean?¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled brightly.


    <span>¡°Then, I can tell you something useful about your marriage partner.¡±


    <span>The Kedrey duchy was the ruler of the western part of the Empire. The militant family was the only one in the Eldaim Empire that had nearly enough power to rival the Hill family.


    <span>As such, the family¡¯s only son, Raphael, was like a highly coveted fruit.


    <span>Cayena smiled at Raphael, who seemed sour about the concept of marriage. She wasn¡¯t sure if he knew of his own worth.


    <span>¡®How typical of the male lead.¡¯


    <span>While reading the novel, Cayena had learned about why Raphael had never courted anyone before. He simply didn¡¯t feel affection toward anyone. The words ¡°attachment¡± and ¡°affection¡± were merely ufortable annoyances to him.


    <span>People said that Rapahel was well-mannered, but it was more due to a mental disorder than his personal disposition.[2]


    <span>¡°A noble daughter who would be suitable as thedy of the house¡­¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯s face turned pensive for a moment, as if she was trying to recall.


    <span>¡°There¡¯s Dolores Avon, for one.¡±


    <span>In the novel, that youngdy had actually sent a portrait of herself to Raphael¡¯s home.


    <span>¡°She¡¯s very skilled at embroidery and ying the piano. But she faints at the sight of blood¡ªwhat will she do in the rough westernnds? It isn¡¯t as if you can simply leave your wife behind in the capital.¡±


    <span>Also, who knew what would happen if he married aplete stranger? She moved onto another candidate.


    <span>¡°Rita from the Brukin family may be a better fit, in that case, as she once trained as a knight. Unfortunately, shecks knowledge and wisdom. She¡¯s also rather violent.¡±


    <span>Raphael quickly realized what both women had inmon right away.


    <span>¡°Both are from powerful families that have yet to choose a side with a sessor for the throne.¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled and praised his intuition.


    <span>¡°As expected, Lord Kedrey is very clever.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>Cayena calmly regarded Raphael, who was older than her, as if he were her younger sibling. Everyone was speechless, at a loss for words. But this attitude suited Cayena, strangely enough.


    <span>¡°Furthermore, these are all women whom you will be able to marry within two years.¡±


    <span>Raphael focused on the ¡®two years.¡¯


    <span>¡®Cayena¡¯sing-of-age will happen soon, but she¡¯s rmending different marriage candidates?¡¯


    <span>Maybe this meant that she did not want to marry him anymore.


    <span>Raphael began to find this conversation quite interesting.


    <span>[1] There are different ways to interpret this: Raphael may have been perceived as gay or asexual. The original text is unclear on this matter.


    <span>[2] Though unidentified, the disorder in question may be ASPD, or antisocial personality disorder. You can tell by its English name that it does, in fact, have to do with one¡¯s personality¡ªbut, well, we probably shouldn¡¯t look at webnovels for medical uracy.

 Chapter 10

    Chapter 10


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    <span>¡°Lastly, there¡¯s Olivia Grace.¡±


    <span>Cayena named Olivia, the protagonist of the novel,st.


    <span>Raphael recognized thatst name. The Grace family was one that his own family supported.


    <span>¡°The Grace family is the most lowly of the three. However, while they have no fortune or power, they do have the interesting position of having been sponsored by the Kedrey duchy.¡±


    <span>Since Raphael had ears, he was aware of the fact that Cayena truly detested Olivia. But Cayena still mentioned her. What in the world was she up to?


    <span>¡°Personally, I think milord should meet with Miss Olivia Grace.¡±


    <span>¡°You mean that you¡¯re rmending that I marry her?¡±


    <span>¡°That¡¯s correct. Thedy is clever and observant. She¡¯s considerate, but she¡¯s also self-reliant and strong.¡±


    <span>Cayena spoke this meaningfully, like she was negotiating.


    <span>Raphael examined her closely to find her real intentions. Looking back on their history, there was no reason for Cayena to be saying this.


    <span>So he asked her openly.


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re saying this.¡±


    <span>Their eyes met for a moment. Their gazes were deep and serene, as if they were looking inside each other.


    <span>¡°If it¡¯s Lord Kedrey, I think you would know why,¡± Cayena said enigmatically. Her attitude showed that she had no intention of telling him the correct answer.


    <span>¡®What sort of benefit would the princess gain if I were to meet with thedy?¡¯


    <span>Raphael couldn¡¯t even guess at what Cayena would gain from it.


    <span>But of course Raphael couldn¡¯t know. Raphael did not know that this was a novel, nor what would happen in the future¡ªand, of course, he did not know Cayena¡¯s true goal.


    <span>¡®Because the two of them are the main characters, they are bound to get together. So it will be beneficial if they think I helped arrange their meeting.¡¯


    <span>Furthermore, Olivia will soon be one of herdies-in-waiting, and then Cayena, Olivia, and Raphael will have their fates tied together like strings.


    <span>¡°The otherdies-in-waiting are arriving,¡± Vera whispered as she approached them. In other words, it was time to end their current conversation.


    <span>Cayena was now certain that Vera was already emotionally distant from the other courtdies, to some extent.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re a littlete in preparing the tea,¡± Cayena rebuked lightly.


    <span>One of thedies-in-waiting bowed her head.


    <span>They must have rushed to Rezef¡¯s pce to tell him of this meeting.


    <span>Actually, that was why Cayena sent off all of thedies-in-waiting save for Vera.


    <span>¡°I apologize, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s fine. Prepare the tea. You did make sure to prepare it well, correct?¡±


    <span>Cayena personally checked the conditions of the tea leaves and the teacups.


    <span>¡°Steep the tea strongly and mix it with milk for Lord Kedrey.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Thedies-in-waiting put some charcoal into a small brazier and ced a tea kettle on top to heat it.


    <span>Cayena exined what she was doing to Raphael, who was staring at her.


    <span>¡°I thought that you might be skipping meals because you¡¯re so busy with your work. A mix of ck tea and milk is good for these situations.¡±


    <span>Did she like strong tea? Raphael just nodded, seeing as it didn¡¯t matter very much.


    <span>Cayena often prepared him gifts or did things that suited her own tastes. This was just another one of those instances.


    <span>Finally, a strongly brewed milk tea was ced in front of him. It didn¡¯t smell so bad.


    <span>¡°¡­!¡±


    <span>After a sip, Raphael opened his eyes wide at the pleasantly spreading scent that flowed smoothly down his throat.


    <span>It suited his tastes perfectly.


    <span>¡°How is it?¡± Cayena asked. Her attitude was rxed, as if she was certain that he would like it.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s delicious,¡± Raphael answered, with a slight wonder.


    <span>Cayena smiled, kindly and affectionately. ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that.¡±


    <span>Raphael identally scraped the white porcin saucer with his hand that was holding the teacup.


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t realize it, but this was the first ¡®preference¡¯ that Raphael had.


    <span>Suddenly, he thought that he should get up now. He felt that it would somehow be dangerous to stay.


    <span>¡°Since it¡¯s early in the spring, the wind is rather cold.¡±


    <span>This meant that they should go inside.


    <span>Thedies-in-waiting brought over a thick coat and draped it across Cayena¡¯s shoulders.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s been a pleasure.¡±


    <span>She greeted him lightly. She didn¡¯t seem anxious to spend more time with him or to bother him to make ns in the future, unlike the past.


    <span>¡°Right,¡± Cayena said.


    <span>She looked like she had just remembered something.


    <span>¡°If things go well with Lady Grace, I hope you won¡¯t forget that I was the first to support your meeting.¡±


    <span>The smile on her face was quite impish.


    <span>It would be worthwhile to have this sort of favor in the future.


    <span>¡°¡­Please be careful on your way back, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Raphael didn¡¯t have any other answer to give, so he just gave her a courteous greeting.


    <span>***


    <span>The carriage on its way back to the Kedrey home was still. It was because Raphael was keeping his mouth shut, as if he were thinking of something.


    <span>¡°It was a little strange wasn¡¯t it?¡± Raphael¡¯s aide, Jeremy, said carefully. ¡°Her Imperial Highness, I mean. She was quite different from usual.¡±


    <span>¡°She was much more beautiful than usual,¡± agreed Baston, the knight who had apanied them.


    <span>Then, Jeremy knitted his brows and scolded, ¡°That wasn¡¯t what I meant. I mean that her atmospherepletely changed.¡±


    <span>¡°That¡¯s why she was so much more beautiful!¡±


    <span>¡°¡­You should stop talking.¡±


    <span>As Jeremy told him off, Baston looked as if he thought it was unfair.


    <span>Then, Raphael quietly opened his mouth.


    <span>¡°That¡¯s true.¡±


    <span>It was unclear who he was agreeing with, Jeremy or Baston. They just blinked in confusion and stayed quiet so that they would no longer interrupt his thoughts.


    <span>Raphael recalled the image of Cayena, who tookplete control of the moment for a short period of time.


    <span>It wasn¡¯t intimidating, but she certainly took the lead.


    <span>Who was the Cayena that he had seen before, and who was she now?


    <span>The carriage arrived at the vi and slowly came to a stop. Several of the employees, including the vassals, saw the carriage and came outside.


    <span>¡°Wee home, Master.¡±


    <span>Raphael nodded and turned over his overcoat, then hesitated.


    <span>There was an unexpected guest who was looking at him on the other side.


    <span>¡°You¡¯rete.¡±


    <span>It was his mother, Duchess Noa Kedrey.


    <span>Raphael addressed his mother, who he hadn¡¯t seen in a long time, without a trace of wee.


    <span>¡°What are you doing here?¡±


    <span>Why was his mother in the capital city instead of in the western mansion?


    <span>¡®The vassals hid her visit from me.¡¯


    <span>They must have known that she was visiting.


    <span>¡°You can¡¯t even offer your mother a cup of tea?¡± she asked.


    <span>Raphael told a maid to fetch them some tea. Then, he suddenly called the maid back.


    <span>¡°Make sure to brew one of them very strongly.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Master.¡±


    <span>They then went to a small dining room with windows that went all the way up to the high ceiling. On the table, there were some flowers and candlesticks.


    <span>The duchess saw the decorations and clicked her tongue.


    <span>¡°Without a wife, the management of this house is very poor.¡±


    <span>¡°I just don¡¯t keep anything I don¡¯t need.¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s because your steward only buys what others buy.¡±


    <span>Raphael did not answer.


    <span>¡°Were you surprised because I came so suddenly?¡±


    <span>¡°I didn¡¯t receive any notice.¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯m sure you didn¡¯t. I told them not to make a fuss.¡±


    <span>What was her reason for dropping by so secretively that she ordered his people to keep quiet?


    <span>Raphael thought that his mother had probably prepared something that he would not like.


    <span>Sure enough, the duchess called over herdy-in-waiting, who had been standing still behind her like a wax figure.


    <span>¡°Isabel.¡±


    <span>Thedy-in-waiting named Isabel carefullyid down a box on the table.


    <span>Raphael nced down at the ck wooden box.


    <span>¡°What is this?¡±


    <span>¡°These are your marriage offers.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>The timing was really coincidental. He had just gotten back from hearing Cayena talk about his potential marriage partners.


    <span>Did she plot this with his mother? It was a ridiculous thought, but his mother was someone who really might do just that.


    <span>¡°You need to start choosing your fianc¨¦e.¡±


    <span>When the duchess beckoned, Isabel opened up the box and took out the portraits.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s eyebrows shot up.


    <span>Below the portraits were Dolores Avon, Rita Brukin, and Olivia Grace.


    <span>They were the exactdies in the exact order that Cayena had told him about.


    <hr>

 Chapter 11

    Chapter 11


    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    <span>TL Note:


    <span>This chapter revealed that there are hierarchies among maids. From now on, please consider the ones who have been following Cayena (previously ¡°maids¡±) as <bdies-in-waiting</b><span> and the servants who work under them (whom you¡¯ll get to meet in this chapter) as <b>maids</b><span>.


    <span>I¡¯ll go back and correct the previous chapters when I have some free time. Thank you!


    [Edit: Previous chapters have been corrected as of July 26, 2020.]


    <span>¡®¡­The princess didn¡¯t actually discuss this with my mother, did she?¡¯


    <span>He frowned as he added this circumstantial evidence to his hypothesis.


    <span>Unaware of hisplex inner thoughts, his mother praised thedies.


    <span>¡°They are all wise and virtuous young women,¡± she said.


    <span>Raphael took a sip of the strong tea to moisten his mouth.


    <span>¡°A wise and virtuous young woman¡­¡¯


    <span>He recalled the different traits of his potential partners that Cayena mentioned.


    <span>Dolores Avon, who was skilled at piano and embroidery but fainted at the sight of blood.


    <span>Rita Brukin, who was violent and had trained as a knight.


    <span>And Olivia Grace, who was sponsored by his mother and rmended by the princess.


    <span>¡®¡­I think I¡¯ve been given a sign.¡¯


    <span>The princess had told him very precise information. And if her words were right¡­


    <span>¡®None of them are suitable to be a duchess. I¡¯m sure of it.¡¯


    <span>The duchess pointed to a portrait.


    <span>¡°What do you think of Lady Grace? She isn¡¯tcking by any means, and she¡¯s very intelligent.¡±


    <span>¡°I have no intention of getting married, Mother,¡± answered Raphael.


    <span>Rationally, though, his mother was correct. The most important thing for the family was for him to solidify his position.


    <span>However, Raphael was disgusted by skinship and the thought of someone being interested in him.


    <span>How could he choose a spouse like this?


    <span>If it was just someone to sit with during meals, he would have already chosen someone. But Raphael didn¡¯t feel affection for anybody but himself. He had never even felt love for his own mother.


    <span>Her presence in his territory caused him a great amount of stress.


    <span>¡°You can¡¯t really mean that,¡± she said. ¡°Don¡¯t forget that marrying quickly is for the sake of your family, Raphy.¡±


    <span>It was a cold reminder that did not suit the friendly nickname she bestowed upon him.


    <span>The duchess quickly got up as soon as she finished saying what she had to say. Then, she left, and the door closed firmly behind her.


    <span>Raphael once again noticed the portraits that were still neatly ced on the table. His eyes stopped on Olivia¡¯s likeness.


    <span>She was an impressive beauty, with wheat-colored hair and green eyes.


    <span>How did Cayena know? How did she end up discussing his potential wife with him at just the right time?


    <span>Raphael spoke to a butler who had entered the dining room. ¡°Tell Jeremy to request an audience with Her Highness, Cayena.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    <span>He was curious about the princess.


    <span>***


    <span>As soon as Cayena arrived at her pce, she noticed that her bedroom was untidy.


    <span>¡°I see that you haven¡¯t cleaned this room.¡±


    <span>¡°I apologize, Your Highness!¡±


    <span>The youngdy-in-waiting who was in charge of cleaning the chamber was surprised, and her knees buckled beneath her.


    <span>¡°Make sure you do not make this mistake again.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    <span>Thedies-in-waiting secretly exchanged nces, seeing how Cayena generously overlooked the mistake.


    <span>The princess had definitely changed. She was a lot more mature, now.


    <span>And as they were the ones who were the closest to her, they were the ones who saw how much she had changed.


    <span>¡°I¡¯d like to take a rest now, so you may leave.¡±


    <span>¡°Then, please excuse us.¡±


    <span>Thedies exited Cayena¡¯s chambers and went into the lounge.[1]


    <span>Some maids brought out tea and refreshments for thedies¡¯ break. The products that they brought out were of a much higher quality than before.


    <span>¡°Lydia.¡±


    <span>Vera called out to Lydia, thedy-in-waiting who was responsible for cleaning the bedroom.


    <span>¡°Why didn¡¯t you fulfill your duties properly? You¡¯re not such a poordy-in-waiting that you would make such a mistake.¡±


    <span>Lydia made a discontented face at Vera¡¯s scolding.


    <span>¡°Her Highness forgave me, so why are you bringing this up?¡±


    <span>She immediately started scolding Lydia back.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s only the bedroom. Just because I skipped it today¡ª¡±<span>


    <span>¡°What?¡±


    <span>Vera was stunned.


    <span>Lydia had originally behaved because Cayena had a strong temper, but in reality, Lydia was arrogant because she came from an influential family. Now that Cayena was kinder and more tolerant, Lydia quickly showed her true personality.


    <span>¡°And the one who hired me was Prince Rezef, not Princess Cayena.¡±


    <span>Among everyone who gathered here, who wasn¡¯t?


    <span>They had all been brought in by Rezef to be Cayena¡¯sdies-in-waiting.


    <span>¡°His Highness Rezef will protect me anyway. He needs my family¡¯s power.¡±


    <span>The maids around Lydia began to agree with her, one by one.


    <span>¡°Really, it¡¯s Vera who shouldn¡¯t forget our mission. We¡¯re Prince Rezef¡¯s people.¡±


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t you know that we can¡¯t let Princess Cayena¡¯s influence be too strong?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>Vera couldn¡¯t speak as she listened to this foolish conversation.


    <span>¡®They realize that much, but they don¡¯t understand why we were nted as herdies-in-waiting.¡¯


    <span>The reason was apparent just by seeing Lydia Benzeman, who hailed from the most powerful family amongst them.


    <span>They were like chicken ribs. In other words, they weren¡¯t worth much, but it was better to have them than to throw them away.


    <span>Vera lost all her will to reproach them. They were foolish without peer.


    <span>¡°Why are you meddling and making a fuss?¡± they murmured as they walked past Vera.


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>She felt dejected. And now that she saw the true nature of those she once believed to be her colleagues, she felt tired.


    <span>¡®How did I ever think I could be acknowledged in this ce?¡¯


    <span>Actually, most of the maids gathered here were aiming for Rezef.


    <span>He was the only prince of the Empire, and his soft and kind appearance shook their hearts.


    <span>They were under the impression that they could save him and melt his cold and cruel nature.


    <span>¡®As if that could ever happen.¡¯


    <span>Vera knew how this would go. None of them would be a match for Rezef.


    <span>As for her, she just wanted to be recognized for her own values. If she was able to be recognized, it might be enough to receive a title of nobility or establish her family¡¯s influence.


    <span>¡®I¡¯m sure that Her Highness had me stay with her today for a reason.¡¯


    <span>Vera¡¯s mind was in turmoil.


    <span>***


    <span>After dismissing thedies-in-waiting, Cayena leanedfortably on the sofa.


    <span>¡®Because of Vera¡¯s nature, she won¡¯t neglect her work.¡¯


    <span>The division between her and the other courtdies was going as scheduled. It was much like this in Cayena¡¯s first life, too.


    <span>In the original, Vera increased her influence by using the otherdies-in-waiting of ipetence and negligence. But now, the situation was a little different.


    <span>¡®She¡¯ll start to realize that Rezef does not care.¡¯


    <span>However, Rezef was sure to be the next emperor. That was the biggest reason that Vera hesitated.


    <span>So Cayena would need to calm the confusion in Vera¡¯s mind.


    <span>¡°What would be the best way to do that?¡±


    <span>At her murmur, the maids briefly raised their heads before continuing to clean the bedroom.


    <span>Unlike herdies-in-waiting, the maids came from humble circumstances. They were rtively out of Rezef¡¯s control as most of them could not read nor write.


    <span>So Cayena currently had just the maids in her room.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t clean things too thoroughly. Make it look like you were reluctant to do it.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Rezef entrusted the care of the maids to herdies-in-waiting, but thedy who was in charge of them today was the problem.


    <span>¡°Your cleverness saved yourselves.¡±


    <span>The maids, Donna and Annie, smiled.


    <span>As soon as Lydia ordered them not to clean the bedroom today, they secretly reported the fact to Cayena.


    <span>Cayena found that Lydia was quite hated among the maids.


    <span>¡°You can use my name to get the medicine that you need.¡±


    <span>Then, Donna prostrated herself on the floor.


    <span>¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡±


    <span>Donna¡¯s parents were both ill, but the sry of a maid was not enough to cover the price of medicine.


    <span>Donna thought that it was definitely good to be on Cayena¡¯s side.


    <span>She clenched her fist. This was something that Lydia, her direct superior, should have taken care of.


    <span>However, Lydia hated the thought of requesting something from Cayena.


    <span>It would have hurt her pride to make such a trivial request to her when she might be the next empress.


    <span>¡®Lydia will be more reckless and foolish.¡¯


    <span>In Cayena¡¯s first life, Lydia eventually became unafraid of Cayena¡¯s temper and refused to submit to her, acting unruly up to the end.


    <span>It was also part of her duties to report Cayena¡¯s every move to Rezef.


    <span>¡®It would be the best for her to get out of here as soon as possible.¡¯


    <span>Lydia had eventually been executed for Rezef. And while Cayena intended to cut off her tail, at least she would keep her life.


    <span>¡®Now that I am stronger and have more power, I have to use that power.¡¯


    <span>The original novel began with Raphael¡¯s marriage proposal to Olivia.


    <span>Cayena had to prepare for that moment. She needed to coordinate the timing of Olivia¡¯s entry into her pce.


    <span>Cayena told Rezef that she wanted Olivia as one of herdies-in-waiting. However, it would be difficult for Rezef to bring her in as Olivia was sponsored by the Kedrey duchy.


    <span>¡®If she bes ady-in-waiting at Rezef¡¯s request rather than by the Emperor¡¯s, she¡¯ll be estranged from the Kedrey dukedom.¡¯


    <span>Then, it would be a political problem for Raphael and Olivia to get married.


    <span>Cayena was trying to set the two up together. She had no intention of getting in their way.


    <span>¡°Annie, bring me some stationery.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena wrote a very brief letter, disregarding the flowery introductions.<span>


    <span>¡®Olivia won¡¯t move because of what Rezef orders. I have to make it so that she will be one of my people regardless of Rezef.¡¯


    <span>The Grace family was humble but loyal. They would never betray their sponsors, the Kedreys.


    <span>Right now, they were pretending that they didn¡¯t know that Rezef was asking for their daughter, but Rezef would eventually put pressure on them.


    <span>It was because Rezef hated to be challenged or humiliated. He may get angry at how such a lowly family dared to ignore his request.


    <span>Cayena let the wax drip down from the red candlestick, then pressed down on the wax with an unengraved stamp to seal it.


    <span>Her secret letter wasplete.


    <span>¡°Annie.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Annie, even in the same uniform as the others, looked very stylish.


    <span>If she wore a good enough dress, she would look like a noble.


    <span>¡°I have an errant for you.¡±


    <span>Cayena held out the sealed letter to Annie.


    <span>¡°Take this to Marreth Salon on Lawrence Street.¡±


    <span>In the meantime, she would have to distract Rezef. Cayena stood up and said, ¡°I will go to the prince¡¯s pce.¡±


    <span>[1] Like a staff lounge, meant for short breaks in between work.


    <hr>

 Chapter 12

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ***


    As Rezef listened to his subordinate¡¯s report, his hand stopped writing the letter.


    ¡°His Majesty the Emperor spoke to the princess as if he would allow her to choose her own husband.¡±


    ¡°My father did?¡±


    Rezef asked if anything about Raphael came up during that conversation.


    The subordinate shook his head and said, ¡°She said that she didn¡¯t want to marry Lord Raphael.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Cayena must have been serious about her condition about wanting to marry someone of her own choice.


    It had been convenient for Rezef that the emperor pressured Raphael using Cayena as an excuse; he was a little sad that this pretext was now gone.


    ¡°But they also say that Her Highness had tea with Lord Raphael after her audience with the emperor.¡±


    ¡°¡­The two of them?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Miss Lydia came and informed us on her way to prepare the tea.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying that Raphael went along with this obediently?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Her Highness Cayena offered to help him solve his problems if he joined her for tea.¡±


    Rezef knit his brows.


    Then, the Cayena who looked straight at him came up in his thoughts.


    ¡°What did the two of them talk about?¡±


    ¡°Thedy-in-waiting named Vera said that they were talking about marriage partners, and Her Highness critiqued the families¡¯ daughters. However, she didpliment Lady Olivia Grace.¡±


    ¡®Sheplimented Olivia Grace¡­ because she¡¯ll be one of herdies-in-waiting? Was it for my sake?¡¯


    Rezef couldn¡¯t understand her actions at all. These days, Cayena both seemed like and unlike the sister that he knew.


    ¡°¡­Alright, then. You may leave now.¡±


    He couldn¡¯t pay too much attention to this because he had a lot to deal with at the moment. There were many things to take care of in order to reverse the situation with the attempted murder.


    Knock, knock.


    As the knock resounded through the room, a servant came in.


    ¡°Your Highness, Zenon Evans is requesting to see you.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    Zenon Evans entered the study and began to bow. Rezef raised his hand.


    ¡°No need for that. What has happened?¡±


    The gray-haired man approached Rezef, holding a silver tray full of letters in his hand.


    ¡°Since thest talk with Heinrich, some aristocrats have changed their behavior,¡± said Zenon.


    Rezef frowned at the mention of Heinrich. That lunatic kept on rising up no matter how much he stepped on him, and it ached at him inside.


    ¡°What bullshit did that insect tell them now?¡±


    Just look at this incident with Cayena.


    This dundering, reckless fool, whose blood was not even connected to the imperial family, was moring to get the throne. Rezef wanted to hit him and his supporters with a fiery club and knock them down.


    He put down his pen and opened the envelope to check the contents of the letter.


    ¡°Ignorant, bastard mutt!¡±


    He jumped out of his seat, furious.


    Zenon quietly backed away, having expected this to happen.


    ¡°These idiots decided to side with Heinrich?!¡±


    They were letters from his ex-supporters, who dered that they had decided to join hands with Heinrich. They argued that Archduke Heinrich had been personally recognized by the emperor to have a right to the throne, that he was a legitimate heir.


    That was also something that raised Rezef¡¯s ire.


    Rezef was not the child of an empress but rather the Emperor¡¯s lover. Unless his birth mother became empress, he would remain as an illegitimate child. However, if his name was entered under the empress in the family registry, he would be considered legitimate. That would be enough to be recognized by the church.


    But the Emperor did not do anything.


    The archduke¡¯s people imed that being adopted by the emperor¡¯s family gave Heinrich as much as a im to the throne as Rezef.


    ¡°How much have I done for them¡ªand they still betray me for a few mines? I am the real heir to the throne, not that dirty, fake Heinrich!¡±


    Crash!


    Rezef flipped the table upside down.


    ¡°When I be emperor, they¡¯ll all be purged! These <i>things </i>don¡¯t even know their ce!¡±


    Rezef roughly swept away his bangs from his face, then turned to Zenon.


    ¡°Is there still no answer from the Grace family?¡±


    ¡°Viscount Grace has still not replied.¡±


    Rezef threw a vase at Zenon. Fortunately, it missed. It hit the wall and broke into pieces.


    ¡°How have you not received a reply from them yet?! It¡¯s because of you that these unimportant people are ignoring me!¡±


    It was something he should have expected from the beginning. The Grace family was supported by the Kedrey dukedom, so they would not be able to reply with ease.


    But it was clear that if Zenon said this to Rezef, his neck would be cut clean.


    Zenon bowed his head, swallowing a sigh. ¡°¡­I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°There isn¡¯t a single useful person around me! That¡¯s why Heinrich can run around so wildly!¡±


    In his mind, Zenon thought that it was difficult to tell whether Archduke Heinrich or Rezef was worse. That was when a frightened-looking servant came into the room and called out to Rezef.


    ¡°Y-your Highness.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    Rezef looked at the servant with his young eyes.


    Click.


    ¡°It¡¯s me, Rezef.¡±


    Cayena opened the door and entered inside.


    Zenon kept himself from clicking his tongue.


    He nced at Rezef, who was clenching his fists and struggling to control his wrath, and approached Cayena.


    ¡°Princess, I apologize, but it would be better to visit againter.¡±


    In return, Cayena looked at Zenon with a cold face.


    ¡°What are you nning to do if Rezef hurts himself?¡±


    At her words, the unpleasant tension in the study broke. It was as if this violent mess was reduced to a child¡¯s tantrum.


    ¡®Since when did the princess have such a strong will?¡¯


    Zenon backed away because of her intensity. Cayena smiled and walked gracefully past him. She nced around at the wrecked room and slowly approached Rezef.


    The floor was strewn with broken pottery and ss. As she was wearing thin leather slippers, stepping on something could cause her serious injury.


    ¡°Don¡¯te near me, Cayena,¡± Rezef said stiffly with cold, sunken eyes.


    But Cayena still approached him like nothing was wrong. She didn¡¯t even look at the floor. It wouldn¡¯t be strange if she became injured.


    Annoyed, Rezef warned again, ¡°I told you not toe near!¡±


    ¡°But if I don¡¯te near you, you¡¯ll be alone.¡±


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    His face turned twisted at this absurd remark. Then, Cayena stepped on something and tripped, losing her bnce.


    ¡°Aah!¡±


    If she fell right there, she would be badly injured. Rezef gulped and quickly grabbed her.


    ¡°This is why I told you not to¡ª!¡±


    But before Rezef could finish venting, Cayena lightly brushed Rezef¡¯s cheek. The tingling sensation made Rezef frown.


    ¡°You¡¯re hurt, Rezef.¡±


    While he was throwing things, he had received a small cut from a piece that bounced back at him.


    ¡°What are you doing to your handsome face?¡±


    Cayena wiped the blood on his cheek with her sleeve.


    Rezef just looked at this with disapproval. Still, the anger that had been churning inside him likeva began to subside.


    It was the first time that seeing his sister helped him get rid of his anger.


    He held Cayena in his arms and took her to a safer spot in the room.


    The long sofa that was by the bed was the only ce left intact.


    ¡°You¡¯re so strong!¡± Cayena eximed, amazed at his power.


    No matter how light Cayena was, she wasn¡¯t a piece of paper. Rezef still carried her like he was unencumbered.


    Rezef somehow felt his energy drain from Cayena¡¯s attitude.


    Suddenly, he felt like a fool, having acted in anger like a madman until now.


    ~~~


    <em>For any errors and issues, contact us through Discord:- https://discord.gg/Q3dStgu</em> Update schedule: Sundays and Thursdays

 Chapter 13: Scene 3. Regarding the Role of the Villainess

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ¡°Were you injured anywhere?¡± Rezef asked.


    ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡±


    Rezef took off Cayena¡¯s leather slippers and examined her foot.


    It would be disastrous if she had stepped on ss, especially as she would soon have to dance in the middle of the Grand Hall for hering-of-age celebration.


    ¡°Rezef, I¡¯m fine. Take care of your wound, first.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not alright with it.¡±


    With that said, Cayena told the servants to quickly clean the room.


    ¡°And bring me something for the cut on his cheek.¡±


    The servants expected to tremble with fear for at least the next two days, but now, they were perplexed. They especially found it hard to believe that Cayena was the one who had made the atmosphere so soft.


    ¡°¡­We¡¯ll prepare some ointment right away, Your Highness.¡±


    They left quickly, afraid that Rezef¡¯s mood would change again.


    ¡°Then, I will take my leave as well,¡± Zenon said. He looked at Cayena suspiciously before exiting the room.


    Cayena hade to find Rezef on purpose today, knowing what news he would receive from his ex-supporters. She waited for a long time as he vented his anger out on his surroundings before she told the servants to announce her presence.


    It had been a wise decision, as it had given Rezef some time to regain his senses.


    ¡°No matter how angry you be, don¡¯t act so rashly. Your body is precious; you are the one who will inherit the Empire one day.¡±


    At her words, Rezef recalled what had irritated him, and he clicked his tongue.


    As for her, Cayena had heard from outside what exactly made Rezef go off. And it was actually something that Cayena could fix.


    ¡°With mying-of-age ceremony, there will be a lot more peopleing to the capital.¡±


    Cayena gently stroked Rezef¡¯s head. A calm, gentle scent touched the tip of Rezef¡¯s nose.


    Come to think of it, the perfumes in the princess¡¯s pce had changed. Was this that scent?


    Maybe it was because of the soft touch, but Rezef felt calm. It was like the kind embrace of a loving guardian or protector.


    Strangely, his sister had been acting more like an adult for a while now. Even though Rezef was capable, he still needed an adult¡¯s help.


    Cayena opened her mouth when she saw that the affection-starved Rezef had be docile.


    ¡°Our father gave me permission to choose who to marry,¡± she said.


    Smiling, she continued, ¡°The word will spread among the noblemen soon. So, wouldn¡¯t they think something like this?¡±


    Cayena fluttered her eyes coquettishly and put on a dramatic voice. ¡°Ah! If I could just win over the princess, I could be the emperor¡¯s son-inw!¡±


    Rezef smirked, dismissing her thought as overly optimistic. ¡°Everyone will think that you¡¯re still aiming for Raphael.¡±


    ¡°Unless Raphael is engaged.¡±


    ¡°¡­Engaged?¡±


    Why was she suddenly talking about Raphael getting engaged? Had there been any rumors like that?


    Then, Rezef suddenly recalled what his subordinates told him¡ªthat Cayena brought up marriage over tea and criticized severaldies as potential matches for Raphael. Was this somehow connected?


    ¡°You just need to wee and make nice with the noblemen who wille to the capital soon. Until then, your older sister will continue pretending to be frail.¡±


    Soon, a servant came in with the medicine. Cayena dismissed the servant and started applying the ointment on Rezef¡¯s wound herself.


    ¡®Then, did she really give up on Raphael?¡¯


    ¡°I can¡¯t force Raphael Kedrey to marry you, even if I be the emperor,¡± Rezef said.


    He couldn¡¯t dispel his doubt that Cayena was just trying to marry that man with the backing of an emperor.


    Cayena grinned. ¡°It¡¯s true that I had once wanted Lord Kedrey. But just because it was true in the past doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s true now.¡±


    Rezef made a face like he was smacked.


    He could never have expected that Cayena would speak about Raphael so coolly.


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t you love him?¡±


    ¡°Who knows? Now, I wonder if it was even love to begin with. How can feelings stay constant forever?¡±


    ¡®She says that it might not have been love.¡¯


    Cayena watched over Rezef as he contemted this, his mind falling into chaos.


    <strong>Scene 3. Regarding the Role of the Viiness</strong>


    Just as Cayena told Rezef, she did not leave the pce, iming that she was too weak to do so. And while she acted like a bird in a cage, society found a new source of entertainment.


    ¡°I heard that Lord Kedrey received some portraits.¡±


    The point of a wedding portrait was not to be truthful, but rather to tter and beautify its subject. As everyonemissioned their portraits from the most skillful painters, a small number of painters dominated the market. As such, rumors about who was marrying whom were quickly spread.


    Rumors about Raphael were even more so, as he was the top eligible bachelor in the capital.


    ¡°Is Her Highness just letting this happen?¡±


    Recently, there had been strange rumors about the Imperial family and the current situation. For example, ¡®the princess no longer cares for Lord Raphael!¡¯


    If this was true, then one of thedies who had recently had portraits made could really be Raphael¡¯s wife.


    Who would be the next duchess?


    The nobility turned their full attention to this new issue in high society.


    ***


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to find a good groom. Isn¡¯t that right, Lady Grace?¡±


    Before the full social season began, the capital¡¯s main families often held smaller, more intimate meetings. Olivia had never been to such a gathering before, but when word spread that her portrait was sent to Duchess Kedrey, she had received numerous invitations.


    Even now, she was attending one of the gatherings to appease her parents.


    ¡°It takes time to find the right person,¡± Olivia answered vaguely.


    She sat at the Marreth literary salon on Lawrence Street, feeling out of ce.


    ¡°I wonder what sort of jewel Prince Rezef is looking for.¡±


    ¡°Lord Zenon is also unwed. The Evans family is magnificent, as well.¡±


    But neither of them couldpare to Raphael.


    Thedies at the meeting were happily discussing society¡¯s newest gossip.


    ¡°I heard that Lady Grace may be making a good match soon. Is that right?¡±


    They thought that Olivia would definitely be happy about this opportunity. If Olivia married Raphael, the princess would no longer be able to harass her. What more perfect revenge could there be? Besides, Olivia¡¯s family was poor. Her family had many mouths to feed, and as the eldest daughter, Olivia had suffered greatly. If she married well, her younger siblings would be able to live better.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Olivia answered, smiling.


    Thedies then stopped talking to Olivia, seeing how unenthusiastic she was.


    ¡®It doesn¡¯t seem as though they know that I was asked to enter the pce as the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting.¡¯


    Her family had been trying desperately to keep the news a secret.


    ¡®There¡¯s simply no way that the princess wants me by her side.¡¯


    Olivia knew best just how much Cayena hated her.


    Thinking of it, the timing was rather strange.


    It had not been long after she had received the request from the pce that she was asked by Duchess Kedrey to send over a portrait to begin marriage negotiations.


    ¡®It likely isn¡¯t a coincidence.¡¯


    Olivia could only think of it as Cayena requesting her presence because she predicted the marriage talks.


    The Grace family could notply with her request, however, because of the Kedrey dukedom.


    The Kedrey duchy was staying neutral in the battle for the throne; as such, the Grace family could not get involved with politics. They were half seen as another of the Kedrey¡¯s vassals. If Olivia entered the princess¡¯s pce at Rezef¡¯s request, people may see it as a reflection of the Kedrey¡¯s will. It would look as if they were secretly showing their hand through her family.


    While Olivia would be forced to go if Prince Rezef ordered it, right now, it was only a request.


    ¡®Why would they ask for me?¡¯


    Princess Cayena hated seeing Olivia¡¯s face.


    ¡®There¡¯s no way that she would just help me gain social status by putting me as one of herdies-in-waiting.¡¯


    Thedies who waited on Cayena were the most highly ranked among the courtdies.


    Even if Cayena had just wanted to monitor her, the position she was invited to was very high ranking.


    After the meeting was over, Olivia waited for the carriage to bring her back home.


    ¡°Are you Lady Olivia Grace?¡±


    While her maid was calling for a carriage, an unfamiliardy came looking for Olivia.


    ~~~

 Chapter 14

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    The woman¡¯s face could not be seen as she was wearing a hat with a mesh around her face.


    While Olivia was wary, the woman took an envelope out of her handbag and carefully held it out. In that short time, Olivia looked at the inside of her handbag. Unexpectedly, there was a pattern that looked like a family emblem inside it.


    ¡®A crown? So the bag¡¯s lining is embroidered with a crown¡­ Not many families have such a symbol.¡¯


    The envelope, simrly, had no seal except for the red candle wax. It was a letter that hid the sender¡¯s identity.


    ¡°My master asked me to deliver this to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is there any reason I should read this when I don¡¯t even know who sent it?¡±


    ¡°My master said that if Miss Grace asks that, I should tell you this.¡±


    The veiled woman opened her mouth.


    ¡°An intelligent and curious woman such as yourself, you would have questioned the recent happenings. If you see this, it might help a little.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Olivia closed her lips tightly.


    ¡®They addressed me with informal speech.¡¯


    That meant that the person must have a higher title and rank than her. Who was this master that the woman is talking about? It was as if they knew her well.


    An anonymous letter. The crown in the handbag¡¯s lining. There were many hints there.


    ¡®It¡¯s Princess Cayena.¡¯


    Olivia received the letter politely.


    ¡°My master said you would definitely be able to infer her identity. It appears that she was right.¡±


    Soon, a carriage arrived. It was a hired carriage rather than a personal one.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to reply.¡±


    Saying that, the woman entered the carriage and closed the door.


    Olivia¡¯s own carriage had been dyed because of that woman¡¯s carriage. She realized that the woman had done it on purpose to keep her feet tied.


    ¡®I wonder why the princess secretly sent me a letter.¡¯


    Olivia was confused.


    ¡°Mdy?¡±


    Her maid opened the carriage door and called out to Olivia. Olivia hid the letter and climbed aboard. The maid was riding next to the horseman, so she was the only one inside the carriage.


    Olivia immediately opened the letter.


    ¡¸It would be better for your family to wait until the next request arrives. I¡¯d prefer that you wait as quietly as you can without revealing your presence. I look forward to seeing you soon.¡¹


    ¡°Wait for the next request¡­..?¡±


    And saying that she looks forward to seeing her, hmm.


    ¡®It seems to mean that I shouldn¡¯t respond to the prince¡¯s request and just wait.¡¯


    But what was this about the next request? Furthermore, she implied that they were bound to meet soon.


    ¡®Is she trying to issue an imperial order?¡¯


    That made even less sense. The emperor did not care about these things. Also, it was well known that he had a bad rtionship with the princess.


    Olivia looked at the letter and frowned.


    ¡°What are you thinking¡­?¡±


    She had a hunch that she had been caught up in a storm.


    ***


    Vera spoke to Cayena, who wasfortably reading as a maidbed her hair.


    ¡°Your Highness. Lord Raphael requested an audience with you again today.¡±


    Cayena was silent for a while, then responded lukewarmly.


    ¡°¡­Tell him I do not feel well, and that he needs toe back some other time.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll let him know.¡±


    It was her fifth time refusing him since we had our chat about marriage partners. In the meantime, rumors of Raphael¡¯s marriage have spread in society, and numerous visitors have been in and out of the capital.


    ¡°What is Rezef doing now?¡±


    ¡°His Highness is meeting with Count Dominin.¡±


    ¡°The one with the sapphire mine? It¡¯s been a while since his wife died, hasn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    The aristocrats who wanted to marry into the imperial family constantly visited the imperial city, and so Rezef had been busy.


    The emperor was not able to receive visitors because the emperor was unwell, and Cayena was still feigning weakness from the poison.


    This was an opportunity that Cayena made for Rezef.


    Meanwhile, Rezef built rtionships with the powerful, deep-rooted aristocrats. When people in power talk, political interests are bound toe up.


    Cayena¡¯s marriage provided a very good opportunity for Rezef.


    Rezef, who had recently been very upset by Archduke Heinrich, was greatly pleased with the flow of people that Cayena brought in.


    He also openly said that she was the only one who truly cares for him.


    In addition to praising her, he even increased the budget for Cayena¡¯s pce. With that money, Cayena bought luxury items for herdies-in-waiting.


    Needless to say, their attitudes became more careless.


    ¡°I should make a snack for Rezef.¡±


    Vera naturally understood the remark as an order to prepare some refreshments and asked, ¡°What should I prepare?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll make it myself,¡± Cayena said.


    ¡°¡­¡­Your Highness will?¡±


    None of thedies-in-waiting here had ever seen her enter the kitchen.


    They heard that back when her nanny was in the capital, they would make refreshments together, but surely that was only a story?


    Even if it wasn¡¯t that was nothing more than childhood ying. They headed for the kitchen with Cayena, puzzled.


    ***


    ¡°Greetings, Your Imperial Highness!¡±


    The kitchen servants were startled by her surprise visit.


    What asion had brought the princess to visit? They traded nces with each other.


    Vera said to the kitchen servants, ¡°Her Highness will be preparing a snack for the prince.¡±


    The exnation further confused them.


    ¡®Did we do something wrong¡­?¡¯


    ¡°Continue doing what you were doing,¡± Cayena said. She rolled up her sleeves and checked the groceries she had personally ordered.


    ¡°Please tell me what you need, Your Highness. I will bring you whatever you need right away!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really fine.¡±


    The man was instantly embarrassed when he saw her acting so maturely.


    Cayena took out flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. She looked like she was used to working in the kitchen, not even asking for a recipe.


    ¡®No way.¡¯


    The head chef rubbed his eyes.


    Now, he saw Cayena holding a knife, cutting up an apple and peeling it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do this, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°If you wish.¡±


    Cayena quickly handed over an apple and a knife to the chef.


    The head chef was about to finish peeling the apple when he hesitated. Cayena was someone who never had reason to hold a knife, but she had peeled it very thinly.


    ¡®This much can just be a coincidence.¡¯


    While peeling an apple, he took a look at what had already been prepared. He asked carefully, ¡°Are you trying to bake an apple pie?¡±


    Cayena praised the chef as if she admired him very much.


    ¡°You knew just from looking at this. As expected of the head chef.¡±


    Cayena began to make the dough while the chef boiled the apples. As the chef continued to help her by her side, he couldn¡¯t help but be in awe. He couldn¡¯t say that the princess was an expert, but she was certainly talented.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were this skilled, Your Highness.¡±


    Thedies-in-waiting were curious because Cayena seemed to be adept at the task. But it was even more strange that the head chef praised her.


    ¡°You¡¯re very skilled at handling the ingredients. Your speed is quick, as well.¡±


    At these words, Cayena had a shy look on her face. The charm of the haughty-looking beauty doubled with such a look.


    ¡°You¡¯re praising me too much,¡± she said.


    ¡®After all, I¡¯ve been living alone for years in my previous life.¡¯


    She grew up in a single-mother household and lived alone after her mother died of illness, so she had to get used to kitchen work. Her mother was even a baker.


    ¡°Your tongue is as smooth as oil.¡±


    She told off the chef with a coquettish air. The chef became flustered and waved his arms in denial.


    ¡°Th-that¡¯s not it, Your Highness! I really mean it!¡±


    It was obviously a ttering statement, so thedies-in-waiting doubted it.


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you some even if you don¡¯t tter me like that,¡± Cayena said scoldingly, cing two stuffed pies in a preheated oven.


    The head chef looked very moved at Cayena¡¯s words. To receive food made by a member of the Imperial family was an honor, something to boast about for his children and his children¡¯s children.


    The chef¡¯s ecstatic response further convinced thedies-in-waiting that he was only ttering Cayena. It was clear that the chef was just fascinated by Cayena¡¯s beauty.


    ¡®I don¡¯t need to look like a talented person.¡¯


    She had to act in a way that was eptable to others. If she needlessly showed off her skills in everything, it would only raise their expectations.


    ¡°I¡¯ve baked two pies so that everyone can taste it.¡±


    Looking at the respectable-looking pies, they started to get excited.


    ¡°How do you intend to bring some to the prince?¡±


    Lydia asked this with an ulterior motive, thinking it was a chance to see Rezef¡¯s face.


    Cayena originally intended to send Vera to deliver the snack. But listening to Lydia, she realized that many of her courtdies wanted that honor.


    ¡®If I send Vera to this situation, it¡¯ll be easier to iste her from the group, but¡­¡±


    She wouldn¡¯t be able to win Vera¡¯s loyalty using such ill-intentioned tactics. She judged that it was better for herdies-in-waiting topete for it.


    ¡°Any one of you can go.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, thedies began to look at each other, fighting with their eyes.


    Once the pie was done, Cayena moved it onto a different te in order to cool it down.


    A hand unexpectedly interrupted her as she was doing so.


    ¡°I¡¯ll bring this to His Highness!¡±


    Lydia grabbed the pie that Cayena had been moving.


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s¡­!¡±


    Lydia screamed before the surprised chef could stop her.


    ¡°Ah! Hot!¡±


    She burned her hand and threw the te.


    The pie flew straight to Cayena¡¯s arm, which was right in front of Lydia.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    The hot pie touched Cayena¡¯s bare skin as she had her sleeves rolled up while cooking.


    ~~~

 Chapter 15

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>Editor:</strong> thursdays


    ***


    ¡°Call a doctor!¡±


    Vera poured cold water on Cayena¡¯s arm.


    Cayena grimaced at the pain. Fortunately, the burn was not severe because the pie only touched her briefly before falling.


    Lydia prostrated herself on the floor and begged Cayena for forgiveness.


    ¡°I¡¯vemitted a crime worthy of death! Please forgive me, Your Highness!¡±


    It was a felony to put even the tiniest scar on the body of one of the imperial family. But to burn the only princess of the imperial family¡ªthe apology wouldn¡¯t be enough even if Lydia was immediately flogged.


    ¡°Lydia! You¡¯ve gone insane!¡±


    ¡°Enough.¡±


    Cayena stopped Vera.


    ¡°I needlessly shocked you all greatly. It was my fault for not exining that the pie must be cooled first, so there¡¯s no need to do this.¡±


    How could it be Cayena¡¯s fault? It was ridiculous.


    Then, the doctor came running in, panting.


    ¡°The doctor has arrived, Your Highness!¡±


    Cayena showed her red arm to the doctor. It was a bit painful, but otherwise in a good condition.


    ¡°It should be fine if you just apply ointment for a few days.¡±


    Everyone was inwardly relieved at those words.


    ¡°I¡¯m d that it is only a light burn.¡±


    It may not have been a big burn, but this incident was not something to go over lightly.


    However, Cayena kindlyforted Lydia.


    ¡°You must have been very surprised, Lydia.¡±


    ¡°I, I am undeserving¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. You¡¯re still young, so of course you may sometimes make mistakes.¡±


    ¡®Lydia is the same age as Her Highness.¡¯


    Vera¡¯s head hurt, as if it was slightly throbbing.


    ¡°Since we¡¯ve already prepared it, I can at least split the remaining pie in half and send it to Rezef.¡±


    Cayena saw that the remaining pie had cooled, and she ordered it to be prepared with other refreshments.


    The kitchen servants were deeply moved by her calmness and magnanimity.


    ¡°This is for you, as I promised.¡±


    The head chef received the slice with both hands, admiring Cayena¡¯s tolerant attitude during the madness.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena also told thedies-in-waiting, ¡°Everyone must have been very surprised, so take Lydia with you and go rest.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Vera handled the rest of the situation and took Cayena to her bedroom.


    ¡°Lydia will not repent her actions, Your Highness.¡±


    Vera had been patient with the courtdies¡¯ poor management, but she couldn¡¯t bear it today.


    ¡°Why are you so generous to them?¡± she asked. She sighed as she looked down at Cayena¡¯s arm, wrapped up in gauze.


    Cayena smiled softly at Vera¡¯s worried words and held her hand.


    ¡°I thought you¡¯d know that I wasn¡¯t really giving them a pass out of goodwill.¡±


    Vera hesitated at the remark.


    ¡®I did think that it seemed almost nned, but¡­¡¯


    She felt chills when Cayena confirmed her guess.


    ¡°Have you not been observing me until now?¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Vera was speechless.


    How did Cayena know? Was she that obvious?


    Vera calmed her mind and voice. ¡°¡­Forgive my ignorance, but I don¡¯t understand what you mean, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena had a skeptical look on her face, as if she was asking, ¡®Really?¡¯


    Vera gulped. Her mouth had turned dry. Then¡ª


    ¡°Your Highness, the snacks are ready. What would you like us to do?¡± asked a maid as she entered the room.


    Cayena gave Vera a mission, as if she was testing how she would act now.


    ¡°Go deliver the refreshments to Rezef.¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Vera epted the order with aplicated expression.


    ***


    Rezef hadn¡¯t had an appetite since breakfast.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m tired.¡±


    Recently, many aristocrats have been visiting the capital and Rezef also had to keep Archduke Heinrich in check. There had been many things to pay attention to.


    ¡°What¡¯s my sister doing now?¡± he asked his adjutant. It had almost be like a habit.


    ¡°Thest report stated that she was heading to the kitchen in her pce.¡±


    As he did not have time to meet Cayena while dealing with all the visitors, Rezef asked about her more than a dozen times each day. Thanks to this, Zenon was confident that he knew the whereabouts of Cayena better than anyone else in the city.


    Rezef tilted his head when he heard about her unexpected location.


    ¡°The kitchen?¡±


    He didn¡¯t see how the ce could possibly be of interest to Cayena.


    ¡°What is she doing there?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t receive any detailed reports because thedies-in-waiting were busy serving Her Highness.¡±


    ¡®What is she doing in the kitchen?¡¯


    Rezef was curious.


    The person he was most curious about these days was Cayena. She hadpletely changed since she copsed from drinking poison. And it was Rezef himself who was benefiting from the change. In particr, there were many benefits he gained from preparing for Cayena¡¯sing-of-age celebration.


    The deep-seated, stubborn nobles had begun to move, thinking they had a chance of bing a part of the imperial family.


    Anyway, Cayena was the only princess of the imperial family, and her value had increased recently as well. Rezef had been able to take advantage of the situation.


    Actually, there were many other positive things apart from the political advantages that hade about from her change. Without him noticing, Cayena had grown up, and his stomach was calmed when he was beside her. He thought she was just a foolish and beautiful doll, but he was wrong.


    Rezef was surprised to realize that spending time with Cayena was more enjoyable than he expected.


    Since when did she have such an influence over him? But it wasn¡¯t as if that was bad. It was just about the level where it would be a shame to see her leave when she married.


    ¡°One of Her Highness¡¯sdies-in-waiting has arrived. What should we do with her?¡±


    He waved his hand at the aide¡¯s words, telling him to let her in.


    Soon Vera came into the drawing room.


    ¡°I greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    He showed uncharacteristic favor for her by allowing her to skip the unnecessary procedures and salutations. It was not because of Vera herself, but rather because she was someone that Cayena had sent. Vera thanked him quickly and handed over the silver tter in her hand to Evans.


    ¡°This is a snack prepared by the princess herself.¡±


    Rezef scrunched his eyebrows in confusion at Vera¡¯s exnation.


    ¡°¡­My sister? Herself?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    What did this mean?


    Zenon widened his eyes at the unexpected words. This was suspicious. He heard that she went to the kitchen, but that she made snacks? That was almost unbelievable.


    ¡°Bring it here.¡±


    Zenon put the tter on the table. The subtle scent of apple pie arose when he lifted the cover.


    The maid who followed Vera here had also brought over cookies, scones, jam, and buttercream. The teapot was still warm.


    Rezef felt an unknown warmth.


    ¡°This apple pie was handmade by Her Highness.¡±


    Rezef observed the apple pie with doubtful eyes. To begin with, it looked alright. The smell was fine as well.


    ¡°My sister really made this?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Vera¡¯s calm answer made him stare at the apple pie and then quickly take a bite.


    Zenon, who was about to test for poison with a silver needle, startled.[1]


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    He should know what sort of things could be slipped into the food¡ªbut the prince just ate it without any caution!


    Moreover, the opponent was Princess Cayena.


    Evans had been quite wary of Cayena, whose intentions have been uncleartely.


    But Rezef did not care about any of that. He was just surprised to find that the food was more ptable than he thought.


    He had no appetite since the morning, but the moderately fresh and not-too-sweet taste stimted his appetite.


    ¡°What is this scent? Not the apple. I rather like it.¡±


    Though it was an apple pie, there was a peculiar fragrance to it.


    Vera exined by his side. ¡°Her Highness put in cinnamon.¡±


    ¡°Ah, cinnamon.¡±


    He liked cinnamon, with its slightly bitter taste and aroma. His nerves, which had been a little sharp with fatigue, softened. It was funny that one snack could make him feel this rxed.


    By his side, Vera poured some warm honey tea. Then, she dipped a silver teaspoon she had prepared into the cup. There was no change.


    ¡°Did my sister have this kind of talent?¡±


    Rezef ate two slices of pie and then smiled contentedly.


    He had some free time now, so he wanted to have tea with Cayena.


    ¡°What is my sister doing now?¡±


    Vera couldn¡¯t answer straight away. She broached the topic carefully.


    ¡°¡­Actually, there had been an ident in the kitchen.¡±


    Rezef, who was wiping his hands on a moist napkin, froze. Heid down the napkin and stared at Vera.


    ¡°ident?¡±


    ¡°One of thedies-in-waiting identally spilled a pie on Her Highness¡¯s arm and burned her.¡±


    The words made Rezef¡¯s eyes turn cold.


    ~~~


    [1] Silver has historically been used to detect poisons such as arsenic as the metal tarnishes in the presence of sulfides. It¡¯s definitely not a catch-all, but it can help detect one of the mostmon poisons.

 Chapter 16

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ¡°A burn?¡±


    Before Vera could say anything else, a doctor came in seeking an audience with Rezef. It was the same doctor who treated Cayena¡¯s wounds.


    He shuddered as he came in, feeling the strange mood in the air.


    ¡°I came to report on Her Highness¡¯s injuries.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s chilly blue eyes focused on the doctor.


    The doctor felt a cold sweat running down his back. The look in Rezef¡¯s eyes was one he gave when he was not in a good mood.


    ¡°An uncooled pie touched her left arm, but the actual burn is about the size of a fist. So long as she applies ointment for the next few days, she won¡¯t have a scar.¡±


    ¡°Why did the pie touch my sister¡¯s arm?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    As the doctor was unable to answer, Vera opened her mouth instead.


    ¡°A courtdy, Lydia Benzeman, dropped the pie te. It touched her arm and fell to the ground.¡±


    Considering that she had caused harm to the imperial family, Cayena would be well within her rights to call for Lydia¡¯s death.


    However, it would be a waste to do so, as the Benzeman family was quite useful. In addition, the Benzeman family was close to the Evans family as it was the family that managed the Empire¡¯s warehouses.


    ¡°But¡­ Her Highness has forgiven her and said that she was all right.¡±


    Zenon had a disbelieving look on his face when Vera said that the ill-tempered Cayena had forgiven herdy-in-waiting.


    Really, the recent Princess Cayena was too strange. At any rate, it was fortunate. Zenon stood behind Rezef, so he could not see the prince¡¯s face.


    ¡°The Benzeman family still has a lot of use. It¡¯s fortunate that the incident is being overlooked.¡±


    But Rezef thought differently.


    He hated those that did not know their ce. It reminded him of Archduke Heinrich.


    Rezef stood up and said coldly, ¡°I¡¯m going to Cayena¡¯s pce.¡±


    ***


    To get to the princess¡¯s pce from the prince¡¯s pce, one had to walk a long way through a corridor between them.


    Rezef walked that great distance with his long legs and a cape fluttering behind him.


    He wasn¡¯t running, but it was a very fast walk.


    His aides and Vera were rushing to follow far behind him.


    Rezef found the room where Cayena¡¯sdies-in-waiting were resting and pushed open the door with his own hand.


    ¡°Your Highness! I will do it!¡±


    One of his aides who managed to catch up with his steps startled and tried to dissuade him. Rezef did not reply, only opening the room that was second-best in the pce after Cayena¡¯s. Thedies who were resting there stood up in surprise.


    ¡°Your, Your Highness?¡±


    His eyes were caught sight of the excessively colorful interior and the refreshments and tea on the table that looked to be beyond their means.


    The incense burner gave off an expensive scent, one originally used by Cayena.


    It was a high-end fragrance imported only in small quantities to the Empire. The scent was unique, so Rezef knew it well.


    A mere courtdy could never use such a fragrance.


    They were enjoying luxuries they could not enjoy asdies-in-waiting.


    Rezef had not allowed this.


    Thedies-in-waiting hurriedly fixed their attires and bowed their heads.


    ¡°We greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    Rezef did not tell them to raise their heads. Instead, he sat on a disy cab near him. His eyes nced over the maids.


    Vera and his aides tried to enter the room, but their feet stalled at the strange silence.


    ¡°I think a person can make foolish judgments,¡± he started to say. ¡°I think a person can also make mistakes.¡±


    The courtdies exchanged nces, not knowing what he was talking about.


    ¡°However, I detest those that don¡¯t know their ce.¡±


    Only then did the courtdies throw themselves onto the floor.


    ¡°We have done something worthy of death, Your Highness!¡±


    At that, Rezef burst intoughter. ¡°Yes! You¡¯re right.¡±


    His blue eyes glistened murderously.


    ¡°You should be dead for your sins.¡±


    Rezef crossed the room in big strides and roughly grabbed hold of a courtdy.


    It was Lydia.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a member of the imperial family being burned by a maid. What do you think?¡±


    Lydia turned pale.


    ¡°Your Highness, please forgive me!¡±


    In her fear, she had even begun to cry.


    ¡°It was a mistake, Your Highness! The princess also said it¡¯s all right, and¡­!¡±


    But she shouldn¡¯t have said that.


    ¡°Ahhhh!¡±


    Rezef tightened his hold on Lydia¡¯s arm, as if he were going to break it.


    ¡°Do I have to cut off your arm for you to see the gravity of your mistake? How much of it should I cut for you?¡±


    Shiiiing¨C.


    He drew a sword from his side.


    The courtdies let out a short scream. Shouldn¡¯t someone be stopping this? But no one came forward.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Zenon came forward from among the aides to dissuade him. But witnessing Rezef¡¯s expression, he clicked his tongue and backed away.


    In that state, Rezef could not be dissuaded by anyone. At this rate, it wouldn¡¯t be surprising if this became a big incident.


    ¡°Rezef.¡±


    Then, a clear voice broke through the sinister air. Cayena hade in person after hearing the uproar.


    Rezef stopped his hand, which had been about to swing down the sword.


    ¡°Stop it.¡±


    At her words, Rezef loosened his hold on Lydia, like he had never intended to hurt her in the first ce.


    He lowered the sword.


    When Lydia, released from his hand, sank to the floor, everyone stopped breathing. There was a hushed quiet.


    ¡®¡­What just happened?¡¯


    Cayena calmed Rezef, who had been enraged, with just a word!


    Cayena passed by the helpless aides and went inside the room. The sword was pointing to the ground, but Rezef still had a look of madness.


    Lydia seemed to have thoroughly pulled Rezef¡¯s trigger.


    ¡®Know your ce.¡¯


    It was how Emperor Esteban raised Rezef.


    It seemed that Rezef, who was unbnced, did not understand exactly why he was so angry.


    Cayena approached Rezef, who still held his sword like he wanted to cut something.


    People thought that figure was murderous. But that wasn¡¯t what Cayena saw.


    He was nervous.


    Cayena learned about the situation that Rezef had experienced through the novel. So although Rezef was said to be an unforgivable viin, she could understand why he had be that way.


    If he was not constantly recognized as a prince, he could be dismissed immediately.


    The emperor himself had told him so.


    Instead of enjoying his position as a prince, he was deprived of many things.


    To begin with, he was deprived of a family.


    <i>¡°You don¡¯t have a family. You only have an identity and autonomy when you are a prince.¡±</i>


    Rezef was thoroughly tossed away in the most splendid and beautiful ce in the Empire.


    <i>¡°Remember that I can always throw away baggage. If you don¡¯t prove your worth, your existence will be erased from the world.¡±</i>


    To him, conquering the throne was a straightforward matter of survival.


    He had no family, and all the people around him belonged to the emperor. They ignored Rezef, an illegitimate child.


    So the first thing he did was purge them.


    That was what happened when he was only eight. It was a part of his past that Cayena had not known.


    But he was still her younger sibling.


    Cayena stood before him, feeling some sense of responsibility. She took the sword from Rezef¡¯s hand and held it out to Zenon, who had been nearby.


    Zenon looked at her with perplexed eyes and received the sword from her.


    Thedies-in-waiting were trembling, and she could hear Lydia¡¯s breathless sobbing.


    It was a pitiful act.


    Cayena looked up at Rezef with eyes that appeared normal, as if nothing was different than usual.


    He needed someone to guide him.


    She scolded him in a stern voice. ¡°What if you hurt yourself by getting so angry? You¡¯ll be hunting often when the social season begins.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Rezef gradually began to return to his senses.


    The courtdies and aides, unaware of this change, simply looked at Cayena grimly.


    Was Her Imperial Highness crazy?


    They gulped, feeling their mouths be dry.


    They were afraid of what Rezef, who was thoroughly angry, would do.


    ~~~

 Chapter 17

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    Cayena turned to the servants, who had just been standing around, dumbstruck.


    Coolly, she asked, ¡°Why are you just standing there and watching?¡±


    Though she didn¡¯t raise her voice, but they heard the power behind her words and kneeled.


    ¡°We apologize, Your Highness!¡±


    They had seen her angry and throwing fits before, but this was the first time she criticized them so coldly.


    They knelt on the floor and asked for forgiveness. They felt as if they had to do so. Even Rezef stood there, looking dazed.


    ¡°Clean up the area.¡±


    It was only then that the servants began to clear out and clean the rooms. Cayena clicked her tongue at thex discipline.


    ¡°Vera.¡±


    Cayena looked meaningfully at Vera, as if telling her to take the otherdies-in-waiting out of there.


    Vera understood right away and quickly entered the room to usher out thedies.


    ¡°If I had known that you would do this, I would have fired Lydia at once,¡± Cayena said. She rolled up her sleeve and loosened the gauze on her left arm, revealing the red wound. ¡°Nobody would want to enter the pce if we punish them severely for something that won¡¯t even leave a scar.¡±


    Rezef carefully held Cayena¡¯s pale arm and looked at the bright red burn.


    It wasn¡¯t as bad as he had thought, but he was still angry. How dare that woman challenge the authority of the imperial family?


    ¡°Injuring the body of the imperial family is l¨¨se-majest¨¦, sister.¡±[1]


    He was of the mind that if Cayena wished for it, he would hunt down Lydia and slit her throat.


    But Cayena only shot him a stern look. ¡°It was only an ident.¡±


    ¡°Still. It must be quite painful.¡±


    At his words, Cayenaughed dismissively. ¡°If it didn¡¯t hurt, it wouldn¡¯t have left a mark. But I just need to apply ointment for a few days.¡±


    In return, Rezef cajoled, ¡°Why don¡¯t you send her to theundry room?¡±


    Sending a sheltered noblewoman to theundry room was a very harsh punishment. It was like hell, even formoners.


    Cayena furrowed her brows. ¡°I appreciate your concern, but you¡¯re being very scary.¡±


    Rezef blinked slowly at her remark, then smiled as if he had given up.


    ¡°Did I scare you?¡±


    ¡°No, not a bit.¡±


    Rezefughed at her coquettish response. Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°Have you calmed down now?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes.¡±


    ¡°Let¡¯s have some warm tea together.¡±


    Cayena held his hand and lightly pulled him along. It was like a blurry childhood memory of when they had explored the pce together.


    Rezef responded to the touch softly, like a feather. It only took a moment for him to be swept up by her. He may have had nannies, courtdies, and aides who cared for him, but it felt different when it was Cayena. To begin with, she was the first person to scold him like this. The feeling of being scolded was quite odd.


    ¡°Please give that to me.¡±


    Rezef took the gauze from Cayena¡¯s hand and carefully wound it around her arm.


    It was not umon to get injured during training. As such, Rezef became skilled at dressing injuries.


    Cayena watched him as he gingerly wrapped the gauze over her burn. She could see that he had calmed down.


    When he raged, the people around him were always flustered and punished his target for upsetting him.


    Nobody had tried to guide Rezef to the right path.


    That was why Rezef was impatient and easily angered. It was because he always did as he pleased without receiving punishment nor opposition.


    After receiving acknowledgment from the Emperor, his behavior only worsened. It wasn¡¯t hard for Cayena to think about how lonely he must have been.


    She raised her free arm and began to stroke Rezef¡¯s head.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Rezef¡¯s hands faltered for a moment, then continued to wrap the gauze.


    Strangely, he felt as if he had been praised. He had brokered trade deals with other kingdoms for the Hill family and taken the wealth of powerful nobles into the state coffers. All of that was expected of him, and there was nothing to praise him about.


    So he couldn¡¯t believe he was beingmended for simply wrapping a bandage.


    Rezef thought it wasughable that Cayena was trying to act like a sister. But¡­ he liked it.


    ¡°Are you very busy? I think it¡¯d be nice to go to the garden and drink tea.¡±


    He smiled gently, his heart suddenly feeling charitable.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do as you say, Cayena.¡±


    Rezef took off his cape and ced it on top of Cayena¡¯s shoulders. She had only been wearing a thin dress.


    Cayena wrapped the cloak around herself and gave a small sigh.


    If she hade anyter, Lydia¡¯s arm would really have been cut off. There was no mercy in Rezef¡¯s cruelty.


    She spoke to Annie, the maid who had been waiting on her.


    ¡°Prepare tea and refreshments on the table in the back garden.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef felt light-hearted, as if he hadpletely forgotten that Lydia had upset him.


    Tenderly, he escorted Cayena, cing a hand on the small of her back.


    The guards and aides stepped back and parted, leaving a path open. They looked bewildered, as if they thought that everything that had happened was but a dream.


    It was only natural. It was the first time they had witnessed the effect that Cayena¡¯s words and actions had on Rezef.


    Zenon Evans, in particr, had a grim face due to this discovery.


    Even though Rezef was a rude bastard, he was still easier to control than Heinrich.


    Rather, Zenon had been d that Rezef was so unruly as it raised his position as an aide.


    But Cayena suddenly had a strange influence on Rezef.


    ¡®I¡¯ll have to keep an eye on her.¡¯


    Zenon watched the princess with sharp eyes.


    Despite all the eyes on her, Cayena calmly walked away with Rezef still acting as her escort.


    ¡®Anyway, rumors of today¡¯s incident will spread. It¡¯ll be advantageous in many ways.¡¯


    Cayena was a princess who had no real power.


    In addition to having a bad personality, she was someone who could easily be cut off from the Imperial family. It was obvious that she would not have enjoyed the luxury she had without her outstanding beauty.


    However, that same Cayena calmed Rezef¡¯s anger as if she had be a beast trainer.


    It was clear what sort of ripples this incident would have.


    ¡®Even the emperor leaves Rezef, who is like a wild horse, alone.¡¯


    But was Rezef the only wild horse here? Cayena was much the same. In that aspect, the two were indeed brother and sister.


    ¡®I¡¯m d that at least I havee to my senses,¡¯ Cayena thought.


    The imperial pce was a hotbed of power, and it wouldter be a weapon for Rezef.


    In his first life, Rezef killed countless innocent people, including Olivia, with that power. He also brought about his own demise.


    Now, Cayena could prevent that tragedy.


    In fact, in the first life, Cayena never thought that the empire would end like this because she had been killed by Gillian before Rezef was killed by Raphael.


    She had no special attachment to her family.


    Though she felt sorry for Rezef, they were not very intimate as siblings. After all, she had been used and abandoned by him.


    ¡®Still¡­¡¯


    She felt some responsibility because he was still her younger sibling.


    ¡®I decided to act more like a proper princess until I get out of here.¡¯


    Wouldn¡¯t one of her duties be to take care of her unruly younger brother?


    Sitting at the table in the garden, Cayena was finally able to examine Rezef¡¯s face in detail.


    ¡°You look as if you¡¯ve be a little thinner in thest few days.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s bony frame looked a little more prominent.


    It was clear to her eyes that he had skipped meals because he was busy with work recently.


    So she had prepared an apple pie with a lot of cinnamon, the spice that he liked. If she hadn¡¯t read the novel, she wouldn¡¯t have known he had such a preference.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t had much of an appetite.¡±


    As Rezef said that, he remembered the apple pie in his study.


    He called in an aide.


    ¡°Bring the apple pie that my older sister made over here.¡±


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    Cayena took a sip of the tea that had just arrived and asked, ¡°Was the pie to your taste?¡±


    ¡°Extremely so.¡±


    Rezef wore a gentle smile, rxed and pleasantly refreshing like the spring breeze.


    With his good-looking face, he was as beautiful as a picture when he smiled like that.


    A te with the apple pie that Cayena baked was soon put on the table.


    ¡°Don¡¯t skip meals too much, even if you don¡¯t have an appetite. It¡¯s especially important since you do sword training, too.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sister.¡±


    Rezef answered just like that, but inside he felt strange. Weirdly, she seemed to know him well.


    She was someone who had little interest in others. It was unusual for her to know that Rezef would soon have a lot of hunting events because of theing season and that he constantly trained with his sword.


    But now, she seemed to know him well. She even made a pie that suited his taste perfectly.


    For the first time in his life, it felt like there was a ce on this for him to just breathe.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t expect that Cayena could ever make me feel this way.¡¯


    Her talents had never really stood out before.


    ¡®Is this how it feels to find a gem?¡¯


    Her lemon-colored hair glistened like a jewel at this moment, and her long, gleaming eyshes were like a work of art.


    Her wless skin and perfect bone structure used to make her seem just like a doll.


    But now, he felt a distinct liveliness in her.


    It was so different from before, as if God had brought the doll named Cayena to life.


    Was she always this beautiful?


    Rezef found himself suddenly expecting things from Cayena, who had always felt like an ¡°other¡± to him.


    He had never felt this satisfaction when he got his hands full of treasure or when he hurt Heinrich, whom he hated.


    ¡°My sister is truly a beautiful person.¡±


    So he said that with renewed appreciation.


    Cayena put down the teacup and opened her eyes wide. She looked at him. Her eyes curved into a gentle smile.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to say that. I¡¯ll still bake you another apple pie next time.¡±


    She waved off his words as a joke. Rezef burst intoughter.


    ¡®My doll.¡¯


    No. It wasn¡¯t appropriate anymore to call her a doll.


    Rezef found a new word that suited her very well.


    ¡®My peace.¡¯


    My tender and beautiful peace.


    ~~~


    [1] L¨¨se-majest¨¦ is an ¡°offence against the dignity of a reigning sovereign¡± or state. (Definition courtesy of Wikipedia.)

 Chapter 18: Scene 4. How to Prepare for Marriage

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    The courtiers in the capital came up with a new nickname for Cayena.


    ¡®Beast Trainer.¡¯


    Though the disrespectful nickname was not spoken out in the open, it still spread behind closed doors. That was how shocking it was that she was able to calm down Rezef.


    In addition, the news that she forgave herdy-in-waiting after thedy had burned her spread like wildfire.


    Emperor Esteban also heard the rumors in no time.


    He looked curiously at his daughter, who had brought him a snack that she made with her own hands.


    ¡°How are the preparations for youring-of-age celebrationing along?¡±


    Calmly, Cayena replied, ¡°It¡¯s all going smoothly thanks to your help.¡±


    But how could it be going smoothly?


    Cayena had been poisoned and burned in short session. The troubles were never-ending, to the point that it seemed as if she had been cursed with bad luck.


    However, the pce was peaceful despite the constant incidents. It was proof that Cayena was handling things well.


    The emperor smiled as he watched Cayena. He had once thought that she was pathetic, but it seemed his blood flowed true.


    ¡°You¡¯ll only be an adult once in your life, so you must take special care.¡±


    The servants, who had been standing by in a line behind them, politely held out what was in their hands out to Cayena.


    ¡°It¡¯s a littlete, but here is something to help you.¡±


    The objects were for her banquet budget.


    The budget for the banquet had been tight because the original Cayena spent arge part of it on her wardrobe.


    The emperor knew that, and he bestowed upon her additional jewels.


    Cayena quickly rose from her seat and bowed to her father.


    ¡°I won¡¯t forget this kindness, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°This celebration is important for you.¡±


    As he said, theing-of-age celebration was very important.


    That was because Cayena Hill, the only princess of the Empire, was hosting a full-fledged banquet to find a groom.


    ¡°How is your injury?¡±


    It was a question he never would have asked, normally. The emperor thought that he must have gotten old, as he was usually more strict.


    ¡°I only have to apply ointment diligently.¡±


    ¡°The imperial family will not be troubled even if we disposed of the Benzeman family.¡±


    Cayena smiled quietly and put the pudding she brought in a small crystal bowl.


    If Cayena had seriously tried to punish the Benzeman family, she would have been reprimanded for overreacting.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t too sweet, so please try some.¡±


    The pudding that Cayena made was also well suited to his taste.


    Had there been anyone who had pleased him like this recently?


    The emperor felt as if he understood why the hooligan Rezef had been so obedient to his sister these days.


    ¡°It may seem to you right now that yourdies-in-waiting are lowly and beneath you, but it is very important to have subordinates,¡± he advised.


    ¡°Like your chambein, Luden?¡±


    Luden, who had been standing beside them, smiled softly and bowed his head.


    ¡°You tter me,¡± he said cheekily.


    The emperorughed. ¡°Luden is the most well-positioned vassal in my life.¡±


    ¡°I will take your words into my heart, Your Majesty. I¡¯d also been thinking that I wanted newdies-in-waiting, but I wasn¡¯t sure how to go about it.¡±


    The emperor knew well that all the courtdies in Cayena¡¯s pce were under Rezef¡¯s control.


    He hadn¡¯t thought much of it, but the situation was a little different now.


    It was the first time that Cayena said she wanted to bring in someone on her own.


    ¡®But even if you bring a new person, she¡¯ll fall into Rezef¡¯s hands.¡¯


    The emperor put his silver spoon down on the te.


    ¡®You can¡¯t get rid of everyone there without due cause.¡¯


    In this aristocratic society, pretext and justification were of considerable importance.


    No one would trust the Imperial family if they wielded their power without reason.


    This was an issue Cayena had to handle on her own.


    Although the emperor was lenient with his daughter, he was not that fond of her.


    Cayena was well aware of that. And these were all just foundations for what she had to do in the future.


    ¡®Anyway, she will have to rece all herdies-in-waiting.¡¯


    There was a difference between telling him that she wanted to do it and actually doing it.


    This would show him how she acted at a critical moment.


    Cayena smiled as if she knew nothing. This was as much of her wisdom that she would show. It was not the right time yet to reveal her deep insight.


    Instead, she talked about how she made the pudding.


    It wasn¡¯t important for others to know that about her. She had to pretend that her interest was elsewhere, had to draw attention away from her change in behavior. She was pretending to be a girl who was only interested in getting married and starting a family.


    The emperor¡¯s elderly servants watched Cayena happily as she fulfilled her filial duty as a daughter.


    They were all old, so they were ufortable with how little his children visited him, even if the emperor was a cold father.


    Cayena took advantage of this old-fashioned notion.


    Luden hinted to the emperor, ¡°It will be very quiet when Her Highness is married and leaves the pce, Your Majesty.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s gaze moved to Luden. He smiled a little and winked.


    ¡®It looks like he¡¯s going to help me.¡¯


    She smirked inwardly.


    The emperor nodded at Luden¡¯s words.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. Once you be an adult, it won¡¯t be long until you get married.¡±


    Cayena feigned obliviousness.


    ¡°Do I need to rush? I also like staying by your side, and getting married when the timees.¡±


    Her marriage, which would bring in a new prince to the Imperial family, was likely to be used to further a political alliance.


    Luden smiled at Cayena, who gave the correct answer. ¡°It won¡¯t be easy for you to get help preparing for the wedding, as you don¡¯t have any sisters.¡±


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    The emperor realized that he had nobody who could help Cayena arrange her marriage.


    Originally, Cayena had a nanny to take care of such problems.


    That woman was Baroness rence Elivan, but Rezef had banished her a long time ago, iming she had deceived the imperial family.


    After that, Rezef¡¯s nanny began to take care of Cayena, but Cayena quickly stopped seeing her because she didn¡¯t like her.


    ¡®All the courtdies in the pce right now are single young women.¡¯


    Usually, noblewomen learned about married life from a chaperone, either a nanny or a godmother.


    But there was no one to y such a role for Cayena.


    ¡°Now that I think of it, there aren¡¯t many employees in the princess¡¯s pce.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡±


    Emperor Esteban clicked his tongue, thinking that he had been too inattentive.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you get a chaperone before theing-of-age ceremony?¡±


    In her first life, Cayena had held the ceremony without a chaperone.


    Rezef had rmended his nanny to be her chaperone, but she refused.


    The married women in the pce had refused to take care of the wild Cayena.


    Then, Luden said, ¡°Baroness rence Elivan would take care of Her Highness¡¯s wedding preparations as if she were her own child.¡±


    The words made the other servants freeze.


    Even Cayena¡¯s hand stopped for a moment as she was cleaning up the tes she brought the pudding in.


    ¡®I never thought he would mention Madame Elivan right away.¡¯


    Madame Elivan, thete empress¡¯s milk sibling and Cayena¡¯s old nanny, was perfect as a chaperone.[1]


    Cayena recalled her childhood, when she relied on Madame Elivan in ce of her mother, who had died at a young age.


    ¡°¡­I miss Madame Elivan.¡±


    When she said so, the servants in the room checked the emperor¡¯s countenance.


    The emperor had agreed with Rezef in his decision to banish Baroness Elivan. It was because he didn¡¯t want to keep Madame Elivan in the pce, as she reminded him of the empress who had betrayed him.


    ¡®The flow of time is evanescent.¡¯


    Esteban, who was on his deathbed, looked back on his life several times.


    In the process, he managed to forgive things he thought he would never forgive and grieved things he didn¡¯t know he would regret.


    His cold-blooded nature had be much more tolerant.


    Luden saw through the emperor¡¯s thoughts and said such mischievous things to help Cayena.


    ¡®You looked a lot like the empress when you were young, but now I can see a part of you that resembles me.¡¯


    Cayena¡¯s beauty was mostly inherited from the empress.


    However, her haughty, icy blue eyes resembled Emperor Esteban.


    The emperor had no intention of changing all the courtdies in the imperial pce for Cayena.


    Still, he could at least invite her nanny back to the pce.


    ¡°Reverse the banishment of Baroness rence Elivan.¡±


    Cayena quickly expressed her gratitude.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡±


    The emperor waved his hand and said, ¡°Now, I need to rest.¡±


    Cayena helped him lie in bed and then left the bedroom. Luden personally escorted Cayena to see her off.


    ¡°Thank you, Luden.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty is in a good mood thanks to Your Highness these days. So how could I not help you?¡±


    Luden smiled in a rxed manner.


    ¡®If I want to target the emperor, it seems I need to win Luden¡¯s favor.¡¯


    Cayena beckoned over a courtdy, who had been waiting with Cayena¡¯s basket.


    ¡°I¡¯ve made plenty of pudding, so everyone can at least taste it.¡±


    The chambein quickly received the basket.


    ¡°Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena grinned.


    ¡°No, thank you.¡±


    Not everyone could be favored by the emperor. The skillful, cunning Luden saw Cayena¡¯s potential right away.


    When the doorknob opened the door to the parlor, Cayena lifted the hem of the dress and walked on.


    Then, she suddenly stopped. This was because the eyes met with Raphael, who was sitting in a chair in the hallway.


    ¡®¡­It was a bit harsh of me to refuse to meet him five times in a row.¡¯


    However, she didn¡¯t think Raphael woulde find her like this.


    He came to Cayena, who had once leeched onto him, on his own.


    Raphael, who found Cayena, rose from his seat and greeted her with a perfectly formal manner.


    ¡°Raphael Kedrey greets Her Highness.¡±


    Cayena pretended to be oblivious again.


    ¡°¡­Nice to see you, Lord Kedrey. Are you here to see His Majesty?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Raphael didn¡¯t bother to ask after her affairs, barging straight on to his next words.


    ¡°I came to see you.¡±


    ~~~


    [1] Milk siblings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_kinship

 Chapter 19

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ¡®The way he causes misunderstandings is still the same.¡¯


    His blunt method of speaking made it easy for other people to misconstrue his intentions. And, as expected, all the courtdies standing behind Cayena gasped. They traded nces with each other, wondering if this might be a sign of romantic interest.


    But Cayena, the one receiving hisment, did not misunderstand at all.


    ¡°You seem to have enjoyed the tea that I servedst time.¡±


    ¡°The tea was definitely delicious,¡± Raphael replied.


    ¡°¡­I wasn¡¯t asking for your impression.¡±


    ¡°I thought I should give you a present as thanks.¡±


    When Raphael beckoned, his attendant handed Vera a box wrapped in cloth. She opened the box. Inside, there were three silver cylindrical containers. The delicately crafted containers were beautiful. On the handle of the lid, there was a ruby cut into a circle.


    ¡®¡­Aren¡¯t these tea leaves ones that you can only buy at an auction?¡¯


    Cayena could instantly recognize the packaging. It was that well known.


    This brand of ck tea was reputed to be difficult to obtain even with money because the production volume was small.


    It seemed too much as a gift, but it wasn¡¯t bad as an excuse for their reunion.


    ¡°Take all of this away,¡± Cayena instructed, addressing the servants to put away the tea leaves as well as the jewels that the Emperor had given her. Several of herdies-in-waiting and servants left to do her bidding.


    ¡°It seems that the things I told youst time were quite informative, seeing as you even prepared a return gift.¡±


    She had only advised him to meet Olivia, but Raphael hadn¡¯t met with her yet. And, technically, that wouldn¡¯t solve his troubles as she imed it would.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t met with Lady Olivia Grace yet.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡± Cayena looked out the window. ¡°It¡¯s a nice day. Why don¡¯t we take a walk?¡±


    By that, she was inviting him to go outside and talk.


    Raphael nodded. ¡°As you wish.¡±


    As soon as they agreed to go on a walk, Vera said, ¡°Then I will prepare a parasol, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Sometimes it¡¯s good to get some sun.¡±


    Raphael approached Cayena¡¯s side and offered his arm to escort her.


    Like before, Cayena held his arm very loosely.


    ¡®Since he hates touching people.¡¯


    She didn¡¯t notice Raphael¡¯s strange gaze because she was focusing only on that part.


    ¡°Let¡¯s walk to the back garden.¡±


    In one corner of the back garden, there was a path decorated like a quiet country road.


    That was the spot Cayena suggested to him. At the front of the path, Cayena abandoned herdies-in-waiting.


    ¡°You all should wait here.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Even Raphael told his attendants not to follow him.


    The two walked along the secluded path. As soon as the gazes that followed them disappeared, Cayena removed her hand from his arm.


    Raphael paused for a moment, then lowered his arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s surprising that Sir Kedrey isn¡¯t trying to avoid being alone with me.¡±


    At that, Raphael¡¯s gaze traveled downward to Cayena¡¯s profile.


    Without thinking, his eyes were drawn to her golden hair, which gently grazed her cheek.


    ¡°Is there any reason I should avoid you?¡±


    Cayena turned her head and met his eyes. Her gaze seemed to question why he asked something so obvious.


    ¡°What if I annoy you by sticking close to you, as I once did?¡±


    He knew that she had changed, but he didn¡¯t know that she would describe her past self so bitterly. It was as if she was talking about someone else entirely. Of course, it wasn¡¯t that he was unwary of Cayena.


    Cayena didn¡¯t stop talking with just that, though.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll believe me right away, but regardless, I want to apologize to you.¡±


    She stopped walking.


    There was a distance of about two steps between the two. It was a suitably polite distance.


    ¡°I hope you will forgive me for all my disrespect so far.¡±


    Could a person change her attitude so quickly like this?


    Usually, no. So Raphael did not carelessly ept that Cayena¡¯s apology was sincere. He wouldn¡¯t have been surprised at all if she suddenly reverted and called him by his nickname.


    However, the act of apologizing was meaningful, independent of whether it was sincere.


    ¡®This is a political gesture.¡¯


    As Cayena was from the imperial family, she was allowed to take some liberties when she was fond of someone. This was true even if the object of her affections was the young master of the Kedrey dukedom.


    If her interest in Raphael cooled, it was okay for her to act like she had never been interested in the first ce. However, Cayena refused to do so and apologized, speaking openly. It meant that there was a reason for her to avoid him holding a grudge against her.


    ¡®What could that reason be?¡¯


    He thought that it might be an extension of thest time she tried to solve his problems.


    ¡°I¡¯m being sincere, so please ept my apology.¡±


    Raphael began to look defensive.


    Cayena seemed to have expected it, as she bet her honor on it this time.


    ¡°I swear on my honor that I won¡¯t do so again.¡±


    At this point, Raphael became very curious. What exactly did she want to negotiate for her to do all this?


    He realized that he had to ept this apology in order to find out what Cayena wanted from him.


    ¡°It¡¯s water under the bridge. You needn¡¯t worry about it now.¡±


    Raphael thought that it was a political move, but Cayena¡¯s apology was, in fact, half-sincere.


    Apologizing like this and being forgiven relieved a little of the guilt that remained in Cayena¡¯s heart. It was residual guilt from her life before she returned, though Raphael couldn¡¯t remember it.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    So, she was able to smile, feeling relieved. The wind lightly tussled her flowing golden hair.


    It was good to see that smile. It was a little weird for Raphael to think such a thing.


    How did that smile make him feel that way?


    He tilted his head slightly. He didn¡¯t understand this situation, this mood, nor his feelings.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed that I had other intentions. I¡¯ll tell you them now.¡±


    His previous sentiment did notst long. This was because Cayena started focusing on business again. The smile on Cayena¡¯s mouth disappeared as she became serious once more.


    Raphael strangely felt regretful.


    ¡°I asked you to meet Lady Grace. She herself is brilliant, but there are also political reasons for this.¡±


    As they started to head back toward the garden, she exined why.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to select Lady Olivia as one of mydies-in-waiting soon.¡±


    Although Rezef already requested her toe in as Cayena¡¯s courtdy, that wasn¡¯t enough to make it happen.


    ¡°If so, couldn¡¯t we roughly predict Duchess Kedrey¡¯s reaction?¡±


    ¡°She will cut off her support to the Grace family and act as if the marriage talks never happened.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. But it¡¯s not just Olivia that matters.¡±


    ¡°Do you mean that the other twodies who have been in talks with my mother will also be selected as your courtdies?¡±


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°No. Instead, there will be other reasons for not being able to choose their families.¡±


    Reasons that he couldn¡¯t choose their families?


    Raphael said the first thing that came to his mind.


    ¡°Are you going to support the prince or Archduke Heinrich as the next emperor?¡±


    ¡°If I could do such a thing, it would be a great method. But it¡¯s a little hard to do with such a short amount of time.¡±


    Cayena read the original novel and had quite a bit of information.


    For example, a family¡¯s corruption or scandal.


    ¡°Since nobles do not work, they often lose their sense of reality. They think that money grows on trees.¡±


    ¡°You are saying that they¡¯re passing over bonds and being mortgaged by another family. If that¡¯s so, the head of the family will be reced.¡±


    It was a rare event, but it was still rather boring.


    ¡°It¡¯s hard to know for certain unless you actually check the ledger,¡± Cayena said. ¡°The Avon family¡¯s bonds will soon be passed over, and their existence will be in jeopardy. Your duchy could potentially pay off the debt. But what if Archduke Heinrich was involved in that event?¡±


    ¡°Archduke Heinrich¡­?¡±


    The peerlessly cunning old fox actively used others¡¯ debt to grow in power. He brought a family down toward bankruptcy and put them under his control. In that way, he quickly became stronger.


    ¡°Then, thest remaining option would be the Brukin family. But I¡¯m sure the marriage talks with them will end as well.¡±


    ¡°Why do you believe that?¡±


    ¡°Rita Brukin has a hereditary madness. This news is staying within her family right now, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be exposed to the noble society soon.¡±


    In an aristocratic society, where one has to give birth to a sessor who will inherit the family, it was a fatal blow to one¡¯s marriage prospects.


    ¡°Now, this has made all the families chosen by Duchess Kedrey useless. Congrattions on breaking up your engagement, Sir Kedrey.¡±


    Among these incidents, the only thing Cayena directly affected was her trying to win over Olivia Grace.


    ¡®Because the two must get together, the other families must be wed.¡¯


    And thanks to that, Cayena was able to use the information for her own safety.


    ¡°ording to your words, I won¡¯t be told to marry for a while.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡±


    ¡°Then, what are you aiming for, Your Highness?¡±


    Cayena answered without hesitation.


    ¡°Your trust.¡±


    Raphael was silent at these unexpected words.


    His trust? Why would she need that?


    ~~~

 Chapter 20

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ¡°Now, can you trust that I am a reliable schemer?¡±


    In order to convince one¡¯s opponent, one had to make a profitable offer, whether it was emotional or material.


    Now, Cayena had to persuade Raphael by offering him an emotional benefit.


    ¡°You say that you need my trust. Is that because whatever happens next is something Your Highness needs?¡±


    ¡°As expected, you¡¯re smart.¡±


    He wasn¡¯t as dumbfounded asst time because he had already received a ridiculouspliment.


    ¡°And these words too are, no doubt, a test of whether Your Majesty can trust me.¡±


    ¡°I assure that I will not harm you, Sir Kedrey. If you suffer any damage because of my request, I willpensate you for it.¡±


    The word of a princess served as an excellent guarantee, but Raphael didn¡¯t understand Cayena¡¯s ultimate goal.


    If it were to prevent Rezef from bing emperor, her method made no sense. It was also inefficient. It was much better not to engage the Kedrey family, who had a poor rtionship with the imperial family, but to enlist the help of other influential families.


    But Cayena chose him.


    So, was this possibly unrted to the session of the throne? Why was the princess going this far?


    When Raphael looked at Cayena¡¯s easy smile, it didn¡¯t seem like she would tell him.


    ¡°Oh, but I really did mean it when I say that you would get along well with Olivia Grace.¡±


    Another strange thing was that Cayena seemed to be encouraging him to associate with Olivia. She sounded pretty sincere, too.


    ¡°ording to what you say, my marriage talks will be canceled soon. Doesn¡¯t that mean I won¡¯t have to meet anyone?¡±


    What he said was right.


    If Cayena didn¡¯t know that he and Olivia were connected, she would have told him to do whatever he wanted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mean to impose on you. But should your mother try to coerce you, I rmend meeting Miss Olivia Grace.¡±


    ¡°I thought Your Highness hated Lady Olivia Grace,¡± Raphael said.


    Cayena meekly admitted to it. It was because it was true.


    ¡°Well, it was like that. But I just felt that all of it was useless.¡±


    She didn¡¯t say it, but Raphael could guess that her words also referred to her old affection for Raphael.


    ¡®Is she telling the truth?¡¯


    Was she saying she truly ended her long obsession with him and removed him from her heart?


    Raphael found that hard to believe, as he had long and old memories of suffering because of her.


    But she swore that she wouldn¡¯t treat him like that in the future.


    It was an oath sworn without a notary. Yet, it was the first time Raphael saw Cayena swearing to something.


    ¡°It would be better to go back at this point. It is not good to be together in a ce like this for too long.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena took a deep breath and turned around.


    To be honest, it was burdensome to walk on an unpaved dirt path because of her shoes.


    The road was not well looked after, and the route was more difficult to navigate due to the weeds. Cayena chose the trail on purpose because of those reasons, as that meant there would not be anyone using it.


    However, high heels and cumbersome dresses weren¡¯t suitable for this ce at all.


    ¡°Ahh!¡±


    When Cayena stumbled on a rock, Raphael supported her waist to help her. It just so happened that she ended up in his arms.


    ¡°Be careful, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena pulled away from him like she was burnt. Raphael¡¯s eyebrow swung up at the overly sensitive attitude.


    ¡®Darn.¡¯


    Cayena was trying to avoid contact as much as possible because she knew Raphael hated touching people.


    ¡®Even if he didn¡¯t, I just started recovering my image. I can¡¯t make him look badly on him again.¡¯


    Cayena would need Raphael¡¯s full helpter to create a fake husband.


    ¡®Because I n to broker a marriage in the western duchy.¡¯


    Cayena was thinking of creating a fictional person there. He would be a rich, young, handsome man who would be her husband.


    ¡°The road is a bit rough. I apologize.¡±


    Cayena said it like an excuse and looked at Raphael, but his expression was a little strange.


    ¡®¡­Is he pleased to have helped me with that little thing?¡¯


    Actually, Raphael was contemtive for the opposite reason. He knew the ground was uneven and that Cayena was wearing heels.


    ¡®But why doesn¡¯t she ept my offer to escort her?¡¯


    Even now, she grabbed the hem of her own dress again and did not ask him to escort her.


    Nobody knew that he hated contact with people. It was a condition that not even his mother, nor Jeremy, the one who watched him the most closely, knew. He knew well that in everyday life, he had to suppress his displeasure. That was his normal. He could be patient, even though he felt disgusted and trapped when he escorted others for just a moment.


    Raphael readily reached out his hand.


    ¡°I will escort you, Your Highness.¡±


    This wasmon sense andmon behavior. That was what he thought. But a part of his mind had this thought:


    ¡®Am I really doing this just because I am expected to?¡¯


    He didn¡¯t have to force himself to escort Cayena earlier. However, Cayena had no intention of offending him more, so she refused.


    ¡°There is no need.¡±


    Raphael was convinced by her action. The princess was felt disgusted by him.


    ¡®Didn¡¯t she like me?¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t just in his imagination.


    It would be hard to find someone in Eldaim who didn¡¯t know that Cayena was fond of Raphael.


    How can such a mind change in an instant?


    Thinking about it, it was strange. It felt like Cayena, who he had met after a long time in front of the emperor¡¯s bedroom, was only the same on the outside.


    ¡®Had she been acting all along?¡¯


    If that was the case, it was scary. Comparing her past and present self, they were not the same person. Her way of speaking and acting was meaningful, like a seasoned politician. It was like a person who has lived several times.


    ¡®¡­That¡¯s preposterous.¡¯


    Raphael thought he was making an excessive assumption.


    Cayena stepped forward again, not seeing the subtle change in Raphael¡¯s expression.


    ¡®I have to tell them to get rid of my high heels and change them to low-heeled shoes.¡¯


    She frowned at her ufortable shoes.


    In her original life, she didn¡¯t feel difort in her high heels because she only took walks in beautiful,ndscaped gardens. So, all of Cayena¡¯s shoes had high heels.


    Raphael found Cayena looking down at the ground, brow slightly furrowed. Instead of escorting her, he walked slowly to match her stride. As they were focused only on walking without conversation, it was only an instant to reach the entrance.


    Cayena¡¯sdies-in-waiting and Raphael¡¯s attendant walked quickly toward the two. As they saw their masters, they exchanged bewildered looks. It was because the atmosphere somehow felt strange.


    ¡®Why did the two of theme back out so awkwardly?¡¯


    Surely, wasn¡¯t the princess being escorted when they entered the path?


    But now, the two were at a distance from each other.


    ¡®Are the rumors true?¡¯


    Cayena¡¯s refusal of Raphael¡¯s request to see him five times has been secretly rumored not only in the imperial pce, but also in the social world.


    They also cited it as one piece of evidence that Cayena no longer cared for Raphael.


    Even though the two spent time today, it will be rumored that Cayena walked far apart from him.


    They walked toward the castle, still with a medium distance between them.


    Suddenly, Cayena said, ¡°I¡¯d like to offer you a cup of tea since we¡¯ve finished walking, but I¡¯ll have to let you go as you must be busy, Sir Kedrey.¡±


    Originally, this kind of meeting required the serving of tea and refreshments, and even dinner together. Especially since Cayena had received tea leaves as a gift, telling her guest to return without trying them together was an action that could be interpreted negatively.


    But Cayena said that he should go because she was thinking of Raphael.


    This was because she knew that Raphael was not a person who liked to spend time like this, as he did not in the past when he was ufortable with her.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s being considerate or awkward.¡¯


    Raphael had only nned to meet Cayena today, so there was nothing in his schedule afterward. When he thought of the usual Cayena, he thought that she would hold him for dinner as well as afternoon tea time. But suddenly, after a short walk, she told him to go.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine, Your Highness.¡±


    Even if he had to go because he was truly busy, he had to answer yes to the kindness offered by the princess.


    But, did she say it out of courtesy or did she really think it was fine?


    ~~~

 Chapter 21

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    Cayena thought Raphael was just acting this way out of courtesy.


    ¡°I¡¯ll send you an invitation when I can make the most delicious tea with the leaves you gave me today, so there¡¯s no need to force yourself.¡±


    The people in their vicinity could not hold back their wonder at Cayena¡¯s words. In particr, Raphael¡¯s aide, Jeremy, was the most astonished. He heard rumors that the princess was different now, but he did not expect that she would be this different.


    ¡®Did the princess always have such tact?¡¯


    She didn¡¯t promise Raphael an exact date, just that she would send him an invitation before the ck tea ran out. Even if it was a rejection, the message contained an appropriate level of consideration.


    Jeremy couldn¡¯t believe that ¡®that¡¯ Cayena said this.


    He nced at Raphael. Raphael¡¯s expressions were difficult to read on normal days, but today, it was even more subtle.


    ¡®¡­I¡¯ve never seen such an expression.¡¯


    It was both hard and soft, apletely unknown countenance. Anyway, the important part was that Jeremy had never seen such an expression on him.


    ¡®Of course, the master also seems to bring about strange changes in Her Highness.¡¯


    ¡°Then next time, I will prepare a refreshment as a gift.¡±


    Raphael approached Cayena, kneeled down on one knee and reached out his hand. Cayena knew that he meant to kiss the back of her hand.


    ¡®Should I say that he doesn¡¯t have to show such courtesy to me now?¡¯


    Cayena thought it would be too much for her to do so.


    ¡®It should be slightly better since I¡¯m wearing gloves.¡¯


    She sighed and reluctantly held out her hand. She only hoped that this action would not offend him.


    ¡°It was an honor,¡± Raphael said, and he sped her hand.


    Until now, his mind had been stained with displeasure when he had to do this. He had only thought of holding onto his patience and getting it over quickly.


    ¡®It¡¯s a small and fragile hand.¡¯


    But this contact was more bearable than he thought. No, it wasn¡¯t just bearable. It was, strangely enough, fine. Did he just feel morefortable because she wasn¡¯t hitting on him like usual?


    Suddenly, he realized that Cayena¡¯s hand was so small in his own hand.


    ¡®When we talked today, I didn¡¯t think she was such a small person.¡¯


    Perhaps because of her natural dignity and grace, she never seemed weak or small.


    He bowed his head and kissed Cayena¡¯s hand. Fine, smooth ck hair flowed down. Cayena had the strange thought that if she patted him at the moment, he would feel soft.


    It was when Raphael¡¯s lips parted from her hand and he just got up.


    ¡°So you were here, Sister.¡±


    At that familiar voice, Cayena and Raphael both turned their heads. Rezef was approaching them, an attendant following behind him.


    ¡®But he must be busy preparing for the hunting season.¡¯


    It was a time to socialize with the influential nobles and their sessors. Cayena thought that he would be busy because he had to buy new weapons, but it seemed that he came to see Raphael.


    ¡°We greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    Everyone bowed their heads toward him. Raphael also acted courteously.


    ¡°Raphael Kedrey greets His Highness, the Prince.¡±


    ¡°Get up.¡±


    Rezef smiled nicely. He had hurried over when he heard that Cayena was on a walk with Raphael.


    ¡°Were you still walking with my sister?¡±


    The Kedrey ducal family was a family he had to recruit.


    Rezef¡¯s weakness was that he had no military power, whereas Archduke Heinrich had taken several families with soldiers on his side.


    Of course, even afterbining them all, they couldn¡¯t match up to the Kedrey duchy.


    This was because Kedrey duchy was elite among the elite, a military family that had guarded the empire¡¯s border for a long time.


    ¡®I have the Evans marquis with thergest agricultural zone.¡¯


    Though he had weak military power, Rezef had strong economic power based on the affluent granary of the Evans family. The Evans family fully supported Rezef, and he would be able to solve the Kedrey¡¯s provisioning issues. If the two joined hands, they couldplement each other¡¯s weaknesses.


    ¡°I came to find my sister because I was thinking of having afternoon tea time with her. But I didn¡¯t know you would be with her.¡±


    There was no way that Rezef, who came all the way here to find him, did not know that Raphael was here.


    ¡°I was just about to leave,¡± said Raphael.


    ¡°Ah, is that so? What a shame,¡± replied Rezef.


    Cayena hurriedly spoke, fearing that her brother would tell Raphael to stay for tea. Raphael also felt that urgency. His gaze reached Cayena¡¯s side profile.


    ¡°Have a safe trip back, Sir Kedrey.¡±


    Unlike before, it now seemed like she was trying to make him leave quickly. Raphael¡¯s eyes slowly moved to look at her because of her strange attitude.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take my leave, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef looked back and forth between the two. Somehow, their rtionship looked quite different from the one he knew. Cayena wasn¡¯t making advances at Raphael, and Raphael¡­


    ¡®The atmosphere here doesn¡¯t look so bad.¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t clear whether it was because of his sister¡¯s good conduct or because Raphael was in an exceptional mood today. Anyway, it would be fortunate if their rtionship continued to be genial like this.


    ¡®My sister keeps making excuses to get entangled with him.¡¯


    Though the Grace family did not respond to his letter stating their daughter was selected as one of Cayena¡¯sdies-in-waiting, it was only a matter of time.


    ¡®She said that he would marry Olivia Grace, I believe.¡¯


    Rezef approached Cayena and escorted her away. Cayena grabbed his hand and leaned onto him without hesitation.


    Raphael looked at the scene with a strange nce before turning around and leaving.


    ¡®What was that gaze just now?¡¯


    Rezef frowned slightly.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    As Rezef quietly murmured, Cayena lifted her head.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Rezef looked down at his sister. She was a beautiful and caring sister who could melt a heart of ice in no time.


    He put on a familiar mask.


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    In any case, he thought that he would have to keep an eye on Raphael.


    ***


    ¡°Father!¡±


    Lydia shouted as she ran toward Count Benzeman, who hade to the imperial pce.


    ¡°What did His Highness Rezef say? Everything worked out well, right?¡±


    There was no other reason he would visit the imperial pce.


    It was because of the incident when Lydia had injured the princess a while ago.


    Even if it was only a title, Cayena was still a part of the imperial family. That Lydia would burn her like that¡­


    Count Benzeman found himself often disappointed by his idiotic daughter. But this time, she had made a tremendous mistake.


    ¡°Sir Evans took care of it. You can¡¯t behave so rashly again. Do you understand?!¡±


    Lydia didn¡¯t show a single sign of remorse despite his scolding.


    ¡°It¡¯s too oppressive, Father. When will the Evanses rmend me as a bride candidate for the prince?¡±


    The count clicked his tongue and nced at his daughter¡¯s emerging true nature.


    ¡®The Evans family also has an eligible bachelor. I can¡¯t ignore him and try to push my daughter to the Imperial family.¡¯


    He looked at his daughter, who had no doubt that she would be a princess.


    ¡®It¡¯s enough if shees to be the hands and feet of Prince Rezef.¡¯


    They could not attract the Evans family¡¯s ire by being too greedy.


    Still, there was a change for her, so Count Benzeman said this so that his daughter would not be hurt.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be too impatient. First, you must have a smooth rtionship with the imperial princess.¡±


    Lydia said pointedly, ¡°That woman purposefully made me spill the pie! Look at my hand, Father!¡±


    The count¡¯s head throbbed in pain.


    ¡°What do you mean, ¡®that woman,¡¯ Lydia?!¡±


    She had grabbed the te with the hot pie and slightly burned her finger. Lydia suspected that Cayena had arranged it all.


    ¡°She encouraged the courtdies topete by telling us to deliver the snack to His Highness! Who other than a kitchen servant would know that you had to cool the pie?¡±


    There was a part of her usation that was correct.


    ¡°She was deliberately walking around, baring her arms, and she waited right in front of the pie. She did so to earn thepassion of His Highness, Prince Rezef.¡±


    ¡°Watch your words! Did you forget that this is the Imperial Pce?¡±


    Lydia felt frustrated with her needlessly passive father.


    ¡°Father, please. Those insolent <em>things</em> keep ignoring me.¡±


    Recently, Lydia had been having a hard time. The maids and Vera, of course, were careful about being seen with Lydia, and Lydia was furious.


    The count tried to reason with his daughter.


    ¡°They¡¯ll go back to normal once your father says the word. So, take care of your heart and watch the princess well.¡±


    Lydia sighed at her father¡¯s words.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing to watch. I don¡¯t even leave the Imperial Pce, and I¡¯m only in the bedroom all the time. The budget is rotting away, but she won¡¯t even throw a party.¡±


    ¡°You say she isn¡¯t socializing even with arge budget?¡±


    Thinking about it, two months had already passed since the attempted poisoning case.


    Was there any reason for her to iste herself like this?


    Furthermore, Cayena¡¯sing-of-age ceremony would be held when the roses were in full bloom.


    There was just over a month left. It was certainly strange that she had not done anything so far.


    ~~~

 Chapter 22

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ¡°Is there nobody else she met?¡± asked Count Benzeman.


    ¡°I have seen Sir Raphael Kedrey with her a few times. But they were only brief meetings,¡± Lydia replied.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    ¡°She spends the most time with His Highness Rezef these days. It¡¯s nice to have the opportunity to see His Highness more often, but strangely, he¡¯s not the same as before. Did you hear the ridiculous nickname, ¡®beast trainer¡¯? I was dumbfounded!¡±


    ¡®Something is weird.¡¯


    He heard that Prince Rezef had recently be quite obedient. He was told that it was Princess Cayena¡¯s influence. He didn¡¯t trust the rumors that much, but listening to his daughter¡¯s story, it seemed that there was some truth to them.


    He was suspicious of the intentions and behavior of the princess. She may have been trying to get a regent position when the prince was crowned.


    ¡®That could be it.¡¯


    It happened every so often in history that an heir¡¯s mother, sister, or wife wielded his power as if it were her own. Even Cayena had the distinguished Count Hamel from her mother¡¯s side of the family.


    Prince Rezef suddenly becamepliant when he heard Cayena¡¯s words. What could this mean?


    Now that he thought about it, there was something strange when he had talked with Zenon Evans about the incident with Lydia.


    He had the feeling that Zenon Evans was watching Princess Cayena carefully.


    Count Benzeman couldn¡¯t shake off the feeling that there was a conspiracy.


    He took Lydia¡¯s shoulder and said furtively, ¡°Princess Cayena is suspicious. Look closely to see if she is in contact with anyone. Gifts, or anything like that!¡±


    ¡°Erm. She receives so many gifts, though¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Won¡¯t it be fine if you order the other courtdies to help? Your father will tell them off, and they will follow you.¡±


    Lydia wasn¡¯t very happy to receive an assignment so suddenly. Still, she liked what her father said about making the other courtdies listen to her again.


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ***


    Cayena was staring at the ledger with a serious face as the sun shone through the window.


    It wasn¡¯t that there was a specific problem.


    ¡®I have too much money left in the budget.¡¯


    Rezef was the one with the authority to control the budget. This was because Cayena, who should have done the job in ce of the empress, had been ipetent. This time, Rezef made unprecedented adjustments to the budget for the princess¡¯s pce.


    It was a simple but sure way to show that he cared for Cayena.


    ¡®If it were the original me, I would haveughed, buying so many things that even this budget would be insufficient.¡¯


    Or maybe she would have taken apart and redone the garden or her bedroom. She might have bought a bunch of flowers that would wither and be difficult to deal with after a few days or have hosted a party.


    Now that she didn¡¯t have parties or meetings, she didn¡¯t need more clothes, so Cayena had nothing to spend money on. Recently, her biggest expense was recing her shoes.


    ¡°The refreshments are a littlete.¡±


    Vera, who waited on Cayena alone while other maids were away, stopped working on her embroidery.


    ¡°Shall I go see what happened?¡±


    Cayena smiled and shook her head. ¡°You don¡¯t need to.¡±


    It was a fact that one needs time to do certain things.


    These days, other than Vera, thedies-in-waiting left Cayena¡¯s bedroom whenever they could. Vera said they seemed to be looking for something. Because of this, they were more neglectful of their duties. Cayena didn¡¯t scold them at all, so they no longer cared. Furthermore, Cayena didn¡¯t go out or receive guests, so thedies-in-waiting had nothing to do.


    ¡°The time for afternoon tea is nearly over, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°So it is. Still, it¡¯s fine since I have the butter cookies I baked.¡±


    ¡°Only eating sweets is not good for your body. I will bring your refreshments myself.¡±


    Saying that, Vera left the bedroom.


    She hadn¡¯t gotten along with the other courtdiestely. It was almost as if she was being bullied, but Vera didn¡¯t care at all.


    ¡®Now it is the eve before the explosion.¡¯


    Vera had witnessed Rezef¡¯s change head-on. She saw first-hand how dramatically his attitude toward Cayena had changed. Meanwhile, Cayena continued to poke at Vera gently. Vera felt the subtle urge to choose sides soon.


    ¡®I have a feeling that she will change all thedies-in-waiting.¡¯


    But, how would Cayena aplish it?


    Even the emperor couldn¡¯t throw people away without justification. How could the princess do it?


    At that time, a maid brought in Cayena¡¯s refreshments. It was Donna.


    ¡°What happened to thedies-in-waiting? Why are you bringing Her Majesty¡¯s snacks?¡±


    Donna replied, ¡°They said that since you are here, it would be all right. They gave me a snack to give to Her Highness and went away.¡±


    She looked at Donna with suspicious eyes. Donna was a maid who frequently took care of Cayena.


    ¡®There¡¯s something going on.¡¯


    ¡°¡­Give it here.¡±


    Donna handed over the silver tray of snacks to Vera.


    She checked the refreshments out in the parlor before entering the bedroom.


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Vera¡¯s expression turned dark.


    ¡°Those crazy women¡­!¡±


    Nut cookies were mixed with the snacks.


    Cayena was allergic to nuts.


    Thedies-in-waiting needed to carefully check if the food contained nuts before serving it to Her Highness.


    In other words, this was a serious case of neglect.


    Click¡ª


    The bedroom door opened and Cayena, dressed in a light indoor dress, walked out.


    ¡°Why aren¡¯t youing in?¡±


    ¡°I apologize. There is a problem with the refreshments, so I will prepare them again, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Oh, there¡¯s no need.¡±


    Cayena smiled brightly.


    ¡°It¡¯s a very well-prepared snack.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon me?¡±


    Cayena approached the table where the tray was ced. Then, she deliberately picked up a nut cookie.


    ¡°Your Highness, that¡­!¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a cookie with nuts.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯ll eat this.¡±


    Did she mean tomit suicide? Vera could not understand.


    ¡°You go and give Rezef the snack that I made for afternoon tea. Because you were running my errands, you had no idea that nuts were mixed into the refreshments.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll lie here alone in the room, and Donna will be shocked. She¡¯ll go call the doctor right away. Of course, this news will have to be told to my father. Donna will help. But, you shouldn¡¯t know any of this.¡±


    Vera finally understood.


    ¡°Can you do this well?¡±


    Vera understood that she had been chosen. Cayena was nning to fire all the courtdies in one go with this ruse. Everyone but Vera herself would be cast out. Vera immediately knelt and bowed her head.


    ¡°I will be Your Highness¡¯s obedient servant.¡±


    As she did, Cayena cheerfully smiled.


    ¡°I¡¯m d to hear that.¡±


    ***


    Rezef checked the sword, the bow, and his new epaulettes.


    ¡°The spies we nted by Archduke Heinrich¡¯s side report that he bought a javelin.¡±


    ¡°A javelin?¡±


    Why did Archduke Heinrich buy a javelin?


    ¡°It¡¯ll be a problem if the horses are spooked when the spears are thrown. See what he¡¯s trying to do.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef removed his cloak and sat down on the sofa. Then, the servants began to remove the weapons on the table.


    ¡°How is my sister?¡±


    Zenon raised his head from where he was working at another table.


    ¡°She is in her bedroom.¡±


    These days, the princess did not engage in outside activities to a strange extent. ording to the doctor, she should have recoveredpletely from the poison.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s thinking.¡¯


    He had a bad feeling about it.


    ¡°Your Highness, ady-in-waiting from the princess is here to see you.¡±


    ¡°Let her in.¡±


    Vera brought along only one maid.


    ¡°We greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    Rezef smiled at the silver tray in her hand.


    It was because he recognized that they were snacks made and sent by his sister.


    ¡°Her Highness prepared this for your afternoon tea.¡±


    ¡°Bring it over.¡±


    Now, this event wasn¡¯t strange anymore.


    Zenon got up, took the tray, and fed the snacks to a servant.


    After confirming that nothing was poisoned, Rezef tasted the butter cookie.


    ¡°By the way, it seems that you¡¯reing by often these days.¡±


    ¡°Her Highness has ced trust in me to do this.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    He looked at her with blue eyes, as if opening her up to look inside. Vera inadvertently made eye contact with him, and she felt terrified.


    ¡°What is my sister doing?¡±


    ¡°Just now, she had a headache because the budget for the princess¡¯s pce had been too much.¡±


    At those words, Rezefughed.


    ¡°If she wants to spend money, she should spend as much as she wants.¡±


    He intended to use that as an excuse to go talk with his sister when a servant urgently entered the parlor.


    ¡°Your Highness, something big has happened!¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Suddenly, Her Majesty copsed, and the doctor was called to her pce!¡±


    ¡°What? My sister copsed?!¡±


    Rezef ran to the princess¡¯s pce.


    ~~~

 Chapter 23

    <strong>Trantor/Editor: </strong>thursdays <strong>QC: </strong>enought is enought


    ***


    ¡°It is an allergy symptom caused by eating nuts.¡±


    The doctor thought that bad news sure happened often these days.


    It all started from the day Cayena was poisoned. If he couldn¡¯t save her, his neck would be cut off. Fortunately, it wasn¡¯t a fatal poison, and she didn¡¯t take a fatal dose, so she recovered well after taking medicine.


    Then, suddenly, she was burned because of a courtdy. The princess, who he thought wouldsh out wildly, had been rather quiet, while Rezef became violent. But now, she copsed in the room, alone without a singledy-in-waiting by her side after she had eaten a nut cookie.


    Allergies were serious, and they could even lead to death.


    ¡®A cookie with nuts. What were the courtdies doing, letting this pass?¡¯


    The doctor sighed as he looked at the serving te next to him.


    ¡®But it shouldn¡¯t have been bad enough to make her copse like this¡­ And there¡¯s no rash, either¡­Is it because of her recent weakness?¡¯


    Other than being unconscious, Princess Cayena was pretty healthy and showed no other signs of an anaphctic reaction.


    But saying that it was strange would be inappropriate in this somber atmosphere.


    The doctor checked for bite marks on the cookie. Perhaps she had broken off a piece before eating it, as there were no teeth marks. But the amount broken off was very small. Well, he was just d nothing big happened.


    He didn¡¯t think much of this incident.


    ¡°She only had a little, so she will feel better soon.¡±


    The doctor picked up the medical equipment while looking at the strangely quiet Rezef¡¯s eyes.


    At his side, all of Cayena¡¯s courtdies were lying prostrate on the floor.


    Rezef was sitting on the sofa next to the bed, expressionless. It was a tense, explosive situation.


    ¡°Leave.¡±


    With Rezef¡¯s permission granted, the doctor immediately went out with his medical bag.


    A chilling silence fell in the bedroom.


    ¡°You.¡±


    He pointed at Vera.


    ¡°Stand up and exin the situation.¡±


    Vera carefully got up from her ce and informed him.


    ¡°While I was delivering snacks to Your Highness, a nut cookie was mixed in among the refreshments for Her Highness. Please, kill this wicked one who was away from her ce.¡±


    ¡°So the princess¡¯s refreshments were not checked properly¡­ ¡±


    Truthfully, this was the most basic of the courtdies¡¯ tasks.


    Their discipline had bex recently. Thedies-in-waiting stopped being careful about everything and overlooked many tasks.


    That¡¯s why they didn¡¯t know that Donna, the maid who followed them, served nut cookies together with the refreshments.


    ¡°All right. Let¡¯s say that nut cookies were mixed in by ident. But just why was my sister lying alone in the bedroom?¡±


    No one answered Rezef¡¯sposed question. How could they say that everyone was away to investigate the princess?


    ¡°Why are you all silent?¡±


    ¡°¡­We apologize, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef threw the ss vase beside him.


    Crash¡ª!


    ¡°Kyaa!¡±


    He annoyedly swept his hair back and repeated, ¡°I¡¯ll ask again. Why was my sister lying alone in the bedroom? If no one found her, it could have been fatal.¡±


    Everyone shut their mouths at that.


    ¡°Something like this happened in the imperial household before. A case when a nut allergy was used to kill a member of the Imperial family.¡±


    Rezef angrily told thedies-in-waiting, ¡°And that person was the empress!¡±


    The courtdies were terrified at the words. At this rate, their families could be wiped out for the crime of treason. They appealed to Rezef desperately in order to live.


    ¡°Please have mercy, Your Highness! We never meant for this to happen!¡±


    Lydia pointed to Donna.


    ¡°That maid must have done it. She¡¯s trying to frame us!¡±


    Then, Donna knelt right away.


    ¡°I only took the tray and brought it here. The kitchen servants will vouch for my innocence.¡±


    Donna raised her head with a face like she had been wronged.


    ¡°I watched with my own eyes when those cookies were pulled out of the box sent by Archduke Heinrich!¡±


    ¡°¡­Archduke Heinrich?¡±


    ¡°Impossible!¡± the courtdies shouted.


    Then, someone pointed to Lydia, tears in her eyes.


    ¡°Lydia Benzeman said that Her Highness¡¯s behavior was suspicious. She asked us to help her investigate! She intimidated us, saying that if we didn¡¯t obey, she wouldn¡¯t leave us alone, Your Highness!¡±


    Lydia¡¯s face waspletely pale at the betrayal of her fellowdy-in-waiting.


    She couldn¡¯t take the me like this.


    In any case, she was a Benzeman, so her voice would be more important than theirs.


    She started shouting right away.


    ¡°I¡¯m being framed! Your Highness, do not listen to those foolish things. This is a ruse to undermine Your Highness¡¯s power. There must be a spy among them!¡±


    Rezef burst into anger when he saw thedies-in-waiting use each other without honor. It was pathetic and disgusting.


    ¡°It¡¯s clear that there is a spy among you, seeing as you have not told me the truth even once.¡±


    Rezef got up from the sofa and strode toward thedies-in-waiting.


    He grabbed and pulled one of the tremblingdies.


    ¡°Ahh!¡±


    ¡°Is it you? Are you a spy from Heinrich?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness! This child could never be a spy!¡±


    ¡°Then, who? Is it you?¡±


    ¡°Kyaak!¡±


    Rezef roughly pulled the courtdy¡¯s hair decoration.


    ¡°I see you all dare to mock me!¡±


    ¡°Please, spare us!¡±


    ¡°We regret our actions, Your Highness!¡±


    It was when Rezef took an iron poker from the firece and tried to swing it at them.


    ¡°Announcing His Majesty, the Emperor!¡±


    Through the chaotic atmosphere, they heard the voice of the doorkeeper.


    Soon, the bedroom door opened wide and the pale-faced emperor walked in, supported by Grand Chambein Luden.


    ¡°We greet His Majesty the Emperor!¡±


    Rezef put down the iron rod in his hand and went down on one knee.


    ¡°I greet Your Majesty.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s eyes nced at Cayena, lying in bed, the mess of courtdies prostrate on the floor, and Rezef.


    Then he uttered one word.


    ¡°Pathetic.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The emperor did not grant Rezef, who was kneeling, permission to stand. He called Luden, who was helping him walk.


    ¡°Luden.¡±


    ¡°At yourmand, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°Flog all thedies-in-waiting here, cast them out of the Imperial pce, and issue an instruction to prohibit them froming back to the capital.¡±


    Thedies-in-waiting began to weep. While the knights were dragging them out, the emperor pointed to Vera.


    ¡°Release thatdy,¡± the emperor said.


    Vera immediately bowed her head.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡±


    ¡°I heard that you acted wisely. Give thisdy a reward.¡±


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    Finally, the emperor looked at Rezef, who was still on his knee.


    ¡°Did you think that I was ignorant about your actions just because I did not react?¡±


    He knew that Rezef was the culprit who poisoned Cayena.


    He only overlooked it because Cayena used the crisis as an opportunity to be well-behaved.


    Rezef gritted his teeth.


    ¡°Restrict Prince Rezef to his pce until he repents his actions.¡±


    Rezef slowly lowered his head.


    ¡°¡­I will heed your order.¡±


    ¡°I will select the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting. Know that, and leave immediately.¡±


    Rezef again bowed and left the bedroom. Everyone gulped at his disloyal attitude.


    The emperor said to Vera without worry, ¡°I¡¯m going to send more maids, so in the meantime, try to manage the princess¡¯s pce on your own. If necessary, I will bestow you an appropriate rank.¡±


    ¡°It will be the honor of my family, Your Majesty.¡±


    The emperor nodded and took his attendants with him as they left the bedroom.


    Only Cayena and Vera were left in the bedroom.


    Vera stood up and said, ¡°Everyone has left, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena, her eyes still closed, grinned.


    ~~~

 Chapter 24: Scene 5. Same Person, New Stage

    <strong>Trantor/Editor: </strong>thursdays <strong>QC: </strong>enought is enought


    Since Cayena¡¯s return, the princess¡¯s pce had been quiet, like a beast biding its time. Those who did not properly grasp the meaning of the silence said that everything was calm.


    Vera was different. She adapted to the silence and keenly opened her eyes and ears. She was watching for when the storm would arrive in the pce.


    And the moment she was given the opportunity, she didn¡¯t miss it.


    Cayena, who appeared to pass out after eating a nut cookie, got up from the bed as if everything were normal. Annie and Donna were guarding the door. The windows were covered by the curtains, and candles lit up the room.


    ¡°Vera.¡±


    Cayena reached out to Vera.


    Vera quickly approached the bed, kneeled on the floor, and grasped Cayena¡¯s hand in hers.


    ¡°I know that your family supports Rezef, even to the point of death.¡±


    Vera wasn¡¯t surprised to hear Cayena say that she already knew that she was one of the prince¡¯s people.


    She strangely believed that if it was this new Cayena, of course she would know.


    ¡°I intend to make Rezef emperor.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Vera gulped, her mouth feeling dry. Could words be more chilling than these? However, Cayena said them peacefully, as if she was thinking about what to have for afternoon tea.


    ¡°It means that if you follow me, you won¡¯t be betraying your family or Rezef.¡±


    ¡°¡­Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Rezef is not a subtle child. Even if you run naked in front of him, he won¡¯t give you a title.¡±


    It was a painful thing to hear.


    Vera had onlye this far by chasing after that hope. She had always been anxious. The realistic thought that all of this might be for nothing tortured her mind.


    Whenever that happened, she turned away, ming her own weak heart.


    ¡°Receiving a rank and receiving a title are very different things.¡±


    Receiving a title was not a simple thing. It didn¡¯t end with someone just saying, ¡®I now appoint you as baron.¡¯ One had to go through aplex legal process.


    However, Vera desperately needed the title, enough to put herself through that difficult task.


    ¡°I know that your family tried to marry you to your cousin, and that you came to be my courtdy as if you were trying to run away.¡±


    ¡°How¡­!¡±


    Vera looked at Cayena with amazement.


    ¡°I know that shameless man wants to take you in as thedy of the house and make your younger siblings concubines.¡±


    There was no trace of difort on her face. The way she calmly revealed Vera¡¯s past was eerie. Vera wanted to bite her tongue.


    ¡°You were going to get a title and take your younger siblings away with you, right?¡±


    As if she knew everything, Cayena stroked Vera¡¯s head.


    Thispetent and sincere courtdy was also too responsible. She stood up against her close-minded parents, and to protect herself and her siblings, she walked into this heartless pce.


    She was only 25 years old. She was still too young to bear that weight.


    Cayena had also been in a difficult situation in her second life. She remembered how she struggled to take care of her ailing mother. Though she was a ¡®woman¡¯ at that time, she was too young to do everything alone.


    So, Cayena dly dered herself as Vera¡¯s guardian.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about anything anymore.¡±


    Vera closed her eyes.


    Tears ran down her cheeks. The feeling of relief filled her heart.


    ¡°¡­My siblings are still young.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    ¡°My father only sees his daughters as property.¡±


    That was a prevalent thought among most nobles.


    Vera said with a tear-soaked face, ¡°Neither I nor my younger siblings are tools to keep the house.¡±


    She was convinced that if it was Cayena, she would understand her more than anyone else.


    Because within the imperial family, the emperor and Prince Rezef had also isted Cayena and controlled her as they wished.


    Cayena smiled. It was such a painful smile that Vera thought that Cayena may have been more pitiful than herself. She, at least, could be free by receiving a title.


    <em>But what about Cayena? </em>


    Veraposed herself, and once her tears had dried, she asked, ¡°Your Highness, what are you going to do now?¡±


    Her voice was determined and eager.


    Cayena said the next n she already had in mind.


    ¡°Do I own any dresses that look shabby?¡±


    ***


    The courtiers looked down from the railings.


    There was Cayena, kneeling in a modest dress that looked like pajamas or y clothes.


    ¡°Your Highness, you shouldn¡¯t be doing this here¡­¡±


    This was what the princess, who reportedly copsed because of an allergic reaction, did as soon as she opened her eyes.


    Both the courtiers and the knights were embarrassed. The princess was on her knees in the middle of the castle, so how could they pass in front of her? They had been trapped inside. It was a hostage situation with everyone there.


    Cayena continued to kneel there with a sorrowful face. She looked like a weak princess who was lost without her younger brother. By her side, Vera, the only courtdy who remained, was supporting her.


    ¡°Your Highness, this really might get you in big trouble¡­!¡±


    When the princess seemed as if she would never retreat, the court officials stepped back in embarrassment.


    Of course, it was the nobles who supported Rezef that were the most pleased with this news.


    Zenon had been holding an emergency meeting due to Rezef¡¯s indefinite confinement. It was during that meeting that a nobleman shared the good news.


    ¡°It¡¯s strange. Why did the princess suddenly give us such great help?¡±


    Cayena had helped them before, but that was the result of Rezef¡¯s own maniptions. This was the first time that Cayena took her own actions to help them this much.


    Only Zenon¡¯s eyes shone sharply when everyone rejoiced at the unexpected windfall.


    ¡®Is this action really for Prince Rezef?¡¯


    If it was the Cayena in the past, Zenon could have counted on her sincerity without much worry.


    But now, it was different.


    In this case, all of herdies-in-waiting were chased away. Rezef¡¯s influence was greatly reduced. In addition, Rezef received the emperor¡¯s wrath and was put on probation indefinitely. Cayena had lost nothing in this incident.


    Rather, she was able to fill her pce with thedies-in-waiting she chose.


    It was the most reasonable deduction to think that Cayena had arranged this situation.


    ¡®Did she even eat the cookie for real?¡±


    Even these sorts of thoughts floated in Zenon¡¯s head.


    ¡®No, that¡¯s a pointless train of thought. It¡¯s already happened.¡®


    Anyway, since she was now petitioning on Rezef¡¯s behalf, this could be an opportunity.


    ¡°How did His Majesty react?¡±


    ¡°They say that the emperor won¡¯t budge.¡±


    They seriously wondered if they would have to wait for the emperor¡¯s anger to subside.


    Zenon stepped forward and said, ¡°If we do not solve this today, the momentum will lean toward Archduke Heinrich.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We don¡¯t have time to waste, so everyone get ready to act!¡±


    ***


    ¡°Your Majesty, what will you do?¡±


    This question was asked regarding Cayena, who still kneeling outside in petition.


    ¡°How long has she been doing that?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been three hours.¡±


    Cayena, in her thin and shabby dress, had been on her knees for three hours already.


    ¡°The doctor said that if she continues, she could hurt herself.¡±


    Then, an attendant came into the bedroom and said, ¡°Your Majesty, some nobles are asking for an audience.¡±


    Then, he began to recite the names of influential nobles, including Zenon Evans.


    ¡°I see that they¡¯re biting at their opportunity.¡±


    This was clearly an opening that Cayena created. The emperor beckoned and said, ¡°Let them in.¡±


    As the door opened, twelve nobles poured in. They all threw back their cloaks and knelt on one knee.


    ¡°Your Majesty! Please take pity on Her Highness the Princess!¡±


    The emperor¡¯s cold blue eyes nced over the nobles.


    ¡°Do you think that you¡¯re in a position to say that you find the princess pitiful?¡±


    ¡°All of this is a misunderstanding! It was admittedly His Highness¡¯s error in failing to crack down on the idiocy of the courtdies, but this is too much!¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that I am too much?¡±


    They were not as afraid of the setting sun as they once had been. In their eyes, this father, who imprisoned his son, deserved reproach.


    ¡°Please think again, Your Majesty!¡±


    They bowed their heads and cried out in unison. This was their show of strength.


    Even the emperor could notpletely ignore the words of the influential nobles gathered here.


    At that time, a servant rushed in and delivered a whisper to the senior attendant.


    The attendant bowed his head as if he was sorry and said, ¡°Your Majesty, Her Highness has copsed again. The doctor is looking over her now.¡±


    The nobles began crying out in grief.


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    The emperor opened his mouth as he watched them act disgustingly, all moving with one thought in mind.


    ¡°I have not yet decided the prince¡¯s punishment.¡±


    ¡°Your M¡ª! Excuse me?¡±


    The nobles looked dumbfounded for an instant.


    The emperor turned to Luden and said, ¡°Rezef shall be put on probation for ten days.¡±


    Then, to the nobles, he said, ¡°A notice will be released soon. You are dismissed.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 25

    <strong>Trantor/Editor: </strong>thursdays <strong>QC: </strong>enought is enought


    They had been prepared for a long battle.


    However¡­ They exchanged nces, bewildered by the emperor¡¯s attitude. He had changed the punishment as if he had been waiting for it.


    Then, they lowered their heads right away.


    ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡±


    The nobles left the emperor¡¯s quarters.


    Princess Cayena was no longer in her previous spot where she had been kneeling.


    ¡°Recently, the rtionship between His Majesty and Her Highness has been good. It¡¯s quite useful, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    The credit for today definitely went to Cayena.


    Zenon looked at them as if they were pathetic. They were so delighted with the easy victory.


    ¡®Do they not recall who was to me for Prince Rezef to receive the emperor¡¯s ire in the first ce?¡®


    Only their families were splendid. As people, they were matchless idiots.


    ***


    It was an exaggeration to say that Cayena had fallen.


    ¡®I was on my knees for three hours and couldn¡¯t get up.¡¯


    When they saw her sink to the floor, people panicked, thinking that Cayena had copsed.


    Her thin clothes as well as her blue lips and face, pale from the cold, sparked the misunderstanding.


    ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, Your Highness,¡± said Vera, massaging Cayena¡¯s legs.


    ¡°You¡¯ve also worked hard for me.¡±


    ¡°It isn¡¯t like that.¡±


    Cayena wore the simplest inside clothes that she had. She had been kneeling in an out-of-fashion dress, with all the decorations peeling off.


    ¡°What would you have done if His Majesty did not change his mind?¡±


    Cayena, who was warming up with some hot tea, said with a smile,


    ¡°It would not have been possible for my father to give such an order unless he really intended to keep Rezef from the crown.¡±


    ¡°Why, I¡­I suppose so.¡±


    When Vera heard it, she thought that it must be so.


    If he was put on ¡°indefinite probation,¡± it meant that Rezef would not be considered as a possible sessor.


    Considering the emperor¡¯s cold disposition, it would have been morefortable for him to pull Rezef down from the battle for the crown.


    ¡°This was a test. He must have been watching how I would deal with it.¡±


    Did she really make such a calction in that moment?


    Vera shut her mouth. Cayena had been able to keep a cool mindset without shedding blood nor tears. The blood of the imperial family surely flowed differently from that of ordinary people.


    Then, suddenly, she became curious.


    ¡°If so, did Your Highness pass the test?¡±


    Instead of answering, Cayena smiled brightly.


    At that time, they heard a knock, and Annie entered the room.


    ¡°Your Highness, Grand Chambein Luden has asked to see you.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s old chambein, Luden came in holding a box wrapped in cloth.


    ¡°How are you feeling, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°I feel fine.¡±


    He held out the box in front of him.


    Vera quickly approached him and received the box.


    ¡°His Highness¡¯s probation has been adjusted to be ten days long.¡±


    ¡°I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my father.¡±


    Vera opened the box and held it out for Cayena. Inside was a jeweled key.


    ¡°There is an imperial order.¡±


    At those words, Cayena kneeled on the floor. The same was true for Vera, who sank down on one knee.


    ¡°Listen, Cayena Hill, the First Princess of Eldaim.¡±


    Luden straightened his back and conveyed the Imperial Order.


    ¡°The First Prince of Eldaim, Rezef Hill, had been judged incapable of ruling over thedies-in-waiting, so during his probation, his authority over the internal affairs of this pce shall be transferred temporarily to the First Princess, Cayena Hill.¡±


    Unknowingly, Vera tightly gripped the box in her hands.


    ¡®It¡¯s temporary, but for the first time, real power has been given to the princess!¡®


    Cayena was undisturbed despite receiving her first real power in 19 years.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    No, what 19 years?


    In her first life, she couldn¡¯t get any real power even as she died. One of her nicknames was ¡®Paper Princess,¡¯ so she could see how deep the disgrace went.


    ¡°My sincere congrattions, Your Highness.¡±


    Luden bowed deeply and congratted Cayena.


    Cayena got up with Vera¡¯s support. She took the key inside the box.


    It was an ornate, gilded key. It was a key that was managed by generations of empresses, and the key that her mother had once held.


    ¡°I am still young and I amcking in many areas, so I am in your care.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness, you will do a great job.¡±


    Luden praised her once again.


    ¡°Please understand that the situation being what it is, it¡¯s only a small, temporary change in your authority.¡±


    ¡°How could I not know?¡±


    Luden smiled kindly and then excused himself, withdrawing from the room.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Vera looked at Cayena as if she felt overwhelmed.


    Cayena put the key back into the box and said, teasing Vera, ¡°It¡¯s only the beginning. Are you so intimidated by this little power?¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    The probation was only for ten days.


    During that time, Rezef¡¯s people could take care of the pce. It was not necessary to change the person in charge like this. However, the emperor handed over the authority to Cayena.


    ¡®He¡¯s officially announcing that she has the ability to govern.¡®


    Like Cayena said, this was only the beginning.


    ¡°It looks like I got the answer right.¡±


    Vera was worried that the princess¡¯s petition to the emperor might have crossed the line.


    But looking at the results that came back, she regretted that she had dared to doubt the princess. She was curious about Cayena¡¯s next move, as she had made the first move perfectly.


    ¡°What is your next n?¡±


    Cayena sighed at the question.


    There were piles of work to do.


    If she didn¡¯t take care of them in the proper order, everything would be messed up.


    ¡®And all of the tasks are very important.¡¯


    ¡°First of all, I have to choose ady-in-waiting for myself. I will formally select Olivia Grace with His Majesty¡¯s edict.¡±


    Vera was puzzled by the name.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t thatdy already being recruited by His Highness Rezef?¡±


    ¡°The Grace family is sponsored by Kedrey dukedom. So how could they obey Rezef¡¯s request to bring her in as mydy-in-waiting?¡±


    She even sent a letter through Annie so that thedy wouldn¡¯t ept.


    Everything was for this day.


    ¡°If she came in at Rezef¡¯s request, it would mean that the Kedreys directly or indirectly support him as the sessor. So they¡¯ll be stalling as much as possible.


    ¡°But the story would be different if it were His Majesty¡¯s edict.¡±


    At Vera¡¯s words, Cayena smiled and looked at her fondly.


    ¡°Yes, you¡¯re right.¡±


    Selecting newdies-in-waiting and having them enter the pce was very important work. One had to consider what family thedy would be in contact with and what kind of power thedy would have in the future.


    ¡®Olivia, the protagonist of this world and the most powerful card, must be one of my people.¡¯


    Also, it would be good to offer her protection, as Olivia was defenseless, like she was in the open sea.


    Rezef and Heinrich would not be able to touch her easily if she became Cayena¡¯s courtdy.


    Cayena drank some more warm tea.


    ¡°The tea tastes very good.¡±


    Cayena¡¯sposure seemed to make Vera more impatient.


    ¡°His Highness¡¯s probation will onlyst ten days. What else will you do during this time?¡±


    Cayena put the teacup down on the side table next to her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll turn them against each other.¡±


    Cayenaughed a little while saying so.


    Coming between two sides¡­ Wasn¡¯t this a really wicked trick?


    It was a trick that deserved to be regarded as a nasty and dirty trick, but it was also a way to get big gains.


    ¡°Turn them¡­ against each other?¡±


    Vera spected that one of those people Cayena would interfere with was Rezef. However, she couldn¡¯t easilye up with who she would be separating from him.


    As she fell deep into thought, Cayena told her the answer.


    ¡°Zenon Evans.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s lieutenant and one of the key figures of the Imperial Prince¡¯s faction.


    He would be the target of her ns.


    ~~~

 Chapter 26

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ***


    The next day was bright. Cayena stopped in front of Rezef¡¯s room.


    ¡°We greet Her Majesty, the Princess!¡±


    The knights, including those that were guarding the door, greeted her with exemry military discipline.


    ¡°You may rise.¡±


    Her voice was so gentle that even the greatest songstress in the Empire would be nothing more than an unpleasant noise by her side.


    The knights gulped as they took in Cayena¡¯s breathtaking beauty.


    Today, Cayena had her put half of her hair up with a sky-blue ribbon, and the rest of her hair flowed down gently to her shoulders. She wore a blue dress with a subtle gloss and had a dream-like, beautiful figure.


    To them, Cayena certainly looked like ¡®the beauty who called to death.¡¯


    ¡°I want to see Rezef,¡± said Cayena, meeting the eyes of the knight at the front.


    The knight who caught her nce froze.


    He was so distracted that he didn¡¯t even realize he was trembling with tension.


    ¡°T, that isn¡¯t allowed, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m so worried about my younger sibling¡­¡±


    A slight frown on her forehead, half-lidded blue eyes, and a small voice. Everyone looked at each other restlessly.


    They couldn¡¯t allow the probation to be broken, as it was the emperor¡¯s order. But they also couldn¡¯t stand firm in front of Cayena.


    ¡®She just wants to see her younger brother. Do we really have to block her¡­?¡¯


    That was what they were thinking.


    If Cayena had acted out or tried to coerce them, the knights may have quickly remembered their duties. Well aware of that fact, Cayena had resolved not to act like that.


    ¡°That is¡­ This is so¡­¡±


    They were dragging their heels because they couldn¡¯t say no when there was another voice.


    ¡°I respectfully greet Her Majesty.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s lieutenant, Zenon Evans, courteously greeted the princess.


    Cayena slowly turned around to look at him. With just a nce, she could read his expression: Zenon was on guard against her.


    ¡°Hello, Sir Evans.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m honored that you remember my name.¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s no coincidence that Cayena gained authority to choose her newdies-in-waiting. Yet, she still brazenly walked here to the prince¡¯s pce.¡¯


    Zenon thought Cayena was detestable. He knew in his head that Cayena was now an opponent that he shouldn¡¯t ignore¡­ but his heart couldn¡¯t ept that fact.


    Until now, Cayena had just been a stupid woman with a pretty face.


    ¡°I¡¯m d that you¡¯re here,¡± Cayena said. ¡°Please open the door for me. I¡¯ve been so worried about Rezef that I couldn¡¯t even sleep at night.¡±


    Zenon almost burst intoughter at her obvious attempt at maniption.


    ¡®I can never allow the prince and Cayena to meet.¡¯


    Zenon politely asked for her understanding.


    ¡°I apologize, but I cannot. Please consider that I am unable to disobey His Majesty¡¯s orders.¡±


    ¡°How is Rezef right now? You know that much, right?¡±


    ¡°His Highness is fine. However, it may be difficult for him if Your Highness stayed here much longer.¡±


    Cayena wrung her hands together, seemingly anxious.


    Because she seemed so pitiful, the knights gave Zenon dirty looks. Couldn¡¯t he word things a little more nicely?


    ¡®Nobody is in their right minds.¡¯


    Zenon was bing disillusioned with their pathetic behavior.


    ¡°I am¡­¡±


    Cayena nced at the tightly closed door with an expression of resignation.


    Zenon internally clicked his tongue.


    ¡®With that beauty, she can bring about catastrophes. Perhaps more.¡±


    Actually, at this moment, the only man who was not bewitched by Cayena was Zenon alone.


    ¡°I understand. I¡¯ve just caused you all unnecessary trouble.¡±


    ¡°N, not at all, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°It could never be like that!¡±


    The knights wanted to do whatever they could to improve this beautiful person¡¯s mood, even just a little. And the more they felt like that, the more hostility they felt toward Zenon.


    ¡°Then, Sir Evans. Would it be all right to ask you to escort me?¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon me?¡±


    Zenon stepped back unknowingly at the unexpected request.


    Cayena said calmly, ¡°On the way back, I¡¯d like to hear how Rezef is doing.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    At Zenon¡¯s hesitant reaction, the knights coughed and red at him.


    ¡°Ahem. A true gentleman would escort Her Highness. Don¡¯t you agree, Sure Evans?¡±


    Cayena was currently apanied by one courtdy and two maids, which were far too few people to be appropriate for a princess¡¯s outing. If Zenon, Rezef¡¯s closest aide, were to escort her, it would look good for their image.


    ¡°¡­It is an honor. Your Highness.¡±


    Zenon yielded to social norms.


    There were too many eyes around, and if he backed down now, he would surely disappoint the princess and her fans.


    Zenon swallowed a sigh and stepped up by her side. Cayena wrapped her arm around his.


    The princess¡¯s pce was on the other side of the imperial residence. The castle was longer than it was wide, so one would have to walk quite a bit to get there.[1]


    ¡°Knowing his character, that child must be scolding his people. Are you all right?¡±


    Zenon recalled the prince¡¯s bedroom.


    The only part of it that was ¡®all right¡¯ was the ceiling. And that was only because the ceiling was out of the reach of Rezef¡¯s sword.


    ¡®I¡¯ll have to move him to another ce.¡¯


    Would he have to change the room ten times in ten days?


    His head throbbed in pain.


    ¡°Your hardship must be great.¡±


    ¡°Not at all, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayenaforted him. To Zenon, it looked like she was making fun of him.


    ¡°If I had been a little bit more careful, I wouldn¡¯t have sent thedies-in-waiting out like that.¡±


    She wore a face that looked truly remorseful.


    Zenon had told himself that he would not be fooled, but even he became confused whether Cayena was serious. That was how much her feelings weakened his heart.


    ¡®Tsk. If she were better behaved, she really would have been pretty.¡¯


    Just then, Cayena turned her head and made eye contact with him, as if she had noticed Zenon belittling her in his mind.


    Involuntarily, Zenon swallowed dryly as he received Cayena¡¯s unreadable gaze.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you have to choose new courtdies quickly? Youring of age ceremony is very close,¡± he said, avoiding her gaze.


    ¡®You¡¯re the one who got rid of all of Rezef¡¯s people. So who do you n to put in their ce?¡¯


    Indeed, he was curious what Princess Cayena would say.


    ¡°Even disregarding the issue with the courtdies, it¡¯s so troublesome these days. But Sir Evans, I believe I heard that you had a younger sister?¡±


    Evans raised his eyebrows at the unexpected words.


    ¡°¡­Yes. Her name is Julia Evans, and she is simr in age to Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°What is she like? It would be better if mydy-in-waiting came from a family of people who can be trusted.¡±


    ¡®People who can be trusted?¡¯


    Zenon was perplexed. Had she kicked out Rezef¡¯s people only to bring in someone from the Evans family?


    ¡®Not bad. Actually, it¡¯s a great opportunity.¡¯


    The Evans family had hoped that Rezef and Julia would connect. Since it was an opportunity to produce the next empress, they couldn¡¯t help but be greedy. However, the two rarely had a chance to meet.


    If his younger sister became Cayena¡¯sdy-in-waiting, there would be many good opportunities for her to meet with Rezef while working.


    ¡®Just what are you thinking, Princess?¡¯


    Was she really just a thoughtless, dumb woman?


    The princess¡¯s pce got closer while Zenon fiercely considered the thoughts in his head. He lightly bit his lower lip.


    ¡®I need some more time.¡¯


    At that moment, Cayena began to speak.


    ¡°Oh, by the way. I had made a snack to give to Rezef. Won¡¯t you apany me for some tea to go along with it?¡±


    It was a tant offer to let him pry into her mind. Zenon tried to read something out of her innocent smile, but he couldn¡¯t figure it out.


    ¡°The weather is nice, and the flowers are blooming in the back garden, so it would be nice to have tea there.¡±


    ¡®¡­Fine. I¡¯ll discover what exactly you¡¯re thinking.¡¯


    He thought he would be able to see through Cayena¡¯s true intentions.


    ¡°I shall follow your will, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena smiled brightly.


    An arrogant person who was overconfident in his abilities and believed in his wisdom was bound to fall by his own tricks.


    ~~~


    [1] Just a quick note for rification: I¡¯m a little uncertain about theyout, but I believe ¡°pce¡± refers to the residence of a member of the Imperial family within arger castle. The ¡°castle¡± would include all the pces and the gardens.


    A typical distinction between a castle and a pce is that a castle is fortified, or meant for protection. The terminology as it is used here may seem weird, but considering that the Lobkowicz Pce is a part of the Prague Castleplex (thanks Wikipedia) I¡¯m going to say that it makes sense for pces to be independent buildings within a castle.


    (Sorry, the note is no longer quick.)

 Chapter 27

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ***


    The two settled at a small table in the back garden.


    Smoothing her skirt as she sat down, Cayena asked slyly, ¡°Sir Evans, are you still single?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°Howe an outstanding man like you still doesn¡¯t have a fianc¨¦e? Doesn¡¯t Marquis Evans care?¡±


    Zenon was the second son of Marquis Evans, who owned one of thergest granary fields in the Empire. It was rare for someone like Zenon to remain unattached. It was especially unusual for the younger brother of and baron.


    ¡°I missed the right timing.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound right, Sir Evans. You¡¯re still in your prime.¡±


    He was only in histe 20s. And even though his expression was cold, he was, overall, a good-looking man. His diligent training had developed him a strong body, equipped with masculine charm.


    ¡°I¡¯m moved by your words.¡±


    Zenon only thought of women as people who would tie him down by his ankles.


    There was no woman who suited the second son of the marquis. If she had good looks, shecked intelligence, and if she was intelligent, her family was too lowly ranked.


    ¡°It would be good if you could find someone who suits you at the banquet for mying-of-age ceremony. There will be a lot of young nobles around then.¡±


    ¡°Would it be appropriate for me to search for a match at an event where Your Highness is meant to find someone?¡±


    Cayena replied breezily, ¡°Is it possible to find our destiny if we are so particr about the time of the night allowed to us?¡±


    ¡°¡­How romantic of you, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because love is something that can be found in an instant, almost like an ident.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s voice wasposed, and each word was calming.


    As he looked at Cayena, he became thirsty, as if his throat was burning.


    ¡®Is this really a woman who is just about to reach adulthood?¡®


    He was much older than her. Strangely, though, Cayena didn¡¯t feel younger at all.


    Yes, she made him feel like he was a younger man, full of passion and vitality.


    ¡®It¡¯s really strange.¡®


    He had never expected to feel this sort of tension while dealing with Princess Cayena.


    But looking at himself now¡­


    It was much more interesting to talk with Cayena than his older brother, the loser of the east.


    ¡°¡­Did Your Highness find such love?¡±


    This question was clearly referring to Raphael.


    Cayenaughed.


    ¡°I¡¯m not looking for it.¡±


    It was when Evans slightly frowned.


    Cayena put her arms on the table and leaned in a little bit.


    ¡°I¡¯m waiting for it to find me.¡±


    Cayena looked at Zenon with an indecipherable smile. At that smile, Zenon clenched his fist under the table.


    The insolent princess was provoking him.


    ¡®I¡¯ll give you a chance, so try to court me if you can.¡¯


    That was what she was saying. She wasn¡¯t trying to win him over, but rather giving him a chance.


    It was ridiculous, but it made him feel like he wanted to win.


    ¡®The princess.¡®


    He had never thought of Cayena as a potential marriage partner. It was because although she was beautiful, she was even less suitable as a match than thedies of lower nobility.


    But now, Cayena was different.


    ¡®How fun.¡®


    Somewhere in his heart, a desire to respond to that provocation arose. He licked his lips at this pressure.


    If he married Cayena, he wouldn¡¯t have to bow before Rezef. But he couldn¡¯t just recklessly run into that swamp.


    The more he talked with her, the clearer it became to him.


    Princess Cayena was dangerous.


    She was like fog, a woman with whom you couldn¡¯t see your next step. Also, the swamp was of unknown depths.


    He was an ordinary man, just like the others who were entranced by a beautiful member of the opposite sex. The reason this has not been revealed so far was that no woman in the castle suited his taste.


    But at this moment, possessiveness struck his heart like an ident.


    ¡°Your Highness, you confuse me.¡±


    Cayena opened her eyes wide andughed like a flower swaying in the wind.


    ¡°You¡¯re only confused because you don¡¯t know. There won¡¯t be any confusion if you knew the correct answer.¡±


    With this, the structure of their rtionship was made clear. Zenon got up and approached Cayena¡¯s side. He went down on one knee, took her hand, and kissed it for a long moment.


    ¡°I will definitely find you.¡±


    Zenon epted her provocation. He was confident that he would win.


    Try as she might, Cayena was only a princess in name. She did not know that her title was only a foolish illusion.


    ***


    Cayena refused his offer to escort her to the princess¡¯s pce.


    ¡®An arrogant man is easy to deal with,¡® she thought with an expressionless face.


    ¡°I should select thedies-in-waiting as soon as possible.¡±


    Upon returning to her quarters, Cayena wrote a letter of appeal to the emperor.


    She intended to hire only four courtdies, including Vera. It was to strengthen the image that being a courtdy of the princess¡¯s pce was a privilege above all else.


    There was another good reason why she decided that she would have only fourdies-in-waiting.


    This was because the responsibilities of her pce could be divided into four main categories.


    Onedy would be in charge of the daily routines and procedures, such as hosting her guests and managing parties and meetings.


    Onedy would be in charge of all aspects of what she ate, that is, both diet and medication.


    Onedy would manage her closet, living quarters, and means.


    Onedy would regte the conduct and duties of all employees belonging to the princess¡¯s pce and punish them if necessary.


    ¡®It¡¯s an unspokenw that power onlyes to those who work.¡¯


    Until now, Rezef had intervened in everything at the princess¡¯s pce because he had authority over the internal affairs. The courtdies of the princess¡¯s pce were only for show,cking any real power themselves.


    Cayena had to fix that first.


    She only had a short amount of time, but she would set up her pce so that it couldn¡¯t be dragged about by Rezef when he was reinstated.


    ¡°Vera. From now on, l give you the authority to enforce the conduct and duties of the courtdies and the maids belonging to this pce.¡±


    Among the things herdies-in-waiting would have to do, this task required the most discretion. Vera was the perfect fit for the job.


    ¡°I will support Your Highness with all my heart.¡±


    As for the rest of the tasks, she had already considered her ideal candidates.


    Olivia would act as her messenger, entertaining and hosting Cayena¡¯s guests.


    ¡®I¡¯ll help increase Olivia¡¯s social influence.¡¯


    Olivia, as a heroine, was naturally observant and insightful. She was definitely the right fit for the job.


    Now, Cayena had to select the other two.


    ¡°I will select Julia Evans and Susan Lepore as my courtdies.¡±


    Vera frowned a little at the unexpected names and started to think.


    The precious daughter of Marquis Evans, Julia, and the second daughter of Count Lepore, Susan¡­


    ¡°In terms of their house, both are wlessly wonderful, but I doubt theirpetence as individuals, Your Highness. Especially in the case of Miss Julia Evans.¡±


    Rezef would not be against it if Julia Evans entered the princess¡¯s pce.


    Rather, he would wee it if they weed her. He would think that Cayena chose one of his people.


    However, it was unclear whether the only daughter of the Evans family, who was called the ruler of the east, could do the job well as ady-in-waiting.


    Furthermore, what of Susan, the second daughter of Count Lepore? She would likewise never have worked in her life.


    And Susan was quite¡­


    ¡°She¡¯s known to be entric.¡±


    Unlike Count Lepore, who had a quiet temper, Susan was known as the viper with a sword in her mouth.


    She was smart and had a lot of talent, but she easily wrote people off as insignificant. She did not mince her words, so she was not very popr in the social world.


    ¡°By the way, will His Highness Rezef ept Lady Susan?¡±


    Count Lepore was rted to Archduke Heinrich through his mother¡¯s side.


    However, there was a reason Cayena was pushing forth with this.


    ¡®In my past life, Susan Lepore became Olivia¡¯s unparalleled friend.¡®


    Before Cayena¡¯s return, Susan was someone who had even dared to pour wine on Cayena andugh at her.


    ¡°Even though her family is rted to Archduke Heinrich, she¡¯s like a stranger to him.¡±


    The Lepore family was also one of those families who had not yet dered support for any of the sessors.


    However, since the count was rted to Archduke Heinrich, everyone thought he would back him.


    ¡®And Susan hates Archduke Heinrich very much.¡¯


    Of course, she hated Rezef, too. In many ways, it was good to bring her to Cayena¡¯s side when the opportunity came.


    ¡°The Lepore family is loyal and neutral, so it will be good for others to see Susan here. And how significant would it be if Rezef¡¯s people, Heinrich¡¯s people, and Kedrey¡¯s people were gathered in one ce?¡±


    Vera burst into admiration at this remark.


    It was exactly as she said when Vera thought about it. The three most representative forces of the Eldaim Empire would be gathered in the princess¡¯s pce.


    And though Susan wasn¡¯t really one of Heinrich¡¯s people, that¡¯s what she was in the eyes of society.


    ~~~

 Chapter 28

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    <span>***


    <span>Cayena ttened out the stationery and prepared to write.


    <span>¡¸ My dear Madame Elivan.¡¹


    <span>She stopped moving her pen.


    <span>The original Cayena liked to show off her writing skills by prolonging useless greetings.


    <span>However, that flowery rhetoric no longer suited her.


    <span>In her second life, she was entrenched in business jargon. Of course, it was concise and formal way of speaking.


    <span>But she couldn¡¯t write something like ¡°I am writing to you regarding the trouble in the pce¡± to her nanny.


    <span>¡®.<span>..Let¡¯s write it with sincerity.<span>¡®


    <span>¡¸Have you been well?


    <span>I¡¯m worried that you would hate me <span>or feel that I¡¯m a stranger. It¡¯s been 10 years since we fell out of touch.


    <span>I wonder if you¡¯ve been waiting for me to contact you. I will soon have my birthday and be an adult. You may have already heard that, though.


    <span>These days¡­¡¹


    <span>Cayena stopped her pen again.


    <span>It was difficult to write about how she was doing these days.


    <span>She was poisoned, reincarnated, and returned, and she even put her younger brother on probation. She couldn¡¯t write that in a letter.


    <span>¡¸I¡¯m baking pies and cookies these days to bring back memories of my childhood. ¡¹


    <span>In fact, it was what she learned from her mother in her second life, but it was necessary to beautify and correct the memory a little.


    <span>¡¸I remember how we used to make the kitchen a mess, Madame Elivan. At that time, I think I turned your green dresspletely white with flour.


    <span>But despite these memories and my longing to see you, I¡¯ll respect Madame¡¯s choice. It¡¯s all right if you don¡¯t want toe back to the Imperial Pce.


    <span>However, I¡¯d be very happy if we could asionally sit side by side at a coffee house in the capital and have tea together.


    <span>I miss you. Myst mother. With longing, Cayena.¡¹


    <span>Cayena¡¯s nanny was a noblewoman and a long-time acquaintance of thete empress.


    <span>When Madame Elivan¡¯s child passed away at an early age from a childhood fever, she raised Cayena like her second child.


    <span>Herst mother. That was a very apt expression.


    <span>¡®Madame Elivan has been more affectionate to me than my father has.¡¯


    <span>Cayena reread her letter and was struck with a strange appreciation.


    <span>She didn¡¯t know how long it had been since she genuinely missed someone.


    <span>She put the letter in the envelope and let the candle wax drip above the fold. Then, she sealed it with a stamp engraved with the imperial insignia.


    <span>She hadpleted two important things to do for today. Now, it was time to do the next important thing.


    <span>¡°I have to go to the Imperial Library.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­The library?¡±


    <span>If one was asked to find a cepletely unrted to Cayena, one would pick the library first.


    <span>Vera did not understand.


    <span>Wasn¡¯t this a golden time for Cayena, when every day was precious?


    <span>Shouldn¡¯t she be spending this time meeting with influential nobles to build power? Vera tilted her head in confusion.


    <span>Cayena rified, <span>¡°It¡¯s because I need to collect very important information for my future activities.¡±


    <span>***


    <span>Eldaim¡¯s Imperial Library was built right next to the Imperial Academy.


    <span>The library was only essible to aristocrats and students of the academy, and it was thergest library in the capital. It contained many texts that Cayena needed.


    <span>Cayena deliberately wore a veiled hat because she wanted to avoid a fuss.


    <span>But despite her efforts, a trail of attendants followed Cayena to the library, drawing the attention of those in the library.


    <span>Immediately, a librarian approached.


    <span>¡°May I ask from where you are visiting?¡±


    <span>Vera said to the librarian, <span>¡°This is Her Highness, the First Princess.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±


    <span>The librarian blinked with hisrge eyes.


    <span>There was only one princess in the empire, so the veiled woman in front of him must be the rumored Princess Cayena.


    <span>That was why he couldn¡¯t believe it.


    <span>¡®She might go to the theater, but I don¡¯t think she woulde to the library¡­¡¯


    <span>It was a reasonable doubt.


    <span>Cayena reached out her hand.


    <span>¡°Will this confirm my identity?¡±


    <span>It was a ring proving that she was the legitimate daughter of the Emperor.


    <span>The librarian opened his eyes wide. Was this really the princess? Even looking at the evidence, it was difficult to believe.


    <span>This may have been the first time the princess used the Imperial Library.


    <span>Then, Cayena lifted her veil.


    <span>For a moment, the librarian forgot how to breathe because of her beauty. His jaw dropped. Who in the capital wouldn¡¯t recognize Cayena¡¯s face?


    <span>¡°Y, Y, Your Highness!¡±


    <span>He stuttered a lot, then immediately dropped to the floor to bow.


    <span>¡°I didn¡¯t want to cause a fuss in the library.¡±


    <span>Then, the librarian sprang up like a roly poly. His face was bright red, as if it was about to burst.


    <span>Cayena smiled as she lowered her veil again.


    <span>¡°I see that my identity¡¯s been verified, then.¡±


    <span>Vera coughed a little when she saw the librarian look like his spirit was ready to leave his body.


    <span>¡°Please point us to a ce suitable for Her Highness.¡±


    <span>Only then did the librarian return to his senses. He checked the busy surroundings nearby.


    <span>¡°The conference table is not in use right now, so please follow me.¡±


    <span>Vera nodded after checking the long table in the far-off corner.


    <span>¡°We¡¯re in your hands.¡±


    <span>The conference table was long enough to seat 20 people, but Cayena upied it by herself.


    <span>The managers and librarians who heard the fuss rushed to her location. Peering at the hazy silhouette under the mesh veil, they politely asked, <span>¡°Which book are you looking for?¡±


    <span>They thought that Cayena must havee here looking for something amazing.


    <span>Rezef, a candidate to seed the throne, was put on probation for ten days, and the authority over internal affairs was temporarily transferred to her.


    <span>Everyone in society was focusing on her actions. Just why did the princess visit the Imperial Library?


    <span>They waited silently to hear how Cayena replied.


    <span>Soon, Cayena said, <span>¡°Bring me a travelogue of the Eldaim Empire.¡±


    <span>At the word ¡®travelogue,¡¯ not only the librarians but also Vera and her escorts looked at her strangely.


    <span>¡°¡­Please wait just a moment.¡±


    <span>Anyway, it was the will of the princess, so they quickly searched for travel records in their collection.


    <span>Soon, the librarians stacked the books on the table, divided by region.


    <span>The knights who were escorting Cayena stood like barriers in front of them, blocking the gaze of those who nced toward her.


    <span>Cayena pushed the veil a little to the side and began to read.


    <span>¡®I have to find a ce to live once I exit the Imperial Pce.¡¯


    <span>This was something very important to her.


    <span>¡®I have to adjust thend that I will inherit while my father is still alive.¡±


    <span>Cayena was supposed to inherit some of the finestnd owned by the Hill family. However, the problem was that most of thend to be inherited was in the east.


    <span>¡®I can¡¯t go east because of the Evans family.¡¯


    <span>Where was a ce far from the capital and rtively free from influential nobility?


    <span>In fact, at first, she had thought to hide herself by moving to the west.


    <span>¡®<span>But Raphael and Olivia might find it ufortable with me there.¡¯


    <span>She needed a ce where she hadplete control to create a fake husband and marry him.


    <span>For that, she had to find a ce in advance and arrange it.


    <span>It would be nice to have a sturdy and clean mansion, a small garden to grow some herbs, and the sea or ake within walking distance.


    <span>Of course, Cayena had a more deliberate reason for visiting the Imperial Library during this period as well.


    <span>¡®<span>I need to lower their guard.<span>¡®


    <span>Too many people were focused on her now, searching for her intentions in her every move.


    <span>But how confusing would it be if Cayena seemed to be looking for a ce to take a break for the uing social season?


    <span>It was quite like the Cayena of old, but it was also the opposite of her recent actions.


    <span>She skipped through the travelogues as if she was not taking them very seriously.


    <span>Then, when there were pictures, she looked at them quite carefully. It was an act so that she looked as if she were only here for the pictures, not to read.


    <span>Contrary to their opinion, though, Cayena was reading everything.


    <span>Everybody in her second life¡¯s generation had to take the SATs, meaning that they had trained how to read passages quickly and understand their main content. That trait was still engrained in her.


    <span>While she was making ns for the future, the library had an increasing number of visitors. The news of Princess Cayena¡¯s presence had already spread.


    <span>Vera felt unpleasant as the princess was treated like a rare spectacle.


    <span>¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s cloudy today, so it would be better to return to the pce.¡±


    <span>At that, Cayena looked away from the book and out the window. Sure enough, the sky outside was gray.


    <span>¡°Let¡¯s go check out some books and leave.¡±


    <span>Cayena calcted that society would discuss whatever she borrowed, so she picked a suitable book.


    <span>¡®It looks like there are more people now.<span>¡®


    <span>She noticed that it was crowded because of her. Vera suggested withdrawing at the right time.


    <span>¡°Hmm.¡±


    <span>Outside, the carriages full of nobles who hade to see the princess. Vera quietly tsked in disapproval.


    <span>¡°Would you like to wait in the break room?¡± she asked Cayena.


    <span>¡°We should only have to wait a bit longer, so let¡¯s walk ahead a little.¡±


    <span>¡°It may rain soon. <span>Will that be all right?¡±


    <span>At her words, Cayena turned her head and pointed to the side.


    <span>¡°We can walk under the roofed corridors.¡±


    <span>She began to walk slowly with Vera.


    <span>¡°I read the travelogues today because I needed to detract attention. If you look too ambitious after gaining power, someone is bound toe put you in check.¡±


    <span>¡°They certainly will.¡±


    <span>¡°Doesn¡¯t it seem in character for me to search for a summer resort as soon as I was given some authority?¡±


    <span>Vera couldn¡¯t agree respectfully, and she shut her mouth. In fact, it was an action that would have been natural for the original Cayena.


    <span>Her veil, which was swaying as she walked, gradually fell off and exposed her eyes.


    <span>¡°Your Highness, shall I fix your veil?¡±


    <span>The clip seemed to have loosened as Cayena had repeatedly lifted and lowered the veil.


    <span>She would soon ride a carriage back to the pce, but she nodded as there were nobles approaching the area.


    <span>¡°Please do so.¡±


    <span>Vera unfastened the veil from the hat.


    <span>It was as she was trying to fasten it again tightly when they heard a voice.


    <span>¡°Your Highness!¡±


    <span>Someone from behind them joyously called out to her. At that somewhat familiar voice, Cayena looked back.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯splexion turned deathly pale.


    <span>It was a familiar face. Dark brown hair, dreary ck eyes, and thin lips.


    <span>A face younger than that from her memories. Yes, it was a face she couldn¡¯t forget.


    <span>¡®Henverton Gillian.<span>¡®


    <span>He was Cayena¡¯s former husband who had abused and murdered her.


    ~~~

 Chapter 29

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    When she saw him, memories that were hazy, as if from a distant past, suddenly began to emerge.


    Her hands trembled.


    The letters she sent to Rezef, begging him to save her. Long clothes that she was forced to wear even in the summer to hide the bruises. Memories of hiding in the darkest ces of his castle, as if she was ying hide and seek.


    Cayena had nowhere else to turn. Rezef had thoroughly abandoned her. So in the end, she wrote a letter to Raphael.


    The letter seeking mercy did not even make it to the Kedrey duchy.


    It was discovered by Gillian.


    ¡®Yes. On that day, Gillian killed me, asking if I had lingering feelings for Raphael.¡¯


    The fear was deeply imprinted in Cayena¡¯s heart. She sped her trembling hands together.


    ¡°Which family are you from?¡±


    Fortunately, she was able to speak calmly.


    Gillian¡¯s face was polite, but he couldn¡¯t hide his disappointment.


    ¡°¡­Henverton Gillian greets Her Majesty, the Princess.¡±


    It was painful even to just hear his voice.


    Why didn¡¯t she think anything about Gillian before? Was it because it was so terrible that she subconsciously repressed these memories?


    Cayena pretended to be unaffected and said, ¡°So you¡¯re the son from the Gillian viscounty.¡±


    ¡°We danced together at the banquet hallst time. Do you not remember me?¡± he asked, stepping toward Cayena.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know what he¡¯ll if I try to shake him off and say I don¡¯t remember.¡¯


    Cayena recognized the madness in his eyes. She felt nauseous.


    ¡°I think I remember, now that you mention it.¡±


    At her reply, Gillian took another step toward her.


    There were only three steps left between the two.


    ¡°At that time, you danced with me twice. I¡¯ve been looking forward to seeing you again ever since that day, but I didn¡¯t expect that we would meet like this today.¡±


    It was aughablement.


    It was obvious that he had rushed here after hearing that Cayena was at the library.


    Cayena didn¡¯t want to continue the conversation.


    Vera, who had been watching the situation from the side, intervened.


    ¡°Your Highness, it seems like the carriage has arrived. We should leave.¡±


    Gillian¡¯s horrible gaze turned to Vera.


    Cayena tried to walk away, but she felt that she might copse if she took one step.


    ¡®Don¡¯t lose focus. None of that has happened now.¡¯


    She tried to keep her cool by thinking that.


    Now, Gillian can¡¯t confine her, hit her, or stab her with his sword. But the more she thought about it, the more she felt as if she couldn¡¯t breathe.


    If only she had the veil covering her face.


    She was already exhausting a lot of energy by pretending to be okay and maintaining an expressionless face.


    ¡°I shall take my leave.¡±


    Gillian would never withdraw unless Cayena left first.


    But when Cayena said goodbye, Gillian stepped closer and extended his hand to her.


    ¡°Then, I will escort you, Your Highness!¡±


    It felt like a terrible threat to Cayena.


    At the moment, his image ovepped with the older man who had run her through with his sword, eyes glistening, in her previous life.


    Cayena hastily stepped back.


    In that moment, she lost strength and almost fell, when¡ª


    Bam!


    Strong arms wrapped around her.


    Her back fell into someone¡¯s wide embrace, and instead of falling down to the ground, only her hat fell off.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Cayena slowly turned her head to see the man holding her.


    His red eyes that looked down at her were very clear.


    She called his name like a sigh of relief.


    ¡°¡­Raphael.¡±


    ***


    Originally, Raphael had been visiting the Imperial Academy.


    ¡°Did you hear?¡±


    It was a strange affair.


    Normally, he wouldn¡¯t have listened to the hanger-ons as they gossiped with his attendants.


    But today, strangely, their excited words caught his attention.


    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    Baston, who liked to gossip as much as followers, asked right away.


    ¡°Princess Cayena has visited the imperial library next door!¡±


    ¡°What? The princess?¡±


    Raphael, who was filling out the documents about a problem with one of the duchy¡¯s schrships, stopped.


    ¡°So now, the students are going crazy trying to go to the library. She hadn¡¯t been out recently.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true. But to think that she¡¯de to the Imperial Library as her first outing in a long while¡­¡±


    Baston frowned and tilted his head. The library didn¡¯t really suit Cayena.


    ¡°What¡¯s the fuss?¡±


    Jeremy asked as he entered the drawing room.


    ¡°Jeremy! Did you hear? Now at the Imperial Library¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re getting in the way of Sir Raphael¡¯s work.¡±


    The hanger-on nced at Raphael and shut his mouth firmly. Jeremy approached Raphael.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to wait a while to observe the swordsmanship training. What would you like to do?¡±


    ¡°How long must I wait?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll be 40 minutes.¡±


    Raphael looked outside for a moment.


    The Imperial Library entered his sight through the window. Since it wasn¡¯t far, the time might be right for a short visit.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait at the Imperial Library.¡±


    The follower and Baston¡¯s eyes shone.


    It was because they knew he was going to see Princess Cayena.


    Jeremy asked,


    ¡°Shall I prepare a carriage?¡±


    At that word, the follower quickly told him the information he heard.


    ¡°Excuse me, but they say that a line of carriages is forming to see Her Highness. It will probably take a long time to go by coach.¡±


    ¡°Since it¡¯s close, I¡¯ll just walk.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll follow you!¡±


    Baston hurriedly trailed after Raphael. Raphael¡¯s red eyes nced over Baston.


    ¡°I will go alone.¡±


    Then, without waiting for an answer, he left.


    ¡°Oh¡­ Our master certainly is acting a little weird?¡±


    Baston nced at Raphael¡¯s back as he moved away.


    Then Jeremy pped him on the head with some papers and scolded him.


    ¡°Disloyal jerk! Don¡¯t use your mouth for such useless noises.¡±


    ¡°Did I say something wrong¡­? This is already the second time to he¡¯s gone to visit Her Highness first.¡±


    ¡°Of course he¡¯s going to see her. Don¡¯t you know that both the social and political circles nowadays are paying attention to the princess¡¯s every action?¡±


    Jeremy was criticizing Baston like that, but in fact, he was also doubtful of his own words.


    Raphael never said otherwise, but Jeremy knew that he was reluctant to contact or have a rtionship with people.


    But he had reached out to the princess for the second time, and it was quite unusual.


    ¡®The princess has changed a little recently, but¡­¡¯


    The indulgent attitude Jeremy had seen so far remained strong in his impression of her.


    ¡®If the madam learns about this, she¡¯ll definitely push him to get married even more.¡®


    He scratched between his eyebrows and sighed.


    Raphael walked along the path from the Imperial Academy to the library.


    ¡®It seems that it¡¯ll rain soon.¡¯


    Clouds had started to form in the sky in the morning, and now, the sky was dark gray. It would probably rain within the hour.


    ¡®The princess may be getting ready to return now.¡¯


    He walked a little bit faster.


    He wanted to meet Cayena. Of course, he told himself that this wasn¡¯t because of any personal feelings.


    It was just because of politics. Otherwise, he had no reason to think about the princess.


    Like the others, he always kept an eye on the imperial family, so he knew of the recent events.


    He heard that Cayena copsed because of an allergy and that all thedies-in-waiting were banished at the order of the Emperor.


    In addition, he heard that Prince Rezef was ced on probation.


    ¡®They say she petitioned for the prince for three hours and fell from kneeling for so long.¡®


    Then, the Emperor temporarily transferred the authority of internal affairs to her.


    Now, the aristocrats were debating whether this was nned or merely a coincidence.


    Raphael believed it was all ording to Cayena¡¯s machinations.


    ¡®It isn¡¯t widely known because the public was distracted by the princess, but one of the bridal candidates has disappeared, just as she predicted.¡¯


    The Avon county was absorbed by Archduke Heinrich because they could not pay their debts.


    The incident was far less entertaining than the excitement at the Imperial Pce, so people only talked about it for a moment before it was quickly forgotten.


    Raphael was walking along the aisle and found a familiar form.


    ¡®It¡¯s the princess¡­ And is that the son of the Gillian family?¡¯


    There was no one on the path except for them.


    But something about the atmosphere was strange.


    There was a sense of coerciveness in Gillian¡¯s expression as he approached the princess.


    Moreover, it didn¡¯t look good as he took a threatening step toward Cayena.


    Raphael, who slowed down his pace, started walking quickly again.


    Gillian stretched out his hand toward Cayena, and she stumbled back.


    If it went on, she would fall over.


    Bam!


    Raphael quickly grabbed Cayena into an embrace. A subtle scent arose from her.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 30: Scene 6. A New Appearance

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    <span>As Raphael held her, Cayena¡¯s body was trembling slightly.


    <span>¡®What¡¯s wrong?¡¯


    <span>When he had that odd thought, Cayena turned her head and made eye contact with him.


    <span>Her face was pale. She was terrified. <span>Cayena¡¯s face was soaked with fear when her eyes met Raphael¡¯s, but it quickly turned to an expression of relief.


    <span>It was a dramatic change that made him feel as if he were a reliable ally.


    <span>¡°¡­Raphael.¡±


    <span>His name in her mouth was strangely unfamiliar.


    <span>Was it because she had only called him Sir Kedreytely?


    <span>Cayena pulled herself up. Raphael helped her.


    <span>She looked a little distracted.


    <span>She was still holding onto Raphael¡¯s arm, but she didn¡¯t seem to be aware of it.


    <span>Raphael also did not realize that he felt no difort with the <span>contact.


    <span>Vera furiously snapped at Gillian with an angry face. <span>¡°What disrespect is this?!¡±


    <span>The knight escorts who were waiting a bit further away arrived at that moment.


    <span>¡°What is going on here?¡±


    <span>¡°Take that man away right now. He dared to try to harm Her Highness!¡±


    <span>They knew that Gillian was the heir of an aristocrat, but there were still four months before he had any real power, so they weren¡¯t too wary.


    <span>They immediately grabbed Gillian and started to take him away.


    <span>¡°What? I only offered to escort her. What are you doing?!¡± <span>Gillian shouted with fuming eyes.


    <span>¡°I have never seen such an ungentlemanly escort! You moved your hands threateningly toward her!¡±


    <span>Vera red at Gillian with contempt, as if she wanted to p his cheek.


    <span>Gillian quickly released the anger from his face.


    <span>¡°You are mistaken. I saw that Her Highness was with a maid but no escort, so I offered to escort her out of the good will of my heart. It¡¯s true that my hands were stiff because I was nervous, but I never had bad intentions.¡±


    <span>Because it was a usibleeback, the knights looked at each other with puzzled faces.


    <span>Raphael, who had quietly watched the situation, opened his mouth.


    <span>¡°Henverton Gillian.¡±


    <span>Then, Gillian¡¯s gaze reached Raphael.


    <span>For a moment, Raphael saw his gaze rest on Cayena¡¯s hand.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ve also seen the situation <span>from behind. You say that you had no impure intentions, but you certainly did not seem to act out of consideration of thedy.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Sir Kedrey. I am not saying that I am not at fault. I regret my error.¡±


    <span>Gillian looked repentant, albeit still contemptible.


    <span>Cayena remembered how he acted like a gentleman outside but abused her when he returned home.


    <span>He was good at lying.


    <span>¡°¡­I think I¡¯ve overreacted because there have been so many incidents recently.¡±


    <span>As she said so, she slightly lifted her arm, which was still wrapped in gauze.


    <span>The princess had been burned by a hot pie not too long ago, so she encouraged the notion that it was the reason she was surprised by unexpected behavior.


    <span>¡°I believe Mister Gillian offered to escort me with good intentions. Still, could the imperial princess go around without an escort?¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s my fault, Your Highness. I apologize.¡±


    <span>The guarding knight immediately bowed and admitted his mistake.


    <span>Cayena shook her head.


    <span>¡°No. I understand. Most gentlemen would be surprised and not approach a woman who was unapanied by anyone other than a maid.¡±


    <span>She pointed out Gillian¡¯s rudeness while pretending to forgive the knights who should have escorted her.


    <span>¡°You must have been surprised as well, Mister Gillian, toe closer.¡±


    <span>Gillian was smiling, but he looked at Cayena persistently with eerie eyes. Politely, he replied,


    <span>¡°Excuse me, Your Highness. I will properly say hello again next time.¡±


    <span>Gillian left, and Cayena felt the warmth return to her cold fingertips.


    <span>¡°I always end up relying on you,¡± <span>she said to Raphael with a sorry look.


    <span>Her attitude was once again calm and direct. But her hand was still tightly grasping Raphael¡¯s arm.


    <span>He grasped Cayena¡¯s hand.


    <span>¡°¡­!¡±


    <span>It was then that Cayena realized that she was still holding onto Raphael.


    <span>It was when she tried to take her hand out of his grip to let him go.


    <span>¡°I apologize that a vassal of my family surprised you like this.¡±


    <span>Her blue eyes rose up again.


    <span>Raphael was in a strange mood for some reason.


    <span>¡°I will take you to the carriage.¡±


    <span>Then, he realized.


    <span>Her warmth felt in his hands did not feel unpleasant at all.


    <b>Scene 6. A New Appearance </b>


    <span>Cayena¡¯splexion was still white.


    <span>Her hands were starting to warm. The trembling of her body gradually subsided.


    <span>¡®Is there any reason for her to be so afraid of Henverton Gillian?¡¯


    <span>It was almost pitiable how much she was pretending to be fine.


    <span>Maybe that was why. Raphael wasn¡¯t offended by her contact and felt that he had to take her to the carriage.


    <span>Cayena knew she couldn¡¯t walk alone.


    <span>So instead of being stubborn, she thanked him for his favor.


    <span>¡°Then, I am in your care.¡±


    <span>Vera and the knights fell behind and followed them.


    <span>Cayena gradually felt her reason returning to her. Her mind became more stable, and even when she recalled Gillian¡¯s ring eyes, she didn¡¯t hesitate.


    <span>She looked down at Raphael¡¯s hand. It seemed to be because of Raphael.


    <span>¡®I don¡¯t know why I was so relieved the moment I saw Raphael¡¯s face.<span>¡®


    <span>It was still like that now.


    <span>The only thing that changed from before was Raphael¡¯s presence.


    <span>But she felt like this space had bepletely safe.


    <span>In fact, the nobles who swarmed into the Imperial Library to see Cayena couldn¡¯t even think about approaching.


    <span>A clear disappointment showed on their faces.


    <span>¡®<span>Wasn¡¯t it said that she no longer favored Raphael?!¡¯


    <span>They had been hoping to be the Emperor¡¯s son inw or gain some other favor through Cayena. They were people who always had expectations and desires. But she was affectionately walking along with Raphael.


    <span>No nobles, whether they could fly or crawled on the ground, couldpare in front of Raphael Kedrey.


    <span>¡®But why is Raphael here?¡¯


    <span>Cayena was puzzled by Raphael¡¯s sudden appearance.


    <span>¡°Sir Kedrey, may I enquire why you came here?¡±


    <span>She was referring to him like that again.


    Thinking that Cayena¡¯s reason had returned, he said, <span>¡°There was some work I had to do at the Imperial Academy.¡±


    <span>That made sense because the academy was right next to the library. But did hee all the way here by himself?


    <span>¡°I came here because I heard that Your Highness was here.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡±


    <span>He still had that straightforward, no-nonsense way of speaking that could cause misunderstandings.


    <span>Cayenaughed as if it was absurd, then tacked on an exnation.


    <span>¡°Definitely, there were a lot of things happening in the pce that could make you curious. Did you have any questions for me?¡±


    <span>Raphael nced sideways at Cayena¡¯s cheek, where herplexion was now fully returned.


    <span>¡°This doesn¡¯t seem to be the right time for that.¡±


    Cayena blinked because she hadn¡¯t thought that he would be concerned about her condition.


    <span>Then, she smiled with sincere gratitude.


    <span>It was a refreshing smile that didn¡¯t match the overcast weather.


    <span>Then, raindrops began to fall from the sky. She suddenly looked at Raphael, who had not brought any attendants with him.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s raining. Will you be all right heading back? Did you take a carriage?¡±


    <span>¡°I didn¡¯t. I walked because it was nearby.¡±


    <span>He didn¡¯t really care if he got a little wet, so he said it like he didn¡¯t care. Cayena slightly frowned.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s easy to catch a cold in springtime, so you have to be careful.¡±


    <span>She called for a servant.


    <span>¡°Borrow an umbre from the library.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯s carriage had already arrived.


    <span>While the servant went to borrow an umbre, she couldn¡¯t leave first, so she stood still and waited.


    <span>¡®I think I can let my hand go now¡­¡¯


    <span>Cayena looked at her hand as if it was troublesome.


    <span>Raphael, like a gentleman, held her hand firmly so that she could walk, one step at a time.


    <span>She was grateful for the help, but she didn¡¯t want to offend him anymore.


    <span>¡°I really appreciate your help today.¡±


    <span>As she said so, she naturally removed her hand from the position it was in while being escorted.


    <span>Raphael again felt Cayena was intentionally distancing herself. He couldn¡¯t figure out why.


    <span>She acted like a person who was ufortable with human contact. She seemed to have the same symptoms as himself.


    <span>That was weird.


    <span>But no. It wasn¡¯t that she was ufortable with contact.


    <span>Didn¡¯t she easily ept Rezef¡¯s escort?


    <span>And when she was out of it earlier, she held onto him first.


    <span>¡®She seems to be acting considerate of me.¡¯


    <span>It was as if she knew that he really hated touching people.


    <span>¡®¡­I¡¯m overthinking it.<span>¡®


    <span>There was no way. An aide who had served him for a long time may be vaguely aware of it,


    <span>but he had never admitted it out loud. How could she know something that even his own parents were unaware of?


    <span>Then, the servant arrived with an umbre. Cayena stepped back from Raphael with a relieved look.


    <span>¡°Then, I¡¯ll see you again next time.¡±


    <span>Raphael looked as Cayena stepped in the carriage and rode away, like a fairytale story about a woman who ran away before the magic could be undone.


    ~~~

 Chapter 31

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    ***


    Raphael raised his hands in front of him and quietly stared at them. He was like a schr who was facing a profound problem.


    He looked at his hands, not realizing that the strongly brewed tea on his desk was cooling. He was so focused that he didn¡¯t even notice Jeremy looking at him weirdly from the side.


    That was just how much it had affected him.


    He went through a life-changing event today and was deeply troubled.


    ¡®The contact was not unpleasant.¡¯


    For Raphael, that statement had great implications.


    It was the first time that he felt something like this, and the person who had made him feel that way was Princess Cayena.


    ¡®Am I better now?¡¯


    Could it be that he no longer had a revulsion to touching people?


    He experimented right away.


    ¡°Jeremy.¡±


    Jeremy, who was looking at Raphael¡¯s unusual behavior with suspicious eyes, was caught off guard.


    ¡°Y, yes! Go ahead.¡±


    Raphael stretched out his hand toward Jeremy.


    Jeremy tried for a moment to interpret what that hand meant.


    Hm. He had no idea.


    He gave up oning up with an interpretation and asked, ¡°¡­What do you want me to give you?¡±


    ¡°Hold my hand.¡±


    Jeremy was disconcerted.


    In the study, the two were alone. His master¡¯s weird behavior, and his peculiar request¡­


    Jeremy carefully reached out his hands. The two men held hands. Anybody who saw the scene would think it strange.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Raphael felt like hives were breaking out all over his body.


    He pulled off his hand as if he couldn¡¯t hold on.


    Jeremy, who felt somehow mistreated, bitterly took away his hand.


    It was the first time that Raphael had asked him to hold his hand since he became his assistant.


    ¡®Why did he suddenly do that¡­?¡¯


    There were often times when his master acted on a whim. It was definitely because he had a weird side to him.


    ¡®Did something happen with Her Highness?¡¯


    Jeremy had heard that Raphael escorted Princess Cayena.


    Jeremy turned to Raphael, wondering if he would see some pink, flowery atmosphere around him, but his master was as dry as usual.


    There was no sweet excitement of a boy¡¯s first puppy love.


    ck hair, red eyes, and a perfectly polished, practical face.


    A mouth without the hint of a smile. It looked like an extremely dry desert.


    Baston had repeatedly insisted that there was something between Raphael and Cayena.


    Jeremy shook his head.


    ¡®It can¡¯t be.¡¯


    Raphael in love? He couldn¡¯t even imagine it.


    ¡°Jeremy.¡±


    Then, Raphael called him.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    He wouldn¡¯t ask for a hug this time, would he?


    Jeremy waited quietly for Raphael¡¯s next words.


    ¡°Do you know anything about Henverton Gillian?¡±


    ¡°Henverton Gillian?¡±


    Of course he knew. Henverton Gillian was the son of one of the Kedreys¡¯ vassals and the next sessor to the Gillian viscounty.


    ¡°Yes. He¡¯s the eldest son of Viscount Gillian. I hear that he¡¯s taking lessons to prepare for session these days.¡±


    ¡°Is he single?¡±


    ¡°He is. He had a fianc¨¦e, but they broke up about two months ago. That was probably after he danced with Her Highness Cayena in the banquet hall¡­¡± Jeremy said. Then, he frowned.


    ¡®I¡¯d also heard that the Gillian heir acted discourteously to Her Highness today.¡¯


    He never really looked kindly upon the Gillian family in the first ce.


    Viscount Gillian was known to be shameless, with more than five mistresses.


    And his son, Henverton, was known to mix with badpany.


    ¡°Find out more about that man.¡±


    It was unexpected, but Jeremy soon replied, bowing his head.


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    It was natural that Raphael needed to know about Henverton Gillian, the sessor to the duchy¡¯s vassal.


    Of course, Raphael never ordered him to investigate someone for no reason.


    ¡®What the hell did Henverton Gillian do?¡¯


    Raphael could not forget the expression of fear that Cayena made today.


    He also remembered the reassured expression that she made after seeing him.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Something inside his body felt itchy.


    ***


    Cayena was very tired after being outside for a long time. It even rained, so her body more exhausted.


    ¡°I will go prepare a bath.¡±


    Vera saw her exhaustion and left to draw the bath water and get the products.


    Cayena leaned against the sofa and touched her forehead.


    A sharp memory rted to Gillian crept up.


    ¡®Let¡¯s not think about useless things.¡¯


    It was better to forget bad memories.


    Anyway, she intended to never get involved with him in this life. She was going to create and marry an illusion, then leave behind her position as the world¡¯s main viin.


    Viscount Gillian¡¯s family had great influence in the empire because they produced warhorses.


    She couldn¡¯t touch Gillian if she wanted Raphael¡¯s cooperation.


    ¡®But if I had to, I could take him down.¡¯


    In the very short time when Cayena lived as Viscountess Gillian, she discovered several problems with the family.


    ¡®I don¡¯t want to increase the time I spend in the pce by doing such a thing, though.¡¯


    She just wanted to live the rest of her life quietly in the countryside, where the scenery was calm and the sunrise and sunset were beautiful.


    She¡¯d been through too many things.


    In an empty bedroom, Cayena looked over the tapestry on the wall and said in a slightly choked voice, ¡°Why don¡¯t you stop now, Rezef?¡±


    ***


    After Cayena copsed after eating a nut cookie, Rezef was ordered to stay in probation indefinitely and was locked in his bedroom.


    Knights had been stationed from the drawing room to the hallway to prevent him from leaving.


    He recalled the eyes of the Emperor, who looked at him and thought him pathetic.


    ¡°Someday, I¡¯ll kill them all!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness! Saying that kind of thing¡­!¡±


    Rezef couldn¡¯t ovee his anger. He began to yell and destroy the room.


    ¡°Ahh!¡±


    One after another, servants fell as they were hit by the objects he threw.


    Rezef didn¡¯t care at all. They were expendable, anyway. Only those with noble blood could be treated as humans.


    That was what the Emperor had taught him.


    ¡°Y, your Highness! Pleasepose yourself!¡±


    With varying degrees of injury, the wounded servants continued to pour out of Rezef¡¯s bedroom.


    However, a new servant was pushed in to rece them each time because the prince¡¯s room could not be left unattended.


    The people around them even told the servants to leave a will, just in case.


    ¡°If His Majesty hears of this, things will only get worse.¡±


    It was the first time Zenon saw the prince go crazy like this.


    As it is, the possibility that the prince he supported would be deposed by the emperor could not be ignored. It was something that should never happen.


    ¡°Shut up!¡±


    Rezef was aggressive and violent. There seemed to be nothing that could stop him.


    ¡®He¡¯s acting like some sort of pathetic beggar¡­¡¯


    Zenon went outside to summon the nobles.


    Rezef barely calmed down after everything became messed up. The servants who were holding their breaths began to clear the room.


    ¡®What the hell went wrong?¡¯


    Should he have assassinated Emperor Esteban before, even if it was unreasonable?


    He didn¡¯t have a speck of affection for his father. That was why he did not hesitate to think of something so cold-blooded and cruel.


    Shortly after, though, his indefinite probation was reduced to ten days.


    ¡°They say that Her Highness is kneeling in the middle of the castle to petition the Emperor,¡± said Zenon, who had ess to Rezef¡¯s chambers.


    He also said that soon after, the authority over the internal affairs was temporarily transferred to Cayena.


    As if everything had been arranged, it was all progressing in order.


    His position was shrinking.


    ¡°The Emperor¡­!¡±


    The forces that he built up were not an illusion.


    Still, the Emperor treated Rezef as if he had no power.


    If he was truly his son, he wouldn¡¯t do this. He was treating him as the product of a dishonest act, but wasn¡¯t the Emperor himself the one who made the mistake?


    The emperor¡¯s eyes were always cold.


    He despised him. Rezef couldn¡¯t understand when he was just a child. He had no intention of being understanding now.


    ¡®I don¡¯t even have to wait. I¡¯ll take the throne myself.¡¯


    A day passed while he was locked up in the room.


    He heard the news that his sister came to visit him.


    ¡®Yes, of course. Cayena can¡¯t be without me.¡¯


    Now, she would say that having power over the internal affairs is too much.


    She would be the candle that burned to light up Rezef.


    However, Cayena did not give up her authority.


    It was weird. She would never have done that, would she?


    ~~~

 Chapter 32

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    <span>That wasn¡¯t all. Zenon returned to his chambers after being absent for a long while.


    <span>Rezef could smell a familiar scent from him.


    <span>It was the scent that burned on Cayena¡¯s bedroom censer. That scent was on Zenon.


    <span>¡°¡­So you¡¯ve met with my sister.¡±


    <span>¡®¡­How did he know?¡¯


    <span>Currently, Rezef had no servants who would report on the outside situation to him. Even the knights stationed outside his room did not dare toe into his chambers for no reason.


    <span>But Rezef was able to determine that Zenon had met with Cayena right away.


    <span>Zenon¡¯s spine tingled.


    <span>He was currently being swayed over by Cayena. But right now, it was more like he was weighing his mind.


    <span>He had no intention of conceding to her. Of course, he also had no intention of helping her strengthen her rtionship with Prince Rezef.


    <span>However, he had a strong premonition that Rezef would not hesitate to draw his sword depending on how his answer.


    <span>¡°Her Highness hade to see you earlier.¡±


    <span>He just had make Cayena¡¯s position slightly more advantageous for Rezef.


    <span>¡°She was looking for you anxiously regarding your health and current situation. <span>Because the knights blocked her way, she went back to her pce.¡±


    <span>It was funny. He had ignored the princess before because she was a woman, but now, he was protecting her when she wasn¡¯t even here.


    <span>¡°¡­Is that so?¡±


    <span>Rezef was impatient and violent, but he wasn¡¯t dumb.


    <span>He had realized that Zenon¡¯s behavior was strange.


    <span>Did something happen with Cayena?


    <span>He suddenly realized that something he thought he had in his hand was slowly escaping, like grains of sand.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll call you if I need something, so leave.¡±


    <span>¡°Then, I shall take my leave.¡±


    <span>A long time after Zenon left the room, Rezef called another aide into his room.


    <span>¡°Keep an eye on Zenon Evans.¡±


    <span>¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    <span>Like a habit, Rezef asked, ¡°What is my sister doing now?¡±


    <span>¡°Her Highness has gone on an outing.¡±


    <span>¡°Then don¡¯t you think you should tell me where she has gone?¡±


    <span>¡°I apologize, Your Highness. I shall find that information right away.¡±


    <span>Expressionlessly, Rezef grabbed and threw the candlestick next to him.


    <span>The aide was hit in the head by the brass candlestick, but he remained in his bowed position without flinching.


    <span>Then, as if nothing happened, Rezef continued in a nonchnt voice,


    <span>¡°Figure out my sister¡¯s actions.¡±


    <span>¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    <span>¡°And I assume that you¡¯re still steadily mixing poison into my father¡¯s tea?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes.¡±


    <span>The Emperor always washed away the bitter taste of medicine with a sweet tea.


    <span>Rezef had already set up a trick with a silver spoon.


    <span>That spoon wouldn¡¯t tarnish when ced into the tea. That was the reason that the Emperor hadn¡¯t healed at all.


    <span>¡°Increase the dosage.¡±


    <span>The aide bowed his still bleeding head.


    <span>He went out to carry out hismand, and Rezef gently closed his eyes.


    <span>It was still bearable. He could be patient. He still believed that Cayena was undoubtedly his.


    <span>The peace and happiness that she had shown him so far couldn¡¯t be false.


    <span>She wanted his help to marry the person she wanted? He¡¯d help fulfill her request.


    <span>Though he didn¡¯t know how long her partner would be able to hold onto his breath and live.


    <span>Cayena was his<span>. She had always been under his influence, and she still was.


    <span>¡°She met Raphael at the Imperial Library¡­ ¡±


    <span>The aide who was chasing after Cayena announced the sighting.


    <span>Raphael Kedrey.


    <span>That man was someone Rezef couldn¡¯t touch even if he were the emperor.


    <span>If Cayena were to be his wife, she would escape Rezef¡¯s sphere of influence.


    <span>Did she always intend to stab him in the back after making him lower his guard?


    <span>Rezef agreed it was good to bring Raphael over as an ally. It was <span>a truly excellent n.


    <span>However, Rezef could not allow that man to take away what was his<span>. Rezef was overtaken by a mad obsession.


    <span>Rezef opened the entrance of the secret passageway that led out of the prince¡¯s pce. He had to confirm Cayena¡¯s innermost emotions right away.


    <span>He arrived at the princess¡¯s chambers through the secret passageway.


    <span>The only thing separating the two of them was a single tapestry.<span> At that time, Cayena, sensing him, called out to him in a slightly choked voice.


    <span>¡°Why don¡¯t you stop now, Rezef?¡±


    <span>She looked directly at where Rezef was hiding.


    <span>Rezef obediently stepped out<span>. After he exited the passageway, it rained for a while, so his hair waspletely wet.


    <span>She stood up from her seat. She took the dry towel that was stocked in her room and brought it over to him.


    <span>Rezef only looked coldly at Cayena through his wet bangs.


    <span>Cayena had no choice but to try to dry his hair herself.


    <span>Smack!


    <span>Rezef pped away her hand, and the towel fell helplessly onto the floor.


    <span>Like a sigh, Cayena said, ¡°You¡¯ll catch a cold.¡±


    <span>Rezef huffed out augh, then sneered.


    <span>¡°Or would you rather drink some warm tea?¡±


    <span>It was obvious that he would refuse, but she still asked.


    <span>Surely enough, Rezef censured her in a cold voice.


    <span>¡°How could you say something like that now?¡±


    <span>Cayena was tired.


    <span>She¡¯d gone outside for the first time in a long while, just toe across her former husband.


    <span>The memories of how she wrote to Rezef, painfully begging him to save her, arose in full detail.


    <span>She recalled how she despaired as Rezef did not return a single one of the countless letters she had sent him every day.


    <span>But she tried to push it out of her mind. That past didn¡¯t exist here. <span> She could just regard it as her punishment for acting like a viiness, and swallowed back the rising heat.


    <span>She told herself that they had been too hurt in their childhood and couldn¡¯t have done anything else.


    <span>Her brother, the one in front of her eyes right now, was still young<span>. She had to believe that there was room for him to change.


    <span>They could both be saved.


    <span>They could just be siblings with a slightly bad temper rather than the viin and viiness.


    <span>That¡¯s what she thought.


    <span>Cayena said in her most considerate voice, ¡°Then what should I say?¡±


    <span>She tried to get a fresh towel.


    <span>But Rezef grabbed onto her arm firmly so that she couldn¡¯t leave her spot.


    <span>Cayena frowned in pain.


    <span>¡°Is marriage what you really want? Is that why you went to meet with Raphael today?¡±


    <span>¡°It was just a coincidence.¡±


    <span>¡°Of course it was a coincidence. Elder sister.¡±


    <span>It was a face that did not believe her at all..


    <span>Cayena recognized that Rezef hadpletely turned away from her in anger and disbelief.


    <span>¡°Why aren¡¯t you saying anything else? You only need to say that everything went ording to n. Just like how you got rid of all the people in your pce.¡±


    <span>¡®Including me.¡¯


    <span>But he didn¡¯t add on thatst part.


    <span>Rezef tightened his hold on her arm.<span> Cayena let out a small groan.


    <span>¡°It hurts, Rezef.¡±


    <span>He burst disbelievingughter and let go of her arm. Instead, he grabbed Cayena by her n<span>eck.


    <span>Their eyes met.


    <span>¡°My beautiful older sister. I don¡¯t like it when my authority is challenged.¡±


    <span>That was something Cayena already knew well.


    <span>¡°I can¡¯t leave anything that might be a threat to me nearby.¡±


    <span>His fingers began to tighten around Cayena¡¯s slender nape.


    <span>¡°If I want it, your life can just disappear, anyway. Because the next emperor is none other than me.¡±


    <span>Still being strangled, Cayena said,


    <span>¡°All right. Then, kill me.¡±


    <span>Rezef¡¯s hand paused for a moment.


    <span>¡°¡­What?¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s all right if you kill me. As you said, you can kill me anytime you want. I know this well, too.¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled faintly.


    <span>Then, she held the hands that were wrapped around her neck with both hands and squeezed. She squeezed so hard that the bones could be seen under her delicate white hands.


    <span>¡°¡­Are you crazy?!¡± Rezef shouted. He pped away her hands.


    <span>Already, a red mark was blooming on her neck.


    <span>Cayena coughed a few times, then talked to her younger brother as if she were teaching him a lesson.


    <span>¡°Why are you yelling? Don¡¯t you know what will happen if it¡¯s discovered that you ran away here?¡±


    <span>Her calmness was eerie.


    <span>Rezef thought that Cayena had be quite mature. He felt that she had be calm, sweet, and kind.


    <span>¡°Are you in your right mind?¡±


    <span>He asked the question in all sincerity.


    <span>There was no way she would do this unless she was crazy. The madness and anger that had risen to the tip of his head began to cool.


    <span>Cayena did not care. She took Rezef¡¯s hand again, as if telling him to hurry up and strangle her.


    <span>He smacked her hand away roughly. Cayena, pushed by the force, fell to the floor.


    <span>¡°Stop it!¡±


    <span>She stood up and smoothed back her hair, which had gotten messy.


    <span>Her bare eyes were terrifyingly dry.


    <span>¡°What about you? Why aren¡¯t you choking me?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±


    <span>Rezef couldn¡¯t reply.


    <span>The two stood face to face. There was some strange tension in the air.


    <span>Rezef found it embarrassing and absurd that he was so tense as he faced his older sister.


    <span>He was definitely being pressured by Cayena¡¯s will. She, on the other hand, was calm. There was no sign of derision on her face.


    <span>¡®Why don¡¯t you strangle me?¡¯


    <span>He was someone who didn¡¯t hesitate to draw a sword when he was angry. But now, he couldn¡¯t touch Cayena with a single fingertip.


    <span>That fact hurt his pride. It was also confusing.


    <span>¡®They seem to have noticed that Rezef is inside.¡¯


    <span>It was clear that her talented employees guessed at the situation inside.


    <span>Rezef had been loud several times, but no one came into the room to check.


    <span>Furthermore, Vera, who said she was going to prepare bath water, hadn¡¯te back yet.


    <span>It seemed that she was taking care of the situation outside on her own.


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t want to continue with this fruitless confrontation.


    <span>Cayena asked in a cating voice, ¡°Now, do you want to talk?¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 33

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    Rezef stubbornly did not open his mouth. Cayena could roughly guess why he was acting like this.


    It was probably because she didn¡¯t give up her authority over the internal affairs, secured the independence of the princess¡¯s pce, and also met with Raphael Kedrey today.


    ¡°Sit down,¡± Cayena said, and she headed over to the censer.


    When she opened the censer lid and moved it around a little, a subtle scent bloomed from the burnt embers.


    Originally, Cayena liked to use a scent that had a clear and brilliant presence.


    If she put on a special fragrance, it seemed as if she had be a living flower. But that was all in the past.


    The scent she changed to right now was a form to calm one¡¯s nerves. The calm and subtle fragrance went well with the current Cayena.


    It was also abination she chose because of Rezef.


    She took out a new towel to use instead of the one that had fallen on the floor.


    Then, she sat Rezef, who had been standing absentmindedly, down on the chair. She covered his wet hair with a towel and began to dry it gently.


    It was like she was telling him to stay calm.


    Now, it seemed that the atmosphere was more open for dialogue. Without stopping her hands, she started to talk.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why exactly you feel betrayed by me.¡±


    Rezef flinched as Cayena mentioned betrayal with her own lips.


    She had already predicted that this incident would upset Rezef. She also thought a long time ago about how to deal with the uproar.


    ¡°To be honest, the authority over internal affairs isn¡¯t the sort of authority that belongs to a prince.¡±


    Emperor Esteban gave him that authority instead of true power.


    It was partly because Cayena didn¡¯t do her part properly as the princess, but there was also a bigger reason.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you know that the authority is just a trick?¡±


    The emperor deliberately entrusted the authority to Rezef so that he did not have to give him much real power. It was to trick one¡¯s eyes, as Cayena said.


    ¡°Since you lost the authority over internal affairs, that gap will have to be filled with something new.¡±


    Cayena pointed out that he couldn¡¯t have held the authority for internal affairs forever, anyway. It was a legitimate argument.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that this is an opportunity for me that I have to take advantage of myself?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the perfect opportunity, Rezef.¡±


    Cayena responded to his sarcasm positively.


    ¡°I told you. I intend to make you the emperor.¡±


    Cayena turned the towel over and wiped his hair again.


    ¡°You¡¯ve the opportunity to show Father that you¡¯ve changed.¡±


    Rezef grabbed her wrist, stopping her from drying his hair. It was a careful hand, unlike his rough handling of her before.


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Once your probation is over, go to Father and ask for forgiveness. Then, tell him that it would be good to put Lady Catherine Lindbergh into Count Hamel¡¯s family registry.¡±


    Cayena mentioned the emperor¡¯s lover, who had never been able to cross the threshold of the imperial pce.


    As soon as he heard her name, Rezef furrowed his forehead. He knew much about the emperor¡¯s lover.


    A while before the emperor retired to his sickbed, he met Catherine Lindbergh at a hunt. Catherine Lindbergh was beautiful enough to catch the emperor¡¯s attention with just one nce.


    ¡°Do you mean I should increase the number ofpetitors to the throne with my own hands?¡±


    That woman had a thirteen-year-old son with Emperor Esteban.


    Thanks to this, she had all sorts of attention on her.


    ¡°I agree, it¡¯ll be difficult if Catherine Lindbergh was the empress. But that won¡¯t happen.¡±


    Archduke Heinrich swallowed the Lindbergh family, like he had brought down and subjugated the Avon family through debts.


    Catherine¡¯s father was killed under the guise of an ident, and he had ced his own man as the head of the household.


    Cayena was convinced that the former Lindbergh patriarch didn¡¯t die in an ident because she saw how secretively it was treated in the novel.


    Archduke Heinrich could have turned Catherine Lindbergh into amoner.


    The Emperor prevented this by recognizing the mother of Archduke Heinrich as a member of the imperial family and epted Archduke Heinrich¡¯s adoptive son as a potential sessor to the throne.


    Rezef asked back, puzzled,


    ¡°How are you so certain?¡±


    ¡°Do you really think Archduke Heinrich would allow Catherine Lindbergh to do anything?¡±


    Rather, the addition of another legitimate sessor was something Heinrich was more reluctant about than Rezef.


    ¡°Do you think the Hamels, thete empress¡¯s birth family, would ept it?¡±


    It was obvious that Count Hamel would not want Cayena¡¯s influence as the soledy of the imperial family to diminish.


    ¡°But of course, it would be much better for them to ept the Emperor¡¯s lover as a daughter than to lose their control over the ck market.¡±


    Cayena reminded Rezef of the ck market¡¯s existence again.


    ¡°¡­My supporters will not stand still.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s no reason to worry. Look at how the emperor is taking steps to remove your power. Naturally, the nobles who support you will feel just as threatened as you do.¡±


    Moreover, Susan Lepore, whom Cayena had chosen as a courtdy this time, will be very meaningful to them.


    ¡°And if Lady Catherine is adopted by Count Hamel, what could her son possibly do? People have already dered their sides in the battle for the throne.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Everything she said was correct.


    Rezef suppressed his initial repulsion and considered her words seriously.


    The emperor¡¯s most beloved child was neither Cayena nor Rezef.


    It was Lindbergh¡¯s son. That was why he even recognized the Heinrichs¡¯ im to the throne¡ªso that the Lindbergh family would not be disturbed.


    However, even with such measures, his lover was not able toe into the imperial pce.


    It was because there were too many people keeping her in check, and Catherine had to hide in her mansion in order to save herself.


    ¡®Her son must now be a student at the Imperial Academy.¡¯


    ¡°You¡¯ll be both acknowledged and gain a great hostage at the same time.¡±


    ¡°Although it may be possible to threaten Count Hamel with the ck market to make him adopt the Lindberghs, her bing my hostage is another matter.¡±


    Count Hamel would undoubtedly take advantage of Catherine if she came into his hands.


    Cayena sneered.


    ¡°Count Hamel is my maternal family. What could be the problem with that?¡±


    Cayena was strongly influenced by the life she had lived just before. In her second life, she wasposed, but there was also a dark and meticulous side to her.


    That didn¡¯t mean that the nasty, viiness-like temperament inside her had disappeared.


    She was certainly bad-tempered. She was just better at hiding it than Rezef, who didn¡¯t hesitate to show off and abuse his power. She could easily manipte someone like Count Hamel.


    ¡®Was this really not pre-calcted? Could she have nned all this just now?¡¯


    Rezef was confused.


    Did this trulye from Cayena¡¯s head?


    ¡®How is this possible? She shouldn¡¯t have ess to much news.¡¯


    He hadpletely awoken to the realization that Cayena was much more useful than he had thought.


    Cayena removed the towel from his head and stooped low to tidy up his hair.


    ¡°Are we done fighting now?¡±


    ¡°¡­Ha.¡±


    Rezef didn¡¯t want to respond, but without thinking, heughed. Cayena saw him smile and matched it with her own.


    ¡°¡­Your hands are cold.¡±


    He suddenly remembered that his sister¡¯s hands were as cold as ice, and held them in his. Her hands were still cold.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to be young, huh. Even after being in the rain, you have so much body heat.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re only one year apart. And you also have to exercise.¡±


    How was it that his insane anger, which made him want to kill everyone, disappeared in an instant?


    Now, he felt so calm that his previous anger seemed colorless.


    Cayena was still his caring sister. His peace did not disappear.


    ¡®But this cleverness might be a little dangerous.¡¯


    Rezef decided that it would be necessary to have tighter control over his sister.


    ***


    After a while, Vera came into the bedroom.


    ¡°The bath is still warm. Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Cayena waspletely exhausted. She went to the bathroom, soaked in a marble bathtub, and received an oil massage.


    Cayena, who continued to be served silently, put on a gown at the end, allowed the maids to leave.


    Then, she told Vera, ¡°Please acquire a silver spoon of the finest quality for His Majesty the Emperor. The more ornamented it is, the better.¡±


    The emperor took medicine every day.


    Then, after taking the medicine, he sipped a few sips of sweet tea with a silver spoon.


    She was thinking of preparing him a silver spoon herself for that purpose.


    ¡®I need to prepare before Rezef poisons the emperor.¡¯


    If the shape was more mboyant and morous, it could not be reced with another spoon as it would be noticed at a nce.


    The silver spoon currently used by the emperor was not real silver. Rezef had put a trick spoon in its ce so that he could poison the Emperor whenever he wanted. She could never allow the emperor to die ording to Rezef¡¯s will.


    ¡°I will prepare it as soon as possible.¡±


    Cayena nodded.


    ~~~

 Chapter 34

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>Editor: </strong>thursdays


    The emperor¡¯s edict came down upon the Grace viscountcy. The family mourned as they could no longer refuse the call.


    With a mncholy face, Viscount Grace turned to his daughter. ¡°There¡¯s nothing we can do. His Majesty has ordered it himself.¡±


    ¡®It¡¯s as the letter said,¡¯ Olivia thought.


    She had hoped that it was wrong, but seeing that it was correct, she bit her lower lip firmly.


    ¡®This is definitely what Princess Cayena meant.¡¯


    Furthermore, Olivia had heard the news that all the existingdies-in-waiting at the princess¡¯s pce had been expelled. The pce was undergoing an extensive reshuffling.


    Olivia consulted Maria, the only friend near her to whom she could talk.


    ¡°It¡¯s clear as day that Her Highness hates me. So isn¡¯t it strange that she chose me as ady-in-waiting?¡±


    Olivia sat on a tree swing and kicked the ground. It was all tooplicated.


    ¡°That¡¯s true. It¡¯s really surprising that she chose you as a courtdy.¡±


    ¡°I wonder why that person needs me.¡±


    Mariaughed at her friend, who was deeply concerned about Princess Cayena.


    ¡°Do you think that there has to be some deep meaning to it? It looks to me like she¡¯s trying to keep an eye on you.¡±


    Her tone showed that she was convinced that there was no special motive behind Princess Cayena¡¯s moves. All of society knew that Cayena was jealous and wary of Olivia.


    But Olivia didn¡¯t think this affair was so simple.


    ¡°If she were such a person, she would have done this long ago.¡±


    And since she had sent away all thedies-in-waiting in the princess¡¯s pce, she would be filling their spots with new people.


    What kind of people would gather at the princess¡¯s pce?


    Olivia had no way to know, so she felt frustrated.


    ¡®It¡¯d be better to go to the pce early and figure out the situation first.¡¯


    Olivia acted on her determination right away.


    She didn¡¯t have much to pack. She wanted to take a maid along with her, but that would bleed out the house too much. As the eldest daughter, she had to suppress her desires.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have go there early. Why don¡¯t you just go tomorrow?¡±


    She had already called for a carriage.


    Olivia carried over her bag and bid goodbye to her family.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be all right. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±


    Edict in hand, she headed for the imperial pce.


    From there, it was simple procedure to enter the castle.


    ¡®It¡¯s overwhelming¡­¡¯


    The imperial pce was overwhelming right from the entrance.


    Putting aside its size or splendor, the atmosphere inside was breathtaking.


    ¡®This is where I¡¯ll stay in the future. I have to adapt to it quickly.¡¯


    She headed to the princess¡¯s pce with the help of the courtiers.


    ¡°I received your message earlier, Miss Grace.¡±


    A neatly dressed courtdy waited for her at the entrance of the princess¡¯s pce.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you for the first time. I am Olivia Grace.¡±


    ¡°I am Vera Lexton. You can just call me Vera.¡±


    She must have been a seniordy-in-waiting.


    Olivia thought for certain that all the existing courtdies had been expelled. Was this someone who had survived the cut?


    ¡®If so, it¡¯s very likely that this is one of Princess Cayena¡¯s people.¡®


    Vera guided Olivia to her lodgings.


    The amodation was a private room that was far better than Olivia¡¯s parents¡¯ bedroom, which was the best room in the Grace mansion. Olivia put down her bag and looked around the room admiringly.


    ¡®There¡¯s even a full-body mirror in a courtdy¡¯s room.¡¯


    Vera briefly outlined her future tasks to her.


    ¡°There will be a total of fourdies-in-waiting, including myself and you, Miss Olivia. As such, you will be given many rights and permissions, but work will be very important as well.¡±


    Olivia was a little surprised to hear that there would only be four courtdies.


    Vera exined that she herself was the person in charge of the courtdies of the princess¡¯s pce.


    ¡°Miss Olivia will be primarily responsible for the hospitality of Her Highness¡¯s guests in the future. In addition, you¡¯ll be managing the party schedule, general ceremonies, and procedures.¡±


    It was a position too good to give Olivia, who would surely have the most humble family from those gathered here.


    In addition to allowing her influence in social circles, it was the second-highest position in the princess¡¯s pce after Vera, or perhaps the most important.


    ¡®What exactly is she thinking?¡¯


    At this point, the princess seemed like some sort of mysterious figure.


    ¡°Now, get ready. We should go and greet Her Highness.¡±


    Vera meant that Olivia could now change into nice clothes If she wanted. However, Olivia was already wearing the best dress she had, excluding her banquet dresses.


    She didn¡¯t have an outfit to ¡®get ready,¡¯ so she had to prepare something else.


    ¡°Is there anything I should be cautious about?¡±


    Vera smiled at Olivia¡¯s question. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Miss. You¡¯ll soon learn what you should and shouldn¡¯t do.¡±


    ¡°¡­I see.¡±


    She thought Vera¡¯s words were quite meaningful.


    Before going to greet Her Highness, Olivia checked her condition, then followed Vera.


    Even the doors to the princess¡¯s chambers were extraordinary. The huge door was decorated in gold, depicting some sort of story. It seemed to be a scene from a myth.


    As the artwork-like door opened, she saw a red carpet with morous patterns on it.


    Stepping on the soft floor, they soon reached the bedroom.


    ¡®Finally.¡¯


    Atst, the bedroom door opened.


    The first thing that popped into Olivia¡¯s head was that the room smelled nice. There was a very subtle and soothing scent that seemed to ease her tension.


    The room itself was also like a work of art, suitable for a princess. Inside, the princess, who looked like the greatest masterpiece of all, sat on the sofa. She turned her head away from her book and to her guests.


    ¡®Wow¡­¡¯


    Olivia was dazed for a moment.


    Her breath was stolen away the moment she made eye contact with the unimaginably beautiful woman with the pale lemon-colored, close to tinum, hair.


    Cayena smiled beautifully as she looked at her.


    ¡®Oh, right.¡®


    Olivia aroused herself up from her stupor and quickly made her greetings.


    ¡°Olivia Grace greets Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    ¡®She certainly seems a little different from what I¡¯ve seen of her.¡¯


    Olivia had never known Cayena very well, but she couldn¡¯t help but have questions.


    ¡°I thought the courtdies wereing tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°I came to the pce a day earlier when I heard that Your Highness did not have a courtdy to assist you.¡±


    Olivia behaved properly as to not seem immoderate.


    Cayena liked that cleverness. Furthermore, she felt somewhat pleased to see Olivia¡¯s glossy wheat-colored hair and sparkling green eyes. It was iparable to Cayena¡¯s dazzling beauty, but Olivia¡¯s unique calm and intelligent atmosphere was alluring.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Miss Olivia Grace.¡±


    ¡°Now that I am one of Your Highness¡¯s people, please feel free to address me informally.¡±


    From the beginning to the end, it was a wlessly courteous attitude. Cayena bit back a smile at her behavior.


    Olivia continued, ¡°Thank you for choosing me. I amcking in many ways, but I will serve Your Highness with all my heart.¡±


    Cayena approached Olivia, who was bowing down on one knee. Then, she grabbed her hand and helped her up.


    ¡°I hope we get along well in the future.¡±


    Cayena purposefully showed her a crafty smile.


    They moved to the parlor to drink tea.


    ¡°You must have been quite surprised when you were selected as a courtdy for the princess¡¯s pce,¡± Cayena said, smiling with eyes that seemed to see through the fact that Olivia was being cautious. ¡°I hope we¡¯ll be able to move past the hurt I¡¯ve done to you before.¡±


    ¡°How should I do that?¡±


    ¡°Hearing you say thatforts my mind,¡± said Cayena. ¡°And are you twenty now?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    ¡°Then, you must have already had youring-of-age ceremony? I don¡¯t remember hearing about it. I must have been too inattentive.¡±


    Olivia spoke frankly, feeling no shame ining from a poor family. ¡°I didn¡¯t have a separate celebration for mying of age because I have many younger siblings, and our family doesn¡¯t have enough money. That¡¯s why Your Highness hasn¡¯t heard of it.¡±


    The servants nearby gasped in surprise or broke out into coughs at Olivia¡¯s words.


    Cayena smiled brightly. ¡°Then we can have ouring-of-age celebrations together.¡±


    Cayena didn¡¯t stop talking before she opening up the dressing room. She immediately began to choose a dress for Olivia to wear at the ceremony.


    ¡°Fortunately, our body types are simr, so you can wear one of my dresses.¡±


    Olivia was startled. She immediately knelt down on one knee and told her, ¡°This is much more than I deserve, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°How can I be a proud member of the imperial family if I can¡¯t take care of my people at least this much? Please don¡¯t refuse, if just for the sake of your master¡¯s honor.¡±


    Vera, who was next to them, helped Cayena out by saying, ¡°You¡¯re allowed to ept Her Highness¡¯s kindness.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thank you.¡±


    Cayena, whom Olivia had encountered several times in the social world, and now looked like apletely different person.


    There was a noble dignity in her actions, and her words were imbued with natural authority.


    She was truly the princess of the empire.


    Only the outside seemed to have remained the same; inside, she was thoroughly changed.


    Cayena stopped in front of her quarters and looked at Olivia.


    ¡°This is enough for today. Go and rest yourself.¡±


    It would be a waste to expand so much energy on her questions, after all.


    Cayena smiled leisurely as she looked at Olivia, who looked to be deep in thought.


    ~~~

 Chapter 35: Scene 7. The Villainesss Household

    <b>Trantor:</b> thursdays <b>Editor: </b>thursdays


    <b>Scene 7. The Viiness¡¯s Household</b>


    Vera nced at Cayena, who was reading a book at leisure after her brief interview with Olivia.


    In her hand was a travelogue describing the northern regions of the country.


    ¡®She could at least go and meet Sir Kedrey.¡¯


    Standing side by side at the imperial library, they matched well, like a princess and a knight from a fairy tale. Also, it was Raphael who came to see Cayena that day. Wasn¡¯t that a sign that he felt something for her?


    But recently, Cayena had been keeping her distance. She never talked about how cool he was like she used to do.


    ¡°The northern region has nothing more to see. It will be ufortable to stay there.¡±


    She put down the travelogue and started talking about idle things.


    Vera asked abruptly, ¡°Your Highness, do you sincerely want things to go well between Miss Olivia and Sir Kedrey?¡±


    ¡®Do I really want things to go well?¡¯


    Cayena tapped on the cover of the book with her hand, then opened to the first page like she had made a decision.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    To be precise, she hoped to get something out of it since they would get along well anyway.


    Originally, Raphael and Olivia met for the first time at Cayena¡¯sing-of-age celebration after the marriage talks. It all unfolded like a fated love story, but it was also the prelude to Cayena¡¯s tragedy.


    Vera¡¯s questions didn¡¯t end there. ¡°What would Your Highness do should Sir Kedrey developed some affection for you?¡±


    Cayena was surprised by the unexpected spection. cing the book down on herp, she said, ¡°What a ridiculous presumption.¡±


    She dismissed it like that.


    ¡°Sir Kedrey is already in marriage talks with Olivia. I hope we speak no further of this.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯m not scolding you. I know exactly why you say it.¡±


    Vera closed her lips, a little embarrassed by her understanding.


    It would be great if Her Highness could connect with the person she loved.


    Vera felt even more regretful, as she had heard Cayena nned and dreamed of approximately 50 years of a future with Raphael.


    ¡®Although Miss Olivia is unquestionably beautiful¡­¡¯


    Vera thought about Olivia. Cayena said she was a quick-witted and cleverdy. She also said that it would befortable to work with her since they would be in sync. At that praise, Vera noticed that the princess had considerable respect for that woman.


    ¡®Is she that capable of a person?¡¯


    Of course, her first impression was excellent. Excluding her house, Olivia seemed to have no visible faults. Vera didn¡¯t know exactly what Olivia¡¯s personality was like, but her social reputation wasn¡¯t bad. It was actually impressive how her reputation wasn¡¯t poor, considering how everyone knew that Cayena had hated and was wary of her.


    ¡°Vera, did you pick your people?¡±


    She snapped out of her thoughts at Cayena¡¯s question. Cayena was referring to the people who would help Vera with her duties.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness. First of all, I would like to appoint Annie.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a good choice.¡±


    Vera was secretly reorganizing the workforce in the princess¡¯s pce so that they would be able to be used by Cayena.


    ¡°The remaining two courtdies wille tomorrow.¡±


    Cayena looked out the window. The spring rain was still falling.


    ¡°I want you to help Olivia adjust to the work.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena was thinking of creating a sort of rank among them. The rank would show others who the princess favored more. As Cayena took in Olivia, people would be more careful around her. Once Olivia gained a respectable amount of influence, Rezef and Archduke Heinrich would find it difficult to touch her.


    This way, Cayena could create an environment in which they could survive before they left the imperial pce.


    When Vera went out, Cayena was left alone in the bedroom. She closed the book. Reading about the western region felt awkward, as Viscount Gillian¡¯s hometown was in the west. She let go of the book as if it were covered in thorns.


    A sigh slipped out from her lips. She had thought that she had healed from the past. However, that belief was shattered after she encountered Gillian. Would she be fine when she had to face him again? Cayena wasn¡¯t sure.


    ¡°Is it better to take action¡­?¡±


    Was there any way she could wreck the Gillian viscounty and tear apart their warhorse business?


    ¡®But that would be troublesome for the Kedrey dukedom if there was a gap in their area.¡¯


    It was rash and difficult to disrupt Duke Kedrey¡¯s forces.


    Rezef and Heinrich would obviously be happy if the Kedreys¡¯ clout were reduced. But in the first ce, it was unwise to sow discord with the dukedom without justification.


    ¡®There are many conflicting interests.¡¯


    The Gillians¡¯ warhorse business was quite important. Perhaps she could lessen its influence if the government took control of it, or if there was morepetition in the market¡­


    She continued to think of these convoluted plots when she paused. There was no need to go that far.


    ¡°I would just need to rece Henverton¡¯s position with a new person.¡±


    And that was better suited to Cayena¡¯s skills.


    Fortunately, Henverton Gillian was not born with a particrly good personality or ability, and his friends were even worse.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    However, she needed to cooperate with Raphael to implement the n.


    She couldn¡¯t get rid of the Kedrey¡¯s vassal so easily.


    Somehow she kept getting involved with Raphael. She didn¡¯t hate him, but she was afraid of making him feel ufortable.


    Cayena wanted to live differently from herself in the past.


    She calmly stared down at her trembling hands. Henverton Gillian was obsessed with her this lifetime as well.


    He may follow her if she ran away and do the same thing asst time.


    Her memories of being abused were notpletely clear. Her memory of being killed was also hazy. But even with the hint of the memories, her body had be affected in this way.


    The reaction of her body was very different from her cool head and rationality.


    ¡®I have to get rid of what I can¡¯t control.¡¯


    Gillian was an element she couldn¡¯t control. So she had no reason to hesitate to get rid of him.


    ***


    Vera brought along just one maid to apany her as she went to the central part of the castle to check on the princess¡¯s meal.


    That kitchen was the most important one in the castle because it was where the imperial family¡¯s food was prepared.


    Although the ce was thoroughly managed, Vera was alwaysing in and out of the central kitchen because of Cayena¡¯s allergy. Furthermore, she couldn¡¯t eat food with a strong fish scent, so herdies-in-waiting had to pay special attention when they served seafood.


    ¡®Her Highness pretends otherwise, but she¡¯s been so weak and worried since yesterday. I need to prepare a meal to help restore her strength.¡¯


    However, the head chef always looked displeased whenever Vera stopped by and meddled with the food. He openly ostracized Vera, acting uncooperatively and trying to kick her out as soon as possible. It was almost as if he had something to hide.


    ¡®He¡¯s too against admitting outsiders into the kitchen. Someone with a clean conscience wouldn¡¯t do that.¡¯


    Vera thought with a snort. If she found anything suspicious, she would report it right away.


    But Vera¡¯s path was blocked at the entrance to the princess¡¯s pce. Some courtiers stood in her way, and among them, Vera saw a familiar face.


    It was Mrs. Sovenin, the right hand of Mrs. Helier, the head maid who was in charge of all the female employees in the imperial pce. In addition, she was a member of Rezef¡¯s faction and was a hostile force against Cayena.


    Vera greeted her.


    ¡°Mrs. Sovenin, may I ask what you¡¯re doing here?¡±


    Mrs. Sovenin scoffed.


    ¡°I am cracking down on the pce¡¯s household.¡±


    ¡°By that, you mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Where are you going now?¡±


    ¡°I was on my way to the central kitchen. I need to check on Her Highness¡¯s meals.¡±


    At her words, Mrs. Sovenin fiercely red at Vera.


    Her expression showed that she would take Vera down, no matter what.


    ¡°That ce is the most strictly managed of all the departments. You¡¯re no professional. What exactly can you do there?¡±


    Vera realized that Mrs. Sovenin was trying to find fault with her.


    Since her opponent had a higher position than her, Vera¡¯s chances of winning this fight were slim. Still, she couldn¡¯t keep her mouth shut. Vera¡¯s attitude was a reflection of Cayena. She straightened her back.


    ¡°I am the sole senior courtdy in the princess¡¯s pce. If I don¡¯t take care of it, who will?¡±


    Then, five senior courtdies lined up beside Mrs. Sovenin as if they had been waiting for her to say that.


    ¡°Even so, the head maid told me to select and send new seniordies-in-waiting because there is an insufficient number of courtdies in the princess¡¯s pce.¡±


    Vera narrowed her eyes at the words.


    ~~~

 Chapter 36

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°But Her Highness has already selected the courtdies to take charge of her pce.¡±


    ¡°Enough with that nonsense!¡±


    The woman immediately shut down Vera¡¯s words as if they were worth nothing.


    ¡°Thedies-in-waiting for the princess¡¯s pce must be carefully selected. How can such uneducateddies serve Her Highness?¡±


    There was nothing wrong with Mrs. Sovenin¡¯s words. But they weren¡¯t right, either; the women¡¯s purpose was clearly to spy on Cayena.


    ¡°Furthermore, your attitude is problematic. Do you not know how much damage you are doing to the management by overstepping in the central kitchen?¡±


    Vera¡¯s eyebrows wrinkled, difited. Her expression gradually lost its courtesy and cooled off.


    ¡°What do you mean by overstepping?¡±


    ¡°Are you not interfering with the unique authority of the kitchen staff? The central kitchen hasined to the head maid many times!¡±


    Her annoyance soared.


    Overstepping?


    Vera only checked the food to see if there was anything the princess couldn¡¯t eat and whether ingredients that she did not normally enjoy were used.


    Those were things she naturally had to do as herdy-in-waiting. The other courtdies who had been assigned to the princess¡¯s pce had cked off before, but there was no problem with Vera¡¯s behavior.


    ¡¯I don¡¯t think she¡¯s simply trying to pick a fight under this pretext¡­ The head maid¡¯s handling of this is suspicious.¡¯


    Vera¡¯s eyes scanned over Mrs. Sovenin and the other courtiers.


    She had expected the head maid to be displeased by Cayena¡¯s authority over internal affairs. But Vera didn¡¯t know that she would try to pressure Cayena so quickly.


    Vera concealed her anger and responded as calmly as possible.


    ¡°Her Highness was recently very ill because of her allergy to nuts. For the time being, I have to check the foods delivered to Her Highness.


    Then, Mrs. Sovenin grabbed onto the end of her words and twisted it.


    ¡°Do you think the head chef prepares the food without knowing that? How dare you doubt his ability and attack him like that!¡±


    Vera bit her lips, then answered.


    ¡°¡­That wasn¡¯t what I meant.¡±


    She had lost this round.


    She was disheartened, but she had to bow her head passively. Mrs. Sovenin smiled triumphantly.


    ¡°These women will serve Her Highness¡¯s meal, so turn back around.¡±


    Vera clenched her fists.


    It seemed that Prince Rezef¡¯s probation had bothered them.


    ¡®She¡¯s just barely received some authority¡­¡¯


    The princess only temporarily had the authority over internal affairs, but the prince¡¯s forces were rushing at her.


    If such petty things could defeat her, then it was no different from when Cayena was looked down on as a paper princess.


    Vera felt angry and resentful. She could not immediately return to the princess¡¯s bedroom.


    ¡¯How does Her Highness remain calm every time?¡¯


    Even this sort of oppression made Vera upset and miserable.


    How could that small, seemingly fragile person be so strong?


    Mrs. Sovenin pressured her, and Vera was helplessly beaten.


    Her position and family were weakpared to the others, so there was no way she could have won.


    What could someone like her do to help Cayena?


    Vera never thought herself ipetent. But that was her mistake.


    As soon as Rezef¡¯s authority was restored, Vera would be nothing more than a powerless, ordinary seniordy-in-waiting.


    ¡¯If I don¡¯t act smarter and more confidently, I¡¯ll continue to be looked down on by them.¡¯


    She had to be useful.


    It was the obsession that Vera had had ever since she started working in the castle.


    For Vera, Cayena was her only hope for salvation. If more useful andpetent people joined Cayena¡¯s side, Vera might be abandoned because of her humble family.


    She had to be more useful.


    Vera paused in the break room used by the courtdies, then suddenly raised her head.


    ¡°The central kitchen¡­¡±


    She recalled how the head chef was too wary of outsiders.


    There was something there.


    If she investigated, something would definitelye out.


    ¡°I have to find someone to help me.¡±


    Vera was biting her nails when there was a sound.


    Click.


    At that moment, the door to the break room opened, and someone came in.


    ¡°Oh my, I didn¡¯t think there would be anyone here.¡±


    ¡°¡­Miss Olivia?¡±


    It was none other than Olivia Grace.


    ¡°Miss Olivia. I¡¯m sorry to start off by asking you for this favor.¡±


    Vera urgently asked for help.


    It wasn¡¯t a challenging request.


    ¡°There is something suspicious in the central kitchen, and I¡¯m trying to figure out what it is. Could you draw attention to the kitchen by pretending you are getting some hands-on training?¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound hard.¡±


    Seeing Vera dressed like a handmaid, Olivia asked anxiously, ¡°Will this be all right?¡±


    ¡°Handmaids always wear masks, so it will be fine. And, fortunately, my eyes and hair color aremon.¡±


    Olivia let out a low sigh. She didn¡¯t think she would have to examine the cross-section of the machinations of the imperial pce on her very first day.


    ¡°There¡¯s always somebody watching the storage area for the central kitchen.¡±


    The storage area was connected to the outside, and all materials imported to the pce were stored there.


    As Vera looked around the kitchen, she saw guards strictly guarding the door to the storehouse.


    In the past, she thought that it made sense to watch it since there were so many expensive ingredients. But now, she felt something was strange. Didn¡¯t this level of surveince imply that something shady was happening?


    Vera, who had been in the imperial pce for a long time, was able to roughly predict the kind of corruption that was going on there.


    The head chef must be embezzling funds. Vera¡¯s eyes shone sharply.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ***


    At that time, Cayena was looking at the travel books.


    ¡¯Milhen from the southwest seems good. It¡¯s moderately poor and isted.¡¯


    She was about to decide where to live after marrying her imaginary husband.


    ¡¯Though it is a bit close to the Kedrey dukedom.¡¯


    But its proximity to the Kedrey dukedom could be an advantage as Rezef and the other forces would not easily bother her.


    Then, she heard a knock on the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    It was Annie who opened the door and came in. But her expression was somewhat strange.


    ¡°Your Highness, your meal is ready. But¡­¡±


    Cayena put down her book. Puzzled, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    ¡°It was my first time seeing the courtdies who prepared Your Highness¡¯s meal. What should I do?¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s Vera?¡±


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen her around.¡±


    Courtdies other than Vera?


    Vera wouldn¡¯t have sent someone else without a word.


    Cayena¡¯s eyes turned sharp for an instant, then returned to her usual face.


    ¡°Let them in.¡±


    Soon, unfamiliar senior courtdies came in.


    ¡°We respectfully greet Her Majesty, the Princess.¡±


    The ones who entered had exceptionally high positions even among the senior courtdies. Cayena ordered them to set the table.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t people that I usually see around my pce. How did youe to bring my meal?¡±


    ¡°The number of senior courtdies in your pce is remarkably small, so we were assigned here. In the future, we will be in charge of taking care of Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Is that so?¡±


    Cayena immediately recognized their transparent intentions.


    ¡¯Shall I just leave them alone?¡¯


    She just set up a system to keep her pce from being touched, but people were already trying to keep her in check. Furthermore, it was ridiculous that she would be ignored and be assigned seniordies-in-waiting without her permission. It was proof that they believed in the power of their backer, Rezef¡ªno, the Evans family.


    ¡¯If I¡¯m antagonistic for no reason, it¡¯ll be quarrelsome. If I let it go, it will be no different than before¡­¡¯


    The courtdies that she chose herself still have not all arrived.


    When Susan and Julia arrived at the princess¡¯s pce tomorrow, they may be able to push the others out naturally with their families¡¯ power.


    ¡¯In terms of family background, they¡¯re superior.¡¯


    ¡°A shipment of fresh fish came into the central kitchen today, so the fish were grilled for your meal.¡±


    Though Alquiem, the capital city where Cayena lived, was located in the inner region of the empire, it wasn¡¯t difficult to get fish because of the port city nearby. However, fish wasn¡¯t usually a part of Cayena¡¯s meals because she did not like the fishy taste.


    ¡¯¡­I¡¯m sure Vera didn¡¯t check this meal.¡¯


    Vera wasn¡¯t someone who would disappear, leaving her work undone, so Cayena became more concerned.


    She picked up the knife and addressed the courtdies who stood in a line, watching her.


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you left yet?¡±


    ¡°We were ordered to help Your Highness¡­¡±


    Crash!


    The knife hit the te and made a piercing noise. The courtdies trembled.


    Cayena, still smiling, said to them, ¡°Didn¡¯t I just tell you to leave?¡±


    There was a rumor that Cayena was calmer these days. However, the cruelness that she had demonstrated so far remained clear in the courtdies¡¯ minds. They feared she would throw the knife that she was holding right now if they couldn¡¯t appease her. They stepped back with a shudder.


    ¡°¡­Please call us when you need us, Your Highness.¡±


    The courtdies left, and Cayena immediately called for Annie.


    ¡°Go and find Vera.¡±


    ~~~


    [TN] Updates for this novel will soon be increasing to 3 chapters a week! Pleasement below what day of the week you all prefer¡ªcurrently, updates are Thursdays and Sundays.

 Chapter 37

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Annie left straight away.


    Cayena poked at the soup for a while, but just in case, she put down her spoon. Then, Annie returned, bringing in another maid with her.


    ¡°This is the maid who attempted to go to the central kitchen with Vera.¡±


    ¡®Attempted to go?¡¯


    The maid carefully exined what had happened during their confrontation with Mrs. Sovenin.


    Cayena then realized that the courtdies were trying to reign in Vera.


    ¡°She sent me away, then retreated to thedies-in-waiting¡¯s break room.¡±


    Annie added onto the maid¡¯s words. ¡°However, there was nobody in the lounge. When I asked the doorkeeper, he said she went out with the newdy-in-waiting who had arrived today.¡±


    ¡°You mean she left with Olivia?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And Olivia stated that she was going to ask for practical training and guidance regarding castle work.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Cayena¡¯s brows furrowed slightly as she thought.


    Their behavior was suspicious.


    She was certain today was the first time the two of them had encountered each other. And what was this about practical training?


    ¡®Come to think of it, in the novel, Vera was an independent character who often plotted and moved by herself.¡¯


    If so, Vera may have been acting on a hunch.


    Cayena let out a short sigh.


    She just wanted things to be quiet before she left for her fake marriage. Even if she did have authority over internal affairs, it was only a temporary thing. There wasn¡¯t any reason to antagonize Rezef.


    She was wondering about what to do when Donna burst into the bedroom.


    ¡°Your Highness! Vera is currently confronting the head chef in the central kitchen!¡±


    Cayena sighed again.


    ¡°Well, then. Let¡¯s go there.¡±


    ***


    The pce had long been deprived of a woman with real influence ever since thete empress passed away from an allergic reaction. Since most of the women in the imperial family left the pce after marriage, Rezef took control of the internal affairs a long time ago.


    With that power, he filled the pce with his own people. Among those who supported Rezef was Mrs. Helier, who ruled the servants in a violent and oppressive manner.


    ¡°It isn¡¯t right to be so careless in managing the pce¡¯s people,¡± dered Mrs. Helier, looking grim but resolute. ¡°Only an empress who has learned and studied how to do so from the time when she was a crown princess can properly take care of the internal affairs.¡±


    Mrs. Sovenin, who had a lower post than the head maid, added, ¡°You¡¯repletely right, Mrs. Helier.¡±


    ¡°Did you all hear that Princess Cayena chose only young and inexperienceddies to be in her pce? Furthermore, she split all the power among just fourdies.¡±


    Everyoneughed and scoffed, except for one. A courtdy named Colleen, who had the capacity for rational thought, tilted her head.


    ¡°The princess¡¯s pce only needs to take care of Her Highness, though, so isn¡¯t that number all right?¡±


    Mrs. Sovenin¡¯s eyes sharpened at Colleen¡¯s remark.


    ¡°Enough of that nonsense! If you¡¯ve seen one, you¡¯ve seen them all. It¡¯s clear the courtdies are substandard, and there¡¯s no way that this enormous pce could be managed with just four!¡±


    Mrs. Helier soothed Mrs. Sovenin, who had gotten angry in her ce, by gently grasping her hand.


    ¡°Calm down. We¡¯re here now to settle the situation,¡± Mrs. Helier said. ¡°And even if we weren¡¯t, I would have taught the courtdies of this pce a lesson as I watched over them.¡±


    Even though the princess had control over the internal affairs right now, nothing would change. In the imperial pce, most people were associated with Rezef, as they rode on the coattails of the Evans family.


    ¡°Ask each department not to move recklessly against Her Highness¡¯s instructions. Once Prince Rezef regains power, everything will return to its rightful ce, so there is no need to do anything unnecessary.¡±


    ¡°As you say, Mrs. Helier.¡±


    At that moment, a servant rushed into thedies-in-waiting¡¯s break room.


    ¡°Her Highness is overturning the central kitchen! The head chef has been detained!¡±


    ¡°What? The central kitchen?¡±


    ¡°Why did she suddenly arrest the chef?¡±


    Did the princess catch tail of some ridiculous rumor?


    The frightened courtdies stood up from their seats.


    ¡°Hurry, to the kitchen!¡±


    Then, the servant who announced this news waved his hand.


    ¡°She isn¡¯t in the central kitchen right now.¡±


    ¡°Then where is she?¡± Mrs. Helier snapped.


    Mrs. Helier was someone who always pretended to be ssy, and she was rarely so openly irritated. It meant the princess¡¯s move had caught her off-guard.


    ¡°She said she would check all the closed-off annexes of the castle,¡± the servant said.


    The blood drained from their faces.


    ***


    Alex, the deputy chef of the central kitchen, was taking a short break after confirming the meals for the imperial family were prepared. As soon as the afternoon shipment came in, the kitchen staff had to prepare the ingredients for dinner.


    The central kitchen only had to prepare meals for three people, but as all three were members of the Imperial family, they had to prepare a variety of things.


    Alex smoked a cigarette near the loading dock.


    He looked over to the side. Next to the central kitchen was another kitchen in charge of preparing the employees¡¯ meals. That ce was aplete war zone.


    ¡°That¡¯s something to see after bing sessful.¡±


    Alex was the head chef¡¯s aide. Thanks to good timing, he had be the deputy chef of the central kitchen, which required the least amount ofbor among all the kitchens. There was another perk to the position as well.


    A substantial amount of money was generated off-the-books here. The head chef even gave him some ck money that he could pocket.


    ¡°Oh?¡±


    Suddenly, Alex noticed a strange figure.


    ¡®A handmaid?¡¯


    The woman carried herself well for a handmaid. Her hair was shiny, and though she was concealing her face with a mask, Alex could guess she was attractive. In addition, she looked young. Handmaids were usually very old or extremely young, since women in their prime preferred to work as regr maids.


    Alex snubbed out the cigarette. As the deputy chef of the central kitchen, he could easily sweet-talk a handmaid.


    His lechery rose.


    The handmaid was clumsily carrying things from the loading dock to the central kitchen. When she entered into that secluded area of the dock, Alex followed.


    ¡°You don¡¯t seem to have been working here for long,¡± he said.


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    The maid stopped and turned around.


    ¡°This is the central kitchen, where the emperor¡¯s food is made. And I¡¯m the deputy here.¡±


    He slowly approached the maid.


    ¡°Is your work hard?¡± he asked.


    The maid lowered her head. ¡°¡­It isn¡¯t.¡±


    Alex also liked the maid¡¯s voice. Her way of speaking felt refined, like the way a youthful noblewoman would talk.


    The more he saw of her, the more he desired her.


    ¡°If you¡¯re nice to me, I can arrange for you to work in the central kitchen. You can serve the imperial family directly.¡±


    ¡°No thank you.¡±


    Alex had to take care of the afternoon shipment after the break. He thought he could seduce the maid before things got too hectic.


    Then, a servant came to find him.


    ¡°Alex!¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°A senior courtdy from the princess¡¯s pce wants to receive practical training.¡±


    ¡°The princess¡¯s pce again? Fine. I got it, so you go and deal with it first. I¡¯ll follow youter.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡±


    Alex was in a rush, so he spoke sharply to send away the servant.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing for you to think over. If you miss your chance now, you¡¯re missing out on bing a servant in the central kitchen.¡±


    ¡°Sir, I don¡¯t need that!¡±


    ¡°Stop ying coy!¡±


    The maid took a step back, and Alex roughly grabbed her.


    ¡°Kyaa! Let go!¡±


    As he got closer, he could see the maid was definitely a beauty. He ripped off her mask, then eximed in surprise.


    ¡°I, it¡¯s you!¡±


    It was the courtdy from the princess¡¯s pce who had been pestering the central kitchen every day recently.


    ¡°How dare you try to coerce a helpless maid with your fake authority? You don¡¯t even have sway over personnel decisions!¡±


    Vera red at Alex.


    Though he was astonished at first, he quickly regained hisposure.


    ¡°Ha! Well, you¡¯re the one sneaking around disguised as a handmaid¡­ And where¡¯s your evidence? I was merely catching a suspicious person.¡±


    Vera was dumbfounded. It was too impudent, iming there was no evidence right in front of the person whom he had tried to molest! She swallowed her humiliation and fear, unable to speak.


    Alexughed meanly.


    ¡°It¡¯s clear to anybody who sees. A suspicious person disguised themselves and hid in the loading dock.¡±


    ¡°You dare¡­!¡±


    An annoyed voice rang throughout the loading dock at that moment.


    ¡°Alex! What are you dawdling around for?¡±


    It was the head chef. The head chef strode into the loading dock and then stopped.


    ¡°Sir!¡±


    Alex hastily ran to the head chef¡¯s side and pointed at Vera.


    ¡°Look here. The princess¡¯s courtdy disguised herself as a handmaid to skulk around!¡±


    The head chef turned to Vera with a murderous expression.


    ~~~


    [TN] By popr demand, the additional update day is Tuesday! So the new schedule is Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays around 12 a.m. Eastern.


    [PR] Thank you all for the wee. I¡¯ll do my best ??

 Chapter 38

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°What¡¯s the asion here?¡±


    Vera bit down hard on her lips.


    ¡°It seems like you need to tell us a few things.¡±


    The man led Vera to the kitchen.


    Olivia, who had been asking for training in the kitchen as a distraction, seemed to be in despair. Her face fell.


    ¡°Ha. Did youe to persecute the central kitchen?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯vee to do no such thing.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s with this situation? Gathering our attention in the front while you sneak around in the back?¡±


    He strode threateningly toward the courtdies.


    ¡°You dare to mess around in my kitchen like this.¡±


    Vera felt anxious like her insides were burning. Her mistakes led Olivia to suffer this indignity.


    ¡°Do you have anything to say for yourself? Huh?¡±


    The situation was too unfavorable for thedies.


    Had everything gone as nned, it would have been the head chef, not her, who would be shaken right now.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let this incident pass! You can¡¯t just target us hardworking kitchen folk because you belong to the princess¡¯s pce!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean I¡¯m targeting you? The deputy chef tried to force himself on a helpless woman with his authority!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a lie!¡± the deputy chef promptly denied.


    ¡°I only followed her because she looked suspicious. And look at how things turned out. I caught this backhanded court intrigue!¡±


    ¡°Backhanded court intrigue¡­¡±


    Vera was stunned.


    The head chef snapped at them violently, as if he were trying to drive them out of the kitchen.


    ¡°In any case, it looks like you were trying to sabotage the central kitchen. Let¡¯s call the head maid. Don¡¯t you know we¡¯ve just been entertaining you so far?¡±


    It was then.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gone too far. I hadn¡¯t even realized you were entertaining me.¡±


    Cayena appeared in the central kitchen, escorted by some knights. When the head chef saw the princess, his face twisted a little, and he bowed.


    ¡°I respectfully greet Her Majesty, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena nced at the head chef.


    She just witnessed him threatening Vera and Olivia upfront.


    ¡°Thisdy was following my orders to look at the affairs of the kitchen. But your attitude seems rather rude.¡±


    The head chef realized that Cayena was lying to cover for herdy-in-waiting.


    ¡°If you want to report her to the head maid, go ahead.¡±


    Cayena tilted her head. With a cold nce, she said, ¡°You¡¯reining because you¡¯re certain there is nothing wrong in the central kitchen. Correct?¡±


    ¡°Naturally, Your Highness. The central kitchen is the most strictly managed of all the departments. My life¡¯s pride is in this work,¡± the head chef said politely and in a dignified manner.


    To all eyes, he really did look like an honorable person.


    Cayena smiled slyly.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s check.¡±


    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°I should examine how the central kitchen is managed since it is the model for all the departments. I shall confirm your hard work and reward you.¡±


    The head chef¡¯s face crumpled. He hadn¡¯t expected the princess to behave this way.


    However, he couldn¡¯t stop her and show his guilty conscience.


    ¡®But what will the princess know, even if she looked around?¡¯


    She¡¯d just taken control over the internal affairs. What could she know?


    The head chef guided Cayena to the kitchen.


    Vera was confident there was an issue with the central kitchen.


    However, when the situation continued to spiral without uncovering anything, she became nervous.


    Cayena seemed very collected. She had already known that the imperial family¡¯s household was a wreck.


    ¡°Bring forth the ledger.¡±


    The kitchen servants nced at each other warily, but they brought out the ledger as they were incapable of refusing.


    They were a bit nervous that the princess had suddenly asked to see the management, but they inwardly felt at ease. Some of them even looked down on the princess, who hadn¡¯te of age yet.


    ¡°Hmm. You keep good records. You¡¯re right to be proud of it.¡±


    ¡°I am merely grateful that you have recognized it as so.¡±


    The head chef began to feel relieved until Cayena spoke again.


    ¡°However, the rate of discarded food materials is over 80 percent.¡±


    A disposal rate exceeding 30 percent was enough to strain a budget. However, it wasn¡¯t 30 percent, not even 50 percent, but rather 80 percent. In other words, most of the food was being discarded.


    The head chef¡¯s expression hardened. He thought he could get away with this much using clever words.


    ¡°The state of His Majesty the Emperor is now extremely serious, so the materials must be carefully selected¡ª¡±


    Cayena threw the ledger on the ground.


    ¡°I was looking forward to inspecting the central kitchen since its management was said to be strict. But you¡¯re saying that the empire¡¯s coffers are being wasted like this?¡±


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°It seems that you don¡¯t know that if the waste is over 40 percent, the person in charge will be punished byw.¡±


    The head chef now realized that the princess had no intention of overlooking this incident.


    His face twitched.


    The reason why the central kitchen¡¯s disposal rate was high was that they imed to purchase more food than they actually did.


    Because they have been embezzling funds this way for a long time, he did forget a bit about thew.


    ¡®How did Princess Cayena know this when even Prince Rezef didn¡¯t?¡¯


    The head chef tried to persuade Cayena in a gentle voice.


    ¡°Of course, that is what thew states, Your Highness. However, it cannot be denied that thew often differs from the situation in the field. This is especially so in the central kitchen, which manages the food to be for His Majesty, Your Highness, and the prince.¡±


    The food for the imperial family must, of course, be of outstanding quality. There couldn¡¯t be any ws in the dishes. Given that kind of logic, the wasteful nobles usually didn¡¯t blink an eye.


    The head chef thought that he¡¯d easily be able to trick the youngdy. But Cayena was expressionless, to the point that he couldn¡¯t read any thought on her face.


    But the head chef continued, telling himself he was overthinking things.


    ¡°In this ce, we must always use the best products. If there is anything suspicious or off with its delivery, the ingredient will be immediately discarded.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Cayena said unenthusiastically. ¡°But tell me this¡­¡±


    The head chef subconsciously gulped.


    ¡°¡­Where is the waste?¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    ¡°If you¡¯ve disposed of them, then where are the discarded items? The ledger records that just this morning, much food has been scrapped.¡±


    He didn¡¯t think she would ask where the disposed items were. He couldn¡¯t think of a response right away, and he hesitated.


    Then, he smiled again.


    ¡°We¡¯ve already thrown them away, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Then go and find them.¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll check the items with the ledger, so go and bring the scraps here.¡±


    Her attitude seemed to ask why he wasn¡¯t moving yet.


    There was no way that he could go find it. They had already written in the ledger that they had paid for the materials and discarded them in line with the ingredients¡¯ supplier. But they had done so without actually receiving the material.


    ¡®This is the first time anybody in the imperial family asked about the trash!¡®


    He finally realized how dire the situation was.


    The head chef wanted to let out his anger on everyone around him.


    But Cayena¡¯s cool expression tethered him, and he was unable to move. He swallowed the curses in his mouth.


    ¡°Who is in charge of the disposal?¡±


    Once again, there was no way there would be someone in charge of the scraps. He had to save himself with a suitable sacrifice. The head chef grabbed and pushed forward a lowly servant.


    ¡°It¡¯s this punk, Your Highness. Roche, tell Her Highness what you did with the scraps.¡±


    The youngest servant, Roche, realized that he had been chosen to take the fall.


    He lightly bit his lips. It was evident that he would be punished severely if he took the me here.


    But what would happen if he told the truth?


    ¡®Everyone, including the head chef, knows where my family lives.¡¯


    Thepany that delivered the groceries wasn¡¯t a mere business group. They also had gangsters in their control. It was said that they thought nothing of beating a person to death. Truthfully, anybody who crossed the head chef wasn¡¯t even able to stand and go to work the next day.


    ¡°I, I¡¯m the one responsible for this, Your Highness.¡±


    Princess Cayena was a member of the imperial family. The family looked down onmoners as if they were bugs; there was no way that she would protect him.


    ¡°Ah, so you¡¯re the one in charge?¡±


    Her tone was very soft. Roche¡¯s hands trembled, but he raised his head as if he were bewitched by her calm voice.


    ¡°What did you do with the food scraps today?¡±


    As Roche hesitated, the head chef quietly urged him. ¡°Roche. Tell her the whole truth.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    He closed his eyes and fell to the floor.


    ¡°I havemitted a sin worthy of death, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°A sin worthy of death? I don¡¯t know what you mean.¡±


    ¡°I dared to steal things because my family is undergoing rough times¡­¡± he stuttered.


    The head chef¡¯s face flushed, then quickly hardened.


    ¡°You impertinent twit! How dare you steal from the holy imperial family?¡±


    He grabbed Roche by the cor.


    It was then that Cayena raised her hand. ¡°Stop.¡±


    She affectionately addressed Roche, who was trembling again. ¡°Did you say your name was Roche? I¡¯m rather fond of people who take responsibility. There¡¯s nobody more trustworthy than someone who cares for his family like this,¡± Cayena said, smiling.


    Roche had a hunch that the princess had no intention of executing him. The head chef felt the odd atmosphere and appealed to Cayena.


    ¡°Your Highness, you must punish this bastard who dared to touch the imperial family¡¯s funds!¡±


    ¡°What kind of punishment would be suitable?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s, ording to thew¡­¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re saying I should confiscate all his property and titles and flog every member of his family?¡±


    The head chef shut his mouth. A cold sweat flowed down his back.


    ¡®I have to stay calm. There is no evidence. She¡¯ll never assignshes to me!¡®


    In the tense air, a servant came from outside the kitchen and said carefully, ¡°The afternoon shipment hase in, sir. Should we bring it in?¡±


    The head chef¡¯s heart sank.


    ¡°Her Highness is here now. How can we let a lowly trader step inside the pce in her presence? Get him out of here!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t let Cayena encounter the supplier. As usual, the receipt would contain a vast quantity of non-existent items.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that.¡±


    Cayena stood up from her seat.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go together to encourage the vendors who have worked so hard to deliver the groceries.¡±


    The head chef¡¯s expression turnedpletely dark.


    ~~~

 Chapter 39

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays<b> PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ***


    The peddler, Parson, felt odd because the central kitchen warehouse looked empty.


    He couldn¡¯t see inside the warehouse, so he called out to the deputy chef.


    ¡°Oi, Alex!¡±


    But it wasn¡¯t just the deputy chef who appeared. A lot of unfamiliar people were with him, including the frantic-looking head chef. One of those people caught his eye.


    ¡®Oh my god.¡¯


    It was the first time Parson had seen such a beautiful person in his life.


    She was so fair that it seemed as if a light was emanating from her body. She walked out of the dark warehouse and into the sun. At that moment, the courtdy next to her stated, ¡°Pay your respects to Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    The peddler realized that the woman in front of him was the rumored Princess Cayena.


    Parson, who had beenpletely distracted by her beauty, fell to the floor.


    ¡°This lowly man greets Her Imperial Highness!¡±


    Above his head, which was deeply bowed, a lovely voice echoed.


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    Parson rose awkwardly and stiffly from his position.


    ¡®Anyway, why did Her Highnesse here¡­?¡¯


    ¡°How indifferent I was. I didn¡¯t even know the face of the one who prepared the food for our family.¡±


    Parson became even more puzzled.


    ¡®Is this real?¡¯


    He couldn¡¯tprehend what was happening. So, for now, he just kept his head low.


    ¡°Thank you, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°Now, why don¡¯t we check the ingredients?¡±


    At her words, Parson lifted his head and looked at the head chef.


    His expression was contorted.


    ¡®¡­I shouldn¡¯t let her see the receipt.¡¯


    He started carrying out the goods without taking out the receipt. The head chef examined the quality and quantity of the items. It seemed like everything would go through quietly.


    ¡°You seem to be handling the delivery without a receipt.¡±


    Parson startled at Cayena¡¯s words like he was set on fire.


    ¡°Excuse me? Ah, so, um. I forgot to bring the receipt today!¡±


    Then, the head chef stepped in.


    ¡°This man is just a bit dull, Your Highness. Still, we have worked together for a long time and developed a lot of trust, so it¡¯s no big deal to rece a simple receipt.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. That¡¯s right,¡± Parson said.


    Cayena burst intoughter.


    Everyone was bewildered, forgetting the solemn atmosphere for a moment because of the refreshingughter.


    Cayena had grown considerably due to the influence of her previous life. She learned to be meticulous and rational, and it became a habit to stay silent until she was ready to act. However, Cayena was originally the viiness.


    ¡°It looks like I¡¯ve been too generous.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    Everyone could tell that something was off.


    ¡°Arrest the peddler and search the wagon.¡±


    The head chef turned pale with fear.


    ¡°Your Highness! You cannot persecute your servant like this without justification!¡±


    Cayena answered in a cold voice.


    ¡°Kneel.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    The knights waiting in the back seized the head chef and the peddler, then searched the cart.


    ¡°Your Highness, I found the receipt!¡±


    Even with one nce, it was apparent that there were many more items listed on the receipt than those being transported.


    The faces of the peddler and the head chef became pale.


    Cayena reached a hand out to Vera. Vera took off Cayena¡¯s ring and gloves.


    Cayena approached the head chef, who was kneeling on the ground.


    ¡°Y, your Highness! You are mistaken. I¡¯m innocent¡­!¡±


    p!


    The chef¡¯s face turned to the side.


    ¡°Your Highness! You can¡¯t do this! The prince himself appointed me¡­!¡±


    He felt that things weren¡¯t going to go well at this rate, so he brought up Rezef.


    p!


    Cayena pped him one more time. He then shut his mouth.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t enough that you touched the treasury, but you¡¯ve also tricked my family. My heart is cold for your heartlessness.¡±


    Initially, the knights were baffled by Cayena¡¯s actions. Then, they witnessed the shocking situation and became furious.


    ¡°You dare to deceive Her Majesty! He is a man who does not even deserve the dignity of getting his head cut off, Your Highness!¡±


    Deceiving the imperial family was a felony above all else.


    ¡°You threatened the servant named Roche before my eyes. I didn¡¯t know I would see such a scary thing in person.¡±


    Cayena shook her head side to side.


    ¡°If the central kitchen, which is said to be the most strictly managed, is like this, how are the other departments?¡±


    At those words, a servant hurriedly left his spot and ran away. Cayena didn¡¯t bother stopping him. She began the inspection with the intent of shaking up the imperial pce.


    ¡°Put them in a prison cell and interrogate them.¡±


    ¡°We will heed your orders!¡±


    The imperial pce was being overturned. Starting with the central kitchen¡¯s head chef, everyone was sent to prison under the knight¡¯s direction. The head chef¡¯s figure was witnessed by many. In the confusion, only Cayena was aloof as she walked through the castle.


    Vera¡¯s head was lowered as she followed Cayena.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena paused and looked at Vera and Olivia. She let out a short sigh. As she did, Vera¡¯s shoulders shrunk even more. Olivia also looked a little daunted.


    ¡°Vera, your eyes and your insight are great, but¡­ You were reckless today.¡±


    Vera knelt at once.


    ¡°Even if I had ten mouths, I could say no excuses. With my foolishness, I caused trouble for Your Highness and even put Miss Olivia in danger.¡±


    Olivia also knelt right next to her.


    ¡°I helped her of my own will, Your Highness. I deserve punishment, too.¡±


    Cayena sighed again as she looked between the two. Then, she helped them up with her own hands.


    ¡°If you cross people¡¯s lines recklessly, bad things may happen. I don¡¯t want anything to happen to you.¡±


    Vera closed her mouth tightly. She felt like she was about to cry.


    ¡°And in the end, you two were right. They¡¯re criminals. They dared to steal from the imperial treasury. Hence, you did well.¡±


    ¡°I apologize¡­¡±


    Cayena patted Vera, whose eyes filled with tears.


    Olivia asked carefully, ¡°But Your Highness, will you really inspect the other areas?¡±


    Vera just barely calmed down before starting to look worried.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t the nobles be more vignt now?¡±


    It has been only three days since Rezef was put on probation.


    But she had essentially bared her de to carve up the central kitchen.


    The noble forces who supported Rezef would not stand still.


    ¡°Since I already drew the de, it could lead to a bacsh if I push it back in its scabbard halfway.¡±


    Now that it hade to this, it was better to organize the internal affairs and set up the discipline straight away.


    Cayena tried to reassure them by saying it wasn¡¯t too bad.


    ¡°This sort of work is a typical part of housekeeping. Just think of it as me practicing before marriage.¡±


    ¡°I suppose¡­¡±


    ¡®I¡¯d rather do it properly and take advantage of this.¡®


    If she fixed the leaking treasury and protected the imperial family¡¯s wealth, she would be rewarded tremendously.


    Afterpleting this work, Cayena would receive an award equivalent to the budget she had secured.


    At that moment, someone called Cayena on her way to the separate pce like a scream.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    A group of courtiers, who must have been conspiring together, gathered to talk with Cayena.


    Theirplexion was not good at all.


    Cayena looked back at them indifferently. Her frosty blue eyes possessed a strict dignity that they had never seen until now.


    ¡°You¡¯ve finallye.¡±


    Sheughed.


    ¡°Even if you didn¡¯t, I would have gone to find you, but we all came here at the same time.¡±


    Mrs. Helier stood straight, looking forward with a stern expression on her face.


    ¡°Your Highness, I heard you are conducting inspections without prior notice. I am afraid that it will appear as if you distrust the loyal servants of the castle.¡±


    Mrs. Helier bowed deeply.


    ¡°You have a point,¡± Cayena lightly affirmed.


    ¡®It¡¯s quite admirable that Her Highness was able to shift things around like this.¡¯


    Mrs. Helier inwardlyughed at Cayena.


    Unexpectedly, the central kitchen was upturned, but its manager was quite annoying for Mrs. Helier.


    After all, he dealt with gangsters who did not hesitate to kill.


    ¡®But these actions cannot go any further.¡¯


    As usual, she straightened her back like the epitome of a court noble.


    To Cayena, she just looked ridiculous.


    Cayena already knew that not only did the head maid touch the treasury, but she also traded positions and prestige for personal gain. She had epted a considerable number of bribes.


    ¡°As always, you¡¯re a model for the other courtiers and pointed out something I didn¡¯t think about,¡± Cayena said.


    ¡°I am grateful that you understand what I¡¯m saying,¡± Mrs. Helier replied primly.


    ¡°You have quite the discerning eye for goods as well.¡±


    ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡±


    Cayena stood face to face with Mrs. Helier.


    Her gaze touched the earrings Mrs. Helier was wearing.


    ¡°Your stipend from the imperial pce must be higher than I thought. Seeing as you¡¯re wearing the jewels of the old royal family.¡±


    Mrs. Helier sped her hands in surprise.


    The antique pearl earrings, which reflected light in a distinctive way, was one of the Madrena royal family¡¯s treasures.


    Cayena then indicated to her ring.


    ¡°And that ruby ring is the wedding ring first worn by the Pauline family.¡±


    People¡¯s eyes turned to Mrs. Helier¡¯s hand this time. There was a dark and beautiful ruby, the color of blood.


    ¡°¡­This is just a gift from my husband.¡±


    Cayena stared coldly at Mrs. Helier as if she was a fool, mentioning her husband without knowing where the bribe came from.


    ¡°It seems that Count Helier often uses the ck market, hmm?¡±


    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡±


    She thought she had misheard.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way the head maid, who is fluent in the imperialw, does not know that ck-market trading is illegal.¡±


    Mrs. Helier felt the eyes focusing on her. Her legs were trembling, but her expression was as calm as that of a sly noblewoman.


    ¡°Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding. This can¡¯t be from the ck market, as it came with a letter of authenticity.¡±


    ¡°Do you ever remember the seal on the letter?¡±


    Mrs. Helier desperately thought about the letter.


    What family did ite from? She thought the coat of arms may have had swords and lions.


    ¡°Was it a design with a sword and two lions? Withurels surrounding them.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s right.¡±


    It was suspiciously urate. How did the princess know that? It was a design that Mrs. Helier couldn¡¯t recall. Mrs. Helier realized something was going terribly wrong.


    ~~~

 Chapter 40: Scene 8. The Court Ladies of the Princesss Palace

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR:</b> scarcecrow


    ¡°So, there was a rebel spy in the imperial pce,¡± said Cayena.


    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡± said Mrs. Helier. ¡°A spy?¡±


    Cayena ordered the knight, ¡°Apprehend the traitor.¡±


    ¡°I am no traitor, Your Highness! Truly, I¡¯m not. I merely received this gift from the Sovenin family! If there is a problem with these items, then they must be the traitors!¡±


    Then, Mrs. Sovenin¡¯splexion abruptly changed.


    ¡°Wh¨Cwhat are you talking about? Those jewels aren¡¯t from my family!¡±


    Mrs. Helier¡¯s face looked more like a demon than her usual self. She spat, ¡°Shut up, you ingrate!¡±


    She removed the ring from her hand and threw it at Mrs. Sovenin.


    ¡°Kyaa!¡±


    It hit Mrs. Sovenin¡¯s forehead and fell to the floor.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have epted anything from such a lowly, baseless family! Your Highness, these people approached me with wicked intentions. But I have nothing to do with them!¡±


    ¡°Of course, Mrs. Helier. I know well that you have been striving to take care of the imperial pce. Therefore, it is unfair to suspect you of disloyalty.¡±


    Cayena took off a ring from her finger and gave it to a knight near her.


    It was the gold ring that proved she was a member of the imperial family.


    ¡°Search Helier¡¯s home and her home before she married into the family. Find anything with the seal of the traitorous family.¡±


    Mrs. Helier copsed onto the ground.


    Cayena gently added, ¡°This is an order.¡±


    ***


    ¡°What a mess,¡± said Vera, who had been following Cayena all day to inspect the pce. Her face was weary.


    They have punished or rewarded each section of the imperial pce.


    Of course, there were far more punishments than rewards.


    People already stopped caring about how Cayena knew all this. What mattered to them was how much more she knew. On the other hand, Cayena was smiling.


    ¡°It went as I expected.¡±


    Then, she turned to console Vera and Olivia.


    ¡°Olivia, you¡¯ve gone through quite the hazing for your first day in the pce.¡±


    ¡°Not at all, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°I want you to take a good, long rest tomorrow. Still, since you¡¯ve followed me around today, everyone should know your face and won¡¯t act rashly against you.¡±


    Olivia gave a brief curtsy.


    ¡°I am grateful for your care.¡±


    ¡°You may go. Get some rest, Olivia.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, Olivia left the bedroom.


    ¡°How did His Majesty look?¡± Cayena asked Vera.


    Amid her busy schedule, Cayena assigned servants from the other kitchens to the central kitchen in order to prepare dinner for the Emperor and Rezef. Vera took care of delivering the food to the Emperor¡¯s bed herself.


    ¡°You have already heard everything. His Majesty told me toe quickly to your side, as you would be busy.¡±


    It was an indirect but unmistakable expression of support for Cayena¡¯s actions.


    ¡°I should think about what kind of reward to request from him,¡± Cayena muttered.


    ¡®I also have to think about how to deal with Rezef¡¯s reaction.¡®


    Her head throbbed in pain.


    ***


    The prince¡¯s bedroom was under repair. In the meantime, Rezef was moved to a small room.


    It was fortunate that he was no longer mad, threatening to y people or destroy things. But there was another problem.


    ¡°Please reconsider, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef had a book in his hand.


    There were also several books on the table, all of them regarding travel. They were copies of the books that Cayena borrowed.


    Zenon wanted to curse at his carefree appearance, but he just barely kept it in. He asked, ¡°Why are you trying to bring in Catherine Lindbergh, Your Highness? It¡¯s much too risky.¡±


    Rezef did not take his eyes off the book as he answered, as if there was no problem.


    ¡°What¡¯s the problem? She¡¯ll only be written as a foster daughter in Count Hamel¡¯s family registry.¡±


    ¡°This move will just create newpetitors. The thing called influence is fluid.¡±


    Then, Rezef put down the book he was reading and looked at Zenon.


    ¡°You talk as if the forces I¡¯ve gathered till now will surely break away to support Lindbergh¡¯s son.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s forces, which had grown in size since they first formed, would now be more careful instead of surging forward wildly.


    In particr, the nobles who supported Rezef tended to be conservative.


    ¡°If Catherine Lindbergh bes empress, her son will have a more legitimate im to the throne than anyone else. Your Highness, can¡¯t you see how dangerous that would be?¡±


    Most conservative nobles supported Rezef for a simple reason: He was the emperor¡¯s child.


    ¡°Legitimacy this, legitimacy that!¡±


    Crash!


    Rezef threw a teacup. In an instant, the atmosphere turned cold.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter how much Lindbergh tries!¡±


    Rezef said, ring at Zenon with sharp blue eyes.


    ¡°I will be quicker in obtaining the throne.¡±


    Now, Rezef was not in a state to be persuaded. Zenon took a step back and bowed his head.


    ¡°Please forgive me. It was a slip of the tongue.¡±


    Something was amiss.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to look at you, so leave.¡±


    Rezef didn¡¯t say anything else and turned the page of his book.


    After Zenon went out, the outside became a little noisy before turning quiet again.


    Thump.


    He closed the book and turned to the secret passage, calling someone¡¯s name.


    ¡°Jamil.¡±


    His aide, hidden in the passage, revealed himself.


    The secret aide, who covered his face and wore a ck exorcist¡¯s uniform, kneeled.


    ¡°Spread a portrait of Princess Cayena throughout the empire.¡±


    Rezef looked at hispetent secret aide with a good-natured smile.


    ¡°Take in artists who are specifically near the ports andnd routes that go out of the empire, and ce the portrait of the princess on disy everywhere. I want it so that even a country vagrant will know her face.¡±


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    Jamil bowed and disappeared back into the secret passage.


    Rezef threw the book in his hand to the table. There was nothing more he had to see.


    ¡°I never gave her permission to run away from me.¡±


    He stretched and looked out of the window. Since he read an uninteresting book, he felt drowsy.


    Rezefnguidly murmured, ¡°The only thing left is marriage¡­¡±


    Just then, a servant carefully entered the bedroom.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Her Highness is punishing all the departments of the pce.¡±


    These words made his sleepiness disappear.


    ¡°¡­What did you say?¡±


    The servant announced that Cayena had already driven away an important number of courtiers, including the head maid.


    Rezef¡¯s eyes turned bleak.


    ¡°Is my sister trying to reduce my influence¡­?¡±


    The head maid¡¯s position was vacant because of Cayena¡¯s actions. Rezef thought of the person who was most likely to take her ce.


    ¡®Now that I think of it¡­ She said she had called for the Elivan woman.¡®


    That woman was the one who interfered with everything so that he and Cayena would not get along. As a result, he framed her and sent her to exile. It was impossible to let that woman back in when he had worked so hard to expel her from the pce in the first ce.


    ¡°Make sure rence Elivan cannote to the capital.¡±


    The servant bowed.


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    <b>Scene 8. The Court Ladies of the Princess¡¯s Pce </b>


    If you were to rank the grandest mansion in the capital city, Alquiem, the number one would undoubtedly be the Kedrey vi.


    That beautiful building had cost a fortune to build, and it was refined enough to counteract the dull, militaristic image of the Kedrey family. Masterpieces by Alquiem¡¯s most beloved artisan lined the interior. In particr, the garden and the huge pond, decorated in the fashionable style of the empire, were unique attractions of the Kedrey vi.


    However, there was another reason the mansion was famous. It was a mansion where night did note. With the family¡¯s tremendous wealth, the candles were burned generously each night, making the vi look like a giantmp.


    On a quiet night, a visitor came through a secret passage that was not lit up by the shy lights.


    It was a woman who hid her appearance by wearing a hood.


    She jerked the rope at the entrance, and soon, the door opened. A servant stepped out.


    In a small voice, the woman said, ¡°I have news from the princess¡¯s pce.¡±


    The servant covered the woman¡¯s eyes with a blindfold and escorted her to an unknown ce. Finally, the blindfold was taken off. It was a room with a wide marquee in the center.


    ¡°Take off your hood,¡± ordered a knight.


    The woman did as hemanded.


    It was Annie, a maid from the princess¡¯s pce.


    ~~~

 Chapter 41

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays<b> PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>¡°Lord Raphael is on his way, so wait just a moment.¡±


    <span>Annie gulped.


    <span>It was usually Jeremy, Raphael¡¯s right-hand man, who came to this room for the reports. But why was Raphaeling today?


    <span>Soon, the door opened, and an elegant silhouette could be seen through the translucent sides of the marquee.


    <span>She bowed straight away.


    <span>¡°Greetings, Lord Kedrey.¡±


    <span>¡°Sit down.¡±


    <span>He sat in a chair and beckoned for her to do the same.


    <span>Ordinarily, the reports from the princess¡¯s pce were useless.


    <span>The nting of a spy in the princess¡¯s pce was for thoroughness, not because there would be a lot of high-quality information.


    <span>However, since a while ago, urgent reports came often from the princess¡¯s pce. Furthermore, Cayena recognized the duchy¡¯s spy aspetent and now regarded her as a close friend. Thanks to this, Raphael obtained information faster and more urately than anyone else in the capital.


    <span>Raphael opened his mouth.


    <span>¡°What happened?¡±


    <span>Annie revealed everything that happened in the imperial pce today: Olivia Grace arrived one day earlier than expected, the incident in the central kitchen, Mrs. Helier¡¯s crimes, and the Emperor¡¯s reaction¡ªshe conveyed all of these events in detail.


    <span>The spy nted with the knights also delivered simr news as what Annie told the duchy.


    <span>Princess Cayena put out an imperial order to seize the Helier family¡¯s possessions and to search for a traitor¡¯s seal.


    <span>There was an old story about the symbol of a treacherous family, but barely anyone in the capital was aware of the tale because of its age. A youngdy like Cayena would not have had much reason toe across it before.


    <span>The princess seemed to possess a lot of strange information. There were some things that she might have learned by paying careful attention.


    <span>However, Raphael knew that Cayena¡¯s environment was not supportive of such things.


    <span>¡®Exactly how did she learn all this?¡¯


    <span>Today, he had received confirmation that Rita Brukin suffered from madness, just as Cayena had said. There was news that it might even be gic. <span>Also, Olivia Grace entered the imperial pce.


    <span>Raphael did not have to lift a hand. He had seen neither head nor tail of the threedies whom his mother tried to marry off. Had his perfectionist mother¡¯s n ever gone sopletely wrong?


    <span>As far as he knew, this was the first time.


    <span>¡°Are there any other unusual movements?¡±


    <span>In response to his question, Annie pondered over Cayena¡¯s recent actions.


    <span>¡°Nothing else is notable, except that she has been reading travelogues of each region.¡±


    <span>¡°Travelogues?¡±


    <span>Come to think of it, he dide across her at the imperial library.


    <span>¡®What¡¯s the reasoning behind this?¡¯


    <span>Annie told him what she had overheard.


    <span>¡°She said that she would read up on summer vacation spots.¡±


    <span>Every summer, Cayena took a month-long vacation to the southern beaches. But a member of the imperial family had cut off connections with the ce where they had stayed two years ago after a disagreement.


    <span>¡°You mentioned her old nanny. Is that the wife of Baron Elivan?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, it is. Baroness Elivan hasn¡¯t replied yet, but I will ry the information to you as soon as she contacts the princess.¡±


    <span>Raphael nodded.


    <span>Looking at the situation, if Baroness Elivan entered the pce, there was arge possibility that she would be the head maid.


    <span>¡®I have to put a person there, too, to keep an eye out.<span>¡®


    <span>Annie brought up another important report.


    <span>¡°Andst night, the prince went to Her Highness¡¯s chambers.¡±


    <span>¡°Shouldn¡¯t he be under house arrest?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes. There seems to be a secret passage in the princess¡¯s bedroom.¡±


    <span>It was natural for each bedroom in the castle to have a secret passage.


    <span>¡°There briefly were some loud noisesing from the room.¡±


    <span>At that, Raphael frowned. It didn¡¯t seem like a pleasant situation. No, he was sure that Rezef went to Cayena with a grudge.


    <span>¡®But there was not a single rumor about it. Rather, the prince¡¯s pce has been quiet.¡¯


    <span>Raphael thought that Cayena must have cated Rezef. But what she may have said to Rezef, he didn¡¯t know.


    <span>He could only assume it had something to do with political power.


    <span>¡®More things that I need to learn about.¡¯


    <span>Whenever Cayena made a move, things became noisy, like the wind blowing over a reed field.


    <span>Her level of influence had grown to a level that could not be ignored. At least, that was what Raphael thought.


    <span>He asked Annie a question he had never asked before.


    <span>¡°What do you think of the princess these days?¡±


    <span>Annie was briefly unsettled by the perplexing question. But since she was quick-witted and sharp, she quickly found a proper answer.


    <span>¡°She is just and wise.¡±


    <span>A just and wise princess. It didn¡¯t make sense. But oddly, Raphael believed it.


    <span>¡°Oh, and¡­¡±


    <span>Raphael curiously looked at Annie.


    <span>Annie hesitated for a moment and then spoke. ¡°I heard her say that she hopes Lord Kedrey would get along well with Lady Grace.


    <span>He frowned slightly.


    <span>¡®Lady Grace again.<span>¡®


    <span>Since that meeting a while ago, Cayena repeatedly brought up Olivia Grace.


    <span>What kind of trick did she have in mind?


    <span>Raphael acknowledged her words with a nod and handed over a purse to Jeremy.


    <span>Jeremy crossed the marquee and gave the purse to Annie. She gratefully received the payment and again followed the servant out of the room.


    <span>No matter how many puzzle pieces he picked up about Cayena, Raphael couldn¡¯t figure out the big picture. It confused him. It was like the pieces belonged to different puzzles.


    <span>¡®It¡¯s doubtful that she¡¯s moving to support Rezef as the emperor, but it doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s trying to gain power for herself.¡¯


    <span>And the strangest part of all this was himself.


    <span>Raphael kept paying attention to Cayena¡¯s actions and wondering about them. He couldn¡¯t ignore her. She was like a thorn on his finger.


    <span>Raphael even felt frustrated because he couldn¡¯t make an appointment to meet her. Right now, he was only the heir, not the duke.


    <span>He deliberately hadn¡¯t seeded his father yet and was isting himself.


    <span>¡®But it would be nice if I had the authority to talk with her more often¡­¡¯


    <span>Raphael left the annex and entered the ornate Kedrey vi.


    <span>He seemed lost in thought throughout the walk. <span>Then, he asked Jeremy, ¡°Is there any way to meet the princess casually?¡±


    <span>To obtain the right answer, one had to face the problem.


    <span>***


    <span>As the next day dawned, Cayena stopped her inspection as if nothing had happened.


    <span>However, everyone in the pce was terrified of ending up like the head chef or Mrs. Helier. They cowered back, but at the same time, they had to move more efficiently than they had in years as they had to take on the work of those who were imprisoned.


    <span>Due to the personnel reassignments in the morning, the arrival of the princess¡¯s newdies-in-waiting drew less attention.


    <span>Julia Evans and Susan Lepore watched as a servant hurriedly went to the princess¡¯s pce to announce their arrival.


    <span>She didn¡¯t expect a lot, but Julia was a little disappointed at the cold reception.


    <span>¡°Things seem a little messy¡­¡±


    <span>Julia had been excited toe to Alquiem.


    <span>The capital city! The romance and thrill of it could not be expressed in words.


    <span>Julia was a livelydy bored by the standards of the men in the east. They were ugly, and they weren¡¯t stylish at all. For Julia, those facts were more painful than anything.


    <span>When she was chosen as a courtdy in the princess¡¯s pce, she was so thrilled that she screamed. Finally, she would be able to get out of the dull old countryside!


    <span>¡®Tea parties! Balls! Dresses!<span>¡®


    <span>She entered the imperial pce anticipating a world of elegance and style. However, the mood in the imperial pce was a bit strange. Julia, the jewel of the Evans family, was being treated like cold leftovers.


    <span>She nced at Susan Lepore, who stood next to her with an apathetic face.


    <span>¡®She seems harsh.¡¯


    <span>Susan¡¯s chocte brown hair, deep purplish eyes, and haughty expression made her look like a sleek jaguar.


    <span>Even though Julia smiled and tried to talk with her, Susan only responded with brief answers.


    <span>¡®Well, at least she¡¯s kind of pretty.<span>¡®


    <span>Julia concealed her prideful feelings bybing through her curly gold hair with her fingers. Her own beauty was considerably greater. She was often called the most beautiful woman in the east.


    <span>¡®Even in the capital, I haven¡¯t seen anyone prettier than me.<span>¡®


    <span>How beautiful would Princess Cayena, who was known as the greatest beauty of the empire, be?


    <span>At that moment, the servant returned with a seniordy-in-waiting.


    ~~~

 Chapter 41.1

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays<b> PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°Lord Raphael is on his way, so wait just a moment.¡±


    Annie gulped.


    It was usually Jeremy, Raphael¡¯s right-hand man, who came to this room for the reports. But why was Raphaeling today?


    Soon, the door opened, and an elegant silhouette could be seen through the translucent sides of the marquee.


    She bowed straight away.


    ¡°Greetings, Lord Kedrey.¡±


    ¡°Sit down.¡±


    He sat in a chair and beckoned for her to do the same.


    Ordinarily, the reports from the princess¡¯s pce were useless.


    The nting of a spy in the princess¡¯s pce was for thoroughness, not because there would be a lot of high-quality information.


    However, since a while ago, urgent reports came often from the princess¡¯s pce. Furthermore, Cayena recognized the duchy¡¯s spy aspetent and now regarded her as a close friend. Thanks to this, Raphael obtained information faster and more urately than anyone else in the capital.


    Raphael opened his mouth.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    Annie revealed everything that happened in the imperial pce today: Olivia Grace arrived one day earlier than expected, the incident in the central kitchen, Mrs. Helier¡¯s crimes, and the emperor¡¯s reaction¡ªshe conveyed all of these events in detail.


    The spy nted with the knights also delivered simr news as what Annie told the duchy.


    Princess Cayena put out an imperial order to seize the Helier family¡¯s possessions and to search for a traitor¡¯s seal.


    There was an old story about the symbol of a treacherous family, but barely anyone in the capital was aware of the tale because of its age. A youngdy like Cayena would not have had much reason toe across it before.


    The princess seemed to possess a lot of strange information. There were some things that she might have learned by paying careful attention.


    However, Raphael knew that Cayena¡¯s environment was not supportive of such things.


    ¡®Exactly how did she learn all this?¡¯


    Today, he had received confirmation that Rita Brukin suffered from madness, just as Cayena had said. There was news that it might even be gic. Also, Olivia Grace entered the imperial pce.


    Raphael did not have to lift a hand. He had seen neither head nor tail of the threedies whom his mother tried to marry off. Had his perfectionist mother¡¯s n ever gone sopletely wrong?


    As far as he knew, this was the first time.


    ¡°Are there any other unusual movements?¡±


    In response to his question, Annie pondered over Cayena¡¯s recent actions.


    ¡°Nothing else is notable, except that she has been reading travelogues of each region.¡±


    ¡°Travelogues?¡±


    Come to think of it, he dide across her at the imperial library.


    ¡®What¡¯s the reasoning behind this?¡¯


    Annie told him what she had overheard.


    ¡°She said that she would read up on summer vacation spots.¡±


    Every summer, Cayena took a month-long vacation to the southern beaches. But a member of the imperial family had cut off connections with the ce where they had stayed two years ago after a disagreement.


    ¡°You mentioned her old nanny. Is that the wife of Baron Elivan?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is. Baroness Elivan hasn¡¯t replied yet, but I will ry the information to you as soon as she contacts the princess.¡±


    Raphael nodded.


    Looking at the situation, if Baroness Elivan entered the pce, there was arge possibility that she would be the head maid.


    ¡®I have to put a person there, too, to keep an eye out.¡®


    Annie brought up another important report.


    ¡°Andst night, the prince went to Her Highness¡¯s chambers.¡±


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t he be under house arrest?¡±


    ¡°Yes. There seems to be a secret passage in the princess¡¯s bedroom.¡±


    It was natural for each bedroom in the castle to have a secret passage.


    ¡°There briefly were some loud noisesing from the room.¡±


    At that, Raphael frowned. It didn¡¯t seem like a pleasant situation. No, he was sure that Rezef went to Cayena with a grudge.


    ¡®But there was not a single rumor about it. Rather, the prince¡¯s pce has been quiet.¡¯


    Raphael thought that Cayena must have cated Rezef. But what she may have said to Rezef, he didn¡¯t know.


    He could only assume it had something to do with political power.


    ¡®More things that I need to learn about.¡¯


    Whenever Cayena made a move, things became noisy, like the wind blowing over a reed field.


    Her level of influence had grown to a level that could not be ignored. At least, that was what Raphael thought.


    He asked Annie a question he had never asked before.


    ¡°What do you think of the princess these days?¡±


    Annie was briefly unsettled by the perplexing question. But since she was quick-witted and sharp, she quickly found a proper answer.


    ¡°She is just and wise.¡±


    A just and wise princess. It didn¡¯t make sense. But oddly, Raphael believed it.


    ¡°Oh, and¡­¡±


    Raphael curiously looked at Annie.


    Annie hesitated for a moment and then spoke. ¡°I heard her say that she hopes Lord Kedrey would get along well with Lady Grace.


    He frowned slightly.


    ¡®Lady Grace again.¡®


    Since that meeting a while ago, Cayena repeatedly brought up Olivia Grace.


    What kind of trick did she have in mind?


    Raphael acknowledged her words with a nod and handed over a purse to Jeremy.


    Jeremy crossed the marquee and gave the purse to Annie. She gratefully received the payment and again followed the servant out of the room.


    No matter how many puzzle pieces he picked up about Cayena, Raphael couldn¡¯t figure out the big picture. It confused him. It was like the pieces belonged to different puzzles.


    ¡®It¡¯s doubtful that she¡¯s moving to support Rezef as the emperor, but it doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s trying to gain power for herself.¡¯


    And the strangest part of all this was himself.


    Raphael kept paying attention to Cayena¡¯s actions and wondering about them. He couldn¡¯t ignore her. She was like a thorn on his finger.


    Raphael even felt frustrated because he couldn¡¯t make an appointment to meet her. Right now, he was only the heir, not the duke.


    He deliberately hadn¡¯t seeded his father yet and was isting himself.


    ¡®But it would be nice if I had the authority to talk with her more often¡­¡¯


    Raphael left the annex and entered the ornate Kedrey vi.


    He seemed lost in thought throughout the walk. Then, he asked Jeremy, ¡°Is there any way to meet the princess casually?¡±


    To obtain the right answer, one had to face the problem.


    ***


    As the next day dawned, Cayena stopped her inspection as if nothing had happened.


    However, everyone in the pce was terrified of ending up like the head chef or Mrs. Helier. They cowered back, but at the same time, they had to move more efficiently than they had in years as they had to take on the work of those who were imprisoned.


    Due to the personnel reassignments in the morning, the arrival of the princess¡¯s newdies-in-waiting drew less attention.


    Julia Evans and Susan Lepore watched as a servant hurriedly went to the princess¡¯s pce to announce their arrival.


    She didn¡¯t expect a lot, but Julia was a little disappointed at the cold reception.


    ¡°Things seem a little messy¡­¡±


    Julia had been excited toe to Alquiem.


    The capital city! The romance and thrill of it could not be expressed in words.


    Julia was a livelydy bored by the standards of the men in the east. They were ugly and not stylish at all. For Julia, those facts were more painful than anything.


    When she was chosen as a courtdy in the princess¡¯s pce, she was so thrilled that she screamed. Finally, she would be able to get out of the dull old countryside!


    ¡®Tea parties! Balls! Dresses!¡®


    She entered the imperial pce anticipating a world of elegance and style. However, the mood in the imperial pce was a bit strange. Julia, the jewel of the Evans family, was being treated like cold leftovers.


    She nced at Susan Lepore, who stood next to her with an apathetic face.


    ¡®She seems harsh.¡¯


    Susan¡¯s chocte brown hair, deep purplish eyes, and haughty expression made her look like a sleek jaguar. Even though Julia smiled and tried to talk with her, Susan only responded with brief answers.


    ¡®Well, at least she¡¯s kind of pretty.¡®


    Julia concealed her prideful feelings bybing through her curly gold hair with her fingers. Her own beauty was considerably greater. She was often called the most beautiful woman in the east.


    ¡®Even in the capital, I haven¡¯t seen anyone prettier than me.¡®


    How beautiful would Princess Cayena, who was known as the greatest beauty of the empire, be?


    At that moment, the servant returned with a seniordy-in-waiting.


    ~~~

 Chapter 42

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays<b> PR: </b>scarecrow


    ¡°Miss Susan Lepore and Miss Julia Evans?¡±


    As soon as their names were called, the twodies bowed in a courtly manner. Vera slightly bowed back.


    ¡°I¡¯m Vera Lexton. Please follow me.¡±


    Vera¡¯s blunt expression, void of a single hint of a smile, felt overbearing.


    They had already heard the rumors about Vera before they came. She was the only courtdy that survived the purge in the princess¡¯s pce due to herpetence.


    ¡°Miss Susan, you¡¯ll stay over here, and Miss Julia¡¯s room is this one. Over there is where Miss Olivia Grace is staying.¡±


    The twodies were confused. Had Olivia arrived first?


    ¡°Miss Olivia arrived yesterday,¡± Vera exined.


    ¡®Was she so desperate to make a good showing because of her powerless family?¡¯


    When Julia looked at the list of those who were selected as courtdies alongside her, it was the first time she had heard the name ¡®Grace,¡¯ but she assumed they were a humble and powerless noble family. She also heard that despite their position, they were in marriage talks with the Kedrey dukedom.


    ¡®They say Raphael Kedrey is a handsome man.¡¯


    ¡°It will only be the two of you greeting the princess, so please send over a servant once you are ready to go.¡±


    Vera didn¡¯t have the energy to watch over them as she had done with Olivia. She had been running around since dawn, taking care of the messy imperial pce.


    ¡°Don¡¯t take too long getting ready. Her Highness is busy taking care of internal affairs.¡±


    ¡°Understood.¡±


    Susan quickly curtsied again and went into her room. Meanwhile, Julia grumbled to the maid that she had brought over with her.


    ¡°I thought we¡¯d receive a warm reception since there are only fourdies-in-waiting for Her Highness. But what¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°The room is very nice, though, Mdy. It gets plenty of sunlight.¡±


    The maid skillfully turned Julia¡¯s attention elsewhere.


    ¡°How nice! Our home isrge and extravagant, too, but I never really liked Mother¡¯s taste.¡±


    Julia looked around the room once more, then checked out her reflection in the mirror.


    ¡°I¡¯m the most beautiful person in the east, but maybe I¡¯m also the most beautiful person in the capital.¡±


    Julia looked closely at her deep golden hair and sapphire blue eyes.


    ¡°Let¡¯s change your clothes now, mdy.¡±


    Julia didn¡¯t stop chatting even as she got dressed.


    ¡°I thought there would only be amazing beauties in the pce, but that isn¡¯t the case. Where did the image of imperial courtdies being beautiful andpetente from?¡±


    ¡°It must be because they have elegant court manners, refined fashion, talent, and a good background.¡±


    ¡°Well, that fits me quite nicely, so I like it.¡±


    Laughing cheerfully, Julia adjusted the little hat adorned with flowers on her head. The gorgeous orange dress made her refreshing charm pop out.


    ¡°I think I¡¯m ready. Send over a servant.¡±


    The maid bowed her head, nearly letting out a small sigh of relief. It had already been an hour.


    ¡®The courtdy who arrived yesterday said that she didn¡¯t need to get ready and left right away.¡¯


    Susan Lepore had also finished getting ready quickly, just changing her hat for one suitable to wear indoors.


    It was problematic that Julia dawdled for an hour when Vera said that everyone was so busy. Her maid was at least skilled enough to reduce the preparation time to this much.


    ¡°Miss Julia, let¡¯s go to the parlor.¡±


    As soon as she came out of the room, she saw Susan. It looked like she had been waiting for Julia. Susan, who had never spoken to her first, looked at Julia with haughty eyes.


    ¡°You got ready very quickly!¡±


    Julia did not miss her sarcastic tone and quickly became offended. She was about to say something to Susan when she caught sight of Vera. Dissatisfied, she was forced to shut her mouth.


    Vera quickly nced at Julia¡¯s attire.


    One was dressed for a ball, while the other was dressed like they were about to read a book inside their own house.


    They were as different as night and day. Somehow, she felt like they would be challenging to work with.


    ¡°Please follow me.¡±


    Vera took them to the parlor, where Cayena was waiting.


    It wasn¡¯t just the courtiers who were busy in the morning. Cayena, as the head of internal affairs, had to grant final approval for all personnel appointments.


    ¡®It¡¯s fortunate that she¡¯s so neat and efficient, almost like someone familiar with such work.¡¯


    Cayena was oddly skilled in understanding reports and giving directions. Vera was grateful that her work was wless, but at the same time, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder. Was the imperial family born with such abilities?


    Vera stopped in front of the parlor.


    ¡°Let her know we¡¯re here.¡±


    The doorkeeper knocked on the door and opened it. Through the crack in the door, they heard a lovely voice.


    ¡°Let them in.¡±


    Finally, they would meet the rumored princess.


    Julia nced into the living room with curious, young eyes. Susan was still as apathetic as ever.


    A sunbeam shone through the enormous arched window as the rain stopped for a little while.


    Under the sunlight, they saw a woman holding a pen sitting at a table that doubled as a letterbox. There was a piece of paper in front of her.


    Even though she was wearing modest clothes, they could tell at a nce who this was.


    Julia was shocked. Her beauty, which she had been so proud of, felt colorless next to Her Highness.


    ¡®So that¡¯s the princess¡­¡¯


    Julia felt a sense of defeat, as if she was only a country bumpkin.


    Then, from behind them, Vera spoke.


    ¡°Pay your respects to Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Julia and Susan kneeled on the floor in a deep bow.


    ¡°We respectfully greet Her Majesty, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena put down her pen and looked at Julia and Susan as they bowed.


    In her first life, Cayena was impressed by Susan¡¯s courage during their numerous confrontations.


    It was a little refreshing to see her again.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±


    She helped Julia and Susan up and moved to a broad sofa.


    ¡°I hope that it¡¯s all right you¡¯ve been selected as ady-in-waiting. I know this is the busiest time of the year in the east,¡± Cayena said to Julia.


    Marquis Evans¡¯ territory, whichprised thergest granaries, needed a lot ofbor in spring and autumn. Although that sort of work had nothing to do with Julia, it was only polite to mention it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve wanted toe to the imperial pce since long ago,¡± Julia said. She stole another nce at Cayena. Her beauty was breathtaking.


    ¡°I¡¯m d.¡±


    Cayena turned her gaze to Susan and met her eyes.


    She instantly read in Susan¡¯s expression a little bit of curiosity and rebellion.


    ¡°Is Margrave Lepore healthy?¡±


    Susan replied bitterly, ¡°He¡¯s so healthy that he¡¯s nigh uncontroble.¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s a very boisterous and kind man. I¡¯d be pleased if he coulde to mying-of-age ceremony.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll write him a letter.¡±


    At that dull reply, Vera looked at Susan with sharp eyes.


    Julia¡®s casual, candid speech was a problem, but Susan¡¯s aggressive tone was an even bigger issue.


    ¡®Miss Olivia is truly extraordinary.¡®


    Olivia was raised to be ady-in-waiting, having learned court manners and speech in her childhood.


    Those who were from the capital particrly had to learn how to dance because they had to attend numerous dances at the imperial pce. It was a pity that among the new courtdies, only Olivia was from the capital.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t the pce a little cluttered?¡±


    The first one to answer her question was Julia.


    ¡°It¡¯s a little¡­ Did something happen here?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s somewhat busy right now, as we¡¯re restructuring the staff. Everything will stabilize soon, so you¡¯ll be able to learn your tasks more calmly then.¡±


    Julia was befuddled. She had heard that a courtdy of the princess¡¯s pce did not need to do much work. She was supposed to carry a parasol or a coat behind the princess as she walked around, right?


    But Princess Cayena¡¯s words implied that she would have to do more work.


    ¡°Do you know anything about managing internal affairs?¡±


    Julia¡¯s family had given her lessons on how to take care of the staff and oversee internal affairs. She had to learn it in case she became the empress. However, Julia wasn¡¯t interested in the position at all.


    She had a preference for older men, and Rezef was one year younger than her. Hence, she had only rolled her eyes at the lessons. She must have heard something about managing internal affairs, but nothing came to mind.


    ~~~

 Chapter 43

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    <span>Simrly, Susan also had no experience with running a household, so she could not speak up. Finally, Vera opened her mouth to exin.


    <span>¡°The internal affairs¡¯ purpose is to support His Majesty and the imperial family. One¡¯s duties vary depending on their position and department. Miss Susan and Miss Julia are Her Highness¡¯s exclusive seniordies-in-waiting of the princess¡¯s pce.¡±


    <span>¡°You¡¯ve exined things very well, Vera,¡± Cayena praised. ¡°You must be busy, but I ask that you watch over the training of our newdies-in-waiting.¡±


    <span>Vera bowed her head.


    <span>¡°Of course, Your Highness. It is a part of my duties.¡±


    <span>Cayena then dismissed the courtdies.


    <span>¡°This is enough for now. Go and rest yourselves.¡±


    <span>Vera took the twodies, bowed, and left the parlor.


    <span>As soon as the parlor door closed behind them, Julia let out a big sigh.


    <span>¡°Since today is your first day, take a break and get adjusted to the pce. Your junior courtdies can inform you of your duties,¡± Vera said.


    <span>The junior courtdies that had been waiting by the wall approached them. Among the juniordies-in-waiting were Annie and Donna, who had been promoted.


    <span>¡°Then, I¡¯ll see you again tomorrow.¡±


    <span>¡°Oh, yes. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±


    <span>Julia looked at Vera, who seemed perfectly unperturbed, and thought that she wouldn¡¯t bleed even if she were to be stabbed with a needle.


    <span>¡°Excuse me.¡±


    <span>Susan excused herself quickly and left first with herdies-in-waiting.


    <span>Julia had been fantasizing about the imperial pce not long ago, but now, she felt like she had been sshed with cold water. She had imagined herself wearing beautiful dresses as she apanied Her Highness to parties, carrying a parasol¡­


    <span>She walked to her quarters with Donna, the junior courtdy assigned to her.


    <span>¡°From now on, Lady Julia will be taking care of Her Highness¡¯s diet, refreshments, and medicine,¡± said Donna.


    <span>¡°What?!¡±


    <span>Julia was startled.


    <span>¡°But I don¡¯t know how to cook, and I know nothing about medicine! How can I do that sort of work?¡±


    <span>Even just hearing about it, the work seemed difficult. Julia furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°Then what are the otherdies-in-waiting doing?¡±


    <span>Donna exined each of the fourdies-in-waiting¡¯s duties.


    <span>Hearing the exnation made Julia¡¯s mood spoil further. It was because there was something that she wanted¡ªOlivia¡¯s duties.


    <span>¡®Hospitality and party management! A role like that would ce you at the center of the capital¡¯s society.¡¯


    <span>Julia really wanted that assignment. Also, hospitality would be better served if the person receiving guests was someone with a distinguished beauty, such as herself.


    <span>¡°By any chance, can we switch duties?¡±


    <span>The Grace viscountcy wasn¡¯t powerful, so it would be quick work to switch their duties if Julia¡¯s family sent them a message.


    <span>However, Donna shook her head.


    <span>¡°Her Highness herself decided on the division of tasks, so they can¡¯t be changed arbitrarily. If you want to change your assignment, you must make a request to the princess directly.¡±


    <span>¡°Haa¡­¡±


    <span>Upset, Julia sighed.


    <span>¡°You¡¯ll have time to learn your duties, so you needn¡¯t worry too much,¡± said Donna.


    <span>Donna¡¯s constion did notfort her at all.


    <span>¡®To make matters worse, Susan¡¯s job is also better than mine. She at least gets to take care of dresses and jewelry, though I don¡¯t care for managing the furniture and other items.¡¯


    <span>It felt like Princess Cayena purposefully gave her the hardest and most trivial task.


    <span>The true importance of her work did not matter to Julia. She only cared about what she could show off to others.


    <span>¡°Then, please call me when you need me,¡± Donna said.


    <span>Julia nodded and entered her room.


    <span>On the other hand, Millen, thedy-in-waiting Julia had brought from her family, knew that Julia had been entrusted with a greater task than she deserved.


    <span>¡®She must have been entrusted with such a responsibility because she¡¯s from the Evans family¡­¡¯


    <span>¡°Taking care of Her Highness¡¯s medicine and meals is a very prestigious and difficult job, mdy.¡±


    <span>¡°What¡¯s so prestigious about cooking? I¡¯m so upset. I thought I¡¯d be able to meet the man of my dreams and have a marvelous rtionship.¡±


    <span>In addition to her family and beauty, she was even the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting. She was the perfect bride material.


    <span>The princess¡¯sing-of-age celebration was happening in just a month, so Julia was looking forward to a fateful meeting there.


    <span>She especially wanted to meet with Raphael.


    <span>¡°Well, you maye across Prince Rezef. They say he¡¯s very handsome.¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯m not interested in younger men.¡±


    <span>¡°You¡¯re only a year older than him. He¡¯s hardly younger.¡±


    <span>Julia had no interest in the prince, who was currently on probation.


    <span>¡®If it¡¯s Princess Cayena¡¯s younger brother¡­ He¡¯ll definitely look outstanding.¡¯


    <span>The image of the princess popped up in Julia¡¯s head. It was the first time her beauty had lost to someone else. What made her pride hurt even more was that Cayena was the same age as her.


    <span>¡®Why is she so different, even though we¡¯re the same age? Is it because she¡¯s from the imperial family?¡¯


    <span>Cayena possessed an astounding grace and a profound air that made you unable to take your eyes off of her.


    <span>None of Julia¡¯s friends had such aura. Julia had hoped to take the high society of the capital city by storm with a beauty that exceeded Princess Cayena¡¯s¡­ but when she saw Cayena today, it was clear that could never happen.


    <span>Julia became depressed.


    <span>***


    <span>Indifferently, time continued to pass. Cayena was paying dearly for acting so conspicuously.


    <span>¡®This is like how I worked overtime every day in myst life because of team projects.¡¯


    <span>She was an office worker back then, but here, she was a princess. Wasn¡¯t she working too hard?


    <span>It felt a little unfair to her. Things would have been better if she were just the daughter of some other noble family.


    <span>Cayena was not so heartless as to ignore the burden that the imperial family carried. So, she was only thinking about how to build a working system.


    <span>¡®I¡¯ll think of it as working for my meals.¡¯


    <span>Framing her work as payment for her room, board, and entertainment slightly eased her resentment about the work.


    <span>¡°¡­Do you like working?¡± Cayena asked while looking at Vera dumbfoundedly.


    <span>Vera had even more work than she did, but her eyes were twinkling.


    <span>Vera gave her a timid smile.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s because there¡¯s someone who acknowledges me.¡±


    <span>Vera had never felt more satisfied in her life. Cayena was clear about rewards and punishments. Thus, Vera was enjoying working in an environment where she knew she would be recognized so long as she did her job well.


    <span>When Cayena looked at Vera, she was reminded of her past self.


    <span>¡®Was there a time when I was also like that?¡¯


    <span>It felt nice to be recognized for yourpetence and be promoted. But Cayena didn¡¯t have a good boss.


    <span>¡®But am I a good boss?¡¯


    <span>She didn¡¯t know. Still, she seemed to receive some good reviews.


    <span>If there are corrupt people among her employees, she would naturally take them out. Then, the honest people who had been called idiots by the wrongdoers would rise up.


    <span>Cayena immediately appointed those people to take the wrongdoers¡¯ ces. And throughout the pce, people have begun to praise Cayena.


    <span>She hadpletely revamped the internal affairs only five days after Rezef was put on probation.


    <span>¡®Rezef is being unusually quiet.¡¯


    <span>She thought Rezef would escape from his room to visit her again.


    <span>He loathed when anybody challenged his authority.


    <span>Cayena was aware of that, but she was willing to bleed a little. If he wanted, she would give him some other advantage. Cayena still had a lot of information that could prove useful. If needed, she could cause some trouble for someone who had bothered him.


    <span>But Rezef wasn¡¯t acting. There was a report that he may have argued with Zenon, but that was it. It was like a child who became quiet after doing something bad. For Cayena, this tranquility was ufortable.


    <span>¡®The biggest issue is that I don¡¯t have a proper informant in the prince¡¯s pce.¡¯


    <span>Should she push Zenon to gather more details?


    <span>¡®If I push here, I¡¯ll draw too much attention. I should just pretend to be quiet for a while.¡¯


    <span>¡°Does it seem like everyone is adjusting well?¡±


    <span>Vera understood that the question was referring to the newdies-in-waiting.


    <span>¡°Not at all, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>There seemed to be some dissatisfaction in Vera¡¯s firm response.


    <span>¡°Julia, especially, talked about how unhappy with the tasks that you¡¯ve entrusted to her.¡±


    <span>The previous day, Donna ryed Julia¡¯s everyint to Vera.


    <span>Vera had already been anxious about leaving this sensitive work to Julia, but she was even more upset by thedy¡¯s disloyal attitude.


    <span>¡°Good.¡±


    <span>It would actually be troublesome if Julia was assigned something that suited her and did a good job. If she did, it would be more difficult to separate the Evans family from Rezef.


    <span>Vera was stunned by Cayena¡¯s words. What other plot was she nning?


    <span>At that moment, Cayena asked another question. ¡°What about Olivia?¡±


    <span>¡°She said she¡¯s ready to start her training right away.¡±


    <span>¡°Please take care of her and help her adjust.¡±


    <span>Vera was grateful to Olivia for her help in uncovering the corruption of the central kitchen¡¯s head chef. Also, she didn¡¯t try to leave her behind and sought forgiveness from Her Highness alongside Vera.


    <span>Vera thought that they would be able to get along well.


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>As Vera organized the letters sent to Cayena, her hand came to a stop.


    <span>She ced the letter she was holding on top of a silver tray and brought it to Cayena.


    <span>¡°Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena turned to receive the tray. When she saw the letter on top, she muttered, ¡°The imperial academy?¡±


    <span>The academy was one of the ces to which she had no connection. But that ce had sent her a letter.


    <span>When she opened the envelope, she saw a clear seal that revealed exactly who had arranged for this letter.


    <span>¡¸We¡¯ve received word that the Kedrey dukedom will erect a new building at the imperial academy inmemoration of Her Highness, Princess Cayena¡¯sing of age.


    <span>Therefore, if Her Highness could discuss and decide on the use of this building¡­¡¹


    <span>Cayena was so shocked that she said something unfitting of a princess.


    <span>¡°He¡¯s nuts.¡±


    <span>¡°Excuse me?¡±


    <span>¡°Nothing. It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    <span>Did he seriously finance a new building to have an excuse to meet with her?


    <span>¡®What is this man thinking?¡¯


    <span>Raphael was weird.


    ~~~

 Chapter 44

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>Early in the morning, Olivia had received a letter from her family. Its contents could be condensed down to a single line.


    <span>¡¸ Unfortunately, the marriage discussions to join you and Raphael Kedrey have fallen through. ¡¹


    <span>It was something that she had foreseen the moment she was selected as the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting. Her father, worrying that Olivia would be heartbroken, added some words of constion; however, Olivia didn¡¯t care much.


    <span>¡®I wasn¡¯t interested in this marriage from the beginning. The events of the imperial pce are far more entertaining.¡¯


    <span>Watching Cayena force the head chef and the head maid to kneel was the most impressive thing Oliva had seen in her life.


    <span>Even Olivia, who was being protected by the princess, felt chills down her spine.


    <span>¡°Miss Olivia, Vera is asking to see you,¡± the maid assigned to her reported politely.


    <span>¡°Please let her in.¡±


    <span>She folded the letter and tucked it away, out of sight.


    <span>Soon, Vera entered the room. They exchanged brief greetings and sat down at the table across from each other.


    <span>Vera looked more tired than the first day Olivia entered the pce. However, her eyes were sparkling. The eyes of someone who found a person to confide in were more beautiful than jewels.


    <span>Olivia only felt worn out because of the harsh world. She had never met anyone who seemed to find themselves like Vera did.


    <span>¡®Perhaps.¡¯


    <span>Was Princess Cayena the one who found Vera?


    <span>Vera opened her mouth.


    <span>¡°I¡¯d wanted to arrange something to introduce the seniordies-in-waiting, but some more work has popped up.¡±


    <span>¡°What sort of work is it?¡±


    <span>¡°Her Highness¡¯s guest will soon be visiting the imperial pce. So it has been decided that your education will be elerated.¡±


    <span>Something was odd. There was no reason to teach Olivia, who was untrained, when Vera was capable of taking care of the work herself.


    <span>In other words, this could mean that someone wanted Olivia to greet this specific guest.


    <span>¡°Sir Raphael Kedrey will visit the pce to make a donation to the imperial academy. Miss Olivia, please wee and serve him well.¡±


    <span>Olivia felt flustered. She¡¯d only just received the news that the marriage talks had ended.


    <span>She could never have predicted that Cayena would give her this order in such an awkward situation.


    <span>¡°If it¡¯s an order, I will obey. But first, I must visit Her Highness.¡±


    <span>Olivia couldn¡¯t just let this go when it could cause further troubles.


    <span>Vera fully understood why she was trying to be careful.


    <span>¡°You¡¯ll need to wait a bit because the knightmander is going over the results of the criminal interrogation with her.¡±


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    <span>They waited outside the princess¡¯s parlor for her business to end.


    <span>A maid came out of the parlor.


    <span>¡°She said you may enter now.¡±


    <span>Vera shook her head instead of following her inside.


    <span>It meant that she would wait outside.


    <span>¡°Then, set up an investigation team and go to the supplier today. Those thugs who indiscriminately assault themoners must be taken out.¡±


    <span>¡°I heed this order.¡±


    <span>Olivia was continually discovering new parts to Cayena.


    <span>Her past, when she spilled wine on others¡¯ dresses, didn¡¯t show through at all.


    <span>¡®She¡¯s definitely different from before.¡¯


    <span>After the knightmander left, Cayena faced Olivia and said, <span>¡°The uproar of the pce as soon as you arrived must have surprised you.¡±


    <span>¡°No, Your Highness. I understand that you¡¯re trying to straighten out internal affairs.¡±


    <span>On the first day she entered the pce, Olivia somehow ended up following Cayena as she defeated the different departments one by one.


    <span>Nothing was wrong with her actions.


    <span>¡°Thank you for saying so.¡±


    <span>Cayena sat on the sofa and offered Olivia a seat as well.


    <span>¡°Seeing as you came here, I suppose you¡¯ve heard the news from Vera.¡±


    <span>In fact, Raphael was a slightly awkward topic for Olivia to talk about.


    <span>Although she decided she couldn¡¯t let things happen as is, there was a part of her that was embarrassed to bring it up first.


    <span>It was because it sounded like a lover¡¯s spat, too emotional.


    <span>¡°I am worried that my deficient manners will cause a problem with offering Sir Kedrey hospitality.¡±


    <span>Olivia was trying to excuse herself from the task with a roundabout reason.


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t think so. You¡¯re intelligent, so I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll have a hard time with hospitality.¡±


    <span>Olivia gathered a little courage and decided to speak the truth.


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t know if Your Highness is aware, but the marriage talks between me and Sir Kedrey have ended.¡±


    <span>Cayena also answered honestly.


    <span>¡°It was expected since you became mydy-in-waiting. Moreover, I don¡¯t think you seem very upset about that.¡±


    <span>Olivia was taken aback, like her weak spot had just been stabbed.


    <span>Cayena continued, <span>¡°I know what you are concerned about. I was once infatuated with Sir Kedrey, and blinded by my jealousy, I attacked you.¡±


    <span>Cayena got up from her seat and bowed to Olivia.


    <span>Startled, Olivia jumped up from her seat.


    <span>¡°Your Highness!¡±


    <span>¡°I should have apologized for my rudeness earlier.¡±


    <span>That wasn¡¯t all. Before Cayena returned, she hadmitted the vile act of poisoning Olivia. Even though Olivia had magicallye back to life, Cayena had to apologize for her actions.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    <span>Olivia couldn¡¯t help but believe her sincerity.


    <span>However, this apology was excessive. Cayena hadn¡¯t even mistreated her very much.


    <span>At best, she had ruined one of Olivia¡¯s dresses and ignored her greetings.


    <span>¡°Please, Your Highness. I¡¯m all right.¡±


    <span>Cayena gave a small smile.


    <span>¡°¡­Of course.¡±


    <span>Even after being poisoned, Olivia did not me Cayena after she was revived with magic.


    <span>Rather, she pitied her for being used by Rezef tomit such a terrible act.


    <span>¡®This is why Olivia is the main character.¡±


    <span>Cayena added in a light tone,


    <span>¡°Also, I n to marry a better man. So, I hope you don¡¯t have any doubts about Raphael Kedrey in the future.¡±


    <span>Olivia¡¯s eyes widened.


    <span>¡®Saying that she¡¯ll marry someone else¡­¡¯


    <span>She rxed her expression, thinking that Cayena was just saying it to reassure her.


    <span>¡°Now, can you receive my guest with an easy mind?¡±


    <span>Olivia bowed deeply and said,


    <span>¡°I will serve him properly so that it doesn¡¯t be troublesome for you.¡±


    <span>***


    <span>Olivia became ustomed to her role in just one day.


    <span>As Cayena said, the work wasn¡¯t terribly difficult. Though, it could have been that this particr guest was not picky.


    <span>Olivia only needed to remember one instruction.


    <span>¡®He likes strongly brewed ck tea.¡¯


    <span>Soon, a carriage from the Kedrey family arrived at the imperial pce.


    <span>¡®So it¡¯s that man.¡¯


    <span>She didn¡¯t need to look at anybody else; it was clear that Raphael Kedrey was the handsome man with deep ck hair and crimson eyes.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you. I am Olivia Grace.¡±


    <span>Raphael lifted up his head at the familiar name.


    <span>Wheat-colored hair and green eyes. They matched the appearance he had seen in the picture her mother showed him.


    <span>Raphael could tell right away who had arranged for thisdy-in-waiting toe out to receive him.


    <span>¡®Did she really mean what she said to me?¡¯


    <span>He couldn¡¯t understand why the imperial princess was acting like a matchmaker.


    <span>However, he greeted Olivia politely because she was thedy-in-waiting of the princess whom he hade to meet.


    <span>¡°Pleasure to meet you. I am Raphael Kedrey.¡±


    <span>Olivia thought the situation was extremely strange right now.


    <span>The first person that she greeted today was the heir of the family that sponsored her own family. Because of that person, she had been hated by the princess.


    <span>Well, that was the kind of thing that could happen in high society. But on the whole, marriage between a woman and her sponsor¡¯s son was something out of a novel.


    <span>¡®It¡¯s something that happens often in social climbing romances.¡¯


    <span>She hadn¡¯t expected that she would ascend social ranks by bing a courtdy rather than through marriage.


    <span>¡®Though I never dreamed of raising my status in the first ce¡­¡¯


    <span>All she wanted was just somebody who she could talk to in this strange world.


    <span>Olivia opened her mouth.


    <span>¡°Her Highness is busy this morning because of her work with internal affairs. She¡¯s handling the criminal interrogations personally.¡±


    <span>¡°I see.¡±


    <span>¡°First, pleasee inside.¡±


    <span>Olivia treated Raphael with a very businesslike attitude.


    <span>Baston, who came along instead of Raphael¡¯s aide, Jeremy, whispered to his master.


    <span>¡°Master, isn¡¯t that the youngdy with whom your marriage talks ended?¡±


    <span>¡°She is.¡±


    <span>Baston oohed and admired her a little.


    <span>¡°Isn¡¯t she a stunning beauty?¡±


    <span>Raphael didn¡¯t answer him.


    <span>¡°Butpared to Her Imperial Highness¡­¡±


    <span>¡°Baston.¡±


    <span>When Raphael called his name, Baston realized that he had overstepped.


    <span>¡°Who gave you the right to make such an assessment?¡±


    <span>As expected, Raphael reprimanded him in his characteristic cold, emotionless manner.


    <span>Baston covered his mouth, thinking that a boss who swore and kicked him would be better.


    <span>¡°Nevermind, Master. I¡¯m merely a foolish man who knows nothing of chivalry. My mouth is just¡­!¡±


    <span>Raphael regretted that he didn¡¯t bring along Jeremy. It was a mistake to let Baston join his entourage because Baston wanted to see the princess.


    <span>¡°But Master, doesn¡¯t it seem like thatdy is also quite unusual? Herplexion didn¡¯t even change.¡±


    <span>The day before, Raphael had also received a one-sided notification from her mother that the marriage talk had ended. It was something that could break the heart of a young noblewoman. So it was a little weird, since Cayena wouldn¡¯t have acted so inconsiderately.


    <span>¡®¡­What the hell am I thinking?¡¯


    <span>Raphael was dumbfounded at what he had just thought.


    <span>Did he just presume that Cayena would be considerate?


    ~~~

 Chapter 45

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>¡°This way, please.¡±


    <span>Olivia opened the parlor door and weed Raphael in.


    <span>She prepared the tea herself. She retrieved some ck tea leaves from a silver container with a beautiful ruby handle. Cayena had instructed her to serve Raphael a strong brew with it.


    <span>¡°I hope this suits your taste.¡±


    <span>The fact that the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting made him tea meant that he was a valued guest.


    <span>Raphael received the cup of tea. The ck tea inside the teacup was quite dark. Its aroma was strong but not irritating.


    <span>He noticed that it was the tea that he had gifted Cayenast time.


    <span>¡®Strongly brewed ck tea.¡¯


    <span>Olivia couldn¡¯t have known his preferences since this was their first meeting. That meant that Princess Cayena must have informed her beforehand.


    <span>Raphael felt that Cayena was bing more difficult to understand. She acted like she wanted to appeal to his good side, but at the same time, she wasn¡¯t really interested in him.


    <span>When Olivia noticed his subtle expression, she asked, ¡°Would you like me to prepare a different type of tea?¡±


    <span>Raphael¡¯s gaze briefly moved away from the cup. He nced at Olivia and said calmly,


    <span>¡°No. I like this one.¡±


    <span>Baston replied energetically as if to make up for his previous rudeness.


    <span>¡°The taste of this tea is top quality!¡±


    <span>Oliviaughed at the overly passionate words.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m d.¡±


    <span>Olivia chose a suitable topic to converse about before Cayena arrived.


    <span>¡°I heard that you are donating a building to the imperial academy. That ce means quite a lot to me.¡±


    <span>When she was a student, the Kedrey dukedom had decided to sponsor her.


    <span>Baston asked with an interested expression.


    <span>¡°You¡¯ve attended the imperial academy?¡±


    <span>¡°For a very short time. That was when the duchy decided to sponsor me.¡±


    <span>¡°Aha! Your paths have been intertwined for a long time, huh? Isn¡¯t that wonderful, Master?¡±


    <span>¡°Sure,¡± <span>Raphael replied, not feeling any wonder.


    <span>Olivia felt puzzled as she saw Raphael¡¯s cold look. What part of this man was rumored to be a gentleman?


    <span>¡®It would only make sense if you call him that for not flirting with women. But if so, aren¡¯t the standards for being a gentleman too low?¡¯


    <span>¡°Do you have any requests? Would you perhaps like a tour of the pce?¡±


    <span>Raphael refused firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll wait here.¡±


    <span>Olivia wondered if it was ufortable for him to be around the woman he was almost engaged to.


    <span>¡°If you feel ufortable, I will call for anotherdy-in-waiting.¡±


    <span>Raphael replied mechanically, ¡°No. Pardon me, I was being rude.¡±


    <span>Olivia knew from the start that he did not favor her.


    <span>He wasn¡¯t particrly haughty, but his attitude wasn¡¯t pleasant, either.


    <span>¡®When will Her Highnesse?¡¯


    <span>At that moment, the door opened, and a servant entered.


    <span>¡°Her Highness has arrived.¡±


    <span>Everyone stood up from their seats as if they had been waiting for the servant¡¯s notification.


    <span>When Cayena entered the parlor, the ufortable, awkward air filling the room disappeared as if it had never been there.


    <span>Olivia greeted her like a sigh of relief.


    <span>¡°Wee, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°Good work, Olivia. I¡¯m a littlete, aren¡¯t I?¡±


    <span>Cayena looked around the interior of the parlor and patted Olivia¡¯s shoulder encouragingly.


    <span>¡°As expected, you¡¯ve done well.¡±


    <span>Olivia was a little embarrassed.


    <span>Even the academy professors didn¡¯t give her such praise. In her home, everyone considered her abilities to be normal, so she was neverplimented for such trifles.


    <span>She hurriedly thanked the princess as her ears slightly heated up.


    <span>¡°Thank you, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>At that time, Raphael quickly nced at Olivia, then politely greeted Cayena.


    <span>¡°Raphael Kedrey respectfully greets Her Highness.¡±


    <span>He bowed so deeply that Cayena rushed to help him up.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s good to see you, Sir Raphael.¡±


    <span>Raphael courteously kissed the back of Cayena¡¯s hand. Baston, who was watching, covered his mouth with both hands.


    <span>¡®Eep, our master is¡­!¡¯


    <span>It was the first time he saw Raphael paying respect by kissing the back of ady¡¯s hand. Baston looked at the scene with a pounding heart.


    <span>But at that moment, Cayena didn¡¯t delude herself.<span>


    <span> ¡®¡­He was like thisst time, too. Why is he suddenly acting so strangely?¡¯


    <span>She even heard others specte that she had some dirt on Raphael.


    <span>¡®Did I unknowingly harass Raphael?¡¯


    <span>However, no matter how much she thought about it, she didn¡¯t remember scheming something against him.


    <span>Olivia, reading the room¡¯s mood, bowed her head.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll be waiting outside, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°Oh? You don¡¯t need to¡­¡±


    <span>But before Cayena finished speaking, Raphael saw Olivia out.


    <span>¡°Until next time, Miss Grace.¡±


    <span>As if she had been waiting for that, Olivia politely replied,


    <span>¡°Yes. Then, I will step out now.¡±


    <span>Cayena looked back and forth between the two.


    <span>¡®The atmosphere is a little weird.¡¯


    <span>She thought that as long as the two of them met, their rtionship would continue as normal. However, they didn¡¯t seem to enjoy their time together as much as she expected.


    <span>¡°Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena had been looking at the door through which Olivia left. She turned her head when she heard herself being called.


    <span>Raphael held her hand and led her to the sofa.


    <span>Cayena suddenly felt an unusual gaze on her. Baston was looking at her wickedly with the corner of his mouth slightly lifted.


    <span>¡°You brought someone other than Jeremy today. He looks a little familiar.¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯m Baston Debora, Your Highness!¡±


    <span>¡®So this is Baston. An amusing person has arrived.¡¯


    <span>Considering she had only read about him in the novel, it was interesting seeing him in real life.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    <span>¡°Thank you for this honor!¡± Baston cried out as he saw the two extremely good-looking people sitting close to each other.


    <span>¡®No painting could match the scene in front of me.¡¯


    <span>Cayena wore her hair up and had a cream-colored dress, exposing her corbones.


    <span>The skirt of the dress looked elegant as it had a rxed shape instead of being puffy.


    <span>Even Raphael was wearing brighter colored clothes than usual. As if the two had nned it, their outfits matched well.


    <span>Baston patted himself on the back for rmending the cream shirt to Raphael.


    <span>¡®They keep pretending there¡¯s nothing there, but what is this if not romantic interest?¡¯


    <span>Baston could practically see a pink aura between the two.


    <span>¡°Please don¡¯t worry that I¡¯ll do something pointless. I¡¯m aware that you¡¯re busy,¡± assured Raphael.


    <span>Cayena waved her hand. ¡°Sir, you are my most important guest.¡±


    <span>At those words, Baston shut his mouth. It was because he felt like he would make a fool of himself by speaking frivolously.


    <span>Raphael knew that her words had no secret, sweet meaning. Still, it felt nice to hear them.


    <span>Cayena checked the items on the table, then said,


    <span>¡°It seems that there aren¡¯t enough refreshments. Are you hungry?¡±


    <span>He felt this before, but sometimes¡ªoften¡ªit felt like Cayena took care of others like they were much younger than her. This was the case even though most people around her were older than she was.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    <span>¡°Was mydy-in-waiting¡¯s hospitalitycking? I¡¯d hoped that you two would get along well. She¡¯ll be the one to represent me in the future.¡±


    <span>Raphael realized that Cayena cared considerably about herdy-in-waiting.


    <span>¡°You cherish her.¡±


    <span>¡®I¡¯m only trying to make myself feel better, though.¡¯


    <span>Cayena thought that maybe this would allow her to repent for her past sins. She thought that she was being selfish. But if she didn¡¯t take care of Olivia, her heart felt too heavy.


    <span>Now, it was time to start today¡¯s meeting in earnest.


    <span>¡°I was surprised to find that the academy suddenly decided to erect a new building in my name.¡±


    <span>When she found out, she genuinely had been surprised. It was enough to make her forget herself and talk vulgarly.


    <span>Raphael, on the other hand, had wondered how to meet the princess casually. Jeremy had advised him to get her an early birthday present. It was pretty decent advice.


    <span>¡°I wasn¡¯t certain what kind of gift would be appropriate for youring-of-age, so perhaps my choice was inadequate. I would be happy if you liked it.¡±


    <span>Raphael was the first man to give her a gift that honored her rather than a dress or jewelry. If she had been the same viiness as before, she would never have received such an honorable present.


    <span>Since Raphael gave her a gift, it must have meant that Cayena had been behaving properly.


    <span>¡°I was a little taken aback by the unexpected gift, but I thank you.¡±


    <span>Her words and her smile were sincere.


    <span>Raphael finally admitted it to himself.


    <span>He enjoyed seeing Cayena¡¯s smile. To be precise, he enjoyed seeing her smile when it was directed at him.


    <span>The smile for Olivia was¡­


    <span>On impulse, he spoke again.


    <span>¡°Should I build another?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Excuse me?¡±


    <span>¡°A theater. Or a store, in Your Highness¡¯s name¡­¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 46

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>¡°No!¡±


    <span>Cayena quickly interrupted with a confused expression.


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t need another building.¡±


    <span>A new thought slowly arose in Raphael¡¯s mind.


    <span>What if he gave her a holy artifact?


    <span>¡°Then, what do you want besides buildings? A sacred relic of the ancient kingdom, or¡­¡±


    <span>As he continued thinking out loud, Cayena waved her hand as if she was overwhelmed.


    <span>¡°No, no! I¡¯m really fine without. I¡¯m just d that you thought of me.¡±


    <span>¡°Truly?¡±


    <span>Raphael¡¯s lips, without his intention, began to extend in a smile as he heard Cayena¡¯s words.


    <span>Cayena quietly sighed at his pleasant smile.


    <span>¡®Even if you¡¯re the male lead, do you have to be so handsome?¡¯


    <span>Cayena was abruptly reminded of how good-looking Raphael was. Her heart fluttered, though she didn¡¯t recognize it doing so.


    <span>¡®But why is Raphael sitting so close to me?¡¯


    <span>When she snapped back to attention, she realized that he was right near her. She wondered if an old habit had emerged without her awareness.


    <span>Should she sit a little farther or just stay here?


    <span>Before she could contemte this further, Raphael continued speaking.


    <span>¡°Your Highness can decide what the new building will be used for.¡±


    <span>Cayena snapped out of her thoughts. She had been a little distracted, forgetting what they were here to talk about.


    <span>¡°Ah, right. So why did youe to meet me?¡± she asked.


    <span>Raphael answered truthfully. ¡°I wanted to see you, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>A violent reaction to those words erupted somewhere else.


    <span>¡°Cough, cough!¡±


    <span>Baston, who was sipping tea, broke out in a coughing fit as if something had gone down the wrong pipe.


    <span>¡°Oh no, are you all right?¡± Cayena asked.


    <span>¡°Yes, yes. I¡¯m okay.¡±


    <span>Baston was bemused by his master, who tried to throw a fastball but failed and then just charged ahead like a bull.


    <span>¡®Really, there are steps to confessing your feelings¡­¡¯


    <span>However, unlike Baston, Cayena didn¡¯t read into Raphael¡¯s words.


    <span>¡°Speaking of which, you said you wanted to ask me something,¡± Cayena said, as if she hadn¡¯t heard him say that he wanted to meet her solely for the sake of seeing her.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s eyes narrowed as she went over the incident very inly. He realized that she didn¡¯t see any possibility for a rtionship with him.


    <span>First, Raphael decided he would match her pace.


    <span>¡°All of my marriage talks have been cancelled.¡±


    <span>Cayena reacted frankly. ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    <span>¡°So I came to hear the next part of the n.¡±


    <span>At his words, Cayena addressed all the servants in the parlor.


    <span>¡°Everyone, leave us.¡±


    <span>Simrly, she asked Baston for his understanding.


    <span>¡°Would you leave the parlor for a little while?¡±


    <span>¡°Of course, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Baston grinned and left the parlor alongside the servants.


    <span>¡°The people outside won¡¯t be able to eavesdrop in this room.¡±


    <span>It was a foolish act to let someone from the outside know that the parlor was such a ce. Still, Cayena casually revealed this secret.


    <span>¡°There are too many spies in the imperial pce. Everything that happens here bes a rumor in less than a day.¡±


    <span>¡°I see.¡±


    <span>Raphael nodded, feigning ignorance. He had also nted several spies in the pce.


    <span>¡°My goal is simple,¡± Cayena said candidly. ¡°I want you to make me a husband.¡±


    <span>For a moment, there was silence.


    <span>Make a husband? Did she misspeak, having intended to say to give her a child?


    <span>No, there was no way the princess would say such an obscene expression.


    <span>She wasn¡¯t asking him to be her husband or to introduce someone but to make a husband. He had never heard such a strange and absurd request in his life.


    <span>¡°¡­You want me to make you a husband?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, a fake, imaginary husband. But only the person must be fake. He must have both rights and fortune.¡±


    <span>In other words, she would not marry him.


    <span>Unfiltered sincerity poured out of Raphael¡¯s mouth.


    <span>¡°Your Highness, didn¡¯t you like me?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±<span>


    <span>This time, Cayena was very embarrassed.


    <span>Of course she liked him. He was Cayena¡¯s first love, and a long, unrequited love at that. But that was decades ago.


    <span>¡®Why is he asking me this when I requested him to make me a husband?¡¯


    <span>Raphael did not seem to be joking at all. He said it with such a straight face that Cayena was disconcerted.


    <span>Another silence followed.


    <span>Cayena calmly tried to think of the appropriate response in this situation, but there was nothing.


    <span>Then, Raphael spoke again.


    <span>¡°Was my question rude?¡±


    <span>Of course it was rude. But it would be strange for her to acknowledge that it was.


    <span>She was the one who kept saying how much she liked him. If they were discussing rudeness, they first had to address Cayena¡¯s past actions.


    <span>Cayena cleared her mind and said, ¡°The question was a bit embarrassing, I admit.¡±


    <span>Next, to show her innocence, Cayena spoke in a firm voice.


    <span>¡°My feelings for you have been cleared away now. I was sincere in my vow that I would not flirt with you again.¡±


    <span>Raphael¡¯s expression subtly changed.


    <span>That was right. But he hadn¡¯t realized that her promise to no longer be rude meant that she would never like him again.


    <span>That wasn¡¯t what he wanted. No. That was what he had originally hoped for.


    <span>Contact with her was unpleasant, and he didn¡¯t enjoy how her gaze always stuck to him.


    <span>But that wasn¡¯t the case these days. Now, he was fine spending time with Cayena, and he didn¡¯t mind kissing the back of her hand. He was all right when escorting her, and when he held her in his arms¡­


    <span>She smelled very sweet.


    <span>And she still did.


    <span>Cayena was like a person painted with very pale pigment. She seemed cold, but at the same time, sweet. When she was close, he felt morefortable. It was quite the addictive feeling.


    <span>¡°There¡¯s no need for that. I will believe Your Highness¡¯s words even without that vow.¡±


    <span>Cayena still found his words hard to believe.


    <span>¡®Was my promise too weak?¡¯


    <span>Maybe he thought she was shameless to try to clear her history after she had harassed him so much. But Raphael was the only one who could help her with her ns.


    <span>She thought that she would be able to live well if she cooperated with the male lead.


    <span>¡®Since Heinrich can¡¯t easily interfere.¡¯


    <span>She really didn¡¯t want to get involved with that madman.


    <span>¡®It would be nice if Raphael and I could be friends.¡¯


    <span>In Cayena¡¯s opinion, it was the best possible rtionship they could have.


    <span>¡°¡­So, was my request too brazen?¡±


    <span>Raphael knew that Cayena was sincerely concerned about his feelings.


    <span>This. This felt just as good as the smile that she sent him.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve been asked to make a husband.¡±


    <span>Raphael asked, ¡°But why are you trying to marry an imaginary person?¡±


    <span>Because it was the way she could safely leave the capital without loose ties.


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t want to get married for real. She could be caught by another lunatic and killed.


    <span>¡®Or maybe my husband will depart from this life before me.¡¯


    <span>Rezef may kill her husband, make her remarry, and continue to use her as a doll. Like the tragedy of the most beautiful woman of some ancient history.


    <span>No, that was definitely what would happen.


    <span>¡®Because he actually intended to send me to Heinrich and use me like that.¡¯


    <span>It was at times like these that Cayena was a bit resentful of the novel for letting her know all the secret plots that led to her death.


    <span>When Rezef¡¯s power weakened, Heinrich would surely try to take Cayena¡¯s hand. He¡¯d attempt to fill hiscking legitimacy by marrying Cayena.


    <span>¡®But he¡¯s also one of the secondary male leads here, so he¡¯ll fall in love with Olivia and find my existence offensive.¡¯


    <span>If he took the throne, he would try to kill Cayena and lust after Olivia.


    <span>Why was it so convoluted and tiresome? Cayena felt a little drained as she went over her situation.


    <span>¡®My sins are being born in the imperial family and being ignorant.¡¯


    <span>Finally, she calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s because a person who does not exist cannot be poisoned.¡±


    <span>It was also a sentence that exined Cayena¡¯s situation at once.


    <span>Raphael remembered Cayena¡¯s secret nickname among influential nobles.


    <span>¡®The prince¡¯s marite.¡¯


    <span>Cayena was reaching out to him to cut the string of fate she was hanging from.


    <span>¡®Is this why she changed?¡¯


    <span>The person who had been easier to understand than anyone else was nowhere to be seen. It was as if she was made of fog, and nobody could tell what was within.


    <span>Raphael recalled that Cayena was said to be reading travelogues. Maybe Cayena just wanted to find a safe ce to rest.


    <span>¡°First of all, this will only be possible once you inherit the dukedom.¡±


    <span>It was only a matter of time before Raphael seeded the current duke.


    <span>Soon, the Duke and Duchess Kedrey would file for divorce. The Duke, who had married into the Kedrey family, will go back to his birth family. He would be able to spend the rest of his lifefortably with the money and connections he had umted.


    <span>It was a lukewarm ending for a person who broke up his family by having an affair.


    <span>¡®I heard that he had an affair when Raphael was a child.¡¯


    <span>The novel didn¡¯t mention anything about the affair, probably because the focus of the novel was on Olivia.


    <span>¡®My heart hesitates to take advantage of someone else¡¯s family affairs, but¡­¡¯


    <span>¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Raphael asked as he felt her gaze on him. Cayena couldn¡¯t tell the truth, so she made up an appropriate response.


    <span>¡°You always look wonderful, but Sir Kedrey looks a bit different today.¡±


    <span>It was an apt attempt at ttery. Or, actually, thepliment was sincere.


    <span>Raphael nced at his clothes. The bright cream-colored shirt, which Baston strongly rmended caught his eye.


    <span>¡°Do you like it?¡±


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t expect that question. She hesitated for a moment and then avoided answering directly.


    <span>¡°Hmm. Everything seems to suit you well.¡±


    <span>Raphael smiled, knowing that Cayena was purposefully beating around the bush.


    <span>¡°Your Highness as well.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 47: Scene 9. An Unwanted Realization

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>Was Raphael someone who would say such words?


    <span>Well, Cayena didn¡¯t know how he interacted with others. He had never said simr words with such a gentle smile to the original Cayena.


    <span>¡®No. I shouldn¡¯t get caught up in his misleading manner of speech.¡¯


    <span>Cayena shook her head and calmed her pounding heart.


    <span>Maybe it was a good idea to wrap up today¡¯s meeting here.


    <span>¡°¡­I¡¯ll excuse myself first. I have some work to finish today. It may be better to reschedule our visit to the academy to notarize the documents.¡±


    <span>As she stood up, Raphael followed.


    <span>Cayena cooled her head and started walking.


    <span>Raphael trailed along behind her and said, ¡°I will escort you, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena looked back to refuse his escort.


    <span>¡°No! You don¡¯t have to do that¡­¡±


    <span>Then she found herself nose-to-nose with Raphael and hastily pulled herself back.


    <span>¡°Ah¡­!¡±


    <span>Having lost her bnce slightly, she reached out her hand. Raphael was strong enough to grab her hand and help her up, but doing so could strain Cayena¡¯s body. Using that as justification, he held Cayena tightly in his arms around her back. Cayena, surprised, stuck close to him.


    <span>¡°Are you all right?¡±


    <span>His tone was brusque but kind.


    <span>Cayena felt a sense of deja vu.


    <span>¡®I was held by him at the imperial library, too.¡¯


    <span>Like then, she felt secure, like she waspletely safe and protected by him. Raphael tucked back a strand of her hair that had spilled out.


    <span>Cayena came back to her senses at that moment. She quickly tried to get away from him. However, her body didn¡¯t budge. It was very embarrassing.


    <span>¡°Sir Raphael.¡±


    <span>Raphael looked down at Cayena, who had turned stiff.


    <span>As expected, something was unusual. Cayena was too reluctant to be in contact with him. It almost looked like she was afraid.


    <span>¡°Have I displeased you?¡±


    <span>¡°No, that isn¡¯t it at all.¡±


    <span>Displeased? It was a ridiculous misconception.


    <span>¡°Then why do you keep avoiding me?¡±


    <span>¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    <span>For a moment, she was speechless.


    <span>She was only trying to be careful, but it seemed she went too far. But wasn¡¯t this morefortable for him too?


    <span>Cayena thought Raphael would wee this change. After all, he was a person who felt nauseous by touching others.


    <span>But now, Raphael¡¯splexion looked quite fine. He didn¡¯t even look pale or ufortable.


    <span>Cayena bit her lip. With her confidence slightly diminished, she said, ¡°I was afraid you¡¯d be ufortable¡­¡±


    <span>¡®I know it¡¯s true, but this is weird.¡¯


    <span>There was clear evidence that he tried to avoid personal contact.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s heart itched when he looked down and saw Cayena being confused.


    <span>How could this ever be ufortable? He didn¡¯t fully understand himself right now, either.


    <span>But one thing was for sure.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m not ufortable at all.¡±


    <span>Raphael realized that he had to clearly exin how he felt to Cayena, who was being too cautious.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s more ufortable when you avoid me.¡±


    <span>¡®But that doesn¡¯t make sense.¡¯


    <span>Cayena wanted to refute his words, but she only furrowed her brows a bit. Raphael smiled discreetly at her expression, then forced the corners of his lips back down.


    <span>¡°Shall we go, then?¡±


    <span>Instead of letting Cayena out of his arms, he held out his hand. That gesture¡¯s intent was to ask if he could escort her. Cayena nced at the hand for a moment, and then gently held it with her own.


    <span>¡®Since he said it was fine¡­¡¯


    <span>Somehow, the room felt a little hot.


    <b>Scene 9. An Unwanted Realization </b>


    <span>¡°Where is Jeremy now?¡±


    <span>As soon as he returned to the vi, Raphael asked about Jeremy¡¯s whereabouts. He wanted an update on the investigation on Henverton Gillian.


    <span>¡°He¡¯s still outside.¡±


    <span>¡®Still?¡¯


    <span>Raphael nodded and headed for the bedroom. Baston, who was following him, asked,


    <span>¡°Master, you didn¡¯t treat Her Highness coldly again, did you?¡±


    <span>¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    <span>¡°In the parlor, earlier¡­¡±


    <span>Baston immediately started to respond to Raphael¡¯s indifferent words when he stopped himself.


    <span>There were many ears around. He stepped closer to Raphael. He didn¡¯t notice how Raphael¡¯s face was turning a little more frigid.


    <span>¡°Wasn¡¯t Her Highness¡¯s expression a little unusual when she exited the parlor?¡±


    <span>Raphael put some distance between them subtly, so that Baston wouldn¡¯t notice. He said, ¡°Nothing happened, so don¡¯t do something rash again.¡±


    <span>¡°When did I ever do something rash?¡±


    <span>Baston pouted.


    <span>¡®Did I see wrong? Master really did seem different from his usual, though.¡¯


    <span>But when Baston looked back at Raphael, he seemed to be the same as always. Well, it had always been like this since the first time he met Raphael.


    <span>Jeremy told him that their master had the same personality since he was young.


    <span>¡®A solemn, dignified child. I¡¯m getting goosebumps.¡¯


    <span>Baston, who originally wandered around with mercenaries, identally became an attendant of the Kedrey dukedom.


    <span>At that time, the duke was a little strange.


    <span>¡®Overall, his atmosphere was sharp.¡¯


    <span>It was less so now, but back then, Baston was so bad with discipline that he felt like he was choking.


    <span>Baston remembered his first impression of Raphael.


    <span>¡®What an asshole.¡¯


    <span>Raphael was handsome and tall, and everything came to him easily ever since he was a child. However, he was strangely reticent and rarely ever smiled. Baston wasn¡¯t saying that just because the maid he had a secret crush on had been in love with Raphael.


    <span>¡­Probably.


    <span>¡®There are a lot of people who love Master.¡¯


    <span>Some people even called him the first-love manufacturer.


    <span>¡®Even Her Highness is fond of him.¡¯


    <span>Baston¡¯s eyes teared up as he became absorbed in his own thoughts.


    <span>The side profile of his master as he expressionlessly climbed the stairs looked more wonderful today. It must have been because of the cream shirt that Baston rmended.


    <span>¡°Baston.¡±


    <span>He startled.


    <span>While Baston was distracted, Raphael had taken off his jacket and held out his shirt.


    <span>Baston didn¡¯t notice that they had arrived at Raphael¡¯s chambers.


    <span>¡°Oops! I¡¯ll take that now.¡±


    <span>Baston took Raphael¡¯s shirt, unfolded the dressing gown that an attendant brought it, and started putting Raphael¡¯s arm through the sleeve.


    <span>As he did, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed subconsciously.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s perfectly trained body was impressive, but the reason Baston gulped was because of the long scar on Raphael¡¯s back. It was a battle wound he got because of Baston.


    <span>Baston could still remember what Raphael said to him, expressionless, as he oozed blood like rain.


    <i><span>¡°Get a hold of yourself, Baston Debora.¡± </i>


    <span>His dry voice, which Baston always thought was condescending, had sounded so reliable.


    <span>If it weren¡¯t for Raphael, Baston would have certainly died at the hands of the barbarians.


    <span>¡®Master doesn¡¯t seem to mind this wound, but¡­¡¯


    <span>Soon, the scar was swallowed up by the ck shirt.


    <span>The duchy¡¯s territory shared borders with another country. In addition, the barbarians often tried to invade,ing from the western border as they tried to carve out morend for themselves.


    <span>Once Raphael was old enough to enter the battlefield and as soon as he was fully prepared for war, he wiped out the barbarians.


    <span>The western border was reimed in no time.


    <span>¡®Because the war never reached the capital, they don¡¯t know how cold-blooded my master is.¡¯


    <span>Raphael¡¯s hands had no mercy to the point that it seemed excessive.


    <span>Like a person who could not sympathize with others¡¯ pain, he just did what he needed to do. Since then, Bastonfortably concluded that Raphael¡¯s heart was made of ice.


    <span>¡®But now, spring is finallying to our master!¡¯


    <span>Baston huffed.


    <span>At that moment, Raphael made eye contact with Baston with a cold gaze.


    <span>¡°Your breathing is unpleasant.¡±


    <span>¡°Ahem. The seasons are changing, so my allergies¡­ ¡±


    <span>Raphael, now wearing a shirt, picked up the familiar ruby cufflinks from the jewelry box, but hesitated.


    <span>A dazzling blue diamond, which he usually didn¡¯t notice at all, stood out to him.


    <span>That blue color reminded him of Cayena¡¯s eyes.


    <span>Knock, knock.


    <span>A servant knocked on the bedroom door and entered.


    <span>¡°Jeremy has arrived. He says he has something to report to you immediately. What would you like to do?¡±


    <span>Raphael turned his gaze and said, ¡°Let him in.¡±


    ~~~


    [TN] Out of respect to other readers (including myself, because I don¡¯t read ahead OTL), please refrain from sharing spoilers on Disqus. You¡¯re wee to discuss spoilers in the NU thread or on the Discord in the spoiler channel.

 Chapter 48

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>***


    <span>Jeremy was burning with motivation for the first time in a while.


    <span>¡®How many years has it been since Master was this curious about something?¡¯


    <span>Jeremy always stuck to Raphael¡¯s side like a shadow. It was safe to assume that almost their entire schedules ovepped.


    <span>However, Jeremy did not apany him for today¡¯s agenda. Instead, he was excited about investigating Henverton Gillian.


    <span>He was ecstatic that Raphael had actually shown interest in something.


    <span>¡®Thinking about it, it seems like he has changed a lot recently.¡¯


    <span>Raphael was not a particrly motivated person and seemingly had no desires. He was never curious about anything and lived life in a boring way. He acted as if he was living only because he was already alive.


    <span>To Jeremy, it looked infinitely tragic.


    <span>Even though there was arge age gap between the two, Jeremy had seen how Raphael grew up neglected.


    <span>The duchess had raised Raphael as the perfect sessor and worked him harshly. At some point, his father, Duke Leo, became depressed and guzzled down alcohol. Duke Leo was a violent drunk, and he was particrly rough with Raphael.


    <span>Jeremy¡¯s memories of a ten-year-old Raphael were still vivid in his mind.


    <i><span>¡°That damn ck hair! Those red eyes! Get out of my sight!¡± </i>


    <span>The sight of Raphael¡¯s empty eyes, holding his father¡¯s birthday present tightly in his thin hands, still appeared in Jeremy¡¯s dreams. He was Raphael¡¯s aide and escort knight at the time, so he saw the duke¡¯s viciousness firsthand.


    <span>Those eyes that looked at Raphael like he was a curse, that mouth spitting out cruel words, those hands that threw objects at his young son. Nothing about that was normal.


    <span>The duke treated Raphael like he wasn¡¯t his son, no, like an enemy.


    <span>Anger rose up like a raging me.


    <span>How could he do that to his son, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for a long time, who had prepared a gift with his own money for his father¡¯s birthday!


    <span>Feeling sorry for Raphael, Jeremy wanted to step up and say something. He wasn¡¯t afraid of punishment.


    <span>But Raphael blocked Jeremy and spoke calmly.


    <i><span>¡°I¡¯m sorry, Father.¡± </i>


    <span>Raphael was not sad. His expression seemed to say that he had expected this. There wasn¡¯t resignation in his countenance, but rather confirmation.


    <span>He threw the bright blue topaz button he had prepared as the gift onto the flowerbed.


    <span>That button had been chosen because it resembled the color of his father¡¯s eyes.


    <i><span>¡°Are you all right?¡± </i>


    <span>When Jeremy asked the question, Raphael replied in a dry voice that didn¡¯t sound like it belonged to a child.


    <i><span>¡°My father seems to hate the Kedreys terribly.¡± </i>


    <span>After that, Raphael stopped going out of his way to see his father.


    <span>Jeremy didn¡¯t know why it was so heartbreaking. His only thought was that he wanted to somehowfort the young heir. He grabbed Raphael¡¯s hand tightly, rambling about how eating something delicious should cheer him up.


    <span>However, Raphael¡¯splexion quickly turned white, and his insides seemed to twitch.


    <span>That was the beginning.


    <span>From that day on, Raphael often felt ill and upset for unknown reasons.


    <span>All the doctors said that Raphael was fine.


    <i><span>¡°He¡¯s healthy.¡± </i>


    <i><span>¡°It looks like he needs a little more sleep¡­¡± </i>


    <span>They panicked as they struggled to find what was causing the young master¡¯s problems. The Duchess didn¡¯t just let things pass. As more abnormal symptoms continued to arise, the doctors and personnel continued to be fired and hired. Raphael became less and less talkative.


    <span>One day, when the atmosphere of the duchy had be uncontrobly grave, Raphael, with a normalplexion, said:


    <i><span>¡°I¡¯m fine now. I guess I just suddenly became a little sensitive.¡± </i>


    <span>After that, Raphael no longer vomited and seemed all right. Everyone, tired of being on thin ice, quickly believed his words. But Jeremy often saw Raphael¡¯s face turn pale.


    <span>¡®Maybe Master is¡­¡¯


    <span>¡°Aide Jeremy.¡±


    <span>Jeremy, who had been immersed in old memories for a moment, raised his head.


    <span>¡°¡­Ah. How did the investigation turn out?¡±


    <span>¡°This is the result of the investigation on Henverton Gillian¡¯s recent activities and those of his acquaintances.¡±


    <span>With a serious face, a servant passed over the papers to Jeremy.


    <span>When Jeremy first heard of Henverton Gillian, he didn¡¯t think much of him. The Gillians were a wealthy family, so he just expected to find a little dirt in his past. He didn¡¯t anticipate much more.


    <span>Jeremy¡¯s face became cold after checking the papers.


    <span>¡°Gather the reports from the other investigators and prepare the documents right away. We must report to the young master.¡±


    <span>Jeremy headed for Raphael¡¯s room as soon as he arrived in the vi.


    <span>¡°Here is the initial report of what you requested.¡±


    <span>Raphael put his usual ruby cufflinks on his shirt and epted the document.


    <span>¡°Everyone, leave the room.¡±


    <span>Raphael nced through the report.


    <span>Henverton Gillian had been in the capital for about five years. He had been active in the social world and broke up his engagement some time ago¡ªnothing particrly special. He hung out with nobles and bourgeoisie of poor quality, and they created a secret gentleman¡¯s club together.


    <span>But the gentleman¡¯s club was the problem.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s the most active venue for the drug trade in the capital¡­¡±


    <span>In the empire, the distribution of drugs was prohibited byw. The punishment for viting thew was considerably high.


    <span>Jeremy nodded.


    <span>¡°We looked at the foreign channels where great amounts of drugs may be smuggled in, but none had to do with the gentleman¡¯s club.¡±


    <span>And if it didn¡¯te from outside, it was obvious what was happening.


    <span>¡°If so, it means that they¡¯re producing drugs somewhere in the empire.¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯ve already instructed others to trace their source.¡±


    <span>The problem didn¡¯t end with just drugs. Human trafficking, illegal gambling, and an underground arena were all linked to the club. Even murders seemed to be frequent.


    <span>Though the Kedrey dukedom¡¯s investigation was outstanding, it didn¡¯t make sense for them to find so much dirt in this short time. This meant their deeds were so numerous that they couldn¡¯t be hidden.


    <span>The empire wasn¡¯t particr about cracking down on these kinds of incidents. In practice, it was difficult to touch a gentleman¡¯s club that was created by a nobleman.


    <span>Cayena¡¯s reaction worried Raphael. And looking things up uncovered all sorts of skeletons tangled together.


    <span>Raphael put the report down on the table. Jeremy¡¯s expression also didn¡¯t look very good.


    <span>Nheless, the Gillian viscounty was a vassal to the Kedreys, and the wealth umted through their warhorse business was significant. The nature of that business made it difficult to act rashly, since one of the core factors of the duchy¡¯s military strength was their mounted soldiers.


    <span>Jeremy pointed out another peculiarity.


    <span>¡°Recently, he¡¯s shown a strong obsession with Her Highness.¡±


    <span>At those words, Raphael tilted his head. His frigid eyes turned bleaker than usual.


    <span>Jeremy continued, ¡°We also gained evidence that he is in contact with the two candidates for the throne, since he is trying to marry into the imperial family.¡±


    <span>Rezef and Heinrich were undoubtedly both interested in Gillian¡¯s warhorse business. The business was like a very appetizing pie.


    <span>¡°What would you like to do?¡±


    <span>That day at the imperial library, Raphael noticed the insidious desire in Henverton¡¯s eyes. It was a mmy and filthy obsession toward the princess.


    <span>Raphael had sickened and felt revulsion. Back then, he thought that he wanted to get rid of him right on the spot. It may have been the first time he had ever felt such an impulse.


    <span>Raphael came up with the fastest and most effective way to resolve the situation.


    <span>¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to remove the trash early on?¡±


    <span>If it¡¯s a human that cannot be redeemed, it would be better to throw them out quickly. That way, they won¡¯t cause future troubles.


    <span>Jeremy paused at the word ¡®remove,¡¯ then, with an uneasy feeling, asked, ¡°Excuse me? What should we remove?¡±


    <span>¡°Henverton Gillian.¡± Raphael spoke calmly, as if he was asking if there was more than one trash to be taken care of. His nonchnt eyes turned to Jeremy. ¡°Get rid of him.¡±


    <span>¡°Master.¡±


    <span>Jeremy¡¯s head throbbed a bit.


    <span>¡°Of course the man is atrocious, but we can¡¯t dispose of a nobleman of this level.¡±


    <span>Raphael frowned slightly at Jeremy¡¯s earnest dissuasion.


    <span>¡°¡­We can just kill him secretly.¡±


    <span>¡°If the heir of Viscount Gillian suddenly dies, everyone will be suspicious. Besides, the family is the Kedrey¡¯s¡­¡±


    <span>Raphael waved his hand.


    <span>¡°I was just saying it.¡±


    <span>¡®That¡¯s a lie.¡¯


    <span>Anyone could see that those words weren¡¯t just said randomly. However, Jeremy¡¯s master quickly pretended not to know and looked nk.


    <span>It was strangely hateful. Jeremy felt like he had lost some years of his life in this short period. Still, he was relieved that he would not have to carry out thatmand.


    <span>¡®He¡¯s always a little cold-hearted, but this feels somewhat different from usual¡­¡¯


    <span>Was it because the issue was linked with the princess?


    <span>He looked at Raphael with a peculiar expression.


    <span>¡°Continue observing Henverton.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Master.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 49

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>Cayena soon started preparing for hering-of-age ceremony.


    <span>¡°Did the celebration invitationse out?¡±


    <span>The roses bloomed most beautifully around the time of her birthday. Hence, they always opened the rose garden outside and used the grand hall for a ball.


    <span>¡®I¡¯d like to scale it back, but everyone is already working to schedule, so I can¡¯t cancel what¡¯s already begun.¡¯


    <span>For hering-of-age, there would be a ball as well as a huntingpetition.


    <span>¡°The imperial court artist drew all the pictures on the cards that will be used for the invitations. The paintings are all dry now, so thedies-in-waiting will be able to write the invitations today, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>While Vera spoke, she handed Cayena a sample of the invitation. Cayena checked the cards that would be sent to each residence. A fetching rose decorated the card.


    <span>¡°How nice. Send them out with a messenger after all the contents are written out.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Additionally, the ingredients to be brought in, the number of servants needed for the banquet, and the type and order of songs to be performed by the orchestra were all checked.


    <span>They had to make sure that nothing would be disappointing.


    <span>¡®That¡¯s what it means to be a part of the imperial family.¡¯


    <span>Cayena¡¯s birthday had always been seen as an important event that signaled the beginning of the social season. The more sessful the banquet, the fiercer thepetition would be to be Cayena¡¯s husband. What she wanted was that sort of reaction.


    <span>¡®I have to encourage them topete to be my husband.¡¯


    <span>While people were distracted,peting for something useless, Cayena would create her imaginary husband and run away.


    <span>Knock, knock.


    <span>At that moment, the new seniordies-in-waiting arrived at Cayena¡¯s bedroom.


    <span>Julia, Susan, and Olivia stood in a row and bowed to Cayena.


    <span>¡°We respectfully greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    <span>These courtdies had just started their practical education today.


    <span>¡°Susan.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness?¡±


    <span>Cayena had something to do right away, so she called out to Susan first.


    <span>¡°Please prepare me some things so I can write a letter to Sir Raphael.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Then, she called Olivia.


    <span>¡°Olivia, please prepare to deliver this letter.¡±


    <span>Olivia wrinkled her nose slightly, then cleared her expression.


    <span>It was only appropriate for the princess¡¯s exclusivedy-in-waiting to deliver a message to the next duke.


    <span>¡°I will return as soon as I prepare.¡±


    <span>Soon, Susan put the paper for the letter on the table and a paperweight on top of it. She dipped the pen into the inkwell, neatly finishing the preparations.


    <span>Now, it was time to write a letter to Raphael.


    <span>¡¸Sir Raphael.¡¹


    <span>¡®Is it too obvious that I¡¯m trying to keep away from him?¡¯


    <span>She recalled Raphael¡¯s words, telling her not to avoid him. In other words, she had unknowingly hurt him.


    <span>However, she couldn¡¯t just write a letter to him in the same way she had done in the past.


    <span>¡®I really wasn¡¯t in my right mind.¡¯


    <span>She had sent him such cheesy love letters that even a lover would be embarrassed to send.


    <span>She wanted to die a little when she thought about it.


    <span>But maybe writing too inly woulde off as being cold. She shoved a few words in front.


    <span>¡¸My dear Sir Raphael.¡¹


    <span>Maybe ¡®my dear¡¯ was a little much, but it wasn¡¯t bad.


    <span>¡¸I¡¯m about to return the book I borrowed from the imperial library. I thought I could also check the location of the building that will have my name at the academy.


    <span>I hope that the building will be useful to the youth of the empire. However, I am worried about whether I can do this work well.


    <span>I¡¯ve never attended the academy nor interacted with the students as much as you have. While the documents are being notarized, I¡¯d like for you to share your opinions with me. I patiently await your reply. Cayena.¡¹


    <span>She leaned back in her chair for a moment, thinking that the message was very concise and professional.


    <span>¡®This is just a very practical letter.¡¯


    <span>Cayena struggled to push aside her memories of him holding her in the library and the parlor.


    <span>After some tasks, Olivia returned to Cayena¡¯s room, ready to go out.


    <span>She was wearing a dark blue coat and a simple hat with a ribbon. It was a rather dowdy outfit for the imperial princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting.


    <span>¡°Oh my¡­¡±


    <span>Julia sighed quietly, looking dissatisfied with Olivia¡¯s outfit.


    <span>Both Olivia and Susan heard Julia¡¯s sigh. However, they wisely ignored it.


    <span>¡°If Sir Raphael is in the mansion, would you ask for his schedule and make an appointment for the nearest date?¡±


    <span>¡°Understood, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena handed Olivia the letter. Then, she took off the brooch from her own dress and attached it to Olivia¡¯s hat.


    <span>The jeweled butterfly brooch shone above the round hat.


    <span>Olivia lightly grabbed her hat with wide eyes.


    <span>Instead of making a big deal of it, Cayena shared with her a simple sentiment.


    <span>¡°I thought that this yellow butterfly brooch would go well with that green hat.¡±


    <span>As a result, even if Olivia¡¯s outfit was somewhat in, she was wearing a gift directly from the princess. This way, she wouldn¡¯t lose face.


    <span>¡°¡­Thank you.¡±


    <span>It was a kind and warm favor.


    <span>Cayena seemed to be indifferent, seemingly detached. But when Olivia looked at her, she saw Cayena as a very warm andplex person.


    <span>¡°Have a safe trip. That will be thest of your duties today, so you don¡¯t need to rush.¡±


    <span>Cayena was implying that Olivia could stay a long time at Raphael¡¯s vi, but Olivia didn¡¯t interpret it that way.


    <span>¡°I willplete the mission ande back unscathed, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Olivia went straight away to the Kedrey residence.


    <span>***


    <span>The carriage stopped in front of the Kedrey vi. Olivia stepped down from the foothold and stood in front of the entrance.


    <span>¡®So this is the famed Kedrey vi.¡¯


    <span>The gatekeeper, seeing the carriage with the imperial symbol, immediately and politely bowed his head.


    <span>¡°Did you schedule your visit in advance?¡±


    <span>¡°I haven¡¯t, but I havee to deliver a letter from Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    <span>¡°Please wait a moment.¡±


    <span>While the servant delivered news of her visit to the mansion, Olivia looked around the reputed garden.


    <span>A spectacr garden made in the country style, which was recently in vogue in the capital, entered her sight. The nobles thought that nting herbs and trees with edible fruit was rustic.


    <span>¡®Still, it looks much better than a garden with only flowers.¡¯


    <span>Trees adorned with colorful fruits had a different palette from the flowers. The Kedrey vibined them together very well.


    <span>It was hard to believe such a dreary man lived in this bright residence.


    <span>¡°I apologize for making you wait, Miss Olivia.¡±


    <span>The butler came out and ushered Olivia in.


    <span>¡°The master is here now, so he asked to bring you straight to the parlor. Do you mind?¡±


    <span>¡°Not at all.¡±


    <span>Olivia felt the people of the mansion ncing at her with a subtle interest.


    <span>It was natural for them to be curious because she was one of the four exclusivedies-in-waiting selected by the princess.


    <span>¡°Are there any refreshments that you prefer or would like to avoid?¡± the butler asked politely after leading Olivia into the parlor.


    <span>¡°Anything is fine.¡±


    <span>He quickly prepared the refreshments.


    <span>¡°The master wille soon.¡±


    <span>It was as the butler said. Raphael appeared while Olivia was taking a bite into a fluffy souffl¨¦.


    <span>His bangs had been slightly pushed back, revealing a smooth forehead as he stepped forward. Olivia noticed that he seemed to havee in a hurry.


    <span>He greeted Olivia in a formal manner.


    <span>¡°Wee to my home, Miss Olivia.¡±


    <span>Olivia also faced him and greeted him with a curtsy, holding the hem of her dress.


    <span>¡°Thank you for your hospitality even with the sudden visit, Sir Kedrey.¡±


    <span>They sat down, across from each other at a round table.


    <span>Instead of asking about the weather, Olivia handed him the letter from the princess. She felt that he would appreciate that more.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s a letter written by Her Highness.¡±


    <span>Raphael received the golden envelope.


    <span>The imperial emblem stamped on the red candle wax looked special today.


    <span>¡®Thinking about it, there was a time when she sent me love letters.¡¯


    <span>Strangely, it felt like that happened a long time ago.


    <span>When he remembered the love letters, a faint smile formed on his lips. Olivia cast a sidelong nce at the smile.


    <span>¡°Hmm.¡¯


    <span>No matter which way she looked at it, it seemed to be a sign.


    <span>She quietly swallowed augh and drank her tea.


    <span>¡°Her Highness told me to make an appointment for the closest date that you could meet her. What time would be good?¡±


    <span>Raphael¡¯s aide, Jeremy, had been as quiet as a shadow behind him. He tried to tell him his schedule, but Raphael spoke before he could.


    <span>¡°I can see her the day after tomorrow.¡±


    <span>Jeremy opened his mouth.


    <span>¡®No, that day is the day he has to visit the cathedral¡­¡¯


    <span>It was the day that the ducal couple would take care of the divorce proceedings at the cathedral.


    <span>Even so, Raphael ignored it as if he didn¡¯t remember that appointment and made a rendezvous with the princess.


    <span>¡°Then, I will tell Princess Cayena that you will be meeting her at the imperial academy in two days. Does having dinner together at a nearby location sound fine?¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll reserve the restaurant.¡±


    <span>Jeremy¡¯s jaw dropped.


    <span>¡°Then I will tell her so.¡±


    <span>After finishing his words, Raphael seemed to be struck with a sudden thought that this somehow didn¡¯t feel like enough. He asked Olivia to be patient for a little while.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m thinking of writing a reply to Her Highness. Would you mind waiting a moment?¡±


    <span>Jeremy felt like he was losing his mind for a moment, then just barely returned to his senses.


    <span>¡°Yes, take your time.¡±


    <span>Jeremy carefully looked at his master after being told to bring stationery for Raphael to write a reply.


    <span>¡®I thought Baston was just spinning tales.¡¯


    <span>Raphael sealed the letter and stamped it with the Kedrey family crest.


    <span>¡°Then, please take care of this.¡±


    <span>Olivia took the letter and put it in her bag. She felt strange for some reason.


    <span>¡®Am¨C Am I a messenger of love?¡¯


    ~~~

 Chapter 50

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays<b> PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>***


    <span>¡¸<span>My dear Princess Cayena.


    <span>I was just staying at home when I had the pleasure of receiving your letter. The construction of the building has already started; however, being given the opportunity to help Your Highness is an honor. I¡¯ve already told Miss Olivia, but I would like to meet you at the imperial academy in two days.


    <span>I look forward to seeing you again. Sincerely, Raphael Kedrey.¡¹


    <span>Cayena looked once again over the letter Olivia delivered yesterday. There wasn¡¯t anything special in the letter, but it was a little unbelievable. Its contents were concise; there was nothing meaningful about it. It was very in and proper. However, the content was not the problem.


    <span>¡®Raphael sent me a reply?¡¯


    <span>Cayena vacantly looked down at the letter and swallowed.


    <span>¡®<span>Of course, the way people treat me will change now that I¡¯ve changed.¡¯


    <span>But it would be a little ufortable to meet him tomorrow while feeling this awkward.


    <span>Cayena calmed her heart, telling herself she was being silly.


    <span>¡®Tomorrow is thest day of Rezef¡¯s probation.¡¯


    <span>Somehow, it felt like the ten days of his probation hadsted for a long time. Was it because there were so many incidents?


    <span>¡®As my reward for organizing the internal affairs, I need to get a letter of appointment from the Emperor to get Raphael set up in the role of the military leader of the west.¡¯


    <span>She could then deliver it to him at the academy tomorrow.


    <span>¡°Vera, could you request for an audience with the Emperor? And Susan, prepare my dress.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>The courtdies had been writing out the invitations, and at Cayena¡¯s orders, they stood up. It went without saying that Julia looked at them enviously.


    <span>Julia¡¯s hand hurt from writing ten invitations. She put down the pen for a moment <span>to take a short break.


    <span>Julia was looking forward to the princess¡¯sing-of-age very much. However, she did not want to do the chores associated with it.


    <span>That said, Olivia was working so hard that she couldn¡¯t dawdle about. In fact, among the four maids, Julia wrote the least number of invitations.


    <span>Her anticipated elegant life in the pce and the capital seemed to get farther and farther away as she was stuck with constant work.


    <span>Why was the princess so busy? Julia really couldn¡¯t understand.


    <span>¡®The prince is locked up, and my brother is being weird these days. The pce is full of strange things. My brother, the princess, and all the courtdies!¡¯


    <span>She nervously dipped the pen into the inkwell and took it out.


    <span>¡°Kyaa!¡±


    <span>The ink came out of the pen and sttered in all directions.


    <span>¡°Oh no, what do I do?¡±


    <span>ck ink had sshed over her pastel dress. Julia got flustered and rubbed at the ink, but that only caused it to smear heavily.


    <span>Olivia let out a small sigh when she saw the ink sttered on some of her invitations.


    <span>¡°What¡¯s the issue?¡± Cayena asked.


    <span>Julia began to cry.


    <span>¡°The ink stained my dress!¡±


    <span>¡°Oh my. It looks like you need to change your clothes.¡±


    <span>Then Cayena¡¯s gaze turned to Olivia¡¯s direction.


    <span>¡°Olivia, were you sshed as well?¡±


    <span>At those words, Julia also turned toward Olivia.


    <span>¡°My dress is fine.¡±


    <span>In that moment, Julia noticed the ink stters on the invitations. She felt a little sorry, but it was only an invitation, so it could be written again. Her dress, on the other hand, couldn¡¯t be saved.


    <span>Still, Julia apologized in a small voice.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t realize the ink would stter like this.¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s all right,¡± Olivia said, and she redid the invitation.


    <span>Julia got a little confused. She thought that Olivia would also ask if she was okay.


    <span>She stood up sullenly.


    <span>¡°I will change to another outfit and return, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°As you like.¡±


    <span>Julia left the office.


    <span>Cayena stepped near Olivia. She found an invitation greatly stained with ink.


    <span>¡°Hmm. The ink sttered on the words of these two pages. But the rest only have ink sttered on the margins, so we <span>can cover it up with a picture.¡±


    <span>Olivia finally realized that she didn¡¯t have to throw out all the invitations. Normally, she would havee up with this sort of solution immediately.


    <span>¡°It looks like something¡¯s on your mind.¡±


    <span>Olivia moved her lips slightly before closing them shut.


    <span>¡®I can¡¯t tell her that the sponsorship from the Kedrey duchy was cut off<span>¡­ ¡®


    <span>She had been concerned about this ever since she became a courtdy of the princess¡¯s pce.


    <span>Then, this morning, she had received a letter from her family saying that the sponsorship had ended.


    <span>¡®I¡¯m fine, but what about my younger siblings?¡¯


    <span>Her family had an immense amount of debt.


    <span>¡®It¡¯s strange that we¡¯ve gone into debt, and the interest is unusual as well.¡¯


    <span>It was too convenient that the person in charge of the debt was not demanding things from them. Actually, it was really concerning.


    <span>Many high aristocrats behaved nonchntly about things like this, so her parents didn¡¯t believe that theck of action was significant.


    <span>¡®Something is weird.¡¯


    <span>The debt had grown so much that it was difficult to pay off more than the interest with what she earned. However, though the numbers kept growing, they weren¡¯t being urged to pay.


    <span>It felt like their lender had purposes other than money.


    <span>¡®Emma also thought that was odd, so she¡¯s trying to figure out where the debt came from¡­¡¯


    <span>Emma was one of Olivia¡¯s younger siblings.


    <span>A faint sigh flowed out of her lips.


    <span>She wanted to pay off this suspicious debt quickly.


    <span>***


    <span>Recently, Zenon had been on edge because of the issue with Catherine Lindbergh.


    <span>Furthermore, Cayena had flipped over the imperial pce. Her actions were just, so the opposing side naturally appeared to be evil.


    <span>The momentum waspletely leaning toward Cayena. She was slowly removing Rezef¡¯s people, one by one.


    <span>Specifically, she was removing the people associated with the Evans family.


    <span>¡®cing Catherine in Count Hamel¡¯s family will earn the Emperor¡¯s favor. I don¡¯t know how much it¡¯ll affect, and Rezef had denied it, but it¡¯s clear Cayena brought in the Emperor¡¯s lover and her son to curb Rezef¡¯s power.


    <span>¡®Just because Lindbergh¡¯s son doesn¡¯t have any power doesn¡¯t mean we can ignore him. He¡¯s one of the biggest threats to the current bnce. If the Kedrey duchy backs him, it will be troublesome to fix the situation.¡¯


    <span>At that time, one of his subordinates approached him with an embarrassed face.


    <span>¡°Sir Evans, I have something to report.¡±


    <span>¡°What is it?¡±


    <span>¡°Henverton Gillian tried to make contact. Should I ignore him likest time?¡±


    <span>Recently, the heir of the Gillian viscounty had been attempting to negotiate with them in exchange for the position of the princess¡¯s husband.


    <span>It wasn¡¯t even funny. Regardless of the warhorse business¡¯s utility, it was the position of the Emperor¡¯s son-inw that they were talking about.


    <span>He was about to tell the subordinate to ignore him, but after thinking, he shut his mouth. It seemed that he would be able to deal with that impudent princess without raising his hand.


    <span>Zenon smiled like a shark.


    <span>¡°No. Let¡¯s hear him out once. Make an appointment with him.¡±


    <span>**


    <span>Zenon left the pce for the first time in a while to go to his private residence in the capital.


    <span>His address had an excellent advantage. The location and internal structure of the building made it a good ce to arrange secret meetings.


    <span>As he entered the secret area of the residence, he saw the guest who arrived first.


    <span>¡°Well met. I am Henverton Gillian.¡±


    <span>Henverton curved his eyes into smiles and stretched out his hand for a handshake. Zenon looked down at the hand for a moment before grabbing it.


    <span>¡°I am Zenon Evans.¡±


    <span>He never associated with Henverton before, but he knew him well. In particr, the gentlemen¡¯s club that Henverton ran with his friends was well known, though it was meant to be secret.


    <span>¡®It¡¯s hard to call it a secret club when everyone knows about it.¡¯


    <span>¡°My attendant told me what you had said,¡± Zenon began to say. ¡°If the Gillian viscounty and the imperial family were to unite, it would be of great strength for Prince Rezef.¡±


    <span>To be precise, it would benefit the Evans family, not the imperial family.


    <span>Henverton was the sessor to the Gillian viscountcy. He had offered to share the power of the warhorse business he will inherit with the Evans family.


    <span>And the price was Cayena.


    <span>¡°What I want is Princess Cayena herself, not the position of the imperial son-inw.¡±


    <span>If he could have Cayena in his hand right now, that was all he wanted. He wasn¡¯t interested in the position at all. He only wanted to get his hands on Cayena as soon as possible.


    <span>Henverton was a passionate collector who had an obsession with beauty. He loved collecting beautiful jewels, statues, paintings, and such. Then, he saw the most beautiful thing that he could own in his life. That was Cayena.


    <span>The beauty of the princess was by far the greatest among the many things he had collected. He became obsessed from the moment he first saw her. His desire to possess her made it difficult for him to be in his right senses.


    <span>Back then, at the library, Cayena had seen through the lunacy in his eyes.


    <span>¡°Since your heart is so set, I think our conversation today will be very helpful.¡±


    <span>Zenon¡¯s cold eyes looked mockingly at the maniac Henverton.


    <span>¡°The princess will visit the imperial academy tomorrow. She¡¯s going to meet with Sir Raphael.¡±


    <span>For the first time, the smile on Henverton¡¯s face disappeared.


    <span>¡°She¡¯s meeting with¡­ Raphael Kedrey?¡±


    <span>He remembered Raphael, who had interrupted him at the imperial library. Thinking about that time again made him grind his teeth. He wanted to mutte Raphael, who had dared to hold Cayena in his arms.


    <span>Henverton¡¯s eyes were stained with a deep darkness.


    <span>Zenon continued,


    <span>¡°Before our meeting today, I arranged something at the temple.¡±


    <span>If one donated more than a certain amount to the temple, they provided a separate building.


    <span>This building was a truly useful thing. It was a sanctuary, an area of non-aggression. Outsiders could not enter the building without the permission of the temple, even if criminals were to be hiding inside.


    <span>Henverton¡¯s eyes shined in a terrifying way at Zenon¡¯s exnation.


    <span>¡°That means¡­¡±


    <span>¡°Take the princess there, while a carriage is sent away as a distraction.¡±


    <span>In other words, even if the princess¡¯s disappearance was noticed, he would be able to hide her while her searchers focused on the wrong carriage.


    <span>¡°I shall rece the coachman or the escort knight with someone in the know.¡±


    <span>Henverton smiled darkly.


    <span>¡°That¡¯s perfect. I love it.¡±


    <span>After addressing a few other issues, they got up from their seats.


    <span>¡°I look forward to tomorrow.¡±


    <span>Zenon replied with a wry smile. ¡°So do I.¡±


    <span>They shook hands again and departed. When Zenon was left alone, he burst intoughter.


    <span>¡°Dumbass.¡±


    <span>Henverton thought that he could get his hands on Cayena?


    <span>How could a fool who can¡¯t keep his head under his delusions ever embrace her?


    <span>¡°What a perfect scapegoat.¡±


    <span>It was Zenon who would get Cayena tomorrow, and the one to take on all the me would be none other than Henverton Gillian.


    <span>~~~


    <span>[TL/PR note] Hello, all! As requested, we have started to do advanced chapters for <i><span>The Viiness is a Marite</i><span>. This means that people who are interested in reading ahead will be able to do so by using woopcoins, which you can buy or earn through asional giveaways on our Discord server. Eventually, there will be 10 advanced chapters avable. Important to note is that <b>this won¡¯t change the release rate for the free chapters.</b>


    <span>Thank you for joining us on this journey as we read this book!

 Chapter 51

    <span><strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>PR:</strong> scarcecrow


    <span>***


    <span>Today was the day Cayena would meet with Raphael. It was also thest day of Rezef¡¯s probation.


    <span>¡°Today, the doctor said that His Majesty, the Emperor, will be able to take an audience.¡±


    <span>Every morning, Cayena was informed of the Emperor¡¯s condition. If her father¡¯s condition was all right, she would ask to visit him in the morning. Such greetings had be a part of her schedule now.


    <span>Cayena visited the Emperor¡¯s quarters along with herdies-in-waiting, dressed up so that she could go outside right afterward.


    <span>¡°Greetings to His Majesty.¡±


    <span>¡°You must be busy. There¡¯s no need to send a servant to announce that you wille to greet me every time.¡±


    <span>He seemed indifferent, but his words showed he fully acknowledged Cayena¡¯s achievements. Cayena smiled and went to the hiss side.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ve been so worried that my mind couldn¡¯t feel at ease.¡±


    <span>There was a smile on those who watched the princess¡¯s outstanding filial piety.


    <span>The Emperor looked at his daughter¡¯s outfit and said, ¡°It looks like you are going out.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes. I was thinking that I would check the location of the building for the imperial academy. I¡¯ll also review what sort of facility the students at the school need.¡±


    <span>The Emperor also knew that Raphael had given Cayena a building as a birthday present.


    <span>¡®That Raphael wouldn¡¯t do this without reason¡­¡¯


    <span>The Emperor nodded.


    <span>Luden, the chambein, handed Cayena a leather pouch.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s what Your Highness asked for.¡±


    <span>¡®This is the letter of appointment for the military leader of the west.¡¯


    <span>Cayena bowed straight away.


    <span>¡°Thank you for epting my foolish request.¡±


    <span>¡°It was something I had to do anyway. I trust that you will make good use of this.¡±


    <span>Cayena chatted with the Emperor a little more before leaving.


    <span>¡°How are things at the prince¡¯s pce?¡± Cayena asked.


    <span>Vera answered right away. ¡°Things are still quiet there.¡±


    <span>After today, Cayena would be busy again as she dealt with Rezef.


    <span>¡°I should go to the academy early to find out the location of the new building.¡±


    <span>Cayena said that she would take Olivia.


    <span>Soon, the carriage was ready and they left the pce for the academy. She arrived an hour earlier than the time agreed upon. The only people in her entourage today were Olivia and one knight. Since many students were still in ss, Cayena had no intention of making a scene.


    <span>¡°I believe there is where the new building will be erected, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena turned her gaze to where Olivia pointed.


    <span>The ground had needed to be cleared before starting to build. There were no workers there at the moment because it was still ss time.


    <span>She walked to that quiet ce where she thought no one would be around, but she was wrong. As she got closer, she began to hear a strange noise. There was a dull, thudding sound.


    <span>¡°Arrogant bastard!¡±


    <span>The sudden swear made her briefly stop walking.


    <span>Cayena frowned slightly. ¡°What was that sound?¡±


    <span>The escort knight stepped forward.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll check just in case, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena nodded and paused her steps. The knight went behind the building. As he did, themotion ended.


    <span>¡°It seems like some students were fighting,¡± Cayena said.


    <span>Olivia nodded. This happened every so often during her time at school as well.


    <span>Soon, male students who looked beaten came into view along with the knight. They were huffing, and when they caught sight of Cayena, they quickly ran away.


    <span>¡®Hmm?¡¯


    <span>It was natural that they would be embarrassed to be in that state, but it was strange that they ran away like that.


    <span>Soon the knight reported back to her. He had a somewhat troubled expression.


    <span>¡°Those kids were fighting against one student.¡±


    <span>So it was bullying? Cayena¡¯s expression turned sour. The escort spoke perplexedly.


    <span>¡°But¡­ The other student is Ethel Lindberg.¡±


    <span>Cayena paused at that name.


    <span>¡°You mean Lady Catherine¡¯s son?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes.¡±


    <span>Which meant that he was her younger half-brother.


    <span>Sure enough, Ethel Lindbergh walked out from behind the building.


    <span>She had never seen Ethel Lindbergh before she had returned to this life.


    <span>They never had the chance to meet, and because Rezef hated him, she didn¡¯t even think of meeting him. Hence, it was the first time that she had ever met him in real life.


    <span>Ethel had neat, beautiful silver hair like their father. The blue eyes shining under the hair also resembled Emperor Esteban¡¯s.


    <span>¡®He looks quite a lot like me.¡®


    <span>The boy looked so much like Cayena that they could be mistaken for full siblings. However, his sharply raised eyes and beat-up look showed he had a tough disposition.


    <span>Ethel also saw Cayena. He paused as he wiped his mouth with a sleeve.


    <span>She saw his forehead crinkle. It was a hostile gaze.


    <span>In Cayena¡¯s eyes, he looked like a porcupine raising its spikes for self-defense.


    <span>¡®I believe I read that he had suffered quite a bit after the Emperor became ill.¡¯


    <span>In the novel, Ethel Lindbergh only became important after he grew up more. With the full support of the Kedrey duchy, he pushed out Rezef and became the next emperor.


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t think that she would witness his tough childhood in person.


    <span>¡®I don¡¯t think the group attacked him just once or twice.¡¯


    <span>Cayena slightly pushed aside the mesh that covered her face.


    <span>Ethel¡¯s face, filled with hostility, turned confused. He was surprised not just by how beautiful she was but also by her resemnce to him.


    <span>She greeted Ethel brightly.


    <span>¡°Hello?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­?¡±


    <span>Ethel had an expression that asked, ¡®Who is this crazy woman?¡¯


    <span>It had been a long time since Cayena had dealt with someone with such transparent emotions. Somehow, it made her feel cheerful.


    <span>¡°Ethel Lindbergh, is that right?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    <span>His unwilling face showed that he was forcing himself to bow. Cayenaughed inwardly as she helped him up. Ethel coldly rejected her hand.


    <span>It wasn¡¯t because he was arrogant for having the Emperor¡¯s favor, though. He still didn¡¯t know the ways of the world, so he was a child who was always on edge. Also, he was one head shorter than Cayena.


    <span>¡°It looks like you don¡¯t get along well with your friends.¡±


    <span>Ethel bared his teeth and replied, ¡°They¡¯re not my friends.¡±


    <span>¡°If they¡¯re the children of high-ranking officials, it would be better for them to get along with you.¡±


    <span>¡°What does it matter to you?¡±


    <span>The knight startled at the impudent tone. Cayena, however, did not seem to mind.


    <span>¡°I am your older sister.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Ha!¡±


    <span>Ethel never imagined that he would encounter the princess, whom he had heard so much about, at this unexpected time and ce. The situation itself was absurd, but her attitude was so audacious that it made him speechless.


    <span>His sister?


    <span>Sure. It may only be half, but the same blood flowed through them. If they only considered the facts, then yes, she was his sister.


    <span>But could their rtionship be defined so simply?


    <span>Ethel learned that Prince Rezef and Archduke Heinrich werepletely abandoning him and his mother because of an unforeseen situation.


    <span>Back when the Emperor was healthy enough to act, everyone eyed each other carefully and did not act against him. That wasn¡¯t the case now. Like they did a moment ago, the children of high-ranking officials often tried to pick a fight with him.


    <span>It was fortunate that Ethel had the qualities of a promising swordsman. Thanks to that, he was able to beat them all.


    <span>But when he fought back, bad things happened to his family.


    <span>Ethel¡¯s mother didn¡¯t say much, but seeing that her dress hasn¡¯t changed for three years, he could guess that the situation was poor.


    <span>So he tried not to fight back. As a result, more children began to think of Ethel as a pushover, and the group beatings became more frequent.


    <span>Today was also one of those usual days. Until he ran into Cayena, that was.


    <span>¡°You seem to be hurt.¡±


    <span>Cayena seemed distant, but strangely, she treated him normally.


    <span>She approached Ethel, right in front of his nose, without hesitation. Ethel was startled and tried to step back, but Cayena was quicker.


    <span>Her slender hand, covered by a glove, grabbed his chin and brushed against his bruised mouth.


    <span>¡°Ack!¡±


    <span>He yelped a bit at the pain, then shut his mouth. Ethel¡¯s ears burned with shame.


    <span>¡°Y-Your Highness!¡±


    <span>At that moment, the principal, who had heard of Cayena¡¯s visit, rushed toward her in a flurry of panic.


    <span>Seeing Ethel, who looked a mess, beside her, he gulped.


    <span>¡°Oh my, Your Highness. I apologize. We showed you a poor example¡ªwe should have cracked down on him¡­¡±


    <span>The president knew that the rtionship between the imperial children and Lindbergh¡¯s son wasn¡¯t good.


    <span>He roughly grabbed Ethel with his hand.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t worry, Your Highness. I will ensure that this student who disturbed the atmosphere will be punished firmly.¡±


    <span>Ethel swallowed his anger, gritting his mrs. His fist trembled.


    <span>Then, a pleasant voice made his anger dissipate.


    <span>¡°And what will you do with the other students?¡±


    <span>~~~

 Chapter 52

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>The principal looked back at her nkly and asked, ¡°The other¡­ students?¡±


    <span>¡°I mean the underhanded bunch that attacked that child. I watched all those childrene from the same direction.¡±


    <span>Cayena still had the mesh put up, so the smile on her face was clearly visible.


    <span>¡°I remember all of their faces, too. Shall we search for them together?¡±


    <span>The principal turned pale and hurriedly waved his hands.


    <span>¡°No, Your Highness! I¡¯ll find them!¡±


    <span>With a rxed smile, Cayena calmly added, ¡°I hope that you¡¯ll take care of it ording to the academy¡¯s regtions.¡±


    <span>¡°Of course. I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll follow the rules.¡±


    <span>At the mention of the academy¡¯s regtions, the principal¡¯s face fell.


    <span>¡®If we follow school regtions, is it suspension? Or is it expulsion?¡¯


    <span>The students who fought were children from renowned families.


    <span>They must have believed in the strength of their households to touch the Emperor¡¯s love child.


    <span>If they were punished ording to the regtions, it would be difficult for the principal to maintain his position. But that was nothing that concerned Cayena.


    <span>Cayena continued with a wily expression.


    <span>¡°Then, I need to treat my younger sibling¡¯s handsome face. Where is the infirmary?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­It¡¯s this way.¡±


    <span>The principal listened carefully to the nuance of Cayena¡¯s words. She distinctly called him ¡®my younger sibling.¡¯


    <span>¡°Shall we go?¡±


    <span>Cayena reached out a hand to Ethel.


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±


    <span>Ethel looked down at a gloved hand that had some blood on the thumb. He knew that Cayena had protected him.


    <span>¡®Why?¡¯


    <span>It was a natural question.


    <span>Until now, they had lived like strangers. They had never met each other before.


    <span>So it didn¡¯t make sense for her to suddenly take care of him as her younger brother. Did she perhaps want something from him?


    <span>At that moment, Cayena spoke.


    <span>¡°When you don¡¯t have power, you have to make use of powerful people.¡±


    <span>Ethel raised his head at her words. Cayena still looked carefree.


    <span>¡°Knowing how to take someone¡¯s hand is one way to survive.¡±


    <span>¡®Did she¡­ Did she mean I should use her?¡¯


    <span>Ethel hesitated, then grabbed her hand. As he did, Cayena smiled widely like he had done something good.


    <span>¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    <span>His hand, held tightly in hers, felt warm.


    <span>Ethel matched her stride, though he looked like he was reluctantly being dragged.


    <span>Somehow, his heart tickled.


    <span>They arrived at the infirmary. However, there was no nurse. The principal was very flustered.


    <span>¡°If you would wait a minute, I will find someone to assist you!¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s fine. You¡¯re dismissed.¡±


    <span>¡°E-excuse me?¡±


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll take care of it myself, so leave. It might take you some time to find the student group thatmitted the assault.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Then, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡±


    <span>Cayena sat Ethel down and rummaged through the nurse¡¯s office. Ethel looked at her doubtfully.


    <span>¡°Do you know what you¡¯re looking for?¡±


    <span>She took out a bottle of medicine and slightly shook it.


    <span>¡°They havebels on them.¡±


    <span>Cayena prepared the alcohol, cotton, and ointment and began to take off her gloves to treat him.


    <span>¡°I will do it, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Olivia, who was next to her, said, but Cayena shook her head.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s all right.¡±


    <span>She took care of Ethel¡¯s wounds herself. When Ethel frowned at the stinging, she even blew on the wound.


    <span>Ethel could not bear his embarrassment. He asked, ¡°¡­Why are you doing this for me?¡±


    <span>Cayena said airily, ¡°It¡¯s natural for an adult to protect a child. Besides, you¡¯re my younger brother.¡±


    <span>Ethel bit his lips and muttered in a sad voice. ¡°But I¡¯m just a bastard.¡±


    <span>On the other hand, Cayena¡¯s parentage could not be disputed by anyone. She was the one and only child of the Emperor and thete empress.


    <span>¡°That isn¡¯t a reason for you to not be protected.¡±


    <span>Cayena discovered that he was much softer than he was before. But maybe his heart was different.


    <span>She dropped the hand that was applying the ointment and asked, ¡°Does my behavior make you feel ufortable?¡±


    <span>Ethel unintentionally grabbed Cayena¡¯s hand as it drifted away from him.


    <span>The urgent touch surprised Cayena. Meanwhile, Ethel was shocked by his own behavior and took back his hand.


    <span>He nced away and spoke in a small voice.


    <span>¡°¡­It doesn¡¯t.¡±


    <span>Cayena began to apply the ointment again with a kind smile.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m d.¡±


    <span>It was the first time that an adult other than his mother looked after him like this.


    <span>The affectionate concern and protection that Cayena offered him was sweet. Ethel wriggled his hand.


    <span>¡°You shouldn¡¯t gain scars.¡±


    <span>After applying the ointment to his face, Cayena also fixed his disheveled hair.


    <span>His school uniform was messed up, so he would have to change to a different one.


    <span>¡°Olivia, will you bring a change of clothes for Ethel?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena then called for her new escort knight for today.


    <span>¡°Ansel.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°Tell the principal to take care of Ethel¡¯s sses. He¡¯lle back for his afternoon sses.¡±


    <span>¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be dangerous for you to be alone?¡±


    <span>Cayena shook her head at the knight¡¯s worry.


    <span>¡°There¡¯s another knight here who took down five people by himself, so it¡¯ll be all right.¡±


    <span>Ethel¡¯s face burned red at those words.


    <span>¡°I heed your order.¡±


    <span>The princess¡¯s retainers left to carry out their orders, leaving only the two of them behind.


    <span>Ethel thought that there was nothing Cayena couldn¡¯t make happen if she willed it. He realized that this must be what they called ¡®power.¡¯


    <span>Everything he thought could never be done, she was doing with ease.


    <span>The principal, who treated Ethel like a bug, could not threaten him with the school rules.


    <span>Ethel had never seen him so embarrassed except for when he was dealing with the Kedrey heir.


    <span>¡®Someone like that helped me.<span>¡®


    <span>Ethel had no other siblings.


    <span>Most of those he considered his friends left him when the Emperor became ill. The only person he could depend on was his mother. However, his mother felt overwhelmed as she tried to maintain their normal lives. Every time that happened, Ethel felt guilty. His mother was suffering because he was born.


    <span>He had no desire to be the crown prince. He only wanted a little peace and his family.


    <span>He wanted to put the flowers his mother liked on a table and eat together, and he also wanted to have a puppy. He desired the sort of everyday life where, when he came to the academy, he could get along with his friends.


    <span>Right now, everything was a mess. In crumbles. Slowly, little by little, everything was turning dark¡­ Until he met Cayena today. She wasn¡¯t bright like the sun, nor was she as dangerous as candlelight.


    <span>She was just like the soft moonlight. She only gave the amount of light that he needed, but strangely, he felt certain that she would always be there.


    <span>While Ethel was going through a change of heart, Cayena was lost in other thoughts.


    <span>¡®If Rezef can¡¯t get his act together and bes a tyrant, this child will be the emperor.¡¯


    <span>When she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t help but feel distressed.


    <span>She was taking measures to ensure that such a situation wouldn¡¯t happen.


    <span>Nheless, she knew well that one person may not make a difference, no matter how hard she worked.


    <span>Knock, knock.


    <span>Olivia, who obtained new clothes, entered. Cayena handed over the clothes to Ethel.


    <span>¡°Will you take off your clothes?¡±


    <span>¡°W-what are you talking about?!¡±


    <span>At his cry, Cayena widened her eyes.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t you have wounds on your body? I have to apply the ointment.¡±


    <span>¡®Even if I¡¯m young¡­ And even if I¡¯m her younger brother, this is¡­¡¯


    <span>Ethel flushed red up to his neck.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll do it myself, so it¡¯s fine!¡±


    <span>¡°Well¡­ If you say so.¡±


    <span>Cayena casually thought, ¡®Is this kid already going through puberty?¡¯


    <span>Olivia, who saw this scene from the side, turned her head slightly as if she wasughing. Every so often, Cayena acted like an old noblewoman. She didn¡¯t seem to be aware of it, though<span>.


    <span>Then, the escort knight returned.


    <span>¡°I received confirmation that the principal will take care of the sses, as you said. Also, I saw that the carriage from the Kedrey duchy has arrived.¡±


    <span>¡°Already?¡±


    <span>It was earlier than they had agreed to meet. Of course, Cayena also arrived before the scheduled time.


    <span>¡°Olivia, would you go greet Sir Raphael first?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Ethel quietly listened to their conversation, holding the uniform tightly in his hand. It seemed Cayena would leave soon for an appointment.


    <span>He quickly stood up and went behind a partition. For some reason, he felt annoyed, and he threw his ruined clothes on the floor.


    <span>On the other side of the partition, Cayena asked, ¡°Can you put it on by yourself? Do you need help?¡±


    <span>Ethel squawked.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m 13 years old! I can dress myself!¡±


    <span>¡®<span>Does puberty happen around the age of 13¡­?¡¯


    <span>Cayena shook her head.


    <span>It was already difficult to deal with her younger brother who could be a tyrant. She didn¡¯t expect she¡¯d also have to deal with their youngest brother who was going through puberty.


    <span>She sighed so subtly that others couldn¡¯t perceive it.


    <span>~~~

 Chapter 53

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays<b> PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>After a while, Ethel finished changing clothes and stepped out from behind the partition. His ruined garments were dumped in the infirmary¡¯s trash can.


    <span>¡°I have a prior engagement, so I have to go meet with someone.¡±


    <span>Ethel¡¯s face stiffened at her words. Cayena hadn¡¯t finished speaking, though.


    <span>¡°Do you want to apany me?¡±


    <span>Once again, she held out a hand to him. She had taken off her glove to apply ointment on him, and her hand was lovely and pale.


    <span>Ethel¡¯s unexinable bad mood faded away.


    <span>As he grabbed her hand, Cayena got up from her chair, smoothing her dress.


    <span>Ethel nced at her graceful movements.


    <span>The elegant princess resembled him, but she was so different as well. He frowned because his heart kept feeling ticklish.


    <span>When they left the building, they saw Raphael and his entourage being guided by Olivia.


    <span>Raphael looked back and forth between Cayena and the little boy holding her hand. Raphael¡¯s eyes momentarily narrowed at their young, uninvited <span>guest.


    <span>¡°I respectfully greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    <span>Cayena calmly introduced Ethel.


    <span>¡°This is my brother, Ethel. I ran into him and brought him along.¡±


    <span>¡°I see.¡±


    <span>Raphael knew exactly who the boy was. There was no chance he wouldn¡¯t recognize the son of Catherine Lindbergh. Furthermore, Ethel was a well-known problem child at the imperial academy. Despite his slim form, he was considered a promising swordsman for his natural strength and reflexes. Raphael had heard about how he could wipe the floor with the influential families¡¯ children.


    <span>It was quite surprising that Ethel was with Cayena. Moreover, he was acting rather calmly.


    <span>¡°Ethel, this is Sir Raphael Kedrey. Say hello.¡±


    <span>At Cayena¡¯s words, Ethel obediently greeted Raphael.


    <span>¡°Salutations. I am Ethel Lindbergh.¡±


    <span>At his respectful greeting, Cayena gently patted his hair as if telling him he had done well.


    <span>Raphael suddenly recalled Cayena¡¯s recent nickname that he had overheard.


    <span>¡®I think they called her a ¡°beast trainer¡±?¡¯


    <span>After receiving the greeting, Raphael went by Cayena¡¯s side. He was offering to escort her.


    <span>Cayena had always seemed ufortable, but now she held his arm like it was natural.


    <span>Suddenly, Ethel grabbed Cayena¡¯s other hand, as he had let go of it while he was giving his greetings.


    <span>¡°Ethel?¡±


    <span>Cayena called with confusion in her voice. Ethel looked at her. His eyes seemed to say that if it was just escorting, he could do that for her too.


    <span>Cayena ended up with both of her hands full.


    <span>¡®If others saw this, they would think it weird.¡¯


    <span>Somehow, it felt like they were a young couple with a son. Shaking aside that strange mood, Cayena said,


    <span>¡°First, let¡¯s go check the site.¡±


    <span>They headed to the construction site.


    <span>In the meantime, Ethel looked at Raphael with a peculiar hostility. For some reason, he didn¡¯t like Raphael.


    <span>Cayena and Raphael toured the site to discuss the building¡¯s function.


    <span>They thought it would be better to use it as a dormitory or for some other special purpose.


    <span>In the middle of the conversation, Cayena turned to Ethel.


    <span>¡°What do you think?¡± she asked.


    <span>Ethel looked surprised, not having expected her to ask for his opinion on the matter.


    <span>¡°The opinions of the current students are also important, though you won¡¯t be able to use it before it¡¯spleted.¡±


    <span>Finishing a building took quite a while.


    <span>¡®The construction should be finished around the time Ethel has grandchildren, right?¡¯


    <span>By that time, Cayena would have already absconded from the capital city and ran somewhere far away.


    <span>There was arge possibility that she would never see thepleted form of the building that held her name. She felt a bit disappointed.


    <span>Ethel hesitantly replied, ¡°¡­I think it would be best to do as Your Highness said.¡±


    <span>¡°Is that so?¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled brightly.


    <span>Raphael looked at Ethel. The rtionship between the Lindbergh child and Cayena was truly strange. It was difficult to tell how their closeness would affect the future. But one thing was for sure.


    <span>¡®This is going to be bothersome.<span>¡®


    <span>It was clear that her younger brother did not like him.


    <span>Cayena was thinking about how to change the topic of her conversation with Raphael to politics.


    <span>¡°Ethel, shouldn¡¯t you start preparing for your afternoon sses now?¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯s words made Ethel realize that it was time for him to leave.


    <span>It was a shame. When Cayena noticed that he was looking a little deted, she gently brushed back his hair.


    <span>¡°We¡¯ll meet again, won¡¯t we, Ethel?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­<span>Yes?¡±


    <span>¡°Let¡¯s see each other again. At that time, would you call me ¡®Sister¡¯ rather than ¡®Your Highness¡¯?¡±


    <span>Ethel¡¯s eyes widened with surprise. He hesitated, then opened his mouth.


    <span>¡°¡­I can call you ¡®Sister¡¯?¡±


    <span>¡°Well, it may be a little difficult to do so when other people are around.¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled and added,


    <span>¡°But you can call me that in private. Sir Raphael can be our witness.¡±


    <span>Ethel¡¯s face was peculiarly distorted, neither smiling nor crying. He bowed his head <span>and left as if he were running away.


    <span>Looking at the retreating back of her youngest brother, Cayena thought that adolescent boys were really mysterious.


    <span>¡°You seem close to Lindbergh¡¯s son.¡±


    <span>¡°Does it look like that? I feltfortable with him since he¡¯s my younger brother.¡±


    <span>¡®But more than that, Ethel¡¯s attitude is¡­¡¯


    <span>Raphael changed the topic without saying anything further on the matter.


    <span>¡°I didn¡¯t know Your Highness hade so early. I should have hurried. My apologies.¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s no problem. This wasn¡¯t the purpose of today¡¯s meeting, actually.¡±


    <span>They didn¡¯t really meet to discuss how to use the building.


    <span>It was just an excuse. Even Raphael knew well that it was an excuse for them to meet. However, their personal goals for the meeting were not the same.


    <span>¡°While it was an excuse, I thought that I should still survey the site of the building first since I am receiving it as a gift.¡±


    <span>Coincidentally, she had witnessed her half-brother fighting and abandoned the thought of checking the construction site.


    <span>¡°Are you hungry?¡±


    <span>Thinking about it, she hadn¡¯t eaten anything other than some tomato soup this morning because she was busy working.


    <span>¡°Did you say you reserved a spot at a restaurant?¡±


    <span>¡°I reserved a full-course dinner at a restaurant close to the academy.¡±


    <span>¡°Then, let¡¯s eat first ande back to the academy to go over the documents.¡±


    <span>She also had to check how the principal would deal with the miscreants.


    <span>Because Raphael knew where the restaurant was, they decided to ride his carriage together.


    <span>Raphael¡¯s carriage was notckingpared to the imperial family¡¯s.


    <span>Raphael helped Cayena into therge carriage and then offered herdy-in-waiting, Olivia, a hand as well.


    <span>Seeing that, Cayena thought things were going well.


    <span>¡®If I provide them opportunities to interact like this, their love will naturally bloom on its own.¡¯


    <span>However, contrary to Cayena¡¯s thoughts, Raphael¡¯s face stiffened slightly while helping Olivia climb into the carriage.


    <span>Soon the carriage arrived at the restaurant where Raphael made the reservation.


    <span>Cayena stepped out of the carriage with Raphael¡¯s help. Despite herself, she sighed.


    <span>¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    <span>She saw Raphael, who just assisted Olivia off the carriage. He turned his head and made eye contact with Cayena.


    <span>¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    <span>The restaurant was a charmingly decorated white mansion-like building.


    <span>As they passed through the romantic garden full of colorful flowers and a fountain, an employee bowed to them.


    <span>Raphael said, ¡°I have a reservation under Kedrey.¡±


    <span>¡°Please follow me.¡±


    <span>The ce where the employee guided them was the most beautiful spot in the restaurant.


    <span>Olivia, who followed at Cayena¡¯s side, also admired the stunning views.


    <span>The restaurant employee approached and informed them there was a separate room for their entourage.


    <span>Cayena told Olivia and the knight, ¡°You two should eat too. I¡¯ll send over someone to fetch you after a while.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>Cayena and Raphael went to their table.


    <span>White curtains adorned the building, which was built like a small shrine, along the path of splendidly blooming flower trees. The way the curtains fluttered in the wind reminded Cayena of an exotic resort.


    <span>She had felt embarrassed from the moment she stepped in the restaurant.


    <span>¡®This restaurant seems to be a popr date spot for young couples.¡¯


    <span>In terms of atmosphere, this restaurant was by no means appropriate for business. In addition, Raphael most likely wouldn¡¯t have chosen this ce himself knowing the atmosphere.


    <span>¡®Did he reserve the spot without knowing?¡¯


    <span>But he seemed to be guided by the employee too naturally for that to be the case. Cayena was puzzled.


    <span>At that moment, Raphael asked, ¡°I picked the most popr restaurant these days. Do you like it?¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s a pretty restaurant, but¡­¡±


    <span>The problem was that they looked like they were on a date.


    <span>¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    <span>Raphael looked as if he had no idea what the problem was. Cayena tried to reply but gave up on it. She sighed.


    <span>¡°I was just admiring your taste.¡±


    <span>Raphael smiled at her words.


    <span>¡®Things like this are nice once in a while.¡¯


    <span>It just happened to be the most popr restaurant. That¡¯s what Cayena told herself as she started to sit.


    <span>However, Raphael pulled out the chair for Cayena before the waiter could do so.


    <span>¡°<span>¡­Thank you.¡±


    <span>Cayena¡¯s brows crinkled slightly as she saw him pulling out her chair. <span>She sat down anyway, but she kept thinking that he was somewhat acting out of character.


    <span>~~~


    [TN] Heyo, for our PR scarcecrow¡¯s birthday, we¡¯ll be releasing two additional chapterster today! It¡¯d be nice if you could drop a kind message in the Discord channel for her ^^


    Happy birthday scarcecrow, and thanks for working on this project with me!

 Chapter 54

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Raphael knew that Cayena had felt embarrassed this whole time. Well, it was understandable. Even he could see that the restaurant was cheesy.


    ¡®How did Baston know about a ce like this?¡¯


    The one who energetically rmended this restaurant to him was none other than Baston. He pushed Raphael to make the reservation here, telling him that this ce would definitely suit Princess Cayena.


    In the end, Baston was right.


    There were vines wrapped around the columns, white curtains, vases richly adorned with pale spring flowers, and round tables covered by light-hued tablecloths. All this along with Cayena, who looked like a goddess that had descended in this space, created an unparalleled beautiful scene.


    Raphael sat across from Cayena as her brows were slightly furrowed in thought.


    It was enjoyable.


    The orchestra¡¯s songs that flowed out of the restaurant weren¡¯t bad, and the appetizers were better than he expected.


    The weather, the atmosphere¡ªeverything was perfect.


    And he liked that Cayena was spending this peaceful time alongside him.


    Was spending time with someone this pleasant?


    ¡°Something like this is good, too.¡±


    Raphael smiled softly. It was an effortless, charming smile. This was the first time Cayena learned that he could smile like that.


    ¡°¡­You¡¯re right.¡±


    Cayena suddenly realized she was enjoying this moment.


    Unlike other people, the person facing her didn¡¯t ask her for anything.


    He was just quietly staring at Cayena, and in the moment that she needed assistance, he was the first person to hold out his hand to help.


    What should she do if she became used to this kindness that didn¡¯t belong to her?


    She had to be careful. Cayena reminded herself to know her ce.


    ¡°I like it too. It would have been better if you hade here on a date with a lovelydy.¡±


    Everything would be ruined the moment she yearned for too much. Cayena knew well that her situation was not very peaceful.


    ¡°It was the right choice toe here, since I¡¯m with the most beautiful person in the empire.¡±


    ¡°¡­There is no need to tter me.¡±


    Raphael spoke in a normal voice, like there was nothing strange.


    ¡°It¡¯s not ttery.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Cayena sighed briefly.


    ¡°It would be better for you to spend time with a witty and pleasantdy like Olivia than with me.¡±


    He again told Cayena, who mentioned Oliva, exactly how he felt.


    ¡°I like now.¡±


    She had no idea how to interpret Raphael¡¯s words. He was someone who often said things that could be misinterpreted. Hence, she couldn¡¯t delude herself like that. He wasn¡¯t telling her this because she was special. She had to keep that in mind.


    Cayena changed the subject.


    ¡°The emperor has given me the letter to appoint you as the leader of the western military. Once we get back to the academy, I¡¯ll give it to you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°I only pulled a few strings to do something that would have happened anyway. There¡¯s no need to thank me.¡±


    It was a defensive remark.


    Cayena spoke like she was determined not to allow anybody beside her, and Raphael noticed her attitude.


    He couldn¡¯t act rashly. This changed princess was extremely sharp and cautious. After reflecting on that, he opened his mouth.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking about inheriting the title soon.¡±


    Cayena was d to hear it, but it was unexpected. She was aware of why he remained as the heir, not the duke, even though he was more than skilled enough.


    ¡°I think it would be better to take care of it now since Your Highness has arranged for the military leadership.¡±


    ¡°¡­That¡¯s not a bad idea.¡±


    Raphael lowered his utensils and said, ¡°As expected, you know that my parents are going through a divorce.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Cayena was rarely so unsettled.


    It was fairly difficult to pretend ignorance for something you knew. This was especially the case when the information was not very important.


    ¡°I¡¯m not saying this to interrogate you.¡±


    Cayena knew that, too. She just had the feeling that Raphael shouldn¡¯t be underestimated.


    ¡°I realized that Your Highness is a pacifist whose first priority is your own safety.¡±


    It was a fairly roundabout description of Cayena.


    ¡°You¡¯re also someone who isn¡¯t afraid to take drastic actions to counter any threats.¡±


    ¡°You seem to have observed me quite a bit.¡±


    ¡°You effectively reward and punish people, and you make decisions so quickly that it¡¯s sometimes iprehensible.¡±


    It was because she already had the answer sheets.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why such a sensible person like you insists on trying to tie me to Miss Olivia.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    Because the two of them were fated to be together. Cayena knew that for a fact.


    She knew it like she knew how Duke and Duchess Kedrey were getting a divorce. But because she had that knowledge, she mistakenly took things for granted.


    Cayena acknowledged that she had been acting excessively.


    ¡°I went too far. I apologize.¡±


    Then, she sincerely added, ¡°There wasn¡¯t any other intention in my words. I only thought that the two of you suited each other very well.¡±


    She had overlooked that it maye across as her being intrusive.


    That was right. Things would work out between them anyway, so she shouldn¡¯t interfere.


    ¡®Let¡¯s just focus on protecting Olivia from Rezef.¡¯


    Cayena looked apologetically at Raphael and hesitated. He was looking at her with a subdued expression.


    After that, the meal went on quietly.


    Cayena could barely taste the food as she retraced her mistakes.


    Should she not have mentioned Olivia?


    Yes, that could have been her mistake. It was rude to keep trying to matchmake two people who didn¡¯t know each other well.


    ¡®But¡­¡¯


    They should have felt that they were fated from their first meeting.


    In the novel, when Raphael grabbed Olivia¡¯s hand while escorting her, he was strangely not disgusted by the contact.


    That was the first asion in which he felt Olivia was special.


    ¡®Then, did Raphael feel distressed when he held her hand, like he does with everyone else?¡¯


    Could it be that the story had been modified?


    ¡®Did their situation change because I altered so many things from my original life?¡¯


    It was frustrating. She could only specte; she had no clear answers.


    It wasn¡¯t as if she could openly ask him, ¡°Did you feel creeped out when you held Olivia¡¯s hand?¡±.


    Her hands became slower and slower.


    Even in her original life, she hadn¡¯t eaten enough to take care of her body. After returning, she had forced herself to swallow down the food in order to be stronger. Thanks to this, she was able to eat some more now, but she still felt ufortable when she ate a lot.


    Now, even though she ate only half of what she normally used to, she couldn¡¯t eat more.


    She already felt bloated as her mind was worried about too many things.


    However, thinking about Raphael¡¯s sincerity, she kept pushing food into her mouth.


    If she, the princess, ate very little and put down her utensils, her intentions could be misconstrued.


    At the end of the meal, Cayena sent a waiter to call for Olivia and the knight.


    ¡°Let¡¯s return to the academy now.¡±


    The atmosphere in the carriage as they went back was atypical. Olivia subtly tried to figure out the situation.


    Did the two of them have a fight? But Olivia couldn¡¯t imagine them arguing at all.


    Upon returning to the imperial academy, they discussed the purpose of the building with the senior management,pleted the paperwork, and notarized it.


    ¡°What happened to those violent students?¡±


    When Cayena asked the principal what he had done with the students who had attacked Ethel, he informed her that he had decided to suspend them.


    The academy had been turned upside down because the gang of students who tried to beat up Ethel was punished.


    The fact that the princess had intervened in the matter also quickly spread.


    The students began to wonder if the reason Princess Cayena visited the academy was to protect her half-brother, Ethel.


    Cayena wanted to return to the pce and rest. Perhaps her stomach was upset, as her fingers were cold and her head hurt.


    She instructed a servant to hand over the pouch containing the documents to Raphael¡¯s attendant.


    ¡°This is the letter of appointment for you to take over the military rule of the western duchy.¡±


    Raphael nced at the pouch.


    ¡°Then, goodbye.¡±


    Cayena headed for the carriage without even waiting for him to say farewell.


    Only Olivia hurriedly said goodbye in his direction and followed after Cayena.


    While Raphael watched her retreating form, he roughly ran his hand through his hair.


    ***


    Cayena thought it felt a little easier to breathe now that she was out of Raphael¡¯s sight.


    The coachman who was waiting in front of the carriage asked politely,


    ¡°Are you returning to the pce?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cayena was about to get onto the carriage, but she hesitated.


    Something was weird.


    ¡®Is this the same coachman as before?¡¯


    ~~~


    [PR] Thank you so much for the kind wishes. I¡¯m grateful for working on this novel along with Thurs, it has so many extraordinary readers. Also, I want to thank Thurs and you (once again) for existing and taking me in as PR.

 Chapter 55: Scene 10. A Strange Hostage

    <b>Trantor: </b><span>thursdays <b>PR: </b><span>scarcecrow


    <span>To be truthful, she hadn¡¯t paid much attention to the coachman, but he looked different. Yet, his clothes were obviously that of an imperial coachman.


    <span>When Cayena noticed one oddity, she began to notice the others.


    <span>Except for her carriage, their surroundings were overly calm. It felt like it had been arranged this way purposefully.


    <span>Her mind, which had been overworked because of Raphael a moment ago, cooled.


    <span>She smiled gently and looked back at Olivia in a serene manner.


    <span>¡°I just recalled that I forgot to return the books I borrowed from the imperial library.¡±


    <span>She could feel the gazes of the coachman and the escort knight turn sharp.


    <span>Her instincts told her that she shouldn¡¯t arouse suspicion by rashly showing that she didn¡¯t want to get in the carriage.


    <span>Cayena asked a servant to bring the book. She was acting as close to normal as she could.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll be waiting in the carriage, so will you please return the book for me, Olivia?¡±


    <span>If something happened to her, Olivia would notice.


    <span>Olivia vaguely sensed that Cayena¡¯s behavior was unusual.


    <span>However, objectively speaking, there was nothing suspicious that she could point out.


    <span>¡°As youmand.¡±


    <span>She took the book and left. The knight opened the carriage door.


    <span>Cayena was still on edge, but on the surface, she showed a casual smile.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s a nice day, so I¡¯ll take a walk until Oliviaes back.¡±


    <span>¡°Understood.¡±


    <span>The knight epted her words without a rebuttal.


    <span>Was she overthinking it, or was something actually wrong?


    <span>In either case, it wasn¡¯t bad to be cautious.


    <span>Cayena took a step. Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind and covered her face with a towel soaked in a knockout drug.


    <span>¡°Mmph¡ª!¡±


    <span>Like that, she fell unconscious.


    <span>***


    <span>Olivia took the book and headed toward the library.


    <span>But before she got very far, someone grabbed her brusquely.


    <span>¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    <span>She tried to scream, but a rough hand hurriedly covered her mouth.


    <span>She couldn¡¯t grasp what was going on.


    <span>However, she could tell that this man was trying to take her to a secluded ce.


    <span>Thump!


    <span>¡°Aghh!¡±


    <span>The man suddenly iled over. Olivia turned around and saw Raphael.


    <span>¡°Are you all right?¡±


    <span>¡°Y-yes.¡±


    <span>She was so surprised that her hands trembled.


    <span>Olivia looked at the man that Raphael¡¯s attendants had tied up.


    <span>¡°Why were you alone without the princess?¡±


    <span>At that, Olivia suddenly lifted her head.


    <span>¡°Her Highness is in the carriage¡­!¡±


    <span>Raphael¡¯s expression turned icy.


    <span>¡°Everyone, search the area and arrest any suspicious people.¡±


    <span>¡°We heed your orders!¡±


    <span>Raphael immediately ran to the ce where the carriage had been. An ominous premonition had struck him.


    <span>Please, please!


    <span>But despite his earnest wishes, the carriage was not there.


    <span>***


    <span>There was a yellow light. Cayena soon realized that what she was seeing was the light of amp.


    <span>Where was she?


    <span>As she forcibly cleared her foggy mind, she tried to get up.


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±


    <span>She was tied up.


    <span>¡®I¡¯ve been abducted.¡¯


    <span>At that moment, a man entered the dark room.


    <span>She didn¡¯t recognize his face. He held some bread and a single bowl in his hands.


    <span>¡°Are you awake, Your Highness?¡±


    <span>He knew who she was. He must have been a subordinate of the person who instigated her abduction.


    <span>The man felt a little uneasy when Cayena watched him with an expressionless face rather than crying or getting angry.


    <span>Her eyes gave him goosebumps.


    <span>Cursing, he approached Cayena. The bowl in his hand was tossed carelessly to the floor, its contents messily sttering. The bread was also flung onto the dirty floor.


    <span>¡°Eat up,¡± the man said, and heid down on the sofa.


    <span>Cayena checked the light shining through the thick curtains.


    <span>Seeing the reddish color, it looked to bete afternoon.


    <span>She nced around at what she could discern from the light of themp. Seeing the interiors, she could guess where this ce was.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s the temple¡¯s annex.¡±


    <span>The man paused.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t even think about screaming. There¡¯s nobody around here anyway. And if you¡¯re loud, I may gag you.¡±


    <span>Even with his threat, Cayena remained calm.


    <span>The princess was certainly beautiful. But something about her made him leery. The man had a good sense of instinct about these things.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ll relocate meter in the night?¡±


    <span>¡°Oy, Your Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°Seeing how carefully you¡¯re treating me, the person who hired you doesn¡¯t want me hurt. If so¡­¡±


    <span>Bang!


    <span>The man kicked a table aggressively.


    <span>¡°This is no time to y detective.¡±


    <span>Then a few men came in from outside. Confused by the sudden noise, they asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±


    <span>¡°Nothing hap¡­¡±


    <span>Cayena spoke up before the man could finish speaking.


    <span>¡°I¡¯m sure that at least one of you is in Heinrich¡¯s employ, so I¡¯ll say it like this. If you don¡¯t return me to the imperial pce in perfect health, my younger brother will receive some unfortunate news. For example, the location of a covert group.¡±


    <span>Then, some of the young men¡¯s expressions changed.


    <span>The man had a dangerous look, like a demon, and tried to quiet Cayena.


    <span>¡°I really oughta gag you so that you¡¯ll shut up¡­¡±


    <span>¡°I always considered the possibility that I would be kidnapped.¡±


    <span>She looked at the man with peerless apathetic eyes.


    <span>¡°If you don¡¯t take me back to the imperial pce within a day, you¡¯ll see for yourself whether my words are true or not.¡±


    <span>The man stepped back as if he was tired.


    <span>¡°¡­This crazy princess.¡±


    <span>She was threatening them despite her being the one abducted. Cayena shrugged.


    <span>¡°I hear that all the time. It¡¯s nothing new.¡±


    <span>Of course, that was before she returned.


    <b>Scene 10. A Strange Hostage </b>


    <span>When Raphael met Cayena at the academy, he realized how eagerly he had been waiting for this day.


    <span>The day before, time strangely seemed to pass by so slowly. He thought he was bored.


    <span>It was less tedious to book the restaurant, though.


    <span>The best seats at the restaurant, which Baston rmended highly, had already been booked a week in advance by someone else.


    <span>¡°Find out who made the reservation.¡±


    <span>The reservation was made by a young couple who was about to get married.


    <span>Raphael gave them a small wedding gift and asked them to give up their reservation.


    <span>If they did so, the future Duke Kedrey would not forget this favor and even attend their uing wedding.


    <span>A wedding attended by Raphael!


    <span>It was clear that other high-ranking families would be eager to attend their wedding if he was there. The prestige of the couple¡¯s family would increase in an instant.


    <span>In addition, the wedding gift was a matrimonial home for the newlyweds. It was a very expensive mansion on the outskirts of the capital.


    <span>They just booked a date at a popr restaurant, but they ended up with an unexpected surprise.


    <span>¡°It would have been better to bestow the manor as a gift to your heir, once you have a child¡­¡±


    <span>Jeremy felt a stomachache knowing that Raphael had given away an amazing mansion as a gift just for a restaurant reservation.


    <span>He red at Baston, who rmended the restaurant. It was all because of Baston and his wicked mouth.


    <span>Baston whistled and pretended not to notice Jeremy¡¯s re.


    <span>¡°It doesn¡¯t matter since I can buy a better mansion at that point. Or I can start building one now.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­¡­¡±


    <span>Jeremy knew that Raphael was talented, but at times, he felt that his master was seriouslycking sense in economics.


    <span>Of course, Raphael was rich enough not to be concerned about that.


    <span>¡®Humph. Still, giving away a mansion is so wasteful¡­¡¯


    <span>It wasn¡¯t a mansion to throw away just to go on a date with the princess.


    <span>While thinking that, Jeremy suddenly had a realization. He shot his master an odd look.


    <span>¡®Does this mean that he really favors the princess?¡¯


    <span>Raphael looked too formal for that. He didn¡¯t have the distinctive excitement of a person who fell in love.


    <span>¡®Wait, is this what he looks like when he¡¯s excited?¡¯


    <span>Seeing how he was spending money recklessly¡­ That just may be the case.


    ~~~

 Chapter 56

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays<strong> PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Furthermore, it wasn¡¯t just Jeremy who felt this change.


    The employees of the Kedrey mansion began to whisper that their master had transformed recently.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never seen Master ponder over clothes so much! I think it took him twice as long as usual.¡±


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you misunderstanding it? Even if it did double, it just went from five minutes to ten.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve also never seen the master consider wearing cufflinks other than the ruby ones!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s allowed to consider things.¡±


    ¡°How about when he dashed over to meet the courtdy from the princess¡¯s pce that one time? Could it be that the courtdy has captured his heart?¡±


    Among them, Baston puffed out his chest and proudly stated, ¡°Tsk, tsk! How can you serve our master when you don¡¯t even understand his heart? The master clearly¡­¡±


    p!


    Jeremy hit Baston on the back of his head.


    ¡°Speak carefully. Care-ful-ly!¡±


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    Jeremy sighed and shook his head.


    They were supposed to go to the cathedral to take care of the duke and duchess¡¯s divorce suit. They had even donated a huge sum of money to do so. However, on that scheduled day, they had to hurry so that Raphael could visit the imperial academy.


    Finalizing the divorce meant that he would no longer be the sessor but the duke himself. Originally, he intended to prove his eligibility as the sessor through marriage or gaining military control.


    Nevertheless, all his marriage candidates ended up having issues. All of them. Recently, the imperial pce had been very noisy.


    They couldn¡¯t let Duke Leo continue in the role as the head of the family forever.


    The vassals were all pressuring Raphael to take care of the divorce so he could take over as the new duke. It was rare that they were unified in thought. It was time to finish his parents¡¯ divorce and take over as the head of the family.


    Was he saying that meeting the princess was more important than seeding the duchy?


    Looking at the political struggles that urred these days, in fact, it seemed important to be on friendly terms with Princess Cayena.


    Jeremy watched his master choose his outfit.


    Raphael wore a fancy silk shirt that he did not usually wear. The maids¡¯ eyes shed when Raphael said he would put some product in his hair.


    When Raphael wore his straight hair down, he was definitely cool, but he looked sexy with his hair pushed back.


    As if the servants had been waiting for the day, they all agreed to make Raphael into the most attractive man in the capital.


    ¡®Hmm. To think he would put up with all that.¡¯


    It was a spectacle for Jeremy, who knew that Raphael was sensitive to others¡¯ touch.


    Finally, Raphael, who lifted up his usual ruby cufflinks, nced at the blue diamond cuffs that he had noticed before. He thought it would be much better to wear those cufflinks today. Up until that moment, he felt strangely expectant.


    When she appeared with a young, uninvited guest at the academy, he even thought about childishly taking her away.


    But things didn¡¯t go as expected.


    Raphael felt an unfamiliar anger when Cayena left, pale and without even a faint smile. It was anger toward himself.


    Jeremy, who had been quietly keeping guard by his side, opened his mouth.


    ¡°Master. I am sorry to say this, but¡­¡±


    Jeremy nced at the ce where the princess disappeared.


    ¡°¡­From my point of view, Her Highness¡¯s response seems natural.¡±


    He had been watching Raphael and Cayena dine from a distance, like a shadow. Because he did, he was able to hear their conversation.


    Raphael looked at Jeremy with tired eyes when Jeremy continued talking.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t the rtionship between you two been one-sided?¡±


    The besotted princess had bothered Raphael by doing everything she could. But Raphael had not been interested in Cayena. There wasn¡¯t a single soul who didn¡¯t know that.


    ¡°It seems that it¡¯ll be difficult for Her Highness to see that you now favor her.¡±


    She was a princess who had been treated like a rock on the side of the road. Cayena had said in a roundabout way that she knew that truth. That¡¯s why she pledged not to be rude to him in the future.


    Jeremy came to fully understand that Raphael had some kind of interest in the princess. He also realized that Raphael was quite awkward at sharing his feelings.


    ¡°You can¡¯t push your emotions on someone, as Her Highness used to do in the past, and expect to be understood.¡±


    Raphael realized that he had been arrogant.


    After the princess changed, she consistently told him that she had organized her heart.


    She acted ordingly as well. She avoided contact, was considerate, and sincerely wished for him to be happy with someone other than herself.


    She had been acting very mature.


    It was just that, simr to an immature child, he didn¡¯t like it. Raphael covered his face with his hands like he was washing his face without water.


    It was embarrassing. How many times had he felt such an emotion?


    The moment he realized how ungentlemanly he had been, he was truly ashamed. He also felt sorry.


    She had never stopped acting like an adult this whole time.


    Even in the midst of that strained dinner before, he noticed that she was eating without showing her emotions.


    ¡°¡­I have to see Her Highness.¡±


    He moved as soon as he felt regret.


    He wanted to apologize to Cayena. He wanted to ask her to forgive him for his immaturity.


    But¡­ Cayena had vanished.


    Raphael¡¯s mind became cold.


    When did hest experience this terrible anger? It seemed that today was a day for feeling many unfamiliar emotions.


    Shortly, they discovered a dead man,pletely naked, tucked away in some corner of a stable.


    The circumstances of the kidnapping werepletely revealed.


    Raphael personally interrogated the assant whom he had caught earlier.


    It was to shorten the time by dealing with the man mercilessly.


    There were many ways a person could feel pain. During the war, Raphael was struck by a spiked whip and was poisoned as well. He knew quite well what would drive someone mad.


    ¡°Aaaagh¡ª!¡±


    Jeremy, who stayed by Raphael¡¯s side, thought it had been a long time since he had seen Raphael be so merciless.


    To be honest, he felt nauseous.


    The cruel side of Raphael¡¯s characteristic formality revealed itself.


    The assant spat out information before he would go mad.


    ¡°Th-they said they were going to the temple¡­!¡±


    ¡°Which temple?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ Kkghh!¡±


    Raphael sighed.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know why I have to waste time like this.¡±


    He picked up a hot iron poker.


    Then, he pointed it at the left eye of the man. The man trembled, then anxiously babbled as if he just thought of something.


    ¡°Ah, ahh! I think I heard it¡¯s the southern temple. Th-that¡¯s right. It¡¯s the south!¡±


    Thud.


    Raphael tossed the stick back into the brazier.


    ¡°Someone must have rented the annex if it¡¯s the temple to the south of the capital. Search the entire ce.¡±


    Then the knight said carefully, ¡°In order to do that, you have to dispatch all the knights. Only the duke has the authority to do that¡­¡±


    Usually, Raphael didn¡¯t care that he was only the sessor.


    No, he preferred it. But today, the situation aggravated him.


    Raphael said to Jeremy,


    ¡°Contact the cathedral right away.¡±


    Olivia was under the protection of the Kedrey duchy.


    She looked back on the situation like a wax statue. It was a peculiar expression since she did not cry.


    ¡°It was weird. In front of the carriage, she suddenly sent me off to the library¡­ That¡¯s right, the coachman¡­ I think he was someone else.¡±


    Olivia grabbed one of the duchy¡¯s employees and said,


    ¡°Please take me to the imperial pce as soon as possible.¡±


    By that time, a carriage to send her to the pce had been urgently requested and was already entering the academy.


    Olivia nervously persevered until they neared the pce.


    Everything would be fine. Her Highness was a wise person, and she woulde out unscathed.


    When the carriage stopped at the imperial pce, Olivia grabbed the hem of her skirt and began to run.


    Who could understand the situation immediately and inform the emperor?


    Olivia saw a familiar woman in the distance and yelled. ¡°Vera!¡±


    Vera looked at Olivia with surprised eyes. Some kind of intuition caused her to harden her face and hurry toward Olivia.


    ¡°Olivia! What happened?¡±


    Olivia¡¯s face finally twisted and lost herposure. She said, ¡°Her Highness has been abducted!¡±


    Vera felt like fainting.


    ~~~

 Chapter 57

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays<b> PR: </b>scarcecrow


    <span>The imperial pce was inplete chaos.


    <span>The chancellor, the general knightmander, and the leader of the imperial family¡¯s knights all urgently gathered at the center of the pce.


    <span>¡°We need official approval from His Majesty.¡±


    <span>Among them, the grand chambein Luden said firmly,


    <span>¡°His Majesty¡¯s state isn¡¯t good today. He wasn¡¯t even able to keep his medicine down. I can¡¯t wake him up when he just fell asleep.¡±


    <span>In any case, thefort of Emperor Esteban was the top prioritypared to the princess. Yet, the situation could not be set aside like this.


    <span>¡°Then, how about the prince?¡±


    <span>Chancellor Debussy showed his disapproval.


    <span>¡°But he is still on probation now, ording to His Majesty¡¯s orders¡­ What if we are punished for disobeying his orders?¡±


    <span>This man was someone who had been bribed by and colluded with the Evans family.


    <span>He thought that it was better all around if the princess, who had been carving away at the Evans family¡¯s influence, wasn¡¯t here.


    <span>¡°Then what do you want us to do? We have to find Her Highness!¡±


    <span>Byparison, Commander Jed was a rare man in the imperial household, he wasn¡¯t associated with Rezef nor the Evans family.


    <span>Rather, Jed disapproved of them.


    <span>¡°No, I¡¯m not saying that no one should look for her. The Kedrey duchy is already searching for Her Highness.¡±


    <span>Jed spoke irritably to Chancellor Debussy.


    <span>While they were waging their war of nerves, the news of the princess¡¯s abduction quickly spread throughout the pce.


    <span>But nobody was doing anything.


    <span>Olivia and Vera decided on their own that they couldn¡¯t dy any further.


    <span>¡®An abduction is a fight against time.<span>¡®


    <span>If they missed the golden time, it was all over.


    <span>They mobilized all avable court employees to the prince¡¯s pce.


    <span>The knights who were guarding the prince¡¯s quarters looked confused as they saw the courtiers rushing to them.


    <span>It hadn¡¯t urred to them that the attendants hade prepared for a hand-to-hand battle.


    <span>Vera cried from the front.


    <span>¡°Push!¡±


    <span>At that cry, the courtiers pushed the knights blocking the door.


    <span>¡°What are you doing?!¡± the knights shouted threateningly, snapping to attention. ¡°We are following His Majesty¡¯s orders!¡±


    <span>¡°Push!¡±


    <span>However, a number of courtiers continued to push them aside in unison.


    <span>The knights couldn¡¯t lift their swords and were just stubbornly trying to stand firm.


    <span>However, they were gradually pushed back because there were fewer knights than people of the court.


    <span>Soon, there was a gap.


    <span>While the knights briefly broke formation, Olivia opened the door.


    <span>¡°Um, uh?¡±


    <span>The pce workers in Rezef¡¯s chambers, who had heard the turmoil outside, opened their mouths in bemusement at the strange intruder.


    <span>There was only one door left until the bedroom.


    <span>Olivia quickly hurried and opened the bedroom door before the doorkeeper or servants could stop her.


    <span>¡°B-block her!¡±


    <span>Bang!


    <span>The bedroom door opened wide.


    <span>The first thing Olivia saw was arge window.


    <span>Olivia looked around for the owner of the bedroom. Finally, she saw the man sitting cross-legged on a sofa.


    <span>He did not look much like Cayena, but there was only one handsome blond man within these walls.


    <span>¡®Prince Rezef.¡¯


    <span>Although he had soft features, he possessed a frosty appearance. He lifted his head.


    <span>Their eyes met.


    <span>Rezef frowned, and looking curiously, he asked,


    <span>¡°Who are you?¡±


    <span>At that moment, the castle workers did not know what to do and tried to drag Olivia out.


    <span>Olivia pped away the hands trying to block her and kneeled down.


    <span>¡°Your Highness!¡±


    <span>Rezef looked at the woman opposite him and tried to guess who she was.


    <span>Although she was beautiful, he didn¡¯t recall her face. No, but it wasn¡¯t that he had no memory of her.


    <span>Where did he see this woman?


    <span>¡®Wheat-colored hair and green eyes must be¡­¡¯


    <span>Olivia opened her mouth while he was trying to determine her identity.


    <span>She spoke stiffly and hastily.


    <span>¡°Just now, at the imperial academy. The princess was kidnapped. Please save Her Highness.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­What?¡±


    <span>Olivia prostrated herself on the floor.


    <span>¡°I beg you!¡±


    <span>The room turned frigid.


    <span>¡°¡­My sister was kidnapped?¡±


    <span>¡°Yes. It¡¯s already been an hour since then. However, no one has done anything, so I was concerned as Her Highness¡¯s exclusivedy-in-waiting.¡±


    <span>Only then did Rezef realize that the woman was Olivia Grace.


    <span>He got up and walked in front of Olivia. A big hand tilted her face up. They stared at each other very closely.


    <span>Olivia could perceive the beginning stages of madness in his blue eyes.


    <span>¡®This man is dangerous¡­¡¯


    <span>She felt a chill.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re saying she was kidnapped?¡±


    <span>¡°It appears so. Sir Raphael searched the crime scene directly, and he said it was


    <span>most likely an abduction.¡±


    <span>Rezef¡¯s expression suddenly changed to the name Kedrey. Since a while ago, Raphael was strangely getting on Rezef¡¯s nerves.


    <span>He released Olivia and took a step toward the door. The terrified castle staff tried to hold him back.


    <span>¡°Your Highness! This is going against His Majesty¡¯smands!¡±


    <span>Rezef didn¡¯t even pretend to listen as he kicked the door.


    <span>The courtiers and the knights outside had been in a messy confrontation. When the door opened wide, they paused and looked at Rezef.


    <span>His aura was abnormal.


    <span>¡°Call the soldiers and surround the capital.¡±


    <span>Rezef closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. It was the look of a person gonepletely unhinged.


    <span>¡°If my sister isn¡¯t found before sunset, I¡¯ll slice all of your throats.¡±


    <span>***


    <span>The kidnappers were dumbfounded.


    <span>They hadn¡¯t heard anything about the princess being insane.


    <span>¡°That is the real princess, right?¡±


    <span>After a while, they began to suspect whether the woman they had brought was actually the princess.


    <span>Her beauty was too outstanding to say that she wasn¡¯t. They had never seen such pale and neat blonde hair in their lives. She also had a beautiful face like a sculpture and wore an expensive dress.


    <span>However, they began to have doubts because of her attitude.


    <span>¡°I can give you information that would be interesting to your side. You should consider it carefully.¡±


    <span>Cayena was carefree, as if they were the ones captured instead.


    <span>Did normal hostages behave this way?


    <span>They were having a hard time figuring out if it was empty bravado or not.


    <span>¡°Hey, Your Highness. Maybe you¡¯re treating us like servants because you don¡¯t understand the situation that you¡¯re in, but you¡¯ve been abducted.¡±


    <span>Cayena smiled at the man who spoke to her. The man¡¯s face turned red due to her appearance, which was iparably beautiful, no matter what others said.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s slow to figure things out. It seems that you still don¡¯t understand that I¡¯m splitting your group.¡±


    <span>The man retreated like he had no response to that.


    <span>Yup. The princess was unmistakably crazy.


    <span>¡°Ah,e on. When is that maning?¡±


    <span>¡°Yeah. Why is he sote?¡±


    <span>They ignored Cayena and started to talk among themselves.


    <span>And as Cayena said, there was a division between them.


    <span>A man who seemed to be contemting things from a while ago with a slightly stiff expression suddenly smiled widely.


    <span>¡°Just in case, I¡¯ll go take a look outside.¡±


    <span>¡°Oh, will you?¡±


    <span>Then, the other man who had flinched at her words also quickly stepped out.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡±


    <span>They nced at Cayena before leaving the room.


    <span>Cayena looked toward the curtain with a serene face.


    <span>The light was gradually decreasing. At night, she would meet the man who arranged the carriage to abduct her.


    <span>¡®Is it someone from the Evans marquess? Anyway, I¡¯m sure that there¡¯s someone from Heinrich¡¯s faction among these gangsters.<span>¡®


    <span>That was no different from thews of the world.


    <span>Actually, there had been two people who responded to Cayena¡¯s words and left. This meant that the rest of the gang was hired by someone else.


    <span>¡®<span>But the atmosphere is quite strange.<span>¡®


    <span>Each of the men who came in to watch over Cayena took their ce while subtly eyeing each other.


    <span>¡®There are more traitors.<span>¡®


    <span>It urred to her that the abduction may have been orchestrated by separate groups.


    <span>While Cayena analyzed the situation, she closed her eyes from a sudden headache. The food from earlier had upset her stomach.


    <span>¡®Olivia should have gotten away safely. She should have immediately noticed that I was kidnapped as soon as she saw I wasn¡¯t there.<span>¡®


    <span>In fact, she was expecting the most help from Archduke Heinrich¡¯s faction.


    <span>She didn¡¯t really want to involve him, but it couldn¡¯t be helped.


    <span>¡®There¡¯s a chance that Raphael would help¡­¡¯


    <span>Cayena didn¡¯t finish the thought.


    <span>What could she expect after parting ways like that?


    <span>Even if that wasn¡¯t the case, Raphael had no reason to worry about Cayena. He was a good man, so he may help her out of his morals, but she shouldn¡¯t expect much.


    <span>¡®I can¡¯t let things end like this.¡¯


    <span>There were many things she hadn¡¯t done yet.


    <span>Things regarding Olivia, Vera, Rezef, and Ethel, with whom she had formed a new rtionship today.


    <span>Bang!


    <span>The door opened, and a man appeared with a trailing entourage behind him.


    <span>Cayena recognized him right away. She couldn¡¯t breathe.


    <span>¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    <span>It was Henverton Gillian.


    ~~~

 Chapter 58

    <strong>Trantor:</strong> thursdays <strong>PR:</strong> scarcecrow


    The following scenes may depict violence and/or death that may be disturbing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.


    <span>She had never been kidnapped before her return.


    <span>Henverton had clung onto her like mud, but so did other men. Cayena only realized how crazed he was after marrying him.


    <span>She did expect him to try to harm her in this life, but she didn¡¯t consider that he might attempt something this soon.


    <span>¡®Howe¡­?¡¯


    <span>Henverton seemed to be out of his mind. Was he on drugs?


    <span>¡°Beautiful Cayena.¡±


    <span>Staggering, he walked up to the tied Cayena.


    <span>¡°Finally, you¡¯re in my hands.¡±


    <span>He held Cayena¡¯s face roughly like he couldn¡¯t control his strength. It was disgusting. She felt as if bugs were crawling from his hand onto her.


    <span>¡°You surely are the finest piece in my collection.¡±


    <span>Heughed and lifted Cayena¡¯s chin.


    <span>¡°But you always act arrogantly. We¡¯ll have to fix that habit.¡±


    <span>Cayena trembled.


    <span>He said that she acted arrogantly? That he would fix that habit?


    <span>Those were words that Cayena heard every day locked in his bedroom.


    <span>¡®I had been hesitant to get rid of him because he hadn¡¯t done any harm to me yet.¡¯


    <span>The terrible memories were clear.


    <span>Even at this moment, all kinds of remembrances that she had nearly managed to forget swooped over Cayena. Still, all of that hadn¡¯t happened in the present reversed time.


    <span>Truthfully, Cayena had already decided to bring Henverton down. Even if he hadn¡¯t done any harm to Cayena yet, he had already sinned.


    <span>She knew of the secret social club that Henverton ran with his friends. She also knew all sorts of filthy things that went on in there.


    <span>That was why she had thought to uncover that secret and depose him. She thought that would be enough, that she wouldn¡¯t need to worry about Henverton without the halo of the Gillian viscounty behind him.


    <span>She could have lived with that, eager as she was to erase the past.


    <span>Cayena had definitely been toocent. Cayena realized that she had been too moderate as she tried to repent for the many years she had lived as a viiness.


    <span>But a viiness was who she really was.


    <span>¡°Should I thank you for giving me this excuse?¡±


    <span>Cayenaughed faintly.


    <span>Her body ached from being tied up, but she didn¡¯t mind much. Rather, it was pleasant.


    <span>¡°It makes me relieved to see your base self, Henverton Gillian.¡±


    <span>Her cold eyes crushed over him. Henverton, who received that gaze, looked dazed.


    <span>He never thought he would be able to see the princess with this expression.


    <span>A shudder ran down his back.


    <span>She was still beautiful, but the doll-like Cayena was now different.


    <span>Her beautiful eyes burned with a chilling, graphic hatred.


    <span>¡°Hahaha!¡±


    <span>He exploded into madness.


    <span>¡°This will make breaking you in more delicious!¡±


    <span>Henverton bent backward andughed.


    <span>Then, the man who kept checking out of the window said, ¡°It would be good to start moving now. It¡¯s almost dark.¡±


    <span>At that, another man gagged Cayena¡¯s mouth.


    <span>It would be troublesome for them if she screamed while they moved her.


    <span>¡°Are there any sleeping drugs left? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to knock her out?¡±


    <span>¡°Another guy took it before, but he hasn¡¯te back yet. He¡¯s awfullyte for just taking care of the courtdy.¡±


    <span>¡®Olivia!¡¯


    <span>Cayena had hoped the gang wouldn¡¯t bother with her.


    <span>Henverton giggled, pointing at Cayena, and said,


    <span>¡°Move her to my carriage.¡±


    <span>The coarse hands of the young men lifted her up.


    <span>nk.


    <span>The shackles around her legs made a spine-tingling sound.


    <span>They cleaned up their surroundings and turned off themps. Then¨C


    <span>¡°Aghh!¡±


    <span>The man holding Cayena suddenly screamed.


    <span>¡°What is it?!¡±


    <span>One man urgently pulled Cayena away while the others were hit. They screamed.


    <span>¡°We¡¯ve been betrayed!¡±


    <span>Henverton realized that Zenon Evans had stabbed him in the back.


    <span>He screamed while iling in the dark, hard-to-see interior.


    <span>¡°You idiots! Drag the princess over here! Kill them all!¡±


    <span>Cayena struggled with all her might.


    <span>She nned to escape during the confusion. If the priest was in his right mind, he would not let things be after seeing her.


    <span>¡®Please!¡¯


    <span>¡°Ack! This crazy¡­!¡±


    <span>Cayena kicked a man, and he let her go.


    <span>She hit the floor painfully, but she continued to crawl forward. The door was right in front of her.


    <span>¡°Eugh¡ª!¡±


    <span>Then someone grabbed her by the hair.


    <span>¡°I caught the princess! Hurry up and kill the traitors!¡±


    <span>¡°Argh!¡±


    <span>A gruesome sound rang in her ear.


    <span>Cayena shut her eyes tightly. She recalled the sensation from when she had been stabbed and felt faint.


    <span>The man who caught Cayena dragged her on the floor.


    <span>Henverton fumed and kicked a body.


    <span>¡°Darn it! Useless bastards! ¡°


    <span>The man threw Cayena next to the corpse.


    <span>¡°Bro, this isn¡¯t what you said that it¡¯d be! Money won¡¯t cut it for something like this!¡±


    <span>Henverton swore, enraged by Zenon¡¯s betrayal. ¡°I¡¯ll give you any amount of money, so shut up and do whatever I say!¡±


    <span>Cayena was nauseous from the sickening smell of blood. Even so, she managed to endure it.


    <span>Everything would really be over if she lost focus now.


    <span>¡®There¡¯s no way Heinrich wouldn¡¯t act.¡¯


    <span>She was restless. Please, someone,e aid her. Anyone¡­


    <span>¡°Who¡¯s outside?¡±


    <span>The atmosphere in the room turned stiff at the words.


    <span>Was anybody else supposed toe here? Henverton, holding a knife in his hand, dragged Cayena over and covered her with a nket.


    <span>His eyes shed as he warned her.


    <span>¡°If you make a sound, you die immediately.¡±


    <span>He handed the knife over to the man next to him, saying that he could kill her if necessary.


    <span>It was getting harder for Cayena to breathe, especially from the moment she felt a cool sensation against her throat.


    <span>Click.


    <span>Yellow light poured into the room.


    <span>Henverton¡¯s men quickly blocked the entrance. The person who trespassed into the annex trod in.


    <span>Henverton recognized who it was and yelled at him like he was going to chew him up.


    <span>¡°Sir Raphael Kedrey.¡±


    <span>Cayena was shocked by the unexpected name.


    <span>¡®Why is Raphael here¡­?¡¯


    <span>Raphael was the one who had entered the room.


    <span>¡°What¡¯s this about? This is the annex that I borrowed from the temple through donations.¡±


    <span>Henverton growled at him, showing his hostility.


    <span>¡°You think you can bring the knights here to a non-aggression area?¡±


    <span>Raphaelposedly listened to him, then opened his mouth.


    <span>¡°You made two mistakes in your words.¡±


    <span>Henverton¡¯s eyebrows twitched. It was because Raphael was speaking down to him.


    <span>¡°First, you should call me Your Excellency or Lord, not Sir Raphael.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­What?¡±


    <span>While Henverton was confused, Raphael continued speaking in a calm tone.


    <span>¡°Secondly, I was the one who rented this ce.¡±


    <span>¡°What bullshit are you spouting?! I rented this ce!¡±


    <span>Raphael looked down at the screaming Henverton.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t you know that the annex will be transferred to someone else if they pay more money?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­That¡¯s contrived! This is a non-aggression area!¡±


    <span>Raphael wasn¡¯t feeling very well.


    <span>No, he felt terrible. His uncontroble frustration from the moment Cayena was kidnapped heightened to a peak when he saw Henverton¡¯s face.


    <span>¡°Really, I should have killed you.¡±


    <span>Raphael grabbed Henverton¡¯s head and mmed it against the wall.


    <span>Bam!


    <span>¡°Aaaagh¡ª!¡±


    <span>He threw Henverton, who screamed when his forehead was cut, onto the floor.


    <span>Then he gave an order to the knights.


    <span>¡°Take them in.¡±


    <span>Pow! Pow! Pow!


    <span>The fully armed knights were dominating the fight. At that time, the man who took Cayena hostage shouted,


    <span>¡°Stop!¡±


    <span>Raphael saw Cayena, gagged and disheveled.


    <span>He felt such fury that he could barely get a hold of himself.


    <span>¡°If you don¡¯t withdraw, the princess will die. You probably don¡¯t want that!¡±


    <span>He should have taken care of this when he received Jeremy¡¯s report. He had kept watch for nothing and let such an incident happen.


    <span>Raphael ordered the knights,


    <span>¡°Step back.¡±


    <span>As they passively stepped back, the expressions of the thugs in the room brightened.


    <span>There was a snapping sound the moment the knights moved away, and they heard a whistle through the air.


    <span>Thwump!


    <span>The man who was holding Cayena fell to the floor, his head pierced by an arrow.


    <span>The knight outside the door had prepared a crossbow just in case.


    <span>As soon as Raphael confirmed it, he ran to Cayena and held her in his arms.


    <span>Up close, Cayena seemed pale, but she didn¡¯t seem to have been hurt.


    <span>Raphael said, ¡°Arrest them!¡±


    <span>As if the knights were waiting for themand, all the kidnappers were seized and hauled outside.


    <span>Raphael released the gag around Cayena¡¯s mouth and her bindings. She was so quiet that it was odd.


    <span>He had to find the key to release the shackles on her feet. None of his attendants were present in the room.


    <span>He paused and asked,


    <span>¡°Your Highness, we should go now. Is it all right if I carry you?


    <span>¡°¡­Why. Why¡­ are you here?¡±


    <span>Cayena looked up at him.


    <span>¡°Why did you¡­ I¡­¡±


    <span>She couldn¡¯t finish her words.


    <span>It was because Raphael gently lifted her in his arms.


    <span>He consoled Cayena, who was trembling, barely able to recognize herself.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s all right now.<span>¡±


    <span>Cayena closed her mouth.


    <span>¡°You¡¯re safe now.¡±


    <span>The moment she heard that, her nerves diminished.


    <span>Ah¡­ She couldn¡¯t stand it anymore.


    <span>The world quickly became dark.


    ~~~

 Chapter 59

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays<strong> PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    The following scenes may depict violence and/or death that may be disturbing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.


    <span>***


    <span>Rezef was absorbed in one thought only.


    <span>¡°They dare disrespect me by taking what is mine.<span>..!¡±


    <span>Cayena was his. She was his peace that no one but himself was allowed to touch. But Rezef painfully realized that others could covet it.


    <span>He felt angry. He wanted to tear apart everyone that coveted what was unquestionably his.


    <span>He was the owner of this world anyway, so wouldn¡¯t it be okay?


    <span>There were too many insects he needed to get rid of to seed the throne.


    <span>In defiance of the imperial order, he put on a red cloak, took out a horse himself, and left the pce. It didn¡¯t suit him to just give orders.


    <span>He would turn over the entire capital to see Cayena with his own eyes.


    <span>On the other hand, this situation was suspicious. Was this really a kidnapping? The circumstances seemed to clear-cut, but there was another possibility.


    <span>Cayena was trying to escape from his hands.


    <span>¡®Is she trying to run away from me?¡¯


    <span>His kind and beautiful peace seemed to fade into a minor role and disappear like sea foam from time to time.


    <span>Rezef thought it was just his mood, but he continued to have doubts.


    <span>He didn¡¯t feel this way at the start. It was when he received reports that Cayena was reading travelogues that he was almost certain.


    <span>It was odd how she did not use her control over internal affairs for personal reasons but was fair and just.


    <span>She seemed to have built a well-organized system that could run even without her.


    <span>¡®The only way Cayena can run away from me is by marriage.¡¯


    <span>Freedom to marry whom she wanted¡­ That was the biggest situation at hand.


    <span>¡°Your Highness, we¡¯ve found a suspicious group!¡±


    <span>Rezef immediately turned his head to the subordinate¡¯s report.


    <span>It was obvious that those who had helped with the kidnapping would not get away with all four limbs.


    <span>He needed a safe cage in which to protect Cayena<span>. That was more evident than ever¡­


    <span>Rezef¡¯s eyes were stained with violent madness.


    <span>¡°These are the men.¡±


    <span>Rezef looked down at them without getting off his horse. They had been tied up and forced to their knees, and he could tell from a nce that they were scoundrels.


    <span>¡°We caught a bunch of them stationed in an abandoned house. In addition, we found sleeping pills, rope, chains, and a carriage painted ck.¡±


    <span>¡°What about my sister?¡±


    <span>¡°Her Highness has yet to be found.¡±


    <span>Rezef got off the horse and approached the kneeling gangsters who were watching him.


    <span>¡°Why were you hiding in an abandoned house and acting suspiciously?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­We will not deny that we are not honorable. But saying that we kidnapped Her Highness, the Princess? We¡¯ve never nned such a sin.¡±


    <span>Rezef nodded.


    <span>Then, instead of shouting at the one who spoke to tell the truth, he pulled a gun from his waistband and shot him in the head.


    <span>Bang!


    <span>¡°Heuk!¡±


    <span>It was a neat, instantaneous death.


    <span>The unexpected boom frightened everyone nearby.


    <span>Rezef looked at the pistol, satisfied.


    <span>¡°The possession of guns is restricted for a good reason.¡±


    <span>The Eldaim Empire prohibited the private ownership of firearms by individuals other than those in the military.


    <span>The captives may have been scoundrels, but they were too poor to own guns.


    <span>They shuddered.


    <span>The head of the man in the middle burst, and he died. They would soon go that way, too.


    <span>The prince was rumored to be a brute, but who knew that he was such a cruel being?


    <span>Rezef reloaded the gun and held the muzzle to the head of the next person.


    <span>¡°Now, you tell me.¡±


    <span>The man hesitated for a moment and gulped.


    <span>It was true that they had all taken part in Cayena¡¯s kidnapping. However, the difference was that they were not hired by Henverton Gillian but by Zenon Evans.


    <span>Should he tell the truth? But would telling the truth even ensure he would live?


    <span>They were employed by Zenon, but they did not know who had hired the others.


    <span>While he continued to stall, Rezef pulled the trigger again without a word.


    <span>Bang!


    <span>Now two bodies were on the floor.


    <span>¡°You have some nerve, still thinking about this.¡±


    <span>Rezef reloaded the gun and pointed it at the man beside the corpses.


    <span>Seeing that the prince was allowing him onest chance, he confessed right away.


    <span>¡°We really don¡¯t know our employers!¡±


    <span>He spoke quickly, anxious that Rezef would pull the trigger.


    <span>¡°But I heard that the younger Gillian was taking a carriage with Her Highness from the temple


    <span>not far from here. Our anonymous employer ordered us to raid the carriage.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Gillian.¡±


    <span>Rezef also knew him well. He was a vulgar and terrible human being. In addition, he waspletely fascinated by Cayena¡¯s beauty to the point he lost all reason. That was why Rezef had tried to frame him as the culprit of the poisoning incident. It was easy to manipte such a greedy man.


    <span>¡°I didn¡¯t know he was crazy enough to kidnap the princess.¡±


    <span>He already ran a secret club that did all sorts of things, but that wasn¡¯t such a big deal.


    <span>¡°Haa.¡±


    <span>Rezef sighed and swept back his hair.


    <span>His head hurt from anger. Why did so many things in the world not know their ce?


    <span>How dare something worth less than a bug covet his sister?


    <span>¡°That¡¯s why I hate things that don¡¯t know their ce. They always cross the line.¡±


    <span>His eyes sank bleakly even more.


    <span>Those who still survived from Rezef anxiously watched him.


    <span>Would they be okay now that they admitted to everything?


    <span>Rezef ordered his attendant to assemble the central army at the temple immediately and got on top of his horse again.


    <span>He said nothing about the kidnapping. They harbored a very small hope that maybe they could live.


    <span>The attendant pointed to the captive men and asked,


    <span>¡°What should we do with these men?¡±


    <span>Rezef looked at the attendant with an expression that seemed to question why that had to be even asked.


    <span>¡°Kill them all.¡±


    <span>With that said, Rezef raced to the temple. He dragged along the central army unit posted nearby.


    <span>Soon, they could see the temple.


    <span>But the temple was quite noisy. Was abduction usually such a noisy crime?


    <span>His eyebrows jumped up in wonder.


    <span>There were elite knights surrounding the temple.


    <span>An emblem reflected on the torchlight caught his eye. It was a pattern of a family he knew very well.


    <span>¡®The Kedrey duchy?¡¯


    <span>In other words, someone else had arrived at the temple before him.


    <span>Then, Raphael walked out of the temple with Cayena in his arms.


    <span>¡°Sister!¡±


    <span>Rezef jumped off from his horse when he saw her.


    <span>He pushed through the knights who were surprised to see him and went to Cayena.


    <span>Since Raphael was holding Cayena, he only bowed his head at Rezef.


    <span>¡°I greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    <span>Rezef had no mind to receive the greeting. Cayena¡¯s condition was a mess.


    <span>She was still passed out, her hair tangled, dress crumpled, chains jangling from her ankles, and a pale, bloodless face¡­


    <span>Rezef did not know he would ever see Cayena in this state.


    <span>Instantly, the sight in front of him wobbled. His anger made his vision dull.


    <span>¡°The criminal?¡±


    <span>Raphael pointed his chin behind Rezef.


    <span>Looking around, there were many men who were bound. Some of them were familiar.


    <span>Then, Rezef¡¯s eyes shed.


    <span>He strode in front of Henverton.


    <span>¡°You worthless being, lower than a bug, dare to¡ª!¡±


    <span>Henverton looked at Rezef with a sagging face as the drug wore off. He smiled with his bloodied mouth.


    <span>¡°Why are you doing this to me?¡± asked Henverton.


    <span>Rezef, who was about to punch his face, stopped. Henverton wasughing at him.


    <span>¡°This wasn¡¯t because of me, it was because of Your Highness.¡±[1]


    <span>Saying that, Henverton giggled as if he couldn¡¯t hold it in.


    <span>¡°Do you think things like this will stop if I disappear?¡±


    <span>¡°Impertinent words!¡±


    <span>The knights of the central army, who were astonished by Henverton¡¯s crazy behavior, turned to him. However, Henverton knew that he would die and had nothing to hold him back.


    <span>¡°You seem to value your sister quite preciously¡­¡±


    <span>Rezef lowered his hand. He was holding himself back to hear what he had to say. Henverton said,


    <span>¡°You better watch over her well in the future.¡±


    <span>Rezef knew that Henverton was not the only one behind this abduction. Henverton was clearly referring to his partner in crime.


    <span>¡°What do you mean? What else do you know?¡±


    <span>Then, Henverton mocked him with a face stained with madness.


    <span>¡°What if I don¡¯t want to tell you?¡±


    <span>Rezef was so infuriated that instead of losing his reason, the burning candle in his mind turned off, leaving him with darkness.


    <span>Would he feel better if he took a gun to the man¡¯s mouth and pulled the trigger?


    <span>But he couldn¡¯t do that because they needed to find the other criminals.


    <span>Rezef began to organize the area.


    <span>¡°Take everyone who tried to kill the imperial family to the imperial prison.¡±


    <span>¡°Yes, sir!¡±


    <span>After ordering them like that, Rezef approached Raphael.


    <span>In the meantime, Raphael had released the shackles on Cayena¡¯s ankles. He had taken her to the carriage and was now fixing her hair.


    <span>Why did this scene look hateful to Rezef?


    <span>He fiddled with his waistband. Rezef appreciated Raphael¡¯s help, but he wasn¡¯t pleased with how he stuck by Cayena¡¯s side.


    <span>Then a thought struck his mind like lightning.


    <span>¡®Ah, is that it?¡¯


    <span>Was this what made Cayena decide to run away?


    ~~~


    <span>[1] Your Highness: It was left ambiguous whether Henverton was referring to Cayena or Rezef.

 Chapter 60

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Cayena would never be able to run away by herself. As she was the sole princess, the empire and other countries were focused on her. Furthermore, she had an extraordinary appearance. Cayena was so beautiful that she was bound to attract others¡¯ attention.


    Thus, she would need someone else¡¯s help to run away.


    Who was capable of helping Cayena abscond from the capital?


    ¡®It has to be someone who doesn¡¯t desire my sister, even though she is a stunning woman who could be used to gain the throne.¡¯


    There wouldn¡¯t be many people without ulterior motives regarding her unless they were of the same sex.


    The assistant also had to own enough power to help her.


    Considering all these factors, there was only one person who met all these conditions. That was Raphael.


    If Cayena suddenly decided to leave and really gave up on Raphael¡­


    ¡®Then it¡¯s very likely that she made some kind of deal with Raphael. But what could Cayena offer him?¡¯


    Thinking about it, Rezef found that it didn¡¯t make sense. Cayena had nothing that Raphael would want. But the rtionship between the two did seempletely different from the past, which made Rezef leery.


    It was the same with himself. Now that Cayena had changed, it was natural for her rtionships to change as well.


    And the changed Cayena¡­


    ¡°So this is where you were.¡±


    Raphael was setting Cayena, who was still unconscious, down in a carriage with the doors wide open.


    Noticing Rezef¡¯s presence, he said, ¡°The doctor that I brought took a look at Her Highness.¡± Raphael got off the carriage and stood in front of Rezef. ¡°Other than some indigestion, she¡¯s all right.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Rezef examined Raphael. Why did he go this far to find Cayena?


    ¡®Perhaps it¡¯s because the kidnapping happened right after their meeting at the academy that he decided to actively help.¡¯


    However, the simple exnation bothered Rezef.


    He hid his inner thoughts and, with a moderate appearance, praised Raphael.


    ¡°I¡¯ll take Henverton Gillian to the pce¡¯s prisons. Thanks to your help today, I was able to recover my sister safely.¡±


    Then he stretched his hand out to Raphael.


    Raphael looked at Rezef for a moment, then shook his hand.


    He may have been trying to hide it, but Raphael could sense that Rezef was strangely hostile and suspicious of him. Also, Rapahel could see that Rezef had a bizarre obsession with Cayena.


    It was strange. Was Prince Rezef always so fond of his sister?


    ¡®Is this why the princess turned to me for help?¡¯


    Raphael had also heard of Henverton¡¯s taunts.


    Others seemed to think it was the ramblings of a maniac, but Raphael thought that the words


    were meaningful.


    The two seemed calm on the outside but observed each other shrewdly.


    ¡°I must summon Duke Kedrey to the pce to take care of the Gillian viscountcy and set up a new leader. Or, I think the duchess is in the capital now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go.¡±


    It was a matter of the vassal family.


    No matter how determined the sessor is, this was something to be handled by the family head, not the heir.


    Because of that, Rezef looked puzzled.


    ¡°Howe?¡±


    Raphael said casually,


    ¡°From today, I am the head of the Kedrey duchy.¡±


    Rezef only then realized how he was able to assemble the knights ande to the temple.


    Mobilizing the troops in case of crisis was one of the powers that the militant duchy had in order to protect the empire. Of course, only the head of the family could do so.


    ¡®They said that the ducal couple was going through a divorce.¡¯


    If this happened in the cathedral, Rezef should have heard about this from the spy that he nted there. But he didn¡¯t.


    That meant that he gained his peerage after Cayena was kidnapped.


    What was the reason for this?


    Rezef¡¯s eyes became even colder.


    However, he made full use of his gentle impression and curved his eyes into a smile.


    ¡°Excuse me for not receiving the news, Duke Kedrey. Congrattions on your session.¡±


    Rezef could no longer speak casually to Raphael, who had be a duke.


    That¡¯s why he spoke respectfully.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    They shook hands briefly once again. Rezef nced at the carriage and said to him,


    ¡°Let¡¯s wrap up our conversation here, as my sister needs to go to the pce to rest.¡±


    ¡°Then, I shall see you soon.¡±


    Rezef climbed into the carriage where Cayenaid.


    He felt Raphael¡¯s gaze looking at the princess.


    Rezef closed the carriage door with a cold face, without a smile.


    ***


    Zenon liked to pretend to be rational, no matter how angry he was.


    However, it was difficult to do that today. He swore as he rode a carriage.


    ¡°Damn it, damn it! God damn it!


    Did Cayena notice something and send away herdy-in-waiting? Everything had be twisted from there.


    ¡®Raphael Kedrey¡­!¡¯


    He ground his teeth.


    It was true that he had made the cleanup deliberately sloppy to reveal that Cayena was kidnapped.


    But he didn¡¯t intend for it to be found out so quickly.


    Why the hell had Raphael been so eager to find Princess Cayena?


    ¡°Fucking bastard!¡±


    He never thought Raphael would spend that much money at the cathedral and the small temple just to find her.


    Even Raphael¡¯s finances would take a blow at that level.


    Anyway, there was something else important now: He had to shut Henverton Gillian¡¯s mouth.


    The carriage ran through the night to the outskirts of the capital and then stopped. It was a town with nothing to see other than an old temple. The back was full of such shantytowns.


    Zenon got off the carriage. He tightly wrapped himself with a robe and a dark hat.


    Walking a little further from the small temple was a small inn.


    On the first floor, it looked like an ordinary inn that sold food and alcohol, but it was actually a ce for making contracts.


    ¡°Wee.¡± The bartender wiped down a cup as he greeted the new customer.


    Inside, a few men were ying poker, and another was drinking alcohol alone at the bar.


    Zenon sat at the bar and handed the bartender amemorative coin issued by the Madrena kingdom.


    The coins of the fallen kingdom were no longer valid as currency. However, they were used for contract transactions.


    ¡°Oho,¡± the bartender said, seeing thememorative coin. This was because the coins were often used by high-ranking nobles who concealed their identities. ¡°A valuable guest, I see. I¡¯ll take you to the room.¡±


    Zenon followed the bartender to the back of the bar.


    There was a space separated by a long partition, and as they went behind it, a thick door that was clearly soundproofed appeared.


    ¡°It¡¯s here.¡±


    The bartender opened the door for him. Zenon left his attendant outside and entered the room.


    Inside the room, a man sat on a chair, wearing a yful fox-shaped mask.


    He weed Zenon with open arms.


    ¡°Wee, customer!¡±


    Zenon was startled to see him.


    The fox mask only covered down to the man¡¯s nose, so his lower face was revealed.


    That cool smile and the almost-white, silvery hair above the mask showed he wasn¡¯t just any handsome man.


    And Zenon only knew one man with such characteristics.


    ¡°Yester Heinrich?¡±


    At the name, the man winked and said, ¡°Right now, I am Count Zodiac.¡±


    ¡°Why are you here¡­?¡±


    Zenon¡¯s face wrinkled as he expressed his confusion.


    ¡°Then, this contract business, too¡­?¡±


    ¡°Correct.¡± Yesterughed cheerfully. ¡°Well, it was so fun watching the princess get kidnapped on her way back that I stuck my foot in. I didn¡¯t know that the second son of Marquis Evans was connected.¡±


    This crazy roughneck owned a contracting business¡­


    ¡°It¡¯s such a shame. Actually, I was quite embarrassed as well.¡±


    Yester received a report from his subordinates about what happened to the princess.


    She threatened to tell her brother where Yester¡¯s secret group was located if he didn¡¯t help her return to the pce within 24 hours.


    ¡®Does she really know something?¡¯


    And did she really predict that a day like this woulde?


    In addition, she predicted that at least one of the gangsters involved in the kidnapping would be his people.


    Yester felt dazed for the first time in a long time, as if he had been hit in the head.


    Fortunately or not, the Kedrey heir ended the situation before Yester had toe forward.


    ¡°Princess Cayena gave everyone the run-around. Right?¡±


    Zenon swallowed his curses, thinking that nothing could be done.


    ¡°Something like this. Even if we can¡¯t get along, we don¡¯t have to show that we hate each other.¡±


    Yester got up from his chair and shamelessly approached Zenon.


    Zenon asked, ¡°How did you know that I woulde?¡±


    Yester shook his head. His attitude seemed to scold him for missing the point and talking nonsense.


    ¡°That¡¯s not what is important now.¡±


    He looked at Zenon with his golden eyes.


    Though Zenon was covered with a robe, his anger and embarrassment were still noticeable.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it more important that I¡¯ve captured your weakness, Zenon Evans?¡±


    Yester smiled wryly.


    ~~~

 Chapter 61: Scene 11. Turbulence

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Zenon clenched his fists so tightly that they trembled. However, his voice was as calm as ever.


    ¡°How unfortunate. You think I¡¯m so ipetent that I can¡¯t even cover up this incident.¡±


    Yester saw through his bluff. Heughed as if Zenon was being ridiculous.


    ¡°It seems that Prince Rezef treasures the princess. He even broke out of his probation like this.¡±


    Yester tapped on his mask as if he found this strange. He continued, ¡°I was honestly surprised. Why did he do something like that, when it¡¯ll definitely cost him more?¡±


    The jewel on his fox mask sparkled as he moved his head.


    Zenon wanted to tear off that mask, which concealed Yester¡¯s thoughts, and throw it away.


    But he forcibly swallowed his anger.


    Yester wasrger than that tall Raphael by half a handspan.


    Yester was over 190 centimeters and had a menacing build. His muscles could be seen even with his suit on.


    Breaking someone¡¯s head was nothing for someone like Yester. He was like a beast.


    ¡°That¡¯s because Princess Cayena has many uses¡­¡±


    ¡°No, no.¡±


    Yester shrugged, opening his arms excessively wide.


    ¡°Do you really think so? Is Princess Cayena so useful that he would break the Emperor¡¯s orders?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    No. Zenon didn¡¯t think so.


    But he couldn¡¯t just confess that. Seeing that, Yester grinned.


    ¡°There¡¯s something about Princess Cayena. Right?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s just that it¡¯s entertaining. Just what makes everyone madly attached to the princess?¡±


    As he said that, he pointed his finger at Zenon.


    ¡°You, Prince Rezef, Henverton Gillian¡­ Even Kedrey.¡±


    Yester¡¯s golden eyes gleamed bleakly.


    ¡°I¡¯m so curious about her that I¡¯m going crazy.¡±


    ¡®Mad son of a¡­¡¯ Zenon thought.


    Yester¡¯s eyes and voice weren¡¯t normal.


    He was a total maniac.


    He was a dangerous human, qualitatively different from a junkie like Henverton Gillian.


    ¡®Damn, damn it!¡¯


    In the end, Zenon began to get angry with Princess Cayena. She attracted crazy men like the pied piper in fairy tales.


    Then, Yester spoke again.


    ¡°Treat the princess well.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    ¡®What kind of crazy noise was this?¡¯


    Yester said in a lonesome voice, ¡°If you do something irresponsible, I¡¯ll be so scared and sad that I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do.¡±


    Then, he cocked his head and looked at Zenon.


    ¡°Don¡¯t touch my toys.¡±


    At that moment, Zenon wanted to punch Yester¡¯s face.


    ¡°My close friend Zenon will do that for me. Right?¡±


    ¡°Why would I¡­!¡±


    ¡°Because I have evidence that you tried to kidnap the princess?¡±


    Yester giggled and said to a frozen Zenon, ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. I¡¯ll make sure to shut Henverton up, all right?¡±


    He had tried to get rid of a burden but ended up with another.


    ¡°¡­Fine.¡±


    Zenon was forced to ept the proposal.


    <b>Scene 11. Turbulence </b>


    The sunlight tickled her eyelids.


    She didn¡¯t usually feel the sun like this when she was in bed because the curtains would be drawn.


    Then, Cayena felt a careful hand sweeping through her hair. Who was it?


    Before opening her eyes, Cayena unintentionally thought of Raphael.


    ¡°Are you awake?¡±


    Contrary to what she imagined, Rezef was the one beside her.


    ¡°Rezef¡­?¡±


    She tried to get up.


    But her whole body was throbbing. In particr, her entire upper body, wrists, and ankles were sore. She recalled that she had been abducted.


    ¡°Please keep lying down some more.¡±


    Rezef helped his sister lie back down as she briefly frowned at the difort.


    His touch was soft but restraining. Cayenay back down and let out a small sigh.


    Seeing that she woke up on the bed in the princess¡¯s pce like this, it seemed that Raphaeling to save her wasn¡¯t a dream.


    Her mind was a little befuddled. Why did he do that? Was it because Raphael is a gentleman? Because he was someone with morals?


    Or maybe she was making a big deal specting on something that had no deep meaning.


    ¡°What happened to the kidnappers? Especially¡­¡±


    She paused for a quick breath.


    ¡°What happened to Henverton Gillian?¡±


    ¡°The kidnappers were arrested and locked up in the imperial prison. Henverton included. Viscount Gillian and Duke Kedrey will also be summoned to hold Gillian family responsible for this incident.¡±


    Cayena thought back to how Henverton greedily wanted her while she was drugged.


    Like in herst life, he was willing to kill her if necessary.


    Did this mean that whatever happened would still happen, but in a different form? In an instant, fear overwhelmed her.


    ¡®That¡¯s wrong. I didn¡¯t die.¡¯


    She tried to stay calm.


    There was no need to fear something that didn¡¯t happen. Wasn¡¯t she back in the familiar rooms of the princess¡¯s pce now?


    Didn¡¯t that mean everything went well?


    <i>¡°It¡¯s all right now.¡±</i>


    She recalled Raphael, who appeared with a light in the pitch-ck darkness. Her hands, which had been trembling minutely, became warm again.


    Rezef quietly watched all this happen.


    ¡®I should have blown off Henverton¡¯s head, too.¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t toote to do so now. He would kill Henverton as painfully as possible.


    It was the first time he had seen Cayena show such a vivid terror. The anger that he had held back while watching over the sleeping Cayena soared back to life.


    Rezef would somehow tear apart Henverton¡¯s house as well.


    ¡®But I can¡¯t get rid of my anger.¡¯


    The anger flooded him. Only when Cayena nced out the window did he return to his senses.


    ¡°How long have I been out?¡±


    The curtains were drawn aside, and she could see the bright golden sunlight. It seemed that it would be sunset soon.


    ¡°It has only been a day. Sister, you should rest more.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s face was still paler than usual.


    The doctor also emphasized the need to rest, saying that her physical condition was messed up by the stress and trauma.


    Knock, knock.


    Then, Vera entered.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    Vera looked like she would burst into tears when she saw Cayena.


    ¡°You¡¯re awake! Are you hungry? How is your body?¡±


    Vera approached Cayena as if she was running.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, so calm down.¡±


    Cayena suddenly remembered something.


    ¡°What about Olivia?¡±


    Vera replied hoarsely, ¡°Olivia is unharmed. She was keeping watch over these chambers until just now, when she stepped out for a moment.¡±


    Vera reported that the day before, Olivia had been attacked by someone and that she ran to the imperial pce to report the princess¡¯s kidnapping. It was also Olivia who persuaded Prince Rezef to mobilize the army yesterday.


    Vera was about to exin that, but Rezef cut her off.


    ¡°Sister.¡±


    Rezef called Cayena like a sigh and gazed at her.


    She was trying to take care of others as soon as she got up instead of taking care of her body.


    Herplexion still looked unhealthy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother yourself with misceneous matters.¡±


    ¡°How could I not?¡±


    Cayena looked at Rezef. Confused, she said, ¡°By the way, if your probation is over, you should report to the Emperor. Why are you here?¡±


    Additionally, his outfit was weird. Why was he wearing a red cape and a uniform?


    Her gaze reached in the space of the open cape. A gun was visibly on his waistband.


    ¡°You couldn¡¯t have¡ª!¡±


    She realized that Rezef must have run from his probation because he heard about her kidnapping.


    The fact that it was hisst day and the princess was in distress was no excuse.


    The Emperor¡¯s orders were more important than the Imperial children¡¯s safety. It was clear that their father would not consider the specifics of the situation and punish Rezef.


    And Rezef wouldn¡¯t let such an Emperor be.


    ¡°Everything¡¯s fine, sister.¡±


    If needed, he would assassinate the Emperor right away. Cayena couldn¡¯t let that happen.


    There was no way that someone who sat on a blood-stained throne would be all right. The tragedy would only repeat again.


    ¡°Even if something bad happens to me, His Majesty¡¯s orderse first. Go back now. I¡¯ll talk to him.¡±


    Saying that, Cayena stood up, disregarding her pain.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay, sister.¡±


    Cayena tried to leave the bedroom, pretending she hadn¡¯t heard.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Rezef¡¯s face twisted and he grabbed Cayena.


    ¡°Ah!¡±


    Even though her wrists had been bandaged, they couldn¡¯t recover from being tied in just one day.


    Rezef flinched at Cayena¡¯s brief scream and pained face. He quickly released his sister¡¯s wrist. Instead, he held her in his arms, face still crumpled.


    ¡°Rezef!¡±


    ¡°Please listen to me.¡±


    Then Cayena turned to him with a dumbfounded expression and said, ¡°You should listen to me.¡±


    The two shed their stares in an odd confrontation.


    ~~~

 Chapter 62

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    <span>¡°Rezef, this is no time to act like this.¡±


    <span>¡°Sister, you seem to think that I¡¯m a child who can¡¯t do anything.¡±


    <span>He was barely 18 years old. What was he saying that he could do?


    <span>Of course, he was much smarter and stronger than his peers. <span>She was about to say that of course he was too young when she suddenly changed her mind. <span>Technically, Cayena was only 19 years old.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re my younger brother.¡±


    <span>Then, Rezef¡¯s attitude, which had been caustic until now, softened.


    <span>¡°¡­Still, you need to rest.¡±


    <span>Cayena knows that this was a normal concern.


    <span>Who would tell someone who was kidnapped yesterday to start working right away?


    <span>It was only proper to rest after such a traumatic experience. That is, if she was an ordinary person. Sadly, Cayena wasn¡¯t a normal noblewoman.


    <span>Besides, if she didn¡¯t diligently remove the thorns on the road ahead of her, she would eventually be stabbed to death. What the future had in store would be as tough as yesterday¡¯s kidnapping or worse.


    <span>¡°Father is a harsh man. You know that.¡±


    <span>That was something Rezef knew better than anyone else. He smiled broodily.


    <span>¡°Yes, I know.¡±


    <span>With displeasure in his face, Rezef said, ¡°But you don¡¯t need to worry. Duke Raphael has already solved that issue.¡±


    <span>Cayena halted when Raphael was suddenly mentioned.


    <span>Hesitantly, she asked, ¡°How is he?¡±


    <span>Rezef didn¡¯t know either. He shrugged.


    <span>¡°When I entered the pce in the morning, he was having a private conversation with Father. It seemed to go well. Thanks to that, I owe the duke.¡±


    <span>He didn¡¯t like that part, but he thought it was fine that the issue was handled quietly.


    <span>¡®He came to the pce.¡¯


    <span>Cayena seemed to keep receiving undeserved help from him. <span>It was unlikely that Raphael did that just for Rezef.


    <span>¡®I thought I was being overly conscious of myself.¡¯


    <span>Raphael was apparently showing her some favor. <span>She didn¡¯t tell what kind of goodwill it stemmed from, but it made her feel warm.


    <span>¡®That¡¯s also the case with how he inherited his title.<span>¡®


    <span>She felt embarrassed to admit that fact.


    <span>Then, there was a knock at the door. <span>Vera, who had been as quiet as the air, checked the door and politely informed Cayena, <span>¡°Your Highness, Olivia requests an audience with you.¡±


    <span>Cayena thought for a moment. She was hesitating because of Rezef.


    <span>Though, she knew it was inevitable that they would meet once she called Olivia to the imperial pce. She thought that it would be better if they saw each other now than outside of Cayena¡¯s sight.


    <span>She couldn¡¯t keep dying it, so Cayena chose to face it head-on.


    <span>¡°Let her in.¡±


    <span>After a while, the door opened and Olivia¡¯s gaunt form entered. <span>Rezef nced indifferently at Olivia, then sat on the sofa beside the bed.


    <span>Olivia went down on one knee, bowed to Cayena, and carefully asked, <span>¡°Your Highness¡­ Are you all right?¡±


    <span>Cayena lifted herself up and replied, ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±


    <span>Olivia¡¯s face had a poorplexion, perhaps because in the past day she had suffered a lot. <span>Her eyes also looked sore.


    <span>Cayena reached her hand out to Olivia.


    <span>¡°Come here.¡±


    <span>At her call, Olivia cautiously approached the bed and took her hand.


    <span>Cayena had never thought deeply about the fact that Olivia was only 20 years old. <span>She just thought that Olivia was a sensible and intelligent person.


    <span>Cayena had been too inattentive.


    <span>Olivia must have been scared. She, rather than Cayena, may have developed a trauma.


    <span>Cayena pulled Olivia¡¯s hand to drag her into her arms and patted Olivia¡¯s back.


    <span>¡°Were you scared?¡±


    <span>Then, Cayena said the words that had been used tofort her.


    <span>¡°It¡¯s all right now.¡±


    <span>At those words, Olivia hugged Cayena like she was falling apart. Her body seemed to tremble.


    <span>¡°¡­I¡¯m so thankful that you¡¯re safe.¡±


    <span>¡°It¡¯s thanks to you.¡±


    <span>Olivia knew that Cayena had sent her on that errand to protect her. That was why she thought she should be the one to thank her.


    <span>From the side, Rezef sharply raised his eyes to see this scene. <span>Then heughed so quietly that no one else would hear.


    <span>Here was another thing he would have to keep in check.


    <span>He noticed that Cayena cared for Olivia more than what was usual. <span>Strange things kept attaching themselves to his sister.


    <span>Cayena did not notice Rezef¡¯s twisted feelings and continued tofort Olivia.


    <span>¡°I¡¯ll give you a few days off, so visit your home. You¡¯ll feel better if you rest somewhere where you¡¯refortable.¡±


    <span>Olivia pulled slightly out of Cayena¡¯s embrace and shook her head at Cayena¡¯s affectionate consideration.


    <span>¡°No. I want to stand by Your Highness¡¯s side.¡±


    <span>Cayena opened her eyes, a little surprised, and smiled.


    <span>¡°Thank you.¡±


    <span>This incident had definitely formed a bond between them.


    <span>Olivia looked at Cayena again with serious eyes.


    <span>¡°But you need to rest. Get examined by a doctor, as well.¡±


    <span>¡°Thank you for caring about me.¡±


    <span>Rezef, who was watching quietly, called to Cayena in a disgruntled voice. <span>¡°Sister.¡±


    <span>At that call, both Cayena and Olivia turned to Rezef.


    <span>Olivia was startled. She hadn¡¯t realized Rezef was in the room because from the start, she had only been looking at Cayena. <span>She quickly bowed to Rezef.


    <span>¡°I greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    <span>Rezef acted as if Olivia were invisible and did not acknowledge her. <span>He looked past Olivia and touched Cayena¡¯s forehead. <span>He thought there was a blush on her face that wasn¡¯t there before, and once he checked, he saw that her fever was rising.


    <span>¡°Sister, you should really rest now.¡±


    <span>Only after saying that did Rezef look at Olivia.


    <span>¡°My sister has to rest, so leave now.¡±


    <span>Olivia felt Rezef¡¯s disapproval. She didn¡¯t really understand why, but he was the prince who was rumored to be a hoodlum. Olivia bowed her head and said, ¡°Then, I¡¯ll step back now.¡±


    <span>Meanwhile, Cayena looked in disbelief at what her brother was doing.


    <span>¡®Wasn¡¯t it love at first sight? I definitely remember that he was curious about her from the beginning.¡¯


    <span>Even when Olivia left, Rezef was only concerned with tucking Cayena in with a nket.


    <span>She obedientlyy in the bed.


    <span>¡®¡­I guess that¡¯s fortunate.¡¯


    <span>Cayena closed her eyes.


    <span>***


    <span>Julia had been nagging the servant to find her brother since yesterday. <span>However, Zenon continued to be absent from the imperial pce.


    <span>As soon as she heard that he had returned, Julia went to his room.


    <span>¡°Just where have you been, Brother!¡±


    <span>Zenon didn¡¯t respond, only taking off his tie clip and tossing it on the table. <span>Julia followed him around and scolded him.


    <span>¡°I was so scared I thought I¡¯d die!¡±


    <span>Yesterday was really frightening.


    <span>She had cowered at the atmosphere of the imperial pce, which suddenly became brutal when Olivia announced that the princess was abducted. <span>In addition, Vera gathered the courtiers including Julia, saying that they had to push away the knights blocking the prince¡¯s chambers.


    <span>Julia was terrified to hear that she would have to deal with sword-wielding knights.


    <span>How could anyone think to do that in their right minds!!


    <span>¡°Why did the princess get kidnapped when there¡¯s the central army in the pce and escort knights to protect her? If I had known this would happen, I¡¯d never have be the princess¡¯sdy-in-waiting!¡±


    <span>Zenon soon exploded at Julia.


    <span>¡°This is what the imperial pce is like!¡±


    <span>At his shout, Julia¡¯s eyes widened like an oilmp.


    <span>¡°B¨Cbrother?¡±


    <span>¡°Did you think that this was a ce for you to y house? How can a child who¡¯s almost of age be so stupid!¡±


    <span>It was the first time she had seen Zenon, who was sarcastic but always easygoing, so angry. <span>She was so surprised that her heart pounded.


    <span>¡°Brother, how could you¨C¡±


    <span>Julia¡¯s eyes filled with tears in an instant.


    <span>¡°How could you treat me like this? I had been so scared¡­¡±


    <span>Zenon was already sensitive because of Yester. <span>When Julia came to him and whined about being scared, he couldn¡¯t hold back his anger.


    <span>¡°I can¡¯t believe that you¡¯re the same age as Her Highness.¡±


    <span>He shook off his younger sister and left the room.


    <span>Julia, who was left alone, cried sorrowfully. Then, she tried to hold back her tears.


    <span>She couldn¡¯t help but think that she had been abandoned in the pce. <span>Julia had no friends here, and her only family treated her coldly. The only people she could rely on were the maids she brought from home. <span>She would have been happier in the eastern region, even if it was full of ugly men.


    <span>Julia came out of Zenon¡¯s room. <span>With her head down, she trudged weakly to the princess¡¯s pce.


    <span>¡®What should I do now?¡¯


    <span>She felt like she had lost all her courage.


    <span>Thud!


    <span>¡°Ouch!¡±


    <span>Julia ran into someone as she turned the corner. She held her head in her hands and looked up.


    <span>¡°Ah¡­¡±


    <span>She nkly looked at the man she had collided with.


    <span>A handsome man with gorgeous blond hair, clear blue eyes, and a gentle aura looked down at her.


    <span>Despite his soft impression, his eyes held no warmth.


    <span>That dangerous feeling made Julia¡¯s heart flutter even more.


    <span>¡°Hmm.¡±


    <span>The man looked at her dubiously. Julia finally came to her senses.


    <span>¡°Oh my, I-I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    <span>¡°¡­Sorry?¡±


    <span>The man examined Julia carefully and smiled. Julia¡¯s face turned bright because of how marvelous that smile was.


    <span>¡°Don¡¯t you know who I am?¡±


    <span>¡°¡­<span>Yes?¡±


    <span>¡°Blonde hair and blue eyes. You must be Julia Evans.¡±


    <span>She slowly blinked her eyes, not understanding.


    <span>¡®Who is this man¡­?¡¯


    <span>Then, she realized.


    <span>¡°Y-your Highness, the Prince?¡±


    <span>Julia was surprised and quickly knelt down to greet him.


    <span>¡°I greet His Imperial Highness!¡±


    <span>She never thought that this incredibly handsome man could be the prince.


    <span>Hearing that he was one year younger than her, she hadn¡¯t been interested in the prince.


    <span>Even when she was told to familiarize herself with him by looking at his portrait, she had said that she would do itter. It was because she was into Raphael rather than the young prince.


    <span>She nced at Rezef, a handsome man who was tall, sturdy, refined, and morous.


    <span>Rezef couldn¡¯t have been unaware of that gaze if he tried. He looked down at Julia and tilted up one corner of his mouth.


    <span>¡®Oh, look at this.<span>¡®


    <span>Rezef knew well that his appearance easily attracted others.


    <span>Cayena¡¯s level of beauty was absurd, but he was also good-looking and drew many eyes.


    <span>He gently curled his eyes and smiled affably.


    ~~~

 Chapter 63

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ¡°You look tired.¡±


    Julia caught sight of a bewitching smile and grabbed the hems of her skirt. As a matter of fact, she had no immunity to handsome men.


    ¡°N-no. I¡¯m just a little¡­¡±


    Rezef looked at the jewel of the Evans family.


    Perhaps she hadn¡¯t learned court etiquette, as she had been taking a lot of freedom in her words and actions since a while ago.


    Compared to her, the annoying woman with wheat-colored hair and green eyes whom he saw yesterday and today, had excellent manners despite being from a poor family. And it wasn¡¯t just her court etiquette that was outstanding. From Rezef¡¯s perspective, she also possessed a unique way of living.


    Rezef heard that the woman had pushed away the knights in front of his chambers.


    ¡®The more I learn about her, the less I like her.¡¯


    Olivia Grace oddly reminded him of Raphael. Rezef didn¡¯t like the fact that such a woman was close to his sister.


    Anyway, he disliked both Raphael and Olivia and thought they both were unlucky. Inparison, Julia Evans, who was just a pretty face, was easy prey for Rezef.


    Rezef knew well how to hold and make use of such foolish women. He had half-heartedly quit doing so, but there was a time when he acted like that with Cayena.


    ¡°Did you cry?¡±


    Rezef¡¯srge hand tilted up Julia¡¯s small face. The remnants of her tears were clear.


    Julia¡¯s face turned red as she lowered her head.


    ¡®Ah, my eyes must be swollen from crying!¡¯


    She felt too upset. This was all because of her brother.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­¡±


    Julia responded in a faint voice, wringing her hands. She thought that Rezef was being strangely kind to her.


    No, this was natural. Julia had always received tender interest and affection. But after she arrived at the capital, Susan and Zenon kept upsetting her.


    Rezef¡¯s lowughter reached her ears.


    ¡°Cheer up.¡±


    Her heart fluttered at the encouragement. Before she could say anything, Rezef passed by her.


    Julia looked back at him with regretful eyes.


    ***


    Rezef returned to his bedroom, undid his cape, and threw it aside.


    ¡°Where is Zenon?¡±


    The servant who picked up the cape that fell to the floor jumped up and answered, ¡°He checked that Your Highness wasn¡¯t in the bed and left without a word.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s brows furrowed.


    He hadn¡¯t seen Zenon since yesterday. Was he cking? It was especially strange that Zenon did not show up to stop Rezef during yesterday¡¯s big incident.


    ¡®I thought he was inclined toward my sister.¡¯


    It seemed that was not the case, since Zenon did not involve himself with such a serious case like the abduction.


    ¡®Meanwhile, Gillian, that bastard who doesn¡¯t know his ce, coveted Cayena.¡¯


    When Rezef recalled the kidnapping, he felt the frost-like anger again.


    Henverton Gillian was sure to know the other culprit behind the abduction. Rezef wanted to interrogate him quickly, but because Henverton was of nobility, it wasn¡¯t easy toy his hands on him. He tried to summon Viscount Gillian to the pce after discussing things with Raphael, but the summonings had failed.


    Since Raphael had provisionally be the duke, his priority was taking care of things within the family.


    Rezef was displeased that he had to receive Raphael¡¯s help, but he had to be patient. The main culprit was arrested on the scene, but the other culprit hadn¡¯t been caught yet.


    ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have ordered all of them dead yesterday.¡±


    Irritated, he unbuttoned his jacket. It was when he took off the holster in his waistband that he noticed.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The gun wasn¡¯t there.


    He looked down at the floor.


    ¡®Did it fall off?¡¯


    But the weapon was nowhere in sight.


    ¡°Did anything other than the cape fall down?¡±


    The servant replied that nothing but the cape had fallen.


    It was strange. Where did he drop it? And where and how did a gun inside a holster fall?


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    Rezef clicked his tongue and went out again. It wouldn¡¯t be good if he was seen using the gun carelessly. Rezef, in his position, still had to be wary of the Emperor. Furthermore, it was a personal gun that he did not report.


    ¡°Just where did it go¡­¡±


    Frowning, he turned his gaze toward the passage to the princess¡¯s pce.


    That was where he stayed most of the day. Was it there?


    Rezef¡¯s feet headed back to the chamber where his sister was sleeping.


    ***


    Cayena opened her eyes after a long time. Only Vera remained in the room.


    Cayena called out to her.


    ¡°Vera.¡±


    Vera stopped sewing. Cayena had been so quiet without turning about that Vera suspected she might be feigning sleep.


    ¡°What is it, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°Ask for the number of patrols near the imperial prison to be increased and to be vignt until the kidnapper has been dealt with. Starting today. Right now.¡±


    Vera thought that Cayena must have been scared by the abduction.


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    Vera tried to call for a juniordy-in-waiting to rece her. Cayena¡¯s health was not in good condition, so it was better for someone to look after her. However, she refused.


    ¡°My body is fine. I think it would be more ufortable to have someone around because of my memories from the kidnapping.¡±


    ¡°Then I¡¯ll just ask thedy to stop by every so often.¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    Vera pulled down the bed curtains and left the bedroom. The door clicked shut.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Cayena stood up from her seat and pulled out the gun she had hidden under the nket. When Rezef hugged her, she had secretly moved it into her dress¡¯s pocket.


    She calmly looked down at the weapon. It was a beautiful gun, resembling a work of art. Also, it was already loaded.


    Cayena got out of bed without hesitation.


    She wore an indoor coat with a hat. Holding the gun, she stood in front of the tapestry. She rolled it up and pushed the sliding door underneath. The door was well oiled and opened smoothly without a sound. Then, the dark secret passage appeared.


    It was the same path that Rezef used before.


    Holding a candlelitmp, Cayena went down the solitary way.


    Finally, on the ground floor, she hid themp. She then searched for the pce jail from her memories.


    Her pace grew impatient.


    ¡®He¡¯ll definitely run away today.¡¯


    Henverton Gillian¡¯s family was not ordinary. It was clear that he would escape by the end of the day, despite all the wrongs he¡¯d done.


    Cayena could not miss this opportunity.


    She finally arrived at the prison. As expected, the gate guard was not there, as if they had been reced by people that the Gillians had already bought off.


    Thanks to this, she easily went inside.


    She heard an unsettling sound.


    Cayena hid herself. She saw people carefullying out, one by one. It was clear that they were going to open Henverton¡¯s cell. Finally, she saw Henverton Gillian.


    Click.


    After confirming that it was loaded, Cayena pointed the muzzle of the gun at the back of Henverton¡¯s head.


    ¡°Henverton Gillian.¡±


    Henverton looked back at the voice calling him. Cayena slowly stepped under the torchlight, revealing herself.


    With her arms stretched and ready to pull the trigger at any moment, her form seemed as noble as a judge.


    ¡°Ha, haha!¡±


    Henverton burst intoughter when he saw her. He seemed to be doing fine, even without his energy and the drugs. However, the madness lingered.


    ¡°Your Highness came to find me first.¡±


    Henverton looked at Cayena¡¯s gun with a sneer.


    ¡°Did youe all this way for the honor of shooting me?¡±


    He strutted toward Cayena as if he was convinced she couldn¡¯t pull the trigger.


    Cayena coldly bellowed, ¡°I expected you to run away like a rat without paying for your sins. You really don¡¯t miss my expectations.¡±


    Henverton shook his head and took a step closer. Involuntarily, she stepped back, then fixed the gun on him again.


    ¡°You don¡¯t necessarily have to be punished for sinning, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Maybe so.¡± Cayena said. ¡°But not for you.¡±


    She slowly pulled on the trigger.


    If she continued, the bullet would pierce his head, and Henverton would die instantly.


    She would get rid of the tiresome ghosts of her past.


    ~~~

 Chapter 64

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Henverton acted carefree, like someone who didn¡¯t know what was pointed at him.


    ¡°So are you intending to shoot me with that gun? No matter how royal your blood is, it would be quite troublesome for you to kill a noble.¡±


    Henverton opened his arms.


    ¡°How about you stop this futile effort and leave with me?¡±


    At that moment, several people¡¯s footsteps approached. They were the people who hade to free Henverton.


    ¡°Come on, gentlemen. Why are you so slow¡­¡±


    They saw Cayena and shut up.


    What was going on? An angel with a gun had appeared in the prison.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t it the princess¡­?¡±


    Henverton looked at Cayena with pity.


    ¡°Are there enough shells in that gun? Your Highness is good enough to shoot everyone before these men dare to grab you, right?¡±


    There was no way she would be.


    This was the first time Cayena held a gun since she was born. She wasn¡¯t so numb that she couldposedly murder someone.


    She couldn¡¯t shoot a person. So she acknowledged it as it was.


    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    With the hand that wasn¡¯t holding the gun, Cayena pulled out a small stick-like object from the pocket of her robe.


    She bit down and pulled the casing off, revealing a small, sharp, gleaming de. She put the de on her face, as if she would cut her face right away.


    ¡°Then how about this?¡±


    Henverton¡¯s rxed face turned into a demon¡¯s.


    ¡°Stop that¡ª!¡±


    Cayena knew exactly what Henverton loved about her.


    It was her face.


    It was only her beautiful face.


    He was a collector of beautiful items. That collection included many things, including his most secret collection of humans. Even when Henverton greatly abused Cayena, he never touched her face.


    ¡°Why was I afraid of something like you? You¡¯re a nobody.¡±


    Why had she been so afraid of a man who shuddered when she threatened to cut her face?


    If she knew it earlier, wouldn¡¯t she have ruined her face in her first life?


    ¡®No, I didn¡¯t have the courage to ruin my appearance back then.¡¯


    Her appearance was the reason for her existence, so she couldn¡¯t let it go even when it had be useless.


    Cayena realized that she had been so helpless that even an insignificant man could intimidate her.


    Sheughed. She felt like she finally regained herself after being possessed by a ghost. At the same time, her helplessness was like a curse.


    There wasn¡¯t just one Henverton Gillian. The second Henverton, the third Henverton could appear at any time. No matter how much she countered them, she may one day end up with the same results.


    Her eyes dimmed.


    The assants burst out inughter and began to approach to subdue her.


    ¡°I¡¯ll slit my cheek if they approach, Gillian.¡±


    ¡°Stop!¡±


    Henverton yelled at his subordinates like a madman at Cayena¡¯s threat.


    ¡°What? Are you crazy?¡±


    They were bewildered.


    The opponent was merely a powerless woman. Even if the gun she held was a bit intimidating, there were six men here. Besides, the threat was to cut her own face with a knife. They were dumbfounded because it made no sense.


    However, Henverton pulled out the dagger that one of his employees wore on his belt. His eyes were already half-crazed.


    ¡°If there¡¯s a single scratch on that face, your limbs won¡¯t stay intact. Keep that in mind!¡±


    ¡°This crazy¡­¡±


    Their hands were tied because of the princess who took herself hostage.


    Henverton ground his teeth and red at Cayena.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do as you want, so please put away the knife, Your Highness.¡±


    It was a very earnest voice. Would she ever see him beg like this again?


    Cayena looked at Henverton in disgust, as he was unable to understand his situation and remained obsessed with her face.


    ¡°If I knew you hated it this much, I would have already mutted my face. You¡¯d probably faint if it got burned.¡±


    ¡°Princess Cayena!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re impertinent.¡±


    She gave him an order with harsh eyes.


    ¡°Kneel.¡±


    Henverton¡¯s gaze focused on the knife, then slowly sunk to the floor. Cayena turned the gun to the thugs.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you all going to kneel?¡±


    They had the thought that the princess looked angelic, but she was definitely crazy. Their faces crumpled.


    Cayena pressed the de to her cheek. Finally, Henverton snapped and yelled, ¡°Kneel down, you idiots!¡±


    ¡°Crazy bastard¡­¡±


    They thought about turning on Henverton and overpowering Cayena. But the gun was now pointed at them, not Henverton.


    ¡°You should return the prison key,¡±


    Cayena said, pointing to the jail that had been opened in front of Henverton. One of the gangsters swore and threw the key out from his pocket.


    Cayena had taken herself hostage and made six men kneel on the floor. Still, the tables could turn with just a bit more time.


    The guards here were bought off by them. If they saw the princess, they would certainly silence her somehow.


    However, Cayena had no intention of prolonging this confrontation. She aimed the gun to the ceiling and pulled the trigger.


    Bang¡ª!


    A thunderous roar struck the prison. It was a ghastly noise.


    The faces of the gangsters twisted distastefully. Knights who heard this noise would flock to this ce. They had to quickly run away.


    ¡°Take the princess hostage!¡±


    Henverton wanted her alive or something, so they were just going to hit her. Still, he pushed them away.


    ¡°Are you insane? If you put even a little scratch on that face, I¡¯ll drop you in burning oil!¡±


    Cayena entered the cell from where Henverton escaped and locked herself in.


    Then, she threw the gun and key outside.


    ¡°Over here! This is where the sound came from!¡±


    They could hear the sound of knights entering the location.


    Cayena already knew that it was time for the knights to patrol this area. This was also why she sent Vera out on the task. She had ordered for the number of patrols to increase for this moment.


    The knights of the central army, who were on patrol just in time, ran into the prison.


    ¡°It¡¯s a jailbreak! Catch them!¡±


    The knights immediately arrested the gangsters and Henverton.


    ¡°Save me!¡± Cayena shouted.


    The knights of the central army were very surprised to discover that the imperial princess was in prison.


    ¡°Y-your Highness? Her Imperial Highness is here!¡±


    She pointed at the gun with a trembling hand.


    ¡°They tried to shoot me!¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡±


    The assants looked bemused when Cayena yelled. She caused more chaos among the knights.


    ¡°Get rid of that terrible thing!! Take it out of the pce where I can¡¯t see it!¡±


    ¡°Y-yes!¡±


    The knights quickly put away the gun and opened the jail cell to protect Cayena.


    ¡°I was so scared¡­¡±


    She covered her face, making her appear delicate and pitiful.


    ¡°Th-that crazy woman¡­!¡±


    The knights made all the impertinent assants lie down on the floor, tapping them with a spear tip and pressing down on them.


    Cayena left the prison, leaning on the knights.


    She made eye contact with the gangsters, slightly revealing the face she covered with both hands. A faint smirk of ridicule graced her mouth and disappeared.


    The assants were stunned. They had beenpletely beaten.


    Cayena weakly walked out of the prison.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Rezef had discovered that his gun was missing and went to the princess¡¯s pce. There, he found Cayena missing.


    He had a strange premonition.


    He rushed out to search for her at once, heard a gunshot, and ran over here.


    ¡°Rezef!¡±


    Cayena quickly ran to Rezef and embraced him. He naturally hugged Cayena back as if to protect her and questioned the knights as to what was going on.


    They said they heard gunfire and had arrested Henverton Gillian when he tried to break out.


    Additionally, he shot at Princess Cayena, who was found imprisoned.


    What kind of messy tale was this?


    He saw the gun that the knight held out.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    That was his gun.


    Cayena tightened her grip on him and whispered in a small voice.


    ¡°¡­That gun isn¡¯t yours, Rezef.¡±


    Cayena knew that it was an illegal, unreported firearm.


    Rezef couldn¡¯t show the emperor another weakness. Cayena had already thought about this beforehand.


    ¡°Did I not tell you to get rid of it? It¡¯s too frightening.¡±


    At her words, the knight apologized and hid the gun.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to report to me how you take care of it. No, report it to Prince Rezef. I don¡¯t even want to know.¡±


    ¡°I heed your order, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef was stunned at how naturally she acted.


    Certainly, it would be troublesome if the emperor knew that the gun was Rezef¡¯s. Didn¡¯t he disobey an imperialmand just yesterday?


    He went along with his sister¡¯s lead.


    ¡°I¡¯ll escort my sister away, so take care of it. Henverton Gillian, who dared to escape, will be interrogated tomorrow.¡±


    He even got a good reason to touch Henverton. With this, no one would find fault in his actions even in the aristocratic society.


    Rezef gently swept back his sister¡¯s hair.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go to your room, Sister.¡±


    As he thought, Cayena was unique. There. She was still devoted to him.


    His one and only older sister acted like they were siblings, with only each other to rely on.


    This was what Rezef liked the most. He never wanted this bond to break. Thus, Cayena had to stay by his side.


    He had done a good job spreading her portraits around. Should he also build a statue of her in town?


    Rezef escorted Cayena with a smile on his mouth.

 Chapter 65: Scene 12. Picking the Flower of the Black Garden

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    <b>Scene 12. Picking the Flower of the ck Garden. </b>


    On the night of the princess¡¯s kidnapping, Raphael sent a messenger to his mother, who was still in the capital.


    The Gillian viscountcy was one of the pirs of the west. And, since he had decided to dismantle it, they had to n how to take the most advantage from it.


    ¡®We have to make a decision by today. Someone will surely act tomorrow, whether it is Gillian himself or the imperial pce.¡®


    Furthermore, the light in Prince Rezef¡¯s eyes was not ordinary. The prince, who was rumored to be a ruffian, had to be suppressed before he acted unexpectedly.


    That way, Cayena would be safe.


    When Cayena fainted, he had clearly felt how thin and feeble she was. Raphael couldn¡¯t leave her to struggle in the tumultuous waters of the imperial pce. He had to hurry ande up with an alternative.


    The carriage stopped at the Kedrey vi. When Raphael got out of the carriage, his household staff bowed to him.


    ¡°Congrattions on your session, Your Excellency!¡±


    Raphael was rather indifferent to it. That was why he couldn¡¯t understand how much his vassals had looked forward to this moment.


    It was safe to say that Duchess Kedrey had been taking care of the duchy alone. It had been a long time since Duke Leo had let go of everything and left the western duchy. They had no real head of the family.


    Raphael had helped to take care of the household as the sessor. But his father was his father and Raphael was not very close to his mother, so he didn¡¯t want to get involved with family matters.


    The vassals had been troubled and had looked at the heir nervously.


    Today was an auspicious day for them.


    ¡°Everyone, stand.¡±


    But the asion wasn¡¯t really joyous for Raphael.


    It wasn¡¯t that he felt any particr regret by iming his inheritance. It was because of Cayena.


    ¡°Today is a day when Her Highness was put in danger. Everyone should act more calmly.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency!¡±


    The vassals scattered. Baston, who had been guarding the house, quickly approached. Raphael entered the mansion and received a letter from Baston.


    ¡°It¡¯s a message from the madam.¡±


    ¡¸The Gillian viscountcy has just been waiting for the opportunity, so it doesn¡¯t matter if you upset them. As for the rest, you are the master of the family. Take care of it well.¡¹


    Indeed, his mother was quick to grasp the situation. She handed over the authority to him as soon as she heard the news. She did the minimal steps required and left Raphael to do the rest.


    Raphael burned the letter in the me of a candle.


    ¡°Request a private audience with His Majesty the Emperor. I will see him tomorrow morning.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency!¡±


    Raphael knew that the cause of his parents¡¯ conflict was infidelity.


    His father had a woman he loved before marrying into the Kedrey family. He seemed unable to forget her and continued to meet with her.


    Raphael once tried to find out who the lover was. However, someone hadpletely covered her tracks. Just by seeing that, Raphael figured out that his father¡¯s lover must be formidable.


    He had a feeling that it might be dangerous to dig deeper.


    Since then, Raphael stopped trying to find out the identity of his father¡¯s lover. In any case, the important fact was that his father was selfish and had greatly damaged the Kedrey family.


    Raphael had stopped feeling affection for his father when he was ten. He felt sorry for his mother, but that was all.


    Now everything would be done on his own terms. Raphael had no bonds with his family, and it was logical what he had to do.


    He would sell out his father, whom the emperor hated very much.


    ¡°I greet Your Imperial Majesty.¡±


    Raphael looked up at Emperor Esteban, who sat on his bed and leaned against the post.


    Nobody else was in the bedchamber. It was just the emperor and Raphael. Luden, the chambein, had also been sent out.


    ¡°You saved the princess.¡±


    ¡°It was the right thing to do.¡±


    The emperor wordlessly, gently closed his eyes for a moment.


    ¡°Do you have feelings for Cayena?¡±


    Raphael never thought the emperor would ask a question like this. He hesitated, and the emperor smiled slightly. The smile seemed to imply that the emperor had already heard enough.


    It was already clear to him that Raphael hade with the news that the Kedreys would no longer protect Raphael¡¯s father, Leo.


    ¡°I have very few days left to live, Duke.¡±


    When Esteban opened his eyes again, he spoke not as an emperor but as a father with a daughter, a human being.


    ¡°The imperial pce is truly a terrible ce. People once filled this ce, but they all turned into monsters.¡±


    The emperor¡¯s voice did not sound as strong as it did to Raphael before. It was quite different from just several months ago.


    ¡°I, too, was a monster, and I was stronger than anyone else. I thought my strength, my youth, wouldst forever. But they didn¡¯t.¡±


    Their eyes met.


    ¡°I am still stupid, and I¡¯ve left my life in the hands of a poor decision I made in the past.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Emperor Esteban said calmly, ¡°Prince Rezef is not my child.¡±


    ¡°¡­Pardon?¡±


    Raphael couldn¡¯t believe what he had heard.


    If Prince Rezef wasn¡¯t the emperor¡¯s child¡­ Whose child was he?


    Raphael¡¯s heartbeat elerated.


    Emperor Esteban spoke harshly, like an iron brand.


    ¡°He¡¯s your father¡¯s offspring.¡±


    The emperor calmly continued his loathsome words.


    ¡°Your father was the lover of thete empress. She had gone down south for warmer climates to recuperate after giving birth to Cayena.¡±


    In other words, that was when Rezef was conceived.


    ¡°I¡¯ve already shut the mouths of most people who know this. Probably everyone other than your mother.¡±


    Raphael wanted to sigh.


    But as he couldn¡¯t do that in front of the emperor, he swallowed it down. The sigh was as hot as a fireball, scorching the inside of his throat.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t forgive the empress. I couldn¡¯t stand the fact that she made me aughingstock.¡±


    He said with an eerily low voice, ¡°She just happened to be allergic to nuts.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    It was a gruesome story.


    Raphael continued to listen to this violent tale with an expressionless face.


    ¡°Rezef was a product of the empress¡¯s infidelity. I couldn¡¯t admit it, so I changed it so he was known as my child. Fortunately or not, he doesn¡¯t resemble the empress much.¡±


    ¡°¡­He looks like my father.¡±


    Why hadn¡¯t Raphael seen it before, when he saw Rezef¡¯s round eyes and gentle impression?


    ¡°Do you detest me for telling the truth?¡±


    Detest? Raphael wasn¡¯t sure. His emotions were dull.


    Still, at this moment, he was confused whether he felt heated or frozen.


    ¡°I brooded on this poison that I couldn¡¯t raise as my own child, and it eventually poisoned this imperial family.¡±


    The fact that Rezef had be like poison, everything that had happened to the imperial family¡ªit was all Emperor Esteban¡¯s fault.


    ¡°Cayena resembles the empress too much. So I didn¡¯t really feel affection for that child, either.¡±


    Raphael clenched his fist. It was a very familiar story.


    Raphael also looked very much like his mother. They were both born with the ck hair and red eyes characteristic of the Kedrey family.


    His father, Leo, used to watch him wretchedly. Half of the blood in Raphael¡¯s body was his father¡¯s. Yet, Leo cast aside Raphael despite their rtions because he didn¡¯t love his wife.


    ¡°You have already heard of my feud with the Kedrey dukedom. I know that both Noa Kedrey and you are the victims. But I cannot say that I am sorry. I still believe my revenge is justified.¡±


    Now Raphael understood why Leo acted like that.


    He knew that the empress had died at the hands of the emperor.


    When Raphael thought about it, he realized that his father¡¯s depression and drinking coincided with the empress¡¯s death.


    ¡°I have been thinking a lot since Cayena¡¯s change, recently. I was looking at the child as being the same as that foolish empress. But that girl suddenly became brilliant.¡±


    It was a change that Cayena made by herself. She couldn¡¯t have survived or lived in peace without it.


    ¡°Cayena is affectionate and tenderly cares for Rezef. Perhaps she thinks he can change, like she did. Her little brother who poisoned her.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°The poison Cayena drank at thest party was Rezef¡¯s. I believe she is aware of that. And yet, she forgave him.¡±


    This story was really the worst.


    It was incredibly messy and terrible. In this nauseating ce, Cayena had been calmly biding her time.


    Alone, in this ce.


    It wasn¡¯t hard to think about how desperate she would be without anyone to reach out to but himself.


    Raphael couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Aren¡¯t you sorry for the princess?¡±


    The emperor replied with words like a sigh. ¡°I do feel regret.¡±


    Then, he dryly added, ¡°But that is the fate of the imperial family.¡±


    A red me sparked in Raphael¡¯s eyes.


    He wanted to grab the emperor¡¯s cor right now and put a fist in thatposed face.


    ¡®Ah, this is why.¡¯


    This was why Cayena was struggling so hard to escape from here.


    Nothing on this site would allow her to breathe. No, it wasn¡¯t just the imperial pce.


    ¡®It¡¯s like this world was created to kill Cayena.¡¯


    Raphael looked dully at the emperor who had told him the whole truth.


    ¡°Why did you tell me this?¡±


    The emperorughed faintly.


    ¡°To finish my revenge.¡± He smiled. ¡°I¡¯m d you fell in love with my daughter.¡±


    A dirty and underhanded human¨Cthat was how Raphael thought of Emperor Esteban.


    Finishing his revenge?


    Yes, the emperor¡¯s judgment was very urate.


    Raphael could not forgive Prince Rezef, and he would never allow the prince to use Cayena.


    There was now stating that someone who poisoned another once would not take their life the next time.


    What Henverton Gillian had said rang in Raphael¡¯s ears.


    <i>¡°This wasn¡¯t because of me, it was because of Your Highness.¡± </i>


    <i>¡°Do you think things like this will stop if I disappear?¡± </i>


    Now, Raphael fully understood why he said that.


    As long as Rezef stayed by her side, Cayena would continue to be in danger again and again. The emperor intended to use Raphael¡¯s power to suppress Rezef.


    ¡°Please listen to my request, Your Majesty.¡±


    Esteban returned to his role as the empire¡¯s master and faced him.


    It was because Raphael wanted something. Since Raphael had made up his mind to sell out his father, this favor would not be a regr one.


    ¡°Speak it.¡±


    Raphael slowly went down to the floor on one knee.


    ¡°Do not punish Prince Rezef, who disobeyed your orders and gathered the army for this abduction case.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°Do not make Her Highness your heir, but give her the power of the sessor.¡±


    If Cayena was named as heir, she would surely be attacked on both sides. However, if she held the authority of the heir without the title, both sides would want her.


    That power would protect Cayena.


    She was smart, so she would quickly learn how to use the power.


    Raphael needed time to turn the tides. It was time to establish a new sessor who was not Rezef.


    The emperor smiled thinly.


    ¡°I shall grant your requests.¡±

 Chapter 66

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    When Raphael exited the emperor¡¯s bedroom, he encountered a person he did not want to see at the moment.


    ¡°I was waiting for you, Duke.¡±


    It was Rezef.


    ¡°How did things go?¡±


    Raphael had intended to ask the emperor to be merciful with Rezef from the beginning.


    If the emperor penalized the prince for his efforts to save Cayena, Rezef¡¯s supporters would have been highly dissatisfied. That discontent may have caused them to attack Cayena, and Cayenacked the power to defend against them.


    ¡°Fortunately, His Majesty was understanding.¡±


    Rezef raised his brows as if he hadn¡¯t expected this.


    ¡°I¡¯m curious about the sort of deal you made so that the emperor wouldn¡¯t punish me.¡±


    Raphael said in a slightly lower voice, ¡°It wasn¡¯t much. His Majesty must have seen Your Highness¡¯s true intentions.¡±


    That could never be the case, but Rezef did not ask further.


    At least the emperor would not hold him responsible this time. He could protect his sister with his own forces.


    ¡°I owe you, Duke.¡±


    Raphael did not dare to answer.


    Rezef asked, ¡°What are you going to do with the Gillian viscountcy?¡±


    ¡°First, since I¡¯ve only taken over my title, I will take care of my household before summoning Viscount Gillian.¡±


    Raphael never knew how hard it was to act normal. His head kept on switching from hot to cold. Even so, he seemed to finish talking like usual.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll go now.¡±


    He came out of the waiting room. But he couldn¡¯t see his aide, who should have been waiting outside.


    ¡°Where is Jeremy?¡±


    One of the attendants reported, ¡°The vassals called him outside of the pce in a hurry, so he stepped out for a moment.¡±


    Jeremy was not the type of person to leave like that.


    Raphael went down to the first floor of the castle. He was able to find Jeremy running from the other side.


    ¡°Your Excellency!¡±


    His expression looked more serious than it had been when he gave Raphael the report about Henverton Gillian.


    Raphael felt the many eyes on him and quietly walked out. Jeremy walked beside him. Covering his mouth, he said, ¡°You ordered people to watch rence Elivan, and a message just arrived.¡±


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°Baroness Elivan is dead.¡±


    ¡°How?¡±


    ¡°It was framed as a suicide, but it was definitely murder. I also obtained the reply Madame Elivan wrote to Her Highness.¡±


    Raphael¡¯s head was throbbing.


    Before exiting the grounds, he lifted his head and looked toward the princess¡¯s pce.


    ¡°Is the princess still unconscious?¡±


    ¡°So they say.¡±


    His chest felt stuffy.


    He received the letter from Jeremy as he climbed into the carriage waiting for him.


    A picture was drawn on the envelope.


    A girl with golden hair rode on a tree swing as a woman in a green dress pushed her.


    This was probably drawn by Madame Elivan herself.


    Cayena would hear of her death as a suicide.


    Raphael felt conflicted.


    If Cayena was informed that Madame Elivan was murdered and given this letter, would she be all right? She looked tough, but Raphael knew that it wasn¡¯t possible to stay strong all the time. She may copse at any time, just like when she faced Henverton.


    But wouldn¡¯t it be deceitful if he didn¡¯t tell her?


    ¡°Do you know who did it?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re investigating, but it was a skilled job. It isn¡¯t easy to track down what happened. However¡­¡±


    Jeremy added carefully, ¡°It is certain that someone on Prince Rezef¡¯s side arranged it. This was a move to ce Madame Relevance Dotty into the vacant position of the head maid.¡±[1]


    Relevance Dotty was Rezef¡¯s nanny.


    She had already retreated from the front lines, but it seemed Rezef¡¯s forces wanted to bring her back as the head maid.


    ¡°¡­Ask Her Highness for an audience.¡±


    Jeremy looked at Raphael with pity. He felt even more pity for the princess who would learn this sad news.


    Didn¡¯t they say that all bad things happened at once? He sighed.


    ***


    The more they investigated the Gillian viscountcy, the more ridiculous it became.


    Then, Henverton¡¯s collection of stuffed corpses were discovered, and the matter became uncontrobly serious.


    While the kidnappers were being interrogated and the Gillian viscountcy flipped inside out, the princess¡¯s pce was peaceful. It was as if the abduction had nothing to do with this ce.


    Cayena spent her time leisurely, looking nothing like the person who had threatened Henverton with a gun the day before.


    She looked fine on the outside, but inside, she was a mess. She had to look fine.


    Her body and mind were both already exhausted.


    Cayena wanted to be a run-of-the-mill princess and not think about her helplessness for a moment. She just wanted to look forward to hering-of-age celebration, living a normal life and staring happily at her finished dress.


    Hence, she was trying to make flower arrangements in a vase. Maybe it was an odd piece because she was dizzy or because shecked skill, but she enjoyed it.


    Vera, who was standing by Cayena¡¯s side, asked anxiously, ¡°Your Highness, are you really going to have theing of age ceremony without a chaperone?¡±


    Thedies-in-waiting prepared most of the invitations and began to deliver them through messengers.


    Yet, Cayena still did not have a chaperone.


    ¡°If it¡¯s not Madame Elivan, I don¡¯t want them.¡±


    ¡®Speaking of which, I haven¡¯t received a reply yet¡­ Well, she has been away for a long time. Why would she still think of me?¡¯


    Still, at this moment, it would have been a little easier if she had a nanny.


    Cayena scolded herself.


    ¡®Let¡¯s not think so weakly.¡¯


    If she endured a little more, it would be hering-of-age.


    She intended to spread rumors in society about her fictitious husband.


    Raphael¡¯s cooperation might be needed, but Cayena somehow felt he would help her.


    Snip.


    Cayena trimmed the stalk and cut off the blossoms. She felt a bit strange with the red blossoms falling onto the table when Olivia knocked on the door and entered.


    ¡°Your Highness, Duke Raphael Kedrey has arrived.¡±


    Yesterday in the afternoon, Raphael sent a messenger asking for an audience as he had something to tell her. Cayena had to thank him anyway, so she immediately epted.


    ¡°I brought him to the same parlor as thest time.¡±


    ¡°Good work.¡±


    Before Cayena left the bedroom, she unintentionally found herself in front of the mirror. She wore a light pink dress to match the warm weather.


    It was so lovely and beautiful that she couldn¡¯t feel gloomy.


    She stopped looking at her appearance. Like this, didn¡¯t it seem like she was trying to meet him for another reason?


    ¡°He¡¯s waiting inside.¡±


    Cayena nodded and went inside the parlor. Raphael was standing in the center of the room.


    When Cayena saw him, she felt relieved, even though nothing had happened. Was this the kind of sentiment one had when meeting a strong ally?


    Raphael turned his head and met Cayena¡¯s eyes. Warmth soaked into his frigid face.


    He realized what it felt like to be alive. He was living right now, the moment he saw Cayena.


    Cayena slowly blinked as she witnessed the moment. He was looking at her and smiling. There was a fissure in her heart, which she thought she had fortified.


    After hesitating for a moment, Raphael greeted Cayena.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    She greeted him back, grabbing the hem of her skirt.


    ¡°Congrattions on your session, Duke.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    They exchanged formal greetings. It was nothing special, but the strange atmosphere that filled the room was unordinary.


    She realized that something had changed in Raphael¡¯s feelings. The way he looked at her felt more profound.


    Little by little, she was running out of breath.


    Cayena hid her thoughts in a smile.


    ¡°Thank you for your generosity despite my rudeness that day. I will not forget this kindness.¡±


    She seemed to be keeping a firm distance from him. Raphael had no intention of leaving that distance be.


    His heart was now well aware.


    Cayena was special to him.


    His heart quickly fell deeper the more he thought about her.


    ¡°I heard that there was some fuss yesterday. Are you all right?¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a big deal. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡±


    ¡°I worry.¡±


    Cayena shut her lips tightly. It was because she felt that a sigh woulde out involuntarily.


    Raphael looked at her with a straight gaze that she could not avoid.


    ¡°I can¡¯t stop worrying about Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°¡­Duke.¡±


    ¡°Forgive me for being foolish.¡±


    He held Cayena in his arms.


    Sharing warmth was something very special.


    The sharp nerves gradually dulled, and the world that had been shaking anxiously became tranquil for an instant.


    Raphael embraced Cayena cautiously but intensely, like he was holding something precious. Cayena hesitated, then slowly put her hands around his back.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    Raphael let out a low, distressedugh at those words. Even in this situation, Cayena was helping him. Raphael realized that he was deeply addicted to her kindness.


    ¡°No,¡± he replied childishly.


    It was true. He wasn¡¯t well at all. He felt worn out by the truth that Emperor Esteban had violently revealed to him.


    Sincerity that he could not convey filled his chest up to his throat.


    Did you know that your brother is also my brother?


    And that the emperor intends to use both you and me to torture Prince Rezef until the end?


    Why should you be a scapegoat for others?


    Run away with me. From this terrible ce, right now.


    ~~~


    [1] Relevance Dotty: It¡¯s kind of an awful name, but it¡¯s the one that makes the most sense from the Korean. ¡°Relevance¡± may have been an attempt at a virtue name, and it¡¯s interesting how there¡¯s a nt rhyme with ¡°Elivan.¡±

 Chapter 67

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Cayena gently patted his back. It was a warm show of support.


    Raphael leaned into that hand, holding Cayena tighter in his arms.


    Did he really have to give Cayena the letter from Madame Elivan in his coat pocket?


    Raphael continued to worry up to now. He couldn¡¯t predict how Cayena would act when he told her the truth.


    Would she cry? Or will she be aloof? Would she quietly resign herself and ept it? If not, would she be frustrated and angry?


    His insides felt messy andplicated.


    Cayena looked very troubled when she patted Raphael on the back. She couldn¡¯t let go of him. He acted as if he had escaped from a dark tunnel the moment he saw her.


    What in the world happened? Wasn¡¯t it quite serious if this man couldn¡¯t hide his vulnerability?


    ¡®Who made him act like this?¡¯


    Cayena was senselessly shaken when Raphael hugged her like he never intended to let her go.


    ¡®Let¡¯s calm down. Calm.¡¯


    After some time, Raphael loosened his hold on Cayena. However, he continued to embrace her. Raphael opened his mouth.


    ¡°I want to ask you something.¡±


    Cayena awkwardly pulled herself back and said, ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    ¡°If you had to choose between a sweet lie and an unhappy truth, which would you choose?¡±


    ¡°The truth,¡± Cayena answered without hesitation. ¡°After all, unhappiness is my due.¡±


    As she said that, she got a hunch. ¡°It looks like you have some bad news to share.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Cayena smiled warmly. She was grateful for his concern and consideration.


    New misfortunes would create new gashes, but that was all right. She had epted that such was a part of life.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, so tell me.¡±


    ¡®I wish he¡¯d let go of me already and speak.¡¯


    A small sigh slipped out.


    Raphael stepped back as if he had read Cayena¡¯s mind. He pulled out an envelope from his chest pocket.


    ¡°This is the reply Baroness rence Elivan wrote to Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena passively epted the letter. She was puzzled.


    ¡®Why is Raphael delivering my nanny¡¯s reply?¡¯


    ¡°Duke, how did this¡­?¡±


    Raphael dejectedly opened his mouth.


    ¡°Baroness Elivan has passed away.¡±


    The hand receiving the envelope stopped. Raphael had spoken the truth.


    ¡°I sent someone to Baroness Elivan when I heard that Your Highness wanted to bring her back to the capital.¡±


    Cayena looked down at the exterior of the envelope.


    There was a picture of her nanny pushing her on a swing, reminding her of distant memories.


    ¡°It was disguised as suicide, but the circumstances, including this letter, show that it was murder. I apologize for reading the contents of the letter without permission.¡±


    Cayena opened the envelope and read the letter.


    ¡¸To my dearly missed Princess Cayena.


    I remember it just like yesterday, how I pushed you on the swing with my hands, but you¡¯ve grown.


    Thank you for not forgetting an old woman like me.


    It must have been difficult for Your Highness to bring me back to the capital. In my long time there, I have heard and seen things.


    The imperial pce I saw was one that was actingpletely against Your Highness.


    So, I feel no such thing as resentment.


    If Your Highness needs me, I am ready to jump back into it.


    I hope this letter is well received.


    Yours, rence Elivan.¡¹


    It wasn¡¯t a sentimental letter.


    Cayena remembered her nanny had a very upright manner. Still, her strong will and affection were fully recognizable in the letter.


    ¡°The prince¡¯s faction was also found to be making a move to appoint Relevance Dotty as the head maid.¡±


    Hearing the added exnation, Cayena returned the letter to the envelope.


    ¡°I see.¡±


    That was the end of her response.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you, Duke, I would never have received this letter. I feel apologetic that you always help me like this.¡±


    Cayena looked very normal. She smiled appropriately and made a suitably sad expression. There was no excess orck in anyponent of her response.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think I would receive this kind of sad news about my nanny. I hope the killer will be caught.¡±


    ¡°The duchy will continue to pursue the criminal.¡±


    Cayena nodded. ¡°I suppose the hug before was meant tofort me.¡±


    It did intend to console her, but it wasn¡¯t just because of Madame Elivan.


    Raphael kept quiet.


    With a slightly tired face, Cayena gave a small smile and said, ¡°¡­I think we should end here today.¡±


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    ¡°Honestly, I¡¯m a little shocked, but my circumstances aren¡¯t ideal for me to fall into despair.¡±


    Even so, it wasn¡¯t an issue that one could be so calm about. Raphael was even more concerned about the fact that there seemed to be no crack in the princess¡¯s behavior.


    He turned around and grabbed Cayena as she tried to leave the parlor.


    ¡°Again and again, I¡¯ll reach out my hand to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­.I¡¯ll talk to you again next time, Duke Kedrey.¡±


    Cayena cooly said her goodbyes.


    ***


    The hem of the dress fluttered slightly as she walked at a faster pace than usual. Her posture as she walked with her back straight belied no problems.


    Olivia nced at Cayena, who returned expressionlessly to her bedroom after finishing her meeting with Raphael. Something about her aura was strange.


    Upon arriving in the bedroom, Cayena sent out all the maids that were inside. Confused, they all left the room.


    Then, Cayena screamed silently.


    ¡®Rezef¡ª!¡¯


    It was too obvious who the culprit was.


    Madame Dotty had a bad rtionship with the Evans family. They werepeting for the same privileges. In other words, there was no way the Evans family would move to make her the head maid.


    Cayena¡¯s blood ran cold.


    Pretending to be calm in front of Raphael, pretending to be okay¡ªit made her insides burn.


    It was her fault that her nanny died. This wouldn¡¯t have happened if Cayena didn¡¯t reach out to her. Cayena had overlooked her situation and paid the price for her desires.


    It was a mistake. She wasn¡¯t careful enough.


    She knew what kind of child Rezef was, but because he was still young, because he wasn¡¯t born a wicked person, because he was her younger brother, because they were abused together¡­


    There were many reasons. She justified his actions. She had to act like an adult. She had to take care of that child.


    That poor child who had never received affection¡­


    However, Rezef destroyed all of Cayena¡¯s efforts at once.


    He must have thought that it was fine to do this.


    He must have been acting as he wished, all to teach Cayena a lesson. For Cayena to know her ce.


    That was what it was: a message to know her ce.


    That she was still his paper princess and marite. The thread she thought she had cut tightened around her body.


    She was powerless. She didn¡¯t possess enough strength to endure this world.


    At this rate, she may die earlier than she did in her first life.


    ¡®How long did I originally live?¡¯


    She died before she was thirty years old. Was she twenty-five or twenty-six?


    A feeling of desperate powerlessness covered her whole body. She had thought that she would be able to rise to the surface as long as she struggled hard, but the water was too deep.


    Cayena was sinking.[1]


    ¡°Why did you do that?¡±


    Quiet resentment flowed through her lips, but no one was there to hear it.


    ¡°I¡¯m your only sister¡­¡±


    That was why she tried so hard to stop thinking about the past, to forget, to forgive everything.


    She just wished for the freedom to quietly leave this ce and live in peace.


    She was stupid.


    Cayena was now well aware of her blunder.


    Ah¡­ She could never protect herself by acting timidly.


    Cayena looked at the envelope in her hand with shadowed eyes.


    ¡°I need strength.¡±


    She needed a rod to discipline her younger brother, who was so ustomed to taking things from her.


    ¡°If you keep trying to take what is mine, I will take away what you want the most.¡±


    If she did, Rezef would realize he shouldn¡¯t act so wickedly in the future, wouldn¡¯t he?


    ~~~


    [1] The specific Korean word used here has several meanings: sinking, withdrawing, and thinking deeply.

 Chapter 68

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ***


    There was nothing as upsetting as the pain of what one wanted most being snatched away. She would take the throne from Rezef like she had put the de on her cheek in front of Henverton.


    Cayena went straight to the emperor.


    ¡°I feel anxious because there are so many things to do before mying-of-age celebration,¡± Cayena said.


    As usual, she had made snacks for the emperor. Also as usual, she sent some to Rezef.


    Therefore, on the surface, it seemed that everything was normal. It was only Cayena¡¯s heart that changed.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to visit the temple.¡±


    Emperor Esteban took a sip of the watery pumpkin soup. Curious, he asked, ¡°The temple?¡±


    It was unexpected. A temple, at this time? Cayena was not a devout believer.


    She answered politely, ¡°I heard that there is a miraculous temple, so I want to give a donation there. I¡¯ve heard good things about it.¡±


    Temples often conducted business in that manner. Usually, nobledies leaned on such power to pray for an easy delivery or a good marriage for their children. The emperor didn¡¯t know his daughter believed in such things.


    ¡®Recently, there has been a lot of pressure on her.¡¯


    It would also look good to outsiders if Cayena visited the temple to purify her body and mind.


    ¡°That sounds nice.¡±


    Cayena smiled and hugged the emperor lightly.


    ¡°I will pray for your majesty¡¯s recovery.¡±


    The emperor subconsciously smiled at her lovely behavior.


    It was good that his daughter was smart, but it was also a great pleasure to see her act so cute.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±


    Having achieved her purpose, Cayena bowed gracefully and left the emperor¡¯s chambers. She turned to Vera.


    ¡°Prepare my clothes in advance. I think I¡¯ll go simply with one servant.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me?¡±


    Vera was startled.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too simple for your outing? Please take one of the senior courtdies.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯ll be enough to bring some escort knights. It won¡¯t look good to bring too many attendants to the temple.¡±


    ¡°But¡­¡±


    All of the escort knights were men, so they couldn¡¯t help her nor attend to her as she changed her clothing.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wear simple clothes that I can put on and take off by myself.¡±


    Vera wondered whether Cayena really believed that the strange temple could perform miracles. She didn¡¯t seem like the type to believe in such superstitions.


    ¡®But she has gone through a lot recently.¡¯


    Maybe that was enough to make the princess¡¯s heart frail, but Vera doubted it.


    ¡®I have to get the magical power, but it¡¯ll be difficult if I¡¯m apanied by ady-in-waiting.¡¯ Cayena thought.


    In this world, magic existed. Olivia was brought back from death with the power of magic.


    Cayena knew how to get that power since she had read the novel. It would significantlypensate for Cayena¡¯s helplessness.


    Thus, she had to get her hands on that power.


    There was not much to prepare. She only needed a tribute to offer the temple, a suitable servant, and an escort knight.


    Vera continued to express her concerns, but Cayena dismissed them.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be better to prepare more thoroughly and depart tomorrow?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t. Cayena had to hurry up and finish before Rezef heard the news, suspected her, and ced someone to tail her.


    Soon, everything was ready.


    Cayena put on a hood and climbed into the carriage.


    ¡°It will be chilly at night, so please be sure to wear a robe.¡±


    ¡°I know. Don¡¯t worry too much.¡±


    Cayena made eye contact with Olivia, who was standing quietly behind Vera.


    To her courtdies seeing her off, she said, ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    Soon, the carriage left the imperial pce. Cayena looked out the window nkly.


    Even in the capital, there was a small temple in a remote location. It was near the slums, so no one used it.


    However, due to some strange rumors, nobledies secretly visited the temple.


    ¡®The temple is bound to be miraculous.¡¯


    It was the temple where a wizard hid from the public eye.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    Cayena stepped off the carriage and gazed at the lonesome building in front of her.


    A young priest approached her.


    ¡°Are you thedy who requested a visit today?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not.¡±


    The priest was a little surprised when he heard the voice of a woman much younger than expected. He couldn¡¯t see her because of her robe, so he thought she was a noblewoman who frequently visited this temple.


    Cayena lifted the hood of the robe slightly and met the priest¡¯s eyes. The young priest¡¯s eyes widened.


    ¡°Y-Your Highness!¡±


    He hurriedly bowed.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    ¡°Pleased to meet you.¡±


    The priest¡¯s face turned crimson. The reason was that he saw, by far, the most beautiful person he had ever met.


    ¡°I would like to make a donation to this temple.¡±


    The priest, who was momentarily captivated by her beauty, was astonished. As if he had been struck by lightning, he ran to the entrance of the temple.


    ¡°Pleasee in, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Cayena smiled at the young priest and put on her hood again. The priest¡¯s face was as red as a ripe tomato.


    As Cayena entered the temple, a high-ranking priest with a calm voice approached. He looked very faithful and had a benign aura.


    ¡°What are you looking to do?¡±


    ¡°I want to make a donation here.¡±


    The high priest smiled at her casual tone. He had realized who she was.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena beckoned to the servant she brought along. The servant handed a box over to the priest. The high priest asked with a smile,


    ¡°Would you like to pray?¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    The high priest led Cayena to the prayer room.


    ¡°Then, may God look over you.¡±


    Cayena told the servant and knights to wait in the lobby. The knights confirmed that no one was there and obediently retreated to the lobby.


    There were a total of four prayer rooms. Without hesitation, she entered thest prayer room.


    The door closed, and Cayena said, ¡°Master of the ck Garden, I havee to do business with you.¡±


    Then, the wooden wall inside the prayer room began to move, and someone emerged from inside. He was handsome with soft, caramel-like tan hair and light brown eyes.


    Cayena greeted the new secondary male lead she encountered.


    ¡°Hello, Bayel.¡±


    Bayel¡¯s expression hardened coldly since he was called by an unidentified person. He strode over and grabbed Cayena roughly.


    Cayena¡¯s hood fell back, revealing her dazzling blonde hair and blue eyes. His expression turned odd.


    ¡°Who are you?¡±


    Cayena smiled with a face that seemed unreal.


    ¡°The person who will receive the rose from you.¡±


    ¡°You think I¡¯ll just give it to you?¡±


    Bayel was dumbfounded. Cayena was speaking shamelessly, as if she had already received the rose.


    ¡°Of course. Since you¡¯ll also need me.¡±


    Far more annoying than her impudence was her know-it-all attitude.


    There was a meticulous calction behind the face with the mischievous smile.


    Bayel had the strong feeling that if he let down his guard, he would be swallowed up by this unknown woman.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t it been a while since a new rose has bloomed?¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, Bayel got startled and tightened his grip on her. She let out a wince because she had notpletely healed from the wounds she received during the kidnapping.


    ¡°It hurts¡­¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    Bayel was surprised and quickly removed his hand. Seeing that her sleeves were wrinkled, he had used more strength than he intended.


    ¡°¡­Sorry.¡±


    ¡°This much is okay.¡±


    Cayena smoothed her face as if she had not been in pain just a moment ago.


    The nuance of her casually spoken words were so strange that Bayel¡¯s eyes were unwittingly drawn to Cayena.


    ¡®This much is okay?¡¯


    Did that mean that she didn¡¯t mind pain up to a certain point?


    It may have been a leap, but Bayel had a keen intuition.


    He thought that Cayena was somewhat insensitive to things that could harm her.


    ¡®Which makes her more dangerous.¡¯


    She looked like a flower glistening with dew in the morning sun, but her air was that of the dark sky before dawn. How did a woman like here to know of the ck Garden¡¯s existence?


    In addition, her words were right. Bayel¡¯s situation did not look well.


    ¡°This deal won¡¯t be bad for either of us. I get the magic power, and you get fertilizer for your garden.¡±


    Her words showed that she knew the cost of getting the magic power.


    Bayel carefully examined her again.


    The robe was made of luxurious fabrics, and her brooch was adorned with precious stones. She must have been from an important family. There was no way a woman like her wanted the magic power just for fun.


    Transactions with the owner of the ck Garden were made with one¡¯s life.


    ¡°If you want to use even a little bit of magic, you have to trade at least 10 years of your life. But¡­¡±


    ¡°Half.¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Cayena smiled brightly.


    ¡°I will offer half of my life to your garden.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 69

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°You¡¯re crazy.¡±


    Cayena only smiled at Bayel¡¯s words.


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. If she had been in her right mind, she would never have thought of punishing Rezef¡¯s arrogance by taking away his throne.


    But that was what Cayena decided to do. It didn¡¯t matter if she wasn¡¯t sane or that her life would be crushed as if she were a mere fly if this failed.


    She decided to live with the fate she had been born with. A viiness should act ording to her role and disturb the world.


    Anyway, if the situation happened like it did originally, she would have died within five years. If she seeded, she¡¯d live longer. If she failed, she would die sooner.


    ¡®So this is a fairly reasonable deal.¡®


    These were Cayena¡¯s true thoughts.


    She would die in any case, so she would gain a lot from this investment.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you also need at least that much lifespan to revive the garden? Or is this not enough? Then I can give some more¡­¡±


    ¡°Stop that!¡±


    Her casual dismissal of her life was enough to freak Bayel out.


    ¡°Half of your life isn¡¯t just half of your remaining life. It includes the years that you¡¯ve lived so far and the years that you have left.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    If Cayena would live to 70, that meant that she was trading away 35 years. When she turned 20, she would only have 15 years left to live. It was effectively putting a time limit on her life.


    ¡°Do you need anything else?¡±


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re telling the master of the ck Garden now?¡± Bayel asked, astonished. He kind of wanted to use mental magic to see what the hell was happening in Cayena¡¯s mind.


    ¡°I could also make you the imperial son-inw. Oh! But only in name. I intend to remain chaste,¡± Cayena said airily.


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    Bayel was usually the one who surprised others, not the other way around. Yet, today, he was being continually surprised by one person.


    ¡®If it¡¯s the imperial son-inw¡­¡¯


    ¡°Since I¡¯m the princess of the Eldaim Empire.¡±


    Bayel waspletely speechless.


    ¡®Then this woman is that¡­¡¯


    She was the rumored princess?


    Bayel had also heard the tale of the princess with the beauty that calls to death.


    ¡®I don¡¯t know anymore.¡®


    Even though she revealed her identity like that, Bayel understood her even less.


    ¡°You may not know, but there¡¯s a horde of men vying for my hand. Well, probably.¡±


    Bayel let out a deep sigh. Somehow, he seemed to be getting caught up in this woman¡¯s pace.


    Even though she was only a human without any power.


    ¡®I can¡¯t figure out whether or not she knows what kind of existence the master of the ck Garden is.¡®


    A person who knew the amount of power that the ck Garden¡¯s master held couldn¡¯t act this carefree.


    ¡°What do you want to do? If you say no to me now, it¡¯ll be difficult for you to make a contract like this in the future.¡±


    She was even talking as if she was doing him a kindness when she was the one who came looking for magic.


    Bayel was not human. He had lived for an unbelievably long time, and he was the one who influenced the rise and fall of nations.


    He was a being who wielded the supernatural powers bncing life and death. But a long time had passed, and people had long forgotten about magic.


    Perhaps that was why he did not have a contractor for a long time. The magic garden was gradually weakening without the ¡®fertilizer.¡¯


    Bayel lightly bit his lips, then roughly brushed his hair back. He didn¡¯t want to do as Cayena said, but he had no choice. He pointed at a passageway with his chin.


    ¡°Follow me.¡±


    Cayena began to walk down the hallway, following Bayel.


    But though they walked and walked, the path seemed never-ending. Considering the temple was not that big, it was strange.


    ¡®Was the temple thisrge?¡®


    Maybe it was also the work of magic.


    Bayel stopped at a dead end, and the door at the end of the corridor opened broadly.


    Cayena widened her eyes at the sight of the garden of ck flowers.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful¡­¡±


    The reason this ce was called the ck Garden was that all the flowers inside it were ck roses bloomed by magic.


    Cayena had never seen roses as ck as these throughout all her lives.


    The ck rose petals were shiny like ck velvet, yet had a pitch-ck tone. Each petal was as beautiful as obsidian. Even more surprising than the ck roses were the vines and leaves simr to ice shards.


    ¡°It¡¯s really a magical garden.¡±


    Cayena openly expressed her admiration. Such a scene could never be realized without magic.


    ¡°Since you¡¯vee this far, you really have to make a contract with me.¡±


    Making a contract with the ck Garden ensured that one could not reveal the secret of this ce.


    ¡°The process of acquiring the magical power will be quite painful.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s news to me.¡±


    When Olivia acquired Bayel¡¯s power, she was already dead from being poisoned. She probably didn¡¯t feel that pain. The novel also did not provide a particr description.


    But it couldn¡¯t be helped. All this was to gain power.


    ¡°If you say you don¡¯t want to continue now, I¡¯ll erase your memory and let you go.¡±


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°I¡¯de back looking for this ce again, anyway.¡±


    Having confirmed her determination, Bayel walked to the center of the garden, the only spot not covered by ck petals. There was aplex pattern on the floor.


    ¡°Come here, kneel, and uncover your back. I have to carve a marking.¡±


    She lightly stepped on the rose petals and approached the ce Bayel had indicated. White shoulders were revealed as she took off her robe and pulled down her top.


    Bayel nced away.


    ¡°The magic ability blooms ording to the contractor¡¯s characteristics. It can be the power of nature or the power of healing.¡±


    Cayena frowned. The power to heal wasn¡¯t bad, but it didn¡¯t seem like it would be of much help to her schemes.


    What she wanted was stealth or natural magic.


    ¡°Is there no choice?¡±


    ¡°Nope. But you don¡¯t need to worry. The ability that appears is usually simr to how the contractor has lived their life. You don¡¯t look like the sort of person who¡¯ll heal someone.¡±


    Cayena smirked.


    His perception was surprisingly urate.


    Her entire existence was used to destroy people¡ªeven now, having returned to this life.


    ¡°Your insight is amazing. Should I give you a position at the imperial pce?¡±


    While responding like that, she became quite curious. The ability would bloom ording to the life she had lived.


    ¡°Now, we start the contract,¡± Bayel said, done with the banter.


    Cayena put her hair aside neatly, revealing her back.


    She kneeled in the center of the magic circle and set her gaze straight in front of her.


    Then, Bayel knelt behind her and put his finger on the base of Cayena¡¯s neck.


    Whoosh!


    An amazing view unfolded in front of Cayena as she looked at the garden with Bayel behind her back.


    The magic circle on the floor shimmered, and the petals fell off the ck roses!


    ¡®The petals are falling because of the loss of magic.¡¯


    At first, one or two flowers lost their petals. Now, dozens and hundreds of roses expired.


    The ck petals filled the floor like a carpet, densely covering the empty spaces.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel pain¡­¡±


    The rate at which the roses fell gradually elerated, and soon, there were not many full blooms left. That was when it happened.


    Pwaa¡ª!


    The ice-like rose vines radiated light.


    As if they were waiting for this moment, ck roses began to bloom like ripples on a calmke.


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Cayena choked at the unfamiliar pain.


    A terrible pain rattled her whole body. It was iparable to the ache when she was pierced by the knife.


    She couldn¡¯t even scream.


    She grasped at the floor as her whole body crumbled as if torn apart by the pain. What was certain was that her lifespan was mercilessly leaving her body. The ck roses greedily sucked up Cayena¡¯s vitality and bloomed vividly.


    The roses that bloomed like that had a richer color than before. In the end, there were many more blossoms than when Cayena first entered the garden.


    Bayel looked around with a shocked face.


    ¡®W-wait. What¡¯s happening? There shouldn¡¯t be this many roses.¡®


    ~~~

 Chapter 70

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    A lifespan of just 20 or 30 years couldn¡¯t bloom all the flowers of the ck Garden.


    This was impossible. Cayena couldn¡¯t live for hundreds of years.


    ¡®This woman. Could it be¡­¡¯


    A single person couldn¡¯t bloom this many roses. Bayel looked at Cayena, who was clenching her fists until they were white to keep conscious.


    ¡®It¡¯s impossible unless the person was unable to fulfill their allotted lifespan.¡¯


    In simple terms, it meant that there was another lifetime umted in this person¡¯s body.


    At that moment, Cayena could no longer endure the agony and copsed on top of the magic circle. Simultaneously, the ck Garden stopped blooming.


    ¡°Heuk¡­!¡±


    It was then that Cayena finally released her breath, which had been suppressed because of the pain.


    ¡°It¡¯s done.¡±


    Bayel looked at the ck roses on Cayena¡¯s white back. The flowers fluttered as if they were shaking in the wind, then gradually vanished. This woman was full of things he couldn¡¯t understand.


    Bayel thought he might have signed a contract with someone who could be more dangerous than expected.


    He looked down indifferently at the princess, who was pitifully retching.


    ¡°¡­The mark on your back will be exposed when you use magic, so you should avoid revealing clothes.¡±


    Cayena continued to look miserable. She must have wanted to die from the pain of losing enough of her life to revive the ck Garden. She exhaled and replied. ¡°Like you said, it hurts quite a bit.¡±


    The feeling of losing one¡¯s lifespan was terrible, like beingbed from head to toe with a brush of fine des. She wiped away her tears and sweat with a handkerchief. As she slowly raised her upper body, her tousled clothes fell. Bayel had to turn his head quickly.


    Cayena sluggishly picked up her clothes. However, her hand rattled at the lingering pain, and she couldn¡¯t even close a button. She exhaled a low breath with her roughly closed top.


    She had thought too lightly of this. She had assumed that she would be able to resume her normal life even if she was in pain.


    ¡®I nearly lost my mind.¡¯


    She didn¡¯t lose consciousness, but she couldn¡¯t stand up nor walk with her legs. Her whole body had be ragged, begging her to rest.


    But she couldn¡¯t.


    ¡®If I take too much time, the escorts will think something¡¯s off.¡¯


    She tried to force herself up, but she stumbled as if she was crumbling.


    Snap!


    Bayel flicked his fingers, and the ck petals on the floor gathered together and lifted Cayena up. They soon took the shape of a long sofa and softly supported Cayena.


    ¡°Thanks.¡±


    With a pale face and an exhausted smile, she said, ¡°By the way, I don¡¯t know what my ability is. I haven¡¯t been cheated, right¡­?¡±


    Even near death, her mouth was still alive and active.


    Bayel shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s more surprising that you have the mind to think about that now.¡±


    Cayena let out a fevered breath. She wanted to pass out infort. However, she couldn¡¯t act suspiciously with her attendants nearby.


    Cayena tried to stay awake by pinching her flesh and scratching herself with her nails. Bayel quickly grabbed her hand.


    ¡°Are you crazy?!¡±


    Cayena shoved his hand away as if telling him to stop bothering her. Firmly, she said, ¡°My entourage is waiting outside¡­¡±


    Therefore, she had to force herself right now.


    Bayel held both of her wrists with one hand so that Cayena could no longer harm herself. Then, he pulled his sleeve over his other hand and put it in her mouth.


    ¡°Eugh!¡±


    As expected, Cayena had been trying to chew on the inside of her mouth. Bayel endured as she bit his hand until it bruised. Cayena was sobbing. Finally, she drooped as if she had given up.


    Bayel then pulled out the hand Cayena bit.


    ¡°Damn.¡±


    He red at Cayena. Looking very unwilling, he took out a small ss bottle from his pocket. Bayel removed the stopper with his teeth and poured the liquid between Cayena¡¯s lips.


    The trembling long eyshes slowly revealed her blue eyes, which had been tightly shut. The blurry intelligence behind them gradually began to recover.


    ¡®What the hell is pushing the princess so hard?¡¯


    Cayena asked in a dry voice, ¡°Elixir¡­?¡±


    ¡°And how do you know that?¡±


    Bayel didn¡¯t understand how she knew about the Elixir. No. At this point, it was entirely possible she knew, since she was Cayena.


    Cayena breathed deeply, enjoying the new vitality spreading throughout her body. The ¡®Elixir¡¯ was a legendary potion that could only be made with the blood of a wizard.


    ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re a good person, Bayel.¡±


    Cayena was sincerely grateful for his patient kindness.


    Bayel wrinkled his eyebrows.


    ¡°Hey, you know I¡¯ve lived a lot longer than you.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯ve also lived long enough?¡±


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    Cayena, who smiled dazzlingly like the crushing white surface of the sea, shone like the sun itself.


    Bayel averted his gaze.


    ¡°¡­Nevermind.¡±


    Cayena asked him, ¡°But how long are you going to stay like this?¡±


    Bayel only then realized that he was still holding and restraining Cayena.


    ¡°No, this is¡­!¡±


    Cayena slowly raised herself up as he took back his hand like it was on fire. She still wasn¡¯t in good shape, but it was iparable to her earlier condition.


    ¡°I definitely feel better.¡±


    Suddenly, she remembered that she had bitten Bayel¡¯s hand harshly. When she checked his hand, he had a bruise.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t realize I bit you so hard.¡±


    Bayel surreptitiously pulled out his hand from hers and scolded, ¡°This is the amount of flesh in your mouth that would have been bitten off.¡±


    Cayenaughed dryly. ¡°When I return to the imperial pce, I¡¯ll send you the best ointment.¡±


    ¡°Who do you think made the medicine you just drank?¡±


    Cayena seemed to know exactly how to make his heart weak. Bayel was justining for no reason.


    Cayena put on her clothes properly and checked her condition.


    There must be a ck rose on her back, but she couldn¡¯t check it because she didn¡¯t have a mirror.


    Bayel said bluntly, ¡°Slowly concentrate on your senses. Then, you¡¯ll feel a strange energy.¡±


    Cayena focused on her senses as he advised. Then, she could clearly feel an unfamiliar sensation in the air. It wasn¡¯t ufortable or alien; rather, it was soft andfortable, simr to the safety one felt when floating in water.


    ¡°The energy is different based on the caster¡¯s characteristics. You have to use it to figure out what your ability is.¡±


    Cayena nodded and tried to release the energy. She imagined making a me.


    Fizzle.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    The energy seemed to be burning red, then went out powerlessly.


    ¡°After a day, you should feel what ability you can use.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Cayena was nning to return to the imperial pce after checking her abilities in a rented building. Since she had donated a considerable amount earlier, she could borrow the temple¡¯s annex.


    ¡°I¡¯ll start heading back now.¡±


    After arriving at the prayer room, Cayena grabbed the doorknob. Before she left, she turned and smiled at Bayel, who was standing behind her.


    ¡°See you again, Bayel.¡±


    Bayel closed the passageway without a sharp retort.

 Chapter 71: Scene 13. The Proposal of a Devil in the Form of an Angel

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    After Cayena closed the door to the prayer room, her body wobbled with each step. She wasn¡¯tpletely recovered.


    Carelessness was not allowed.


    She forced her legs to walk out of the hallway and to the prayer room.


    ¡®I can¡¯t let myself rx yet.¡¯


    Cayena acted like nothing had happened.


    Stepping out of the narrow passageway to the prayer room, her field of vision widened. The colored lighting through the stained ss made her slightly dizzy. She saw a bespectacled high priest carefully reading something under that light.


    Cayena opened her red lips and let out a clear voice. ¡°Father Danian.¡±


    The priest raised his head with a soft smile.


    ¡°Did I tell you my baptismal name?¡±


    He had never said it. Cayena only knew his name because she had read the novel. She turned to Father Danian with a faint smile.


    ¡°I hope that my donation will help this temple.¡±


    ¡°God¡¯s grace will reach Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°In that case, may I assume that you have prepared an annex for me?¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s request, Father Danian answered with great embarrassment.


    ¡°I am afraid that it¡¯s unsuitable for Your Highness because it¡¯s in poor condition¡­¡±


    ¡®Whether it¡¯s Grand Chambein Luden or Father Danian, all the old men in this city are cunning.¡¯


    How much money had the nobledies donated here since this temple became known as miraculous? It would have been no work to tidy up the annex with that money. Yet, the temple had very few priests and servants. The annex was neglected so that nobody would even attempt to use it.


    It was all calcted to prevent people from staying in the temple.


    ¡®That¡¯s what they have to do to conceal Bayel¡¯s presence.¡¯


    ¡°Do I seem like someone who doesn¡¯t understand the dignity of this temple?¡±


    Father Danian¡¯s lips stretched as he understood her meaning. She was saying that she would overlook the strangeness and pretend that it was because the temple had no money; in exchange, he should hand over the annex.


    Cayenaughed innocently, thinking that his expression looked very nice.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll take you to an annex.¡±


    Cayena walked beside Father Danian. Her attendants, who had been waiting in the lobby, followed.


    The knights were agitated because her steps turned to the temple annex rather than the carriage.


    ¡°Are you not returning to the imperial pce, Your Highness?¡±


    Cayena casually replied, ¡°Can my prayers reach God with a single day of prayer?¡±


    The knights looked quite embarrassed.


    Cayena mercifully said, ¡°Stop by the imperial pce and equip yourself.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Cayena headed back to the annex in the back.


    ¡°What will you eat during your stay?¡±


    The temple¡¯s meals were unsuitable for the imperial family.


    It would make much more sense for the princess to go to a restaurant and pay with gold coins for each meal.


    ¡°I will eat the temple¡¯s food.¡±


    Father Danian looked surprised, perhaps because he received a different answer than he expected.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do anything special. Just make sure there are no nuts.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll prepare your meals ordingly.¡±


    When Father Danian reached the entrance of the annex, he politely bid her goodbye and returned to the temple.


    Cayena¡¯s servant stepped forward, opened the door, looked inside, and waited for Cayena toe in.


    ¡°Jan.¡±


    The servant she called raised her head. Her expression showed she didn¡¯t expect Cayena to know her name.


    ¡°You can use that room. And I have no appetite, so you can eat alone.¡±


    Jan nodded to let her know she heard.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to wait for me. Come when I call you.¡±


    Cayena, now alone in the room, exhaled. Like a person who had pulled several overnighters, her head was sore and tired.


    Cayena took off her clothes like she was tearing them and fell onto the bed. She lifted her hands.


    Then, a strange energy swept over her fingers.


    It was a new sensation she had never felt before: the power of magic.


    The tips of Cayena¡¯s mouth tilted up.


    ¡°It¡¯s a great sess.¡±


    Her hands fell without strength, and she sunk deeply into unconsciousness.


    <b>Scene 13. The Proposal of a Devil in the Form of an Angel </b>


    Rezef was safely reinstated in his position.


    The authority of the internal affairs was transferred back to him, and Rezef ordered Madame Dotty to prepare to enter the pce soon.


    ¡°Since the weather is warm, would you like to wear something light?¡±


    Rezef was getting dressed by his servants to go out.


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    He put his hair back neatly, simr to a golden field, and wore a white silk shirt.


    His appearance was outstanding and his figure was good, so just a touch-up made him look amazing. The servants who nced at him thought that he looked as beautiful as Cayena. It was a pity his personality wasn¡¯t more normal.


    ¡°Your Highness, a messenger just came in, asking for a private audience.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    He sent out all the servants, leaving only the messenger who asked to meet him alone.


    ¡°Report.¡±


    The escort knight was also Rezef¡¯s secret attendant. He had just returned from his mission to deal with rence Elivan.


    ¡°As you ordered, the murder of that woman was disguised as a suicide.¡±


    The tone was so calm it could make one sick. His attitude showed that this was a familiar deed, that this sort of murder hadn¡¯t been carried out just once or twice.


    Upon receiving his subordinate¡¯s report, Rezef put on a jacket embroidered with gold thread and matching essories.


    The attendant continued, a little stiffly, ¡°However, there were people watching rence Elivan. It was impossible to fabricate a suicide note because they arrived at the scene too early.¡±


    Rezef thought about whether to ent his outfit with ruby or peridot for today.


    Ruby was no good because it reminded him of Raphael¡¯s eyes. It would be better to wear peridot.


    ¡°They chased after me, but fortunately, I shook them off before entering the capital.¡±


    After finishing his grooming, Rezef checked his appearance with a mirror.


    Though he still looked young, he didn¡¯t seem weak, thanks to his height of 185 cm and his toned body from constant training.


    He said to the attendant, ¡°Do you know why the carpet in my room is always scarlet or ck?¡±


    At the unexpected remark, the attendant inadvertently looked at the floor.


    He could see the carpet had ornate ck patterns on a red background.


    Rezef smiled coldly.


    ¡°It¡¯s to deal with useless bugs like you at any time with my own hands.¡±


    Chwaak¡ª!


    Rezef drew his sword from his waist and cut the attendant¡¯s neck. Blood soaked the carpet.


    He looked at the mirror again. Red blood was now sttered on the white shirt.


    ¡°This is why I don¡¯t wear white clothes often.¡±


    He clicked his tongue and called for his other servants. They recoiled when they saw the corpse, but they skillfully rolled it up in the carpet.


    ¡°Call one of my aides.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    His aide arrived while he was changing out of his bloody shirt.


    ¡°Did you call for me, Your Highness?¡±


    Seeing all the servants take the corpse and leave, Rezef opened his mouth.


    ¡°How is my father¡¯s condition?¡±


    The aide bowed his head.


    ¡°The doctor says that his energy has rapidly diminished these days. He spends many more days with his eyes closed.¡±


    ¡°It will be soon.¡±


    The aide bowed even deeper at the nonchnt response.


    ¡°Also, I heard my sister suddenly went to a temple.¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    After meeting Raphael, his sister suddenly went to their father and straight to the temple.


    Her behavior was difficult to understand.


    ¡°Which temple did she go to?¡±


    ¡°I heard it¡¯s an old temple near the slums at the outskirts of the capital.¡±


    ¡°Why did she go to that temple instead of a cathedral or something?¡±


    Slightly embarrassed, the aide replied, ¡°That temple is acimed among nobledies for helping them have children.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s brows furrowed.


    Children? What the hell was this about?


    The aide added, ¡°It is also famous for helping arrange good marriages.¡±


    ¡°Ha.¡±


    He scoffed at the absurdity.


    He felt a little annoyed. His sister¡¯s desire for marriage seemed to be considerable.


    Rezef shook his head. As his only sister, Cayena was best suited to stay inside the imperial pce.


    ¡°All right. For now, I¡¯ll go out.¡±


    Rezef was thinking of meeting with Catherine Lindbergh today.


    ~~~

 Chapter 72

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    The carriage stopped at the Lindbergh residence.


    ¡°We¡¯ve arrived.¡±


    As Rezef got off the wagon, he looked at the house and jeered at it.


    ¡°Is this where the emperor¡¯s lover lives?¡±


    It looked lousier than he thought. It was a building where the peasants might live, not an aristocrat.


    ¡®Is this the result of both sides keeping her in check since Father became ill?¡¯


    The location suited her position well.


    The house¡¯s servant found Rezef waiting and opened his eyes wide. The servant recognized his face.


    ¡°I greet His Imperial Highness!¡±


    ¡°I came to see Lady Catherine. Let her know I¡¯m here.¡±


    The servant was confused because he hadn¡¯t heard anything about the prince visiting them today.


    Rezef looked down at theckey with cold eyes as he dawdled. He was thinking about striking the servant¡¯s neck when he suddenly heard an elegant voice.


    ¡°I greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    When Rezef turned, he saw an older noblewoman in modest clothes greeting him. She was Catherine Lindbergh, a beauty with ck hair and obsidian eyes.


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure, Lady Catherine.¡±


    He should have called her ¡®Miss¡¯ since she was unmarried, but Rezef was being polite.


    ¡°It¡¯s a humble home, but pleasee in.¡±


    Catherine didn¡¯t let down her guard just because Rezef was only 18 years old.


    At her invitation, Rezef went inside like it was natural. He sat down haughtily and beckoned to his aide.


    ¡°I sent you a letter the other day, but seeing there was no response, I came here in person.¡±


    A few days ago, a letter had arrived from Rezef.


    Catherine lowered her gaze, recalling the contents of the letter. It stated that she would be introduced in Count Hamel¡¯s family registry as a foster daughter.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why you said that, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°How long can you hang onto the powerless Lindbergh family?¡±


    Rezef continued, ¡°The emperor cannot protect you and your son forever. Though, it seems that he already can¡¯t.¡±


    Some papers were ced on the table.


    ¡°You just have to sign here. The cathedral has been told to notarize it right away.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t a bad suggestion. No, it was a fantastic offer for Catherine. The Hamels were wealthy and influential, and they could protect Ethel. Her son always came home looking disheveled. He smiled and told her that he had taken care of the people who had bothered him.


    Whenever Catherine saw her son like that, she felt remorseful. If she was a more useful mother, Ethel would never get hurt so much. No matter what anyone said, Ethel was the emperor¡¯s son, and when the emperor had more influence, she and her son were treated like royalty.


    That was no longer the case.


    They had to live in constant anxiety, knowing they might be disposed of if they got on someone¡¯s nerves.


    ¡°You would be treated well and livefortably. Thete empress¡¯s family will soon be your family, so there should not be any problems.¡±


    He meant that there would be problems if she did not submit to the Hamel family.


    Catherine squeezed her eyes shut. From the beginning, she hadn¡¯t had a choice.


    Rezef smiled softly as she obediently signed the document.


    ¡°You¡¯ve made the right choice, Lady Catherine Hamel.¡±


    The servants brought by Rezef put down a series of boxes filled with jewelry.


    ¡°This disys my sincerity, so please take it.¡±


    Rezef then stood up and grabbed the papers. He had no desire to continue staying in such a shabby ce.


    As he was leaving the house, he encountered a young boy with silver hair. The boy¡¯s face resembled his sister¡¯s. No, to be precise, his face mirrored Emperor Esteban.


    Ethel saw Rezef and blinked.


    Rezef¡¯s outfit and appearance, as well as that of his attendants, told Ethel who the man was.


    ¡°I greet His Imperial Highness.¡±


    Ethel didn¡¯tprehend why Prince Rezef came out from his house.


    ¡®Before, Sister¡­ recognized me as her younger brother. Are we about to interact with the imperial family officially?¡¯


    Ethel¡¯s heart beat a little faster with some anticipation. Maybe they would begin to live a stable life now. If so, the prince in front of him would be his older brother.


    He looked closely at Rezef.


    ¡®He doesn¡¯t look much like me.¡¯


    Ethel could see that Cayena and himself looked simr with one nce. However, Rezef was weird. They shared half their blood, but Ethel couldn¡¯t find any simrity to himself.


    Ethel had heard about Cayena¡¯s kidnapping not long ago. He anxiously asked, ¡°Is Sister all right?¡±


    ¡°¡­Sister?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes. Her Highness Cayena.¡±


    In a moment, Rezef recalled what he had heard. Cayena had been reported to protect her half-brother at the academy.


    Rezef strode over, looking down at an Ethel, who was half his height. Ethel felt overwhelmed by him and tried to step back, but Rezef was faster. He reached out and roughly squeezed Ethel¡¯s face.


    ¡°Eugh!¡±


    The prince had appeared to be kind at a distance, but up close, Ethel could see the truth.


    This man was insane.


    ¡°My sister is very beautiful, isn¡¯t she?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s benevolent, kind, and strong, right?¡±


    Both of Ethel¡¯s cheeks were crushed mercilessly in his grasp.


    ¡°In other words, you, someone who¡¯s not even a prince, aren¡¯t a person who can call her your sister.¡±


    Ethel stared at Rezef, eyes full of defiance. Rezef sneered at him.


    ¡°Know your ce.¡±


    ¡®Like this house where you live.¡¯


    Rezef pushed Ethel aside like he was throwing him away and headed for the carriage.


    The next thing he had to do was meet with the emperor.


    ***


    ¡°Your Majesty, His Highness, Prince Rezef requested an audience.¡±


    Rezef knelt on the floor before the door even closed behind him.


    ¡°Please forgive me for displeasing Your Majesty.¡±


    The emperor looked down at Rezef with a frosty look.


    ¡°Have you truly repented?¡±


    Because he knew Rezef well, he didn¡¯t believe Rezef was sincerely regretful.


    ¡°My ipetence has harmed Your Highness¡¯s health. I am deeply sorry.¡±


    He lifted his eyes, which had pitifully turned to the floor.


    ¡°I have been thinking of how to make up for my disobedience. Thus, I thought about having Lady Catherine adopted into Count Hamel¡¯s family.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s attendant held out a box for the emperor¡¯s chambein. Luden checked the contents of the box and delivered it to the emperor.


    Inside, there was a document stating that Catherine would be the foster daughter of Count Hamel.


    The emperor looked at it bemusedly.


    ¡°¡­It wouldn¡¯t have been easy to persuade Count Hamel.¡±


    Count Hamel was the father of thete empress. Furthermore, she was his only daughter. But Rezef had arranged for Esteban¡¯s lover, Catherine, to be the count¡¯s foster daughter.


    Neither Count Hamel nor Rezef¡¯s faction would benefit from this move.


    ¡®Was this Cayena¡¯s work¡­?¡¯


    He didn¡¯t know the entire circumstances, but he thought it must be.


    ¡®It¡¯s amazing that Rezef followed her directions.¡®


    That meant that Cayena had a very strong influence on Rezef.


    ¡®If Cayena had smartened up just a bit earlier, the throne would have belonged to that child.¡®


    The emperor swallowed a sigh.


    He had decided to twist everything anyway. It was toote for regrets.


    He did not want the empress¡¯s children to be happy, and he wanted to punish the empress¡¯s lover. There was no turning back now.


    Rezef politely bowed his head and said, ¡°If it is helpful to Your Majesty, the lord of the empire, a servant like Count Hamel would do so.¡±


    The emperor slowly nodded.


    ¡°Some gifts have arrived for the imperial family. Send them to the prince¡¯s pce.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Then, the emperor burst into a coughing fit. The doctor advised him to rest and take a break.


    ¡°Then, I will go back now.¡±


    Rezef bowed and left the emperor¡¯s chambers.


    He had confirmed that the emperor still cared for Catherine.


    ¡®I did it since Cayena rmended it, but he¡¯s actually stepping back. Is his lover so precious?¡¯


    The reward was akin to negotiating a ceasefire.


    ¡°Those who covet beauty will fall.¡±


    He was grateful to the person who made the stupid proverb that brave men get beautiful women. Thanks to that, Rezef could easily take hold of what he wanted¡ªwhether it wasnd, gold, or someone¡¯s life.


    ¡°I¡¯ll have to take over the throne soon¡­¡±


    That way, he would be able to get rid of the impudent things that looked at what was his.


    ¡°What happened to Henverton Gillian?¡±


    ¡°The Kedrey duchy has reported that they expelled Henverton. They¡¯re also looking into the Gillian viscountcy and confiscating the title.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a shame I couldn¡¯t absorb the warhorse business¡­¡±


    Rezef clicked his tongue and stopped by the princess¡¯s pce.


    ¡°Is there anyone who will speak to us among the escorts who went to the temple?¡±


    ¡°There is no need for concern. They¡¯re all from your side.¡±


    As the aide assured him, a knight who had followed Cayena reported the situation to Rezef as soon as he returned to the pce.


    ¡°Her Highness fell asleep right after praying because she was tired. There is a window inside her room, but not of a height nor size she can escape from on her own.¡±


    He thought that praying at the temple was just an excuse to meet someone. However, when he heard the report, he began to think that maybe she really did go to pray.


    Something seemed off, but he couldn¡¯t restrict her when she acted devout.


    ¡°Make sure to check carefully who she is in contact with, and see if she leaves the annex.¡±


    ¡°I heed yourmand.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 73

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ***


    When Cayena opened her eyes, it was the next morning.


    The sun shone and birds tweeted through the window. It was the most peaceful morning she had spent alone since she returned to this world.


    ¡®By now, Heinrich must have heard that I am staying at this temple.¡¯


    A little behind this temple were the slums. By the entrance to the slums was a small inn that was also the contract house run by Archduke Heinrich.


    ¡®Few people would do something as crazy as breaking into the temple, but Yester would.¡¯


    Cayena had no intention of returning to the imperial pce today, either. She still had work to do.


    ¡®By all means, put me in danger.¡¯


    She slowly raised her body. Even now, she had a slight headache, but it was ignorable.


    Ring!


    As soon as she pulled the bell rope, there was a knock.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    The door opened, and Jan came in and bowed. Cayena gave her orders.


    ¡°Prepare a bath. When I¡¯m done, I¡¯ll eat breakfast.¡±


    While waiting for the warm water to fill the bathtub, Cayena took off her chemise, revealing her white nude body. She gathered her voluminous golden hair in front of her, went to the mirror, and looked at her back.


    Her back was wlessly smooth and white. But if she used magic, an image of a ck rose would bloom on this pale back.


    Like she had done yesterday, Cayena reached for her new energy.


    ¡®I think this was called mana.¡¯


    Her body felt slightly buoyant, and immediately, she sensed the gentle and clear mana.


    Cayena instinctively knew what her ability was. She lifted the dress that she took off yesterday into the air.


    The cloth hovered for a while before falling to the floor.


    Plop.


    ¡°How dreadful.¡±


    She thought that with magic, she¡¯d be able to shoot fireballs or make blizzards. Instead, she had telekinesis. The ability was a bit disappointing.


    ¡®Well, I don¡¯t want the power to cause natural disasters. I just need to manipte some things.¡¯


    Cayena shrugged off her dissatisfaction.


    Because she utilized magic, a vivid picture of a ck rose appeared on her back.


    In this world, roses signaled ¡®danger.¡¯ Some novels used the color purple or rain to indicate crises. Here, the object that represented danger and crises was the rose.


    Cayena had always been likened to a rose, and Bayel was the owner of the ck Rose Garden. They were both involved in the death of the heroine, Olivia.


    ¡°With this, have I be perfectly dangerous?¡±


    As Cayena was changing into simple clothes and waited, she heard a knock. It seemed her bath was ready.


    She washed her head and roughly wrapped her wet hair in a dry towel. It couldn¡¯t be helped; there wasn¡¯t a maid around to dry her hair.


    ¡®It¡¯s been a while since I did something on my own, without any servants.¡¯


    Breakfast wasid out in the room. It was her first meal since she went to sleep without eating anything the day before. After eating, Cayena was left alone again to practice her magic.


    How much practice was required for a baby to stand up on their legs and take their first steps? The magic training was just like that.


    Before long, various objects inside the room began to float in the air. The dress that Cayena took off stood up as if someone was wearing it. It began to twirl around like a woman holding the hand of her dance partner.


    ¡°You¡¯re already bing skilled at handling your power.¡±


    A man¡¯s voice spoke behind her. Cayena only turned her head slightly to look at the speaker.


    ¡°Did youe to see me practice magic? That¡¯s kind of you.¡±


    Bayel stood tall under the sunlight that shone through the window.


    Cayena spun her dress round and round until it stood in front of Bayel. She made the dress curtsy like it was greeting a dance partner.


    Bayel looked at the dress that was pretending to be a person and said, ¡°It isn¡¯t easy to visualize something like this.¡±


    Magic was about visualization, so the better imagination one had, the more advantageous it was.


    Cayena learned many things through various media in the other world, so something like this was easy to imagine.


    Bayel annoyedly pushed back the dress and sat across the table from Cayena.


    He was contemting what to say when he saw Cayena¡¯s outfit and asked, ¡°If you¡¯re a princess, why are your clothes like that?¡±


    It was the same yesterday. Her clothes were too humble to belong to the imperial princess.


    ¡°It¡¯s because the normal clothes for a princess are tooplicated to take off without servants.¡±


    Cayena had prepared a blouse and a long skirt as an extra outfit. The shape of the clothes was simple and did not have many fastenings, so they were easy to put on and take off even by herself.


    ¡°Or would you like to wait on me? Think of it as taking a groom¡¯s lesson early.¡±


    ¡°Why would I¡­!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m kidding.¡±


    Bayel was so stupefied that his jaw dropped. Cayena didn¡¯t care about that, though.


    ¡°My escorts must be outside. Is it all right to yell like that? You may be able to run away with magic, but I would be fairly embarrassed.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I made it impossible for anyone outside to overhear us.¡±


    As expected of the master of the ck Garden.


    ¡°That¡¯s great. As for me, I can use my telekinesis in exchange for half of my life.¡±


    ¡®Normally, she shouldn¡¯t be able to move this many things this quickly.¡¯


    It was rtively simple to lift up objects in a bunch and make them move in one direction. However, moving each object independently like Cayena was doing showed great aptitude.


    In particr, the dress that had been bothering him moved subtly, like a real person.


    Bayel thought she was a very weird princess. It was strange for a member of the imperial family to act so easygoing.


    Even if Cayena knew a lot about him, the master of the ck Garden, she should be upset about his insouciant treatment of a princess. She could even take the temple hostage and try to make him kneel.


    Of course, it was impossible for humans to capture him, a transcendental being.


    ¡®No one could say anything if she burned down the temple because it¡¯s a ce that hid a magician.¡¯


    That was the attitude that the average person of the ruling ss would take, but Cayena was different.


    ¡®I don¡¯t think she cares, no matter what I do.¡¯


    She pretended to be calm, but she looked pitiful. It was unnerving.


    Cayena, who lowered her long eyshes down and let loose her wet hair, had an unusual atmosphere.


    ¡®Is everyone in the imperial family born like this?¡¯


    Bayel mentally traced her smooth white skin, unmarked by makeup, and a beautiful red mouth with his eyes.


    Bayel clicked his tongue at Cayena¡¯s addictive beauty. Beautiful women like this usually did not have happy endings.


    ¡®That¡¯s why she wanted the power of the ck Garden.¡¯


    ¡°How is your body?¡±


    Cayena looked as if she had heard something unexpected and gave her habitual smile.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    There was no way it was. Even if a lifespan was shortened by only 10 years, there were extremely severe cases in which the person had to watch out for little ailments the rest of their life.


    Cayena¡¯s lifespan had been cut in half. A single drop of Elixir couldn¡¯t recover all the damage her body had received.


    ¡°Your lifespan was cut in half in an instant. That doesn¡¯t just mean that you live half a lifetime less.¡±


    Whether it was immunity or energy, it must have declined quite a bit.


    A body that was weakened by a severe blow would have to properly recover over a long period of time.


    Just because she felt a little better now didn¡¯t mean she was really fine.


    ¡°You¡¯re worrying a lot, but I receive all sorts of precious things in the imperial pce. I¡¯ll live much healthier than others do.¡±


    She brushed it off like it was insignificant. Cayena¡¯s thoughts remained unchanged.


    ¡®I have no way to protect myself unless I have magic.¡¯


    It was a cold, rational judgment.


    Bayel noticed the chill in Cayena¡¯s words.


    Strangely, he had been caring about Cayena since yesterday. He couldn¡¯t erase the image of her forcing herself to maintain consciousness from his mind.


    ¡®Maybe I¡¯m misunderstanding, but¡­¡¯


    She looked like a person driven to the edge of a cliff.


    ¡°You seem to be in a difficult situation. But if it¡¯s someone like you, wouldn¡¯t you have many people who can help you?¡±


    Someone to help her?


    Raphael came to mind.


    She smiled bitterly as she recalled the man whoforted her when he delivered the news of Madame Elivan¡¯s death and how he had reached out to her, once again.


    Cayena was no different from someone with a time limit. She didn¡¯t know how long she had left to live. She couldn¡¯t drag down Raphael, who had a prosperous future in front of him. Besides, she decided to take on the throne. She couldn¡¯t involve him with this mess.


    ¡°Who knows?¡±


    Cayena avoided answering by making her dress bother Bayel again.


    Bayel tried to pull down the dress with a displeased expression. Telekinesis was a low-level magical talent, so it could be disrupted with a bit of power.


    Even so, the dress didn¡¯t budge. It continued to pester him.


    ¡®What is this?¡¯


    Bayel felt confused. He tried to block off the telekinesis.


    Telekinesis was, in simple terms, the ability to lift objects as if one was controlling a puppet with an invisible hand. If the energy was blocked, the dress should not be able to move.


    Yes, it shouldn¡¯t have.


    But it still gently swayed about.


    ¡®Is it not telekinesis?¡¯


    If it wasn¡¯t telekinesis, how could everything in this room be floating right now?


    Like the area was being controlled¡­!


    Bayel¡¯s eyes widened, and he quickly turned to look at Cayena.


    ¡®Is it domain control magic?¡¯


    That was absurd. It wasn¡¯t an ability a human could possess.


    ¡®If you can utilize domain control to its maximum, you can even stop time.¡¯


    For example, one could edit the domain by cutting and pasting it.


    Bayel reached out his hand to find out Cayena¡¯s exact ability.


    The moment Cayena looked back curiously, Bayel felt a strange presence and looked toward the door.


    ¡°¡­Someone¡¯sing.¡±


    Bayel disappeared like smoke, without telling Cayena what he wanted to say. She blinked in puzzlement when she heard it.


    Knock, knock.


    As Bayel said, someone knocked outside.


    ~~~

 Chapter 74

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Cayena¡¯s expression hardened for an instant, but she skillfully recovered. She dispelled her magic, letting the objects down, and opened the door.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess. I am Jeremy, aide to His Excellency, Duke Kedrey.¡±


    It was a person she hadn¡¯t expected to see in this ce. And if Jeremy was here, there was a high chance that Raphael hade as well.


    Cayena greeted him back. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure, Sir Jeremy.¡±


    ¡°My master is visiting the temple and wanted to say hello to Your Highness, as you had arrived first.¡±


    Why would Raphaele to a temple known for aiding childbirth?


    ¡®But knowing him¡­¡¯


    He was someone who didn¡¯t waste a moment once he made a decision. He had presumably traveled here as soon as he heard Cayena was going.


    ¡°It¡¯s not dinner time yet, but would you give the Kedrey family the honor of serving Your Highness?¡±


    Seeing how Raphael¡¯s aide came with a respectable excuse to meet, Raphael seemed to be determined, if not thoroughly prepared.


    ¡°All right.¡±


    ¡°Then, once Your Highness is ready¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go right now.¡±


    Jeremy was slightly confused. Cayena¡¯s outfit was by no means appropriate to meet with someone important.


    ¡®Did she leave herdies-in-waiting behind?¡¯


    Her hair wasn¡¯tpletely dry, either.


    If a hundreddies in the empire were asked to meet with Raphael in the same outfit as Cayena, all one hundred would turn pale. Of course, Cayena was beautiful enough to make a man woozy without dressing up.


    As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw Raphael facing away in the middle of the garden.


    Honestly, she felt a little ufortable¡ªbut at the same time, she felt a sense of stability. Cayena acknowledged it.


    She was happy to see Raphael, and she was happy that he hade to see her. She thought that she shouldn¡¯t feel this way, but she couldn¡¯t help it.


    ¡°Master.¡±


    Raphael turned around at Jeremy¡¯s call. He looked as gentle as one of the noblemen who frequented literary salons.


    Raphael walked up to Cayena. Smoothly, he kissed the back of her hand. He parted his lips and, with a calm and bold manner, greeted her.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, Princess Cayena.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s face had inexplicably be emaciated in one day. Her escorts didn¡¯t seem to realize it yet, but Raphael could tell with one nce.


    When he told her of her nanny¡¯s passing yesterday, Cayena had pretended to be fine, but she was clearly different from usual. In addition, her first act after hearing the news was to visit this temple.


    The temple¡¯s location wasn¡¯t very nice. Behind was a shantytown, and the security nearby was said to be poor.


    ¡®Is there anything important about this temple?¡¯


    Whatever it was, Raphael¡¯s feelings told him that Cayena was plotting something.


    Cayena blinked, surprised. Then, she managed to smile and opened her mouth to reply.


    ¡°Well met, Duke Kedrey. I didn¡¯t think¡­ we¡¯d encounter each other in a ce like this.¡±


    Raphael nced about the temple again. Anybody could see from his face that he wasn¡¯t here for the temple.


    ¡°Yes. I heard this ce is miraculous, so I visited here out of curiosity.¡±


    Whether it was miraculous or not was of no concern to Raphael, though.


    With a slightly puzzled expression, Cayena asked, ¡°Do you know what kind of ce this temple is?¡±


    He nodded. ¡°Yes. I heard that this temple helps you make babies.¡±


    ¡°Cough!¡±


    Jeremy, who had stayed by Raphael¡¯s side, choked at Raphael¡¯s frankly spoken words. It was all too easy to misunderstand what he meant.


    ¡°It¡¯s famous for that, yes, but it¡¯s also well known for helping arrange marriages.¡±


    Raphael¡¯s eyes instantly narrowed at the mention of marriage. He felt the considering gazes of the escorts and opened his mouth.


    ¡°I see. The temple has allowed me to borrow its dining room. If you¡¯re ready, we can head over now.¡±


    Raphael suavely held Cayena¡¯s hand, looking for all purposes like a man besotted with her.


    Cayena¡¯s hand twitched. Raphael smiled a little at the small rebellious movement and gently escorted Cayena into the temple.


    ¡°Your entourage¡¯s share has been prepared elsewhere.¡±


    Cayena nodded and ordered her escorts away to eat and rest, letting them know they should not follow her to the dining room. Their eyes gleamed as they departed, following hermands.


    ¡®They¡¯ll want to inform Rezef quickly.¡¯


    She knew from the beginning that the knights who apanied her were Rezef¡¯s people.


    Once Cayena and Raphael entered the dining room, Raphael¡¯s servants opened up the te covers.


    Cayena sat in the chair Raphael had pulled out for her and looked at the table. She wanted to ask him something before they started eating.


    ¡°Why did youe here? There¡¯ll be bothersome rumors about you.¡±


    It was a natural question. Meeting up like this in secret wasn¡¯t wise, especially since they weren¡¯t engaged to each other.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I thought you¡¯d have a more usible reason this way,¡± Raphael said casually.


    ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that Your Highness came here to pray, not really. Any sharp-eyed person will think that you came for something else.¡±


    Cayena quietly listened to his words.


    ¡°If I¡¯m also here, it will just seem as if you were on a date with me.¡±


    In other words, he came to give her an alibi.


    Raphael saw Cayena go still. He tacked on, ¡°And I also think it¡¯s time to hear the specifics of Your Highness¡¯s ns to make a husband.¡±


    Raphael could tell that Cayena already had many burdens. He didn¡¯t intend to be so cruel as to add onto that by confessing his feelings to her.


    That was why he hade up with another excuse, her fake husband.


    Cayena lowered her gaze. She didn¡¯t need that n anymore.


    She intended to rush into something that may be impossible, like a foolish moth reaching into a me. She would face her fate head-on instead of running away. No longer would she be a foolish doll; she would be a foolish person instead.


    However, she couldn¡¯t just say that. With a bitter smile, she said, ¡°There are many kingdoms beyond the borders of the western duchy. Adjacent to the Kedrey duchy, there¡¯s Heimbel, the city without a king.¡±


    Heimbel was originally a part of the Madrena kingdom, which operated under a feudalist system. But after the kingdom fell, it became uncertain to which nation Heimb belonged.


    The city was bordered on either side by the Eldaim empire and the country of Urlyung. The two great powers were eyeing each other, seeing which one would im it first.


    ¡°The lord of Heimbel must find it difficult to fight against the barbarians. How long can a cityst without a king?¡±


    In fact, it was admirable how long the city had endured. Lord Heimbel would want to sell it off while it was still profitable. Besides that, he must have witnessed how Raphael cleared the western border at once before he became the duke.


    ¡°Do you think Heimbel wants to be assimted into my territory?¡±


    ¡°Of course¡­¡±


    ¡°But Urlyung also covets that city. It¡¯s an appetizing slice of pie.¡±


    The city was the center of trade between the eastern and western continents. Furthermore, it wasrgely popted and possessed an outstanding shipbuilding trade.


    ¡°If you buy the city, even at a reasonable price, you¡¯ll go bankrupt.¡±


    Cayena, of course, did not intend to buy it at a fair price.


    ¡°The city will enter your borders if they want to live.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Cayena was saying that she could make Lord Heimbel bend.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to doubt it. Just ept it as ites. This will be my gift to you.¡±


    How much wealth and power would enter the Kedrey duchy¡¯s hands if they managed to acquire Heimbel for free?


    The duchy fulfilled a vital role in defending the western border. If they swallowed Heimbel, they would be right against the border of Urlyung.


    ¡®In that case, Prince Rezef shouldn¡¯t be against me marrying Cayena.¡¯


    It would be a great benefit to the imperial family if they were linked to the Kedreys, who had a lot of influence.


    That is, if everything was normal.


    ¡®But the Prince Rezef I¡¯ve seen is¡­¡¯


    Raphael frowned slightly.


    Rezef¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t look at Cayena as just something to be used.


    ¡°If Your Highness pretends to marry the heir apparent of the Madrena kingdom, it will be difficult for your family to interfere.¡±


    ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll need Your Excellency¡¯s cooperation for that. You¡¯ll need to recognize him as a rtive of Madrena royalty and concede a few things to me and the emperor.¡±


    ¡°Would Lord Heimbel allow that?¡±


    Cayena onlyughed in response. Lord Heimbel would have to allow it, if he wanted to live.


    ¡®People should live with integrity. If not, they should at least be careful.¡¯


    Unfortunately for Lord Heimbel, though he was prudent, Cayena knew his weak point from the novel.


    ¡®He sent young children to the barbarians as tribute. In return, they would steal some food, but they wouldn¡¯t invade the city.¡¯


    However, the abductions would be discovered someday.


    ¡®His head should be cut off after the Kedrey dukedom takes in Heimbel.¡¯


    Cayena moistened her lips with wine from a silver cup.


    Raphael suddenly asked, ¡°Then, have you thought of a name for your fake husband?¡±


    ¡®The husband¡¯s name?¡¯


    She paused, not having expected the question. The husband wouldn¡¯t exist anyway, so she didn¡¯t think about naming him.


    Cayena spoke a name that came to mind.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s Bayel.¡±


    ¡°¡­It sounds like a real person¡¯s name.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 75

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Cayena¡¯s heart pounded. She was suspicious. Did he know?


    ¡°It has to be realistic so that everyone will believe it.¡±


    Truthfully, Raphael was feeling a strange sense of defeat against the fictional being that only had a name.


    ¡®If she brings in Heimbel as she says she will, it¡¯ll be ideal for her to marry me, not a fictional husband.¡¯


    But that would only be possible if Cayena wanted it.


    ¡°As you say, isn¡¯t this business costly for Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why I have another favor to request of you.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Can youe near the temple in secret tonight with some elite knights?¡±


    Raphael intuited that Cayena was trying to do something risky.


    To prevent misunderstandings, Cayena added, ¡°It¡¯s because I¡¯m worried about the security around here. There are some strange circumstances, too.¡±


    She deliberately left out the fact that there was a contract house run by Archduke Heinrich behind the temple.


    Raphael¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, doubting her.


    ¡°Then wouldn¡¯t it be better to have knights stationed around here?¡±


    ¡°That would make it look like I¡¯m harassing the temple, which won¡¯t be good?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    If knights were stationed nearby without due cause, it would be inconvenient, and many would interpret the action as her putting pressure on the temple.


    ¡°Will it be dangerous?¡±


    Cayena lied confidently. ¡°It won¡¯t be dangerous at all.¡±


    Everyone had different standards of risk, after all.


    She smiled.


    ***


    The Heinrich Grand Theater waspletely packed.


    There had been many unusual things in the political and social circles recently, and people needed a ce to secretly exchange information.


    They also had another motive to be at the Heinrich Grand Theater: Yester watched new ys at the theater on the first andst days of their performance.


    Today was the premiere of a new y, and the most popr soprano these days would sing at the climax. The gentlemen attending were more interested in the singer¡¯s face than her voice, however.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to be her lover.¡±


    The murmur came from the VIP section, where young nobles from prestigious families gathered. A smallugh spread through the crowd.


    ¡°I can¡¯t because of my fianc¨¦e.¡±


    Another noble frowned and grumbled, ¡°If you get caught, the engagement will probably be broken right away. She has a lot of pride.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why you should have gotten engaged to someone from a more proper family.¡±


    Another noble son condemned the first¡¯s immature words.


    ¡°You have to think about your future, my friend.¡±


    In the banquet halls, they were respectable and neat gentlemen. But in a ce like this, surrounded by other men, they spoke of vulgar things.


    Yester Heinrich took out a cherry from a transparent winess. He covered his mouth, trying to swallow his sneer.


    ¡°What do you think, Archduke?¡±


    Yester looked around with his opera sses and said, ¡°I want that girl.¡±


    They lifted up their opera sses to see whom Yester referred to.


    ¡°Ah, Emma Grace. I think she¡¯s the second daughter of Viscount Grace? That family has so many children that I can¡¯t recall them all.¡±


    ¡°How did that family get a VIP ticket?¡±


    The Grace family wasn¡¯t wealthy enough to get a VIP seat at the Heinrich Grand Theater.


    One gentleman looked through the ss and said, ¡°The eldest sister is a great beauty. Her name is something like Olivia. She¡¯s the woman who became Her Highness¡¯sdy-in-waiting.¡±


    ¡°I bet she came here looking for someone to flirt with, now that her older sister is sessful. It¡¯s obvious what women think. All they think about is marriage.¡±


    ¡°Then, shall we talk to herter? The younger sister doesn¡¯t look bad, either.¡±


    Yester burst intoughter while drinking alcohol from a pure ss cup, not from one made of silver or porcin. Theugh was loud enough to be heard from the other VIP seats.


    ¡°¡­What¡¯s so funny, Archduke Heinrich?¡±


    ¡°Ah, it¡¯s nothing.¡±


    He chuckled as he spilled the wine in his ss.


    ¡°I was just amused by your spections.¡±


    The gentlemen looked at each other sourly and reluctantly began tough.


    It was always surprising how idiots thought. That woman,ing here to find someone to marry?


    ¡®Who¡¯s the one with only marriage in their head?¡¯


    Marriage and lovers.


    That was all the gentlemen in here cared about. They only had to receive their inheritance from their parents.


    ¡®Pathetic men.¡¯


    They were inferior people who would bepletely incapable if their inheritance disappeared.


    It was because of Yester that Emma came here with her beautifully braided wheat-colored hair.


    Viscount Grace and his wife were unaware of how unusual their family¡¯s debts were. The daughter, though, seemed quite smart.


    Yester met Emma Grace¡¯s eyes. Emma turned her head, frightened. She never focused on the soprano¡¯s performance even as the y approached the climax.


    Emma was the most interesting spectacle in this theater. She kept nervously ncing at Yester with a tense expression.


    ¡°Archduke.¡±


    Then, an assistant secretively whispered into Yester¡¯s ear.


    The gentlemen feigned indifference, but they were ncing toward Yester with great curiosity.


    ¡°Excuse me for a moment.¡±


    Yester got up from his seat with an affable and handsome smile. He went to a suite reserved solely for the owner of the Heinrich Grand Theater.


    Heinrich sat on the sofa crossing his legs.


    ¡°The princess is at Denien¡¯s temple?¡±


    She was kidnapped only a few days ago; he thought she would take longer to recover.


    Yet, she went to visit a temple apanied by only three knights. No one could have predicted such a move.


    It was also the temple close to the contract house.


    ¡®Is this about what she said before?¡¯


    The princess spoke as if she knew the location of a secret group. He had many such groups, but it was suspicious how Cayena was staying in that precise area right now.


    ¡®Is she provoking me?¡¯


    Yesterughed cheerfully.


    Really, Princess Cayena turned out to be quite interesting. His eyes gleamed darkly.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be a man if I refused an invitation from a beautiful woman.¡±


    ***


    On the first floor of a nondescript inn behind the old temple, cheap candles dimly illuminated the interior as the bartender sold alcohol.


    ¡°You want us to secretly capture the princess?¡±


    It had been a long time since Jedaiah started working as a contractor. He had done all sorts of nasty and dangerous things, but he couldn¡¯t understand the instructions that he had received today.


    ¡®The princess isn¡¯t far from here. Wasn¡¯t the big fuss with her kidnapping only three days ago?¡¯


    There were only three elite knights to be seen, but Jedaiah felt that there must be some secret guards.


    Or maybe it was only Jedaiah who thought that. Everyone else seemed at ease.


    ¡°If we light up the sleeping incense and put the knights to sleep, it¡¯s a piece of cake?¡±


    ¡°I was curious about all that fuss regarding the princess¡¯s beauty.¡±


    ¡®These guys are crazy. This is a trap.¡¯


    He thought that Yester, the one who had given them the orders, knew it was a trap but was taking the bait on purpose.


    ¡®Damn it.¡¯


    Jedaiah had no choice but to follow orders.


    Even if this was a trap, the rewards were very generous. All he had to do was survive, like he always did.


    None of it mattered as long as he could pay for his younger sibling¡¯s medicine.


    For the poor, an incurable disease was disastrous. Jedaiah was fighting helplessly against that misfortune.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They meticulously hid their presence and snuck over to the temple.


    As they were informed, there were three escort knights along with five junior soldiers.


    It was a little too much for protecting a single person, but the number of guards was reasonable when considering the recent uproar.


    They put on gas masks and lit the sleeping incense. The soldiers guarding the annex copsed. The incense smoke was pushed indoors as well.


    This was a battle of patience, and the contractors were experts at this sort of work. They waited in silence for everyone to fall asleep.


    The locked door was opened in an instant. They entered the annex and stood in front of the room where the princess was staying.


    The group loaded the crossbows in their arms and opened the door, which creaked jarringly.


    ¡®¡­Is nobody here?¡¯


    It was dark inside. Not a single candle was lit.


    The window seemed to be closed. They used the light from the passage to look at the bed.


    On the bed, there was a bulge. Someone was lying there.


    Whoosh¡ª


    At that moment, all the candles in the passageway went out at once.


    ~~~

 Chapter 76

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°!!¡±


    Jedaiah felt a chill and quickly stepped back.


    Thud¡ª!


    A dull noise was heard.


    ¡°Aghh¡ª!¡±


    Something flew into the dark.


    One of Jedaiah¡¯s colleagues had shot a crossbow, but inside, everything remained still. They couldn¡¯t see anything because of the darkness. They were helplessly hit by something.


    Just how many guards were hiding inside? Jedaiah broke out in a cold sweat.


    ¡°What are you? Who are you?¡±


    Jedaiah realized that his premonition had been correct.


    ¡®Damn it. I knew it was a trap!¡¯


    What kind of trick was this? No one could figure out what had happened.


    ¡°Eup!¡±


    One by one, the voices of his colleagues were being silenced.


    Jedaiah just barely managed to run away. The priority was to survive. He couldn¡¯t let himself be killed here.


    Bang¡ª!


    As soon as he got out of the building, there was a deafening boom.


    ¡°Her Highness is in danger!¡±


    From outside, unusually well-armed knights began to enter the building.


    ¡°This is crazy¡­!¡±


    The knights wore armor marked with the seal of the Kedrey duchy.


    The contractors had been caught in a perfect trap.


    Heinrich must have deliberately thrown money at them in order to use them as bait. It had been strange how he only hired five people to kidnap the princess¡­


    Jedaiah spat out a curse when he realized the Kedrey knights must be surrounding everywhere nearby.


    He tried to escape from their eyes by erasing his presence as much as he could. Suddenly¡­


    ¡°Cough!¡±


    Someone pulled on his clothes from behind. He immediately turned around, but he didn¡¯t feel his clothes being stuck on something.


    ¡°Who¡¯s there?!¡±


    No matter how much he looked about, no one was there.


    Even in the middle of the cold night, sweat poured from him like the rain. At that moment, a dress flew toward him as if it were possessed.


    ¡®What is that?!¡¯


    He tried to scream, but the dress blocked his mouth.


    ¡°Mmph! Eup¡ª!¡±


    ¡°Shh. Be quiet.¡±


    It was a woman¡¯s voice.


    Jedaiah, trapped in the dress and pushed to the floor, looked up.


    ¡°I almost missed the most important person.¡±


    The woman was hidden under a robe.


    ¡®Could it be¡­ the princess?¡¯


    However, Jedaiah couldn¡¯t tell because he wasn¡¯t able to see her face.


    ¡°Don¡¯t shout. What if the duke¡¯s knightse over?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    He didn¡¯t know why, but the woman seemed to be trying to make a deal with him. Once he stopped struggling, the dress released its hold on his mouth.


    He felt like his heart would jump out from his mouth. A dress that moved on its own will!


    Jedaiah thought that the strange attacks from the previously empty room were all because of the woman in front of him. He spoke in a polite tone.


    ¡°¡­I have a question to ask you before I die.¡±


    Jedaiah closed his eyes and thought of his younger sibling at home.


    He always knew that he would die like this one day. The kid should find the money he hid under the bed.


    ¡°What is your true identity?¡±


    His piercing eyes turned to Cayena, who was still concealing her appearance.


    ¡°You won¡¯t die, so I won¡¯t answer that question, Jedaiah.¡±


    Jedaiah couldn¡¯t understand why this strange woman knew his name.


    ¡°You must be burning up inside, having to break your knightly pride and ying as a contractor for your sick sibling.¡±


    ¡°¡­Who are you, really?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m the person who will solve your problem.¡±


    Jedaiah couldn¡¯t help but be shocked as his body was raised up as if someone grabbed him. Still, no one was behind him. Goosebumps popped up all over his body.


    Cayena smoothed out Jedaiah¡¯s clothes with magic.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you need Elixir?¡±


    Jedaiah instinctively widened his eyes at the word ¡®Elixir.¡¯


    ¡®As expected, she¡¯s a magician¡­!¡¯


    He had dismissed the thought before, but his opponent was really a magician. If so, she was someone who could make Elixir.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you d?¡±


    In the past, Jedaiah had a huge obsession with magicians.


    From the moment he learned that Elixir was the only way to save his younger sibling, he had been searching for someone who could use magic.


    Everyone called him crazy. He was treated as a madman, told that he was the only person in the world who was looking for a magician.


    Jedaiah acted cautiously even at this once-in-a-lifetime moment.


    ¡°What guarantee do I have that you will help me? I don¡¯t think someone like you has much use for a contractor.¡±


    She smiled, satisfied with Jedaiah¡¯s reply.


    People who were objective did not oftenmit dumb mistakes. Having such a person would reduce the variables in her n.


    ¡®A talented man who could poison Olivia, despite a duchy¡¯s strict defenses. This man is someone who only touches what he can win.¡¯


    He and Cayena were acquaintances in a former life. She had hired Jedaiah to poison Olivia in exchange for great wealth.


    His brown hair, gray eyes, and even the long scar on his left cheek were like a trip down memoryne for her.


    ¡°I need your weakness.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s countenance was revealed in the light of the moon.


    ¡°You have a reason to obey mymands and be faithful to me. I need a person with that kind of desperation.¡±


    Jedaiah felt thirsty, hearing her dry and heartless words in a soft, melodic voice. She was making a honeyed proposal even as she concealed herself.


    Just like the devil.


    ¡°¡­What must I do?¡±


    It was a proposition that he couldn¡¯t refuse.


    Jedaiah had no choice. The person in front of him was definitely a magician.


    He could receive Elixir.


    His younger sibling could live.


    Jedaiah gulped.


    Without a pause, Cayena took out an envelope from her bosom. The envelope flew in the air and stopped in front of Jedaiah.


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    He felt like he was possessed by a ghost.


    He carefully grabbed the envelope.


    ¡°Go to Heinrich right away. Tell him that the princess had hidden guards and that you barely got away. The contract business will disappear today.¡±


    ¡°What is this¡­?¡±


    ¡°Learn about the corruption of the Evans family and burn the paper.¡±


    Even at a nce, the envelope looked expensive. Jedaiah¡¯s hands trembled when he found the seal on the envelope. It was the seal of the imperial family.


    ¡®This was all the princess¡¯s trap.¡¯


    Her intention was clear. The imperial seal was deliberately put onto a paper that would be burned so that he would see it.


    He was supposed to be a double agent.


    He thought that something was weird, but to think the princess herself knew magic!


    At that moment, Jedaiah was struck with fear. But his desperation was enough to ovee it.


    ¡°Then, when can I receive the Elixir?¡±


    ¡°Come to the imperial pce.¡±


    ¡°Th-the imperial pce¡­?¡±


    Could amoner like him enter such an exalted ce?


    He looked at Cayena agitatedly.


    She didn¡¯t say anything else. Instead, she flew over a pouch that was obviously full of coins. It was an appropriate wage.


    Jedaiah wasn¡¯t as surprised as when he received the envelope earlier.


    All of sudden, they could hear the sound of nking armor. The knights were close.


    ¡°Now, go.¡±


    It was urgent that he left this ce right away.


    Jedaiah stashed the coin pouch in his clothes and ran.


    As Cayena watched him go, she sent away her robe and her dancing dress. She mussed up her hair.


    ¡°Then, shall I go set off the powder keg?¡±


    Her gaze turned toward the inn.


    ***


    Therge boom Cayena had made earlier had been a gunshot. Raphael had secretly given the weapon to her.


    The moment he heard the gun go off, Raphael ran into the temple¡¯s annex.


    ¡®Are they all asleep?¡¯


    There were intruders.


    The inside of the annex waspletely shrouded in shadows because the candles were unlit. As the knights lit their torches, they saw a startling sight.


    Next to the sleeping escort knights, four suspicious people were tied up.


    ¡°Capture them.¡±


    With that order, Raphael ran into the bedroom.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    But there was no one inside. Cayena had disappeared once again.


    ¡°Her Highness is missing! Go and find her!¡±


    His heart was leaping unpleasantly.


    ¡®Please. Let there be nothing wrong!¡¯


    Raphael had a feeling that something was going to happen here.


    He thought that Cayena wouldn¡¯t stay here without a reason. He was stupid for thinking that it would be fine as long as he had knights stationed around the temple.


    He felt like he was going crazy with anger and regret.


    He respected Cayena. He admired her, and he held her in high esteem. He didn¡¯t dare to intrude on her territory.


    But that thought was wrong. He had to do everything he could.


    Raphael ran to the back of the temple. The fact that enemies might attack him didn¡¯t even factor into his calctions. Finally, he found Cayena, walking toward the temple under the moonlight.


    Her face was painted with joy.


    ¡°Oh, Duke¡­!¡±


    Before she could finish talking, Raphael ran to her and sped her tightly in his arms. He buried his face in the nape of her neck and wrapped his arms behind her back.


    It was clearly Cayena¡¯s sweet scent. She was safe.


    Only then did he feel like he could live.


    ~~~


    [TN] I¡­ just realized that the word ¡°contractor¡± is actually from a homebrew D&D campaign I yed and that it isn¡¯t amon term for hitmen/people who take on shady jobs. I¡¯m inclined to keep it for vor. (Plus, it¡¯s still technically urate, which is the best kind of urate.) Sorry if I confused anyone!

 Chapter 77

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    With her feet lifted in the air, Cayena quickly had to hug Raphael¡¯s neck.


    She could keenly feel his anxiety. She held onto him tightly and opened her mouth with caution.


    ¡°Were you surprised? Nothing happened with the contractors.¡±


    Raphael sighed, hearing her voice, and buried his face in her neck. The anger and regret that tried to drive him mad gradually subsided.


    Cayena couldn¡¯t hide her embarrassment caused by his actions. But she couldn¡¯t get out of Raphael¡¯s hold; he must have been greatly shocked.


    ¡°Duke?¡±


    Cayena couldn¡¯t be held like this forever. She had to wipe out the inn and take care of everything with Raphael.


    Raphael sighed again when Cayena stirred in his arms. His skin could feel the fact that she was safe. Blood circted through his cold body.


    Cayena had be his everything.


    He experienced a terrible desire to possess her. He even entertained the crazy thought that he wanted to confine Cayena in his vi or run away with her in his arms to some foreignnd.


    He couldn¡¯t be still anymore. He couldn¡¯t be satisfied with just helping her at her side.


    Raphael wanted to be hers. And he wanted Cayena to be his.


    He needed them to be perfectly united.


    He lowered his head and whispered softly into Cayena¡¯s ear.


    ¡°Your Highness makes me be a bad person.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡±


    She opened her lips in confusion, but seeing Raphael¡¯s eyes, patiently waiting, she closed her mouth again.


    The atmosphere was unusual.


    Her breathing felt weird, and her flesh seemed to tingle.


    Cayena was neither young nor na?ve. She couldn¡¯t misread this tension.


    He was quietly asking her for permission.


    When Cayena lightly brushed the hair on his nape, Raphael understood the signal and stole her lips.


    Cayena¡¯s body stiffened. His breath was flowing into her mouth. It was rugged, yet kind. She could feel his deep longing in the hand that embraced.


    She swallowed a sigh.


    Cayena had avoided confronting his emotions, but she was facing them now. Even in this moment, she should have pushed him away. She should have pretended to have no knowledge of what she had just done. She had to strike him across the cheek and yell at him for his impudence.


    And yet, Cayena closed her eyes.


    Instead of pushing him away, she hugged his neck more tightly.


    Their bodies were exchanging heat. In this quiet space, there was only the sound of panting.


    Raphael, who had greedily snatched away Cayena¡¯s breath, eventually started to treat her more carefully and affectionately.


    The woman he was holding in his arms was so lovely that he kissed her lips, again and again, eager and wild. He didn¡¯t fear that someone mighte across this scene. Rather, he wanted to be seen like this and be known as the princess¡¯s man.


    However, both of them were aware that this moment was only a dream. The moment they confirmed their feelings and shared their hearts with each other would soon end.


    That was why Raphael couldn¡¯t let go of Cayena. He only loosened his hold on her for brief moments to breathe before persistently pursuing those lips again. Again and again, he took her in.


    He continued this silent conversation like it was theirst.


    Cayena kissed Raphael even deeper. He had let her go down at some point, and Cayena, finally stepping on the ground, pulled in Raphael¡¯s cheeks with her hands and opened her lips.


    She gasped for breath.


    ¡°I can¡¯t breathe.¡±


    Cayena forced herself to frown harshly and find fault with him.


    Raphael silently stared into Cayena¡¯s eyes. It was a gaze that weakened her heart.


    When he noticed Cayena was wavering, he immediately merged their lips.


    Enough time had passed that it would be suspicious if they did not return. Cayena pushed him away, but Raphael ignored her hand and tried to kiss her again.


    ¡°Stop.¡±


    Cayena kissed Raphael first to appease him.


    Then, she spoke in a cold voice that contradicted that sweet act.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to be the empress.¡±


    Raphael quietly listened to her words.


    ¡°So I can¡¯t be your wife,¡± she said.


    He slowly nodded.


    Cayena slowly left his embrace. It was time to return to reality.


    ¡°Is it because the throne has some meaning to you?¡±


    Cayena¡¯s steps paused.


    In that hesitation, Raphael deciphered her heart: It was revenge against Rezef.


    ¡°I am not as good a person as you think I am.¡±


    ¡°Raphael.¡±


    ¡°Do as you wish.¡±


    When she turned around, Raphael trapped her in his arms, as if he had been waiting. He kissed her lightly and murmured, ¡°I will also do what I want.¡±


    With that deration of war, he stole her breath once again.


    Yester, who had been waiting for Cayena at the Grand Theater after the audience left, crumpled his face until he looked like a demon.


    ¡°Why did Duke Kedrey raid that ce?!¡±


    The contract house and gunpowder factory near the shantytown had been attacked.


    ¡°What about the evidence? He hasn¡¯t realized that it was connected to me, has he?¡±


    ¡°So long as the members¡¯ mouths are shut, there will be nothing for him to find.¡±


    ¡°Are they dead?¡±


    ¡°I sent over an assassin.¡±


    Yester couldn¡¯t contain his anger when he thought about the money he poured into the operation.


    ¡°How the hell did this happen?!¡±


    He wrecked apart the Grand Theater¡¯s suite for a while. Finally, he took a deep breath.


    ¡°You said that one member ran away, right?¡±


    The aide bowed his head and replied, ¡°Yes. His name is Jedaiah.¡±


    ¡°Let him in.¡±


    Yester went to a chair that had not been destroyed by his tantrum and sat down. The door opened, and a man in his 30s with a long scar across his left cheek entered. Straight away, he prostrated himself on the floor in a bow.


    ¡°You say you have news about the princess?¡± Yester demanded.


    Jedaiah briefly peered at the messy room and opened his mouth.


    ¡°I heard her speaking with someone. They were talking about a granary that the Evans family did not report to the imperial family.¡±


    Yester exhaled a long,nguid sigh.


    His furious expression at the disappearance of the gunpowder operation became clearer.


    ¡°A missing granary¡­¡±


    Yester really liked how sweet the words tasted in his mouth.


    ¡°Yes. They cultivate cannabis there. The drugs were delivered to the secret club of Henverton Gillian, who kidnapped the princess the other day.¡±


    ¡°Cannabis!¡±


    Yester immediately stood up and helped Jedaiah up from the floor. If Jedaiah had been a woman, Yester would have kissed his lips right away.


    ¡°Your name is Jedaiah, right?


    You¡¯ll be the manager of the new branch of the contract house.¡±


    Yester loved capable people.


    He remembered hearing a few times that Jedaiah took care of jobs very neatly.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Yester instantly called his aide and asked him to find a mansion to bestow to Jedaiah.


    ¡°Just wait a little while. It shouldn¡¯t take long to find you a mansion.¡±


    Yester didn¡¯t dy once he had made a decision. He made his decisions quickly and carried them out even faster.


    Suddenly, people poured into the room and cleaned up the mess in an instant.


    ¡°Take a break while the new branch is being established.¡±


    With that dismissal, Jedaiah was able to leave the suite.


    Jedaiah was even more frightened when everything happened as it was written in the letter he received. She may be a princess, but how could she predict the situation so urately?


    ¡®How did she know that I would gain a mansion in the capital?¡¯


    He couldn¡¯tprehend it.


    Jedaiah paced around the Grand Theater for a while when he felt a strange gaze. A short distance away, a man was staring at him. The man shifted his gaze when their eyes met.


    ¡®It looks like the person I saw in the suite earlier¡­¡¯


    He tilted his head. He slowly began to walk again.


    ¡®There¡¯s no mistake.¡¯


    The man was surveilling him. Jedaiah was about to walk over and catch the man when he heard a call.


    ¡°There you are!¡±


    Yester¡¯s aide, who had been ordered to make arrangements for the mansion, came to him.


    ¡°There¡¯s a mansion that you can upy right away. I¡¯ll take you there, so please follow me.¡±


    Jedaiah quickly nced back. The person watching him was gone.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    He climbed into the carriage with the aide, and they promptly left the Grand Theater.


    The aide was a cheerful person. He didn¡¯t seem to realize what type of person Jedaiah was and spoke to him like everything was normal. However, when the carriage came to a stop, he held out his hand to Jedaiah.


    ¡°I look forward to your support.¡±


    ¡°¡­Ah, yes.¡±


    When they shook hands, the aide made a peculiar smile that was unlike his previous one.


    ¡°Never betray the master.¡±


    ¡°Pardon me?¡±


    The aide put on a nice smile again and greeted him.


    ¡°Then, if you need anything else, I will prepare it and send it over as soon as the day turns bright.¡±


    Mystified, Jedaiah came down from the carriage. At that moment, he saw the mansion and gulped. They were near the imperial castle. In other words, the mansion was at the center of the capital.


    Jedaiah began to understand the gaze that had followed him earlier and the aide¡¯s words.


    ¡®They suspect that I became the princess¡¯s spy.¡¯


    Yester didn¡¯t trust him. Jedaiah smirked.


    ¡°Are all nobles monsters?¡±


    It seemed that he had set foot in a dark and shady ce that was iparable to the world he left behind him.

 Chapter 78: Scene 14. The Emperors Proxy

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR:</strong> scarcecrow


    ***


    Baston was one of the Kedrey duchy¡¯s elite knights, so he was a part of today¡¯s patrol. He had been scouting their surroundings when Raphael ran out on his own and didn¡¯t return.


    Finally¡ª


    ¡°Your Excellency!¡±


    Raphael was walking back to the temple while holding Princess Cayena, who was wrapped in a ck cape. The knights let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°There¡¯s a contract house behind the temple. We should seize it.¡±


    With their faces tense once more, the knights followed him. Raphael pushed Cayena into his carriage. She frowned a little.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t we decide to go to my carriage?¡±


    ¡°Mine is safer.¡±


    It would be safe here because he would post several knights to stand guard around the carriage¡­ though he could just as easily put them by Cayena¡¯s vehicle.


    Inside the carriage, where no one could see, Raphael boldly kissed her lips. He didn¡¯t hesitate despite the knights right outside, and Cayena held her breath.


    Raphael pulled his lips from hers, kissed her forehead, and earnestly said, ¡°Please don¡¯t leave this spot.¡±


    Cayena could only say yes. She needed Raphael so she could take the throne. Raphael wasn¡¯t sure whether Cayena would cooperate by staying inside, but he left the carriage and closed the door behind him.


    Cayena vacantly watched him leave, then sped her face with her hands.


    ¡°What have I done?¡±


    ***


    The inn where the contractors were based appeared to be a normal one.


    But below ground level, there was an issue.


    ¡°It¡¯s gunpowder!¡±


    Blindfolded workers were trapped in an underground warehouse, manufacturing weapons with gunpowder. Among them were the elderly as well as young children. Their backs were ragged with whip marks.


    Guards holding whips shouted in surprise at the knights who stormed in. ¡°Who, who are you?!¡±


    ¡°Arrest them all!¡±


    Baston reported back to Raphael with a serious face. ¡°They¡¯re from the slums.¡±


    The people who had been prisoners underground and inhaling gunpowder were all people of the shantytown.


    ¡®So this is Heinrich¡¯s contract house.¡¯


    The contractors who tried to kidnap Cayena today were also Heinrich¡¯s men.


    Raphael tilted his head.


    ¡°Find out who owns this warehouse.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Excellency!¡±


    Cayena told him to bring only elite knights, so Raphael had told the other knights to stay near the area. While he was organizing the knights to leave the temple, the high priest came with another cleric, whose form was concealed by a hood.


    ¡°So these are the knights Her Highness stationed here.¡±


    This could be troublesome for the temple. However, Father Danian disyed a cooperative attitude.


    ¡°I thank God that you have punished the seditious forces and saved Her Highness.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your understanding.¡±


    ¡°The knights who had been knocked out have just woken up.¡±


    At that moment, knights and soldiers who looked very embarrassed came running toward them.


    ¡°Duke Kedrey! What happened to Her Highness?!¡±


    ¡°Her Highness is safe. I was able to find her quickly with the other knights in the area.¡±


    The knights who had been knocked out went down on one knee and bowed.


    ¡°Thank you for saving the imperial family!¡±


    ¡°I took her to my carriage.¡±


    ¡°Then, we will¡­¡±


    Raphael said coldly, ¡°Can you really protect Her Highness when you did not properly examine your surroundings when it was most needed?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°The princess was kidnapped only three days ago, yet you continue to be negligent.¡±


    Because it was true, they closed their mouths. For them, it didn¡¯t matter if Cayena was in trouble. Their master was Rezef, not the princess.


    Raphael realized early on that they were not loyal to Cayena.


    ¡°I¡¯ll watch over Her Highness,¡± he said.


    Raphael turned to look at Father Danian again.


    ¡°The Kedreys will not forget your aid today.¡±


    ¡°It was nothing.¡±


    Raphael quietly bowed to Father Danian. When he looked up, he made eye contact with the priest standing behind Father Danian. His tawny eyes were so bright that they seemed golden.


    Raphael strangely felt like he was being observed and slowly looked away. He had to go to the carriage where Cayena was.


    ¡°Then, goodbye.¡±


    He approached the carriage.


    When he opened the door, he saw that Cayena had fallen asleep while waiting for him. She must have been exhausted. It was already dawn.


    A yellow light shimmered over Cayena¡¯s face.


    Baston asked Raphael, ¡°Shall we go to the imperial pce?¡±


    Raphael grabbed the carriage door and replied, ¡°Take us to my vi.¡±


    <b>Scene 14. The Emperor¡¯s Proxy </b>


    It took a longer time than usual for Cayena to think properly after she woke up. It was because of the unfamiliar curtains.


    She didn¡¯t see her usual dark drapes with the impressive embroidery. Instead, several thin, peach-colored cloths were wrapped around the bedposts like some ancient shrine.


    Cayena slowly pulled herself up from the bed.


    Inside the room, golden suncatchers embedded with jewels created rainbows everywhere.


    It was a lovely room for a youngdy. Or, actually, was it a room suitable for someone of Cayena¡¯s current age? She felt a serious disparity between the ages of her mind and body.


    Cayena checked her condition. The aftereffects from making the magical contract were nearly gone.


    ¡®Now that I think about it, did I fall asleep in Raphael¡¯s carriage?¡¯


    This sweet kind of atmosphere did not exist in the luxurious and solemn pce, so this couldn¡¯t be the imperial castle.


    Cayena furrowed her brows in thought when she heard a noise.


    Knock, knock.


    Several maids wearing refined clothes entered. They noted that Cayena had opened her eyes, and they bowed deeply, kneeling on the floor.


    ¡°We respectfully greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena pushed aside the thin curtains and asked, ¡°Where is this?¡±


    The maids were flustered. They never thought their master would bring the princess to his home without her permission.


    One maid quickly bowed her head and said, ¡°This is a guest room of the Kedrey vi.¡±


    ¡®I thought it might be, but to think it actually is.¡¯


    Cayena felt a bit dumbfounded when she understood what had happened. She knew that she had not been very alert when she fell asleep in his carriage, but who knew that Raphael would bring her to his home?


    ¡®Maybe it¡¯s lucky that my reputation can¡¯t get any worse.¡¯


    Even if she suddenly stayed at his house for a day, her honor wouldn¡¯t be as damaged as that of other nobledies. Rather, people would just say, ¡°That¡¯s what the princess is like.¡± Many of them might even feel relieved that she was acting like her usual self.


    ¡®Even so, Raphael isn¡¯t the kind of person who would do this. Something else must have happened.¡¯


    She trusted Raphael, if not anyone else, to not make trouble for her.


    This conviction didn¡¯t stem from some sharine, lovey-dovey reason. It was because she knew that Raphael had a very prudent personality.


    ¡°We¡¯ll help Your Highness get dressed.¡±


    The maids were quite tense. They never expected to have to attend to the imperial princess. They didn¡¯t know how true the rumors were, but the wicked princess was said to execute servants if they made a mistake.


    Stiff apprehension circled the maids.


    Surely the princess wouldn¡¯t attack a servant of the Kedrey duchy? But the stories made them nervous.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Cayena gently entrusted her grooming to them. She had to get ready quickly so that she could hear the whole story from Raphael.


    ¡®I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see his face again in the morning.¡¯


    Suddenly, she recalled the memory of them kissing the day before.


    If Raphael had taken her back to the pce instead of his mansion, she could have avoided him and would have pretended not to know for a while.


    ¡®It would have been nice if we pretended nothing had happened and just met at mying-of-age celebration.¡¯


    Cayena involuntarily let out a weak sigh.


    ~~~

 Chapter 79

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°Does the dress not suit your tastes?¡± the maid asked carefully, flinching at Cayena¡¯s sigh.


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°It¡¯s not that. I was just thinking of something else.¡±


    ¡°We have several other dresses you could wear.¡±


    Cayena looked down at the apricot-colored dress. She guessed that the maids had worked hardst night to obtain the dress from the capital¡¯s most popr boutique.


    ¡°nc¡¯s Boutique is the most prominent store these days. I like it quite a bit. You must have worked hard yesterday night.¡±


    The maids, who did not expect to hear such praise, paused. They had heard the recent rumors that the princess had changed, but the princess had a chaotic image in the Kedrey duchy.


    Having seen her in person, they did not believe the rumors; yet, she had not been any more particr than other nobledies today.


    ng!


    In that moment, the youngest maid dropped a sugar bowl, spilling sugar all over the table and floor.


    Instantaneously, the atmosphere in the room turned cold.


    ¡°P-please kill me, Your Highness!¡±


    The maid prostrated herself on the floor with a pale face. The other maids also hardened their expressions.


    Making a mistake in front of a guest would cause problems for the duchy¡¯s prestige. Moreover, this mistake happened in front of the princess.


    They quickly stepped back and lowered their heads. Cayena took the teacup ced on the vanity and had a sip. The fragrance and taste were good. The temperature was fine as well.


    ¡°The tea tastes good enough that sugar isn¡¯t necessary. Who made it?¡±


    The youngest maid raised her head.


    ¡°I prepared the tea¡­¡±


    Even if Cayena said it was fine, she could not avoid being reprimanded.


    This was because she made a mistake in front of the duke¡¯s guest and the imperial family. The maid had only spilled some sugar, but that was just the way things were.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to ask you to brew tea for me if I visit again,¡± Cayena said.


    With this, the youngest maid would not be fired.


    The maid realized that she had been done a kindness.


    ¡°¡­Thank you, Your Highness. I will serve you with all my heart!¡±


    The maids were deeply amazed by Cayena¡¯s disy of tolerance.


    In particr, the older maids were impressed by Cayena¡¯s demeanor. Wasn¡¯t she the very image of an ideal mistress?


    Duchess Kedrey, Raphael¡¯s mother, was a perfectionist and stingy with praise. She punished them a lot more than she rewarded them. ustomed to such a mistress, they were dazed by Cayena¡¯s actions.


    After they finished dressing her, Cayena was so beautiful that she naturally drew admiration. Her hair had been tied high up to reveal her pale neck. Instead of a clunky ne full ofrge jewels, she wore a thin ne with pink diamonds.


    ¡°Your Highness, Master has invited you to the dining room.¡±


    As calmly as she could, Cayena replied that she would go. Her mind was distracted all the way to the dining room.


    ¡®I should have just asked him to take me to the pce at dawn.¡¯


    She had to look at his face so soon after they had shared their deep feelings with each other. It was no different from torture.


    The door to the dining room opened. Pink peonies in full bloom entered her sight.


    Raphael was wearingfortable indoor clothes and had his ck hair down. He was reading the newspaper when he encountered Cayena¡¯s gaze.


    It felt like a meeting of newlyweds in the morning. Again, her heart tickled.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    He greeted Cayena shamelessly and naturally. Cayena almost mistook herself as an officially invited guest.


    ¡°¡­I didn¡¯t think that the person who saved me twice would be the one to actually kidnap me,¡± Cayena pointed out, smiling.


    Raphael calmly pulled out a chair for her. He quietly whispered into her ear so that no one else would hear. ¡°I wish that was truly the case.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    Raphael sat down across from Cayena before she could reprimand him. Then, he added, ¡°I have no intention of causing trouble to Your Highness.¡±


    ¡®He sure talks well.¡¯


    Once they were both seated, the servants began to put out their meal. Raphael watched them set down the tes one by one and said, ¡°Henverton Gillian has been assassinated.¡±


    ¡°His aplice moved slower than I expected.¡±


    ¡°All the contractors who were captured yesterday were also killed.¡±


    The employees who were serving them gulped.


    On this refreshing morning, at a ce filled with pink peonies, the conversation between the attractive duo was a bit gory.


    The servants quickly arranged the food so the two could eat, and they fled the dining room.


    Raphael continued, ¡°If the contracting business belongs to Archduke Heinrich as you im, Your Highness, it¡¯s clear that he¡¯s behind these murders, too. This means that he must be the aplice to your kidnapping.¡±


    Cayena shook her head. ¡°From what you said, I¡¯m certain of this. The aplice is Zenon Evans.¡±


    It was an unexpected name.


    Raphael tilted his head, curious. Cayena moistened her lips with a drink, not touching the food.


    ¡°The abductionst time must have been a coboration between Henverton and Zenon Evans. However, Heinrich was the master of several mercenaries that they had hired.¡±


    ¡°How are you so confident about this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s because I threatened Heinrich¡¯s contract house. Though he was uncertain whether to believe me, when I visited the temple, he took the bait on purpose.¡±


    It was fortunate that Yester was overconfident in his power. Zenon would never have bitten such a bait.


    ¡°I never expected you to intervene and actually wipe out his operation.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    For a moment, Raphael thought about how to scold this recklessdy.


    ¡°What would you have done if I wasn¡¯t there?¡± he asked.


    ¡°I had a secret guard.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t see them.¡±


    ¡°Because it¡¯s a secret.¡±


    Raphael pretended to give up, realizing that Cayena had no intention of speaking about it.


    ¡°I will ept those words the same way I did when you said you no longer cared for me.¡±


    ¡°You¡­!¡±


    Cayena¡¯s face flushed at the sudden attack. It was very embarrassing.


    She had really cleared up her feelings for Raphael immediately after she came back to this life. That was what she had thought until yesterday.


    However, Raphael somehow naturally sneaked into her heart. Even so, it was surprising that Raphael also cared for Cayena.


    ¡°I thought that Your Excellency hated me.¡±


    Raphael admitted it. ¡°It certainly may have looked like that in the past.¡±


    ¡°Then I must have behaved properly. I thought my n would work as long as we came to be good friends.¡±


    At that, Raphael smiled warmly.


    The smile was soft enough to break down Cayena¡¯smitment to maintaining herposure. Her cheeks were tinged with a ripe peach hue, like the curtains of the room she had stayed in.


    ¡°It looks like youpletely won me over, Your Highness.¡±


    She lost. It was Raphael¡¯s perfect victory.


    Cayena turned her gaze for a moment to calm her thundering heart.


    ¡°But why did you bring me to your home?¡±


    ¡°If you had stayed in the imperial pce, you wouldn¡¯t have been able to rest like you are doing now.¡±


    That was true. If Cayena had been at the pce right now, she would have been bombarded by Rezef¡¯s faction.


    ¡°I coincidentally found that the princess was being attacked. Following their tracks, I happened to find their base.¡±


    It was a good alibi. In any case, the people that Cayena had brought from the pce had fallen asleep because of some gas.


    ¡°Since they may retaliate, I brought Her Highness to a safe house, namely my mansion, where I could immediately make use of my knights.¡±


    This excuse of protecting the imperial bloodline was only possible because it was Raphael, the only one capable of mobilizing his forces.


    The fact that this had urred at dawn, when the emperor could not be woken, also yed a factor.


    ¡°I heard that the high priest visited the imperial pce today, so Heinrich will not be able to move quickly.¡±


    He cut some boiled meat into small pieces and nodded. Because of the recent series of crimes involving temples¡¯ annexes, the church had been in tumult. This would greatly undermine the authority of the clergy.


    Moreover, since the victim of the crimes was the imperial princess, the imperial family may shut down this temple forever. But¡ª


    ¡®Somehow, it feels like he was just trying to bring me here.¡¯


    He had given good reasons, but she couldn¡¯t get rid of the thought that he had arranged this so that she would stay over at his vi.


    She looked at him with suspicious eyes, but Raphael only shrugged.


    ¡°If I had sent Your Highness to the imperial pce like this, you would have avoided me. Then, we¡¯d only see each other during youring-of-age.¡±


    Cayena, who had intended to do exactly that, was astonished.


    ¡°A long time would pass between now and then, so you would have pretended not to remember it or acted like yesterday didn¡¯t happen. Am I wrong?¡±


    ¡°Um¡­¡±


    His prediction was shockingly urate. Cayena couldn¡¯t refute it at all.


    Raphael stood up and ced a te in front of Cayena. She hadn¡¯t been eating, and Raphael had cut up some meat for her.


    ¡°¡­Duke, I¡¯m not your lover. It¡¯s troublesome if you act this way.¡±


    With a straight face, Raphael asked, ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you reject me?¡±


    He was referring to their kiss.


    ¡°¡­Aren¡¯t you speaking too shamelessly?¡±


    Raphael responded lightly to her criticism.


    ¡°Right now, I have the courage to act shamelessly.¡±


    ¡®Who on earth said that he¡¯s a gentleman?¡¯


    What kind of gentleman spoke so forwardly?


    Her flushed cheeks had no opportunity to cool down. Her heart continued to flutter.


    ¡°Duke.¡±


    ¡°Raphael.¡±


    He leaned down close to her and met Cayena¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°It sounds better when you call me like that.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 80

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°¡­How could I call a duke by his name?¡±


    ¡°You say that, but I think you used to call me Raphy pretty easily before.¡±


    Cayena nced at Raphael, who had unhesitatingly brought up her dark history.


    Beside her, Raphael knelt down and looked up at her.


    ¡°We don¡¯t have to be lovers. Didn¡¯t I tell you? Your Highness can do whatever you wish.¡±


    ¡°And you do what you want?¡±


    Raphael smiled and kissed her hand. She wasn¡¯t wearing gloves, so the touch felt trenchant against her bare hands.


    Cayena flinched and frowned at him strangely. Now that she thought about it, he had been engaging in intense skinship with her as if it was nothing.


    ¡®He isn¡¯t stupidly enduring this, is he?¡¯


    Cayena leaned down, grabbed Raphael¡¯s cheeks, and examined hisplexion. Raphael looked at her with a puzzled expression.


    ¡®Hisplexion seems normal.¡¯


    That was even more strange.


    ¡°Are you all right?¡±


    ¡°¡­What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°Do you feel nauseous? Since I¡¯m holding your face like this.¡±


    Raphael¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Cayena, just in case, took off her hands. But Raphael clung to her hands to keep them in ce.


    ¡°I thought it was unusual how much you avoided me. It turns out that you already knew.¡±


    ¡°¡­I just happened to notice it somehow.¡±


    Raphael was good at pretending to be unbothered by the touch. In fact, no one had ever noted his condition except Jeremy.


    He was moved by the fact that Cayena did not take it poorly and was instead caring for him like it was natural.


    At the same time, he was relieved. The person who found out was Cayena, and her touch didn¡¯t repel him. Thank goodness.


    Raphael said in a slightly lower voice, ¡°It¡¯s fine when it¡¯s Your Highness.¡±


    This time, Cayena was surprised.


    ¡®Originally, he could only touch Olivia¡­¡¯


    Was this right?


    Cayena didn¡¯t know. Her guilty conscience bombarded her mind, scolding her that now wasn¡¯t the right time for this.


    Raphael recognized her hesitation and unknowable distress. He carefully held Cayena¡¯s face and kissed her above her eyelids.


    Cayena gently closed her eyes and focused on the ticklish sensation. All of the worries that wereplicating her thoughts flew away in an instant.


    ¡°I am well aware that revealing my feelings will only incite outside forces.¡±


    He kissed Cayena¡¯s forehead.


    ¡°It might be possible to band together with Prince Rezef¡¯s forces.¡±


    It was a cold calction of the situation, not a serenade for the woman he loved. However, his actions were sweet enough to soften his words. Cayena suppressed a sigh.


    Raphael looked into her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll wait.¡±


    Cayena frowned. She hesitated, then ced his name in her mouth.


    ¡°Raphael.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°¡­I may be unable to live up to your expectations.¡±


    ¡°So?¡±


    ¡°I may die earlier than others.¡±


    She had said ¡°may,¡± but it was actually a sure thing. Raphael understood that if she lost the battle for the throne, she would face death. Of course, he had no intention of allowing that to happen.


    She continued, ¡°You probably know this already, but I¡¯m not a kind person. I¡¯ll take advantage of the feelings you have for me.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡±


    Cayena was grateful for Raphael¡¯s feelings. She never expected her feelings to be mutual.


    But things were different now. She didn¡¯t want to lose the chance to get to know his heart.


    Even if his feelings passed, it would be fine. Even if his feelings for her did not grow any further, it was all right.


    Just this much was good. She couldn¡¯t take any more. Cayena was not going to live long.


    That fact was a little unfortunate. However, she did not regret going through with the magic contract.


    The helplessness that had pierced her heart was too terrible for her to regret it. At the same time, she never wanted him to experience something like his lover dying first. It would wound him too greatly.


    Cayena coaxed, ¡°I¡¯m telling you to back out.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness sometimes seems to regard me as an inexperienced child.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡±


    ¡°You told me before that unhappiness is your due.¡±


    Raphael looked at Cayena, his eyes steady.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you care for me? Or is it that you can¡¯t trust me?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not it.¡±


    ¡°Then, that¡¯s enough.¡±


    This time, he tenderly kissed Cayena¡¯s lips.


    ¡°Your Highness doesn¡¯t seem to realize this, but I have an awful personality.¡±


    At those words, Cayena briefly exhaled.


    ¡°Yes, I think you do.¡±


    Raphael gave a little smile at her agreement.


    His hand gently teased Cayena¡¯s soft cheek. Instead of shaking off his touch, Cayena allowed it to some extent.


    If they tried to restrain their rapidly blooming feelings, those feelings would only be more passionate.


    ¡®If this is a momentary emotion for Raphael, shouldn¡¯t it be easy to move past it? In any case, I¡¯m the viiness, not a heroine¡­¡¯


    As she was quietly allowing him to caress her, Raphael slowly narrowed the gap between their lips.


    It was when the two¡¯s breaths were about to mix.


    Knock, knock.


    Startled by the sound, Cayena pushed Raphael away. Raphael slowly stepped away from Cayena with an unsatisfied expression.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    The door opened, and Jeremy entered. He looked extremely grave.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to interrupt your meal, but I have received a report that the emperor¡¯s condition turned critical.¡±


    Cayena bit her lips slightly. There were not many reasons for the emperor¡¯s health to suddenly deteriorate.


    ¡®It¡¯s Rezef¡¯s doing.¡¯


    ¡°What do you mean by ¡®critical¡¯?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s coughing up blood.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll return to the pce.¡±


    The emperor was suffering fromplications.


    Meanwhile, he continued to ingest small doses of poison, so his condition couldn¡¯t help but worsen slowly.


    And Rezef had been very cleverly controlling the emperor¡¯s condition.


    ¡®Did he increase the dosage?¡±


    Rezef must have, seeing as the emperor was now spitting blood.


    However, neither Zenon Evans nor the others in Rezef¡¯s faction would want the emperor to be reced right now. The Evans family¡¯s influence in the pce had decreased over recent years, so if the emperor died, it would be difficult to defeat Yester¡¯s faction.


    ¡®Did he make the call himself?¡¯


    Cayena thought quickly.


    ¡®Well, in my original life, Rezef was never put on probation.¡¯


    The events that urred because of Cayena¡¯s change, the things that did not exist in the original, seemed to be the catalyst for Rezef¡¯s decision.


    ¡®The emperor can¡¯t pass away this early.¡¯


    Cayena had ordered Vera tomission several silver spoons to prevent Rezef from killing the emperor whenever he wanted. Rezef had twisted her ns, but she had originally intended to present the spoons to the emperor during hering-of-age celebrations.


    ¡®There¡¯s one month left until mying-of-age.¡¯


    She felt unusually fatigued.


    Where did it go wrong? She had been trying to prevent things from happening like they did in the past.


    However, the fact that their father abandoned and abused his children did not disappear.


    Rezef was trying to kill such a father. No, he had already done so before she returned.


    Then, what about her? What should she do?


    ¡®Will things end up the same way again?¡¯


    Should she just run away? Suddenly, Cayena felt that she wanted to flee.


    But how could she get rid of the countless eyes that have followed her every move?


    ¡®Shall I steal a maid¡¯s clothes?¡¯


    But maids did not cover their faces. There was nobody at court who didn¡¯t know her face, so she would promptly be caught.


    What if it was at night, when it was hard to recognize faces? But there would be even more problems if she managed to leave the imperial pce.


    Everyone in the capital also knew Cayena¡¯s image. And she couldn¡¯t escape the capital without any help.


    What was she meant to do? She remained a coveted target for everyone outside the pce. Within the pce, it was currently impossible to stay there and fight against Rezef.


    She couldn¡¯t resolve the situationpletely with her magic, either. Could she fight off elite knights and gunmen with only telekinesis?


    And what should she do with Olivia and Raphael?


    Many thoughts littered her head in an instant. Question after question popped up in her head without any answers.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena raised her head in surprise. Raphael was looking at her unwaveringly.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡±


    Warmth began to spread throughout her body, which had been as cold as an ice sheet.


    ¡®I had a weak thought for a moment.¡¯


    Until now, everything had been solved well without much difficulty. That would be true in the future, too.


    Wasn¡¯t that why she had acquired magic?


    The fight to seize the throne had just begun. Cayena was determined.


    ¡®¡­But when did he start holding my hand?¡±


    She realized that Raphael was holding her hand again.


    ~~~


    PR: Heyo!! Today is not a release chapter day, but is Thurs bday! It would be great if you¡¯d give your congrats on the Discord server. I¡¯m so thankful for working in this project with you Thurs. Happy birthday! TN: We¡¯re using this opportunity to say that we¡¯ll start doing one more chapter a week. Please include in thements what day you would prefer the added release to be.

 Chapter 81

    <b>Trantor:</b> thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Cayena realized how sore her hands were. It seemed that she had been exerting a lot of strength; she saw a red handprint on Raphael¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was so surprised¡­¡±


    Raphael gently brushed over her fingers. He was consoling her, as if saying that everything would be all right. His hands warmed her. Gradually, her reason returned.


    ¡°I¡¯ll prepare the carriage.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Cayena was about to pull out her hands, but Raphael would not let go.


    ¡°I will go with you.¡±


    She raised her head in surprise.


    She couldn¡¯t tell him that he didn¡¯t have toe with her. To tell the truth, she was relieved that he would be nearby.


    In the end, Cayena headed for the pce with Raphael by her side. They didn¡¯t talk with each other on the carriage ride to the castle.


    Lost in thought, she stared out the window.


    What she could do now.


    What she could do in the future.


    What she had to protect.


    Cayena definitively organized her thoughts.


    Her courtdies received her as soon as the carriage stopped. Vera had been unable to sleep after hearing about the second abduction attemptst night.


    ¡°How is your body? How could such an unsavory thing happen again¡­?¡±


    Vera, on the verge of tears, looked at Cayena.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I was ready for something like this.¡±


    By their side was Olivia, whose face did not look good either. Cayena reassured them, ¡°I¡¯m really fine. You have nothing to worry about. Rather, I heard that the emperor coughed up blood¡ªwhat happened?¡±


    ¡°The doctor is with His Majesty now.¡±


    ¡°And Rezef?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s gone out to investigate your incident. He will likely hear the news soon ande back to the pce.¡±


    Cayena felt her head throb.


    ¡®It really isn¡¯t easy.¡¯


    She had already experienced the loss of her father. She thought that with her two previous lives, she had be numb to it. But unlike the objective mind, the body reacted to death.


    ¡®Henverton Gillian is also dead and gone. I just have to get rid of the things that threaten me.¡¯


    Cayena said to thedies, ¡°Olivia, assist me. Everyone else can follow Vera¡¯s lead to hold the fort.¡±


    ¡°We heed yourmand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll go to His Majesty.¡±


    Cayena hurried to the emperor¡¯s quarters. Raphael wordlessly followed her steps.


    When Cayena arrived in front of the bedroom, a doctor was exiting. Cayena asked him right away, ¡°How is His Majesty?¡±


    The doctor bowed to the princess and replied, ¡°After taking his medication, His Majesty expectorated blood while he was rinsing his mouth with tea. His condition isn¡¯t critical, but he must rest.¡±


    Cayena knew that the emperor¡¯s symptoms from being poisoned had worsened.


    ¡®This is also Rezef¡¯s deed.¡¯


    She replied that she understood and sent away the doctor.


    Cayena looked back at Raphael before entering the emperor¡¯s bedroom. Raphael opened his mouth as soon as their eyes met.


    ¡°I will be here, waiting for you.¡±


    Cayena nodded and entered the bedroom. Inside were the two main pirs of the imperial family: Chancellor Debussy and Commander Jed, leader of the knights.


    They curtly bowed to Cayena.


    The emperor was conscious. When he saw that the princess had arrived in the bedroom, he said scoldingly, ¡°Everyone¡¯s making a fuss about nothing. I was informed that you were at Duke Kedrey¡¯s mansion.¡±


    ¡°I came as soon as I heard. I apologize for not being by your side.¡±


    The emperor shook his head. ¡°What could you have done? It is my fault for sending you off though one of the aplices remained uncaught.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t that Cayena had taken a small number of escorts. It was Yester¡¯s arrogance that resulted in the attack at the temple annex.


    The church, which was obviously angry about this incident, would be sure to search the whole capital for the perpetrators. The pdins, the knights of the temple, now had a reason to act. It would be quite noisy for a while.


    That could intimidate Rezef and other nobles who might be suspected of attacking Cayena. They would be moving carefully and quietly for a while.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Your Majesty. I didn¡¯t think that they would dare to enter the temple.¡±


    Emperor Esteban leaned against the cushion. Supported by Chambein Luden, he looked like he had aged a lot.


    The chancellor read the mood and said, ¡°His Highness, Prince Rezef will expose the one who dared to harm Her Highness and undermine the authority of the temple. You needn¡¯t worry, Your Majesty.¡±


    The emperor nodded and asked, ¡°Is Rezef re-investigating the incident?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Cayena went to her father¡¯s side and held his hand.


    She tried to remember how the emperor was around this time in her original life. Her memories were not very clear. She didn¡¯t know how he had looked before he died, how wrinkled he was, or how raspy his silver hair had turned.


    It was understandable since she didn¡¯t visit him often. Had she seen his face when sheid flowers on his well-groomed corpse in the temple?


    At that time, she had shed a few tears, swept up by the atmosphere. But the corpse had made her uneasy, and she left almost immediately. She didn¡¯t know how much she was criticized for being a bad daughter. She didn¡¯t even care.


    Was it because she had returned after living a hard life? Her father, who weakly leaned against the bed, was neither as scary nor as hateful as before.


    ¡®How did things turn out like this?¡¯


    Then, a servant quietly tried to remove the cup of tea. Cayena looked toward that movement and saw that the teacup was still nearly full.


    There was poison in there.


    She asked the servant, ¡°Were there any problems with the medicine?¡±


    ¡°No, Your Highness. The medicine was properly mixed.¡±


    ¡°What about the tea? Was there no discoloration on the silver spoon?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayenaughed inwardly. It was a tant lie.


    ¡°How do you know from just that? What if it¡¯s a poison that can¡¯t be detected by the spoon?¡±


    But in this case, the issue wasn¡¯t the poison that did not react to silver, but rather the spoon that wasn¡¯t silver.


    Cayena took the teacup from the servant¡¯s hands.


    ¡°You can¡¯t tell with just one person.¡±


    She drank half of the remaining tea. The servant was startled and shocked.


    ¡°Y-your Highness?¡±


    Cayena checked the remaining tea. She held out the cup to the servant, whose eyes were squinting with apprehension.


    ¡°Just in case, you should try this, too.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I told you to drink!¡±


    The servant was frozen stiff.


    He knew that the tea contained poison.


    ¡®There¡¯s no way he wouldn¡¯t know.¡¯


    She stared at him head-on, as if she would never look away until he finished drinking.


    The servant eventually drank the rest of the tea. His face turned dark, like a person who was about to fall over and die. When he emptied the teacuppletely, he had an expression like he wanted to throw up.


    Cayena looked at him grimly then turned away.


    ¡°You seem fine, so it¡¯s probably all right.¡±


    Of course the servant was fine. The poison Rezef used wasn¡¯t a poison that killed people immediately. It was something that killed by gradually making the body sick.


    ¡°Check how the medicine is made again, just in case. And make sure there is no abnormality in the tea.¡±


    Emperor Esteban silently watched this all happen. He feebly patted the back of his daughter¡¯s hand.


    ¡°I had thought your temper had died.¡±


    Despite his words, he didn¡¯t seem to be finding fault with her.


    ¡°It¡¯s at times like these we must regte Your Majesty¡¯s surroundings.¡±


    ¡°That you know how to think like that shows that you¡¯ve be a proper adult of the imperial family.¡±


    ¡°Please don¡¯t say that. I still have many things I need to learn from you, Father.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right. How did you like taking care of the internal affairs for ten days?¡±


    ¡®¡­Why is he asking me this?¡¯


    Of course, as soon as she had the power, she inspected the various departments, rooted out corruption, and repaired the leaking treasury.


    While that certainly had helped set the imperial household on the right track, it was no longer under Cayena¡¯s jurisdiction. It wasn¡¯t something to be discussed in this situation.


    ¡°It was my first time doing work like this, so it hadn¡¯t gone smoothly,¡± she responded humbly.


    ¡°No need to be so modest. Taking care of the leaking treasury is not easy work.¡±


    ¡°You tter me.¡±


    ¡°I am very old now. Every day, I feel that my body is not the same as before.¡±


    ¡°Your Majesty¡­¡±


    ¡°But now that the princess is grown up and doing well as part of the imperial bloodline, I¡¯m relieved.¡±


    Cayena felt more and more puzzled as he continued to speak. The emperor was talking like someone who had something to give.


    ¡°I recall that I haven¡¯t given youpensation for your work as the princess.¡±


    Cayena looked at the emperor with a slightly surprised expression.


    She had already received the letter to appoint Raphael as the military ruler of the west in exchange for her governance of the internal affairs.


    It was true that few people were aware of it, but the emperor seemed to be presenting something to her officially with the chancellor and the knightmander as witnesses.


    The emperor opened his mouth.


    ¡°From today, I grant Princess Cayena Hill the same authority as the chancellor to work as my regent.¡±


    Everyone in the bedroom was thunderstruck.


    ~~~

 Chapter 82

    <b>Trantor:</b> thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    ¡°Your Majesty!¡±


    Cayena had never expected the emperor to give her that sort of authority. She immediately knelt on the floor.


    ¡°Please take back your words. How can I govern in Your Majesty¡¯s stead when you are ruling the empire so well?¡±


    That was what she had stated, but in her heart, she thought otherwise.


    ¡®This is an opportunity.¡¯


    Cayena never thought the emperor would move like this. She had to seize this opportunity, but she couldn¡¯t ept the power as if she had been waiting for it.


    She lowered her head even further.


    ¡°I, who have only been thinking about marriage thus far, don¡¯t deserve that right. This girl will be satisfied with just a dowry and a title.¡±


    Then the chancellor, who had been dumbstruck, quickly leaped in to help.


    ¡°She¡¯s right, Your Majesty. There has been no precedent for authority to be transferred to anyone other than a formal sessor. Please, reconsider.¡±


    Chancellor Debussy was one of Rezef¡¯s official supporters. How flustered would he be because of this unexpected variable? The chancellor was a transparent man, and mockery nearly spilled out.


    ¡°Did I not say it was temporary?¡±


    The strength behind the emperor¡¯s voice was so powerful that it was hard to believe he had spat out blood a short moment ago. Even if its teeth fell out, a tiger remained a tiger.


    Chancellor Debussy hurriedly opened his mouth, looking embarrassed.


    ¡°Of course Your Majesty said it was temporary, but¡­¡±


    ¡°The princess is my child. She is an imperial descendent with greater legitimacy than anyone else. Am I wrong?¡±


    The chancellor¡¯s face turned gray at Emperor Esteban¡¯s words.


    ¡°If the precedent is a problem, the solution is simple. I will simply recognize the princess as the heir to the throne.¡± He asked the chancellor, who was trying to bend his will, ¡°Is that what you want?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    The chancellor did not reply. The emperor looked at him like he was pathetic, then turned to Luden.


    ¡°From this moment, I appoint the princess as my proxy until my official sessor is chosen.¡±


    ¡°We heed your word.¡±


    Everyone bowed their heads. Cayena bit down a smile so that no one would see.


    ¡°I will fulfill Your Majesty¡¯s expectations.¡±


    ***


    On their way out the emperor¡¯s chambers, Chancellor Debussy called to Cayena.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena looked back at him. The chancellor¡¯s expression did not look well.


    ¡°I think you might be ufortable with a regent¡¯s authority.¡±


    Knight Commander Jed also stopped walking at those words.


    Cayena answered, ¡°Why would I be ufortable? His Majesty has honored my aplishments and me by appointing me to this position.¡±


    Chancellor Debussy narrowed his eyes and pretended to give her advice.


    ¡°But as Your Highness said, how can a young woman deal with the rough work of politics while His Majesty remains alive?¡± He added apologetically, ¡°I am worried that there will be troubles for Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena quietly stared at Chancellor Debussy, who inly looked down on her while pretending to care.


    It was funny. He was looking down on her, but he was also attempting to keep her in check.


    ¡°It seems like the chancellor wants me to be troubled.¡±


    It was ridiculous to discuss troubles with the imperial princess who had nearly been abducted twice. The tide waspletely on Cayena¡¯s side. Even the temple was keeping an eye out for her, who kept getting involved in incidents.


    If he made any mistake here, it would be over for him. The chancellor knew it too, and he denied it quickly with a stiff expression.


    ¡°You misunderstand me, Your Highness. How could I imply something like that?¡±


    ¡°Of course. You¡¯re right. Since the chancellor has always managed the pce safely thus far, how could I suffer from any troubling incidents?¡±


    She was saying that if a problem arose in the imperial pce, it would be the chancellor¡¯s responsibility.


    The chancellor had looked down on Cayena because she was young. But rather than being scared, Cayena subtly threatened him. He finally realized that the princess was a formidable foe. He couldn¡¯t fight her head-on, so he changed his tune.


    ¡°I am deeply moved to see Your Highness who has grown up to be the representative of the empire.¡±


    Cayena smiled a little and curtsied, holding the hem of her dress.


    ¡°Then, please continue to watch over me in the future.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    He couldn¡¯t win no matter what he said. The chancellor shut his mouth.


    ¡°Pfft¡ª Cough.¡±


    Meanwhile, Commander Jed, who had been standing beside them, involuntarily burst intoughter and covered it up with a cough.


    ¡°Hmph¡­!¡±


    Needless to say, the chancellor¡¯s face turned red. Disregarding both noises, Cayena brightly told them,


    ¡°Today, please inform your respective departments about the news. We will shortly start working together in full.¡±


    Commander Jed bowed his head, and the chancellor clenched his fists in rage.


    Cayena walked out the door first. Outside, Raphael and Olivia were waiting for her.


    The two were standing far apart from each other, and Cayena¡¯s heart was weighed down.


    She felt guilty, as if she had stolen Olivia¡¯s lover.


    ¡®I know that there isn¡¯t any sort of rtionship between them yet. I know that, but¡­¡¯


    It would have been nice if she hadn¡¯t known that the two were originally together.


    Cayena felt remorseful. Furthermore, she was someone who wouldn¡¯t live for long.


    Raphael noticed that Cayena was hesitant to approach him. Without revealing his emotions, he asked, ¡°How is His Majesty?¡±


    ¡°Though he did spit out blood, he should be fine if he rests.¡±


    Soon, the chancellor and the knightmander also came out. They were startled, not having expected Raphael.


    ¡°Ahem!¡±


    The chancellor faked a cough and left, looking ufortable.


    Cayena said to Raphael, ¡°You should leave now. I¡¯ll see you off.¡±


    Raphael nodded and extended his hand. Cayena paused for a moment, then grabbed it. Raphael watched how her hand fit more naturally into his than it had before.


    Right now, he was satisfied.


    They slowly descended the spiral staircase. The two of them, wearing bright clothes in this gold-lit castle, looked like a scene from a ball.


    Raphael noticed that Cayena¡¯s hands had turned cold again.


    ¡°Your hands are cold.¡±


    Byparison, Raphael¡¯s hands were quite warm.


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t keep your hands cold, Your Highness.¡±


    Saying that, Raphael boldly gripped Cayena¡¯s hand. Cayena pondered over what to say.


    ¡°¡­Duke, you¡¯re a kind person.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡±


    Cayena was a little embarrassed. It wasn¡¯t so unusual that others would notice, but their position was definitely intimate.


    At that moment, Raphael spoke as if he knew what Cayena was thinking.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be more notable if you suddenly kept your distance?¡±


    Certainly, that was true. Until now, Cayena had acted like his lover, hanging off his arms as she wished.


    ¡°You should pretend that you¡¯re being intimate with me to take advantage.¡±


    There was no way Cayena wouldn¡¯t know that. But it was important to note that Raphael was not someone who would act like this in the first ce.


    ¡°I know that too, but I feel the duke has ulterior motives.¡±


    Raphael smiled a little.


    The two walked leisurely toward the castle entrance. Themotion that had been raging just a moment ago felt far away, like it had been a lie.


    Cayena realized that she was being healed by these peaceful moments.


    ¡°The emperor appointed me as his temporary proxy for state affairs,¡± Cayena ryed.


    Raphael expected the emperor to kept his promise. He wasn¡¯t surprised that the emperor had followed his conditions.


    ¡°Congrattions.¡±


    Cayena thought his reaction was strange.


    ¡®This isn¡¯t something to go over just with a ¡°congrattions.¡± ¡®


    Even if it was Raphael, who didn¡¯t show much emotion, it was odd that he did not react to the news that she had be the emperor¡¯s proxy.


    It was, in effect, the same as being appointed the heir. This event would greatly shake the tides of power.


    ¡®What is it?¡¯


    Cayena intuited that she was missing something, but she didn¡¯t reveal this thought to the person beside her.


    ¡°You¡¯ll likely be busy again for a while,¡± Raphael said.


    ¡°Most likely.¡±


    ¡°Even though I¡¯ll miss you, I will wait quietly.¡±


    At his words, Cayena looked around at their surroundings. Her heart was pounding.


    ¡°You¡¯re not being quiet right now.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know the standards for being quiet very well.¡±


    Was he always this aggressive? Cayena¡¯s head throbbed.


    ~~~

 Chapter 83

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Once they had reached the entrance of the pce, Cayena quickly let go of Raphael. Feeling the warmth escape from his hand, Raphael clenched his fist for a moment.


    It was sad. The times he spent with Cayena seemed to go away like a sh.


    Raphael was amazed by the fact he experienced such rash and impulsive feelings.


    ¡°Then, I¡¯ll see you as soon as I sort out the troubles fromst night.¡±


    ¡°Have a safe trip home.¡±


    Raphael bid his farewell and climbed into the carriage.


    After seeing him off, Cayena took Olivia with her to the princess¡¯s pce.


    Olivia carefully stuck to her side and said, ¡°Congrattions, Your Highness.¡±


    Bing the emperor¡¯s proxy was good for Cayena.


    However, Cayena¡¯s safety measures were not properly prepared yet. Cayena paused her steps and replied, ¡°I¡¯m sorry that I hadn¡¯t been able to set up a safety fence before this happened.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Your Highness. I will support you.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thank you.¡±


    Although the emperor had not dered her as his official heir, many would interpret this as the entrance of a newpetitor to the throne.


    ¡®The emperor may be killed like this. And if someone frames me, I could be executed.¡¯


    She couldn¡¯t permit herself to incur anger because she couldn¡¯t digest this new power.


    When Cayena arrived at her pce and was about to enter the bedroom, the employees of the princess¡¯s pce, led by Vera, were waiting for her in the parlor. This included the other new seniordies-in-waiting.


    Susan also looked at Cayena with a deep curiosity like she had heard everything about the situation outside.


    Julia only looked ufortable seeing Olivia standing by Cayena¡¯s side. She didn¡¯t seem to understand Cayena¡¯s new role as the emperor¡¯s proxy.


    ¡°Congrattions, Your Highness!¡±


    The employees knelt down and greeted her politely. They had to bow like that; Cayena was now the second most powerful person in the empire after the emperor.


    ¡®They¡¯re congratting me¡­¡¯


    She had simply wanted to make a fake husband and escape safely from the pce. There was no barricade as secure as that n. That was what she had thought, and that was why she had been taking her time.


    However, Rezef and the people around her would not wait for her.


    Politics in the central pce would swallow up the weak. Hesitation was a luxury. It was clear that things would be taken from her the moment she revealed a gap.


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    She looked around at the pce workers and opened her mouth.


    ¡°I have received great power from His Majesty, but I am not his sessor. Remember that. Control yourselves well, and don¡¯t act rashly.¡±


    ¡°We will remember, Your Highness!¡±


    ¡°The princess¡¯s pce has just begun to be organized. I know that you may be disconcerted by this change.¡±


    Cayena made eye contact with her newdies in waiting, one by one.


    Olivia, who had seen the situation first-hand, contemted the situation calmly.


    ¡°The new courtdies especially should work hard and adapt to the imperial pce as soon as possible.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    They exited the parlor in an orderly fashion.


    Vera was the only one to follow Cayena into her bedroom. Cayena asked, ¡°What is the situation of the silver spoon?¡±


    Vera answered without a pause. ¡°Including the detailed drawings, it will be ready within two days.¡±


    ¡°Once it¡¯s ready, I want it to be blessed by the church. Arrange the donations separately.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Vera¡¯s voice was rather excited while she replied.


    ¡°It¡¯s isn¡¯t something to be pleased about,¡± Cayena noted.


    ¡°But you¡¯re the deputy for the state administration, Your Highness. Influencees to those with power.¡±


    She wasn¡¯t wrong. However, they had to be aware that they might be eliminated before they could even gather any forces.


    ¡°This affair could seriously set off Rezef¡¯s temper. And even if Rezef believes in me and lets it slide, his faction may not.¡±


    ¡°What can he do about an imperial order? Furthermore, your authority is only temporary.¡±


    Cayena shook her head. ¡°Even if it is temporary, the traces of authority won¡¯t be erased. If it happens once, what would prevent it from happening again? That¡¯s what everyone is worried about.¡±


    The deputy for the state administration. Taking care of the imperial household and affairs. Neither was anything to blink at. The problem was one of the powers of the deputy: military jurisdiction.


    In fact, it was power over the military that legitimized an emperor.


    This was a predicament that neither Rezef¡¯s nor Heinrich¡¯s factions desired. That said, Cayena didn¡¯t think she needed to go on the defensive. She was capable of taking this round for herself.


    ¡°Find me information on militaryw.¡±


    She hadn¡¯t thought that she would ever have to study militaryw, even when she wanted a connection with the military.


    ¡®I never studied militaryw, not even when I thought I would marry Raphael.¡¯


    Well, thedy of the house didn¡¯t necessarily have to study military science.


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    Vera left the bedroom to fulfill Cayena¡¯s desires, leaving Cayena alone inside.


    ¡®The state deputy¡­¡¯


    Since the emperor fell sick, the chancellor¡¯s authority had grown. That was also Rezef¡¯s authority.


    However, Cayena overtook Chancellor Debussy as the second most powerful person in the empire. She was asked to take care of state affairs as the emperor¡¯s proxy, and that included military matters.


    It meant absolute trust in her. The emperor made the decision with the confidence she would never attempt a coup d¡¯¨¦tat against him.


    ¡®Why would he trust me like this when I¡¯ve only changed so much?¡¯


    And why was Rezef excluded? Suddenly, she had the thought that she may not have all the facts. Something was definitely off.


    ¡°Why is he treating Rezef so¡­¡±


    ¡®Why is he being so cold-hearted?¡¯


    The emperor had given Cayena authority enough to rival an official heir because she had taken care of internal affairs properly. That was also a bit weird.


    ¡®Does it have something to do with Rezef¡¯s birth mother?¡¯


    Rezef was not expanded upon in detail in the novel.


    ¡®I need to find out who his birth mother is.¡¯


    Cayena let out a small sigh. Besides this, she had a lot of work to do.


    ¡®Plus, it seems that the knightmander disapproves of Rezef.¡¯


    If she made the knightmander one of her people, even Rezef would not be able to touch her. Rather, Rezef would consider her more seriously.


    But that would threaten Zenon¡¯s position.


    Zenon had his eye on the chancellor¡¯s seat and was risking his life to support Rezef. Yet suddenly, Cayena had be the emperor¡¯s proxy and given much more influence than the chancellor.


    Would Zenon try to eliminate Cayena, or would he try to subdue her some other way?


    Zenon headed straight to the pce after hearing the emperor had spat out blood.


    A minuscule amount of poison was constantly mixed in the emperor¡¯s tea. It wasn¡¯t a poison that would kill people right away; however, if the dosage increased, the person being poisoned would quickly be unwell.


    ¡®The emperor suddenly entered a critical condition.¡¯


    There was no way that could happen. It couldn¡¯t.


    ¡®We don¡¯t even have military control yet. If the emperor¡¯s condition worsens, Heinrich¡¯s faction will find it easier to move!¡¯


    Very few people knew that the emperor was being poisoned. Zenon realized that Rezef must have increased the dosage without consulting him.


    ¡®What a stupid move!¡¯


    The prince should have consulted with him before this act, but Rezef had decided something so important without going through Zenon. In other words, he didn¡¯t trust Zenon.


    Recently, he and Rezef had not been working well together. Friction was inevitable when working with the emotional and violent Rezef, but he had never expected to be blindsided like this.


    Just because the prince¡¯s forces were a little bigger right now did not mean that they would gain the throne. Their opponent was Yester Heinrich. That ruffian broke the rules of noble society like they were nothing.


    ¡®As for that bastard¡­¡¯


    It was unbelievable that he sent contractors to the temple to get Cayena. He had to be crazy.


    And Zenon was even more foolish for letting such a man hold his weakness!


    Moreover, if the emperor died just like this, Rezef would obviously try to thwart Cayena¡¯s marriage.


    ¡®He¡¯ll be busy while negotiating with her.¡¯


    Immediately after hearing that the emperor was in a critical condition, Zenon sent a servant to the chancellor and waited for more news. He needed to hear what had happened directly.


    The expressions of the knights who guarded Rezef¡¯s chambers were not good. The senior knight spotted Zenon and acknowledged him.


    ¡°Ah, Sir Evans. Have you also heard the news?¡±


    Zenon nodded. ¡°Is His Highness inside?¡±


    Rezef had been out investigating the abduction attemptst night as well as the assassination of Henverton Gillian.


    And right after he returned to the pce, he went to the emperor to report his progress and check the emperor¡¯s condition.


    ¡°His Highness has juste back after meeting His Majesty.¡±


    Zenon nodded and entered Rezef¡¯s bedroom. He said to the servants inside, ¡°Don¡¯t let anyone in until I call for someone. If there is something you must report to us immediately, send in a deaf servant.¡±


    The servants nced at the prince, who only watched the situation calmly. They quietly withdrew.


    Zenon saw Rezef drinking tea at a table in the sunlight. The prince did not seem to grasp the seriousness of the situation at all.


    Zenon gritted his teeth and asked, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you consult me?¡±

 Chapter 84: Scene 15. Council Meeting

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ¡°I only increased the poison¡¯s dosage a little,¡± Rezef replied, uncaring.


    ¡°Your victory hasn¡¯t been confirmed. Don¡¯t you know how cunning Archduke Heinrich is?¡±


    ¡°Must I be considerate of a bug without any royal blood?¡±


    Zenon closed his eyes for a moment to appease his anger.


    The prince wasn¡¯t dull-witted.


    The prince wasn¡¯t stupid.


    Zenon kept repeating these words to himself in his head. But soon, he stopped those thoughts.


    The prince was hopeless. He knew nothing of moderation nor patience and was violent and barbaric. How was he any different from Heinrich, who was infamous for not being a gentleman?


    ¡°You may say a person who can¡¯t read a situation and is from the countryside is ¡®inferior¡¯ to you. But do you know how many thugs he brought from the countryside? I¡¯m asking if you know how many mercenaries that man has!¡±


    ¡°Do you think that mercenaries or thugs can defeat the central army?¡±


    ¡°The central army is the emperor¡¯s army, not Your Highness¡¯s!¡±


    Rezef threw the cup in his hand at Zenon.


    ¡°You¡¯re merely the second son of a marquis. You dare lecture me?!¡±


    Rezef burst into anger. After a while, his rage subsided. He clicked his tongue.


    ¡°It¡¯s a trivial problem that will be resolved once I am on the throne. Once I gain control over the central army, it won¡¯t matter. If not, I just need the cooperation of a military family.¡±


    Cayena had chosen the daughter of a family on the borders as one of herdies-in-waiting. She also maintained good rtions with Raphael.


    Rezef didn¡¯t like that fact, but it was something that could help him.


    Knock, knock.


    At that moment, a deaf servant came in carrying an envelope on a tray.


    The letter obviously carried news from outside. Rezef took the card out of the envelope, read it, and tossed it in front of Zenon.


    Zenon picked it up and read it. The handwriting was Chancellor Debussy¡¯s.


    ¡¸ It is temporary, but Her Highness the Princess has been granted the same authority as the chancellor as His Majesty¡¯s proxy. It seems that the next actions must be taken soon.¡¹


    All the rights and authority of a crown prince had gone to Cayena.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gained a chancellor, Zenon Evans.¡±


    Rezef smiled, not doubting Cayena in the slightest.


    Zenon clenched his fist.


    ¡°Now my sister will uphold the military rule. It would be nice if you could win over the knightmander at this time, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±


    Rezef knew well that most of his power came from Marquis Evans¡¯s status.


    Marquis Evans had sent his second son, who could not take over the east, to Rezef so that he would not give up any imperial power. If Julia became the empress, they would overtake the Hill dynasty and be the new masters of the Eldaim empire.


    But everything had gone off course because of Cayena.


    ¡°As long as I have my sister at hand, the imperial prestige remains safe.¡±


    ¡®Gaining hold of Cayena has be an important game.¡¯


    Everything that Zenon had contributed through the Evans name hade to naught.


    Since things turned out this way, it was difficult for him to prevent Rezef from poisoning the emperor in greater amounts.


    If the emperor died, it would cause an advantageous situation for him in which Cayena¡¯s authority would be revoked and everything would be in chaos.


    One way or another, Rezef¡¯s actions were beneficial. At least for Zenon.


    Rezef mocked him, pretending to be regretful.


    ¡°You were supposed to be the next chancellor. Whatever should we do?¡±


    That might be the case if Cayena was truly loyal to Rezef. However, Zenon did not think the situation was thatfortable.


    ¡®Damn royalty. The whole family is as messed up as it can be, and they¡¯re controlling the central army¡­!¡¯


    Theck of an army was an issue for Rezef, but it was also an issue for the Evans family.


    They too wanted an army. They did have some soldiers, but they weren¡¯t at the level where they could wage war with another territory.


    When they needed fighters, they always had to hire mercenaries, who cost a lot of money.


    Furthermore, mercenaries had to be recruited with great care because of Archduke Heinrich. He was known in the society¡¯s underbelly as having control of most of them.


    ¡®When our family researched, we found that most contract houses belong to Heinrich.¡¯


    The mercenaries and contractors in the capital belonged to Yester as well. If Zenon hired mercenaries, he may be stabbed in the back.


    Thus, the Evans marquess won over Chancellor Debussy.


    Chancellor Debussy¡¯s niece, Viscountess Meryl Winston, was Duchess Noa Kedrey¡¯s dearest friend.


    Whether the Evans sent Julia off to the Kedrey duchy or to the imperial family, they just needed a link to gain an army.


    It would have been easy and profitable for them to take over the imperial family with the current emperor.


    However, Cayena¡¯s sudden change was an obstacle in their course.


    Zenon pushed down his rising anger and regained his cool-headedness. He couldn¡¯t let his efforts all these years go down the drain.


    ¡°¡­Certainly, if Her Highness assists you with her current powers, there would be nothing better.¡±


    ¡°In other words, I¡¯m a powerful sessor to the throne whom Heinrich can¡¯tpare with.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re correct.¡±


    Rezef nced over Zenon with searching eyes, then grinned.


    ¡°Hasn¡¯t the Evans family solidly supported me? Your younger sister came as my sister¡¯s courtdy, right?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, but¡­¡± Zenon looked at him suspiciously.


    Rezef picked up another book. It was a travelogue of the western regions.


    ¡°It¡¯s about time for me to start looking for a wife.¡±


    Zenon became silent at the unexpected remark. Rezef lifted his head and looked toward him.


    ¡°What are you doing? Why aren¡¯t you leaving?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave.¡±


    As Zenon stepped out of the bedroom, Rezef stopped pretending to be calm and crumpled his face demonically.


    <i>¡°If you know the truth, you¡¯ll probably be troubled.¡±</i>


    Before Henverton Gillian was assassinated, he had mocked Rezef with those words, who had visited him in the prison.


    <i>¡°My aplice is Zenon Evans. That bastard betrayed me and tried to steal the princess from me.¡± </i>


    <i>¡°He dares¡­!¡± </i>


    Rezef had nearly pulled his sword, unable to contain his fury, when Zenon entered his room. Not splitting Zenon¡¯s throat right away used up all of Rezef¡¯s patience for today.


    He couldn¡¯t touch Zenon right now.


    ¡°Not a single one of those that deceive me will be left alive.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s eyes shone with murderous intent.


    <b>Scene 15. Council Meeting </b>


    Cayena¡¯s eyes felt strangely stiff. Was it because she was reading in themplight?


    She briefly took her eyes off the documents. She pressed the top of her eyelids with her hand and rubbed her head.


    ¡°Why is my head hurting again¡­?¡±


    She was as tired as she used to be when she continuously worked overtime to prepare a project at her job.


    Her throat seemed to be sore as well. She picked up a teacup that was far away from her with her magical power and ced it on her palm.


    She took a sip, but the tea that was once hot was now cold. Cayena realized that white light was shining between the thick curtains.


    She had stayed up all night. She sighed. ¡°I still have a lot left, though.¡±


    She had tirelessly gone through the material, but there was still much she had to look over. Her learning process was slower given that she couldn¡¯t call over a man to ask for advice on militaryw at dawn. She roughly figured out how the administration was run, but that was all.


    ¡®It¡¯s obviously impossible to figure all this out in one day.¡¯


    However, there would be people¡ªincluding Chancellor Debussy¡ªeager to prove herck of ability.


    Anyway, her goal was to understand enough to elicit a reaction from the knightmander and other officials. Cayena got up from the sofa and gently rxed her burdened body.


    The door opened, and Vera entered.


    ¡°Have you woken¡ª Oh, Your Highness?¡±


    Vera nced toward the bed as usual, then hurriedly looked at the table.


    The scene withmps and documents ced everywhere on the table was unfamiliar, but it was very clear what this was about.


    ¡°Your Highness, did you not sleep at all?¡±


    Vera was about to nag more when Cayena waved her hand.


    ¡°No. I slept a little.¡±


    Vera checked the bed. Cayena also naturally turned her gaze to the bed.


    It was neatly made without a single wrinkle, just as it was yesterday.


    Hmm.


    She hadn¡¯t been very careful.


    ~~~

 Chapter 85

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Vera stepped toward Cayena, looking distressed.


    ¡°Your Highness, you¡¯ll hurt yourself like this. It should be fine to learn your state responsibilities step by step.¡±


    ¡°If I can prepare something in advance, I should.¡±


    Zenon, who had been preparing to be the next chancellor, would not stay still. He would definitely take quick action to stop Cayena before she could defend herself.


    Cayena let out a big yawn.


    Though her body was young, it was a bit difficult to pull an all-nighter. Moreover, Cayena never possessed much physical stamina.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t Your Highness undergo many troubles at the temple? I almost fainted when I heard about it.¡±


    ¡°I had talked through it with Duke Kedrey in advance. You don¡¯t have to worry so much.¡±


    ¡°The duke is too unreasonable. How can he allow such a dangerous thing¡­¡±


    After Cayena had turned Vera into one of her people, Vera had be intensely devoted to her.


    ¡°The duke didn¡¯t know a lot about it, either. But nothing happened because we had hidden guards inside.¡±


    Vera¡¯s worries and grievances didn¡¯t disappear, but she did stop hounding Cayena at this point. ¡°I will help you change your clothes, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena changed out of her pajamas to a modest indoor dress.


    While Vera attended to her, a servant arrived.


    ¡°Your Highness, an official from the central administration wishes to speak with you regarding today¡¯s schedule.¡±


    Cayena nodded when she heard that an administrative official hade for her.


    ¡°Tell them to wait in the parlor.¡±


    She leisurely dried her hair and went to the parlor after she finished dressing.


    A man in uniform immediately greeted Cayena.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    The man was surprised because he expected to wait a long time, but the princess had entered the parlor rtively quickly.


    Furthermore, she looked like she had finished grooming for this morning. He felt the princess was nothing like what he imagined.


    ¡°Your Highness, do you intend to attend the emergency council meeting this afternoon?¡±


    Vera¡¯s face twisted a little. Reproachfully, she asked, ¡°What? She only received authority as the state¡¯s deputy yesterday¡­¡±


    Cayena had already guessed it would turn out this way. In preparation, she had crammed information about the administration¡¯s work and militaryw.


    ¡°Let them know I¡¯ll attend.¡±


    ¡°Then, I will go back and inform the others.¡±


    When the official left, Vera bit her lips.


    Those people didn¡¯t have to treat Cayena with kid gloves, but wasn¡¯t this too dirty?


    They were acting out in a fit of anger, but Cayena was not nervous. Vera strangely felt that Cayena would not get entangled in their plots.


    Even now, Cayena seemed casual, as if she had predicted this situation. She only looked in the mirror and mentioned how she needed to put on some makeup today.


    Cayena smiled at the infuriated Vera and said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to get upset because of such provocations.¡±


    ¡°¡­They would never do this unless they were looking down on Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°They also have to keep themselves in line, so they must be in a state of chaos.¡±


    Which meant she should easily agree to this situation while investigating things for herself.


    Cayena headed to the kitchen like she was used to it. She was thinking about letting the dough rise and using it to bake bread and cookies.


    She looked so much like usual that Vera was speechless for a moment. She shook her head. It seemed she couldn¡¯t keep up with Cayena¡¯s nerves.


    Vera began helping Cayena and the kitchen staff, with whom they became familiar. After a while, she said, ¡°By the way, Your Highness, I have something to say.¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°Though it hurts me to say it, Annie¡¯s behavior is suspicious.¡±


    ¡°¡­Is that so?¡±


    ¡°Yes. She appears to have secretly left the pcest night.¡±


    Was she saying that Annie was a spy?


    Annie hadn¡¯t been mentioned as a character in the novel. Since Cayena had brought her along to many ces like an aide, Annie¡¯s master must have swiftly received information about the princess¡¯s pce.


    Most other spies should have been removed after the substitutionsst time.


    ¡®Is Annie¡¯s master someone very cautious? No, rather than being cautious, they must be someone who doesn¡¯t expect much from me. It¡¯s probably not someone from Rezef¡¯s faction. Is it Heinrich?¡¯


    That was also unlikely.


    Heinrich was certainly aware of Cayena¡¯s worth, especially now.


    ¡®Annie has been around for quite a while.¡¯


    ¡°Don¡¯t watch over her too much. Let her run free for a while.¡±


    That way, Cayena could step on her tail.


    ¡°Understood, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena finished preparing the dough and wiped off her hands. There was still a lot of time left until the afternoon¡¯s council meeting.


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s look for a formal dress to wear today. It¡¯s my first cab meeting, so I should take some care.¡±


    ***


    ¡°She¡¯s in the kitchen again?¡±


    Chancellor Debussy was stunned by the information that the kitchen servant delivered.


    ¡°She has no idea what a council meeting is like!¡±


    Zenon, who was eating with the chancellor in thetter¡¯s room, doubted that was the case. He did not express his doubts out loud, though.


    ¡°Hmph, maybe that¡¯s for the better. Running a country is not work for women!¡±


    ¡°Her Highness may feel that way too when she attends the council meeting today.¡±


    ¡°Of course she will. That¡¯s why I arranged it.¡±


    It was none other than Chancellor Debussy who had urgently organized the council meeting. He intended to humiliate the princess in front of the council today so thoroughly that she couldn¡¯t say a peep.


    ¡°Taking care of the imperial household is just being a housekeeper! It¡¯spletely different from governing the empire.¡±


    It wasn¡¯t the same, but it wasn¡¯t too different, either. That must have been why the emperor entrusted this authority to Princess Cayena.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be troublesome if this sets a precedent.¡±


    The chancellor was displeased that the paper doll of a princess jumped the line without any backing just because she took care of the internal affairs somewhat well.


    She now had more power than he did!


    The chancellor¡¯s face turned wretched.


    ¡°I also agree. Dividing power like this will only feed Heinrich¡¯s faction.¡±


    ¡°You are attending today¡¯s meeting too, correct?¡±


    Zenon smiled.


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    ***


    Cayena was feeling refreshed before the council meeting.


    ¡®It¡¯s been a while since I dressed this borately.¡¯


    It felt somewhat unfamiliar to change in a dressing room with arge mirror in front of the dressing table.


    Additionally, It was unusual how a number of junior maids assisted Vera and helped Cayena get dressed. Yet, this had been her normal life before she returned. Cayena used to keep her nails long and rounded and had them treated with some pink floral water. But now, she kept them short and clean.


    Even more so for her clothes. Before she returned, she had changed clothes several times a day. Now, she just wore clothes she wasfortable with among the ones she already owned.


    If Cayena maintained the same lifestyle as before, she would have no time.


    ¡®Dressing up really takes a long time.¡¯


    It cost a lot of time, money, andbor. Though it wasn¡¯t pointless, dressing up borately was inefficientpared to the effort necessary to do so.


    Now, she was aware that such luxuries would not save her life. Perhaps that was why dressing up wasn¡¯t as enjoyable as it was before she returned.


    ¡®In the end, I was used by Rezef because of this face.¡¯


    Henverton also thought of her appearance as something to be collected.


    Cayena was beautiful even without trying, but when she dressed up, she looked like a goddess who had descended.


    Her rich golden hair was curled, and instead of some special ornament, she wore a pearl circlet. Her formal dress was a calm silver and wasyered with a blue cape. And closing the cape was a brooch engraved with the emblem that symbolized the imperial family.


    Her normal haughty aura seemed more severe and cold. In addition, she had a mysterious air about her. The maids who had helped her get ready looked on in amazement.


    Cayena checked the mirror and spoke indifferently.


    ¡°It seems no one will find fault with this outfit.¡±


    It would be good if the bureaucrats who were positioned against her were distracted today.


    ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s time to attend the council meeting.¡±


    She nodded.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    ***


    All council members had already arrived in the conference room.


    Except for the empty seat of honor for the emperor or his sessor, Chancellor Debussy, Commander Jed, Zenon, and others were seated.


    Zenon met the eyes of the knightmander as he sat down. When Zenon lightly greeted him, the knightmander reluctantly nodded and looked away.


    ¡°Tsk.¡±


    Commander Jed came from an elite military family. Furthermore, he was also the emperor¡¯s favorite vassal.


    He always collided with Chancellor Debussy including for business reasons.


    Because the emperor was indisposed and Rezef was gaining power, Jed¡¯s authority had been pushed a bit.


    Still, the power of the central knightmander, the leader of the central army was here to stay. The Evans family needed that power. Sadly, Jed did not think well of Marquis Evans nor Rezef.


    Chancellor Debussy nced at the seat of honor, whose owner had yet to arrive.


    ¡°Is she mistaking herself for a real sessor¡­ or is shete because she¡¯s getting dressed? Well, as expected. My daughter also spends the whole day from dawn getting ready for balls. Though there¡¯s no reason to ever waltz at a council meeting, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    Half the people in the conference roomughed at Chancellor Debussy¡¯s words, and the other half pretended to not have heard.


    That moment, the doorkeeper opened the door to the conference room and shouted, ¡°Her Highness, Princess Cayena is entering!¡±


    The officials inside the room slowly rose from their seats.


    They each entertained their own thoughts as they looked toward the door.


    Tap, tap.


    They could hear the sound of Cayena¡¯s heels get closer and closer from outside.


    ~~~

 Chapter 86

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    Cayena¡¯s figure appeared at the entrance.


    Zenon could hear involuntary murmurs of astonishment, and it wasn¡¯t just one person. The majority of the councilmen gulped or widened their eyes, and Zenon, too, was briefly mesmerized by her appearance.


    Chancellor Debussy looked stunned. After a moment, his expression suddenly crumpled. Contrary to his expectations, he could find no fault in Cayena¡¯s outfit.


    Dressed in cool colors like she knew this day woulde, she exuded a wless dignity. Her silver dress, blue cape, and the pearl circlet on her head were neither excessive nor insufficient for reflecting her current position.


    Cayena looked around in a prideful manner. She showed no sign of meekness in the conference room filled with ministers and other authorities.


    Finally, she opened her mouth.


    ¡°It looks like everyone has arrived.¡±


    The councilmen, who had lost their focus because of Cayena¡¯s entrance, snapped back to attention at her words. No one had remembered to greet her, so awestruck as they were by her spirit and beauty. They quickly went down on one knee to pay respect.


    ¡°We greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena did not allow them to stand back up. She crossed the conference room, walking neither too quickly nor slowly.


    Standing in front of the golden throne, Cayena said, ¡°You may rise.¡±


    The councilmen stood up silently, unable to speak. The fuss from a moment ago had disappeared like it had been nothing but a lie. The silence could not be looked down on.


    Cayena had taken the first move.


    ¡°Why are you not sitting down?¡±


    They had considered her to be a sheltered flower raised in a greenhouse. Now, they confusedly sat down at hermand.


    ¡°Let us begin the council meeting.¡±


    The councilmen couldn¡¯t easily open their mouths. They just looked at each other in silence.


    ¡®It¡¯s just a meeting.¡¯


    It was a meeting like the many tedious ones she¡¯d attended in herst life. She had gone to meetings with executive directors, board members, presidents, vice presidents, and even chairmen.


    In the end, the state council meeting was a matter ofying out the agenda items and arbitrating the different ideas of the branches of administration.


    The council soon recovered and proceeded with the assembly.


    ¡°Then, I will tell you which is the most urgent matter on today¡¯s agenda. It¡¯s been mentioned a few times before, but the budget of each group is¡­¡±


    Cayena noted that some faces hardened as soon as the budget was mentioned. She silently listened to them as they continued the meeting.


    ¡°Most of the troops defending the capital are from the central army. Do you mean to let our defense be breached by reducing the budget?!¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t at war right now!¡±


    Apparently, the target today was Jed, themander of the central army.


    ¡°The military budget was the first to be cutst time. You intend to do it again? Are you kidding me?¡±


    When Commander Jed shouted in fury, the chancellor clicked his tongue.


    ¡°Oh my. Aren¡¯t you speaking too roughly in Her Highness¡¯s presence?¡±


    At those words, Jed snapped at Debussy. ¡°Isn¡¯t it the administration¡¯s poor management that caused this scarcity of funds?¡±


    ¡°What, what?!¡± The chancellor¡¯s face turned red. He mmed his hand on the table. ¡°It¡¯s because we feed and house those that don¡¯t even work that things have turned out like this!¡±


    Jed stood up. With his stark expression, he looked as if he was a breath away from pulling out his sword.


    In the zing silence, Cayena abruptly said, ¡°Then, wouldn¡¯t things settle if there was a use for the central army?¡±


    What was she talking about?


    That was what everyone¡¯s faces seemed to express to Cayena.


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Is there anyone here who has thought about how to maintain the central army while spending less money?¡±


    They only blinked.


    ¡°Does it make sense that the empire¡¯s power will weaken if we reduce the military budget, Chancellor Debussy?¡±


    In response, Chancellor Debussy smiled leisurely and handed a document to a servant. The servant delivered the document to Cayena.


    ¡°As you can see, it is very expensive and unnecessary to maintain the army when we are not at war, Your Highness.¡±


    That was the reason he used to continuously decrease the military budget. It was a political decision to reduce Jed¡¯s influence.


    ¡°That¡¯s why we have to cover the cost of that budget elsewhere.¡±


    Chancellor Debussy looked around the conference room. He was looking in order to gain agreement. Everyone nodded and sympathized with the words of the chancellor.


    Cayena smirked as she skimmed the document Chancellor Debussy gave her.


    Last night, shepiled some data regarding state affairs. Vera, who was by her side, handed out some papers to the council.


    The councilmen¡¯s eyes were glued to the papers.


    ¡®Huh? The princess prepared something?¡¯


    The cab meeting had definitely been organizedst-minute. The agenda hadn¡¯t even been announced. And yet, the princess had prepared something. It was iprehensible.


    Furthermore, it was obvious that Cayena had spent a fair amount of time getting dressed for the asion. The time she spent getting her outfit ready must have been considerable, so when had she prepared this?


    They felt that something was off.


    ¡°There hasn¡¯t been a gue in the capital for nearly 10 years.¡±


    That was Chancellor Debussy¡¯s greatest achievement during his tenure. A minister replied in his stead.


    ¡°Yes. It has been that way since we reorganized the water and sewage system.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s likely the reason the poption of the capital has tripled over the years. However, we have not cultivated morend, and only the slums and shantytowns have increased.¡±


    Saying that, Cayena tapped the documents she had brought. The chancellor¡¯s eyebrows twitched.


    ¡°Like that, the number of households unrecorded in our register increases, making it easier for public order to copse. Am I wrong?¡±


    The councilmen, still looking puzzled, acknowledged her words.


    ¡°¡­You are correct.¡±


    ¡°I checked on it, and the number of times the central army had been mobilized to ensure the city¡¯s safety has increased over the years. The frequency has increased dramatically in thest five years in particr.¡±


    Commander Jed nced at Cayena with considering eyes. He didn¡¯t expect her to look into that matter.


    The councilmen began to eye each other more as Cayena continued to speak. The princess had clearly prepared well for the council meeting. This was no longer a ce where she could be humiliated.


    ¡°There hasn¡¯t been any part of urban development in the meantime, apart from renovating the water and sewage system. What does this mean, Chancellor Debussy?¡±


    Her question shut the chancellor¡¯s mouth, and he was as silent as a mouse.


    Cayena handed over the documents she had prepared to Chancellor Debussy. Boiling on the inside, he couldn¡¯t even think of touching them. He tried to calm himself.


    How dare this greenhorn pretend to be knowledgeable and teach him?


    ¡°As you can see from this,¡± Cayena said, pointing to the papers as Chancellor Debussy did earlier, ¡°the capital¡¯s poption has increased, butnd was not developed. Naturally, the price of housing has skyrocketed. The homeless poption has increased.¡±


    She turned her gaze to Commander Jed.


    ¡°Commander Jed, what is the ratio of people in the central army who hail from the capital?¡±


    Jed replied eagerly, as if he had been waiting. There was a strange glee in his voice.


    ¡°It¡¯s about 30 percent.¡±


    At his reply, Cayena looked pitifully at the council.


    ¡°If anyone understands what this means, can you tell me without holding back?¡±


    ¡°Umm¡­¡±


    They regarded the Central Army as a bottomless pit for funds, but they had not thought to look deeper.


    They should have considered the sry of the knights. If a knight from around the area wanted to be a citizen of the capital, they had to buynd and figure out the taxes.


    ¡°Do you think you can afford a house in the capital, with prices going through the roof and the sry of a knight?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    There was no way they could afford it. Naturally, most knights were stationed in the imperial capital. Having troops stationed in the imperial capital was the norm, and to do that, they needed the budget.


    One minister cautiously said, ¡°There has been no problem until now, but¡­¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because we had been at war.¡±


    There were no problems because they had received reparations through war, but now, things were different.


    ¡°You don¡¯t mean to start a war to steal from weaker nations now, do you?¡±


    Chancellor Debussy said sarcastically. In the end, her words just pointed out the problem. She hadn¡¯t provided a solution.


    ¡°Then, will you use the central army to develop morend? Wouldn¡¯t that add to the expenses? It would be nice for them to be more useful, but at the heart of it all, we¡¯re trying to cut the budget.¡±


    Cayena shook her head.


    ¡°I mean to give the reimednd to the knights instead of wages. Can¡¯t they just settle down there, getting married and living life? Then, they won¡¯t be tied to the imperial city. They will just have tomute.¡±


    In that case, the capital¡¯s poption would grow more stable and the burden on the budget would naturally decrease.


    As thend was cleared, the number of residential areas would increase. As residential areas increased, newmercial areas would arise. In other words, the capital city would expand.


    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s¡­!¡±


    The councilmen dropped their jaws.


    They had been obsessed with the idea that the army should be stationed at the capital at all times. And they didn¡¯t know there were so few soldiers native to the capital.


    Zenon had encouraged the chancellor to use today¡¯s council meeting to tame Cayena. But rather than them defeating her spirit, she had crushed them.


    ¡®Princess¡­!¡¯


    Zenon stared at Cayena with his facepletely twisted.


    Their eyes met for a moment. Cayena¡¯s indifferent eyes nced at him and turned away.


    Zenon felt humiliation.


    ¡°So, does anyone have anything else to say on this matter?¡±


    Nobody could say anything anymore.

 Chapter 87

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Chancellor Debussy never expected the princess to deal with things this way. He ground his teeth and shook in anger.


    ¡°If so, let¡¯s end today¡¯s meeting here,¡± Cayena said, smiling brightly.


    ¡°¡­We will heed your order.¡±


    When the princess got up from her seat, thepletely drained councilmen followed and bowed to her. Leisurely, she left the conference room.


    ¡®Luckily, the things I prepared were useful.¡¯


    She had focused on the fact that the chancellor and the knightmander did not get along. The knightmander was the one that she had to bring to her side.


    Thus, it had been very helpful to earnestly study the data about the central army.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    At that moment, Zenon hurriedly rushed after her.


    ¡°What is it, Sir Evans?¡±


    The man stopped in front of Cayena and said, ¡°I have something to tell you.¡± His face was stern.


    Cayena told her attendants, including Vera, ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±


    Zenon took Cayena to a ce where no eyes loomed over on them. He bared his fangs to her once they reached a distance away from her followers.


    ¡°What in the world are you thinking?¡±


    His eyes were shining with nearly murderous anger.


    ¡°How rude,¡± Cayena snapped back coldly.


    Since Rezef could not face Heinrich without the Evans family, Zenon had unconsciously been taking the imperial family lightly.


    ¡°Are you nning on bing the chancellor like this? Or¡±¡ªhe menacingly stepped close to Cayena while smiling like a shark¡ª¡±do you really intend to be the sessor?¡±


    His attitude was threatening, as if he would attack her.


    Cayena focused on her magic with the intention of knocking him down if necessary. She felt her control spread over the area.


    ¡°Speak honestly, Your Highness. If you don¡¯t, I won¡¯t understand at all!¡±


    ¡°If I say that I don¡¯t need all of this, would you believe me?¡±


    Zenon¡¯s face twisted in a hideous manner. ¡°I didn¡¯t bring Your Highness here to y with words. Do you not understand the current situation?¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re the one who doesn¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°¡­What did you say?¡±


    Cayena mocked, ¡°Why don¡¯t you just take care of your younger sister, who has be my exclusivedy-in-waiting?¡±


    Zenon was momentarily speechless at the mention of Julia.


    ¡°Is that important now?¡±


    Of course it was important. As Cayena thought, Zenon had no idea how Julia¡¯s presence affected him.


    ¡°You¡¯re irritated that I¡¯ve gained some influence, but you can¡¯t understand what kind of consequences this will bring.¡±


    ¡°What are you¡­¡±


    Cayena woke him up to reality. ¡°If I favor Julia, I wonder whether the Evans family will support you or Julia more.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­!¡±


    Zenon looked appalled. He finallyprehended what she meant.


    The head of the Evans household was not Zenon¡¯s father, but his older brother. Marquis Evans would rather have their younger sister, who was easy to manipte, in the ce of the empress than have his crafty brother in the chancellor¡¯s seat.


    Zenon bit his lips.


    He had never imagined there was this level of calction involved in hiring Julia. How could that once-stupid princess do this?


    ¡°Unfortunately, it doesn¡¯t seem like Sir Evans is a good vessel to hold me.¡±


    Saying this, Cayena left him with no hesitation and returned to her entourage.


    Zenon, who was left alone, stood there nkly. Slowly, he began tough.


    ¡°Ha, haha¡­¡±


    Then, holding his face, he had a nervous fit.


    Even Rezef, who belittled him without knowing his ce, was better. Rezef wasughable since he would be a potential heir in name only, if it weren¡¯t for the power of the Evans family.


    But Cayena was different.


    Zenon thought the princess might be a decent trophy to win while taking over the empire. She was cute enough for him to wee as a wife.


    That trophy had revealed her ws and taunted him.


    ¡®She dares to act so arrogantly with me?!¡¯


    Zenon should be keeping a low profile because of the unsessful abduction, but it was more dangerous to leave Cayena be.


    ¡®¡­It¡¯ll be better to kill her.¡¯


    Zenon¡¯s eyes turned bleak.


    ***


    Cayena looked down at her hands. They were trembling a little.


    Was it because of fear? But her mind felt void of such emotion.


    Then, was this a reflexive motion that had no rtion with her will?


    ¡®I don¡¯t know why. I felt threatened, but I wasn¡¯t scared of Zenon¡­¡¯


    She had to experiment more to see how powerful her magic was, but from using it so far, she knew that it was capable of lifting people. She pondered over her situation, position, and the reason her hands shook. Maybe then her hands would stop quivering.


    But the trembling did not stop.


    ¡®Could this be an aftereffect of the magical contract?¡¯


    Earlier, Zenon had made her alert and ready her magic. However, it was a bit troublesome if her hands shook like this.


    Confirming with her own eyes that her body had really weakened, her head cooled. Cayena clenched her fist to stop the tremors.


    ¡°Your Highness?¡± Vera called. ¡°Are you all right? Did Sir Evans¡­¡±


    It was only then that Cayena realized that she had forgotten to hide her expression.


    Cayena interrupted Vera before she could say more.


    ¡°Nothing happened. We just talked about the agenda items from the meeting.¡±


    ¡°I see¡­¡±


    Vera did not sound convinced, but she nodded.


    While Cayena and her entourage had briefly stopped, the councilmen began toe out of the conference room, one by one. Spotting Cayena, they quickly bowed and disappeared.


    It seemed that her first council meeting imnted the impression that she was not to be messed with.


    Soon, Commander Jed also came out of the room. It was when Cayena was about to head back to her pce after nodding at him.


    ¡°Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena turned back to him with a puzzled look.


    ¡°I will not forget the favor.¡± Commander Jed bowed deeply to Cayena.


    She could roughly guess why he was being so polite. The atmosphere of the central army would obviously have been poor because of the continuous budget cuts. But today, the soldiers could retrieve their rightfulpensation.


    Jed would never have imagined that the princess would help him like this.


    Cayena replied lightly, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Ah, but since we¡¯re speaking, can you send me a summary of what the central army needs to improve? I¡¯ll begin working on it as soon as you do.¡±


    ¡°Excuse me? This fast¡­? Isn¡¯t it too much?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve already decided to support the central army. What reason do I have to hesitate? We should get things done before someone annoying tries to reproach us.¡±


    Jed smiled bitterly, understanding that the ¡®someone annoying¡¯ was referring to Chancellor Debussy.


    Then, he looked at Cayena with a strangely admiring face.


    When the emperor initially appointed her as the deputy for state affairs, he had been inwardly concerned. But looking at the results of today¡¯s council meeting, it was a decisive victory for Cayena.


    Furthermore, she stopped the abominable cuts to the budget. In reality, the budget cuts were the same thing as pressuring Jed to resign.


    Jed was sincerely grateful to Cayena.


    ¡°Then, goodbye.¡±


    Cayena began to head back to the princess¡¯s pce once more.


    ¡®With this, the knightmander will be friendlier toward me.¡¯


    Building trust this way was crucial.


    ¡®This is how I¡¯ll stop Rezef from disposing of me when he begins to find me unpleasant.¡¯


    Since Cayena had already established an amicable rtionship with Commander Jed, Rezef and his forces would not act rashly.


    ¡®Zenon looked far too nervous. He must feel a lot of pressure because of his failure to kidnap me.¡¯


    It seemed that Zenon and Rezef were more estranged than Cayena had thought.


    That must clearly be because Rezef valued Cayena over Zenon as she made ns that suited his tastes.


    ¡®Rezef will try to read into my intentions with the snacks that I always give him.¡¯


    Though she was tired and busy, she had to continue making him snacks for one simple reason.


    She needed to appear like she still supported him.


    It was a simple and transparent act, but there was a clear difference between doing it and not doing it.


    She had to live on properly.


    ~~~

 Chapter 88: Scene 16. Organization and Establishment

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Cayena entered the kitchen of the princess¡¯s pce as was her habit. Before beginning to bake, she asked Vera, ¡°What of Rezef?¡±


    ¡°He headed out, concerned that the temple¡¯s pdins will get involved in the security of the capital.¡±


    ¡°I see. That¡¯s good. In this situation, reducing the central army¡¯s power further will ensure that they arepletely pushed out by the temple.¡±


    Cayena wanted to lie down in bed right away, considering she had stayed up all night, but she couldn¡¯t do that.


    ¡°Did the dough finish rising?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s here, Your Highness.¡±


    The kitchen servants were bewildered by how Cayena, who had be the deputy of state affairs, continued baking. They couldn¡¯t grasp the scale of how much Cayena¡¯s influence had grown.


    ¡®Is this how the imperial family originally is like?¡¯


    She had even been nearly kidnapped twice this week. Cayena, who was cooking in the kitchen like always, appeared out of ce.


    This time, Cayena baked many more sweets than she normally did. She also asked the kitchen servants to make and chill a lot of fruit juice.


    Meanwhile, an aide to the knightmander came to find her.


    ¡°Warren, a member of the central army, greets Her Highness the Princess.¡±


    Cayena looked at him while checking the sweets in the oven, her sleeves rolled up.


    ¡°Ah, did Commander Jed send you to report on the needed improvements? He works quickly.¡±


    Warren stared open-mouthed at the strange sight of a princess watching over an oven, then politely answered, ¡°Yes, indeed!¡±


    He felt shy in front of the astoundingly beautiful princess. A goddess was baking cookies¡­ He was momentarily confused.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but can you wait a minute?¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±


    Cayena tilted her head slightly as she looked at Warren, who acted extremely disciplined. She liked how he did not look down on her, a woman, forying her hands on military affairs.


    Cayena left the cleanup to the kitchen servants and untied her apron.


    ¡°Here is the report.¡±


    Cayena wiped her hands and received the report. There were too many things that the central army needed; they had been harshly neglected until now.


    ¡°Vera, there¡¯s still plenty of allowance left for the princess¡¯s pce, correct?¡±


    The budget that Rezef increased greatly a while ago was still unspent.


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Then, try to find a fabric merchant who can visit the imperial pce sometime soon.¡±


    It would be best to improve the central army¡¯s appearance before proceeding with thend development project.


    ¡°Please gather all pce servants who can be temporarily reassigned. We need to begin improving the sanitation of the central army.¡±


    ¡°I shall prepare them.¡±


    Cayena turned to Warren. ¡°Is the army chef in charge of the food budget and menu? Can you tell me how the supply distribution works?¡±


    Warren gawked when the princess spoke like someone familiar with the military, then snapped back to attention.


    ¡°As you said, the army chef manages the budget and the diet. There¡¯s a separate person in charge of the supply.¡±


    ¡°All right. Tell them to revise the menu with the new budget. I¡¯ll help them connect to the top food suppliers.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡±


    Cayena read over the report again at that point. ¡°Most of the issues can be solved by this week with a few days¡¯ work. Vera, you¡¯ll have to work a little more.¡±


    ¡°You needn¡¯t worry for me,¡± Vera replied.


    ¡°Reserve enough of the budget for the princess¡¯s pce and transfer the rest to the central army.¡±


    What was she talking about now?


    Warren felt faint. At that moment, a kitchen servant carefully approached them.


    ¡°Your Highness, the cookies are done. We prepared the amount to be sent to Prince Rezef as usual.¡±


    ¡°Good work. You¡¯re taking care of things well even without my orders now.¡±


    The kitchen servant¡¯s cheeks blushed at the princess¡¯s praise.


    Cayena prepared a slightlyrge basket,id out a red checkered cloth, and filled it abundantly with the cookies.


    Cayena wrapped it up and handed it out to Warren.


    Warren didn¡¯t understand her actions and looked at her vacantly.


    ¡°My arm hurts.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, Warren hurriedly received the basket. There was a considerable amount of cookies inside, so it was quite heavy.


    ¡°Take it back and share it with the others. I¡¯m sorry that there aren¡¯t that much.¡±


    Was it possible that she had baked so many cookies for them? Cayena also handed him the juice that she ordered to be prepared.


    Warren couldn¡¯t believe it. He stuttered, ¡°Uhh, then, this is¡­¡±


    ¡°I made a lot so that the knights of the central army could have some. By any chance, you don¡¯t happen to dislike cookies, do you?¡±


    ¡°N-not at all!¡±


    Warren was still stunned by this incredible kindness and ended up shouting instinctively,


    ¡°We¡¯ll eat it well, Your Highness!¡±


    Cayena looked at him with some surprise, then gently curved her eyes into a small smile.


    Instead of saying ¡®thank you for your favor,¡¯ he had said that he would enjoy the food. It was a long time since she heard that kind of greeting.<sup>1</sup>


    ¡°Your words make me d.¡±


    It went without saying that Warren¡¯s face turned red.


    <b>Scene 16. Organization and Establishment </b>


    Rezef returned to business as usual and headed to his study for work.


    ¡®I need to formally select the head maid now.¡¯


    It was fine that Cayena¡¯s influence in the imperial pce had increased somewhat, but it was always necessary to have a means to control her.


    ¡®Since it¡¯s nearly hering-of-age, she¡¯ll require a chaperone.¡¯


    Rezef was thinking of putting his nanny in that position.


    While he was writing a letter of appeal to the emperor, he heard a knock.


    ¡°Come in.¡±


    It was Julia, a courtdy of the princess¡¯s pce. When he saw it was her, Rezef set down his pen. Julia looked at the prince and bowed, her face blushing.


    ¡°I greet His Highness, the Prince.¡±


    ¡°Julia Evans?¡±


    Julia¡¯s heart leaped at the fact that he had remembered her. But on the surface, she pretended not to be excited and stepped closer to him, holding his snacks.


    ¡°Her Highness sent over these cookies.¡±


    Rezef smiled kindly, the corner of his eyes crinkling elegantly.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Julia almost sighed when she saw that smile. However, she quickly woke up from her daze and poured cold juice into a finely crafted crystal ss. Rezef reached out to grab Julia¡¯s hand.


    ¡°Oh my!¡±


    Julia flinched in surprise. Rezef smoothly took the pitcher from her.


    ¡°I think it looks too heavy for you to carry,¡± he said, and he poured his own cup. Needless to say, Julia¡¯s face turned redder. ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard to prepare this.¡±


    At his tender concern, Julia squirmed with shyness and replied, ¡°Not at all, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef suddenly noticed Julia¡¯s dress. It was gorgeous, decorated with jewels andce. He could tell that she was trying to look nice in front of him.


    ¡°How pretty.¡±


    He smirked, gesturing toward the dress.


    ¡°The dress, that is.¡±


    Julia pouted a little.


    ¡°And the person wearing it looks even better,¡± Rezef continued.


    Julia¡¯s eyes widened at the words. The prince, who had been working under the sunlight in his study, smiled at her and praised her for her beauty.


    Right now, she felt like she was in a scene from a novel. Like love would blossom in this moment.


    ¡°You¡¯ve worked hard, so you can take your leave now.¡±


    Julia was disappointed, but when Rezef lifted his pen again, she grabbed the hem of her dress.


    ¡°¡­I¡¯ll take my leave then, Your Highness.¡±


    Rezef put the pen back down when she left. His gentle smile turned cold.


    ¡°Both the older brother and younger sister don¡¯t know their ce at all.¡±


    When he remembered Zenon, who dared to covet and kidnap Cayena, Rezef suffered from the urge to strike the man¡¯s neck. It was funny that Julia didn¡¯t understand her situation and foolishly showed Rezef her affection.


    Cayena was iparable to her. Rezef¡¯s sister was so calm and collected that she did not seem to have undergone any hardships. His gaze reached the te of juice and cookies.


    ¡®This was all prepared by my sister.¡¯


    Cayena continued to act the same way as usual. She was still devoted and affectionate, preparing his snacks and paying attention to him. That was good to see.


    When Rezef stood up and opened one of the library¡¯s bookshelves, a hidden office appeared.


    ¡°Jamil.¡±


    He called his secret attendant.


    ¡°What is it, Your Highness?¡±


    ¡°What happened to the portraits I mentioned before?¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve recruited all of the local lords who overlook the paths out of the empire. Street painters and sculptors will create artmemorating Her Highness¡¯sing-of-age and disy them in every square.¡±


    That wasn¡¯t enough. He needed a more concrete method. What was the best way to tie Cayena down?


    ¡®What can I do to keep my sister from breaking out?¡¯


    ~~~


    <sup>1. Saying that you¡¯ll enjoy the meal is the greeting Koreans use before eating.?</sup>

 Chapter 89

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    With the death of rence Elivan, there remained few people whom Cayena could emotionally rely on.


    Rezef nned to seduce Julia by pretending to offer her the position of a princess.


    ¡®That courtdy, Vera, seems to have gone over to my sister.¡¯


    He probably couldn¡¯t win over Susan. That woman was very difficult and ill-tempered. Furthermore, she didn¡¯t think much of the imperial family.


    ¡®And that Olivia woman¡­¡¯


    Rezef tapped on the table. A deep valley appeared on his forehead as he furrowed his brows.


    ¡®She reminds me of Sister¡­¡¯


    Of course, there were crucial differences between the two. But strangely, they were simr. It got on Rezef¡¯s nerves.


    ¡®She¡¯s an unpleasant woman.¡¯


    Olivia didn¡¯t pay attention, awe, or fear to Rezef¡ªshe didn¡¯t even care for his appearance.


    Her eyes were indifferent to him, feeling neither hate nor like. Yet, when she looked at his sister, those green eyes came alive.


    ¡°But Cayena is mine.¡±


    Not that long ago, the same had happened with Ethel. And it wasn¡¯t just them; more and more people seemed to admire Cayena and want her attention.


    Rezef had the thought that he should start cleaning up Cayena¡¯s surroundings.


    ¡°Jamil.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°There are some members of the princess¡¯s pce that managed to keep their ces, correct?¡±


    ¡°There were two maids, Donna and Annie. They¡¯ve been promoted to junior courtdies.¡±


    ¡°Which of the two has more difficult circumstances?¡±


    ¡°Donna is working to support her family. Both of her parents are sick, and the pce medical staff says she alwayses for medicinal herbs.¡±


    Rezef grinned.


    ¡°So it¡¯s that way.¡±


    Jamil bowed his head as if he understood Rezef¡¯s meaning and disappeared.


    Looking refreshed, Rezef came out of the secret office and entered his study.


    He rang a bell to call for a servant.


    ¡°I¡¯ll spend teatime with my sister today. Prepare something healthy and notify her.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    They had been so busy with the many things happening these days that they had had little time to see each other. Rather, his sister spent much more time with Raphael.


    ¡®I have to prevent her from meeting with the duke.¡¯


    He clicked his tongue, unhappy.


    Duke Kedrey was not someone he could take lightly. Furthermore, a single nce showed that Cayena and the duke had a close rtionship.


    ¡°But I can¡¯t leave them as they are.¡±


    These days, it seemed like a bad idea for Cayena to even walk outside. Every time Rezef¡¯s sister went out, there was some sort of incident and a swarm of flies trying to stick to her.


    ¡°When would it be the best time to seize the throne?¡±


    Knock, knock.


    A servant entered and said, ¡°The preparation isplete. Her Highness says that you cane at any time.¡±


    Rezef rose from his seat. ¡°I¡¯ll go to her pce now.¡±


    Cayena organized her work and let out a small sigh. She had to take ount of the powers she had received as the state¡¯s deputy, and she had to think in advance what measures to implement to prevent Rezef¡¯s faction from bothering her.


    ¡®I also have to practice magic.¡¯


    A light breath spilled out of her lips.


    ¡°His Highness, Prince Rezef has arrived.¡±


    Cayena stopped rubbing her hand over her eyes. This was the first time she was facing Rezef since hearing the tragic news about her nanny.


    The gloomy emotions she forcibly pushed down under her workload stealthily re-entered her heart.


    ¡®I have to smile. I have to act normal.¡¯


    Cayena thought to herself firmly.


    Rezef was a sharp child. His sensitivity for how others felt about him in particr was nearly supernatural.


    ¡°Tell him to enter.¡±


    The door opened, and Rezef came in. The siblings¡¯ eyes met.


    Cayena realized that she couldn¡¯t hold up a front the moment she saw Rezef¡¯s serene face.


    ¡®Rezef killed my nanny.¡¯


    Rezef thought nothing of other people¡¯s lives. It was no skin off his back to kill someone. He was a child who thought anything that tried to climb higher should be killed. That was why he killed Madame Elivan: to punish Cayena, who had upset him. He had no consideration of how much Cayena cherished the woman.


    Once again, her fingertips were cold.


    ¡°Sister¡­¡±


    Rezef smiled pleasantly and tried to step closer to her, but his footsteps soon stopped. The smile in the corner of his mouth began to turn stiff.


    His sister¡¯s eyes were different from usual.


    Her eyes were empty. Rezef could not find the slightest hint of affection inside them. There were none of the warm, caring emotions that he should have felt from her. He froze in his spot. Suddenly, his sister felt distant.


    When he felt like his heart sinking coldly, Cayena¡¯s nk expression was wiped away like it had never been there. However, that moment had felt like an eternity.


    Cayena¡¯s eyes curved beautifully, and she wore a familiar smile on her lips.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been working hard without taking a break. What¡¯ll you do if you be ill, Rezef?¡±


    He could feel the usual warmth from her. Gentle and peaceful attention poured out from her. The breath he had been holding returned to him.


    He must have been mistaken earlier. Now that he looked more closely, Cayena did seem tired.


    Rezef had heard that she couldn¡¯t sleep properly, and after working so hard, her cheeks were a little gaunt.


    ¡°Sister, you seem to be the one pushing yourself.¡±


    He walked to Cayena faster than normal.


    She leaned back in her tall chair. Rezef was happy to sit on the carpet.


    Then, naturally, there was a friendly touch on top of his head. Thin fingers swept over his radiant golden hair.


    Rezef finally felt relief.


    He smiled gently. Everything was the same as always. When he came to see her, Cayena would make room for him by her side. She showed him affection like a reward.


    He soaked up that affection, healing his mind and heart.


    Rezef rested his forehead on Cayena¡¯s knee and murmured, ¡°I was worried, Sister.¡±


    He really was worried.


    He nearly set fire to the capital out of the fear that those disgusting bastards would take his sister away.


    It didn¡¯t make sense. She was supposed to stay here like this, not greeting anyone else kindly.


    That was too¡­


    He would want to kill them.


    Rezef hugged Cayena¡¯s leg.


    ¡°You¡¯ve had a lot of work these days, haven¡¯t you?¡± Cayena said soothingly.


    ¡°It seems too dangerous outside the imperial pce, Sister.¡±


    That was what he sincerely thought.


    The world outside the pce was dangerous. People kept trying to steal or threaten what belonged to him.


    He had to quickly make the world safe. Rezef wanted to create a world where everything would be fine even if he stayed still.


    ¡°In any case, we need to establish a system so that we can be flexible in a crisis.¡±


    Cayena informed him of what she had just done.


    ¡°Rezef, I¡¯ve appointed you as the next leader of the central army after me.¡±


    If Cayena was unable to lead the army, then Rezef, as its next leader, would do so. In a way, it looked like she had handed Rezef authority for free. But the truth was different.


    ¡°If I disappear for 24 hours without a word, the power will automatically be handed over to you.¡±


    If Cayena disappeared, this would ensure that the me would be pointed to Rezef¡¯s faction.


    Rezef simply replied, ¡°I see,¡± as if he hadn¡¯t understood the political bomb she had nted.


    Then, Cayena¡¯s gaze turned to the attendant who apanied Rezef. The attendant was holding a tray.


    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±


    At her question, Rezef pulled his face away from her knee and replied, ¡°I prepared something nutritious for you.¡±


    He took Cayena¡¯s hand and pointed to her slender arm.


    ¡°Look at you. You¡¯ve lost weight.¡±


    Her wrist was clean.


    ¡°What are you doing that for?¡± Cayena asked, tilting her head.


    Rezef felt something was strange, but he brushed it off and smiled at her again. ¡°You¡¯re too skinny, Sister. If you really care for me, please take care of your health as well.¡±


    Cayena softly shook her head. ¡°To think I¡¯d hear this sort of scolding from you.¡±


    Rezef smiled a little and asked the attendant to bring the tray over.


    The cover was removed to reveal a boiled poultry dish with medicinal herbs. Cayena didn¡¯t want to eat anything because she had no appetite, but Rezef looked at her with such anticipation that she had to lift her spoon. The smell was nice and savory. She first swallowed the thick soup.


    ¡°Mm. It tastes good.¡±


    ¡°I heard you had trouble sleeping. Eat some more and take a¡­¡±


    Then, Cayena quickly covered her mouth and coughed.


    ¡°Cough!¡±


    Dark red blood seeped through her fingers.

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    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Rezef¡¯s eyes grew so wide that they nearly tore at the corners.


    What was this? W-why was his sister¡­!


    tter!


    The spoon fell on top of the tray.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    Cayena met Rezef¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Rezef¡­¡±


    She couldn¡¯t even finish her words before cking out.


    Rezef hugged Cayena as she copsed.


    His face turnedpletely white, and pure fear struck over him like a tsunami. Rezef screamed, ¡°Doctor! Go call a doctor!¡±


    The attendant who had gone running for the doctor came in, gasping for breath. Cayena¡¯s courtdies also ran in, ashen-faced.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    Rezefid Cayena on a long couch.


    The doctor immediately poured the antidote into the princess¡¯s mouth and watched over her.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t save Sister, I will not let anyone go free!¡±


    Rezef was berserk, ordering all the servants who were involved in making the food to be arrested right away. His own attendant was no exception.


    ¡°Your Highness! One of the kitchen servants has disappeared!¡±


    Rezef was seized with maddening fury.


    ¡°Release the troops across the capital right away. Find the servant!¡±


    He nned to make that servant wish they were dead once they were found.


    He would tear the servant¡¯s whole family to pieces, one by one, in front of them¡­ And he would not leave the servant¡¯s friends or lovers alone, either!


    Rezef¡¯s sight was almost red with anger.


    ¡°Fortunately, her body quickly rejected the poison. She seems to have ingested another poison recently¡­¡±


    ¡°What? Another poison?¡±


    ¡°Yes. And because the poisons are ipatible, she vomited straight away. She should wake soon.¡±


    Rezef¡¯s emotions went over anger and turned into absurdity and confusion.


    Another poison. What poison was this, and where had she had it?


    ¡°This other poison appears to be the type that makes the body¡¯s interiors deteriorate quickly, though it doesn¡¯t show any immediate symptoms.¡±


    ¡°¡­What did you say?¡±


    Rezef knew of such a poison.


    Wasn¡¯t that the very poison he used against the emperor?


    ¡°Impossible.¡±


    Cayena had no reason to consume that poison. Neither could she have been taking it all this time; thatdy named Vera thoroughly looked over what Cayena ate.


    Henverton Gillian¡¯s mocking voice echoed in Rezef¡¯s ears.


    <i>¡°This wasn¡¯t because of me, it was because of Your Highness.¡±</i>


    Rezef stepped back from Cayena.


    <i>¡°Do you think things like this will stop if I disappear?¡± </i>


    That voice, like a terrible iron brand, wasn¡¯t stopping. It gnawed on his mind.


    <i>¡°You seem to value your sister quite preciously¡­¡± </i>


    ¡°No¡­¡±


    <i>¡°You better watch over her well in the future.¡± </i>


    It wasn¡¯t his fau¡ª!


    Rezef gasped for breath.


    His head felt like it would shatter. He wanted to wreck something, anything, right now. Or he needed to see blood.


    Right now.


    He grabbed at his waist, but then he realized that he had not worn the sword he always wore since he was going to meet Cayena. He remembered leaving his sword behind because he worried she might hurt herself.


    At that moment, Cayena¡¯s eyelids slowly fluttered open.


    ¡°Are you conscious?¡±


    After hearing the doctor speak, the courtdies approached Cayena. Vera¡¯s face, in particr, was drenched in tears.


    ¡°Your Highness! Are you all right?¡±


    A human barrier was formed between Cayena and Rezef. He was frozen as he stared at Cayena.


    Cayena¡¯s head haltingly turned toward him.


    ¡°Rezef.¡±


    The calm way she called him made him feel cold. At the same time, he was enveloped in a sense of relief and other convoluted emotions.


    The area around his eyes felt hot.


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t me.¡±


    ¡°I know.¡±


    Her voice was raspy.


    ¡°You would never do something like this.¡±


    Cayena sluggishly exhaled and spoke again.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t consume poison. It was just that the spoon that touched the soup turned ck.¡±


    Everyone became confused.


    ¡°Pardon? The spoon isn¡¯t silver, so there was no discoloration¡­¡±


    Cayena said firmly, ¡°Bring a silver spoon and make it so.¡±


    ¡°¡­Excuse me?¡±


    ¡°I was not poisoned. I fainted because I was shocked from seeing the discolored silver spoon. Does everyone understand?¡±


    It was then that they understood that Cayena was trying to protect Prince Rezef.


    Vera found it hard to ept since she knew that if Cayena was poisoned, the one next in the line would be Rezef; but Cayena spoke so decisively and sternly that Vera obeyed her wishes.


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    ¡°Go and take care of it.¡±


    Everyone quickly started erasing the evidence of Cayena¡¯s poisoning.


    Her face and hands were wiped with a ck cloth soaked in warm water. They helped Cayena put on a thin garment over her bloodied dress.


    Rezef was allowed to approach her again when she was cleansed with no sign of having vomited blood.


    ¡°I know it wasn¡¯t you. So stop crying. Your face will swell up.¡±


    At some point, he had silently begun to cry.


    Cayena sighed and had Rezef sit next to her. Rezef¡¯s face showed he was very much in shock.


    ¡°You must have been greatly surprised.¡±


    Cayena hugged him and patted his back. She had been the one who drank poison, yet she wasforting Rezef.


    ¡°Oh no¡­¡±


    Julia, who was by their side, did not know what to do. She felt sorry for Rezef.


    Meanwhile, Vera was seething in cold anger. She noticed early on that Rezef was involved in all of these cases.


    Cayena would never have suffered like this in the first ce if it wasn¡¯t for Rezef. Even so, he was beingforted by Cayena. It was ridiculous.


    On the other hand, Olivia felt this sight was odd. Susan seemed to think simrly.


    ¡®It¡¯s too weird.¡¯


    However, Olivia contemted the situation more closely.


    The situation looked to be an unsolvable, tangled knot.


    There was no way to solve the knot other than to cut it.<sup>1</sup>


    That was the rtionship between Cayena and Rezef. The two had a rtionship that could not be pulled apart.


    A rtionship that had to be cut off.


    Cayena patted Rezef¡¯s back again and said, ¡°I said this before, but you aren¡¯t seeing everything.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Then, she whispered into Rezef¡¯s ear in a small voice, so no one else could hear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget that those below you are pointing up theirnces.¡±


    A man popped up in Rezef¡¯s mind.


    ¡®Zenon Evans.¡¯


    The one who used the poison must have been Zenon Evans.


    Rezef¡¯s tears suddenly stopped. In their stead, a blue me emerged in his eyes.


    ¡°I feel cold,¡± Cayena said.


    Immediately, Vera¡ªwho wanted to keep Rezef away from Cayena¡ªcame to help.


    ¡°You need to rest, Your Highness. Please, I¡¯ll help you to your bed.¡±


    Cayena nodded and looked at Rezef one more time.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do anything dangerous. You know that you¡¯re the only one I can count on, right?¡±


    ¡°¡­Yes, Sister.¡±


    ¡°I need to rest a little.¡±


    Rezef helped carry her until they were in front of her bedchamber. He left the princess¡¯s pce only after seeing Cayena enter the room.


    Now, he had a rat to catch.


    ¡°Your Highness, are you really all right? We¡¯ll station a doctor right outside. What else¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. Don¡¯t make this a bigger fuss and just let it pass quietly.¡±


    Cayena once again told her courtdies to keep quiet and make sure that everything was cleaned neatly.


    Only Olivia stayed in the bedroom to watch over Cayena.


    ¡°Well done.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, Olivia shook her head.


    ¡°The kitchen servant must have fled the capital by now.¡±


    ¡°Good¡­¡±


    Cayena had poisoned herself.


    Not long ago, Cayena had been able to fill the central kitchen with her people thanks to Vera and Olivia¡¯s poking about. She had been waiting for Rezef to prepare food for her.


    ¡°I thought that child would definitely bring me food at least once.¡±


    Since Cayena kept baking him sweets, Rezef had to do something reciprocal. That was what she had nned.


    The spoon to eat the healthy soup was deliberately fancy and not made of silver. It was pretty to look at, but it wasn¡¯t helpful in a crisis.


    This was also something Cayena had prepared through Olivia.


    Vera was clearly hostile toward Rezef. A child as perceptive as him would recognize her feelings toward him right away.


    Olivia was poised andposed, but she was also bold. In many ways, she was the perfect person.


    ¡°You said your household was caught up in a strange debt, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°There is nothing to worry about. Everything will be dealt with.¡±


    Cayena let out a long sigh.


    ¡°I know this situation will look weird to you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll just say that this is a way for me to survive.¡±


    ¡°I understand well enough.¡±


    Cayena smiled lightly at Olivia¡¯s response.


    ¡°Thank you for those words.¡±


    She closed her eyes. Her body had felt chilly since a while ago.


    ~~~


    <sup>1. A reference to the Gordian knot. ?</sup>

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    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ***


    Rumors of another attempt to assassinate the princess were flipping the pce upside down.


    What was up with this week?


    Furthermore, the princess had a fight with Chancellor Debussy during the council meeting just after she received the authority of a regent. The public sentiment was turningpletely against him.


    ¡°What kind of nonsense is this?! Saying that I was trying to kill Her Highness?!¡±


    Chancellor Debussy was ballistic.


    ¡°Everyone who spreads these rumors will pay!¡±


    ¡°But the current atmosphere is very serious. Commander Jed, in particr, said that we need to investigate the people within the imperial pce.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± The chancellor¡¯s face turned blue. ¡°Investigate the truth right away. Find out who it was! It wasn¡¯t me!¡± he yelled at his aides, grinding his teeth. Wasn¡¯t the timing just too coincidental?


    ¡°Use somemon sense! How could I poison the food the prince prepared? This must be a plot by forces who are trying to undermine His Highness!¡±


    Naturally, there were some who spected that Archduke Heinrich was responsible for this incident. In fact, it was currently the archduke who was under the most pressure.


    Rezef wouldn¡¯t have poisoned the princess with food he personally had someone prepare.


    Even the temple was fired up as they wondered if the poisoning was linked to the kidnapping.


    Chancellor Debussy was meless in this case, but he had other things to hide. If he was caught in the wrong ce for nothing, he could be put on the defensive.


    The chancellor became very nervous. ¡°Zenon. Where is Sir Zenon?¡±


    He urgently felt that he had to discuss all this with Zenon.


    However, the aide replied with a peculiar expression, ¡°Um, Sir Zenon has not been seen in the imperial pce recently.¡±


    The chancellor wrinkled his forehead at those words.


    Being absent from the pce at a time like this did not make sense. He had a strange hunch.


    ¡°Zenon Evans is suspicious¡­¡±


    Things that Chancellor Debussy hadn¡¯t thought much about began to pop up in his head, one by one.


    ¡°He was also gone on the day Her Highness was kidnapped the first time. Andtely, he¡¯s been quarreling with Prince Rezef often.¡±


    In addition, Zenon Evans encouraged Chancellor Debussy to organize the emergency meeting and subdue the princess.


    As a result, there was another poisoning incident and the chancellor was implicated.


    ¡°He couldn¡¯t have¡­¡±


    Chancellor Debussy knew that Zenon Evans was aiming for his position.


    Was Zenon Evans perhaps trying to take him down? It was just a gut feeling, but it fitted the situation.


    The chancellor ground his teeth.


    ¡®There¡¯s another person from the Evans family in the pce anyway.¡¯


    Since Julia Evans was here, they would get along fine without Zenon.


    It was then.


    ¡°Lord Chancellor!¡±


    An attendant rushed into his office with a stiff expression.


    The chancellor had a bad feeling about it.


    ¡°What happened?¡±


    ¡°When investigating Henverton Gillian¡¯s social club, weren¡¯t there many drugs being circted?¡±


    ¡°There were. So what?¡±


    ¡°The drugs are allegedly from the Evans¡¯ farm in the east!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡±


    The chancellor jumped up from his seat.


    He had thought it was only Zenon who had let him down, not the entire Evans family.


    ¡°Archduke Heinrich said he found a cannabis farm!¡±


    The chancellor¡¯splexion withered.


    ¡°Summon Prince Rezef¡¯s forces! Now!¡±


    ***


    As soon as the sun rose, the doctor came to the princess¡¯s chambers to check on her condition.


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry much. Just take your medicine properly.¡±


    Cayena listened to his words and swallowed the medicine.


    ¡°It looks like Julia is busy.¡±


    Julia had originally been assigned to prepare Cayena¡¯s medicine, but she wasn¡¯t around.


    Vera answered, ¡°They say that the Evans family partook in distributing drugs. Archduke Heinrich came by with the evidence.¡±


    ¡°Really?¡± Cayena said, pretending not to know.


    Rumors that the poison in the food prepared by Rezef was nted by Archduke Heinrich arose.


    Then, the temple, which had been keeping a close eye on the princess¡¯s personal safety ofte, began examining Archduke Heinrich.


    Yester was the actual culprit behind the abduction attempt at the temple, so it would have been troublesome for him to draw that sort of attention.


    That was why he revealed the drug scandal that Cayena had informed him about: so that all eyes would be on the Evanses.


    Cayena briefly checked her body¡¯s condition.


    ¡°I think with this, I can go on with my normal life.¡±


    Vera was shocked when Cayena tried to get up and start working right away.


    ¡°Your Highness, you were poisoned just yesterday. Furthermore, you haven¡¯t even been able to rest properly at night.¡±


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I can just lie around.¡±


    Cayena eventually managed to stand.


    ¡°Would you get me some ck tea for teatime this afternoon?¡±


    Olivia, who had been calmly watching them, opened her mouth.


    ¡°ck tea can make your stomach sore. I think it would be better to have some soothing herbal tea.¡±


    Cayena had been trying to use ck tea instead of coffee because she needed caffeine, but Olivia cut down her wishes like a knife.


    Cayena thought about just ordering them to prepare the ck tea, but she dropped it. In any case, it would be better to be careful about what she ate for a while.


    If she made herself sick for no reason, it would only be harder to work. She needed to watch over her health a little.


    ¡°All right. Herbal tea, as you said.¡±


    Vera nced at Olivia in appreciation for pointing out what she wanted to say.


    Cayena went inside her office and started dealing with the tasks she hadn¡¯t finished because of yesterday¡¯s sudden affair.


    She nned to enforce the changes in the central military while everyone was distracted.


    She also needed to take care of the issues regarding hering-of-age.


    ¡®Rezef will soon install Relevance Dotty as the head maid. He¡¯ll probably try to have her be my chaperone for theing-of-age celebration to strengthen her influence within the pce.¡¯


    But Cayena would never allow it.


    ¡°Susan, I¡¯m going to write a letter to the Hamels, so please get my stationery ready.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    Once everyone had left to work, Vera, who remained in the office, looked at Cayena with sorrowful eyes.


    She knew logically that this was an opportunity for Cayena, but she couldn¡¯t be happy because the princess was working without rest.


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be nice to have a nap, at least?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll go to bed earlier tonight.¡±


    Vera was certain that Cayena, despite her words, wouldn¡¯t go to sleep early.


    ¡°Then, how about a massage? You enjoyed Annie¡¯s massage with the scented oil.¡±


    Vera wanted to at least try to find a way to relieve some of Cayena¡¯s fatigue. Cayena knew how she felt, so she couldn¡¯t refuse.


    Vera¡¯s face brightened a little.


    ¡°The silver spoon arrived from the workshop. Would you like to see?¡±


    ¡°All right.¡±


    The teaspoon made with real silver, one that would not deceive Emperor Esteban, had finally arrived.


    Cayena checked the design of the spoon against the illustration of the design and nodded.


    ¡°Please put this picture in a safe.¡±


    Knock, knock.


    ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s Annie.¡±


    Annie came in after being given permission.


    She soaked her hands in rose oil and began the massage.


    ¡°Your shoulders have a lump. You must have been working too hard these days.¡±


    Cayenaughed. ¡°You seem to be following Vera¡¯s lead in nagging me.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    Vera¡¯s face flushed with embarrassment. She got up from her seat to cool her heated cheeks.


    ¡°I will check the court ande back.¡±


    Cayena nodded, allowing her to leave.


    Vera had deliberately left her side.


    This was so that Cayena could be alone with Annie to find out whose spy she was.


    When Vera left, only Cayena and Annie remained in the bedroom.


    Annie pushed on Cayena¡¯s smooth, white arms and tilted her head.


    ¡®¡­Hm?¡¯


    Her wrist, which was injured when she had been kidnapped, was smooth without any trace.


    ¡®Her wounds have already healed.¡¯


    Annie had wrapped the bandage around the princess¡¯s wrist earlier. She remembered seeing a blue bruise.


    Cayena closed her eyes and opened her mouth.


    ¡°Annie.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°By any chance, do you know what young boys like these days?¡±


    ¡°How old is the child?¡±


    ¡°Thirteen years old.¡±


    It was a very precise age.


    Annie pondered over the overly specific question.


    Was there a 13-year-old boy near Cayena?


    ~~~

 Chapter 92

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ¡°I¡¯m not certain¡­ I believe I heard once that a young master around that age is typically gifted a purebred horse.¡±


    In this era, there were no special toys. Male aristocrats often rode horses as a hobby. As such, they liked to bet which families owned the faster horse.


    ¡®It would be good to give Ethel a Thoroughbred or a Hackney horse.¡¯<sup>1</sup>


    ¡°Thank you for the counsel.¡±


    Cayena gave Annie a small pearl ring that she had ced on the table.


    ¡°This is too much, Your Highness!¡±


    The surface of the pearl was smooth and polished. It was clearly a superior product.


    ¡°Please take it. Your advice was very helpful.¡±


    ¡°Thank you for your kindness.¡±


    Annie gratefully received the ring.


    ¡®Who is this 13-year-old?¡¯


    Annie continued to think about the child¡¯s identity while she continued the massage. Finally, something shed in her mind.


    ¡®It¡¯s Ethel Lindbergh!¡¯


    At that moment, Vera returned to the bedroom.


    ¡°Is there anything important?¡± Cayena asked.


    ¡°Lady Catherine has been officially registered as Count Hamel¡¯s foster daughter. She¡¯ll be moving to a mansion owned by the Hamels.¡±


    It seemed that Rezef had followed through on what Cayena had previously told him to do.


    ¡°She¡¯s now part of my family from my mother¡¯s side. Could you find a good horse with a proper pedigree? I should give her a gift and say hello sometime this week.¡±


    ¡°I shall prepare it.¡±


    Annie pretended to focus on the massage while keeping her ears open. As she supposed, the present was for Ethel Lindbergh. She would have to go to the Kedrey vi today and inform the duke.


    Susan reentered the office as well, having left before to retrieve stationery for Cayena.


    ¡°This is enough,¡± Cayena said to Annie. She stood up.


    Cayena wrote a letter to Catherine and ordered Olivia to deliver it right away.


    ¡°I¡¯m nning to see Catherine Hamel tomorrow, so get her reply.¡±


    ¡°I will heed your order.¡±


    Olivia bowed her head.


    ***


    The archduke and his people were busy trying to erase evidence about the princess¡¯s abduction and the gunpowder production. Rezef¡¯s supporters were sidetracked by the issue with the Evans cannabis farm, and Rezef was secluding himself for other reasons. In any case, the whole world was distracted by the problems linked to Cayena.


    In contrast, Cayena was leisurely preparing to go out after waking up. She got ready while eating freshly baked, chewy bread dipped in soup.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Julia today, either.¡±


    Vera rubbed her forehead and spoke breathlessly. ¡°She suddenly asked for a leave. I said that Your Highness had to approve it, but¡­¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s all right. The princess¡¯s pce is stable now.¡±


    Of course Julia wouldn¡¯t be able to attend to the princess, what with the troubles in her family.


    Thinking that, Cayena nced at herself in the mirror.


    A dark blue silk ribbon embroidered with gold thread was woven into her updo.


    Her dress was a refreshing mint color. Her earrings and ne matched; both had pearls that gave off a delicate sheen.


    Susan brought over a pastel-colored corsage.


    ¡°Would you like to wear it on your waist?¡±


    Cayena said yes, and Susan pinched the fabric of the dress to secure the corsage. With the pleats, the skirt of the dress looked more abundant and elegant.


    ¡°So you can also wear corsages like this,¡± Olivia admired from beside them. ¡°I think Miss Susan¡¯s eyes must be as sharp as those of the most fashionable dressmakers.¡±


    Susan shrugged. ¡°nc¡¯s Boutique? They¡¯re fine, but their main customers are young singles. It¡¯s far from the dignity of the imperial court.¡±


    Cayena recalled the apricot-colored dress she wore at Raphael¡¯s home. It certainly had a fresh and energetic feeling.


    Vera exined, ¡°It¡¯s likely because many young women go there when they be of marriageable age.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll probably be able to see many of their dresses at Her Highness¡¯sing-of-age celebration.¡±


    Cayena smiled slyly at them. ¡°You three are also young and unmarried. Do you have a dress for the celebration?¡±


    Their faces turned grim.


    ¡®Was Julia the only one who was interested in marriage?¡¯


    Cayena found it a bit funny how none of them were keen on marriage. She burst intoughter.


    After calming down, she said seriously, ¡°I¡¯ve sent a lot of fabric and jewelry to your homes, so you have to wear dresses that areparable to nc¡¯s.¡±


    ¡°¡­Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.¡±


    They had no choice but to ept and thank her. Olivia, though, was rtively calm. In her case, the imperial gifts from Cayena were absolutely necessary.


    ¡°Speaking of, I believe that Olivia¡¯s younger sister is debuting at the celebration. Her name was Emma, right?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°I hope she will make pleasant memories. Please let her know that.¡±


    Olivia bowed her head.


    ¡°Thank you for your concern.¡±


    Once Cayena finished grooming, she gave Susan a golden que for her hard work. Susan¡¯s eyes began to sparkle.


    ¡°You wanted to see the pce library, correct?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness!¡±


    Susan was very knowledgeable about old books, art, and antiques because of her interest in them.


    She had always looked toward Cayena because she couldn¡¯t see the art in the castle without the permission of someone from the imperial family. Knowing that, Cayena gave Susan the gold que to prove she had permission.


    ¡°You probably want to take a look right away, so go ahead.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Susan quickly bid them goodbye and left the dressing room.


    Vera¡¯s head throbbed.


    ¡®In this situation, she should say ¡°No, Your Highness.¡± ¡®


    Both Julia and Susan stillcked awareness as the princess¡¯sdies-in-waiting.


    ¡°Oh, by the way. What¡¯s the status of Ethel¡¯s gift?¡±


    Vera replied, ¡°Miss Susan said she would ask the Lepores.¡±


    The Lepores were Susan¡¯s family, so they would send over their best colt. Cayena felt that perhaps Susan liked her better than she had thought.


    ¡®She¡¯s someone who¡¯ll do as she likes, whether or not I order her around.¡¯


    Not bad. Cayena was relieved that there wouldn¡¯t be any unnecessary distractions.


    She told Olivia to prepare a carriage. Once Olivia had also left, Vera brought up a surreptitious topic.


    ¡°Annie left the imperial pce yesterday as well. I had someone follow her, but she immediately shook them off. She¡¯s quite skillful.¡±


    They still did not know whose spy she was. However, they had cast the bait; sooner orter, she would slip.


    ¡°And¡­¡± Vera continued speaking with great difficulty. ¡°Baroness rence Elivan¡¯s obituary arrived through a messenger today.¡±


    This was news that Cayena had already heard. She had hidden the envelope on which her nanny had drawn in the depths of her letter box.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry to inform you of such news.¡± Vera lowered her head, unable to hide her sorrow.


    Cayena¡¯s lips moved for an instant before closing them again quietly.


    She had to ask about the cause of death.


    Her nanny was murdered, but it was disguised as a suicide. Suicide was a dishonorable death.


    The Temple would not ept her body if she was said to have cut off her own breath.


    Cayena gulped and asked, ¡°¡­How?¡±


    ¡°It was judged to be suicide, but the Temple received an anonymous tip that it was murder.¡±


    ¡®It must have been Raphael.¡¯


    It was clear to Cayena that the anonymous informant was Raphael.


    Her throat burned.


    ¡°I see¡­ That¡¯s a pity. Find out if Baroness Elivan has any rtives and take care of their safety.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Then, let¡¯s go.¡±


    Cayena went to where her carriage was waiting. She was about to see Catherine Hamel, who had be her rtive.


    That was the ostensible reason, but Cayena had a separate purpose as well.


    ¡®I¡¯ll ask Catherine to be my chaperone.¡¯


    Catherine was ridiculed by society for being the emperor¡¯s defrocked lover. Nheless, she had unexpectedly be Count Hamel¡¯s foster daughter, shaking up the social world.


    Cayena would further drive in the wedge.


    The imperial princess¡¯s chaperone was a position of great honor. This was even more so for a chaperone who would apany her at a nation-wide anniversary.


    Having Catherine as a chaperone would show everyone once and for all that Cayena regarded the woman as family.


    Cayena had a reason to help her.


    ¡®If I fail to seed the throne, Ethel must be the next emperor.¡¯


    His birthright, supporting family, and influence had to be established starting now. Rezef could not be allowed to be the emperor again and kill innocents.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡±


    Cayena left the imperial castle with Olivia as her onlydy-in-waiting.


    ~~~


    <sup>1. Thoroughbreds are racing horses, and Hackneys pull carriages. This isn¡¯t really relevant to the story, but it¡¯s kind of cool.?</sup>

 Chapter 93

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    The carriage headed toward Count Hamel¡¯s residence, not to the new mansion to which Catherine had moved.


    It seemed that Catherine would stay with the Hamels for a while tomunicate to the others that they had be a family.


    Thus, Cayena requested a visit to see her new aunt.


    ¡®Count Hamel would probably wee me with both hands.¡¯


    The count was likely antsy because he hadn¡¯t been able to get in contact with the princess. This was because Rezef had restricted ess to his sister while protecting her from political issues.


    Rezef was especially vignt since he thought Count Hamel might say something unnecessary to Cayena.


    ¡°Archduke Heinrich will find it hard to move for a time,¡± Cayena said to Olivia.


    Olivia did not ask why. She just listened.


    ¡°You said that the debt collectors connected to the archduke are just increasing the total amount without pestering for repayment, I believe. And they continue to lend your family money?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°This is one of the archduke¡¯s tricks. He takes over bonds and loans, then threatens families to join his faction. That¡¯s how he has been increasing his influence.¡±


    Olivia bit her lips at Cayena¡¯s exnation.


    ¡°How can such a wicked man¡­¡±


    Yester was a person who would unflinchingly pull any dirty tricks in order to seed.


    ¡®He¡¯ll use violence if necessary.¡¯


    Yester could not be appeased by mere words. Only money and power would get through to him.


    ¡°We have arrived, Your Highness.¡±


    The carriage came to a stop at Count Hamel¡¯s residence.


    Cayena felt nostalgic as she saw the stunning mansion, which seemed to be trying to show off the family¡¯s prestige.


    ¡°I used to think this mansion was amazing.¡±


    But looking at it now, Cayena could feel how shallow it was.


    ¡°We greet Her Highness, the Princess!¡±


    The county¡¯s servants bowed when they saw Cayena.


    It seemed they had been outside waiting for her for a long time.


    All of their faces turned a warm red hue from being in the spring sun.


    ¡°I was waiting for you, Your Highness!¡±


    A blond-haired, green-eyed man greeted Cayena. It was Cayena¡¯s maternal uncle, Sir Jonathan.


    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, Uncle.¡±


    Jonathan smiled broadly. ¡°It has. Ah, are you feeling well?¡±


    ¡°Yes, of course.¡±


    ¡°So many things have happened these days that your uncle was extremely worried. I wanted to go and see you, but¡­¡±


    His expression stiffened as he thought of Rezef, and he gritted his teeth a little. Then, he grinned again.


    ¡°Come in. It¡¯s been a while since this house entertained so many young guests at once.¡±


    Cayena hesitated.


    ¡®Young guests?¡¯


    Count Hamel was a disagreeable old man, and Jonathan, the next Count Hamel, was a middle-aged gentleman. What young person woulde to such a boring home?


    Cayena narrowed her eyes, feeling some sort of foreboding.


    ¡®Perhaps the one who nted the spy hase.¡¯


    ¡°Oh my. There are other guests?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Duke Kedrey has dropped by.¡±


    ¡°¡­Did you say, Duke Kedrey?¡±


    At that moment, the parlor door opened, revealing Raphael elegantly drinking tea inside.


    Raphael shamelessly greeted Cayena.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you here, Your Highness.¡±


    Cayena was astounded. Sheughed.


    ¡°¡­Yes. What a coincidence.¡±


    ¡®How did he know that I would¡­ Is Raphael really Annie¡¯s master?¡¯


    She outwardly smiled at Raphael while eyeing him with suspicion.


    ¡°I¡¯m quite surprised to meet you here at my maternal family¡¯s home.¡±


    Raphael serenely nodded. ¡°I¡¯m also surprised.¡±


    His brazen lie was surprisingly careless. Olivia quietly swallowed augh and greeted Raphael, lifting the hems of her skirt.


    ¡°Greetings, Duke Kedrey.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure, Miss Olivia.¡±


    Their greetings were very basic.


    The rtionship between the two seemed like the rtionship that Cayena had with her peers at work in her past life.


    Their faces were familiar, so they just greeted each other as they passed by.


    ¡®Raphael¡¯s heart is focused on me alone¡­¡¯


    It was weird that their rtionship was so dry, but Cayena also felt some relief. Anyway, there was something more important to ask right now.


    ¡°What are you doing here, Duke Kedrey?¡±


    Raphael casually replied, ¡°I came here to meet someone.¡±


    Saying that, he naturally approached Cayena and extended his hand so he could kiss the back of hers.


    Cayena knew well that she was the person he was talking about.


    She obligingly granted her hand. Raphael held it not at her fingertips, but past them, at her palm.


    It almost made her flinch.


    Before long, his breath tickled the back of her hand, and Raphael gently pressed down his lips. Their gazes crossed in the air.


    ¡®Really¡­¡¯


    Cayena suddenly felt like sighing.


    It was because of his eyes. Raphael¡¯s eyes when he looked at her were neither cold nor dull like they originally were.


    They were an intense, dark, beautiful red.


    When Cayena tried to take her hand back, Raphael lowered their hands while pretending to let go.


    They were still touching, sharing warmth.


    p!


    Jonathan pped his hands with a smile.


    ¡°Please wait a moment. I will escort Miss Catherine.¡±


    Jonathan was delighted that the two most notable people in the capital were in his parlor.


    He nned to casually stay in the parlor by escorting Catherine.


    As Jonathan was leaving the parlor, Raphael guided Cayena with the hand he was still holding to a seat.


    Cayena asked inly, ¡°Was it you?¡±


    Was it he who ced Annie as a spy?


    However, Raphael pretended not to understand.


    ¡°What are you talking about?¡±


    Cayena didn¡¯t fall for it. With a smile on her face, she gently reasoned, ¡°You have no reason toe to the Hamel county.¡±


    Raphael shrugged as if he didn¡¯t know what she was referring to.


    ¡°I came to visit Ethel Hamel today.¡±


    ¡®Why would he visit Ethel?¡¯


    Even if it was true that he came to see Ethel, he had no proper reason to do so.


    Unless¡­ Had he decided to support Ethel as the sessor to the throne?


    Cayena stopped to think while being led to a chair by Raphael. Sitting down, she looked up at Raphael.


    His gaze met hers immediately, given that he had already been looking at her.


    ¡°Duke, why are you visiting Ethel?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­¡±


    Knock, knock.


    Some servants entered through the threshold of the parlor.


    Cayena and Raphael shut their mouths.


    ¡°Are there any nuts inside?¡±


    Olivia asked a servant.


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°Prepare some warm milk. And bring something soft for Her Highness to eat.¡±


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±


    Olivia had deliberately drawn the servants¡¯ attention away from the strange atmosphere by carefully looking over the refreshments.


    Meanwhile, Raphael smoothly changed his seat to be beside Cayena.


    Jonathan shortly returned with Catherine. They greeted Cayena formally; Catherine went down on one knee and bowed.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Cayena quickly helped her up. ¡°You¡¯re an adult member of my maternal family; there¡¯s no need for that.¡±


    Jonathan chuckled and said magnanimously, ¡°Yes, of course. We¡¯re family!¡±


    Catherine aloofly lowered her head slightly, this time greeting Raphael.


    ¡°Well met, Duke Kedrey. I am Catherine Hamel.¡±


    ¡°Well met. I am Raphael Kedrey.¡±


    They all sat down.


    Who knew when they were called in, but a band entered the parlor and began to perform.


    It all felt like an elegant meetup nned well in advance. Perhaps that was why it was so easy to read Jonathan¡¯s high expectations.


    He and Count Hamel seemed to think that Cayena¡¯s increased influence would help them.


    They must have calcted she would visit Catherine and were using the opportunity to gain power and establish their prestige.


    Cayena hid her derision.


    Sadly for them, Cayena only needed the Hamels as a tool. She didn¡¯t feel any special attachment to them.


    The Hamels were too rotten to hold onto.


    Catherine opened her mouth first.


    ¡°There have been so many things happening by Your Highness¡¯s side that it¡¯s worrisome. But I thank you foring to visit me like this.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my aunt now.¡±


    They may now be rtives on paper, but it was still unusual that Cayena would treat her so familiarly.


    Thus, Catherine was wary. Furthermore, it was strange that Raphael came to see Ethel.


    A meeting between Duke Kedrey and her son could be seen as a newpetitor for the throne, so she felt anxious.


    When Catherine was contemting theseplications, Cayena began to speak.


    ¡°Is Ethel still at the academy?¡±


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s still ss time. He should be back soon.¡±


    Recently, Catherine had heard Ethel often talk about Cayena.


    He said that she looked like him and had let him call her ¡®sister.¡¯


    Catherine was also aware that Cayena had stood up for Ethel at the academy. She was grateful for that.


    However, she questioned the princess¡¯s intentions behind such kindness. Ethel and Cayena had never been close.


    Their rtionship was furtherplicated by Rezef, who came between them.


    Cayena was able to take a guess at Catherine¡¯s thoughts.


    ¡°Actually, I asked to visit you because I have a request.¡±


    Jonathan¡¯s eyes glistened like a knife as Cayena exined her business.


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t have a mother or a nanny, I don¡¯t have an adult who can help me with mying-of-age.¡±


    ¡°You mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Aunt Catherine, please be my chaperone.¡±


    ~~~

 Chapter 94

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    The mood in the room turned stiff at the word ¡®chaperone.¡¯


    The role was too much for Catherine. It would draw society¡¯s attention to her, and as the imperial princess¡¯s chaperone, Catherine may be treated as an adult member of the imperial family.


    ¡®But why?¡¯


    Though Catherine hesitated, Jonathan suddenly cut in.


    ¡°An excellent idea, Your Highness. Ady¡¯s help is absolutely necessary for youring-of-age celebration. I have been concerned about this for a long time.¡±


    Then, he quietly continued, ¡°Though I wish that my wife could y that role¡­¡±


    Cayena pretended not to have heard him and turned to Catherine.


    ¡°There¡¯s no need to overthink this. Harmonious families are important in aristocratic society, and we, the imperial family, must set an example.¡±


    The reason was convincing enough, but bing a chaperone was still a huge deal.


    In either case, Catherine saw that it was a good opportunity to set up protections for herself and her son. She stood up.


    ¡°I ept. I will make sure not to be a bother.¡±


    Cayena smiled.


    ¡°I am in your care.¡±


    ***


    Ethel ran out of the academy as soon as ss was over. Cayena was expected at the Hamel residence today.


    He impatiently looked around for the carriage. At that moment, a well-dressed attendant stepped down from an ornate carriage and greeted Ethel.


    ¡°I¡¯vee to pick you up, Young Master.¡±


    Ethel inspected the carriage.


    ¡®It is the Hamel county seal, but¡­¡¯


    Before, the Hamels had him ride an ordinary wagon that did not draw attention, as if they were ashamed of taking in Ethel and his mother.


    But today, a fancy carriage hade for Ethel. It was like he was being favored.


    ¡®It must be because of Sister.¡¯


    Ethel felt many nces watching him and the carriage.


    This was Cayena¡¯s strength and status.


    ¡°Please get in.¡±


    The attendant opened the carriage door.


    Ethel faltered, then climbed into the carriage. He needlessly checked to see if there were any wrinkles in his school uniform.


    After Cayena told the academy to punish the students who had attacked him, nobody tried to pick a fight with him anymore.


    Thus, his uniform stopped getting dirty, but he continued to look over his clothes out of habit.


    The carriage arrived at the mansion.


    Ethel gulped and then entered.


    ¡°Where is Sis¡­ I mean, where is Her Highness?¡±


    Ethel was about to call her ¡®Sister,¡¯ but he quickly corrected himself.


    Cayena said he could call her that, but he wasn¡¯t sure if she had seriously meant it.


    The attendant politely answered,


    ¡°The adults of the household are receiving Her Highness.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­¡±


    Ethel wanted to rush to the parlor and see Cayena. A lot of things had happened to her, so he wanted to check that she was all right.


    However, he did not voice a word of his desire to go to the parlor.


    Then, the butler hurried to the first floor and called for Ethel.


    ¡°Young Master!¡±


    Unlike before, he addressed Ethel very courteously.


    ¡°The princess has been waiting for you to return. Please apany me to the parlor.¡±


    ¡®She was waiting for me?¡¯


    Ethel was embarrassed and fidgeted with his hands.


    He headed for the second-floor parlor. He was unfamiliar with this feeling. Usually, the second-floor parlor was used to greet close allies and family.


    ¡®It¡¯s like we¡¯re a real family.¡¯


    Finally, he arrived at the parlor.


    Jonathan called out kindly to him, seeing him at the door.


    ¡°Oh, Ethel. Come here!¡±


    Catherine ignored how Jonathan was behaving differently than usual and greeted her son. ¡°Wee back, Ethel.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m home¡­!¡±


    Ethel was bowing his head when he paused.


    He met Cayena¡¯s eyes; she had been staring at him.


    Her smile was warm and tender, as if telling him he had been worried over nothing.


    Ethel wanted to smile at Cayena, but his stiff face did not move ording to his heart.


    He greeted her respectfully.


    ¡°I greet Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ethel.¡±


    ¡®I have to ask how she is¡­¡¯


    Ethel had been extremely worried, but it was difficult for him to ask about her. He felt shy. He fiddled with the hem of his jacket.


    ¡°Nice to see you, Ethel.¡±


    Ethel lifted his head in surprise. He saw a dark-haired man sitting next to Cayena.


    ¡°¡­Greetings, Duke Kedrey.¡±


    Ethel frowned.


    He hated to admit it, but the two sitting side-by-side seemed to match well.


    ¡®¡­Where should I sit?¡¯


    Cayena noticed Ethel¡¯s pondering and moved closer to Raphael, making space at her side.


    Because of that, Raphael¡¯s entire body startled. He nearly wrapped his arm around Cayena¡¯s waist when she suddenly came closer to him.


    Raphael sighed inwardly, holding his hand back so others wouldn¡¯t notice. He had to control himself.


    Cayena, who hadn¡¯t noticed Raphael¡¯s condition, called to Ethel.


    ¡°Come here and sit.¡±


    Ethel wavered, then went to Cayena¡¯s side.


    The people of the Hamel county stared at the scene with their mouths wide open.


    Jonathan in particr looked the most shocked.


    Catherine also wore a surprised expression because the two siblings appeared to be more affectionate than she had thought.


    Cayena gently pulled Ethel to sit beside her.


    ¡°How have you been?¡±


    Ethel peeked at Cayena and replied with difficulty.


    ¡°¡­Good.¡±


    Cayena inspected Ethel¡¯s uniform.


    There were some wrinkles from everyday life, but thankfully, there were no traces of Ethel getting into fights.


    Ethel hesitantly brought his courage together and asked, ¡°How have you been¡­ Your Highness?¡±


    He had thought that he¡¯dfortably be able to call Cayena ¡®Sister¡¯ once he saw her again, but that affectionate epithet did not leave his lips, as if it had been glued inside his mouth.


    Cayena seemed to notice Ethel¡¯s hesitancy and stroked his silver hair with a thoughtful smile.


    ¡°Your big sister is doing fine.¡±


    At the word ¡®sister,¡¯ Ethel widened his eyes and stared at her.


    Was it all right to call her that?


    However, the others in the room reacted strongly to the intimate title. Or rather, they had felt that things had been unusual since a while ago.


    Ethel nced at Jonathan¡¯s stern face and asked Cayena,


    ¡°May I call you ¡®Sister¡¯?¡±


    Cayena replied right away, as if it were obvious.


    ¡°Everyone here is a part of my family. Of course you should call me ¡®Sister.¡¯ ¡±


    Cayena added on like an afterthought, ¡°Of course, Duke Raphael is not family. But he was our witness at the academy, wasn¡¯t he?¡±<sup>1</sup>


    ¡°¡­Yes, Sister.¡±


    Jonathan, who had been quietly listening to Cayena, nodded and broke into exaggeratedughter.


    ¡°Yes, yes! This is your and your mother¡¯s home now, so there¡¯s no need to be ufortable, Ethel!¡±


    Jonathan was extremely transparent. Cayena took a sip of her tea without adding anything to his words.


    She had been thinking about dealing with the Hamel county¡¯s problem in addition to asking Catherine to be her chaperone today.


    Specifically, the matter of the family¡¯s session.


    ¡°By the way, has Grandfather¡¯s health declined further?¡±


    Count Hamel was over eighty years old. In this time period, that was quite a long life. Thus, Jonathan hadn¡¯t been able to inherit the family title despite being middle-aged.


    ¡°Well, he is quite aged. I¡¯ve been taking care of the family affairs, actually,¡± Jonathan said, subtly mentioning his contributions.


    Cayena made a saddened expression. ¡°If that¡¯s so, then you need to take over as the count. Uncle, you need to take on Grandfather¡¯s burdens so he can restfortably.¡±


    Jonathan quickly erased the smile that formed at the corners of his mouth.


    Cayena was supporting Jonathan¡¯s ession.


    ¡°I wish for the count to retire in peace.¡±


    ¡°If the vassals also care for Count Hamel¡¯s health, they will agree that you should take over for the family.¡±


    Jonathan bowed his head deeply. ¡°I have no more qualms since Your Highness has recognized that I am acting sincerely for the family.¡±


    Cayena smiled brightly. ¡°We¡¯re family, after all.¡± Saying that, she held Ethel close to her and stroked his head. ¡°Please take good care of my cute little brother as well.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡±


    Ethel continued to be patted by Cayena while his face turned red.


    ¡°Oh, Ethel. Have you learned to ride a horse?¡±


    ¡°I learned a little in school¡­ ¡±


    ¡°Do you have a horse?¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Jonathan, looking embarrassed, cut in.


    ¡°Lady Catherine and Ethel just joined our family recently, so I haven¡¯t been able to take care of that yet.¡±


    ¡°I want to give Ethel a horse as a present, so please encourage him to diligently practice while he¡¯s here. It¡¯s a necessity for a young man from a prestigious family, is it not?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be sure to do that.¡±


    Ethel was fascinated by how Cayena trapped Jonathan with every word. It was even more amazing because her tone didn¡¯t sound forceful at all.


    Then, Catherine said,


    ¡°Ethel, you need to thank her.¡±


    ¡°Thank you¡­ Sister.¡±


    When Ethel self-consciously called her ¡®Sister,¡¯ Cayena smiled brightly.


    It was cute how the teenager shyly and tersely spoke to her.


    Cayena leaned back with a smile, bumping into Raphael. Raphael supported Cayena, lightly holding her shoulder.


    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡±


    He should have moved down the couch. That was what Cayenamunicated with her expression, but Raphael still did not budge.


    She sighed a little then asked,


    ¡°By the way, Duke, didn¡¯t you say you came here to see Ethel?¡±


    Despite the sudden question, Raphael was not caught off guard. Rather, as if he had been waiting, he said, ¡°Yes. I was actually thinking of giving Ethel a gift.¡±


    Raphael called for his entourage, who stepped forward with a box.


    It was an excellent sword that was light enough that even a young boy like Ethel could wield it. Ethel¡¯s eyes sparkled when he saw the sword.


    <sup>1. Reference to chapter 53. ?</sup>

 Chapter 95

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    As everything seemed to be sorted out, Jonathan pped his hands. He said to Cayena, ¡°It¡¯s been so long since you came to visit. You should look around here. The garden has been redone, so it should be a pleasant sight. Ah, Duke, this is your first visit, right?¡±


    Jonathan¡¯s face brightened after Raphael nodded.


    ¡°Then, would you like to have Her Highness show you around while enjoying a nice walk together?¡±


    Jonathan was confident that he was doing something good.


    Word about society was that Cayena no longer cared for Raphael these days, but Jonathan didn¡¯t believe it.


    This way, he would gain brownie points with Cayena. However, the person whom he had won brownie points with was not Cayena, but Raphael.


    Raphael stood up and offered Cayena to escort her.


    Cayena had wanted to continue their conversation and also ask him something. Hence, she epted his arm.


    Then, Ethel jumped up.


    ¡°I can also guide you.¡±


    For some reason, Ethel looked like he was challenging someone.


    Raphael hummed and tilted his head to look at Ethel.


    Though the young Ethel was cute, Raphael had no intention of letting the boy interfere with his time with Cayena.


    ¡°I will be guided by Her Highness. You should change out of your uniform.¡±


    At Raphael¡¯s remark, Ethel realized that he was still wearing his school uniform. His pride was punctured when he noticed that he, unlike the adultlike duke, looked like a child who needed to be protected by Cayena.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯ll be good for you to change clothes first. Or do you want your sister to choose your outfit?¡± Cayena asked.


    Ethel blushed when he understood that she was teasing him for what had happened at the academy.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child!¡±


    The others in the room gasped at his reaction and became wary. However, Cayena only burst intoughter and stroked Ethel¡¯s hair.


    ¡°I know. I just said it because you¡¯re too cute.¡±


    ¡°¡­!¡±


    Ethel escaped the room as his face flushed like it was going to explode.


    Afterward, Raphael said, ¡°Shall we go?¡±


    They stepped out of the parlor.


    Olivia quietly followed behind Cayena. Raphael looked back at her before they went outside the mansion.


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take a break, Miss Olivia? I¡¯ll take care of Her Highness.¡±


    Cayena nodded, allowing it.


    ¡°Yes, go and rest. We¡¯ll just take a short stroll nearby.¡±


    ¡°Understood, Your Highness.¡±


    The couple began to walk on the path alone.


    The walkways near the mansion were a dense mix of thetest fashions of the empire. In other words, there were many private spots throughout the trail.


    After confirming that nobody was around, Cayena opened her mouth.


    ¡°We have something to talk about, don¡¯t we?¡±


    Raphael made a rare embarrassed expression.


    ¡°When did the thing with Annie begin?¡±


    He hesitated on what words to choose, then answered obediently. ¡°It was 10 years ago.¡±


    When Raphael mentioned ¡¯10 years,¡¯ Cayena realized how it had happened.


    Ten years ago was when Rezef exiled her nanny and reced all the members of the princess¡¯s pce.


    The reason Raphael hesitated was that he thought Cayena would be saddened if she remembered her nanny again.


    ¡°I dide to see Ethel today, but it was also to tell Your Highness about my spy.¡±


    Cayena wasn¡¯t ming Raphael for sending in a spy. Even she would have done the same.


    ¡°To be honest, it¡¯s unfortunate that you¡¯re the master of the spy.¡±


    She was going to use the spy against their master, but her opponent turned out to be Raphael, her ally.


    ¡®It would have been nice if it was someone on Yester¡¯s side.¡¯


    Raphael frowned a little when he realized Cayena had been trying to do something crafty.


    ¡°You can¡¯t keep doing dangerous things.¡±


    Cayena smiled brightly.


    ¡°I have no intention of doing anything dangerous.¡±


    ¡°You said thatst time.¡±


    He was referring to the abduction attempt at the temple.


    ¡®I guess he doesn¡¯t know I drank poison since Annie didn¡¯t hear about it.¡¯


    Raphael intertwined his fingers with Cayena¡¯s, held them tightly, and kissed the back of her hand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t mind it, so please use me to take care of such things.¡±


    Cayena was teaching him how it felt to be anxious. And it wasn¡¯t just that feeling. He felt like he had be a child. Like he was now facing the world and learning things, one by one.


    Cayena caressed his cheek, and Raphael kissed the palm of her hand.


    ¡°I am a shameful man,¡± Raphael said.


    Cayena¡¯s eyes widened at this sudden confession.


    ¡°I¡¯m jealous of Ethel.¡±


    ¡°That isn¡¯t shameful.¡±


    ¡°Ethel calls you ¡®Sister¡¯ and speaks with you in a friendly way, but I feel hurt that you still call me ¡®Duke.¡¯ ¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    He had revealed his shameful feelings so honestly that he didn¡¯t know what else to say.


    Cayena smirked.


    ¡°Raphael.¡±


    When she called his name, his eyes immediately softened. A strange atmosphere blossomed between the two.


    Feeling that things might be a little dangerous, Cayena tried to resume their walk.


    But Raphael pulled on Cayena¡¯s hand slightly and said, ¡°I want to hold you, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°¡­What?¡±


    He wanted to hold her?


    Cayena was about to tell him off for being out of his mind when she realized.


    ¡®Oh. A hug.¡¯


    Raphael stared at her vacantly as if asking why he couldn¡¯t. Strangely, his gaze made her heart waver.


    ¡°Go ahead.¡±


    Permission granted, Raphael hugged Cayena around her waist. He seemed unable to endure any longer and clung onto her.


    He lowered his head and briefly kissed Cayena¡¯s lips. This time, he intended to deepen the kiss once Cayena closed her eyes.


    Instead, Cayena covered Raphael¡¯s lips with her hand.


    ¡°We can¡¯t do this here.¡±


    Although they were out of sight from others, they were still near the entrance of the path.


    Raphael, with a slightly dissatisfied look, opened his mouth.


    ¡°There¡¯s a flower garden this way.¡±


    Cayena narrowed her eyes.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t this your first time visiting the Hamel mansion?¡±


    ¡°I came here when I was young. Sir Jonathan wasn¡¯t around then, so he doesn¡¯t know.¡±


    Now, it was exhausting to be taken aback by all the astounding things he said.


    Raphael went deeper into the trails, following his memories.


    Finally, they came across a calm garden with a small fountain and a swing hanging from a tree.


    Cayena approached the swing. It wasn¡¯t in a bad state.


    ¡°Perhaps thete empress rode this swing.¡±


    ¡°¡­Maybe.¡±


    Cayena could barely remember her mother, but somehow, she felt sentimental.


    ¡°Would you like to ride it?¡±


    Cayena sat on the swing. There was a slight creaking sound, but it was fine even when she kicked her legs.


    Raphael slowly walked around and stood across from Cayena.


    At this moment, they seemed like normal lovers. It was like they were the main characters of such a peaceful, daily life, where they didn¡¯t need to watch out in case something would hurt them. As if all they had to do was treasure and love each other.


    Raphael knew how shameless it was of him to want Cayena like that.


    But at the same time, he would wish for nothing if only she could stay by his side.


    She just had to stay. That was all he wanted.


    Cayena had an odd way of making someone feel unsettled.


    He was anxious. Raphael was nervous that one day, she would suddenly disappear or leave behind her lingering attachments to the world.


    Creak¡ª


    Cayena, who was kicking her feet to move the swing, suddenly felt dizzy and fell.


    ¡°Your Highness!¡±


    Raphael quickly grabbed hold of Cayena and turned her body to the side.


    Cayena frowned and whined in distress.


    Sheid her head on Raphael¡¯s chest and waited for the dizziness to go away.


    ¡°I¡¯ll just stay like this for a moment¡­¡±


    Raphael¡¯s expression sank.


    How long could shest in the imperial pce like this? There were an endless number of issues surrounding her, and Cayena probably couldn¡¯t even rest properly.


    Raphael sat down on the grass so that he could better support her body while she was in his arms.


    Cayena let out a light exhale, leaningfortably against him.


    Her body had definitely be feebler.


    ¡®It¡¯s obviously the aftereffects of the magical contract.¡¯


    It seemed that the destructive power of the contract was so much that it could not be cured by Elixir.


    ¡®To think that my body feels this weak even after drinking Elixir¡­¡¯


    Her dizziness faded after she rested while leaning on Raphael. When Cayena tried to get up, Raphael hugged her by the waist tightly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to let Your Highness go.¡±


    ¡°¡­Raphael.¡±


    ¡°Your Highness makes me act childishly.¡±


    Or maybe he had always been like that.


    He pressed his face against Cayena¡¯s white neck and sighed deeply.


    He felt like a monster in a story, where the monster¡¯s thirst would disappear if it bit a neck and drank blood.


    Raphael couldn¡¯t believe that he was thiscking in patience. He had never been greedy for anything, so he hadn¡¯t recognized how impatient he actually was.


    Greed repeatedly brought forth new greed.


    He wanted to swallow all of her breaths. At the same time, he wanted to support her with everything he had. Even his soul.


    Raphael barely pushed down his greed to shower her with affection. Sadly, he asked, ¡°If I let you go like this, when will I see you again?¡±


    Eventually, Cayena turned to face Raphael.


    Raphael looked into Cayena¡¯s icy blue eyes and said something stupid. ¡°I thought I could wait for you patiently, but now, I honestly don¡¯t know.¡±


    This foolish, weak, lowly thought reflected his true feelings.


    Cayena¡¯s heart pounded so much that she felt like she was choking.


    ¡®If I had realized so many things earlier, it might not have turned out like this.¡¯


    Wouldn¡¯t everything be easier if Cayena hadn¡¯t been so stupid in her first life? She knew this was a useless regret, but she still thought about it.


    ¡°I have to go now.¡±


    ¡°Cayena.¡±


    Raphael dared to call the princess¡¯s name.


    When he held her name in his mouth, he deeply felt how special that name was.


    Cayena sighed briefly, then slowly hugged him.


    Once they left here, they would have to return to their positions as the imperial princess and duke.


    Cayena hugged him a little tighter.


    ¡®I wish time could stop like this.¡¯


    It was then.


    Tock, tock, tock¡­


    The gentle breeze stopped.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    She couldn¡¯t feel Raphael¡¯s warm breath or soft heartbeat.


    Cayena lifted her head and pulled away slightly from Raphael¡¯s arms.


    Raphael was frozen stiff like a doll and was pushed by her movement.


    Her eyes widened.


    ¡°Wh-what is this¡­?¡±


    Her skin became numb. A strange and grotesque feeling made her tense. Her heart beat violently.


    A voice halfway between a moan and a scream slipped out from between her lips.


    ¡°¡­This can¡¯t be happening.¡±


    The world in front of her eyes had stopped.

 Chapter 96

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    ***


    Everything stopped. When Cayena moved her hand a little, she could feel the suspended space and time throbbing. It was a repelling force generated as she moved in the controlled space-time.


    Suddenly, Cayena realized that it was her who had stopped time.


    ¡®The magic can control time and space.¡¯


    She remembered Bayel¡¯s words.


    ¡®He said that my ability would bloom ording to the life I¡¯ve led.¡¯


    The magical ability that a contractor would acquire was simr to their life.


    When she thought her ability was telekinesis, she figured that it suited her well. Up to now, she had been manipted and moved by others.


    But at this moment, she discovered that she could manipte space-time.


    ¡®However, this ability is¡­¡¯


    This magic was excessively superior.


    If she could stop time, there was no limit to what she could do. Nothing in the future would pose a danger to her.


    ¡®Just now, I wished for this moment tost forever.¡¯


    ¡°To think I can pause time with just my thoughts¡­¡±


    After the shock, joy began to fill her up.


    It was perfect. This ability was the greatest power.


    Like Cayena had wished, this ability assured she would never be helpless.


    It was unbelievable how such a wonderful ability had cost only half her life span.


    ¡®Was I supposed to live a long life? But even if youpare a few decades with time controlling magic, the yield is outstanding.¡¯


    With this ability, it¡¯d be easy to seize the throne.


    She was going to take away what Rezef desired most right before his eyes and make him feel the same despair as her.


    He needed to learn that he couldn¡¯t just take something valuable from someone and destroy it.


    They couldn¡¯t be a family with that sort of rtionship.


    Then, a sharp ringing in her ears caused agony to dig into her whole body.


    ¡°¡ª!¡±


    Cayena grabbed Raphael¡¯s shirt without thinking.


    Was this because she was using powers above her means? She closed her eyes. Inwardly, she cried, ¡®Stop!¡¯


    Tock, tock, tock.


    Time once again began to flow.


    The wind carried along the scent of flowers, and she could feel Raphael¡¯s warm heartbeat. The air that had made her flesh numb with the repelling force of space-time became gentle again.


    Cayena bit her lips harshly and buried her face in Raphael¡¯s face so he wouldn¡¯t see her face distorted in pain.


    ¡°Your Highness?¡±


    Raphael was confused because from his perspective, Cayena had suddenly embraced him without restraint.


    His body twitched, and he slowly ran his hand over Cayena¡¯s back. He felt her exhaling quietly.


    ¡°Shall I call a doctor?¡±


    Cayena shook her head. Raphael¡¯s expression turned serious when he noticed that herplexion seemed paler than before.


    ¡°Are you really all right? We can go back now, and the doctor will¡­¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    Cayena swiftly grabbed onto him.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just stay here, please.¡±


    Raphael was about to stand up, but he followed Cayena¡¯s request.


    Cayena knew that since this was the aftereffect of magic, it wouldn¡¯t do any good to check with a doctor.


    It was disappointing. Logically, a strong ability came at a steep price.


    It would be fatal for her to be so tired after using magic. Thus, it¡¯d be difficult for her to use this power for her political ys.


    ¡®But it¡¯ll be the social season soon, so I should be able to use it there.¡¯


    The magic was perfectly suited for carrying out ns in crowded locations.


    While she thought that, Cayena felt the hand cautiously patting her on the back. It made her smile.


    Her sharp nerves softened because of the touch that treated her like she was precious.


    Cayena opened her mouth.


    ¡°Thank you, Raphael. You helped me again.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m just d that I could be of help.¡±


    Raphael couldn¡¯t help but be delighted by Cayena¡¯s words. He felt secure at those words that seemed to express that she wanted and needed him.


    Cayena stroked his head as if praising a well-behaved child.


    Raphael¡¯s expression subtly slipped. ¡°It feels strange every time you treat me like this.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s so strange?¡±


    As Cayena batted hershes and smiled disingenuously, Raphael raised an eyebrow, leaned his head, and kissed her.


    ¡°What is it?¡±


    ¡°I thought you were looking at me so I would kiss you.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    When she stared at him, dumbfounded at his absurd words, Raphael kissed her again.


    Cayena quietlyughed. Then, Raphael opened his lips and swallowed thatugh.


    The air around them heated up. One of hisrge hands supported Cayena¡¯s back while the other held her head. Cayena hugged Raphael by the neck and drew him closer to her.


    Breathlessly, they exchanged longing gazes. His lips slowly found ces to travel beyond her lips.


    Cayena thought that things would go out of control if they continued like this, but it was hard to hold back. In front of Raphael¡¯s deep thirst, she couldn¡¯t remain rational at all.


    ¡°Sister!¡±


    Ethel¡¯s voice called out in the distance, Startled, Cayena pushed Raphael away.


    As she hastily stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on her dress, Raphael wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear.


    ¡°You¡¯ll be dizzy if you stand too quickly, so please be careful.¡±


    The breath that caressed her ears rekindled the tingling sensation.


    ¡°I understand, so let me go.¡±


    Embarrassed, Cayena pulled his arm away.


    Fortunately, Ethel only appeared after that was done.


    ¡°Were you looking for me?¡±


    Ethel had changed into normal clothes. He nced between Cayena and Raphael, who were standing overly close together.


    ¡°Yes. Sir Jonathan said it would be good if Your Highness came back inside.¡±


    Ethel looked at Raphael with disapproval.


    Raphael wasn¡¯t Cayena¡¯s fianc¨¦, but the light in his eyes and the atmosphere around them were too intimate.


    Raphael stared back with just as much displeasure because Ethel had interrupted his precious time with Cayena.


    ¡°I see. Let¡¯s return to the mansion.¡±


    At Cayena¡¯s words, Raphael held out his arm to escort her.


    ¡°You had a dizzy spell earlier, Your Highness. I¡¯ll walk you back.¡±


    Cayena¡¯s eyes narrowed a little at his excuse.


    Ethel, with a surprised expression, quickly approached Cayena¡¯s side and he held out his arm.


    ¡°If so, I¡¯ll escort you to the mansion, Sister.¡±


    Raphael retorted, ¡°It looks difficult for someone of your height to properly escort ady. Perhaps you should attempt it when you be as tall as I am.¡±


    Ethel looked furious when Raphael mentioned his stature.


    He wasn¡¯t very tallpared to his peers, so he was sensitive about it.


    Cayena swallowed a sigh. She briefly looked at Raphael, then reached out her hand to Ethel.


    ¡°Will you hold my hand, Ethel?¡±


    Ethel shyly held her hand.


    When they arrived, Jonathan hurriedly approached them.


    ¡°Your Highness! I¡¯ve prepared our best room for you to use. It¡¯s been so long since you¡¯vee over; would you like to stay and sleep here tonight?¡±


    Cayena had no intention of responding to Jonathan¡¯s artless appeal.


    ¡®What rumors will he try to spin if I stay here overnight?¡¯


    Then, Raphael said, ¡°Her Highness felt unwell while taking a walk just now. I believe she should return to the pce to be examined by a doctor and rest.¡±


    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s¡­¡±


    Jonathan looked disgruntled for a moment, then turned to Cayena with a worried expression.


    ¡°How is your body?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing to worry about. But I think I do need some rest.¡±


    Meanwhile, Olivia had briskly walked to Cayena.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go back.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Your Highness.¡±


    The Hamels and their servants saw off Cayena while she waited for her carriage.


    Cayena whispered to Raphael, who was standing beside her. ¡°Please get along with Ethel. Don¡¯t fight with him.¡±


    ¡°I have never fought with him.¡±


    She was bemused by his words, but she left it at that.


    Soon, the carriage arrived. Before getting inside, Cayena asked Raphael,


    ¡°By the way, Duke, are you not going home?¡±


    Raphael shrugged and looked toward Ethel.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t finished my business yet.¡±


    Cayena furrowed her brows a bit, but she made herself smile again.


    ¡°All right. Then, I will see you againter.¡±


    She got into the carriage.


    It was time to return to the epicenter of chaos.


    ~~~

 Chapter 97

    <b>Trantor:</b> thursdays <b>PR:</b> scarcecrow


    ***


    Zenon had stopped spending as much time at the imperial pce. He was anxiously killing time at his own residence.


    ¡°Did you find the information?¡±


    ¡°Yes. This ce has no rtion to Count Zodiac.¡±


    Count Zodiac was one of Yester Heinrich¡¯s alter egos. He had named himself that in the criminal underworld.


    Zenon was busily trying to find contractors that Yester had not interacted with.


    ¡®I should just get rid of the princess and kill the emperor while the army¡¯s leadership is in flux.¡¯


    Knock, knock.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Zenon irritably asked the servant who entered.


    ¡°Lady Julia hase.¡±


    Zenon¡¯s face contorted.


    ¡°What would you like to do?¡± the servant asked.


    Zenon couldn¡¯t throw out his sister from here. He sighed in annoyance and headed to the parlor.


    Julia stood up as soon as she saw him.


    ¡°Brother! What do we do now? Just what in the world has happened?!¡±


    Zenon stared at Julia with cold, sharp eyes.


    Things were already chaotic because the drug farm¡¯s location had been revealed. In the midst of all this, Julia hade to nag at him despite her being unable to help.


    Julia did not seem to notice his expression and continued to cry.


    ¡°Drugs are against thew! Why were you using our family resources to cultivate them?¡±


    The nces of the imperial courtiers stung Julia. She had never felt so ashamed.


    For her, the Evans name had always been a feature of pride and strength. They were one of the most powerful families in the empire.


    But the involvement with drugs?


    ¡°At this rate, he might be disappointed in me!¡±


    Julia was afraid.


    She was looking forward to creating some sort of rtionship with Rezef, but somethingpletely absurd had grabbed her by the ankles. A noble family was running a cannabis farm. This could never have happened without her brothers¡¯ permission.


    For Julia, that was the most unbelievable part.


    ¡°You idiot!¡± Zenon roared.


    Julia trembled, shocked by his yelling.


    ¡°What do you think pays for what you wear, eat, and y with? Do you think money pops up out of nowhere?!¡±


    The only thing Julia could do for her family was to grow up beautiful and lovely to marry well.


    The sole purpose of her existence was to be a doll for the family. Zenon¡¯s insides boiled.


    Julia muttered with shell-shocked eyes, ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean that what you did was good¡­¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Even if I did spend a lot of money on nice clothes and food, it doesn¡¯t excuse you for growing cannabis.¡±


    ¡°An excuse!¡±


    He couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing.


    She dared talk about his justification?


    ¡°Why are you ming me? Brother, you¡¯re the one who did wrong. Also, Brother is Prince Rezef¡¯s aide, and the one who needs to take responsibility has¡ª!¡±


    Zenon¡¯s eyes zed.


    p¡ª!


    He pped his younger sister on the cheek.


    ¡°Kyaa!¡±


    Julia fell to the floor. What was happening now?


    She covered her stinging cheek with her hand and looked up at Zenon. His twisted expression was terrible, like an evil spirit.


    ¡°I did wrong? You dare talk to me like that?!¡±


    ¡°B-Brother?¡±


    It was the first time Julia had ever been pped, and the perpetrator was her brother.


    She was terrified. Her whole body quivered; her body was stuck to the floor, and her face tingled with pain.


    ¡°You¡¯ve enjoyed a lot of luxuries until now. You should be grateful.¡±


    When Julia looked in Zenon¡¯s eyes, she didn¡¯t feel that he was seeing her as a fellow human.


    He looked at her like she was pathetic.


    Zenon clicked his tongue and abandoned the room. A maid, who had been watching nearby, tried to raise Julia up, not knowing what else to do.


    With her support, Julia stood. Then, her legs became weak.


    Thud!


    Julia, back on the ground, cried without end. She couldn¡¯t understand what the problem was.


    ¡°Did I mess up?¡± she asked the maid.


    The maid carefully replied, ¡°Mdy¡­ Master was just a little angry because this is a very sensitive matter.¡±


    The maid spoke equivocally, but she hadn¡¯t taken Julia¡¯s side.


    ¡°I was told that I only needed to marry well.¡±


    That was why she always tried to look beautiful. For the sake of her family.


    She thought that if she became the crown princess, her family would be pleased. Contrary to her expectations, she was being scorned.


    ¡®What¡¯s the difference between what I do and what my brother does?¡®


    ¡°Are you saying that I¡¯m not worrying for my family?¡±


    ¡°No, mdy. Never like that.¡±


    Her outstanding beauty was her greatest trait. She thought that it gave her a power that could never be broken. However, that hadn¡¯t been the case.


    Suddenly, there was a loud noise outside. The maid peeked outside the door to check. She startled, hurriedly opened the door, and bowed.


    ¡°Greetings, Marquis Evans!¡±


    Julia couldn¡¯t stop crying as she turned her head toward him.


    ¡°Julia?¡±


    The loser of the east, Marquis Roderick Evans, entered the room.


    Marquis Roderick was surprised to see his youngest sibling on the ground, in tears with a burst lip and a swollen cheek.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about now?¡±


    The maid gingerly responded,


    ¡°Actually, Sir Zenon hit thedy a short while ago...¡±


    Marquis Roderick furrowed his brows.


    ¡°He hit Julia?¡±


    Marquis Roderick examined Julia¡¯s face. The wound on her beautiful face was clear for all to see.


    ¡°The princess¡¯sing-of-age celebration ising up, and this child is Her Highness¡¯sdy-in-waiting¡­¡±


    He sighed and brought up his hand to his aching forehead.


    ¡°Brother¡­¡±


    Julia called Marquis Roderick with a mncholy voice.


    ¡°Yes, Julia? Are you all right?¡±


    ¡°The cannabis farm. Is it real?¡±


    Roderick paused for a moment. Then, he put on a mournful expression.


    ¡°It¡¯s true, and there¡¯s more.¡±


    Julia had dropped her gaze to the ground, but she raised her head again to meet her eldest brother¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know that the farnd for Zenon would be used for that purpose.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­¡±


    Julia could see it in his eyes and manner that it was a lie. Roderick had done it with Zenon, but was trying to cut his losses.


    ¡®All of us are mere tools.¡¯


    Herself, her brothers¡ªeveryone. They were tools for those who sat at the top. This was the natural and normal state of things.


    Julia realized that she had been an idiot, just as Zenon said.


    And now, she felt like she could start to see what behavior would not be foolish.


    She opened her mouth.


    ¡°¡­It¡¯s a shame that Brother Zenon had done something like that.¡±


    ***


    Zenon was walking in the slums, face covered by the hood of his robe.


    The day had already turned dark and made it difficult to discern his surroundings. Perhaps that was why the ambience was so bleak.


    Over here was where the contractor unaffiliated with Yester was said to be.


    ¡®I should have arrived earlier. There¡¯s no light in these slums.¡®


    It was dangerous to wander around in an unsafe neighborhood thiste. His attendant carried a gun, but there was no telling what could happen.


    He had been dyed because of Julia¡¯s unexpected visit. When he remembered what happened earlier, he felt annoyed again.


    ¡°You¡¯re just a doll, too¡­¡±


    She was a tool, not a person. Zenon couldn¡¯t stand those who continued to pester him.


    Everything had been getting twisted at some point.


    Yes, at the point when Cayena suddenly changed.


    ¡®As I thought, disposing of her is the right move. The princess can no longer be controlled.¡®


    The attendant pointed down a dirty alley.


    ¡°That¡¯s the ce.¡±


    Zenon walked in with the attendant. As they entered the alley that showed no signs of humans, a voice called them from behind.


    ¡°Oi.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡­.?¡±


    He turned around with an uneasy heart.


    Whack!


    An eerie, dull noise came from right beside Zenon. Amp fell to the ground and caught on fire.


    That light revealed the form of the copsed attendant and the mysterious attacker. The opponent was wearing a dark robe, like Zenon himself.


    He was taller and bigger than Zenon. His body seemed to have been trained.


    ¡®The attendant had the gun¡­¡¯


    The attacker was holding some sort of blunt weapon.


    ¡°Who are you?!¡±


    The attacker did not respond. He only swung the weapon in his hand.


    Whoosh¡ª!


    Zenon threw himself to the ground to avoid the blow. Then, he jumped up from the grimy ground and yelled with a pale face,


    ¡°Cease! Do you know who I am?¡±


    ¡°You talk too much.¡±


    The attacker grabbed Zenon by the cor and pushed him against the wall of a shabby wooden hut.


    ¡°Eck¡ª!¡±


    It was a terrifying, superhuman strength.


    ¡®Is it one of Heinrich¡¯s men? Who is this?¡¯


    Zenon thought that his opponent was an assassin or a gangster for hire.


    ¡°I am the second son of the Evans family! Whatever they paid you, I¡¯ll pay ten times as much. So stop!¡±


    Laughter spilled out from the hooded man.


    ¡°Why should I?¡±


    It was a low and cold voice.


    ¡®This voice¡­¡¯


    The voice sounded familiar.


    The attacker swung his weapon without giving Zenon another moment to think.


    Zenon realized he was dealing with a madman. He began to run toward the carriage when he was hit in the back.


    ¡°Cough!¡±


    Zenon fell over, and the attacker stepped on his head.


    Zenon was not a weak person. He had trained his body diligently. Yet, the speed and strength of the attacker had overwhelmed him.


    The attacker said,


    ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for you. Why were you sote? It¡¯s annoying.¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    Zenon, who had been trying to think of a way to survive while copsed on the ground, widened his eyes. He realized to whom the voice belonged.


    ¡°Your Highness¡­?¡±


    The identity of his attacker was Rezef.


    ~~~

 Chapter 98

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    Rezef kicked Zenon¡¯s head with his foot.


    ¡°Aghh¡ª!¡±


    Zenon groaned in pain, holding his face. Before him, he saw a shoe backlit by the zing fire of themp oil.


    When he lifted his head, he saw Rezef bleakly looking down at him. The prince had taken off his hood to reveal his face.


    The realization struck Zenon like a thunderbolt.


    He had been discovered.


    The prince knew that Zenon was the aplice behind the kidnapping.


    ¡°Your Highness, I can exin. It¡¯s a misunderstanding¡ª¡±


    Rezef did not want to hear more. He kicked Zenon in the stomach. Zenon suffered a terrible pain as if his ribs had been broken.


    ¡°Is it so hard to know your ce? I really can¡¯t understand you.¡±


    ¡°Cough¡ª!¡±


    Zenon began to understand what would happen now that he had encountered the mad prince in a ce where he possessed no control.


    Although the prince was much younger than Zenon, he was nearly 185 cm tall and had begun swordsmanship training when he was five years old. There was no way that Zenon, who had only trained enough to be fit, could beat him.


    ¡°It¡¯s really easy. Look at me, Zenon. Do you think I could have survived the imperial ce until now if I didn¡¯t know my station?¡±


    Zenon rasped and spat up blood.


    He had to survive. He just needed to escape from here and take control of the monstrous prince.


    He was the second son of the Evans family, one of the pirs of the empire. He had no reason to be mistreated like this.


    As Zenon crawled away, Rezef stepped on his ankle and broke it.


    ¡°Argh!¡±


    ¡°When I think of how hard I worked to lure you here these past few days, I¡¯m so angry that I can¡¯t bear it.¡±


    Rezef was the one who had leaked the false information that there was a contractor unaffiliated with Archduke Heinrich. He asked abruptly, ¡°You must have been very nervous. Right? You didn¡¯t investigate properly before running here.¡±


    Thump! Thump!


    Unmerciful fists began to mess up Zenon¡¯s face.


    ¡°Why? You want to kidnap my sister again? Or, are you trying to kill her?¡±


    Rezef¡¯s eyes glistened with lunacy.


    ¡°Were you blinded because of the failed poisoning?¡±


    ¡°Cough¡ª!¡±


    Whatever it was that Zenon wanted to say, he was unable to voice it. He raised his arms to cover his face.


    ¡°Anyway, why are there so many annoyances? You, and that Raphael bastard, too.¡±


    Rezef felt that Raphael, who had be more prickly when he seeded the duchy, was trying to gain greater influence over his sister.


    Rezef smiled and pretended to be fine, but inside, he was boiling.


    He had to quickly be the emperor and ensure Cayena could not marry Raphael.


    ¡°I can¡¯t let you insects covet what is mine.¡±


    Rezef stopped his efforts to turn Zenon into mush. He grabbed Zenon¡¯s neck and trudged over to the fire.


    ¡°Do you think¡­ you¡¯ll get away with this?¡±


    Even as he was dying, Zenon spoke fiercely.


    ¡°I am¡­ an Evans¡­!¡±


    Rezef burst intoughter as if he heard a funny joke.


    ¡°You fool.¡±


    Rezef smiled vilely and looked at Zenon with pity.


    ¡°Did you know that Marquis Roderick is in the capital? I¡¯ve already spoken with him.¡±


    ¡°¡­My brother¡ªCough!¡±


    Zenon coughed out a glob of blood, unable to speak.


    ¡°He said he didn¡¯t notice that the second son was growing cannabis on his farm.¡±


    ¡°What¡­?¡±


    ¡°You were cut off.¡±


    Zenon¡¯s eyes in the firelight were tinged with despair.


    Was his brother really betraying him? Why?


    Zenon couldn¡¯t understand. He waspetent andmanded influence within the imperial pce. He couldn¡¯t meet his end like this.


    ¡°Let me go! I took you in, a half-prince, and you dare¡­!¡±


    ¡°Sure, my blood is only half imperial.¡±


    Rezef paused his steps in front of the mes. Zenon struggled and squirmed, but Rezef easily dragged him up.


    ¡°I¡¯ll make you half a person, too.¡± Rezef cast Zenon over the fiery pit.


    ¡°Aaaagh¡ª!¡±


    The oil and mes climbed onto Zenon, making him scream horribly. Rezef clicked his tongue.


    ¡°Hmm. I was only going to burn half of him¡­¡±


    Well, it couldn¡¯t be helped if the man burned uppletely.


    Rezef shrugged and turned away.


    ***


    ¡°Vera, bring Annie to my chambers.¡±


    As soon as Cayena arrived at the princess¡¯s pce, she called for Annie and sent everyone else out.


    Cayena sat on the sofa with her legs crossed as she extricated the ribbons in her hair.


    ¡®Annie may be young, but she hadn¡¯t been caught as a spy for a decade.¡¯


    Cayena tapped her fingers on the small side table and thought about how to deal with Annie.


    At first, she was going to expel her. But now, Cayena changed her mind.


    ¡°She¡¯ll definitely be useful.¡±


    After Cayena returned to this world, she had prepared a pouch of money in her bedroom, just in case. Cayena thought about where the pouch was and held out her palm.


    Plop!


    A blue silk pouchnded heavily on her hand.


    Cayena felt that her understanding of her abilities was increasing.


    She may even be able to teleport herself if her ability was refined.


    ¡®But I wonder if my body can withstand it.¡¯


    She had nearly fainted after stopping time for just about a minute. It could have been because her body was weakened from paring down her life span.


    ¡®I don¡¯t think it¡¯s an ability I can use casually.¡¯


    Knock, knock.


    Finally, Annie entered the room.


    ¡°Did you call for me, Your Highness?¡±


    There was nobody else in the room except for Cayena. Annie felt that something was wrong.


    m!


    The bedroom door shut behind her.


    Annie felt a strange pressure from Cayena, who was sitting with her legs crossed on the sofa right in front of the door.


    The tension made her lips dry.


    Plop!


    Cayena threw the pouch she was holding in front of Annie.


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    Annie¡¯s gaze turned to the weighty bag on the floor. Somehow, she knew that it was filled with money.


    Finally, Cayena spoke. ¡°Take it and leave.¡±


    Her voice was strident.


    Annie felt as if she had been sshed with cold water. She had made some mistake.


    She knelt right away and prostrated herself, hands t on the floor as she bowed.


    ¡°Please forgive me, Your Highness!¡±


    Cayena looked bemusedly at Annie.


    ¡°I have no intention of keeping anyone who is not one of mine.¡±


    ¡®She knows I¡¯m a spy!¡¯


    Annie was an expert at her job. She had been confident that she would never be caught.


    She couldn¡¯t understand how it happened.


    ¡®I must have moved too much because of all the news in the princess¡¯s pce recently.¡¯


    She bit her lips and med herself for her mistake.


    Cayena smirked and said,


    ¡°You aren¡¯t even making excuses.¡±


    Annie closed her eyes tight and thought.


    She thought about what would happen when she left the pce, how she would live, and what she should say to the princess.


    The Kedrey duchy would never fall to ruins. What was the pce,pared to that?


    The pce was rotten to the point that it wouldn¡¯t be unusual if it fell apart at any moment.


    But.


    ¡°¡­Even if I had ten mouths, I can make no excuses.¡±


    Annie had admired Cayena during the time she worked for her. And surprisingly, her feelings had turned to reverence.


    It wasn¡¯t for malicious purposes that Annie continued to be Raphael¡¯s informant.


    ¡®Duke Kedrey favors Her Highness.¡¯


    Annie was sure of it. Whenever she went to report on the happenings of the princess¡¯s pce, the duke only asked for information regarding the princess¡¯s safety.


    It was information to keep Cayena safe. Annie thought of the duke as a secret knight protecting the princess.


    Cayena said,


    ¡°Raise your head.¡±


    Annie looked at Cayena with a determined face.


    She clearly understood what she had to say next.


    ¡°Please use me as you wish, Your Highness.¡±


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    Cayena tilted her head.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me to use you, who betrayed me, as one of my own?¡±


    ¡°I promise that nothing like that will ever happen again. I swear it on my insignificant life.¡±


    After seeing Annie¡¯s firm eyes, Cayena uncrossed her legs and stood up.


    She met Annie¡¯s eyes and said, ¡°Then, be mine. However¡±¡ªCayena¡¯s face turned stern¡ª¡°there will be no next time.¡±


    Annie bit her lips again and swallowed her excitement.


    She bowed again withplete sincerity.


    ¡°I will absolutely repay Your Highness¡¯s kindness.¡±

 Chapter 99: Scene 17. The Social Season

    <strong>Trantor: </strong>thursdays <strong>PR: </strong>scarcecrow


    <b>Scene 17. The Social Season </b>


    Dame Noa Kedrey was staying at the house of an old friend.


    Perhaps it was her old age, but she found it more pleasant to pass time with the friends she spent her youth with rather than her son.


    There was also the fact that her rtionship with Raphael was not great.


    ¡°Noa.¡±


    Meryl Winston¡ªher childhood friend, daughter of a marquis, and currently a viscountess¡ªbtedly entered the music room.


    The two decided to y a duet together like they had done when they were young girls.


    ¡°Did you get lost in your own house?¡±


    Dame Noa, who wouldn¡¯t let down her cold attitude toward anything, lightly joked in front of her dear friend.


    Normally, Madame Meryl would have burst into giggles in response. However, she went to Noa¡¯s side with a worried expression.


    ¡°I heard that the princess was appointed as the emperor¡¯s temporary deputy in government. Did you hear anything from your son?¡±


    The dame asked back, puzzled, ¡°The government? Not the internal affairs?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Duke Raphael was said to be with the princess just a few days ago. Did you not hear of it? And I just received some other news, that the Evans family was involved in distributing drugs.¡±


    It had be difficult to receive immediate news of pce affairs since Cayena had taken control of the internal affairs and overturned the staff.


    Madame Meryl, as Chancellor Debussy¡¯s niece, was only informed just now.


    ¡®She isn¡¯t a new candidate for the throne, but she¡¯s the emperor¡¯s regent...? That means she has more power than the chancellor.¡¯


    Furthermore, the Evans family cultivated drugs on theirnds.


    Noa would have to watch over how this incident changed the world of politics.


    Currently at the center of the political world was the princess.


    ¡®Raphael is doing well.¡®


    Noa had been displeased that her son was suddenly in closemunication with the princess.


    The princess was the daughter of that former empress, and the rumors surrounding her were substandard. It was only a few months ago that everyone believed her to be careless and foolish.


    ¡°Hmm.¡±


    But now, Noa started to wonder about Princess Cayena.


    She lost herself in thought for a moment, then asked her friend, ¡°Is there a way to make a situation where I can naturallye across the princess?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    Cayena¡¯s surroundings were presently much more forbidding than usual.


    There should be a grand banquet for hering of age, but there would be too many prying eyes during the event.


    Noa needed a ce to meet her privately.


    The dame thought about eptable ways to arrange this. She recalled her son¡¯s method.


    ¡°Should I also donate a building?¡±


    Raphael had been able to meet the princess after dedicating one building to her. Then, wouldn¡¯t it be fine if Noa donated three buildings, maybe?


    She was seriously considering it.


    ***


    The auxiliary building used by the central army was the secondrgest after the main pce and wasposed of several buildings. In addition, there was arge training ground where the knights trained as soon as the sun rose.


    The knights of the central army were returning to their lodgings after their morning training, as usual.


    But there was a strangemotion just outside their dorms. Court servants were busily moving things around, sweeping the ground, and cleaning.


    They were thoroughly cleaning the building.


    ¡°Move this there¡­¡±


    ¡°You there! Don¡¯t dawdle!¡±


    The knights stared nkly at the sight in front of them.


    They grabbed one of the servants and asked what was happening.


    ¡°Who knows? We were just ordered to clean the knights¡¯ quarters this morning.¡±


    ¡°Ah.¡± The knights nodded.


    It must be spring cleaning, though a long time had passed since spring came.


    The building, which had been a bit grubby because it was filled with only men, quickly became more pleasant.


    That alone made the knights feel refreshed for the first time in a long while.


    But things didn¡¯t stop there. Many strangers came to visit the knights¡¯ lodgings.


    ¡°Who is in charge of managing this building?¡±


    The knights couldn¡¯t respond. They asked each other, ¡°Do we have someone like that¡­?¡±


    While they were speaking, one of the vicemanders heard the news and came running.


    ¡°I¡¯m one of the people who manage this ce. What happened?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve been asked to make the central army¡¯s garments.¡±


    Their visitor was none other than a clothes merchant. He exined to the vicemander that he had been given an imperial order.


    ¡°So you¡¯re here to fix our uniforms?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I was also told to make new training clothes as well.¡±


    The knights really couldn¡¯t understand what was going on.


    ¡°To begin with, I brought over all the cloth I could acquire from the capital¡¯s linen stores to the department of the interior.¡±


    The strange happenings did not end there, either. The knights headed to the mess hall when it was time to eat.


    As they approached the mess hall, they began to smell something amazing.


    ¡°What is this smell?¡±


    Bemused once more, they entered the mess hall.


    But the menu was different from their norm.


    The savory smell wasing from a dense meat stew, buttery steamed potatoes, and thick, juicy pork that made them feel even hungrier.


    ¡°Is there some sort of festival or anniversary today? They brought out a special meal.¡±


    The knights¡¯ wide eyes ran over the table stocked with food, and they hastily filled up their tes.


    Then, someone said, ¡°Didn¡¯t Sir Warren say something good was going to happen a few days ago while handing out the cookies?¡±


    Their conversation quickly turned to the topic of Cayena¡¯s cookies.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. The sweets that Her Highness made were so delicious.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yeah. It was the first time I¡¯ve had such a rich, buttery dessert!¡±


    ¡°But how did Sir Warrene to receive the cookies?¡±


    ¡°Dunno.¡±


    In any case, all of the knights were feeling light-hearted after enjoying a delicious and healthy meal for the first time in so long.


    ¡°It couldn¡¯t be that this is ourst feast before getting more budget cuts, right?¡±


    The happy atmosphere died down a little at one of the knights¡¯ question.


    ¡°It¡¯s horrible how our sry decreases every year. I feel ashamed in front of my family.¡±


    ¡°Honestly, there¡¯s no difference between being a mercenary and being in the central army.¡±


    ¡°I may have to go back to the countryside after being discharged. I thought everything would be figured out once I came to the capital¡­¡±


    Then, Commander Jed entered the mess hall.


    ¡°Greetings, Sir!¡±


    The knights¡¯ leader, whose expression had been troubled ofte due to various things, looked lighter.


    Jed joyfully looked around the mess hall and asked, ¡°Are you enjoying your meal?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s wonderful!¡± someone shouted.


    That made Jedugh.


    ¡°I¡¯m d it suits your taste. Then, we¡¯ll have more meals like this in the future.¡±


    In the future? Jed grinned and continued, ¡°I know you all are eating, but I came here to share an important announcement.¡±


    He coughed and cleared his throat because the news he was about to share was truly groundbreaking.


    ¡°The central army will be mobilized next week to cultivatend to expand the capital.¡±


    Everyone nced at each other at the unexpected words.


    It wasmon for the military to be mobilized forbor-intensive tasks such as taming thend.


    ¡°The clearednd will then be distributed to us soldiers in return for ourbor. You gentlemen will also receive funding from the government to settle down.¡±


    Land distribution? Funding?


    The knights¡¯ jaws dropped as they looked at Jed.


    ¡°All of these events were ordered by Her Highness, the Princess.¡±


    Once their leader finished talking, the knights in the mess hall began to stir.


    ¡°I-is this for real? They¡¯re really giving us funding to build homes? Including thend?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Princess Cayena is encouraging the central army to settle in the capital and raise families here. Everything you¡¯re eating now and the services provided today have all been made possible thanks to Her Highness¡¯s reallocation of her own pce funds.¡±


    The knights were listening to him speak, but theirprehension took a moment to catch up.


    Why was the princess being so kind to them?


    ¡°Her Highness will being soon to inspect the building and speak with us in person. Greet her with your utmost gratitude!¡±


    ¡°¡­Understood, Sir.¡±


    The knights finished their excellent meal in a daze.


    They returned to their clean quarters and were given a new, clean cotton shirt.


    ¡°Is this a dream?¡±


    At that time, one of the knights ran inside.


    ¡°The princess is in Knight Commander Jed¡¯s office now!¡±


    The knights made eye contact with each other.


    Should they take a peek? Well, theirmander did tell them to greet her.


    They made their decision quickly. They gathered like sardines to Commander Jed¡¯s office.


    ¡°Huh? Next to themander¡­¡±


    One of them pointed at Commander Jed escorting a woman.


    ¡°What¡­!¡±


    The knights¡¯ eyes widened like they would pop out. The woman that Commander Jed was escorting did not appear human.


    She was clearly an angel, stepping lightly like she was walking on clouds and wearing a sky blue dress. Her hair fluttered with each step like wings.


    ¡°Wow¡­¡±


    Commander Jed shouted in a strict voice, ¡°Pay respect to Her Highness, the Princess!¡±


    Only then did they recognize that the woman Jed was escorting was not an angel, but Princess Cayena.


    ~~~

 Chapter 100: Announcement

    <b>Trantor: </b>thursdays <b>PR: </b>scarcecrow


    They snapped to attention as if they had suddenly been hit by cold water.


    ¡°W-we greet Her Highness, the Princess!¡±


    They urgently saluted her.


    ¡°Tsk. If this was during a war, you would all be punished for being so absent-minded!¡±


    ¡°We apologize!¡±


    The knights had heard many stories of Princess Cayena¡¯s temper, and they gulped, waiting to be reprimanded.


    ¡°Rise.¡±


    The knights haltingly rose from their bows.


    Cayenaughed lightly. She said to Jed, ¡°It¡¯s only natural they couldn¡¯t recognize me. I had been inattentive to them until now.¡±


    Their faces, flushed with embarrassment, looked refreshing and young.


    When Cayenaughed, their faces soon rxed and smiled along.


    She suddenly thought of Raphael, who was simr in age to them.


    He would also have the capacity for that sort of youthfulness, considering his age. However, he didn¡¯t give off the impression of being young because of his unique personality and demeanor.


    In addition, his thoughts and actions were different from them.


    ¡®Nothing about him is ordinary, his looks included. Well, it¡¯s natural for the male lead¡­¡¯


    Cayena stopped herself from thinking about him.


    ¡°Hmm¡­¡±


    She had inadvertently thought about Rapahel again.


    She sighed briefly and walked on.


    Jed, who was beside her, noticed her expression. He nced at her and asked,


    ¡°Did something displease you?¡±


    Jed was worried that the princess was unhappy because of the knights¡¯ attitude. But Cayena had no issue with the knights. They just reminded her of Raphael.


    Cayena smiled self-deprecatingly, thinking she was still acting immature.


    ¡°That¡¯s not it. I was thinking of something else.¡±


    Commander Jed did not stop staring at her doubtfully. Embarrassed, she smiled before making a more appropriate excuse.


    ¡°To be honest, I haven¡¯t been sleeping much while studying to take care of the state affairs. I didn¡¯t want to let others know about that... I suppose I was being immature.¡±


    Vera, who quietly followed behind her, added,


    ¡°Her Highness has been working so much recently that she barely sleeps. She was particrlyboring over how to improve the treatment of the central army, following the report that you sent.¡±


    ¡°Vera.¡±


    Cayena called her name to hold her back, but Vera did not stop there. She continued speaking as if to hammer Cayena¡¯s deeds inside Jed¡¯s head.


    ¡°There were many incidents, but Her Highness dismissed everything and said she was fine, so her subordinates¡¯ worries are quite numerous.¡±


    Cayenaughed, abashed.


    She had only been sleeping an average of four hours each night. She did want to pass out, just a little, but she could bear it for now.


    ¡®But I¡¯m d that the work is going well.¡¯


    She had worked untilte at night, arranging for her budget to be reallocated, securing the biggest cloth merchant in the capital, and acquiringrge quantities of food, among other things.


    How great would it be if energy drinks existed in this world?


    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t need to push yourself this hard.¡±


    Jed was surprised by Vera¡¯s words. He felt gratitude toward Cayena once again.


    ¡°Thank you for your vast generosity, Your Highness.¡±


    He sincerely expressed his appreciation.


    ¡®At the emperor¡¯s chambers and the council meeting, I felt satisfied. Like a decade-long disease was being cleared up.¡¯


    How long had he been caught in a fierce battle against Chancellor Debussy, struggling for power?


    ¡°Your Highness is¡­¡± Looking at the princess as she walked slowly and gracefully, he carefully opened his mouth. ¡°¡­very different from what I imagined.¡±


    ¡°Is that so?¡±


    Cayena beamed.


    It had been a long time since Jed served a member of the imperial family who was this flexible. Funnily, this made him recall his youth, and he felt energized.


    ¡°I will continue to support the central army with my pce¡¯s budget until it bes stable.¡±


    ¡®If you¡¯re going to put someone in your debt, you have to do it definitively so that the other person feels sorry. Then, they will remember it with their hearts.¡¯


    Cayena continued to smile and said,


    ¡°Right now, I¡¯d like for you to focus all your energy on repairing the situation, Knight Commander.¡±


    Jed dipped his head in a bow.


    ¡°In order to transform the central army into an influential force, appearance is important as well.¡±


    ¡°After thepletion of thend reforms, I was thinking to station only the elite knights at the pce.¡±


    ¡°Excellent. It would be beneficial if a fixed number of knights were stationed and managed here.¡±


    After speaking with Jed, Cayena looked around the training hall.


    She swallowed a yawn and thought about what to do next. First, thend that needed to be cleared around the capital had to be identified. Afterward, she had to study the administration to prepare for the next council meeting and make more snacks for Rezef.


    ¡®Plus, mying-of-age ceremony ising up.¡¯


    Cayena told Jed onest thing before she went to do other work.


    ¡°Please acquire whatever items are necessary without reserve. Just attach the receipts to your report.¡±


    ¡°As youmand.¡±


    Then, a servant came to Cayena.


    She had sent the servant to request an audience with the emperor. The servant bowed and said,


    ¡°His Majesty says you may enter.¡±


    ¡°All right. Shall we go?¡±


    Cayena dly followed the servant. She was going to gift the silver spoons she had prepared today.


    They quickly walked to the emperor¡¯s chambers.


    When they arrived at the bedroom, a voice from inside granted them permission toe in.


    ¡°I greet Your Imperial Majesty, Father.¡±


    The emperor lifted himself up and said, ¡°I heard you¡¯ve visited the Hamels.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I briefly went to see my esteemed aunt.¡±


    Emperor Esteban looked at his daughter¡¯s face. She was difficult to understand; Cayena seemed to be growing more adept at containing her expressions.


    She had once beenx to some extent, but now she was restrained to a frightening degree.


    ¡®She¡¯s decided on something.¡¯


    Cayena had grown into the form of a ruler ready for power.


    ¡°You should always be mindful of your rtives so that none of them get any strange ideas in their heads.¡±


    ¡°I will bear your teachings in mind, Father.¡±


    That was what Cayena replied, but internally, she felt that it was an unusual thing to say.


    You should always be mindful of your rtives, was it?


    ¡®Isn¡¯t the sight before me the result of not being mindful?¡¯


    Cayena looked at her father, who was skinnier than before, then called out to Vera.


    ¡°Vera, bring the thing we¡¯ve prepared.¡±


    Vera brought forth a box wrapped in silk, a sign that it had been blessed by the temple.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a silver spoon that was blessed by the temple.¡±


    Each of the five silver spoons in the box was decorated with gems of different colors. All were beautiful in shape and adornment.


    ¡°I had it prepared in hopes that you¡¯ll recover your health soon, Father, and stay with us for a long time.¡±


    In this castle full of schemes and trickery, a silver spoon was one of the most important items someone could have.


    Moreover, the temple even verified that it was made of genuine silver and blessed it.


    ¡°Child, there was no need for this. You must be busy with the affairs of the empire.¡±


    ¡°How could I not care?¡±


    Cayena smiled.


    Then, she looked around the chamber and noticed an anxious attendant with his head drooping low.


    It was the servant who poisoned the emperor¡¯s tea and had previously drunk the poison with Cayena.


    ¡°You there.¡±


    She deliberately called that attendant.


    He trembled.


    ¡°Y-yes?¡±


    Cayena pointed to the box holding the spoons and said, ¡°Take it and leave.¡±


    Immediately, the servant approached and received the silver spoons. His expression did not look very good.


    Grand Chambein Luden, who was next to them, smiled.


    ¡°Her Highness¡¯s filial piety grows deeper by the day. The princess must be the model for all nobles, Your Majesty.¡±


    Cayena smiled and bowed her head a little.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard about the central army. You¡¯ve done splendidly.¡±


    ¡°You tter me.¡±


    The emperor was about to tell her that she did not have to be so humble when he had a coughing fit.


    His face turned paler. Luden said with a hardened expression, ¡°His Majesty needs his rest now.¡±


    ¡°That seems to be for the best. Then, I will head back.¡±


    Cayena rose from her seat.


    ~~~


    <strong>ANNOUNCEMENT</strong>


    Dear Cayena simps, Rezef sympathizers, people who thirst for Raphael, Bayel supporters, Ethel¡¯s protectors, and the hopeless GL fans rooting for a Cayena x Olivia pairing,


    It is with a sad heart that I announce that WoopRead will be parting with The Viiness is a Marite. Another group has acquired the rights to trante the chapters to English.


    It¡¯s a little up in the air what¡¯s going to happen now, but I want to thank you for all the support that you¡¯ve shown me and scarcecrow. Please consider this change as something positive, since we¡¯ll be able to support the author when we continue reading. [Side note: I highly rmend buying the books on Ridi if you can afford it or clicking the free chapters on Kakaopage if you can¡¯t.]


    I¡¯ll update you guys on what¡¯ll happen when I can, hopefully with good news, but other than that?


    Thank you, and goodbye for now. <3


    thursdays


    PR: There was a lot of stuff I wanted to write. But I think that the most important thing right now is to thank you all ppl from all around the globe for being amazing readers and constantly supporting us. Take care and I wish sess in all your future endeavors.


    This has been an amazing journey, let¡¯s see what the future holds ??. xoxo ¨C Scarcecrow


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!