After a full week of extra work, we were able to open the exhibition safely.
We mobilized reliable artists and moved all the exhibits, taking care not to cause any damage to them.
Although the ticket price for this exhibition was somewhat high, it was allowed to be viewed by everyone, regardless of social status.
For the first time in a long time, newspapers published articles in a positive tone about Kasyan's decision.
[The bold decision of His Royal Highness Prince Cassian!
Anyone can attend the Anden Kingdom Fair as long as they can get a ticket.]
[Anden Kingdom Exhibition: All precautions have been arranged at the Second Prince's Help Desk!]
When was the last time?
The story of me and Cassian was published in an article, and it did not mention that we are devils...!
While I was looking at the article with great emotion, Cassian burst out laughing.
“I'm sad, Rose.
I really liked it because it was our nickname.”
“Please keep the title for yourf, Your Highness.”
Despite my stern words, Cassian didn't seem concerned at all and reached out to smooth my hair.
The subtle gestures that pass by my ears and the seriousness of the eyes that look at me...
“…Is he messy again?”
I asked the question carefully, fearing that my curly hair might behave unexpectedly without my knowledge.
The moment I looked at him calmly, my eyes met his eyes, which were close to mine.
Cassian's hand, which was stroking my hair, stopped for a moment, then moved again.
“This can't be true, the maids arranged Rose's hair today.”
What is this strange bad feeling..?
Does he mean that since I didn't arrange it, it can't be untidy?
As a frown appeared on my face, Cassian withdrew his hand.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face, as if my hair, a little disheveled from work, had been styled to his liking.
“I'm saying this because I don't think you know.”
"Yes..?"
“I find this kind of neglect in Rose very endearing.”
At those words, I looked at him with my mouth slightly open, like an idiot.
Is this a compliment or an insult...?
“It's a compliment, Rose.”
My boss read my thoughts and replied while extending his arm..
And it's time to go start the show.
Since it was an Andan Kingdom fair held to celebrate the national wedding, not only Cassian and I, who were officials, participated, but also other members of the royal family of His Majesty and the Empress.
“You seem to have paid a lot of attention to detail, Cassian.”
“Anden Kingdom and His Majesty the Emperor trusted me with this mission, so I did my best.”
Cassian responded politely to the Emperor's compliment for the first time in a long time.
The Emperor's face softened slightly at his son's unusually confident answer.
“The Empress also took care of me in many ways.”
No, she didn't do anything except send Duke Gamuti to hinder him.
I felt a little upset thinking about the extra work I've been putting in over the past week, but...
“I have not done such an amazing job, I have only made up for what Prince Cassian lacks as a member of the Imperial Family.”
The Empress smiled elegantly as she took the bait that was laid out for her.
“Prince Cassian was responsible for all the organization of the exhibits, and my brother and I just looked around a little and provided information for reference.”
Naturally, he did not miss the opportunity to lay the foundation for what would happen today…
“Did Cassian do well without causing you trouble, Empress?”
“Of course, Prince Cassian is always polite, so I don’t think there is anything to worry about, Your Majesty...”
At the same time, even though her stomach was boiling, she very calmly complimented the Emperor.
It was no coincidence that she held the position of Empress in this empire for more than 20 years.
'If you consider the fact that she couldn't be the only wife, it means the Emperor is a complete idiot.'
After exchanging good wishes, a positive response erupted from the nobles present.
“Well, it seems that Her Majesty the Empress has become much kinder after sending His Highness the Third Prince.”
“You must be very upset, but I can’t believe His Highness the Second Prince did this too.”
“It's really nice to see that.
I feel relieved that the imperial family is very happy.”
Although it was a bit obvious...
The foundation laid by the Empress.
When she suddenly looked at Cassian, he whispered with a strange smile, maybe he was thinking something similar..
“I think she wants to make me an ungrateful bastard?”
"correct."
“So we have to live up to expectations.”
After answering calmly, he asked the Emperor and Empress to join him in starting the exhibition.
In front of a crowd of reporters, the Emperor, Empress, Cassian and Charlie stood side by side and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Then we started watching the exhibition in the following order.
Cassian and I served as guides and took turns explaining the exhibits to visitors.
About halfway through the exhibition, it's time for Cassian to show us not a very old treasure, but the final work left behind by a famous sculptor from the Andan Kingdom some 50 years ago.
“Hmm, I have a strange feeling.”
The Empress opened her mouth as if she was interested in the masterpiece.
“Is this true?”
“No, I think it's just because it's a business whose owner died, I feel that way.”
The Empress narrowed her eyes and looked at the masterpiece calmly, then asked Cassian another question.
“Where did you say the stone used for the sculpture was collected?
I heard that a short while ago, but I want to hear it again.”
“It is a special metal that can only be mined in the border region between the Anden Kingdom and our Empire, and it is very rare for sculptors to use it in their works.”
“Hmm, that's right.”
The Empress seemed to remember something, and spoke to Duke Jamotti.
“Brother, wasn’t this metal in the duke’s palace?”
“Yes, that's right, Your Majesty.”
The Duke answered as if he was ready for the question, but he wondered why he was so nervous, so he let out a short sigh, and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief...
“My father, who was the former Duke, had a hobby of collecting unusual metals, and out of love for Her Majesty the Empress, he allowed her to play with them, so it is only natural that you would remember that.”
“That's right, because he looked rather familiar.”
The Empress laughed heartily, but spoke again with a serious face.
“But for some reason, the color of this statue is strange.”
“Can you explain what you mean?”
When Cassian asked politely as if he was asking for an explanation, the Empress couldn't hide her satisfaction for a moment.
“Prince Cassian, the nickname for this mineral is the Bobo Stone.
Do you know why it was called that?”
“This is because it emits a special glow only when it comes into contact with a metal that is rarer than the metal itf.”
“Yes, but it doesn't seem to emit any special brilliance from this statue.”
“What is this...”
The Empress sighed briefly.
“It's as if the color is different from the stone I used to play with when I was little.”
“Are you saying it's fake...?”
Kasyan deliberately did not hide his doubts and asked the Empress again.
“If it's different from the stone your Majesty used to play with when she was little, does that mean there's something wrong?”
“Oh my God, Prince Cassian, I should have taken better care of you.”
The Empress spoke to the Emperor as if she was in great pain and felt sorry for him.
“Anden Kingdom ignores our Empire so much that it even deceives it!”
"Yes?"
At the same time that Cassian's foolish answer came, the whispers of the nobles suddenly rose...
“So, are you saying that the Anden Kingdom did not send the artifact that was supposed to be with the collection?”
“I believe so, Her Majesty even sent His Royal Highness, the Precious Prince of the Kingdom, as a wedding partner, and yet...”
Then the Empress personally revealed the answer to the riddle.
“I think the kingdom was worried as well.
Although they said they viewed Prince Cassian favorably, the stone that makes up the set is such a precious sacred stone that there are only a few of it in existence, so I guess they couldn’t send it.”
The Emperor's face hardened at these words.
“It's really inappropriate, Your Majesty, I should have told you this beforehand to prevent our empire from losing its reputation in front of too many people.”
The Empress even raised her handkerchief and wiped the edges of her eyes.
Then, as if it were all his fault,
She turned her head towards Duke Jamote.
“You too, brother!”
“The reason I sent the Duke was to prevent something like this from happening, how could you neglect something so important?”
Duke Jamotti quickly became nervous and responded to the stern rebuke.
“Oh, no!
I went to help Prince Cassian at the request of Her Majesty the Empress, how could I do that so carelessly?”
"then?"
Duke Gamuti responded to the Empress's words as if he were truly sorry.
“It is impossible for the Andan Kingdom, which has entered into a marriage agreement with the Precious Third Prince, to ignore our empire like this...”
Duke Jamote spoke in a less forceful voice, as if he was cautious.
“It's okay, brother, if you have any ideas, please tell me immediately, isn't that right, Your Majesty?”
When the Empress asked for permission as if she were inciting him to do so, the Emperor nodded as if suppressing his anger.
The Emperor was already casting a murderous glance at Cassian.
“Your Royal Highness Prince Cassian, you tried to hide something like this when you first looked at the exhibits, and even for the second time now!”
“This stone was emitting a wonderful light, it was completely different from what it is now.”
“That means...”
“Your Royal Highness, please be sincere and ask for forgiveness quickly.
The Holy Stone was stolen due to negligence on your part!”
Duke Jamoti's firm voice was full of confidence…