# Chapter 10
Chapter 10
“Lastly, there's Olivia Grace.
Cayena named Olivia, the novel's protagonist, last.
Raphael recognized that surname.
The Grace family was one that his own family supported.
“The Grace family is the humblest of the three.
However, although they have no fortune or power, they have the interesting position of having been sponsored by the Kedrey Duchy.
Since Raphael had ears, he was aware of the fact that Cayena really hated Olivia.
But Cayena still mentioned her.
What the hell was she doing?
“Personally, I think Milord should meet with Miss.
Olivia Grace.
"You mean you're recommending that I marry her?"
“That's correct.
You are intelligent and observant.
She is caring, but she is also self-sufficient and strong.
Cayena said this meaningfully, as if she was negotiating.
Raphael examined her closely to find her real intentions.
Looking back on her history, there was no reason for Cayena to say that.
Then he asked her openly.
“I don't know why you're saying that.
Their eyes met for a moment.
Their gazes were deep and serene, as if they were looking at each other.
“If it's Lord Kedrey, I think you'd know why,” Cayena said cryptically.
Her attitude showed that she had no intention of telling him the correct answer.
“What kind of benefit would the princess get if I went to meet you?”
Raphael couldn't even imagine what Cayena would gain from this.
But of course Raphael couldn't know.
Raphael didn't know this was a romance, nor what would happen in the future — and, of course, he didn't know Cayena's true goal.
"Because the two of them are the main characters, they are destined to be together.
Therefore, it will be beneficial if they think that I helped arrange the meeting."
Furthermore, Olivia will soon become one of her ladies-in-waiting, and then Cayena, Olivia and Raphael will have their destinies tied together like threads.
“The other ladies-in-waiting are arriving, — Vera whispered as she approached them.
In other words, it was time to end the current conversation.
Cayena was now sure that Vera was already emotionally distant from the other ladies of the court, to some extent.
“You're a little late making tea,” Cayena scolded lightly.
One of the ladies-in-waiting lowered her head.
They must have rushed to Rezef's palace to tell him about this encounter.
In fact, that was why Cayena sent all her ladies-in-waiting except Vera.
“I apologize, Your Highness.
“He is well.
Prepare the tea.
You made sure to prepare it well, correct?
Cayena personally checked the condition of the tea leaves and cups.
“Steep the tea strong and mix it with milk for Lord Kedrey.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
The ladies-in-waiting put some coal in a small brazier and placed a kettle on top to heat it.
Cayena explained what she was doing to Raphael, who was looking at her.
“I thought you might be skipping meals because you're so busy with work.
A mixture of black tea and milk is good for these situations.
Did she like strong tea?
Raphael just nodded, seeing as it didn't really matter.
Cayena often prepared gifts for him or did things that appealed to his tastes.
This was just another one of those cases.
Finally, a boiled milk tea was placed in front of him.
It didn't smell that bad.
“…!
— After a sip, Raphael's eyes widened as the aroma spread pleasantly and flowed smoothly down his throat.
It matched his tastes perfectly.
“How are you?
— Cayena asked.
Her attitude was relaxed, as if she was sure he would like it.
“It's delicious, — Raphael replied, with slight astonishment.
Cayena smiled, gently and affectionately.
“I'm glad to hear that.
Raphael accidentally scraped the white porcelain saucer with the hand holding the teacup.
Cayena didn't realize it, but this was the first “preference” Raphael had.
He suddenly thought that he should get up now.
He felt that it would somehow be dangerous to stay.
“As it is early spring, the wind is quite cold.
That meant they had to go in.
The ladies-in-waiting brought a thick coat and placed it on Cayena's shoulders.
“It was a pleasure.
She greeted him lightly.
She doesn't seemI was eager to spend more time with him or bother him with plans for the future, unlike the past.
“Okay,” Cayena said.
She seemed to have just remembered something.
“If things go well with Lady Grace, I hope you won't forget that I was the first to support your meeting.
The smile on his face was quite mischievous.
It would be worth having this kind of favor in the future.
“…please be careful when you return, Your Highness.
Raphael had no other response to give, so he just gave her a polite greeting.
The carriage heading back to the Kedrey house was stopped.
It was because Raphael was keeping his mouth closed, as if he was thinking about something.
“It was a little strange, wasn't it?
— Raphael's aide Jeremy said carefully.
“Your Imperial Highness, I mean.
She was very different from normal.
“She was much prettier than usual,” agreed Baston, the knight who accompanied them.
Then, Jeremy furrowed his eyebrows and scolded:
“That's not what I meant.
I mean her atmosphere has completely changed.
“That's why she was so much prettier!
“…you should stop talking.
As Jeremy scolded him, Baston looked like he thought it was unfair.
Then, Raphael silently opened his mouth.
“That is true.
It was unclear who he was agreeing with, Jeremy or Baston.
They just blinked in confusion and stayed quiet so as not to interrupt their thoughts.
Raphael recalled the image of Cayena, who took complete control of the moment for a short period of time.
It wasn't intimidating, but she certainly took the lead.
Who was the Cayena he had seen before and who was she now?
The carriage arrived at the village and slowly stopped.
Several officials, including the vassals, saw the carriage and left.
“Welcome home, Master.
Raphael nodded and turned his overcoat, then hesitated.
There was an unexpected guest who was looking at him from the other side.
“You're late.
It was his mother, Duchess Noa Kedrey.
Raphael addressed his mother, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, without a trace of welcome.
“What are you doing here?
Why was his mother in the capital instead of the western mansion?
“The vassals hid her visit from me.”
They must have known she was visiting.
“Can't you even offer your mother a cup of tea?
she asked.
Raphael told a servant to bring them tea.
Then suddenly he called the servant back.
“Make sure you prepare one of them very hard.
“Yes master.
Then they went to a small dining room with windows that went up to the high ceiling.
On the table, there were some flowers and candlesticks.
The duchess saw the decorations and clicked her tongue.
“Without a wife, the management of this house is very poor.
“I just don't keep anything I don't need.
“It's because your administrator only buys what others buy.
Raphael didn't respond.
“Were you surprised because I came so suddenly?
“I didn't receive any warning.
“I'm sure not.
I told them not to make any noise.
What was her reason for appearing so secretly that she ordered her people to be quiet?
Raphael thought that his mother had probably prepared something he wouldn't like.
Sure enough, the duchess called out to her lady-in-waiting, who was standing behind her like a wax figure.
“Isabel.
The lady-in-waiting named Isabel carefully placed a box on the table.
Raphael looked at the black wooden box.
“What is that?
“These are your marriage offers.
“…
The timing was actually a coincidence.
He had just returned from listening to Cayena talk about her potential marriage partners.
Did she plan this with his mother?
It was a ridiculous thought, but her mother was someone who could actually do just that.
“You need to start choosing your bride.
When the duchess nodded, Isabel opened the box and took out the portraits.
Raphael's eyebrows rose.
Below the portraits were Dolores Avon, Rita Brukin and Olivia Grace.
They were the exact women in the exact order that Cayena had told her about.