# Chapter 15
Chapter 15
“Please call a doctor!
— Vera poured the cold water on Cayena's arm.
Cayena grimaced in pain.
Fortunately, the burn wasn't severe because the pie briefly touched her before falling.
Lydia prostrated herself on the ground and begged Cayena for forgiveness.
“I committed a crime worthy of death!
Please forgive me, Your Highness!
— It was a crime to place the slightest scar on the body of someone from the imperial family.
But to burn the only princess of the Imperial family.
the apology wouldn't be enough, even if Lydia was whipped immediately.
“Lydia!
You've gone crazy!
“Enough.
— Cayena stopped Vera.
“I needlessly shocked you all greatly.
It was my fault for not explaining that the pie must be cooled first, so there is no need to do that.
How could it be Cayena's fault?
This was ridiculous.
Then the doctor ran in, panting.
“The doctor has arrived, Your Highness!
— Cayena showed her red arm to the doctor.
It was a little painful, but other than that it was in good condition.
“It should be fine if you just apply the ointment for a few days.
Everyone was inwardly relieved by these words.
“I'm glad it's just a minor burn.
It may not have been a major burn, but this incident was not something to be taken lightly.
However.
Cayena gently comforted Lydia.
“You must have been very surprised, Lydia.
“Everything is fine.
You're still young, so of course you can make mistakes sometimes.
“Lydia is the same age as His Highness.”
Vera's head hurt, as if it were throbbing slightly.
“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 rest of the pie had cooled and ordered it to be prepared with other refreshments.
The kitchen servants were deeply moved by his calm and magnanimity.
“This is for you, as I promised.
— The chef received the slice with both hands, admiring Cayena's tolerant attitude during the madness.
“Thank you, Your Highness.
Cayena also said to her ladies-in-waiting:
“Everyone must have been very surprised, so take Lydia with you and go rest.
Vera took care of the rest of the situation and took Cayena to her room.
“Lydia will not regret her actions, Your Highness.
Vera had been patient with the mismanagement of the court ladies, but she couldn't take it today.
“Why are you so generous with them?
she asked.
She sighed as she looked at Cayena's arm, wrapped in gauze.
Cayena smiled softly at Vera's worried words and held her hand.
“I thought you knew you weren't really giving them a good pass.
Vera hesitated at the comment.
“I thought it seemed almost planned, but…”
She felt chills when Cayena confirmed her hunch.
“Haven't you been watching me until now?
“…!
— Vera was speechless.
"How did Cayena know?
Was it so obvious?"
Vera calmed her mind and voice.
“...
forgive my ignorance, but I don't understand what you mean, Your Highness.
Cayena had a skeptical expression on her face, as if asking, “Really?”
Vera swallowed.
His mouth went dry.
So…
“Your Highness, the snacks are ready.
What would you like us to do?
— asked a maid upon entering the room.
Cayena gave Vera a mission, as if she was testing how she would act now.
“Go deliver the drinks to Rezef.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
— Vera accepted the request with a complicated expression.
Rezef hadn't had an appetite since breakfast.
“… I am tired.
Recently, many aristocrats have been visiting the capital and Rezef has also had to keep Archduke Heinrich in check.
There were many things to pay attention to.
“What is my sister doing now?
he asked his assistant.
It almost became a habit.
“The last report stated that she was heading to the kitchen of her palace.
Since he didn't have time to find Cayena while dealing with all the visitors, Rezef asked about her more than a dozen times a day.
Thanks to this, Zenon was confident that he knew Cayena's whereabouts better than anyone else in the city.
Rezef tilted his head when he heard about their unexpected location.
He didn't see how the place could be of interest to Cayena.
“What is she doing there?
“I did not receive any detailed report because the ladies-in-waiting were busy serving His Highness.
“What is she doing in the kitchen?”Rezef was curious.
The person he was most curious about currently was Cayena.
She had completely changed since she passed out from drinking poison.
And it was Rezef himself who was benefiting from the change.
In particular, he gained many benefits from preparing for Cayena's coming-of-age ceremony.
The stubborn and deeply frowning nobles began to move, thinking they had a chance to become part of the imperial family.
Anyway, Cayena was the only princess in the imperial family and her value had also increased recently.
Rezef was able to take advantage of the situation.
In fact, there were many other positive things besides the political advantages that came with his move.
Without him realizing it, Cayena had grown bigger and his stomach calmed down when he was next to her.
He thought she was just a pretty, silly doll, but he was wrong.
Rezef was surprised to find that spending time with Cayena was more enjoyable than he expected.
“Since when did she have so much influence over him?
But it wasn't like that was bad.
It was almost to the level where it would be a shame to see her go when she got married.
“One of His Highness's ladies-in-waiting has arrived.
What should we do with it?
He waved his hand upon hearing the adjutant's words, telling him to let her in.
Soon Vera entered the room.
“I salute Your Imperial Highness.
“That's enough.
He showed uncharacteristic favor to her, allowing her to skip unnecessary procedures and greetings.
It wasn't because of Vera herself, but rather because she was someone Cayena had sent.
Vera quickly thanked him and handed the silver tray in her hand to Evans.
“This is a snack prepared by the princess herself.
Rezef furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at Vera's explanation.
“… my sister?
Herself?
“Yes.
“What does that mean?”
Zenon's eyes widened at the unexpected words.
This was suspicious.
“Bring this here.
Zenon placed the dish on the table.
The subtle aroma of apple pie emerged as he lifted the lid.
The maid who followed Vera here also delivered biscuits, scones, jam and buttercream.
The teapot was still hot.
Rezef felt an unfamiliar heat.
“This apple pie was handmade by His Highness.
Rezef watched the apple pie with dubious eyes.
For starters, it felt right.
The smell was also good.
“Did my sister really do this?
“Yes.
Vera's calm response made him look at the apple pie and then take a quick bite.
Zenon, who was about to do a poison test with a silver needle, was startled.
He must know what kind of things can be put in food, but he just ate it without any care!
Furthermore, the opponent was Princess Cayena.
Evans was quite suspicious of Cayena, whose intentions had been unclear lately.
But Rezef didn't care about any of that.
He was surprised to find that the food was tastier than he thought.
He had no appetite since the morning, but the moderately fresh and not too sweet taste stimulated his appetite.
“What is that smell?
Not the apple.
I like that.
Although it was an apple pie, there was a peculiar fragrance to it.
Vera explained at her side.
“His Highness added cinnamon.
“Ah, cinnamon.
He liked cinnamon, with its slightly bitter taste and aroma.
His nerves, which were a little sharp from fatigue, softened.
It was funny that a snack could make him so relaxed.
Beside him, Vera served hot honey tea.
Then, she dipped a silver teaspoon she had prepared into the cup.
There was no change.
“Did my sister have that kind of talent?
Rezef ate two slices of pie and smiled contentedly.
He had some free time now, so he wanted to have tea with Cayena.
“What is my sister doing now?
Vera was unable to respond immediately.
She approached the subject carefully.
“…actually, there was an accident in the kitchen.
Rezef, who was wiping his hands on a damp napkin, froze.
He dropped the napkin and looked at Vera.
“Accident?
“One of the ladies-in-waiting accidentally spilled a pie on Her Highness's arm and burned it.
The words made Rezef's eyes go cold.