# Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Since Cayena's return, the princess's palace had been quiet, like a beast beating its time.
Those who did not quite understand the meaning of silence said that everything was calm.
Vera was different.
She adapted to the silence and opened her eyes and ears attentively.
She was waiting for when the storm would reach the palace.
And the moment she got the opportunity, she didn't miss it.
Cayena, who seemed to faint after eating a nut cookie, got up from the bed as if everything was normal.
Annie and Donna were guarding the door.
The windows were covered with curtains and candles lit the room.
“Vera.
Cayena reached out to Vera.
Vera quickly approached the bed, knelt on the floor and held Cayena's hand.
“I know your family supports Rezef, even to the point of death.
Vera wasn't surprised to hear Cayena say that she already knew they were 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 swallowed, her mouth dry.
Could words be scarier than these?
However, Cayena said this peacefully, as if she was thinking about what to make for afternoon tea.
“That means 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.
She had only gone so far in pursuing that hope.
She was always anxious.
The realistic thought that this could all be in vain tortured his mind.
Whenever this happened, she turned away, blaming her own weak heart.
“Receiving a classification and receiving a title are very different things.
Receiving a title was not a simple thing.
It didn’t end with someone saying, “Now I make you a baron.”
It is necessary to go through a complex legal process.
However, Vera desperately needed the title, enough to set herself this difficult task.
“I know that your family tried to marry you off to your cousin, and that you came to be my court lady as if you were trying to escape.
“How…
Vera looked at Cayena in amazement.
“I know that shameless man wants to accept her as the mistress of the house and make his younger sisters concubines.
There was no trace of discomfort on his face.
The way she calmly revealed Vera's past was chilling.
Vera wanted to bite her tongue.
“You were going to get a title and take your younger brothers with you, right?
As if she knew everything, Cayena caressed Vera's head.
This competent and sincere court lady was also very responsible.
She stood up against her closed-minded parents, and to protect herself and her siblings, she heartlessly entered this palace.
She was only 25 years old.
She was still too young to bear this weight.
Cayena had also gone through a difficult situation in her second life.
She remembered how she struggled to care for her sick mother.
Although she was a “woman” at that time, she was too young to do everything herself.
So, Cayena happily declared herself Vera's guardian.
“You don't have to worry about anything else.
Vera closed her eyes.
Tears ran down her cheeks.
A feeling of relief filled his heart.
“…my brothers are still young.
“I understand.
“My father only sees his daughters as property.
This was a prevalent thought among most nobles.
Vera spoke with her face wet with tears: — Neither I nor my younger brothers are tools for keeping the house.
She was convinced that if she were Cayena, she would understand her more than anyone else.
Because within the imperial family, the emperor and Prince Rezef also isolated Cayena, controlled as they wished.
Cayena smiled.
It was such a painful smile that Vera thought Cayena might have been more pitiful than she was.
Elo, at least, could be free by receiving a title.
But what about Cayena?
Vera recovered herself and, after her tears dried, asked: — Your Highness, what are you going to do now?
His voice was determined and anxious.
Cayena said the next plan she already had in mind.
“Do I have any dresses that look shabby?
The courtiers looked down the railing.
There was Cayena, kneeling in a modest dress that looked like pajamas or play clothes.— Your Highness, you shouldn’t be doing this here…
This is what the princess, who had reportedly fainted due to an allergic reaction, did as soon as she opened her eyes.
Both courtiers and knights were embarrassed.
The princess was on her knees in the middle of the castle, so how could they get in front of her?
They were trapped inside.
It was a hostage situation with everyone there.
Cayena continued to kneel there with a sad face.
She looked like a weak princess who was lost without her little brother.
At her side, Vera, the only court lady who remained, supported her.
“Your Highness, this could really get you into trouble…!
— When the princess looked like she would never back down, the court officials retreated, embarrassed.
Of course, it was the nobles who supported Rezef who were most pleased with this news.
Zenon was holding an emergency meeting due to Rezef's indefinite confinement.
It was during this 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 manipulations.
This was the first time that Cayena had done her own actions to help them so much.
Only Zenon's eyes sparkled as everyone rejoiced at the windfall.
“Is this action really for Prince Rezef?”
If it had been Cayena in the past, Zenon could have counted on his sincerity without much worry.
But now it was different.
In this case, all her ladies-in-waiting were expelled.
Rezef's influence was greatly reduced.
Furthermore, Rezef received the emperor's wrath and was placed in indeterminate condition.
probation for an indefinite period.
Cayena didn't lose anything in this incident.
Instead, she was able to fill her palace with her chosen ladies-in-waiting.
It was the most reasonable deduction to think that Cayena had arranged this situation.
“Did she really eat the cookie?”
Even this kind of thought floated in Zenon's head.
“No, that's a useless line of thinking.
It already happened.”
In any case, since she was now petitioning on Rezef's behalf, this could be an opportunity.
“How did His Majesty react?
“They say the Emperor won't give in.
They seriously wondered if they would have to wait for the emperor's anger to subside.
Zenon stepped forward and said, “If we don't resolve this today, the momentum will tilt towards Archduke Heinrich.
“That's right.
We have no time to waste, so everyone get ready to act!
“Your Majesty, what are you going to do?
This question was asked in relation to Cayena, who was still kneeling outside in a petition.
“How long has she been doing this?
“It's been three hours.
Cayena, in her thin, worn dress, had already been on her knees for three hours.
“The doctor said that if she continues, she could hurt herself.
Then, an attendant entered the room and said:
“Your Majesty, some nobles are requesting an audience.
Then, he began reciting the names of influential nobles, including Zenon Evans.
“I see that they are taking advantage of the opportunity.
This was clearly an opening that Cayena created.
The emperor nodded and said:
“Let them in.
When the door opened, twelve nobles entered.
They all threw back their cloaks and knelt.
“Your Majesty!
Please take pity on Her Highness the Princess!
— The Emperor's cold blue eyes looked at the nobles.
“Do you think you are in a position to say that you find the princess pitiful?
“This is all a misunderstanding!
I recognize that it was a mistake on His Highness' part not to suppress the idiocy of the court ladies, but this is too much!
— Are you saying I'm awesome?
They were not as afraid of the setting sun as before.
In their eyes, this father, who imprisoned his son, deserves reproach.
“Please think again, Your Majesty!
— They lowered their heads and shouted in unison.
It was his show of strength.
Even the emperor could not completely ignore the words of the influential nobles gathered here.
At that time, a servant rushed in and whispered to the senior attendant.
The attendant bowed his head as if repentant and said, “Your Majesty, Your Highness has fainted again.
The doctor is examining her now.
The nobles began to scream in sadness.
“Your Majesty!
— The Emperor opened his mouth as he watched them act disgustingly, all acting with athought in mind.
“I haven't decided on the prince's punishment yet.
“Your M-Sorry?
The nobles looked dumbfounded for a moment.
The emperor turned to Luden and said, “Rezef will be placed on parole for ten days.
Then, to the nobles, he said, — A notice will be issued soon.
You are released.