# Chapter 26
Chapter 26
The next day was brilliant.
Cayena stopped in front of Rezef's room.
“We salute Her Majesty, the Princess!
— The knights, including those guarding the door, greeted her with exemplary military discipline.
“You can go up.
Her voice was so gentle that even the greatest singer in the Empire would be nothing more than an unpleasant noise at her side.
The knights gulped upon seeing Cayena's breathtaking beauty.
Today, Cayena had half of her hair tied up with a sky blue ribbon and the rest of her hair flowed smoothly down to her shoulders.
She wore a blue dress with a subtle shine and had a dreamy beautiful figure.
To them, Cayena certainly seemed like “the beauty who cried out to death”.
“I want to see Rezef,” Cayena said, meeting the eyes of the knight in front.
The knight who caught his gaze froze.
He was so distracted that he didn't even realize he was shaking with tension.
“That is not permitted, Your Highness.
“But I'm so worried about my little brother...
A slight frown on his forehead, half-closed blue eyes and a small voice.
Everyone looked at each other uneasily.
They could not allow the parole to be broken as it was an order from the emperor.
But they also couldn't stand firm in front of Cayena.
"She just wants to see her little brother.
Do we really have to block her...?"
That's what they were thinking.
If Cayena had acted or attempted to coerce them, the knights may have quickly remembered their duties.
Well aware of this fact, Cayena had resolved not to act like this.
“That’s…that’s so…
They were dragging their feet because they couldn't say no when there was another voice.
“I respectfully greet Your Majesty.
Rezef's lieutenant, Zenon Evans, politely greeted the princess.
Cayena slowly turned to look at him.
With just a glance, she could read his expression: Zenon was on guard against her.
“Hello, Sir Evans.
“I'm honored that you remember my name.
It is no coincidence that Cayena gained the authority to choose her new ladies-in-waiting.
Even so, she still shamelessly walked here to the prince's palace.
Zenon found Cayena detestable.
He knew in his head that Cayena was now an opponent he shouldn't ignore...
but his heart couldn't accept that fact.
Until now, Cayena had just been a stupid woman with a pretty face.
“I'm glad you're here,” Cayena said.
— Please open the door for me.
I was so worried about Rezef that I couldn't even sleep at night.
Zenon nearly burst into laughter at his obvious attempt at manipulation.
“I can never allow the prince and Cayena to meet.”
Zenon politely asked for your understanding.
“I apologize, but I can't.
Please consider that I cannot disobey His Majesty's orders.
“How is Rezef now?
You know that, right?
“His Highness is fine.
However, it might be difficult for him if Your Highness stays here much longer.
Cayena clasped her hands, seemingly anxious.
As she looked so pitiful, the knights glared at Zenon.
Couldn't he phrase things a little softer?
“No one is in their right mind.”
Zenon was becoming disillusioned with his pathetic behavior.
“I am…
Cayena looked at the tightly closed door with an expression of resignation.
Zenon internally clicked his tongue.
"With this beauty, she can cause catastrophes.
Maybe more."
In fact, at this time, the only man who was not bewitched by Cayena was Zenon alone.
“I understand.
I just caused all of you unnecessary trouble.
“No, not at all, Your Highness!
“It could never be like this!
— The knights wanted to do whatever they could to improve this beautiful person's mood, even if just a little.
And the more they felt this way, the more hostility they felt towards Zenon.
“So, Sir Evans.
Would it be okay to ask you to accompany me?
“… forgive me?
Zenon backed away, unaware of the unexpected request.
Cayena said calmly: — On the way back, I would like to know how Rezef is.
“That’s…
At Zenon's hesitant reaction, the knights coughed and looked at him.
“Ahem.
A true gentleman would accompany His Highness.
Don't you agree, Evans?
Cayena was currently accompanied by a court lady and two maids, which were too few people to be appropriate for a princess outing.
If Zenon, Rezef's closest aide, were to accompanyseeing her, it would be a good image for their image.
“…it’s an honor.
Your Highness.
Zenon gave in to social norms.
There were many eyes around, and if he backed down now, he would certainly disappoint the princess and her fans.
Zenon swallowed and stepped next to her.
Cayena wrapped her arm around him.
The princess's palace was on the other side of the imperial residence.
The castle was longer than it was wide, so you had to walk a bit to get there.
“Knowing his character, that child must be scolding his people.
Are you well?
Zenon remembered the prince's room.
The only part that was “fine” was the ceiling.
And that was only because the ceiling was out of reach of Rezef's sword.
“I'll have to move it somewhere else.”
Would he have to change rooms ten times in ten days?
His head throbbed with pain.
“Your suffering must be great.
“Not at all, Your Highness.
Cayena comforted him.
To Zenon, it seemed like she was mocking him.
“If I had been a little more careful, I wouldn't have sent the ladies-in-waiting like that.
She had a face that looked truly full of remorse.
Zenon told himself that he would not be fooled, but even he was confused as to whether Cayena was serious.
That was why her feelings weakened his heart.
"Tsk.
If she was 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 her mind.
Involuntarily, Zenon swallowed hard upon receiving Cayena's unreadable gaze.
“Don't you have to choose new court ladies quickly?
Your coming of age ceremony is very close,” he said, avoiding her gaze.
"You were the one who got rid of all of Rezef's people.
So who do you plan to put in their place?"
In fact, he was curious to know what Princess Cayena would say.
“Even disregarding the matter with the court ladies, it is so problematic nowadays.
But, Sir Evans, I believe I heard you had a younger sister?
Evans raised his eyebrows at the unexpected words.
“… Yes.
Her name is Julia Evans, and she is similar in age to Your Highness.
“What is she like?
It would be better if my lady-in-waiting came from a family of people we can trust.
“People we can trust?
Zenon was perplexed.
Did she drive out the people of Rezef just to bring in someone from the Evans family?
"Not bad.
In fact, it's a great opportunity."
The Evans family hoped 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 the chance to meet each other.
If her younger sister became Cayena's lady-in-waiting, there would be many good opportunities for her to meet Rezef while working.
“What are you thinking, princess?”
Was she really just a stupid woman?
The princess's palace approached as 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 made a snack to give to Rezef.
Won't you join me for tea?
It was a shameless offer to let him invade her mind.
Zenon tried to read something in 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.
“…I’ll find out what exactly you’re thinking.”
He thought he would be able to see through Cayena's true intentions.
“I must 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 for his own tricks.