# Chapter 27
Chapter 27
The two settled down at a small table in the back garden.
Smoothing her skirt as she sat down, Cayena asked mischievously, “Sir Evans, are you still single?”
“Yes, I am.
“How is it that a remarkable man like you still doesn't have a fiancée?
Does Marquis Evans not care?
Zenon was the second son of Marquis Evans, owner of one of the largest granaries in the Empire.
It was rare for someone like Zenon to remain detached.
It was especially unusual for the younger brother of a land baron.
“I missed the right moment.
“That doesn't seem right, Sir Evans.
You are still in your prime.
He was only in his early 20s.
And although his expression was cold, he was, overall, a handsome man.
His diligent training had developed for him a strong body equipped with masculine charm.
“I am moved by your words.
Zenon only thought of women as people who would tie him up by his ankles.
There was no woman who matched the marquis's second son.
If she had good looks, she lacked intelligence, and if she was intelligent, her family was very inferior.
“It would be nice if you could find someone who suits you at my coming-of-age ceremony banquet.
There will be many young noblewomen out there.
“Would it be appropriate for me to look for a date at an event where Your Highness is supposed to meet someone?
Cayena replied nonchalantly, “Is it possible to find our destination if we are so meticulous about the time of night we are allowed?”
“… how romantic of you, Your Highness.
“It's because love is something that can be found in an instant, almost like an accident.
Cayena's voice was composed, and every word was calming.
As he looked at Cayena, he felt thirsty, as if his throat was burning.
“Is this really a woman who is about to reach adulthood?”
He was much older than her.
Strangely, however, Cayena didn't feel any younger.
Yes, she made him feel like a younger man, full of passion and vitality.
“It's really strange.”
He never expected to feel this kind of tension when dealing with Princess Cayena.
But looking at yourself now…
It was much more interesting to talk to Cayena than her older brother, the loser from the east.
“… has your Highness found this love?
This question was clearly referring to Raphael.
Cayena laughed.
“I'm not looking for that.
That's when Evans frowned slightly.
Cayena placed her arms on the table and leaned over a little.
“I'm waiting for him to find me.
Cayena looked at Zenon with an indecipherable smile.
With that smile, Zenon clenched his fist under the table.
The insolent princess was teasing him.
“I’ll give you a chance, so try to woo me if you can.”
That was what she was saying.
She wasn't trying to win him over, but rather giving him a chance.
It was ridiculous, but it made him feel like he wanted to win.
“The princess.”
He had never thought of Cayena as a potential marriage partner.
It was because, although she was beautiful, she was even less suitable as a partner than the ladies of the lower nobility.
But now, Cayena was different.
“How fun.”
Somewhere in his heart, a desire arose to respond to this provocation.
He licked his lips at the pressure.
If he married Cayena, he wouldn't have to bow down to Rezef.
But he couldn't just rush into that swamp recklessly.
The more he talked to her, the clearer it became to him.
Princess Cayena was dangerous.
She was like the fog, a woman with whom you couldn't see your next move.
Furthermore, the swamp had unknown depths.
He was an ordinary man, just like the others who were fascinated by a beautiful member of the opposite sex.
The reason this hasn't been revealed until now is that no women in the castle matched his taste.
But at this moment, possessiveness struck his heart like an accident.
“Your Highness, you confuse me.
Cayena opened her eyes wide and laughed like a flower swaying in the wind.
“You're just confused because you don't know.
There won't be any confusion if you know the correct answer.
With this, the structure of their relationship became clear.
Zenon stood up and approached Cayena.
He knelt down, took her hand and kissed it for a long moment.
“I will definitely find you.
Zenon accepted his provocation.
He was confident he would win.
No matter how hard he tried, Cayena was just a princess in name.
She didn't know that her title was just a foolish illusion.
Cayena refused his offer to escort her to the princess's palace.
“It’s easy to deal with an arrogant man,” she thought with a blank expression.
“I must select the ladies-in-waiting as quickly as possible.
Upon returning to her quarters, Cayena wrote a letter of appeal to the emperor.
She intended to hire only four court ladies, including Vera.
It was to reinforce the image that being a court lady in the princess's palace was a privilege above all else.
There was another good reason why she decided she would only have four ladies-in-waiting.
This was because his palace responsibilities could be divided into four main categories.
A lady would be in charge of daily routines and procedures, such as welcoming your guests and managing parties and meetings.
A lady would be responsible for all aspects of what she ate, i.e.
diet and medication.
A lady would manage her closet, quarters, and means.
A lady would regulate the conduct and duties of all officials belonging to the princess's palace and punish them if necessary.
“It is an unspoken law that power only comes to those who work.
Until now, Rezef had intervened in everything in the princess's palace because he had authority over internal affairs.
The court ladies of the princess's palace were just for show, without any real power.
Cayena had to fix this first.
She only had a short time, but she would set up her palace so that it could not be dragged away by Rezef when he was reinstated.
“Vera.
From now on, I give you the authority to enforce the conduct and duties of the court ladies and maids belonging to this palace.
Among the things her ladies-in-waiting would have to do, this task requires the greatest discretion.
Vera was the perfect choice for the job.
“I will support Your Highness with all my heart.
As for the rest of the tasks, she had already considered her ideal candidates.
Olivia would act as her messenger, entertaining and hosting Cayena's guests.
“I will help increase Olivia’s social influence.”
Olivia, as a heroine, was naturally observant and perceptive.
She was definitely the right person for the job.
Now, Cayena had to select the other two.
“I will select Julia Evans and Susan Lepore as my court ladies.
Vera frowned a little at the unexpected names and began to think.
Marquis Evans' precious daughter, Julia, and Count Lepore's second daughter, Susan...
“In terms of the house, they are both perfectly wonderful, but I doubt their competence as individuals, Your Highness.
Especially in the case of Ms.
Julia Evans.
Rezef wouldn't be against it if Julia Evans entered the princess's palace.
Instead, he would accept it if they welcomed it.
He would think that Cayena chose one of her people.
However, it was unclear whether the only daughter of the Evans family, who was called the ruler of the east, could do the job well as a lady-in-waiting.
Also, what about Susan, Count Lepore's second daughter?
She likewise would never have worked in her life.
And Susan was quite…
“She is known for being eccentric.
Unlike Count Lepore, who had an even temper, Susan was known as the viper with a sword in its mouth.
She was smart and had a lot of talent, but she easily dismissed people as insignificant.
She didn't mince her words, which is why she wasn't very popular in the social world.
“By the way, will His Highness Rezef accept Lady Susan?
Count Lepore was related to Archduke Heinrich on his mother's side.
However, there was a reason Cayena insisted on it.
“In my past life, Susan Lepore became Olivia's incomparable friend.”
Before Cayena's return, Susan was someone who dared to pour wine on Cayena and laugh at her.
“Although her family is related to Archduke Heinrich, she is like a stranger to him.
The Lepore family was also one of those families that had not yet declared support for any of the successors.
However, as the count was related to Archduke Heinrich, everyone thought he would support him.
“And Susan hates Archduke Heinrich very much.”
Of course, she hated Rezef too.
In many ways, it was good to bring her to Cayena's side when the opportunity arose.
“The Lepore family is loyal and neutral, so it will begood for others to see Susan here.
And how significant would it be if Rezef's people, Heinrich's people, and Kedrey's people were all together in one place?
Vera exploded in admiration at this comment.
That's exactly what she said when Vera thought about it.
The three most representative forces of the Eldaim Empire would be gathered in the princess's palace.
And although Susan wasn't really one of Heinrich's people, that's what she was in the eyes of society.