# Chapter 35
Chapter 35
Scene 7.
The villain's house
Vera looked at Cayena, who was leisurely reading a book after her brief interview with Olivia.
In his hand was a travel diary describing the northern regions of the country.
“She could at least go find Sir Kedrey.”
Standing side by side in the imperial library, they blended in well, like a princess and a knight in a fairy tale.
Furthermore, it was Raphael who came to see Cayena that day.
Wasn't that a sign that he had feelings for her?
But recently, Cayena was keeping her distance.
She never talked about how cool he was like she used to be.
“The North region has nothing left to see.
It will be uncomfortable to stay there.
She put down her travel diary and started talking about idle things.
Vera asked abruptly, “Your Highness, do you sincerely wish things to go well between Miss Olivia and Sir Kedrey?”
“Do I really want things to go well?”
Cayena hit the cover of the book with her hand and opened it to the first page, as if she had made a decision.
“Of course.
To be precise, she hoped to get something out of this since they would get along well anyway.
Originally, Raphael and Olívia met for the first time at Cayena's coming-of-age celebration, after the wedding talks.
It all unfolded like a fated love story, but it was also the prelude to Cayena's tragedy.
Vera's questions didn't stop there.
— What would Your Highness do if Sir Kedrey developed any affection for you?
Cayena was surprised by the unexpected speculation.
Placing the book on her lap, she said: — What a ridiculous presumption.
She dismissed it like that.
“Sir Kedrey is already in negotiations about marriage with Olivia.
I hope we don't talk about this anymore.
“I'm sorry, Your Highness.
Cayena shook her head.
“I'm not scolding you.
I know exactly why you say that.
Vera closed her lips, a little embarrassed by her understanding.
“It would be great if Her Highness could connect with the person she loves.”
Vera regretted it even more, as she had heard Cayena planning and dreaming of approximately 50 years of a future with Raphael.
“Although Miss Olivia is unquestionably beautiful…”
Vera thought of Olivia.
Cayena said she was a sharp and intelligent lady.
She also said that it would be comfortable to work with her as they would be in sync.
With this compliment, Vera realized that the princess had considerable respect for that woman.
“Is she that capable of a person?”
Of course, your first impression was excellent.
Excluding her home, Olivia seemed to have no visible flaws.
Vera didn't know exactly what Olivia's personality was like, but her social reputation wasn't bad.
In fact, it was impressive how her reputation wasn't bad, considering how everyone knew that Cayena hated and distrusted her.
“Vera, did you choose your people?
She was snapped out of her thoughts by Cayena's question.
Cayena was referring to the people who would help Vera with her duties.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
First of all, I would like to nominate Annie.
“That's a good choice.
Vera was secretly reorganizing the workforce in the princess's palace so that it could be used by Cayena.
“The remaining two court ladies will come tomorrow.
Cayena looked out the window.
The spring rain was still falling.
“I want you to help Olivia adjust to work.
“Yes, Your Majesty.
Cayena thought about creating a kind of classification between them.
The ranking would show others who the princess favored most.
As long as Cayena watched Olivia, people would be more careful around her.
Once Olivia gained respectable influence, Rezef and Archduke Heinrich would have a hard time touching her.
This way, Cayena could create an environment in which they could survive before leaving the imperial palace.
When Vera left, Cayena was alone in the room.
She closed the book.
Reading about the western region felt strange since Viscount Gillian's hometown was in the west.
She dropped the book as if it were covered in thorns.
A sigh escaped his lips.
She thought she had healed from the past.
However, this belief was shattered after she encountered Gillian.
Would she be okay when she had to face him again?
Cayena wasn't sure.
“Is it better to act…?
Was there any way she could destroy Viscounty Gillian and destroy her business?that of war horses?
“But that would be troublesome for the Kedrey Duchy if there was a gap in its area.”
It was hasty and difficult to stop Duke Kedrey's forces.
Rezef and Heinrich would obviously be happy if the Kedreys' influence was reduced.
But in the first place, it was not wise to sow discord with the duchy without justification.
“There are a lot of conflicting interests.”
The Gillians' war horse business was very important.
Perhaps it could lessen its influence if the government took control, or if there was more competition in the market...
She continued to think about these complicated plots when she took a break.
There was no need to go that far.
“I would just need to replace Henverton's position with a new person.
And this was more suited to Cayena's abilities.
Fortunately, Henverton Gillian wasn't born with a particularly good personality or ability, and her friends were even worse.
“Hmm…
However, she needed to cooperate with Raphael to implement the plan.
She couldn't get rid of Kedrey's vassal so easily.
Somehow, she continued to get involved with Raphael.
She didn't hate him, but she was afraid of making him feel uncomfortable.
Cayena wanted to live differently than herself in the past.
She calmly looked at her shaking hands.
Henverton Gillian was also obsessed with her in this life.
He might follow her if she ran away and do the same thing as last time.
Her memories of being abused were not completely clear.
Her memory of being killed was also hazy.
But even with the suggestion of the memories, his body was affected like this.
His body's reaction was very different from his cool head and rationality.
“I have to let go of what I can’t control.”
Gillian was an element she couldn't control.
So she had no reason to hesitate in getting rid of him.
Vera only brought a maid to accompany her as she headed to the central part of the castle to check on the princess's meal.
This kitchen was the most important in the castle because it was where the imperial family's food was prepared.
Although the place was well run, Vera was always in and out of the central kitchen because of Cayena's allergies.
Furthermore, she could not eat food with a strong fishy smell, so her ladies-in-waiting had to pay special attention when serving seafood.
"Her Highness pretends otherwise, but she has been so weak and worried since yesterday.
I need to prepare a meal to help her regain her strength."
However, the chef always seemed annoyed whenever Vera passed by and interfered with the food.
He openly ostracized Vera, acting uncooperatively and trying to expel her as quickly as possible.
It was almost as if he had something to hide.
"He's very against admitting strangers into the kitchen.
Someone with a clear conscience wouldn't do that."
Vera thought with a snort.
If she found anything suspicious, she would report it immediately.
But Vera's path was blocked at the entrance to the princess's palace.
Some courtiers got in her way, and among them Vera saw a familiar face.
It was Mrs.
Sovenin, the right-hand woman of Mrs.
Helier, the head maid who was in charge of all the female employees in the imperial palace.
Furthermore, she was a member of Rezef's faction and was a hostile force against Cayena.
Vera greeted her.
“Mrs.
Sovenin, may I ask what you are doing here?
Mrs.
Sovenin scoffed.
“I am suppressing the palace family.
“By that, you mean…
“Where are you going now?
“I was going to the central kitchen.
I need to check on His Highness's meals.
At her words, Mrs.
Sovenin fiercely glared at Vera.
Her expression showed that she would take Vera down no matter what.
“This place is the most strictly administered of all the departments.
You are not professional.
What exactly can you do there?
Vera noticed that Mrs.
Sovenin was trying to find fault with her.
As her opponent occupied a higher position than her, Vera's chances of winning the fight were slim.
Still, she couldn't keep her mouth shut.
Vera's attitude was a reflection of Cayena's.
She straightened her back.
“I am the only senior court lady in the princess's palace.
If I don't take care of it, who will?
Then, five court ladies lined up beside Mrs.
Sovenin as if andwere waiting for her to say that.
“Even so, the maid told me to select and send new senior bridesmaids because there are an insufficient number of court ladies in the princess's palace.
Vera narrowed her eyes at the words.