# Chapter 39
Chapter 39
The peddler, Parson, felt strange because the kitchen's central storeroom seemed empty.
He couldn't see inside the warehouse, so he called the deputy chief.
“Hi, Alex!
— But it wasn't just the deputy chief who showed up.
Many unknown people were with him, including the frantic-looking chef.
One of these people caught his attention.
"Oh my God."
It was the first time that the Parish Priest had seen such a beautiful person in his life.
She was so beautiful that it seemed like a light was emanating from her body.
She walked out of the dark warehouse and into the sun.
At that moment, the court lady beside her declared, “Pay your respects to Her Highness, the Princess.
The peddler realized that the woman in front of him was the supposed Princess Cayena.
Parson, who was completely distracted by her beauty, fell to the ground.
“This humble man greets Your Imperial Highness!
— Above his head, which was deeply bowed, a beautiful voice echoed.
“Get up.
Parson rose awkwardly and stiffly from his position.
Anyway, why did Your Highness come here…?
“How indifferent I was.
I didn't even know the face of the person who prepared food for our family.
Parson was even more confused.
“Is this real?”
He couldn't understand what was happening.
So for now, he just kept his head down.
“Thank you, Your Highness!
“Now, why don't we check the ingredients?
At her words, Parson raised his head and looked at the head chef.
His expression was contorted.
“…I shouldn’t let her see the receipt.”
He started bringing the merchandise without taking the receipt.
The chef examined the quality and quantity of the items.
It seemed like everything would pass silently.
“You seem to be dealing with delivery without a receipt.
Parson was startled by Cayena's words as if he was on fire.
“Sorry?
Ah, so, um.
I forgot to bring the receipt today!
— Then, the head chef arrived on the scene.
“This man is a bit boring, Your Highness.
Still, we've worked together for a long time and developed a lot of trust, so it's no big deal to replace a simple receipt.
“Yes yes.
That's right,” said Parson.
Cayena burst into laughter.
Everyone was dumbfounded, forgetting the solemn atmosphere for a moment because of the invigorating laughter.
Cayena had grown considerably due to the influence of her previous life.
She learned to be meticulous and rational, and it became a habit to remain silent until she was ready to act.
However, Cayena was originally the villain.
“It seems I was very generous.
“… forgiveness?
Everyone realized that something was wrong.
“Arrest the merchant and search the cart.
The chef turned pale with fear.
“Your Highness!
You can't persecute your servant like that without justification!
— Cayena replied in a cold voice.
“Kneel.
“Your Highness!
— The knights waiting behind grabbed the chef and the merchant, then searched the cart.
“Your Highness, I found the receipt!
— Even with one glance, it was evident that there were many more items listed on the receipt than were being transported.
The merchant and chef's faces turned pale.
Cayena reached out to Vera.
Vera took off Cayena's ring and gloves.
Cayena then approached the chef, who was kneeling on the floor.
“Your Highness!
You are mistaken.
I am innocent…!
Paft!
The boss's face turned to the side.
“Your Highness!
You can't do that!
The prince himself appointed me…!
— He felt like things weren't going well at this rate, so he mentioned Rezef.
Paft!
Cayena slapped him once again.
He then closed his mouth.
“It wasn't enough that you touched the treasure, but you also deceived my family.
My heart is cold for your heartlessness.
Initially, the knights were perplexed by Cayena's actions.
Then, they witnessed the shocking situation and were furious.
“You dare to deceive His Majesty!
He is a man who does not even deserve the dignity of having his head cut off, Your Highness!
— Deceiving the imperial family was a crime above all.
“You threatened the servant named Roche before my eyes.
I didn't know I would see something so scary in person.
Cayena shook her head from side to side.
“If the central kitchen, which is said to be the most strictly managed, is like this, how are the other departments?
WithWith these words, a servant hurriedly left his place and fled.
Cayena didn't bother stopping him.
She began the inspection with the intention of shaking the imperial palace.
“Put them in a prison cell and interrogate them.
“We will obey your orders!
—The imperial palace was being torn down.
Starting with the head chef of the central kitchen, everyone was sent to prison under the direction of the knight.
The figure of the chef was witnessed by many.
In the confusion, only Cayena was indifferent as she walked through the castle.
Vera's head was lowered as she followed Cayena.
“I'm sorry, Your Highness.
Cayena paused and looked at Vera and Olivia.
She let out a short sigh.
As she did so, Vera's shoulders shrank even more.
Olivia also looked a little scared.
“Vera, your eyes and your perception are great, but… you were reckless today.
Vera knelt down immediately.
“Even if I had ten mouths, I couldn't say sorry.
With my foolishness, I caused trouble for Your Highness and even put Ms.
Olivia in danger.
Olivia also knelt down beside her.
“I helped her of my own free will, Your Highness.
I deserve punishment too.
Cayena sighed again as she looked between the two.
Then she helped them up with her own hands.
“If you cross people's boundaries recklessly, bad things can happen.
I don't want anything to happen to you.
Vera closed her mouth tightly.
She felt like she was going to cry.
“And in the end, you were both right.
They are criminals.
They dared to steal from the imperial treasury.
So you did well.
“I apologize…
Cayena patted Vera, whose eyes filled with tears.
Olivia asked carefully, “But Your Highness, will you actually inspect the other areas?”
Vera had barely calmed down before she started to look worried.
“Wouldn’t the nobles be more vigilant now?
It has only been three days since Rezef was released on parole.
But she basically bared her blade to carve up the central kitchen.
The noble forces that supported Rezef would not stand by.
“As I have already removed the blade, it could lead to a backlash if I push it halfway back into the sheath.
Now that it has reached this point, it would be better to organize the internal affairs department and establish discipline immediately.
Cayena tried to reassure them, saying it wasn't that bad.
“This type of work is a typical part of cleaning.
Think of it as if I were practicing before marriage.
“I suppose…
“I’d rather do it right and enjoy it.”
If she fixed the leaking treasury and protected the imperial family's wealth, she would be rewarded tremendously.
After completing this work, Cayena would receive a prize equivalent to the budget she had secured.
At that moment, someone called Cayena on her way to the separate palace like a shout.
“Your Highness!
— A group of courtiers, who must have been conspiring together, gathered to talk to Cayena.
His skin was not good at all.
Cayena looked at them indifferently.
His icy blue eyes possessed a strict dignity that they had never seen until now.
“You finally came.
She laughed.
“Even if you didn't, I would have gone looking for her, but we all came here at the same time.
Mrs.
Helier straightened up, looking straight ahead with a stern expression on her face.
“Your Highness, I heard that you are conducting unannounced inspections.
I'm afraid it appears that you distrust the castle's loyal servants.
Mrs.
Helier bowed deeply.
“You're right,” Cayena stated lightly.
“It is admirable that Your Highness was able to change things like this.”
Mrs.
Helier laughed inwardly at Cayena.
Unexpectedly, the central kitchen was turned over, but its manager was quite irritating to Mrs.
Helier.
After all, he dealt with gangsters who didn't hesitate to kill.
“But these actions cannot go any further.
As usual, she straightened her back like the epitome of a court noble.
To Cayena, she looked ridiculous.
Cayena already knew that not only did the maid manage the treasury, but she also exchanged positions and prestige for personal gain.
She had accepted a considerable number of bribes.
“As always, you are a role model for the other courtiers and you pointed out something I didn't think of,” Cayena said.
“I appreciate you understanding what I'm saying,” Mrs.
Helier replied primly.
“You also have an olho insightful to the goods.
“… what do you mean?
Cayena came face to face with Mrs.
Helier.
His gaze touched the earrings Mrs.
Helier was wearing.
“Your salary from the imperial palace must be higher than I thought.
Since you are wearing the former royal family's jewelry.
Mrs.
Helier clasped her hands in surprise.
Antique pearl earrings, which reflected light in a distinctive way, were one of the treasures of the Madrena royal family.
Cayena then indicated to her ring.
“And that ruby ring is the wedding ring first worn by the Paulina family.
People's eyes returned to Mrs.
Helier's hand this time.
There was a beautiful dark ruby, the color of blood.
“…this is just a gift from my husband.
Cayena coldly looked at Mrs.
Helier as if she were an idiot, mentioning her husband without knowing where the bribe came from.
“It seems that Count Helier often uses the black market, huh?
“… excuse me?
She thought she had heard wrong.
“There is no way the maid, who is fluent in imperial law, would not know that black market trading is illegal.
Mrs.
Helier felt the eyes focusing on her.
Her legs were shaking, but her expression was as calm as that of a cunning noblewoman.
“Your Highness, this is a misunderstanding.
This can't be from the black market as it came with a letter of authenticity.
“Do you remember the stamp on the letter?
Mrs.
Helier thought desperately about the letter.
What family did it come from?
She thought the coat of arms might have swords and lions.
“Was it a drawing with a sword and two lions?
With laurels around you.
“… that's right.
It was supposedly accurate.
How did the princess know this?
It was a drawing that Mrs.
Helier couldn't remember.
Mrs.
Helier realized something was terribly wrong.