# Chapter 44
Chapter 44
Early in the morning, Olivia received a letter from her family.
Your content can be condensed into a single line.
「Unfortunately, the marriage discussions between you and Raphael Kedrey have failed.
」
It was something she predicted the moment she was chosen as the princess's lady-in-waiting.
Her father, fearing that Olivia would be heartbroken, added some words of comfort; however, Olivia didn't care much.
"I wasn't interested in this marriage from the beginning.
Imperial palace events are much more fun."
Watching Cayena force the chef and maid to their knees was the most impressive thing Olivia had seen in her life.
Even Olivia, who was being protected by the princess, felt chills run down her spine.
“Miss Olivia, Vera is asking to see you,” the maid assigned to her reported politely.
“Please let her in.
She folded the letter and put it away, out of sight.
Soon, Vera entered the room.
They exchanged brief greetings and sat down at the table opposite each other.
Vera looked more tired than the first day Olivia entered the palace.
However, his eyes were shining.
The eyes of someone who found a person to trust were more beautiful than jewels.
Olivia just felt tired because of the harsh world.
She had never met anyone who seemed to find herself like Vera.
"Possibly."
Was it Princess Cayena who found Vera?
Vera opened her mouth.
“I wanted to come up with something to present the senior bridesmaids, but more work came up.
“What kind of work is it?
“His Highness's guest will soon be visiting the imperial palace.
Therefore, it has been decided that your education will be accelerated.
Something was strange.
There was no reason to teach Olivia, who had no training, when Vera was capable of handling the work herself.
In other words, this could mean that someone wants Olivia to greet this specific guest.
“Sir Raphael Kedrey will visit the palace to make a donation to the imperial academy.
Miss Olivia, please welcome and serve him well.
Olivia was nervous.
She had just received news that marriage negotiations had ended.
She could never have predicted that Cayena would give her that order in such a strange situation.
“If it is an order, I will obey.
But first, I must visit His Highness.
Olivia couldn't just let this go when it could cause more problems.
Vera understood perfectly why she was trying to be careful.
“You will need to wait a little because the knight commander is going over the results of the criminal interrogation with her.
“I don't mind.
They waited outside the princess's room for their business to finish.
A maid left the room.
“She said you can come in now.
Vera shook her head instead of following her inside.
That meant she would wait outside.
“So, put together an investigation team and go to the supplier today.
Those bandits who indiscriminately attack commoners must be eliminated.
“I comply with this order.
Olivia was continually discovering new pieces for Cayena.
Her past self, when she spilled wine on others' dresses, did not appear at all.
“She’s definitely different than before.”
After the knight commander left, Cayena faced Olivia and said, — The tumult of the palace as soon as you arrived must have surprised you.
“No, Your Highness.
I understand that you are trying to fix internal affairs.
The first day she entered the palace, Olivia somehow ended up following Cayena as she defeated the different departments one by one.
Nothing was wrong with his actions.
“Thank you for saying that.
Cayena sat on the couch and offered Olivia a seat as well.
“Seeing how you came here, I assume you heard the news from Vera.
In fact, Raphael was a bit of an odd subject for Olivia to talk about.
Although she decided that she couldn't let things happen as they are, there was a part of her that was ashamed to bring this up first.
It felt like a lovers' quarrel: too emotional.
“I am worried that my poor manners may cause a problem in offering Sir Kedrey hospitality.
Olivia was trying to excuse herself from the task for an indirect reason.
“I don't think so.
You're smart, so don't believe thatyou will have difficulty welcoming him with hospitality.
Olivia gathered some courage and decided to tell the truth.
“I don't know if Your Highness knows, but conversations about marriage between me and Sir Kedrey have ended.
Cayena also responded honestly.
“It was expected since you became my lady-in-waiting.
Besides, I don't think you seem too upset about it.
Olivia was surprised, as if her weak point had just been stabbed.
Cayena continued: — I know what you're worried about.
I was once in love with Sir Kedrey and, blinded by my jealousy, I attacked you.
Cayena stood up from her seat and bowed to Olivia.
Startled, Olivia jumped out of her chair.
“Your Highness!
“I should have apologized for my rudeness earlier.
That wasn't all.
Before Cayena returned, she committed the vile act of poisoning Olivia.
Even though Olivia had magically come back to life, Cayena had to apologize for her actions.
“I'm very sorry.
Olivia couldn't help but believe in his sincerity.
However, this apology was excessive.
Cayena didn't even mistreat her much.
At best, she had ruined one of Olivia's dresses and ignored her compliments.
“Please, Your Highness.
I am fine.
Cayena gave a small smile.
“…of course.
Even after being poisoned, Olivia didn't blame Cayena after she was revived with magic.
Instead, she pitied her for being used by Rezef to commit such a terrible act.
“That’s why Olivia is the main character.”
Cayena added in a light tone, “Besides, I intend to marry a better man.” So I hope you have no doubts about Raphael Kedrey in the future.
Olivia's eyes widened.
“Saying that she is going to marry someone else…”
She relaxed her expression, thinking that Cayena was just saying that to reassure her.
“Now, can you receive my guest with a calm mind?
Olivia bowed deeply and said, “I will serve you properly so that it does not become a problem for you.”
Olivia got used to her role in just one day.
As Cayena said, the work wasn't terribly difficult.
However, it may have been that this particular guest was not picky.
Olivia only needed to remember one instruction.
“He likes well-made black tea.
Soon, a Kedrey family carriage arrived at the imperial palace.
“So it’s that man.”
She didn't need to look at anyone else; it was clear that Raphael Kedrey was the handsome man with deep black hair and red eyes.
“It is a pleasure to meet your grace.
I'm Olivia Grace.
Raphael looked up at the familiar name.
Wheat-colored hair and green eyes.
They matched the look he had seen in the photo his mother had shown him.
Raphael could immediately tell who had arranged for this lady-in-waiting to come out to meet him.
“Did she really mean what she said to me?”
He couldn't understand why the imperial princess was acting like a matchmaker.
However, he greeted Olivia politely because she was the lady-in-waiting of the princess he had come to meet.
“Nice to meet you.
I'm Raphael Kedrey.
Olivia found the situation extremely strange now.
The first person she greeted today was the heir of the family who sponsored her own family.
Because of this person, she was hated by the princess.
A marriage between a woman and her godfather's son was the kind of thing that might happen in high society, but on the whole it mostly happened in romance novels.
“It’s something that happens often in social climbing romances.”
She did not expect to rise in the social hierarchy by becoming a court lady rather than marrying.
“Although I never dreamed of increasing my status in the first place…”
All she wanted was just someone she could talk to in this strange world.
Olivia opened her mouth.
“His Highness is busy this morning because of his work with internal affairs.
She is handling the criminal interrogations personally.
“I understand.
“First, please come in.
Olivia treated Raphael with a very professional attitude.
Baston, who came instead of Raphael's aide Jeremy, whispered to his master.
“Master, isn't this the young woman with whom your marriage treaty ended?
“She is.
Baston oohed and admired her a little.
“Isn't she a stunning beauty?
Raphael didn't respond.
“But compared to His Imperial Highness…
“Baston.
When Raphael called his name, Baston realized he had overstepped.
“Who gave you the right to make such an assessment?
As expected, Raphael scolded him in his characteristic cold and emotionless manner.
Baston covered his mouth, thinking that a boss who called him names and kicked him would be better.
“Forget it, Master.
I'm just a foolish man who knows nothing about chivalry.
My mouth is just…!
— Raphael regretted not bringing Jeremy.
It was a mistake to let Baston join his entourage because Baston wanted to see the princess.
“But Master, doesn’t it seem like that lady is also quite unusual?
His expression didn't even change.
The day before, Raphael had also received a unilateral notification from his mother that the marriage talk was over.
It was something that could break a young noblewoman's heart.
So it was a little strange since Cayena wouldn't have acted so recklessly.
“…what the hell am I thinking?”
Raphael was stunned by what he had just thought.
Did he just assume Cayena would be considerate?