# Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Raphael knew that Cayena had felt embarrassed this whole time.
Well, it was understandable.
Even he could see that the restaurant was tacky.
“How did Baston know about a place like this?”
The one who energetically recommended this restaurant to him was none other than Baston.
He pressured Raphael to make the reservation here, telling him that this place would definitely suit Princess Cayena.
In the end, Baston was right.
There were vines wrapped around the columns, white curtains, vases richly decorated with pale spring flowers, and round tables covered in light-colored tablecloths.
All of this together with Cayena, who looked like a goddess who had descended into this space, created an incomparable beautiful scene.
Raphael sat across from Cayena as his eyebrows were slightly furrowed in thought.
It was very pleasant.
The orchestra songs coming out of the restaurant weren't bad and the appetizers were better than he expected.
The weather, the atmosphere – everything was perfect.
And he liked that Cayena was spending this peaceful time with him.
Was spending time with someone that enjoyable?
“Something like this is also good.
Raphael smiled softly.
It was a charming, effortless smile.
This was the first time Cayena learned that he could smile like that.
“… you are right.
Cayena suddenly realized that she was enjoying this moment.
Unlike other people, the person in front of her didn't ask her for anything.
He was just quietly looking at Cayena, and the moment she needed help, he was the first person to reach out to help.
What should she do if she got used to this kindness that didn't belong to her?
She had to be careful.
Cayena remembered to know her place.
“I like that too.
It would have been better if you had come here for a date with a lovely lady.
Everything would be ruined the moment she yearned too much.
Cayena knew very well that her situation was not very peaceful.
“Coming here was the right choice, since I'm with the most beautiful person in the empire.
“…no need to flatter me.
Raphael spoke in a normal voice, as if there was nothing strange.
“It's not flattery.
“…
Cayena sighed briefly.
“It would be better for you to spend more time with an intelligent and pleasant lady like Olivia than with me.
He again told Cayena, who mentioned Oliva, exactly how he felt.
“I like it this way.
She had no idea how to interpret Raphael's words.
He was someone who always said things that could be misinterpreted.
Therefore, she could not delude herself like that.
He wasn't saying this because she was special.
She had to keep that in mind.
Cayena changed the subject.
“The emperor gave me the letter to appoint him as leader of the Western military.
As soon as we get back to the gym, I'll give it to you.
“Thanks.
“I just pulled some strings to do something that would have happened anyway.
There's no need to thank me.
It was a defensive remark.
Cayena spoke as if she was determined not to allow anyone beside her, and Raphael noticed her attitude.
He could not act hastily.
This modified princess was extremely shrewd and cautious.
After thinking about it, he opened his mouth.
“I'm thinking about inheriting the title soon.
Cayena was happy to hear this, but it was unexpected.
She knew why he remained the heir and not the duke, even though he was more than skilled.
“I think it would be best to take care of this now, since Your Highness has provided the military leadership.
“…that's not a bad idea.
Raphael put down the utensils and said: — As expected, do you know that my parents are getting divorced?
“…
Cayena was rarely so restless.
It was quite difficult to feign ignorance of something you knew.
This happened especially when the information was not very important.
“I'm not saying this to interrogate you.
Cayena knew this too.
She just had a feeling that Raphael shouldn't be underestimated.
“I realize that Your Highness is a pacifist whose first priority is her own safety.
It was a rather indirect description of Cayena.
“You are also someone who is not afraid to take drastic measures to contain any threats.
“You seem to have observed me a lot.
“You reward and punish people with andeficiency and makes decisions so quickly that it is sometimes incomprehensible.
It was because she already had the answer sheets.
“I don't understand why someone as sensible as you insists on trying to tie me to Miss.
Olivia.
“That’s…
Because the two were destined to be together.
Cayena knew this for sure.
She knew this like she knew how the Duke and Duchess Kedrey were divorcing.
But because she had this knowledge, she mistakenly took things for granted.
Cayena recognized that she was acting excessively.
“I went too far.
My apologies.
Then she added sincerely: — There was no other intention in my words.
I just thought you two were a great match.
She didn't realize that this might sound quite intrusive.
That was right.
Things would work out between them anyway, so she shouldn't interfere.
“Let’s focus on protecting Olivia from Rezef.”
Cayena looked apologetically at Raphael and hesitated.
He was looking at her with a restrained expression.
After that, the meal continued in silence.
Cayena could barely taste the food as she went over her mistakes.
Shouldn't she have mentioned Olivia?
Yes, that could have been your mistake.
It was rude to keep trying to bring together two people who didn't know each other well.
“But…”
They must have felt like they were doomed from their first meeting.
In the novel, when Raphael grabbed Olivia's hand while escorting her, he was strangely not disgusted by the contact.
That was the first time he felt Olivia was special.
“So, Raphael was distressed when he held her hand, like he does with everyone else?”
Has the story been changed?
“Did their situation change because I changed many things about my original life?”
It was frustrating.
She could only speculate; she had no clear answers.
It wasn't like she could outright ask him, "Did you feel scared when you held Olivia's hand?"
His hands became slower and slower.
Even in her original life, she hadn't eaten enough to take care of her body.
After returning, she forced herself to swallow the food to become stronger.
Thanks to that, she was able to eat a little more now, but she still felt uncomfortable when she ate too much.
Now, even though she only ate half of what she used to, she couldn't eat any more.
She already felt bloated as her mind was preoccupied with many things.
However, thinking about Raphael's sincerity, she continued pushing food into his mouth.
If she, the princess, ate very little and put down her utensils, her intentions could be misinterpreted.
At the end of the meal, Cayena sent a waiter to call Olivia and the knight.
“Let's go back to the gym now.
The atmosphere in the carriage as they returned was atypical.
Olivia subtly tried to understand the situation.
Did the two fight?
But Olivia couldn't imagine them arguing.
Upon returning to the imperial academy, they discussed the purpose of the building with senior management, completed the paperwork, and had it authenticated.
“What happened to those violent students?
When Cayena asked the principal what he had done with the students who had attacked Ethel, he informed her that he had decided to suspend them.
The academy was turned upside down because the gang of students who tried to beat up Ethel were punished.
The fact that the princess intervened in the matter also spread quickly.
The students began to wonder if Princess Cayena's reason for visiting the academy was to protect her half-brother, Ethel.
Cayena wanted to go back to the palace and rest.
Maybe his stomach was upset because his fingers were cold and his head hurt.
She instructed a servant to deliver the bag containing the documents to Raphael's assistant.
“This is the appointment letter for you to take over the military government of the Western Duchy.
Raphael looked at the bag.
“Then bye.
Cayena walked to the carriage without waiting for him to say goodbye.
Only Olivia hurriedly said goodbye in her direction and followed behind Cayena.
As Raphael watched her retreating form, he roughly ran a hand through his hair.
Cayena found it a little easier to breathe now that she was out of Raphael's sight.
The coachman waiting in front of the carriage asked politely,
“Are you going back to the palace?
“Yes.
Cayena was going to climb into the carriage, but heitou.
Something was strange.
“Is this the same coachman as before?”