# Chapter 66
Chapter 66
When Raphael left the emperor's room, he met a person he didn't want to see at the moment.
“I was waiting for you, Duke.
It was Rezef.
“How were things?
Raphael had intended to ask the emperor to be merciful to Rezef from the beginning.
If the emperor penalized the prince for his efforts to save Cayena, Rezef's supporters would be very dissatisfied.
This discontent may have caused them to attack Cayena, and Cayena did not have the power to defend herself against them.
“Fortunately, His Majesty was understanding.
Rezef raised his eyebrows as if he hadn't expected this.
“I'm curious about what kind of deal you made so the emperor wouldn't punish me.
Raphael said in a slightly lower voice.
“It wasn't much.
His Majesty must have seen Your Highness's true intentions.
That could never have been the case, but Rezef didn't ask further.
At least the emperor wouldn't hold him responsible this time.
He could protect his sister with his own strength.
“I will owe you, Duke.
Raphael didn't dare answer.
Rezef asked: — What are you going to do with Viscount Gillian?
“First, since I only assumed my title, I will take care of my household before summoning Viscount Gillian.
Raphael never knew how difficult it was to act normally.
His head kept changing from hot to cold.
Even so, he seemed to finish speaking as usual.
“So, I'm going now.
He left the waiting room.
But he couldn't see his helper, who was supposed to be waiting outside.
“Where is Jeremy?
One of the attendants reported: — The vassals called him out of the palace in a hurry, so he left for a moment.
Jeremy wasn't the type of person to leave like that.
Raphael went down to the first floor of the castle.
He was able to find Jeremy running on the other side.
“Your Excellency!
— His expression seemed more serious than when he gave Raphael the report on Henverton Gillian.
Raphael felt the many eyes on him and left silently.
Jeremy walked beside him.
Covering his mouth, he said, “You ordered people to watch Clarence Elivan, and a message just arrived.
“What happened?
“Baroness Elivan is dead.
“When?
“It was framed as a suicide, but it was definitely murder.
I also got the answer that Madam Elivan wrote to His Highness.
Raphael's head throbbed.
Before leaving the grounds, he raised his head and looked towards the princess's palace.
“Is the princess still unconscious?
“That's what they say.
His chest was clogged.
He received Jeremy's letter as he climbed into the carriage waiting for him.
A photo was drawn on the envelope.
A girl with golden hair rode on a tree swing while a woman in a green dress pushed her.
It was probably designed by Madame Elivan herself.
Cayena would learn of his death as a suicide.
Raphael felt conflicted.
If Cayena was informed that Madame Elivan was murdered and received this letter, would she be okay?
She looked tough, but Raphael knew it wasn't possible to stay strong all the time.
She could faint at any time, just like when she faced Henverton.
But wouldn't it be misleading if he didn't tell her?
“Do you know who did this?
“We are investigating, but it was specialized work.
It's not easy to track what happened.
However…
Jeremy added carefully, “It's clear that someone on Prince Rezef's side arranged everything.
This was a move to place Madame Relevance Dotty in the vacant maid position.
Relevance Dotty was Rezef's nanny.
She had already retired from the front lines, but it seemed that Rezef's forces wanted to bring her back as the head maid.
“… ask His Highness for an audience.
Jeremy looked at Raphael with pity.
He felt even more sorry for the princess who would learn this sad news.
Didn't they say that all bad things happen at the same time?
He sighed.
The more they investigated Viscount Gillian, the more ridiculous it became.
Then Henverton's collection of stuffed corpses was discovered, and the matter became uncontrollably serious.
While the kidnappers were being interrogated and Viscount Gillian was turned inside out, the princess's palace was at peace.
It was as if the kidnapping had nothing to do with this place.
Cayena was passing byOver time, he looked nothing like the person who threatened Henverton with a gun the day before.
She looked fine on the outside, but inside, she was a mess.
She had to look good.
His body and mind were already exhausted.
Cayena wanted to be a mediocre princess and not think about her helplessness for a moment.
She just wanted to look forward to her coming-of-age celebration, living a normal life and looking happily at her finished dress.
Therefore, she was trying to make flower arrangements in a vase.
Maybe it was a strange piece because she was dizzy or because she lacked skill, but she liked it.
Vera, who was next to Cayena, asked anxiously: — Your Highness, are you really going to have the coming of age ceremony without a chaperone?
The ladies prepared most of the invitations and began delivering them via messengers.
Even so, Cayena still didn't have a companion.
“If it's not Madame Elivan, I don't want them.
"By the way, I haven't heard back yet...
well, she's been away for a long time.
Why would she still think of me?"
Still, at this point, it would have been a little easier if she had a babysitter.
Cayena scolded herself.
“Let’s not think so weakly.”
If she could hold out a little longer, it would be her majority.
She intended to spread rumors in society about her fictitious husband.
Raphael's cooperation may be necessary, but Cayena somehow felt he would help her.
Crop.
Cayena trimmed the stem and cut the flowers.
She felt a little strange about the red flowers falling on the table when Olivia knocked on the door and entered.
“Your Highness, Duke Raphael Kedrey has arrived.
Yesterday afternoon, Raphael sent a messenger asking for an audience, as he had something to tell her.
Cayena had to thank him anyway, so she accepted immediately.
“I brought him to the same room as last time.
“Good job.
Before Cayena left the room, she accidentally found herself in front of the mirror.
She wore a light pink dress to match the warm weather.
It was so beautiful that she couldn't feel sad.
She stopped looking at her appearance.
So, didn't it seem like she was trying to see him for another reason?
“He's waiting inside.
Cayena nodded and entered the room.
Raphael was standing in the center of the room.
When Cayena saw him, she felt relieved even though nothing had happened.
Was this the kind of feeling you get when you find a strong ally?
Raphael turned his head and met Cayena's eyes.
Heat soaked his cold face.
He realized what it was like to be alive.
He was living now, the moment he saw Cayena.
Cayena blinked slowly as she witnessed the moment.
He was looking at her and smiling.
There was a fissure in her heart, which she thought had strengthened.
After hesitating for a moment, Raphael greeted Cayena.
“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.
She greeted him back, grabbing the hem of her skirt.
“Congratulations on your succession, Duke.
“Thanks.
They exchanged formal greetings.
It wasn't anything special, but the strange atmosphere that filled the room was unusual.
She noticed that something had changed in Raphael's feelings.
The way he looked at her seemed deeper.
Little by little, she became breathless.
Cayena hid her thoughts in a smile.
“Thank you for your generosity, despite my rudeness that day.
I will not forget this kindness.
She seemed to be keeping a firm distance from him.
Raphael had no intention of leaving that distance.
His heart was now well aware.
Cayena was special to him.
His heart quickly sank the more he thought about her.
“I heard there was some commotion yesterday.
Are you well?
“It wasn't a big deal.
You don't need to worry.
“I worry.
Cayena closed her lips tightly.
It was because she felt that a sigh would come out involuntarily.
Raphael looked at her with a direct gaze that she couldn't avoid.
“I can't stop worrying about Your Highness.
“… duke.
“Forgive me for being foolish.
He held Cayena in his arms.
Sharing the warmth was something very special.
The sharp nerves gradually became numb, and the world that was trembling anxiously became peaceful for an instant.
Raphael hugged Cayena cautiously but intensely, as if he were holding something precious.
Cayena hesitated, then slowly placed her hands on his back.- Are you well?
Raphael let out a low, anguished laugh at those words.
Even in this situation, Cayena was helping him.
Raphael realized he was deeply addicted to her kindness.
“No,” he replied childishly.
It was true.
He was not well at all.
He felt exhausted by the truth that Emperor Esteban had violently revealed to him.
Sincerity he couldn't convey filled his chest to his throat.
“Did you know that your brother is also my brother?”
“And that the Emperor intends to use you and me to torture Prince Rezef to the end?”
“Why must you become a scapegoat for others?”
"Run away with me.
From this terrible place, now."