# Chapter 07
Chapter 07
Vera's eyes widened.
This was the first time that Cayena showed such a lukewarm response to Raphael Kedrey.
It was an open secret that the relationship between the Emperor and Duke Kedrey was poor, and although the reason for this was unknown, the Emperor was frustrated with Cayena's fascination with Rafael...
“If Lord Kedrey becomes the emperor’s son-in-law, there may be problems with the power structure.”
It was a simple enough statement, but it was a problem that Cayena never seemed to consider before.
Vera refilled the tea in silence and looked at Cayena's serene face.
Cayena hid a calm smile behind her teacup.
This matter would not just go to Rezef's ears.
His observations would certainly be conveyed to the emperor as well.
“I have been obstinate and unworthy until now, as I had not understood the emperor's will.
Cayena's desire for Raphael was proportional to the anguish she caused around her.
She forced herself into his house and summoned him to the palace.
Well, actually, the Emperor had summoned Raphael to the palace at Cayena's request every time.
Of course, this wasn't necessarily for Cayena, but rather to humiliate the Kedrey family by breaking the spirit of their next lord.
“He must have listened to your requests because his actions were appropriate enough.
— Cayena inwardly agreed with Vera's words, but outwardly, she frowned.
“As an imperial princess, how could I not know that my conduct was inappropriate?
Now at least I must make up for what I did.
“What do you intend to do?
“First of all, I'll have to mend my dress for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Vera tilted her head as the statement seemed completely unrelated to the discussion.
“Open the dressing room.
Soon there would be a banquet for Cayena's coming-of-age ceremony.
The dress she was going to wear had already been prepared a long time ago, but Cayena wanted to revisit the concept to take advantage of the incident.
“Would you prefer something with a deep backline to show off your shoulders?
—Vera asked.
Seeing the dress, Cayena shook her head.
“No, that is too exaggerated.
She had an image in her head.
“A puppet should look more like a marionette.
Cayena wanted a dress with extravagant lace embellishments, the kind her dolls would wear.
She needed to look like she cared a lot about beauty.
Cayena looked at her reflection in the mirror and nodded.
“As always, no one will be more beautiful than His Imperial Highness at the banquet!
— The people around Cayena were busy fawning over her appearance, but Vera thought to herself as she helped Cayena change, “Everyone is happy that His Highness behaved well, but it has never been this easy.”
Cayena's aura and image completely changed.
Recently, Cayena had been acting very soft and now everyone wanted to be by her side.
Her softness and inaction seemed like she was conceding the initiative to her opponent, but it was more like giving a child a snack that would quickly disappear.
After she drank the poison, even her speech became more refined.
Vera herself seemed to be the only one who noticed the change.
She watched Cayena silently and unceasingly.
Cayena knew very well that Vera was agitated.
“Vera is loyal but ambitious.”
None of the court ladies in his palace were worth using except Vera.
Cayena intended to calm her down, so she allowed Vera to observe her as she wished.
Cayena tried on the final dress.
It was the dress that Cayena had prepared with the greatest care for her coming-of-age ceremony.
Cayena loved roses, so she liked to wear dresses embroidered with roses.
The same happened with this dress.
“My God, you look like a doll!
— Her ladies-in-waiting made noise, as they always did.
That was the kind of compliment Cayena liked most.
Vera bit the inside of her mouth to contain her laughter.
The boss no longer liked this type of praise.
As expected, Cayena smiled calmly, without looking proud or presumptuous.
“She really changed.
Vera wondered what this change meant.
She wanted to find out Cayena's true intentions.
“Could Cayena be a good master for her?”
There were many cases where entire families died for supporting the wrong person in the imperial family.
Vera needed to be cautious.
Vera saw that despite the odds against him, Rezef would become emperor one day.
It was avery accurate judgment.
And now, Vera's brilliant vision was quickly reevaluating Cayena.
“The rose embroidery is not excessive and is very well incorporated.
“Let's keep this one as is.
“I'll send the rest to the tailor, Your Highness.
Cayena nodded.
Then, she looked at herself in the mirror and raised her hand.
It was as if there were strings tied to her limbs, manipulating her.
That look suited her.
“All my life I have been controlled by someone.”
She hadn't realized that she was someone's puppet, hanging from puppet lines.
She didn't know whose power she held in her hands.
I once thought I was moving of my own accord.
But she had learned too much to continue living under that illusion.
Cayena had no intention of making the same mistake again.
“I will live as I want.”
She dropped her arm, as if the rope had been cut.
“I need to change my clothes.
Cayena took off her dress and changed into her everyday clothes.
“Where is Rezef?
she asked.
“He's still out, Your Highness.
Rezef has been very busy recently, as he was in the middle of a power struggle with the Archduke's son Heinrich for the position of crown prince.
“Rezef, did you think increasing my value would contribute to your own power?!”
Although Rezef eventually became an emperor's tyrant, he was still only 18 years old now.
He was a child.
On the other hand, Cayena was just wearing the skin of a young girl, she had already lived two lives.
Cayena had experienced horrible things in their lives, so to her, Rezef was like a child.
"He's forgetting the fact that there are others who can lend me their strength right now.
How foolish."
Cayena addressed Vera.
“I must go and see the Emperor.
The Emperor of the Eldaim Empire, Esteban Hill, lay on his bed and drank medicine.
Then, he looked at his daughter, Cayena, with lifeless eyes.
“To think that you would come looking for me first like this...
must be something special.
At his words, Cayena grabbed the hem of her dress.
Bowing, she said.
“Please forgive me for my disrespect, Your Majesty.
“Enough.
The emperor was not moved by such words.
His voice was cold, knowing his tone would hurt Cayena's pride.
Your daughter was an idiot.
He was thinking about when she would come to her senses when she spoke again.
“Although it is late, please look kindly on your daughter, who is now trying to fulfill her duty as an obedient daughter.
His words were sweet as honey.
It wasn't the kind of word Cayena usually said.
The emperor's eyebrows rose in wonder.
Cayena approached him.
“I must have caused you worry lately,” she said.
It didn't really matter whether or not the emperor was worried.
The important thing is that Cayena demonstrated that she was thinking about him and his well-being.
“I came to greet you so you don't worry.
I'm almost completely recovered.
Cayena took the plate with the teapot and cups that an attendant brought for the emperor.
She helped him drink the tea with a silver spoon, her actions as natural as running water.
“Were the rumors true?”
They told him that Cayena's attitude changed considerably after the poisoning.
They said there was mercy and generosity in their words and actions now.
He couldn't remember when his daughter was kind, except when she was very young.
At some point, the relationship between father and daughter broke down.
Cayena felt uncomfortable around the Emperor, and the Emperor began to feel contempt for her.
But now, Cayena didn't seem uncomfortable at all as she sat in the chair next to him and looked after him.
“Whose plot is this?
The emperor lived as a ruler all his life.
This kind of incident never happened on its own.
He began to wonder if the process of finding the culprit, as well as the aftermath of the incident, were all made up.