# Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Cayena's expression hardened for an instant, but she skillfully recovered.
She dispelled her magic, letting the objects fall, and opened the door.
“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.
I am Jeremy, aide to His Excellency, Duke Kedrey.
It was a person she didn't expect to see in this place.
And if Jeremy was here, there was a good chance Raphael had come too.
Cayena greeted him back.
“A pleasure, Sir Jeremy.
“My master is visiting the temple and wanted to say hello to Your Highness, as you arrived first.
Why would Raphael go to a temple known for helping with births?
“But seeing him…”
He was someone who didn't waste a minute after making a decision.
He had probably traveled here as soon as he heard Cayena was going.
“It's not dinner time yet, but would you give the Kedrey family the honor of serving Your Highness?
Seeing how Raphael's aide came up with a respectable excuse for them to meet, Raphael seemed to be determined, if not fully prepared.
“All good.
“Then, when Your Highness is ready…
“I'm going now.
Jeremy was a little confused.
Cayena's outfit was in no way appropriate for meeting someone important.
“Did she leave her ladies-in-waiting behind?
His hair wasn't completely dry either.
If a hundred ladies in the empire were invited to meet Raphael in the same outfit as Cayena, all one hundred would turn pale.
Of course, Cayena was beautiful enough to make a man dizzy without getting dressed.
As soon as she walked out the door, she saw Raphael with his back to the middle of the garden.
Honestly, she felt a little uncomfortable – but at the same time, she felt a sense of stability.
Cayena acknowledged.
She was happy to see Raphael, and she was happy that he had come to see her.
She thought she shouldn't feel this way, but she couldn't help it.
“Master.
Raphael turned at Jeremy's call.
He looked as gentle as one of the nobles who frequented literary salons.
Raphael walked towards Cayena.
Gently, he kissed the back of her hand.
He opened his lips and calmly and boldly greeted her.
“I greet Her Highness, Princess Cayena.
Cayena's face became inexplicably emaciated within a day.
His companions didn't seem to notice yet, but Raphael could tell with one look.
When he told her about her nanny's passing yesterday, Cayena pretended to be fine, but she was clearly different than usual.
Furthermore, his first act after hearing the news was to visit this temple.
The location of the temple was not very good.
Behind it was a slum and security nearby was considered poor.
“Is there anything important about this temple?”
Whatever it was, Raphael's feelings told him that Cayena was up to something.
Cayena blinked in surprise.
Then, she managed a smile and opened her mouth to respond.
“Very well, Duke Kedrey.
I didn't think...
that we would meet in a place like this.
Raphael looked around the temple again.
Anyone could see from his face that he was not here for the temple.
“Yes.
I heard that this place is miraculous, so I visited here out of curiosity.
Whether this was miraculous or not was none of Raphael's concern, however.
With a slightly puzzled expression, Cayena asked, —Do you know what kind of place this temple is?
He nodded.
“Yes.
I heard this temple helps you make babies.
“Cough!
— Jeremy, who had stood next to Raphael, choked at Raphael's frankly spoken words.
It was very easy to misunderstand what he meant.
“He's famous for that, yes, but he's also known for helping arrange marriages.
Raphael's eyes instantly narrowed at the mention of marriage.
He felt the attentive gazes of the escorts and opened his mouth.
“I understand.
The temple allowed me to borrow their dining room.
If you're ready, we can go now.
Raphael gently held Cayena's hand, looking for all intents and purposes like a man in love with her.
Cayena's hand twitched.
Raphael smiled a little at the small rebellious movement and gently escorted Cayena into the temple.
“Part of your entourage was prepared elsewhere.
Cayena nodded and ordered her companions to move away to eat and rest, warning them not to follow her into the dining room.
Their eyes sparkled as they left, following your commands.
“They will want to inform Rezef quickly.”
She knew from the beginning that the knights accompanying her were Rezef's people.
As soon as Cayena and Raphael entered the dining room, Raphael's servants opened the lids of the dishes.
Cayena sat in the chair Raphael pulled out for her and looked at the table.
She wanted to ask him something before they started eating.
“Why did you come here?
There will be uncomfortable rumors about you.
It was a natural question.
Meeting like this in secret was not wise, especially since they were not engaged.
“He is well.
I thought you would have a more plausible reason that way,” Raphael said casually.
“… what do you mean?
“I don't think Your Highness came here to pray, not really.
Any perceptive person will think you came for something else.
Cayena listened silently to his words.
“If I'm here too, it will look like you were on a date with me.
In other words, he came to give her an alibi.
Raphael saw Cayena stay still.
He added, —And I also think it's time to hear the details of Your Highness's plans to make a husband.
Raphael could tell that Cayena already had a lot of burdens.
He didn't intend to be so cruel as to add this by confessing his feelings to her.
That's why he came up with another excuse, the fake husband.
Cayena lowered her gaze.
She no longer needed this plan.
She intended to rush towards something that might be impossible, like a foolish moth reaching for a flame.
She would face her fate head on instead of running away.
She would no longer be a foolish doll; she would become a foolish person instead.
However, she couldn't just say that.
With a bitter smile, she said, “There are many kingdoms beyond the borders of the Western Duchy.
Adjacent to the Kedrey duchy is Heimbel, the city without a king.
Heimbel was originally a part of the Madrena kingdom, which operated under a feudal system.
But after the kingdom fell, it became uncertain which nation Heimbel belonged to.
The city bordered on both sides the Eldaim empire and the country of Urlyung.
The two great powers were looking at each other, seeing which one would claim him first.
“The lord of Heimbel must find it difficult to fight the barbarians.
How long can a city last without a king?
In fact, it was admirable how long the city lasted.
Lord Heimbel would want to sell it while it was still profitable.
Furthermore, he must have witnessed how Raphael passed through the western border immediately before becoming the duke.
“Do you think Heimbel wants to be assimilated into my territory?
“Of course…
“But Urlyung also covets this city.
It's an appetizing slice of pie.
The city was the center of trade between the eastern and western continents.
Furthermore, it was widely populated and had an excellent shipbuilding trade.
“If you buy the city, even at a reasonable price, you will go bankrupt.
Cayena, of course, did not intend to buy it for a fair price.
“The city will enter their borders if they want to live.
“…
Cayena was saying that she could make Lord Heimbel bow.
“You don't have to doubt.
Just take it as it comes.
This will be my gift to you.
How much wealth and power would come into the hands of the Kedrey Duchy if they managed to acquire Heimbel for free?
The duchy played a vital role in defending the western frontier.
If they swallowed Heimbel, they would be right at the border of Urlyung.
“In that case, Prince Rezef shouldn’t be against me marrying Cayena.”
It would be a great benefit to the imperial family if they were linked to the Kedreys, who had a lot of influence.
That is, if everything was normal.
“But the Prince Rezef I saw and…”
Raphael frowned slightly.
Rezef's eyes didn't just look at Cayena as something to be used.
“If Your Highness pretends to marry the heir apparent of the Madrena kingdom, it will be difficult for your family to interfere.
“Of course, I will need Your Excellency’s cooperation for this.
You will need to recognize him as a relative of Madrene royalty and grant some things to me and the emperor.
“Would Lord Heimbel allow that?
Cayena just laughed in response.
Lord Heimbel would have to allow this if he wanted to live.
"People should live with integrity.
If not, they should at least be careful."
Unfortunately for Lord Heimbel, although he was prudent, Cayena knew his weak point in romance.
“He sent childrento the barbarians as tribute.
In return, they would steal some food, but not invade the city.”
However, the abductions would be discovered someday.
“His head must be cut off after the Kedrey duchy conquers Heimbel.”
Cayena moistened her lips with wine from a silver cup.
Raphael suddenly asked: — So, have you thought of a name for your fake husband?
“Husband’s name?”
She paused, not expecting the question.
The husband wouldn't exist anyway, so she didn't think about naming him.
Cayena said a name that came to mind.
“… and Bayel.
“… sounds like the name of a real person.