# Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Baston was one of the Kedrey Duchy's elite knights, so he was part of today's patrol.
He was exploring his surroundings when Raphael ran off alone and didn't return.
Finally-
“Your Excellency!
— Raphael was walking back to the temple while holding Princess Cayena, who was wrapped in a black cloak.
The knights heaved a sigh of relief.
“There is a contract house behind the temple.
We should take the opportunity to check out this house.
With tense faces once again, the knights followed him.
Raphael pushed Cayena into his carriage.
She frowned a little.
“Didn't we decide to go to my carriage?
“Mine is safer.
It would be safe here because he would place several knights to stand guard around the carriage… although he could easily place them in Cayena's vehicle.
Inside the carriage, where no one could see, Raphael boldly kissed her lips.
He didn't hesitate, despite the knights outside, and Cayena held her breath.
Raphael pulled his lips from hers, kissed her forehead and said seriously: — Please, don't leave this place.
Cayena could only say yes.
She needed Raphael so she could take the throne.
Raphael wasn't sure if Cayena would cooperate by staying inside the carriage, but he left the carriage and closed the door behind him.
Cayena vaguely watched him leave, then pressed her hands to her face.
“What did I do?”
The inn where the contractors were based looked normal.
But below ground level, there was a problem.
“It's gunpowder!
— Blindfolded workers were trapped in an underground warehouse, making weapons with gunpowder.
Among them were the elderly and also young children.
His back was jagged with whip marks.
Guards holding whips shouted in surprise at the invading knights.
“Who, who are you?!
“Arrest them all!
— Baston reported to Raphael with a serious face.
]— They are from the favela.
The people who had been trapped underground and inhaling gunpowder were all people from the favela.
“So this is Heinrich's contracted house.
The contractors who tried to kidnap Cayena today were also Heinrich's men.
Raphael tilted his head.
“Find out who owns this warehouse.
“Yes, Your Excellency!
— Cayena told him to only bring elite knights, so Raphael told the other knights to stay near the area.
While he was organizing the knights to leave the temple, the high priest came with another cleric, whose form was hidden by a hood.
“So, these are His Highness’s knights stationed here.
This could be problematic for the temple.
However, Father Danian showed a cooperative attitude.
“I thank God that you punished the seditious forces and saved His Highness.
“Thank you for your understanding.
“The knocked out knights have just woken up.
At that moment, knights and soldiers who looked very embarrassed came running towards them.
“Duke Kedrey!
What happened to His Highness?!
“His Highness is safe.
I was able to quickly find her with the other riders in the area.
The knocked out knights knelt and bowed.
“Thank you for saving the imperial family!
“I took her to my carriage.
“Then we will…
Raphael said coldly, “Can you really protect His Highness when you didn't properly examine your surroundings when it was needed most?
“…
“The princess was kidnapped just three days ago, but you continue to be negligent.
Because it was true, they closed their mouths.
For them, it didn't matter if Cayena was in trouble.
His master was Rezef, not the princess.
Raphael realized early on that they were not loyal to Cayena.
“I will take care of His Highness,” he said.
Raphael turned to look at Father Danian again.
“The Kedreys will not forget your help today.
“It was nothing.
Raphael bowed silently to Father Danian.
When he looked up, he made eye contact with the priest who was standing behind Father Danian.
His cold eyes were so bright that they seemed golden.
Raphael strangely felt like he was being watched and slowly looked away.
He had to go to the carriage where Cayena was.
“Then bye.
He approached the carriage.
When he opened the door, he saw that Cayena had fallen asleep while waiting for him.
She must have beenexhausted.
It was already dawn.
A yellow light flickered over Cayena's face.
Baston asked Raphael: — Shall we go to the imperial palace?
Raphael grabbed the carriage door and replied: — Take us to my village.
Scene 14.
The Emperor's proxy
It took longer than usual for Cayena to think properly after she woke up.
It was because of the unfamiliar curtains.
She didn't see her usual dark curtains with the striking embroidery.
Instead, several thin peach-colored cloths were wrapped around the bedposts like an ancient shrine.
Cayena slowly got up from the bed.
Inside the room, jewel-encrusted golden light catchers created rainbows everywhere.
It was a lovely room for a young girl.
Or was it actually a suitable room for someone of Cayena's current age?
She felt a serious disparity between the ages of her mind and her body.
Cayena checked his condition.
The side effects of making the magic contract have almost disappeared.
“Now that I think about it, did I fall asleep in Raphael’s carriage?”
This sweet kind of atmosphere didn't exist in the luxurious and solemn palace, so this couldn't be the imperial castle.
Cayena furrowed her eyebrows in thought when she heard a noise.
KNOW KNOW.
Several maids in refined clothes entered.
They noticed that Cayena had opened her eyes and they bowed deeply, kneeling on the ground.
“We respectfully greet Her Highness, the Princess.
Cayena pulled back the thin curtains and asked, “Where am I?”
The maids were confused.
They never thought that their master would bring the princess to their home without their permission.
A maid quickly lowered her head and said, “This is a guest room at Kedrey Villa.
“I thought it might be, but to think it really is.”
Cayena was a little perplexed as she understood what had happened.
She knew she hadn't been very alert when she fell asleep in his carriage, but who knew Raphael would take her to his house?
“Maybe it’s lucky my reputation can’t get any worse.”
Even if she suddenly stayed in her home for a day, her honor would not be as damaged as that of other noble ladies.
Instead, people would just say, “That's what the princess is like.” Many of them may even feel relieved that she is acting as usual.
"Still, Raphael isn't the kind of person who would do that.
Something else must have happened."
She trusted Raphael, if not anyone else, not to cause trouble for her.
This conviction did not originate from some sugar-coated, loving motive.
It was because she knew that Raphael had a very prudent personality.
“Let's help Your Highness get dressed.
The maids were very tense.
They never expected to have to take care of the imperial princess.
They didn't know how true the rumors were, but it was said that the wicked princess executed servants if they made a mistake.
Rigid apprehension enveloped the maids.
Surely the princess wouldn't attack a servant of the Kedrey Duchy?
But the stories made them nervous.
“Go ahead.
Cayena kindly entrusted her preparation to them.
She had to prepare herself quickly so she could hear the whole story from Raphael.
“I thought I wouldn’t see your face again in the morning.”
Suddenly, she remembered the memory of them kissing the day before.
If Raphael had taken her back to the palace instead of his mansion, she could have avoided him and pretended not to know for a while.
“It would have been nice if we pretended nothing happened and just met at my coming of age celebration.”
Cayena involuntarily let out a weak sigh.