# Chapter 08
Chapter 08
“Does he know that Rezef is the real culprit?”
To buy time, Cayena took a silk handkerchief from a servant and gently wiped the emperor's lips.
The emperor's question was open-ended and ambiguous, as expected from an experienced politician.
The original Cayena would certainly have fallen into the trap.
But instead, she spoke maliciously.
“Please look at me tenderly.
His voice was unexpectedly soft.
Furthermore, her composed smile was not that of an immature young girl, and the emperor was extremely impressed.
“Has this child always been so skilled at hiding his true self?”
The emperor wondered what change had occurred in his daughter while he was ill.
“Has she finally come to her senses?”
His daughter had changed.
The emperor's eyes lit up.
“Don't you care if the real criminal isn't caught?
If Cayena wanted, the emperor was willing to lend his assistance in bringing the true criminal to light.
The situation was still unclear, but it was very likely that Rezef was the culprit.
The emperor thought it might also be a good time to put Rezef in his place again.
"He suspects Rezef?
If Rezef's power decreases at this time, I won't be able to use it."
Cayena shook her head.
“Rezef will punish the real culprit.
I thought it would be better to handle this incident this way rather than inciting the nobility.
The emperor felt a spark of admiration for his daughter.
“That's quite impressive.
“I was afraid that my foolish thoughts would disturb your condition, Father.
Even when Cayena revealed her tactics, she credited her results to the emperor.
“You have trusted and waited for your firstborn daughter this entire time, so now I will do my part.
At Cayena's words, the emperor burst into laughter.
It seemed like a king's son was born with a king's abilities.
With a happy heart, he thought he should give Cayena some kind of reward.
“Now that I think about it, your coming of age ceremony is coming up.
Cayena didn't respond.
She just handed the cup of tea to a servant.
Then the emperor said:
“I must start looking for a good marriage partner for you.
A marriage partner.
With that sentence, Cayena immediately thought of Raphael Kedrey.
It was something like a habit.
However, she struggled to control her agitation.
“You're right, dad.
I will come of age soon.
In her first life, Cayena was courted by many but had no spouses.
Eventually she was sold to Viscount Gillian.
The emperor passed away without any interest in his marriage.
Rezef, on the other hand, actively encouraged competition for the position of the emperor's son-in-law.
They may have been the imperial family, but how could anyone call it a family?
“Am I really your daughter?”
Contrary to her cold feelings towards her father, Cayena asked with a smile:
“Do you have someone in mind?
The emperor didn't show it, but he was surprised.
He was sure Cayena would mention Raphael Kedrey if she mentioned marriage.
If she responded as he expected, he would be disappointed in her again.
But Cayena didn't even mention Lord Kedrey.
It seemed she had finally learned that her marriage was not a card she should lose with love or desire.
Just to be sure, the emperor asked:
“Do you mean to say that you would marry someone else after investing so much time and effort in Raphael Kedrey?
The question made Cayena think of her first love, like a distant memory.
“I wasn’t made for him anyway.”
It would be a lie to say she didn't regret it.
Even if she disregarded her personal feelings, Raphael was an excellent marriage partner.
But Raphael despised her.
She didn't want to get attached to someone who hated her.
Furthermore, she had to become friends with Raphael.
Her role was necessary for her to successfully marry.
“To be more precise, it is Duke Kedrey’s power that I need.”
Cayena fixed her smile and said calmly:
“Since I have no sisters, how could I allow myself to be carried away by a momentary emotion and make such a mistake?
I will follow your will, father.
“You have surprised me many times today,” said the emperor.
Generously, he added:
“Choose your partner carefully.
Take your time to examine your options.
With these extraordinary words, the servants who were nearby forgotthey were, dropping their jaws and panting.
“Now, if I can get rid of Rezef’s interests, it won’t matter who I marry.”
Cayena had accomplished what she came here to do.
Politely, she said:
“Thank you for giving this matter your attention.
I will make sure that my partner is truly suitable to join the imperial family.
The emperor nodded and beckoned to the grand chamberlain.
This meant he would lie down and rest.
Cayena greeted him once more and left the room, taking her ladies-in-waiting with her.
“It seems that she regained her senses after growing up.
The grand chamberlain bowed his head to the emperor's comment and smiled softly.
“The princess has already grown and matured admirably, how time flies.
The emperor smiled.
“You're twisting my words,” he said.
When Cayena left the emperor's room, she came across someone unexpected.
Naturally, his footsteps stopped.
She could feel the wariness of the approaching court ladies, the nearby knights, and the servants.
But of course they were cautious.
The one she found was known as Cayena's unrequited love.
“Raphael Kedrey.
The raven-black hair and red eyes were the symbols of the Kedrey ducal family.
Raphael was born with these distinct characteristics.
Cayena, who was pale and blonde, was fascinated by his lively presence.
In fact, although Cayena was experienced and living her third life, she considered him a beautiful and wonderful person.
Raphael stood out from other nobles his age, starting with his presence.
He had a heavy, vivid, and overwhelming aura of those who had experienced the battlefield.
Combined with his natural beauty and figure, he was unmatched among his peers.
Cayena was just another defenseless girl in the face of his rare charm.
“In my first life, I thought he was just a nice person.”
However, the novel's Rafael was not just a gentleman.
He was obsessively meticulous in how he interacted with people and grew tired of having to meet people and maintain social relationships.
Originally, Olivia helped him with his compulsion, and Raphael fell in love with her.
“Raphael Kedrey greets His Imperial Highness.
Raphael, who was in the waiting room, greeted Cayena dryly.
Suddenly, Cayena felt relieved.
He didn't hate her as much as she expected.
Raphael only thought of her as a nuisance now, instead of openly hating her.
She had time to right her wrongs.
Now she simply didn't have to do all the things she had previously done.
If she would stop pretending to be close to him and touching him—while also being careful not to be rude—she would be able to have a much better relationship with him than she had before.
Either way, it wasn't like she wanted to be remembered as a horrible woman for her first love.
“You can get up.
Cayena made her decision.
“It's been a while, Lord Kedrey.
“…Lord Kedrey?”
Raphael seemed confused by her polite address, as she normally called him “Raphinha”.
Thinking back, although Cayena had found him, she didn't run to him and hugged his arm.
He wasn't the only one thinking about her behavior.
Everyone present looked at Cayena with wide eyes.
“What, why is His Highness acting like this?”
Cayena was normally very rude and uninhibited.
While everyone was confused, Cayena looked around and got lost in other thoughts.
“Even though Raphael came, no one announced his presence.”
Seeing as it was clear that the emperor was keeping Raphael under control.
“Are you here to see His Majesty?
“Yes.
If it was the original Cayena, she would have talked nonstop to get Raphael's attention by now.
But Cayena knew her part well.
She was the villain, not a hero.
“Now I know my place.”
Cayena called a servant.
“Tell His Majesty that Lord Kedrey is requesting an audience.