# Chapter 82
Chapter 82
“Your Majesty!
— Cayena never expected the emperor to give her this kind of authority.
She immediately knelt on the floor.
“Please take back your words.
How can I rule in Your Majesty's place when you rule the empire so well?
That was what she said, but in her heart, she thought otherwise.
“This is an opportunity.”
Cayena never thought that the emperor would move like this.
She had to seize this opportunity, but she couldn't accept the power as if she was waiting for it.
She lowered her head even more.
“I, who have only thought about marriage until now, do not deserve this right.
This girl will be satisfied with just a dowry and a title.
Then the chancellor, who was speechless, quickly jumped in to help.
“She is right, Your Majesty.
There is no precedent for authority being transferred to someone other than a formal successor.
Please reconsider.
Chancellor Debussy was one of Rezef's official supporters.
How upset would he be by this unexpected variable?
The chancellor was a transparent man and the mockery almost boiled over.
“Didn't I say it was temporary?
The strength behind the emperor's voice was so powerful that it was difficult to believe that he had just spat out blood just now.
Even if its teeth fell out, a tiger remained a tiger.
Chancellor Debussy opened his mouth hurriedly, looking embarrassed.
“Of course, Your Majesty said it was temporary, but…
“The princess is my daughter.
She is an imperial descendant with greater legitimacy than anyone else.
Am I wrong?
The chancellor's face turned gray at Emperor Esteban's words.
“If the precedent is a problem, the solution is simple.
I will simply recognize the princess as the heir to the throne.
— He asked the chancellor, who was trying to bend his will, — Is this what you want?
“…
The chancellor did not respond.
The emperor looked at him as if he was pathetic, then turned to Luden.
“From this moment on, I appoint the princess as my proxy until my official successor is chosen.
“We will keep your word.
Everyone lowered their heads.
Cayena suppressed a smile so no one would see.
“I will fulfill Your Majesty's expectations.
On leaving the emperor's chambers, Chancellor Debussy called Cayena.
“Your Highness.
Cayena looked at him.
The chancellor's expression didn't look good.
“I think you might feel uncomfortable with the authority of a regent.
Knight Commander Jed also stopped walking at those words.
Cayena replied: — Why would I be uncomfortable?
His Majesty honored me and my achievements by appointing me to this position.
Chancellor Debussy narrowed his eyes and pretended to give his advice.
“But, as Your Highness said, how can a young woman handle the hard work of politics while Her Majesty remains alive?
— He added apologetically:
“I am worried that there will be problems for Your Highness.
Cayena looked down at Chancellor Debussy, who looked at her frankly while pretending to care.
It was fun.
He was looking at her, but he was also trying to keep her under control.
“It seems the chancellor wants me to worry.
It was ridiculous to discuss problems with the imperial princess who had almost been kidnapped twice.
The tide was completely on Cayena's side.
Even the temple kept an eye on her, who was always involved in incidents.
If he made any mistakes here, it would be all over for him.
The chancellor also knew and quickly denied it with a stiff expression.
“You misunderstood me, Your Highness.
How could I suggest something like that?
“Of course.
You are right.
Since the chancellor has always managed the palace safely until now, how could I suffer from any worrying incidents?
She was saying that if a problem arose in the imperial palace, it would be the chancellor's responsibility.
The chancellor looked down on Cayena because she was young.
But instead of being scared, Cayena subtly threatened him.
He finally realized that the princess was a formidable enemy.
He couldn't fight her head on, so he changed his tune.
“I am deeply moved to see Your Highness, who has grown up to be the representative of the empire.
Cayena smiled a little and bowed, holding the hem of her dress.
“Then please continue to look after me in the future.
“…
He doesn'tcould win no matter what he said.
The chancellor shut up.
“Pfft- Cof.
Meanwhile, Commander Jed, who was next to them, involuntarily burst into laughter and covered it up with a cough.
“Hmph…!
— Needless to say, the chancellor's face turned red.
Disregarding both noises, Cayena told them brightly,
“Today, please inform your respective departments about the news.
We will soon start working fully together.
Commander Jed lowered his head and the Chancellor clenched his fists in anger.
Cayena walked out the door first.
Outside, Raphael and Olivia were waiting for her.
The two were separated from each other and Cayena's heart was heavy.
She felt guilty, as if she had stolen Olivia's lover.
"I know there isn't any kind of relationship between them yet.
I know that, but…"
It would have been nice if she didn't know that the two were originally together.
Cayena felt remorseful.
Furthermore, she was someone who would not live for long.
Raphael noticed that Cayena was hesitant to approach him.
Without revealing his emotions, he asked, “How is Your Majesty?”
“Although he spat out blood, he will be fine if he rests.
Soon, the chancellor and the knight commander also appeared.
They were scared, not expecting Raphael.
“Ahem!
— The chancellor pretended to cough and left, looking uncomfortable.
Cayena said to Raphael: — You should go now.
Until departure.
Raphael nodded and extended his hand.
Cayena paused for a moment, then grabbed him.
Raphael watched as her hand fit more naturally into his than before.
Now, he was satisfied.
They slowly descended the spiral staircase.
The two of them, wearing sparkling clothes in this gold-lit castle, looked like a scene from a ball.
Raphael noticed that Cayena's hands had become cold again.
“Your hands are cold.
In comparison, Raphael's hands were quite warm.
“You must not keep your hands cold, Your Highness.
Saying so, Raphael boldly grabbed Cayena's hand.
Cayena pondered what to say.
“… Duke, you are a kind person.
“It's nothing.
Cayena was a little embarrassed.
It wasn't that unusual for others to notice, but their position was definitely intimate.
At that moment, Raphael spoke as if he knew what Cayena was thinking.
“Wouldn't it be more noticeable if you suddenly kept your distance?
Certainly, this was true.
Until now, Cayena acted as his lover, hanging in his arms as she wished.
“You must pretend to be intimate with me to take advantage.
There was no way Cayena wouldn't know that.
But it was important to note that Raphael was not someone who would act like this in the first place.
“I know that too, but I feel that the Duke has ulterior motives.
Raphael smiled a little.
The two walked slowly towards the castle entrance.
The commotion that was occurring just a moment ago seemed distant, as if it had been a lie.
Cayena realized that she was being healed by these moments of peace.
“The emperor appointed me as his temporary proxy for state affairs,” said Cayena.
Rafael hoped that the emperor would keep his promise.
He was not surprised that the emperor had followed his conditions.
“Congratulations.
Cayena found his reaction strange.
“This isn’t something to just pass by with a “congratulations.”
Even if it was Raphael, who didn't show much emotion, it was strange that he didn't react to the news that she had become the emperor's proxy.
In fact, it was the same as being named heir.
This event would greatly shake the tides of power.
“What is it?”
Cayena sensed that something was missing, but did not reveal this thought to the person next to her.
“You'll probably be busy again for a while,” Raphael said.
“Probably.
“Even if I miss you, I will wait in silence.
At his words, Cayena looked around.
His heart was pounding.
“You're not keeping quiet now.
“I don't really know the standards for keeping quiet.
Was he always this aggressive?
Cayena's head throbbed.