# Chapter 88
Chapter 88
Cayena entered the kitchen of the princess's palace as was her habit.
Before starting to bake, she asked Vera: — And Rezef?
“He left, worried that the temple's paladins would get involved in the capital's security.
“I understand.
That is good.
In this situation, further reducing the power of the central army will ensure that they are completely driven out by the temple.
Cayena wanted to lie down on the bed right away, considering she had been up all night, but she couldn't do that.
“Did the dough just rise?
“It's here, Your Highness.
The kitchen servants were perplexed to see how Cayena, who had become a deputy for state affairs, continued to bake food.
They could not understand the scale of how much Cayena's influence had grown.
“Is this what the imperial family was originally like?”
She was almost kidnapped twice this week.
Cayena, who was cooking as usual in the kitchen, seemed out of place.
This time, Cayena made a lot more sweets than she normally did.
She also asked the kitchen staff to prepare and refrigerate plenty of fruit juice.
Meanwhile, an aide to the knight commander came looking for her.
“Warren, a member of the central army, greets Her Highness the Princess.
Cayena looked at him as she checked the pastries in the oven, her sleeves rolled up.
“Ah, Commander Jed sent you to report on the necessary improvements?
It works quickly.
Warren gaped at the strange sight of a princess tending an oven, then politely replied:
“Yes, it's true!
— He felt shy in front of the incredibly beautiful princess.
A goddess was baking cookies… he was momentarily confused.
“I'm sorry, but can you wait a minute?
“Yes, ma'am!
— Cayena tilted her head slightly as she looked at Warren, who acted with extreme discipline.
She liked how he didn't look down on her, a woman, for putting her hands into military matters.
Cayena left the cleaning to the kitchen staff and untied her apron.
“Here's the report.
Cayena dried her hands and received the report.
There were many things the central army needed; they had been sorely neglected until now.
“Vera, there is still plenty of budget for the princess's palace, right?
The budget that Rezef greatly increased some time ago has not yet been spent.
“Yes, Your Highness...
“Then try to find a cloth merchant who can visit the imperial palace soon.
It would be better to improve the appearance of the central army before proceeding with the subdivision project.
“Please gather all the palace servants who can be temporarily transferred.
We need to start improving the sanitation of the central army.
“I'll prepare them.
Cayena turned to Warren.
“Is the head of the army in charge of the budget and food menu?
Can you tell me how supply distribution works?
Warren gaped as the princess spoke like someone familiar with the military, then paid attention again.
“As you said, the head of the army manages the budget and diet.
There is a separate person responsible for supply.
“All good.
Tell them to review the menu with the new budget.
I will help them connect with top food suppliers.
“Yes, ma'am!
— Cayena read the report again at that point.
“Most problems can be resolved by this week with a few days of work.
Vera, you'll have to work a little harder.
“You don't need to worry about me, — replied Vera.
“Set aside enough of the budget for the princess's palace and transfer the rest to the central army.
What was she talking about now?
Warren felt faint.
At that moment, a servant from the kitchen approached them carefully.
“Your Highness, the cookies are ready.
We have prepared the amount to be sent to Prince Rezef as usual.
“Good job.
You are taking good care of things even without my orders now.
The kitchen maid's cheeks flushed at the princess's praise.
Cayena prepared a slightly large basket, spread out a red checkered cloth and filled it abundantly with the cookies.
Cayena wrapped it up and handed it to Warren.
Warren didn't understand her actions and looked at her vaguely.
“My arm hurts.
With Cayena's words, Warren quickly received the basket.
There was a quantityconsiderable amount of cookies inside, so it was quite heavy.
“Take it back and share it with others.
I'm sorry there isn't much.
Was it possible that she had made so many cookies for them?
Cayena also handed her the juice she ordered to prepare.
Warren couldn't believe it.
He stuttered, “Uhh, so, that’s….”
“I did a lot so that the knights of the central army could have some.
You don't happen to like cookies, do you?
“N-not at all!
— Warren was still surprised by this incredible kindness and ended up instinctively shouting,
“Let's eat well, Your Highness!
— Cayena looked at him with some surprise, then gently curved her eyes in a small smile.
Instead of saying “thank you for your favor,” he said he would like the food.
It had been a long time since she heard this kind of greeting.
“Your words make me happy.
Needless to say, Warren's face turned red.
Scene 16.
Organization and establishment
Rezef went back to business as usual and headed to the office to work.
“I need to formally select the head maid now.”
It was good that Cayena's influence in the imperial palace had increased a little, but it was always necessary to have a way to control her.
“Since she is almost of age, she will need a companion.”
Rezef was thinking about putting his nanny in that position.
While writing a letter of appeal to the emperor, he heard a knock.
“Come in.
It was Julia, a court lady in the princess's palace.
When he saw it was her, Rezef dropped the pen.
Julia looked at the prince and bowed, her face blushing.
“I salute His Highness the Prince.
“Julia Evans?
Julia's heart leapt at the fact that he remembered her.
But on the surface, she pretended not to be excited and approached him, holding her snacks.
“His Highness sent these cookies.
Rezef smiled gently, the corners of his eyes crinkling elegantly.
“Thanks.
Julia almost sighed when she saw that smile.
However, she quickly woke up from her imagination and poured cold juice into a finely crafted crystal cup.
Rezef reached out to grab Julia's hand.
“Oh my!
— Julia flinched in surprise.
Rezef gently took the jug from her.
“I think it looks too heavy for you to carry,” he said, and poured his own cup.
Needless to say, Julia's face became redder.
“You worked hard to prepare this.
With his tender concern, Julia squirmed with shyness and replied: — No way, Your Highness.
Rezef suddenly noticed Julia's dress.
It was beautiful, decorated with jewels and lace.
He could tell she was trying to look good in front of him.
“How beautiful.
He smiled, gesturing towards the dress.
“The dress, I mean.
Julia pouted a little.
“And the person using it looks even better,” Rezef continued.
Julia's eyes widened at the words.
The prince, who was working in the sunlight in his office, smiled at her and praised her for her beauty.
Now, she felt like she was in a scene from a romance novel.
As if love would bloom at this moment.
“You worked hard, so you can leave now.
Julia was disappointed, but when Rezef lifted the pen again, she grabbed the hem of her dress.
“…I will withdraw then, Your Highness.
Rezef put down his pen as she left.
His gentle smile turned cold.
“Both the older brother and younger sister don’t know their place.”
When he remembered Zenon, who dared to lust after and kidnap Cayena, Rezef felt like punching the man in the neck.
It was funny that Julia didn't understand her situation and stupidly showed her affection to Rezef.
Cayena was incomparable to her.
Rezef's sister was so calm and collected that she didn't seem to have experienced any difficulties.
His gaze reached the plate of juice and cookies.
“This was all prepared by my sister.”
Cayena continued to act the same way as always.
She was still devoted and affectionate, preparing his snacks and paying attention to him.
It was good to see that.
When Rezef got up and opened one of the library shelves, a hidden office appeared.
“Jamil.
He called his secret assistant.
“What happened, Your Highness?
“What happened to the portraits I mentioned earlier?
“We recruit all local lords who ignore the ways of the empire.
Street painters and sculptors will create works of art in honorsign of His Highness' coming of age and will display them in all squares.
That wasn't enough.
He needed a more concrete method.
What would be the best way to tie Cayena?
“What can I do to stop my sister from escaping?”