# Chapter 92
Chapter 92
“I'm not sure...
I think I heard once that a young master around that age is typically gifted with a purebred horse.
At this time, there were no special toys.
Male aristocrats often rode horses as a pastime.
As such, they liked to bet on which families owned the fastest horse.
“It would be nice to give Ethel a thoroughbred horse or a Hackney horse.”
1
“Thanks for the advice.
Cayena gave Annie a small pearl ring which she placed on the table.
“This is too much, Your Highness!
—The surface of the pearl was smooth and polished.
It was clearly a superior product.
“Please take it.
Your advice was very helpful.
“Thank you for your kindness.
Annie gratefully received the ring.
“Who is this 13-year-old boy?”
Annie continued to think about the child's identity as she continued the massage.
Finally, something flashed in his mind.
“It’s Ethel Lindbergh!”
At that moment, Vera returned to the room.
“Is there anything important?
— Cayena asked.
“Lady Catherine was officially registered as Count Hamel's adopted daughter.
She will move into a mansion owned by the Hamels.
It seemed that Rezef had followed what Cayena had told him to do.
“She is now part of my family on my mother's side.
Could you find a good horse with a suitable pedigree?
I should give her a gift and say hello sometime this week.
“I'll prepare it.
Annie pretended to concentrate on the massage, keeping her ears open.
As she guessed, the gift was for Ethel Lindbergh.
She would have to go to Kedrey Villa today and inform the Duke.
Susan entered the office as well, having left earlier to retrieve stationery for Cayena.
“That's enough,” Cayena told Annie.
She got up.
Cayena wrote a letter to Catherine and ordered Olivia to deliver it immediately.
“I'm planning to see Catherine Hamel tomorrow, so get her answer.
“I will comply with your order.
Olivia lowered her head.
The Archduke and his people were busy trying to erase evidence about the princess's kidnapping and gunpowder production.
Rezef's supporters were sidetracked by the issue of Evans' cannabis farm, and Rezef was isolating himself for other reasons.
In any case, the entire world was distracted by the problems linked to Cayena.
In contrast, Cayena was preparing to leave after waking up.
She got ready while eating soft, freshly baked bread dipped in soup.
“I didn't see Julia today, either.
Vera rubbed her forehead and spoke breathlessly.
“Suddenly, she asked for leave.
I said that Your Highness had to approve, but…
“It's okay.
The princess's palace is stable now.
Of course Julia wouldn't be able to take care of the princess, with her family's problems.
Thinking about this, Cayena looked at herself in the mirror.
A dark blue silk ribbon embroidered with gold threads was woven into her updo.
Her dress was a refreshing mint color.
Her earrings and necklace matched; both had pearls that gave off a delicate glow.
Susan brought a pastel-colored corset.
“Would you like to wear it around your waist?
Cayena said yes, and Susan pinched the fabric of her dress to secure the bodice.
With the pleats, the skirt of the dress became more abundant and elegant.
“So you can also wear corsets like this,” Olivia admired from beside them.
“I think Ms.
Susan must be as penetrating as those of the most elegant seamstresses.
Susan shrugged.
— Boutique do Blanc?
They are doing well, but their main customers are young single women.
It is far from the dignity of the imperial court.
Cayena remembered the apricot-colored dress she wore at Raphael's house.
It certainly had a fresh and energetic feeling.
Vera explained: — It's probably because many young women go there when they reach marriageable age.
“Oh.
“You'll probably be able to see many of her dresses at His Highness' coming-of-age celebration.
Cayena smiled mischievously at them.
— You three are also young and single.
Do you have a dress for the party?
Their faces turned grim.
“Was Julia the only one interested in marriage?”
Cayena found it a little funny how none of them liked marriage.
She burst into laughter.
After calming down, she said seriously, “I sent a lot of fabrics and jewelry to your homes, so you have to wear dresses comparable to Blanc's.
“…thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.
They don'tThey had no choice but to accept and thank her.
Olivia, however, was relatively calm.
In her case, Cayena's imperial gifts were absolutely necessary.
“Speaking of which, I believe Olivia's little sister is making her debut at the party.
Her name was Emma, right?
“Yes.
“I hope she has good memories.
Please let her know this.
Olivia lowered her head.
“Thank you for your concern.
Once Cayena finished getting ready, she gave Susan a golden plaque for her hard work.
Susan's eyes began to shine.
“You wanted to see the palace library, correct?
“Yes, Your Highness!
— Susan was very knowledgeable about old books, art and antiques because of her interest in them.
She always looked up to Cayena because she couldn't see the art in the castle without permission from someone in the imperial family.
Knowing this, Cayena gave Susan the gold plate to prove she had permission.
“You probably want to check it out right away, so go ahead.
“Thanks.
Susan quickly said goodbye to them and left the dressing room.
Vera's head throbbed.
“In this situation, she should say
No, Your Highness
.”
Julia and Susan still lacked conscience as ladies-in-waiting to the princess.
“Oh, by the way.
What is the status of Ethel's present?
Vera replied: — Miss.
Susan said she would invite the Lepores.
The Lepores were Susan's family, so they would send their best colt.
Cayena felt that maybe Susan liked her more than she thought.
“She is someone who does whatever she wants, whether or not I give her orders.”
Not bad.
Cayena was relieved that there were no unnecessary distractions.
She told Olivia to prepare a carriage.
After Olivia also left, Vera surreptitiously raised a topic.
“Annie also left the imperial palace yesterday.
I ordered someone to follow her, but she immediately chased them away.
She is very skilled.
They still didn't know who she was a spy for.
However, they laid the bait; sooner or later, she would slip.
“And… — Vera continued speaking with great difficulty.
“Baroness Clarence Elivan's obituary arrived via messenger today.
It was news that Cayena had already heard.
She had hidden the envelope her nanny had drawn on the bottom of her mailbox.
“I regret to inform you of this news.
— Vera lowered her head, unable to hide her sadness.
Cayena's lips moved for a moment before closing them again in silence.
She had to ask about the cause of death.
His nanny was murdered, but disguised as a suicide.
Suicide was a dishonorable death.
The Temple wouldn't accept her body if they said she cut off her own breathing.
Cayena swallowed and asked: — …how?
“It was considered a suicide, but the Temple received an anonymous tip that it was murder.
“It must have been Raphael.”
It was clear to Cayena that the anonymous informant was Raphael.
His throat burned.
“I see… and it's a shame.
Find out if Baroness Elivan has any relatives and take care of their safety.
“Yes, Your Highness.
“So, let's go.
Cayena went to where her carriage was waiting for her.
She was about to see Catherine Hamel, who had become her relative.
That was the apparent reason, but Cayena also had a separate purpose.
“I’ll ask Catherine to be my date.”
Catherine was ridiculed by society for being the emperor's deposed mistress.
Yet she unexpectedly became Count Hamel's adopted daughter, shaking up the social world.
Cayena would continue to drive the wedge.
The imperial princess's companion was a position of great honor.
This was even more so for a date who would accompany her on a birthday party across the country.
Having Catherine as a companion would show everyone once and for all that Cayena considered the woman like family.
Cayena had a reason to help her.
“If I fail to succeed to the throne, Ethel must become the next emperor.”
His birthright, supportive family, and influence had to be established from now on.
Rezef could not become the emperor again and kill innocents.
“I'll be back.
Cayena left the imperial castle with Olivia as her only lady-in-waiting.
Thoroughbreds are racehorses, and Hackneys pull carriages.
This isn't really relevant to the story, but it's cool.
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