# Chapter 93
Chapter 93
The carriage headed to Count Hamel's residence, not the new mansion Catherine had moved into.
It seemed that Catherine would stay with the Hamels for a while to communicate to others that they had become family.
So Cayena requested a visit to see her new aunt.
“Count Hamel would probably welcome me with both hands.”
The count was probably restless because he was unable to contact the princess.
This is because Rezef restricted access to his sister while shielding her from political issues.
Rezef was especially vigilant, as he thought Count Hamel might say something unnecessary to Cayena.
“Archduke Heinrich will find it difficult to move for a while,” Cayena told Olivia.
Olivia didn't ask why.
She just listened.
“You said that the debt collectors linked to the Archduke are just increasing the total amount, without bothering the payment, I believe.
And they continue to lend money to your family?
“That is correct, Your Highness.
“This is one of the Archduke's tricks.
He takes out bonds and loans, and then threatens families into joining his faction.
This is how he has been increasing his influence.
Olivia bit her lip at Cayena's explanation.
“How can such a cruel man…
Yester was a person who would adamantly use any dirty trick to succeed.
“He will use violence if necessary.”
Yester could not be appeased by mere words.
Only money and power would achieve it.
“We have arrived, Your Highness.
The carriage stopped at Count Hamel's residence.
Cayena felt nostalgic when she saw the impressive mansion, which seemed to try to show off the family's prestige.
“I used to think this mansion was amazing.”
But looking at it now, Cayena could feel how shallow it was.
“We salute Her Highness, the Princess!
— The county servants bowed when they saw Cayena.
It seemed like they had been outside waiting for her for a long time.
All of their faces turned a warm red hue from being under the spring sun.
“I was waiting for you, Your Highness!
— A man with blond hair and green eyes greeted Cayena.
It was Cayena's maternal uncle, Sir Jonathan.
“It's been a long time, uncle.
Jonathan smiled widely.
“Yes.
Oh, are you feeling okay?
“Yes of course.
“So many things have happened these days that your uncle has become extremely worried.
I wanted to come see you, but…
His expression hardened when he thought of Rezef, and he gritted his teeth a little.
Then, he smiled again.
“Come in.
It's been a while since this house received so many young guests at the same time.
Cayena hesitated.
“Young guests?
Count Hamel was an unpleasant old man and Jonathan, the next Count Hamel, was a middle-aged gentleman.
What young person would come to such a boring home?
Cayena narrowed her eyes, feeling a sort of foreboding.
“Maybe the one who planted the spy came.
“Oh my.
Are there other guests?
“Yes.
Duke Kedrey has appeared.
“…you said, Duke Kedrey?
At that moment, the room's door opened, revealing Raphael elegantly drinking tea inside.
Raphael shamelessly greeted Cayena.
“It's good to see you here, Your Highness.
Cayena was stunned.
She laughed.
“… Yes.
What a coincidence.
“How did he know I would… Is Raphael really Annie’s master?”
She smiled outwardly at Raphael as she eyed him suspiciously.
“I'm very surprised to see you here at my maternal family's house.
Raphael nodded serenely.
“I'm surprised too.
His blatant lie was surprisingly careless.
Olivia silently bit back a laugh and greeted Raphael, lifting the hem of her skirt.
“Greetings, Duke Kedrey.
“It's a pleasure, Miss.
Olivia.
His greetings were very basic.
The relationship between the two resembled the relationship Cayena had with her co-workers in her past life.
Their faces were familiar, so they just greeted each other as they passed by.
“Raphael’s heart is only focused on me…”
It was strange that their relationship was so dry, but Cayena also felt some relief.
Anyway, there was something more important to ask now.
“What are you doing here, Duke Kedrey?
Raphael replied casually: — I came here to meet someone.
Saying that, he naturally approached Cayena and reached out his hand so he could kiss her back.Cayena knew very well that she was the person he was talking about.
She graciously granted her hand.
Raphael held it not at his fingertips, but beyond them, in the palm of his hand.
It almost made her shiver.
Before long, his breath tickled the back of her hand and Raphael gently pressed her lips.
Their gazes met in the air.
“Really…”
Cayena suddenly felt like sighing.
It was because of his eyes.
Raphael's eyes when he looked at her were neither cold nor dull as they originally were.
They were a deep, dark, beautiful red.
When Cayena tried to remove her hand, Raphael lowered his hands while pretending to let go.
They were still touching, sharing warmth.
Applause!
Jonathan clapped his hands with a smile.
“Please wait a moment.
I will accompany Miss.
Catherine.
Jonathan was delighted that the two most notable people in the capital were in his room.
He planned to casually stay in the drawing room, accompanying Catherine.
When Jonathan was leaving the room, Raphael guided Cayena with the hand he still held on a seat.
Cayena asked frankly: —Was it you?
Was he the one who set Annie up as a spy?
However, Raphael pretended not to understand.
“What are you talking about?
Cayena didn't fall for it.
With a smile on her face, she gently argued, — You have no reason to come to Hamel County.
Raphael shrugged his shoulders as if he didn't know what she was referring to.
“I came to visit Ethel Hamel today.
“Why would he visit Ethel?”
Even if it were true that he came to see Ethel, he had no adequate reason for doing so.
Unless… he decided to support Ethel as successor to the throne?
Cayena stopped to think as she was led to a chair by Raphael.
Sitting down, she looked at Raphael.
His gaze met hers immediately, seeing as he was already looking at her.
“Duke, why are you visiting Ethel?
“That’s…
KNOW KNOW.
Some servants entered through the threshold of the room.
Cayena and Raphael shut up.
“Are there nuts inside?
Olivia asked a servant.
“Of course.
“Prepare some warm milk.
And bring something soft for His Highness to eat.
“Yes, ma'am.
Olivia had deliberately diverted the servants' attention away from the strange atmosphere, carefully examining the refreshments.
Meanwhile, Raphael gently moved his seat to be next to Cayena.
Jonathan soon returned with Catherine.
They greeted Cayena formally; Catherine knelt and bowed.
“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.
Cayena quickly helped her to her feet.
— You are an adult member of my maternal family; there is no need for that.
Jonathan laughed and said magnanimously: — Yes, of course.
We are a family!
— Catherine lowered her head slightly, this time greeting Raphael.
“Very well, Duke Kedrey.
I am Catherine Hamel.
“My regards.
I'm Raphael Kedrey.
They all sat down.
Who knew when they were called, but a band entered the room and started performing.
It all felt like an elegant date planned well in advance.
Maybe that's why it was so easy to interpret Jonathan's high expectations.
He and Count Hamel seemed to think that Cayena's increased influence would help them.
They must have calculated that she would visit Catherine and were using the opportunity to gain power and establish their prestige.
Cayena hid her sneer.
Unfortunately for them, Cayena only needed the Hamels as a tool.
She felt no special attachment to them.
The Hamels were too rotten to hold back.
Catherine opened her mouth first.
“So many things have happened alongside Your Highness that it is worrying.
But I thank you for coming to visit me like this.
“You're my aunt now.
They may now be related on paper, but it was still unusual for Cayena to treat her with such familiarity.
Therefore, Catherine was suspicious.
Besides, it was strange that Raphael had come to see Ethel.
A meeting between Duke Kedrey and his son could be seen as a new competitor for the throne, so she felt anxious.
When Catherine was thinking about these complications, Cayena started to speak.
“Is Ethel still at the academy?
“Yes.
It's still time for class.
He should be back soon.
Recently, Catherine had heard Ethel talk about Cayena many times.
He said she looked like him and let him call her “sister”.
WAtherine also knew that Cayena had defended Ethel at the gym.
She was grateful for that.
However, she questioned the princess's intentions behind such kindness.
Ethel and Cayena were never close.
Their relationship was further complicated by Rezef, who came between them.
Cayena was able to guess Catherine's thoughts.
“Actually, I asked to visit you because I have a request.
Jonathan's eyes flashed like a knife as Cayena explained her business.
“As I don't have a mother or nanny, I don't have an adult who can help me when I come of age.
“You mean…
“Aunt Catherine, please be my chaperone.