# Chapter 95
Chapter 95
As everything seemed to be resolved, Jonathan clapped his hands.
He said to Cayena: — It's been a long time since you came to visit me.
You should take a look here.
The garden has been redone so it should be a nice sight.
Ah, duke, this is your first visit, right?
Jonathan's face lit up after Raphael nodded.
“So, would you like to have His Highness show you around while you enjoy a nice walk together?
Jonathan was confident he was doing something good.
The word around society was that Cayena no longer cared about Raphael these days, but Jonathan didn't believe that.
That way, he would gain points with Cayena.
However, the person he gained points with was not Cayena, but Raphael.
Raphael stood up and offered Cayena to accompany her.
Cayena wanted to continue the conversation and also ask him something.
Therefore, she accepted his arm.
Then Ethel jumped up.
“I can also guide you.
For some reason, Ethel seemed to be challenging someone.
Raphael hummed and tilted his head to look at Ethel.
Although young Ethel was cute, Raphael had no intention of letting the boy interfere with his time with Cayena.
“I will be guided by His Highness.
You should change your uniform.
As Raphael observed, Ethel noticed that he was still wearing his school uniform.
His pride was pierced when he realized that he, unlike the adult Duke, looked like a child who needed to be protected by Cayena.
“Yes.
It would be good if you changed your clothes first.
Or do you want your sister to choose your outfit?
— Cayena asked.
Ethel blushed when he understood that she was teasing him about what had happened at the gym.
“I'm not a child!
— The others in the room gasped at his reaction and became wary.
However, Cayena just burst into laughter and stroked Ethel's hair.
“I know.
I only said that because you're really cute.
“…!
— Ethel escaped from the room while her face flushed as if she were going to explode.
Then, Raphael said: — Shall we go?
They left the room.
Olivia followed calmly behind Cayena.
Raphael looked at her before they left the mansion.
“Why don't you take a break, Miss.
Olivia?
I will take care of His Highness.
Cayena nodded, allowing it.
“Yes, go and rest.
Let's just take a little walk nearby.
“Understood, Your Highness.
The couple began to walk the path alone.
The catwalks near the mansion were a dense mix of the empire's latest fashions.
In other words, there were many private sites along the trail.
After confirming that there was no one around, Cayena opened her mouth.
“We have something to talk about, don't we?
Raphael made a rare embarrassed expression.
“When did the thing with Annie start?
He hesitated on what words to choose, then responded obediently.
“It was 10 years ago.
When Raphael mentioned '10 years', Cayena realized how that had happened.
Ten years ago was when Rezef exiled his nanny and replaced every member of the princess's palace.
The reason Raphael hesitated was that he thought Cayena would be sad if she remembered her nanny again.
“I came to see Ethel today, but I was also to tell Your Highness about my spy.
Cayena wasn't blaming Raphael for sending a spy.
Even she would have done the same.
“To be honest, it's a shame that you're the spymaster.
She was going to use the spy against her master, but her opponent ended up being Raphael, her ally.
“It would have been nice if it was someone on Yester’s side.”
Raphael frowned a little when he realized that Cayena was trying to do something cunning.
“You can't keep doing dangerous things.
Cayena smiled brightly.
“I have no intention of doing anything dangerous.
“You said that last time.
He was referring to the attempted abduction at the temple.
“I don’t think he knows I drank poison, since Annie didn’t know about it.”
Raphael intertwined his fingers with Cayena's, held them tightly and kissed the back of her hand.
“I don't care, so please use me to take care of these things.
Cayena was teaching him what it's like to be anxious.
And it wasn't just that feeling.
He felt as if he had become a child.
As if he was now facing the world and learning things one by one.
Cayena caressed her cheek and Raphael kissed her palm.
“I am a shameful man,” Raphael said.
C's eyesAyena's eyes widened at this sudden confession.
“I'm jealous of Ethel.
“That's not shameful.
“Ethel calls you “sister” and speaks to you in a friendly manner, but I feel hurt that you still call me “duke.”
“…
He had revealed his shameful feelings so honestly that he didn't know what else to say.
Cayena smiled.
“Raphael.
When she called his name, his eyes immediately softened.
A strange atmosphere blossomed between the two.
Feeling that things might be a little dangerous, Cayena tried to resume walking.
But Raphael lightly pulled Cayena's hand and said: — I want to hug you, Your Highness.
“… what?
Did he want to hug her?
Cayena was about to scold him for being crazy when she realized.
"Oh.
A hug."
Raphael looked at her vaguely as if wondering why he couldn't.
Strangely, his gaze made her heart falter.
“Go ahead.
Permission granted, Raphael hugged Cayena around his waist.
He seemed unable to take it anymore and clung to her.
He lowered his head and briefly kissed Cayena's lips.
This time, he intended to deepen the kiss as soon as Cayena closed her eyes.
Instead, Cayena covered Raphael's lips with her hand.
“We can't do that here.
Although they were out of other people's sight, they were still close to the entrance of the path.
Raphael, with a slightly dissatisfied look, opened his mouth.
“There is a flower garden around here.
Cayena narrowed her eyes.
“Isn't this the first time you've visited the Hamel mansion?
“I came here when I was young.
Sir Jonathan wasn't around, so he doesn't know.
Now, it was exhausting being surprised by all the surprising things he said.
Raphael went deeper into the trails, following his memories.
Finally, they found a calm garden with a small fountain and a swing hanging from a tree.
Cayena approached the swing.
It was not in bad condition.
“Perhaps the late empress swayed on this balance.
“… could it be.
Cayena could barely remember her mother, but somehow, she felt sentimental.
“Would you like to use it?
Cayena sat on the swing.
There was a slight creaking sound, but it felt good even as she kicked her legs.
Raphael slowly turned around and stopped in front of Cayena.
At this moment, they seemed like normal lovers.
It was as if they were the main characters in such a peaceful everyday life, where they didn't need to be careful that something could hurt them.
As if all they had to do was value and love each other.
Raphael knew how shameless it was for him to want Cayena like that.
But at the same time, he wouldn't wish anything if she could stay by his side.
She just had to stay.
That was all he wanted.
Cayena had a strange way of making someone feel uneasy.
He was anxious.
Raphael was nervous that one day, she would suddenly disappear or leave behind her lingering attachments to the world.
Creak— Cayena, who was kicking her feet to move the swing, suddenly felt dizzy and fell down.
“Your Highness!
— Raphael quickly grabbed Cayena and turned her body to the side.
Cayena frowned and groaned in anguish.
She laid her head on Raphael's chest and waited for the dizziness to pass.
“I'll stay like this for a moment...
Raphael's expression sank.
How long could she last in the imperial palace like this?
There were an infinite number of issues surrounding her, and Cayena probably couldn't even rest properly.
Raphael sat down on the grass so he could better support her body while she was in his arms.
Cayena let out a soft sigh, leaning comfortably against him.
His body was definitely weaker.
“Obviously, it’s the side effects of the magical contract.”
It seemed that the destructive power of the contract was so much that it could not be cured by the Elixir.
“To think that my body feels so weak even after drinking Elixir…”
Her dizziness disappeared after she rested while leaning on Raphael.
When Cayena tried to get up, Raphael hugged her waist tightly.
“I don't want to let Your Highness go.
“… raphael.
“Your Highness makes me act childish.
Or maybe he's always been like this.
He pressed his face against Cayena's white neck and sighed deeply.
He felt like a monster in a story, where the monster's thirst would disappear if he bit a neck and drank water.blood.
Raphael couldn't believe he was lacking patience.
He was never greedy for anything, so he didn't recognize how impatient he really was.
Greed has repeatedly bred new greed.
He wanted to swallow her every breath.
At the same time, he wanted to support her with everything he had.
Even your soul.
Raphael barely controlled his greed to shower her with affection.
Unfortunately, he asked, “If I let you go like this, when will I see you again?”
Eventually, Cayena turned to Raphael.
Raphael looked into Cayena's icy blue eyes and said something stupid.
“I thought I could wait for you patiently, but now, I honestly don't know.
This foolish, weak, and humble thought reflected his true feelings.
Cayena's heart pounded so much that she felt like she was suffocating.
“If I had realized so many things earlier, I might not have ended up like this.”
Wouldn't everything be easier if Cayena hadn't been so stupid in her first life?
She knew it was a useless regret, but she still thought about it.
“I have to go now.
“Cayena.
Rafael dared to call the princess's name.
When he held her name in his mouth, he felt deeply how special that name was.
Cayena sighed briefly, then slowly hugged him.
Once they left here, they would have to return to their positions as imperial princess and duke.
Cayena hugged him a little tighter.
“I wish time could stop like that.”
It was then.
Tock, tock, tock…
The gentle breeze stopped.
“…?
She couldn't feel Raphael's warm breath or his gentle heartbeat.
Cayena raised her head and moved slightly away from Raphael's arms.
Raphael was frozen like a doll and was pushed by her movement.
His eyes widened.
“What is that…?
His skin went numb.
A strange, grotesque sensation made her tense.
His heart beat violently.
A voice halfway between a moan and a scream escaped his lips.
“…this can’t be happening.
The world before his eyes had stopped.