Portraits of Potential
“Lastly, there is Lady Olivia of the Grace viscounty.”
Cayena finally spoke the name of the novel’s protagonist, Olivia.
This time, Raphaelo recognized the name of the Grace viscounty. It was a house his own family sponsored.
“Among the three, the Grace viscounty is the most modest. They possess neither wealth nor power. Yet they have the peculiar distinction of receiving support from the Kedrey family.”
Raphaelo had ears enough to know Cayena disliked Olivia intensely. Yet here she was, mentioning her. What was she plotting?
“Personally, I recommend that you meet Lady Olivia Grace, Lord Kedrey.”
“Are you suggesting her as a candidate for my betrothal?”
“Indeed. The young lady is intelligent and observant. Her nature is thoughtful, yet she is independent and possesses a strong will.”
Cayena spoke like a negotiator, her words laden with meaning.
Raphaelo studied her closely, trying to discern her true intentions. Based on everything that had happened so far, there was no reason for her to say such things.
“I fail to understand why you would make such a recommendation.”
So he asked outright.
Their gazes met briefly. Cayena’s eyes were deep and calm, as though she could see straight into his thoughts.
“I thought you would understand the reason, Lord Kedrey.”
Cayena’s reply was enigmatic, her tone leisurely, as if she had no intention of revealing the answer.
‘If I meet that lady, it would benefit the princess. But what exactly does she stand to gain?’
Raphaelo could not begin to guess what Cayena would obtain from his meeting Olivia.
Of course he could not. He did not know this world was a novel, nor what was to come, nor Cayena’s true purpose.
‘They are the protagonists. Even if left alone, they will end up together. So it would not be so bad to let him believe I arranged their meeting.’
Besides, she would soon take Olivia on as a lady-in-waiting. Before long, Cayena, Olivia, and Raphaelo would be bound together as allies.
“The maids are coming.”
Vera approached and whispered softly. It was time to end the conversation. With those words, Cayena confirmed that Vera had already drawn a line between herself and the other maids.
“You were rather late preparing the tea, were you not?”
At Cayena’s mild rebuke, one of the maids lowered her head slightly. No doubt she had run off to the crown prince’s palace to report this meeting to Rezef. In fact, that was precisely why Cayena had sent all the maids except Vera away.
“Forgive me, Your Highness.”
“Enough. Hurry and prepare the tea. I trust everything is ready?”
Cayena personally inspected the tea leaves and the tea set.
“For Lord Kedrey, brew the tea strong and serve it with milk.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The maids placed charcoal in a small brazier and set the kettle over the heat. Cayena offered Raphaelo a brief explanation as he watched her.
“I imagine you often skip meals when work keeps you busy. In such cases, drinking black tea mixed with milk is not so bad.”
Did he like his tea strong? Raphaelo nodded without much thought. Cayena had always prepared gifts or handled matters according to her own standards. This was likely just another such instance.
At last, a cup of strong milk tea was placed before him. The aroma that reached his nose was not unpleasant.
“……!”
After taking a sip, Raphaelo’s eyes widened at the pleasant fragrance and the smooth taste. It was surprisingly to his liking.
“How is it?”
Cayena asked in a relaxed tone, as though she had been certain he would enjoy it.
“It is delicious.”
Raphaelo answered with a hint of bewilderment. Cayena responded with a warm, affectionate smile.
“I am glad to hear it.”
Raphaelo unconsciously ran his finger along the surface of the white porcelain cup he had been holding. Cayena did not know it, but this was the first time Raphaelo had ever developed a “preference.”
Suddenly, he thought it best to take his leave. Staying here any longer felt somehow dangerous.
“The spring breeze is still chilly.”
It was his way of saying he should be going. The maids moved in unison, draping a thick cloak over Cayena’s shoulders and helping her to her feet.
“It was enjoyable.”
She offered a simple farewell. There was none of the usual desperation to linger or promises to meet again.
“Oh, one more thing.”
Cayena paused, as though she had just remembered something.
“If things go well with Lady Grace, I would appreciate it if you remembered that I was the first to arrange your meeting.”
The smile she wore as she said this was rather mischievous. After all, there ought to be some reward for going through the trouble of regressing, should there not?
“……Please take care on your way back, Your Highness.”
Raphaelo offered no further reply, merely bowing with proper courtesy.
* * *
The carriage heading toward the Kedrey ducal residence was quiet. Raphaelo sat with his mouth firmly closed, lost in thought.
“That was rather strange, was it not?”
Jeremy, Raphaelo’s aide, spoke cautiously.
“I mean Her Highness the Princess. She seemed quite different from usual.”
“She looked far more beautiful than usual.”
Bastian, the knight riding with them, agreed. Jeremy frowned and scolded him.
“That is not what I meant. Her entire atmosphere seemed to have changed, as though she were a different person.”
“That is exactly why she looked even more beautiful!”
“……Enough.”
Jeremy clicked his tongue, and Bastian looked indignant.
At that moment, Raphaelo spoke quietly.
“She did.”
It was unclear which of their statements he was agreeing with. They merely blinked and refrained from disturbing Raphaelo’s thoughts any further.
Raphaelo recalled the image of Cayena, who had completely taken control of the situation in such a short time. She had not been overbearing, yet she had firmly held the reins. What had he seen of her before, and what had he seen today?
The carriage gradually slowed to a stop upon arriving at the villa. Several retainers, including the servants, came out after spotting the carriage.
“Welcome back, my lord.”
Raphaelo nodded and handed over his cloak, then paused. An unexpected guest was waiting for him on the opposite side.
“You are late.”
It was his mother, the Dowager Duchess Noah Kedrey. Raphaelo looked at the mother he had not seen in some time and asked without a trace of warmth.
“What brings you here?”
Why was his mother, who should have been at the western ducal estate, at the capital residence?
‘The retainers hid Mother’s visit from me.’
There was no way they had not known she was coming.
“Will you not even offer your mother a cup of tea?”
He instructed a maid to bring tea. Then, on second thought, he called her back.
“Brew one cup strong.”
“Yes, my lord.”
They moved to a small dining room with tall windows that reached the high ceiling. Soon, fresh flowers and candlesticks were placed on the table.
The dowager duchess clicked her tongue softly at the sight.
“Without a wife, the management is sorely lacking.”
“I have merely eliminated unnecessary things.”
“The heir of Kedrey should not invite criticism from others.”
Raphaelo did not bother to reply.
“Were you surprised by my sudden visit?”
“I received no word of it.”
“Of course not. I told them there was no need to make a fuss.”
What reason could she have for visiting while deliberately keeping it quiet? Raphaelo realized his mother had prepared something he would dislike.
As expected, the dowager duchess called over the maid who had been standing behind her like a wax doll.
“Isabelle.”
The maid called Isabelle carefully set the box she was holding onto the table. Raphaelo gazed silently at the ebony box.
“What is this?”
“Your marriage prospects.”
“……”
The timing was remarkably coincidental. He had just come from hearing Cayena speak about candidates for his betrothal. Had his mother and she conspired in advance? It was an excessive thought, yet his mother was certainly capable of such a thing.
“It is time you had a fiancée.”
At the dowager duchess’s gesture, Isabelle opened the box and took out engraved portraits. Raphaelo’s eyebrows shot up. Beneath the portraits were written, in order: Dolores Avan, Rita Brukin, and Olivia Grace. The very ladies Cayena had mentioned appeared in the exact same order.