The Marionette's Invitation
The next day dawned bright and clear. Cayena came to a stop before the doors to Rezef’s chambers.
“We greet Her Highness the Princess!”
The knights, door guards included, snapped to attention and offered her a crisp salute.
“At ease.”
Even the voice of the empire’s greatest beauty became nothing more than pleasant noise when paired with Cayena’s own lovely tones. The knights stole glances at her breathtaking features and swallowed hard. Today she had tied half her hair back with a sky-blue ribbon, letting the rest cascade softly down her back. Clad in a lustrous blue gown, she looked like a vision plucked straight from a dream.
Standing close to her, they thought she more than deserved her reputation as the beauty that summons death.
“I wish to see Rezef.”
Cayena met the gaze of the knight standing foremost.
The man froze from head to toe the instant her eyes touched him. He was so rattled he barely registered the tremor in his own limbs.
“T-that cannot be permitted.”
“But I’m so worried about my little brother…”
Her delicately furrowed brow, the faint tremble in her blue eyes, the way her voice grew small and fragile—every knight shifted uneasily, exchanging glances.
The order for Rezef’s confinement had come directly from the emperor; defying it was impossible. Yet confronting Cayena with firm refusal felt strangely difficult.
It’s only a sister wanting to see her brother. Must we really block her?
Such thoughts had begun to surface.
Had Cayena thrown a tantrum or tried to force her way through, they might have recovered their wits. Knowing this, she remained perfectly gentle.
“That is… well…”
They were still hemming and hawing, unable to speak the decisive refusal, when a new voice cut in.
“We greet Her Highness the Princess.”
Rezef’s aide, Zenon Evans, offered her a courteous bow.
Cayena turned slowly to face him. She could read the wariness written plainly across his features.
“Sir Zenon Evans.”
“I am honored you remember me.”
Cayena seizing control of the Inner Palace was no coincidence. Yet here she is, brazenly strolling into the prince’s palace.
Zenon found her utterly detestable. His mind understood that the new Cayena could not be underestimated. His heart, however, refused to accept it. Until recently she had been nothing more than a beautiful fool.
“How fortunate that you’ve come. Please open the door at once. I couldn’t sleep a wink last night for worrying about Rezef.”
The blatant ploy nearly made Zenon laugh aloud on the spot.
Under no circumstances can the prince and Cayena be allowed to meet.
With impeccable politeness, he sought her understanding.
“I beg your pardon, but I must ask you to consider that we cannot disobey His Majesty’s command.”
“How is Rezef? You would know better than anyone.”
“His Highness is well. However, it would be troublesome if Your Highness lingered here too long.”
Cayena clasped her hands tightly, eyes full of concern. The gesture looked so pitiful that the knights shot Zenon resentful glares. Couldn’t the man at least speak more kindly?
They’ve all lost their minds.
Zenon felt nothing but disgust at the pathetic display.
“I…”
Cayena glanced at the firmly shut door with an expression that seemed almost resigned.
Zenon clicked his tongue inwardly.
With beauty like that, it’s hardly surprising people call her a calamity.
In truth, he was the only man present not yet ensnared by her charm.
“Very well. It seems I’ve put you all in an awkward position for nothing.”
“N-not at all, Your Highness!”
“Absolutely not!”
The knights were desperate to lift the spirits of this exquisite woman in any way they could. The stronger that desire grew, the sharper their hostility toward Zenon became.
“In that case, Sir Zenon Evans, would you be so kind as to escort me?”
“…Pardon?”
The utterly unexpected request made Zenon blurt out a reflexive question.
Cayena spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“On the way back, I’d like to hear how Rezef is faring.”
“That…”
A knight who noticed Zenon’s reluctance cleared his throat loudly and glared.
“Ahem. Is it not the duty of a loyal subject to escort Her Highness, Sir Zenon Evans?”
In truth, Cayena’s entourage was modest—one maid and two serving girls. Having Rezef’s closest aide escort her would present a fine image.
“…It would be my honor, Your Highness.”
Zenon bowed. With so many eyes watching, further refusal would only damage the princess’s dignity.
Swallowing a sigh, he stepped to her side and offered his arm. Cayena slipped her hand through it.
The prince’s palace and the princess’s palace stood at opposite ends of the imperial grounds. The castle’s elongated shape meant the walk was considerable.
“Given His Highness’s temperament, he must have punished his people quite severely. Are you managing?”
Zenon recalled the wreckage of the prince’s bedroom. The only thing still intact was the ceiling—high enough to be beyond the reach of Rezef’s swinging sword.
We’ll have to move his residence.
They might need to change rooms at least ten times in ten days. His head already throbbed at the thought.
“Your burdens must be considerable.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
Cayena offered gentle comfort.
To Zenon, however, every word sounded like mockery.
“If only I had been a little more cautious, those maids would not have been sent away.”
Her expression was one of genuine regret. Though Zenon told himself not to be fooled, for a fleeting moment he wondered if the remorse was real. Her pitiful face had a way of softening even the hardest heart.
Tsk. If only she had stayed properly meek, she would have been quite lovable.
At that moment, as though sensing his condescending thoughts, Cayena turned and met his eyes. Confronted with her unreadable gaze, Zenon unconsciously swallowed.
“Shouldn’t you select new maids soon? Your coming-of-age ceremony is not far away.”
He glanced aside as he spoke.
You’re the one who drove out all of Rezef’s people. Who exactly do you intend to fill those empty positions with?
He was curious to see how the princess would answer.
“That has been my greatest headache lately. By the way, don’t you have a younger sister, Sir Zenon?”
Zenon’s eyebrows shot upward at the unexpected remark.
“…I do. Her name is Julia Evans. She is of similar age to Your Highness.”
“What sort of person is she? When choosing a lady-in-waiting, it would be best if she came from a trustworthy family.”
Trustworthy?
Zenon’s thoughts grew tangled. After expelling all of Rezef’s loyalists, she now wanted to bring in someone from the Evans family?
Not bad. In fact… this is an excellent opportunity.
The Evans Marquisate had long hoped, albeit discreetly, that Rezef and their daughter might be joined. Producing the next empress was too tempting a prize to ignore.
Until now, the pair had rarely crossed paths.
If Julia became a maid in the princess’s palace, she would encounter Rezef frequently. Opportunities would naturally arise.
What is the princess thinking?
Was she truly just a foolish woman with no deeper scheme?
While his mind spun furiously, the princess’s palace drew near. Zenon bit his lip.
I need more time.
Then Cayena spoke again.
“Oh, that’s right. I prepared some snacks to give Rezef. Why don’t we share tea while you deliver them?”
It was a brazen, deliberate invitation.
Zenon studied her seemingly innocent smile, trying to read her true intent, but her thoughts remained hidden.
“The weather is lovely and the flowers in the rear garden are in full bloom. It would be pleasant to sit there.”
…Fine. I’ll uncover what she’s really after.
He resolved to discover her true purpose.
“I shall follow Your Highness’s wishes.”
Cayena smiled sweetly. An arrogant man who trusted only in his own cleverness was bound to trip over his own schemes.
The villainess is a marionette.