A Misstep in the Marionette's Dance
Raphael knew that Cayena had been feeling uncomfortable the entire time. And it was no wonder. Even to him, the restaurant had an undeniably awkward atmosphere.
‘How on earth did Baston even know about a place like this?’
The person who had strongly recommended this restaurant was none other than Baston. He had practically pushed for the reservation, insisting it would suit the imperial princess perfectly.
In the end, Baston’s judgment had been spot on. The pillars wrapped in green vines, the white curtains, the vases overflowing with delicate spring flowers, and the round tables covered in soft-hued tablecloths created a scene of refined elegance. And Cayena, seated like a goddess descended into this space, completed a picture worthy of a masterpiece.
Raphael sat across from her, watching as she furrowed her brow slightly, lost in thought.
It was pleasant. The orchestra music flowing through the restaurant was quite listenable, and the appetizers that arrived were of a higher standard than he had expected. The weather, the ambiance—nothing felt lacking.
Above all, the fact that the person sharing this time with him was Cayena pleased him most. Was this what it felt like to enjoy spending time with someone?
“This is rather nice,” Raphael said with a gentle smile. It was a warm, effortless expression.
Cayena, as if infected by that smile, found herself smiling back before she could stop it. She had no choice but to agree.
“...It is.”
Only then did Cayena realize she was actually enjoying this moment. Unlike others, he demanded nothing from her. He simply watched her quietly and, at the exact moment she needed it, extended his hand first. She even worried she might grow accustomed to this kindness that wasn’t truly hers.
She needed to be cautious. Cayena reminded herself that she must know her place.
“I like it too. Though it might have been better for you to come here on a date with a lovely young lady.”
The moment one reached for something beyond their station, ruin was assured. She knew all too well that her situation was far from peaceful.
Raphael shrugged.
“Since I’ve come with the most beautiful woman in the empire, I’d say my choice was correct.”
“...There’s no need for flattery.”
He answered immediately.
“It isn’t flattery.”
“...”
Cayena let out a short sigh.
“You’d probably enjoy spending time with someone witty and pleasant like Olivia more than with me.”
Once again, when Cayena mentioned Olivia, he told her exactly how he felt.
“I like right now.”
Cayena had no idea how to interpret Raphael’s words. He had a way of speaking that invited misunderstanding. That was precisely why she must not misread the situation. She was not special to him. She had to keep that firmly in mind.
Cayena changed the subject.
“His Majesty has approved your appointment as the military governor of the western territories. I’ll deliver the document once we return to the academy.”
“Thank you.”
“It was going to happen anyway. There’s no need for such formal thanks.”
Her tone was defensive. She spoke as if she had decided not to allow anyone close.
Raphael noticed it immediately. However, he did not act rashly. The changed princess was far too sharp and cautious. He reminded himself of that fact before speaking again.
“I’m considering moving up the timing of my succession to the ducal title.”
It was welcome news, yet unexpected. She knew why he had remained a mere young lord despite possessing more than enough ability to become duke.
“Since His Majesty has made the western military governorship official, it seemed like a good time to handle it.”
“...Not a bad idea.”
Raphael set down his utensils and continued.
“So you already knew my parents are in the middle of a divorce suit.”
“...”
She was genuinely flustered, which was rare. Pretending not to know something she clearly did was surprisingly difficult—especially when it wasn’t particularly critical information.
“I didn’t ask to interrogate you.”
She knew that. She simply felt once again that Raphael was not someone to be underestimated.
“I’ve come to realize that His Majesty is quite the safety-first pacifist.”
That was a rather mild way of putting it.
“And that he has no hesitation in taking drastic measures if that safety is threatened.”
“You seem to have observed me quite closely.”
“You’re also very clear about rewards and punishments, and your ability to make decisions is astonishingly swift.”
That was only because she was following answers she already knew from the future.
“Yet I cannot understand why such a wise person keeps trying to pair me with Lady Olivia.”
“That’s...”
They were fated to be together. Cayena knew that fact. Just as she had known about Duke Kidray’s divorce proceedings in advance, this was the same. It was a mistake born from knowing too much and assuming it was obvious.
Cayena acknowledged that she had overstepped.
“I went too far. I’m sorry.”
She added with genuine sincerity.
“There was no hidden meaning behind my words. I truly thought the two of you would suit each other.”
She had overlooked that it might come across as meddling to him. Yes, if they were meant to end up together anyway, she should stop interfering.
‘I’ll just focus on protecting Olivia from Regef.’
Cayena looked at Raphael with apologetic eyes, then froze. He was staring at her with a darkened expression.
After that, the meal continued in an oddly subdued silence. Cayena was so busy retracing where exactly she had gone wrong that she barely tasted her food. Had mentioning Olivia been a mistake?
Yes, that must have been her error. Repeatedly trying to link two people who barely knew each other was indeed rude.
‘But...’
In the novel, they had felt destined for each other from their very first meeting. When he took Olivia’s hand to escort her, he had strangely not found the contact repulsive. That had been the first sign that he saw her as special.
‘Then... did Raphael feel the same disgust toward her touch as he does with everyone else?’
Had the story changed?
‘Since I’ve altered everything I was originally supposed to do... has that ripple effect created some change between them?’
It was frustrating. Everything was just a string of assumptions with no clear answers. And she certainly couldn’t ask him outright, “Did you feel goosebumps when you held Olivia’s hand?”
Her movements grew slower and slower. Even normally, she ate very little because she was careful about maintaining her figure. After her regression, she had forced herself to eat more to build up her stamina. Thanks to that, her portions had increased somewhat, but eating too much still made her stomach feel heavy.
Yet now, even though she had only eaten half her usual amount, she couldn’t take another bite. Her stomach already felt bloated. She had exhausted herself thinking too much.
Still, out of consideration for Raphael’s sincerity, she continued to bring food to her mouth. If the imperial princess barely touched the meal she had been treated to and set down her utensils, it would be easy to misunderstand in the worst possible way.
When the meal finally ended, Cayena sent a servant to call for Olivia and her escort.
“Let’s return to the academy now.”
The carriage ride back had a strange atmosphere. Olivia carefully observed the mood. Had the two of them fought? But she couldn’t imagine the pair arguing at all.
Upon returning to the Imperial Academy, they consulted with the academy’s key administrators about the building’s purpose, drafted the necessary documents, and had them notarized.
“What has been decided regarding the punishment for the students who committed the assault?”
Cayena asked the chancellor what punishment had been given to the perpetrators.
The chancellor had handed down suspensions. The entire academy was in an uproar because every student involved in the group beating of Idel had been suspended.
The fact that the imperial princess had intervened spread quickly. People speculated that Cayena’s visit to the academy had been to protect her half-brother, Idel.
Cayena wanted nothing more than to return to the imperial palace and rest. Perhaps because she had eaten poorly, her fingertips were cold and her head throbbed. She instructed a servant to hand the pouch containing the documents to Raphael’s attendant.
“This is the appointment letter for the military governor of the western duchy.”
Raphael glanced briefly at the pouch.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Cayena headed for the carriage without even acknowledging his farewell. Only Olivia hurriedly bowed to him before following after her mistress. As he watched her retreating figure, Raphael roughly ran a hand through his hair.
“Damn it...”
Cayena felt as though she could finally breathe a little easier once she was out of Raphael’s sight.
The coachman waiting by the carriage asked politely,
“Are you returning to the palace, Your Highness?”
“Yes.”
Cayena moved to climb into the carriage, then paused. Something felt off.
‘Was the coachman always this man?’
The villainess is a marionette.