No Time for Rest
"Rezef, we don't have time for this."
"It seems you think I'm a helpless little child who can't do anything, sister."
What could an eighteen-year-old possibly accomplish? Of course, Rezef was precocious beyond his years and wielded considerable power. And if one were to measure by the same standard, Cayena's own physical age was a mere nineteen.
She nearly told him it was only natural for someone so young, but changed her words at the last moment.
"It's because you're my little brother."
At that, Rezef's sharp demeanor softened instantly.
"...Even so, you should rest, sister."
Cayena knew this was genuine concern. Who in their right mind would demand work from someone who had been kidnapped only yesterday? It was the sort of experience that left scars, and a proper rest was more than justified. If she were an ordinary person, that is.
Unfortunately, Cayena was no ordinary noble daughter. Besides, the path of thorns stretching before her would pierce and kill her if she did not diligently clear them away herself. The trials awaiting her would be every bit as dangerous as yesterday's kidnapping—perhaps even more so.
"Father is a cold man. You know that better than anyone."
No one understood that better than Rezef. He gave a crooked smile.
"Yes, I know it well."
Rezef's face showed his displeasure as he continued.
"So stop worrying. Duke Kedrey has already handled the matter."
Cayena froze at the sudden mention of Raphaelo. She asked, puzzled.
"How did he?"
Rezef shrugged, admitting he had no idea.
"He had a private audience with Father as soon as he entered the palace this morning and said they reached an understanding. Thanks to that, I've ended up owing the duke a debt."
Rezef wasn't pleased about being indebted to the duke, but since the situation had passed quietly enough, he considered it acceptable.
So he entered the palace.
Cayena felt as though she kept receiving far more help from him than she deserved. It didn't seem like he had done it purely for Rezef's benefit.
I thought I was just overthinking it.
Raphaelo clearly felt goodwill toward her. She couldn't yet determine what kind of favor it was, but it was undoubtedly positive.
The same goes for him inheriting the ducal title.
Once she acknowledged the truth, a wave of bewilderment washed over her.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Vera, who had been standing as quietly as air, checked outside before reporting respectfully to Cayena.
"Your Highness, it is Olivia."
Cayena hesitated for a moment. The reason was none other than Rezef.
I knew it was inevitable that they would meet once I summoned her to the palace.
Still, she thought it better than them encountering each other somewhere beyond her sight and causing an incident. Since avoidance was no longer possible, Cayena chose to face it directly.
"Let her in."
The door opened, and Olivia entered looking utterly haggard. Rezef gave her a single indifferent glance before settling onto the sofa beside the bed.
Olivia knelt on one knee and bowed to Cayena, then asked cautiously.
"Your Highness... are you all right?"
Cayena sat up as she answered.
"I'm fine."
Olivia's face was far from well. She must have suffered terribly in the past day; the skin around her eyes looked raw and swollen. Cayena reached out to her.
"Come here."
At the gentle summons, Olivia approached the bed hesitantly and took her hand. Cayena had never truly considered that Olivia was still only twenty. She had simply thought of her as wise and capable.
She had been too indifferent. Olivia must have been terrified. The trauma might not have been hers alone—perhaps Olivia carried it too.
Cayena drew Olivia's hand to her chest and patted her back soothingly.
"You were scared, weren't you?"
She offered the same words that had once comforted her.
"It's all right now."
At those words, Olivia crumbled into Cayena's arms. Her body trembled faintly.
"...I'm so relieved you're safe."
"Thanks to you."
Olivia knew Cayena had deliberately sent her away from danger. The words of gratitude should have come from her lips.
Rezef watched the scene from mere steps away, his eyes narrowing.
"Ha."
He let out a scoff so soft no one else could hear.
One more thing to keep in check?
He had instantly realized that Olivia was no ordinary figure to his sister. Strange elements kept gravitating toward her.
Oblivious to Rezef's darkening mood, Cayena continued comforting Olivia.
"I'll give you a few days' leave. Go home and rest somewhere that brings you peace. It will help you feel better."
Olivia pulled back slightly from the embrace and shook her head at Cayena's warm consideration.
"No. I wish to remain by Your Highness's side."
Cayena's eyes widened in surprise before she smiled softly.
"Thank you."
This incident had clearly forged a new bond between them. Olivia gazed at Cayena with eyes that had grown resolute once more.
"Still, you should rest. Have the physician examine you as well."
"Thank you for your concern."
Rezef, who had been observing silently, called out in a voice laced with dissatisfaction.
"Sister."
Both Cayena and Olivia turned toward him.
Olivia was startled. She had been so focused on Cayena from the moment she entered that she hadn't even noticed Rezef's presence. She quickly offered him a proper greeting.
"I greet Your Highness the Prince."
Rezef treated Olivia as though she were invisible. He reached past her to press a hand to Cayena's forehead. A flush that hadn't been there before colored her face, and fever was setting in.
"Sister, you truly must rest now."
Only then did he look at Olivia.
"My sister needs rest, so leave at once."
Olivia sensed Rezef's displeasure toward her. She didn't understand it, but knowing his reputation as a scoundrel, she simply lowered her head.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Meanwhile, Cayena watched her brother's behavior with open disbelief.
Wasn't he supposed to fall for Olivia at first sight? I distinctly remember the original story saying he felt curiosity toward her from the beginning.
Yet even as Olivia departed, Rezef focused entirely on helping Cayena lie down and pulling the blanket over her. She obediently settled into bed.
...Well, it's a fortunate turn of events.
Cayena closed her eyes.
Julia had been hounding the servants since the day before, demanding they locate her brother. Yet Zenon remained absent from the palace. When she finally learned he had returned, she hurried straight to his chambers.
"Where have you been all this time, brother!"
Zenon offered no reply. He removed his tie pin and tossed it onto the table with a clatter. Julia trailed after him, pressing him relentlessly.
"I was scared to death!"
Yesterday had been truly terrifying. Olivia's sudden appearance with news of the princess's kidnapping, followed by the palace's instantly lethal atmosphere, had left her paralyzed with fear. Then Vera had gathered the court ladies and dragged Julia along, declaring they must drive out the knights guarding the prince's quarters.
The mere thought of confronting knights who might draw their swords had horrified her. Only a madwoman would entertain such an idea!
"The palace has the Central Army and the princess's own escort knights—why would she even be kidnapped? If I'd known things would be like this, I never would have become a maid at the princess's palace!"
Zenon finally exploded at her.
"The palace has always been that kind of place!"
His roar made Julia's eyes widen like saucers.
"B-brother?"
"Did you think this was a playground for children's games? How can someone on the verge of adulthood be so foolish!"
Julia had never seen Zenon—always cynical yet composed—lose his temper like this. Her heart hammered with shock.
"How can you speak to me like..."
Tears flooded her eyes in an instant.
"How can you treat me this way? I was scared..."
Zenon was already raw from dealing with Eysther. Julia's arrival and continued whining about her fear pushed him past his limit.
"I can scarcely believe you and Her Highness the Princess are the same age."
He coldly shook off his sister and stormed from the room. Left alone, Julia wept bitterly before forcing her tears to stop. All she could think was that she had been abandoned in the palace.
There were no friends here, and her only family treated her with coldness. The sole person she could lean on was the maid she had brought from home. Even if it meant being surrounded by ugly men, she had been happier back in the east.
Julia left Zenon's room with her head bowed and trudged wearily back toward the princess's palace.
What am I supposed to do now?
She felt as if every last hope had been extinguished.
Thud!
"Ow!"
Turning a corner, Julia collided with someone. She clutched her forehead and looked up.
"Ah..."
She stared blankly at the man she had run into. Gorgeous golden hair, clear blue eyes, and a face that embodied the ideal of refined handsomeness gazed down at her. Though his features were gentle, his eyes held no warmth whatsoever. That dangerous aura only made Julia's heart race faster.
"Hmm."
The man regarded her with curiosity. Julia finally regained her senses.
"Oh my, I-I'm sorry."
"...Sorry?"
The man studied her carefully, then let out a soft chuckle. The smile was so stunning that Julia's cheeks flushed crimson.
"Do you not know who I am?"
"...Pardon?"
"Golden hair and blue eyes. You must be Julia Evans."
She blinked slowly, still struggling to grasp the situation.
Who is this man...?
Then realization struck her like lightning.
"Y-Your Highness the Prince?"
Flustered, Julia quickly knelt on one knee and bowed.
"I greet Your Highness the Prince!"
She had never imagined this impossibly handsome man could be the prince. In truth, she had paid him little attention until now, having been told he was younger than her.
Even when instructed to memorize his face from portraits, she had answered carelessly that she would do so later and never bothered. Her heart had been entirely consumed by Raphaelo Kedrey rather than the younger prince.
She stole a glance at Rezef—tall, solidly built, sophisticated yet flamboyantly handsome.
There was no way Rezef could miss that gaze. He looked down at her, one corner of his mouth lifting.
Oh ho, would you look at that.
Rezef knew perfectly well that his appearance made him easy to admire. Cayena might possess beauty beyond all reason, but he too was a man who turned heads wherever he went. He softened his eyes and offered a gentle, amiable smile.