Chapter 8
When Reina returned after the banquet, a letter from the ducal estate was waiting for her.
[I will visit tomorrow morning.]
The handwriting, as if dashed off in one go, was as bold as the duke’s personality.
The letter, devoid of pleasantries and getting straight to the point, seemed intended to convey a sense of familiarity.
“As expected, he went to the emperor first, thinking of me.”
Indeed, it was far better for him to deal with the emperor directly than for her to handle it.
Still, she hadn’t expected this level of consideration, so Reina was taken aback.
Thanks to this, she had been invited to the banquet and made a strong impression on her siblings.
Of course, whether this would lead to something positive was still uncertain.
Reina wrote a reply expressing her anticipation for tomorrow’s meeting and handed it to her maid.
And the next day, Kaiden arrived.
The princess’s palace was thrown into a flurry by the sudden appearance of Duke Crencia.
“I-I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
Reina’s voice trembled slightly.
In contrast, Kaiden gave a faint smirk, as if he’d been asked a trivial question.
“Would I leave my fiancée in someone else’s hands?”
He then lightly kissed the back of her hand and said,
“There’s no need to meet in secret anymore, is there? I came because I missed you.”
At his straightforward expression of affection, the maids’ faces flushed.
But none were as red as Reina’s.
Her face was already so scarlet it seemed ready to burst, like an overripe apple.
“He said we needed to deceive the emperor, but I didn’t mean for him to go this far…”
Honestly, sending a carriage would have been enough to show sincerity.
Yet, for someone so busy to come in person?
Since he had openly visited, it was only a matter of time before word reached the emperor.
Perhaps that was even his intention.
As Reina stood frozen, unable to speak, the duke leaned in and whispered,
“Could you at least react? I’m trying here.”
Unlike his earlier gentle tone, his sharp words snapped Reina back to her senses.
“I missed you too.”
Reina smiled as she responded, and Kaiden gently guided her forward.
Passing the glancing servants, Reina boarded the carriage and let out a heavy sigh.
Kaiden, observing her quietly, spoke.
“Where’s the boldness you had when you came to me?”
His remark, as if mocking her for being intimidated by this, made Reina bristle.
“Is that the same as this?”
“It doesn’t seem all that different to me.”
“I’m just not used to receiving guests. No one has visited my palace in years.”
At Reina’s honest reply, Kaiden slowly studied her.
“For the past three years, there’s hardly any record of public activity.”
“Are you saying she’s been in seclusion?”
“No, it’s closer to saying no one visited her. As is often the case with royals without maternal backing.”
Ben’s report aligned with her words.
After her brother, her pillar of support, went missing, she had been practically confined.
What thoughts had sustained her over the past three years?
He couldn’t know exactly, but he could guess that her visit to him wasn’t impulsive.
“I want to leave this place.”
The desperation in her eyes, as if anywhere but here would do, was palpable.
That was why he had gone out of his way to visit the emperor and put on this show.
Moreover, as Reina had said, a messenger had arrived presenting the hide of a Goreth.
This proved her ability, so he had no reason to refuse her proposal.
Kaiden decided to keep an eye on this intriguing, if suspicious, princess a little longer.
Of course, the biggest reason was that she piqued his curiosity.
Dragons were notoriously lenient toward those who sparked their interest.
That made this situation all the more enjoyable for him.
“You’ll have to get used to it. This level of performance is necessary to keep the emperor from suspecting.”
“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to be this considerate.”
“I just thought, since we’re in this together, I should treat you properly.”
“You were probably curious about the location of the Goreth in its mating season. If its hide was found, it means it already succeeded in mating.”
Reina spoke casually, and Kaiden’s eyebrow twitched.
“It wasn’t exactly a favor done for the sake of a deal.”
Of course, he couldn’t entirely deny that, but visiting her was out of genuine goodwill.
According to Ben’s report, Princess Reina seemed to have been subtly harassed among the royals.
He figured that by showing up in person, no one would dare mistreat her, at least while she was in the capital.
But Reina, unaware of his deeper intentions, tilted her head and asked innocently,
“It wasn’t?”
“No, it wasn’t.”
“Why not?”
When she even asked for a reason, Kaiden was dumbfounded.
Her genuine curiosity left him at a loss for words.
Not one for lengthy explanations, he grimaced and retorted,
“I did it because we’re on the same side now. What am I supposed to say when you ask why?”
“Oh, I wasn’t trying to interrogate you. I’m just not used to receiving this kind of kindness, so it feels awkward.”
Realizing she had reacted too strongly, Reina’s eyes darted nervously.
Even in her past life, Kaiden had shown her this kind of inexplicable kindness.
When she didn’t understand it back then, he had told her,
“I did it because I thought I should. If you don’t get it, just accept it.”
His attitude, as if annoyed by further questions, was the same then and now.
And so was her inability to fully comprehend his words.
Perhaps that was why she was curious about Kaiden Crensia as a person.
“Then start getting used to it now.”
“Huh?”
“I mean you’ll be receiving this kind of kindness often from now on.”
With that, the carriage came to a stop.
Kaiden stepped out first and extended his hand.
Reina looked down at his large hand for a moment before cautiously placing hers in it.
It felt strange. It was just a gesture to escort her, yet
there was something about him that made her want to rely on him.
Like a sturdy rock anchoring her feet as she wrestled with the waves each moment.
“He’s truly kind.”
Then and now, a good and strong person who knew how to show genuine kindness.
With him, she felt she could easily escape this hellish imperial palace.
Reina’s chest tightened inexplicably, and she pressed her hand to her heart.
It felt as if something was welling up deep inside her.
Meanwhile, Kaiden gently held her small, delicate hand.
“I’m just not used to receiving this kind of kindness, so it feels awkward.”
Her offhand remark revealed her situation plainly.
Despite her noble status, she could never fully enjoy it.
That was the reality of Princess Reina’s position.
Seeing a princess who reacted with suspicion to even small acts of kindness, he couldn’t help but feel more concerned.
* * *
“Welcome.”
Ben greeted her politely, guiding Reina to the sofa.
The table was set with a dessert tray and tea prepared in advance.
Eclairs topped with various garnishes and mont blanc made with sweet chestnuts caught her eye.
The tea, warmed to the perfect temperature, had a delightful aroma.
As Reina sat, still a bit dazed, and sipped her tea, Kaiden asked,
“Don’t you like sweets?”
“No, I love it. I was just wondering what to eat first.”
“No need to hold back, just eat.”
At Kaiden’s urging, Reina quickly picked up a fork and took a piece of mont blanc.
“!”
In that moment, her light blue eyes sparkled.
The mont blanc melted smoothly in her mouth.
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By Anna 💓
