‘Is he aware that Rezef is the true culprit?’
To buy time, Cayena took a silk handkerchief from a servant and smoothly wiped the emperor’s lips.
The emperor’s question was open-ended and ambiguous, as expected of a seasoned politician. The original Cayena would certainly have been caught in the trap. But instead, she spoke slyly.
“Please look upon me kindly.”
Her voice was unexpectedly soft. Moreover, her composed smile was not that of an immature young woman, and the emperor was inwardly impressed.
‘Was this child always this skilled at hiding her true self?’
The emperor wondered what change had overcome his daughter while he was ill.
‘Has she finally come to her senses?’
His daughter had changed.
The emperor’s eyes flashed. “You don’t mind if the real criminal is not caught?”
If Cayena wanted it, the emperor was willing to lend his help in bringing out the real criminal.
The situation was not yet clear, but it was highly likely that Rezef was the culprit. The emperor thought it might also be a good time to put Rezef in his place again.
‘Is he suspicious of Rezef? If Rezef’s power decreases at this time, I won’t be able to use him.’
Cayena shook her head.
“Rezef will punish the real culprit. I thought that it would be better to deal with this incident in this way rather than inciting the nobility.”
The emperor felt a spark of admiration for his daughter. “That’s quite impressive.”
“I was afraid that my foolish thoughts would disturb your state, Father.”
Even as Cayena revealed her tactics, she credited her results to the emperor.
“You have trusted in and waited for your firstborn daughter this entire time, so now I will do my part.”
At Cayena’s words, the emperor burst into laughter.
It seemed that a king’s child was born with a king’s ability. With a happy heart, he thought that he should give Cayena some sort of reward.
“Now that I think of it, your coming-of-age ceremony is coming up.”
Cayena did not reply. She just handed over the teacup to a servant.
Then, the emperor said, “I must start looking for a good marriage partner for you.”
A marriage partner.
At that phrase, Cayena immediately thought of Raphael Kedrey. It was something like a habit.
However, she tried hard to push down her agitation.
“You’re correct, Father. I’ll come of age soon.”
In her first life, Cayena was courted by many, but she did not have any marriage partners. Eventually, she was sold off to Viscount Gillian.
The emperor passed on without any interest in her marriage. Rezef, on the other hand, actively encouraged competition over the position of the emperor’s son-in-law.
They may have been the imperial family, but how could anyone call this a family?
‘Am I really your daughter?’
Contrary to her cold feelings toward her father, Cayena asked with a smile, “Did you have anyone in mind?”
The emperor did not show it, but he was surprised.
YOU ARE READING
THE VILLAINESS IS A MARIONETTE
Historical FictionCayena, the Imperial Princess, was known as the most beautiful woman in the Empire. She was a woman who knew nothing but evil and luxury. However, she was destined for ruin: she would be used as a chess piece by her younger brother to secure his thr...
