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Chapter – 17
The carriage stopped by the Hailboard estate to drop off Selena and Grace, then headed toward the Regifield mansion. By the time we parted ways, the sun was already sinking low.
Ugh, I need to rest too. Honestly, I hadn’t done much today. I just chimed in while Grace and Selena talked, and answered the Empress Consort’s questions properly.
“I haven’t seen you much lately, Reina.”
So Reina was close enough with the Empress Consort to be on a first-name basis. Makes sense. She hovered around César so much — of course she’d have met the Empress Consort. Viviana’s face suddenly came to mind. She had such a kind look. Whenever she smiled, her eyes completely disappeared — it was charming.
“Ah, I’m sorry about everything. I already apologized to His Highness as well. I was just too immature…”
“Don’t say that. That’s how feelings work, isn’t it? They don’t follow your will, and they don’t just go away. Don’t you think so?”
She spoke so beautifully. She really left a good impression.
She must be a good person… right?
Up to what I’ve seen, there hasn’t been anything big to judge, but still — my impression was good. While I was going over the events of the day, the carriage stopped. We had reached the Regifield mansion. I wondered if my brother was home too. I stretched as I was about to get down when the door opened. Reliz extended his hand to me.
“Ah — Sir Reliz.”
“Please, take my hand. It was a long day. You’ve worked hard, Lady Regifield.”
“You worked harder bringing me all the way back. You still have a long way to return. Thank you so much for escorting me today. And please tell Her Highness the Empress Consort that I’m grateful she was so considerate.”
“Think nothing of it. You’re helping my aunt, after all.”
Reliz smiled gently at me. There really are a lot of handsome men in this world.
He lightly brushed his lips over the back of my hand, then I said,
“Please get home safely.”
Hurry back, please. I need to go inside and soak in a hot bath. But instead of leaving, Reliz hesitated.
“Sir Reliz?”
“…Well, I was wondering…”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“…Do you, by any chance, have someone you’re seriously seeing?”
My thoughts stopped right there. His face was shining as he looked at me. With that expression — saying that kind of thing?
Was this… a green light?
I swallowed hard. My fatigue vanished in an instant. I mean — wow. He’s from the Empress’s family, so his bloodline is impeccable, he’s a second son but a knight with a promising future…
And on top of that, he resembles César, so his face is guaranteed.
And this kind of man is asking about me…?
“No. I don’t.”
I replied firmly.
“There’s no one. Really.”
Reliz burst into laughter. Even the way he smiled looked like DiCaprio in his prime. Just like that smile in Titanic. Ah, this is what healing feels like. Knowing he might be interested in me made him seem even more handsome.
“Then if you have time tomorrow, I’d like to have dinner with you.”
“…I’d love that.”
Dump one César and suddenly men are lining up. Reina, look at you — you’re doing great. Half the world is men, after all.
“Then I’ll come pick you up.”
“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
I guess I shouldn’t go out tomorrow. I’d planned to stop by the studio that drew my portrait, but that can wait. It’s not like the studio is going to run away.
“Oh, wait. Sir Reliz — please don’t tell my brother about this…”
Otherwise I’ll just get exhausted again. I hope Rochester never finds out.
“Of course. Sir Regifield is famous even within the knight order — as someone who truly loves his little sister.”
“Haha. That’s embarrassing.”
“I’ve always thought it was admirable. I was just worried I might fall short in the eyes of the lady who lives under the same roof as him.”
“I can say with certainty — that won’t happen.”
He laughed again. He probably thought I was joking. But I was completely serious.
“Please feel free to call me Hayson tomorrow.”
Ah — so his full name is Hayson Reliz. I nodded.
“All right. Then please call me Reina tomorrow, comfortably.”
“I will.”
This time, it felt like things might really work out. I actually felt like I might really start dating.
＊ ＊ ＊
Meanwhile, by the time César returned to the imperial palace, the three ladies had already gone home. He had planned to arrive when they were leaving but was still a bit late. Only the Empress Consort greeted him.
“Are the talks already finished?”
“Yes. We couldn’t send unmarried ladies back too late at night.”
“…If you had contacted me, I would’ve come.”
The Empress widened her eyes.
“Why? You’re busy. Thankfully, Hayson said he was free, so I asked him instead.”
“Hayson… you mean?”
“Yes. He’s reliable, isn’t he? He’s your cousin. Go on — get some rest. You have work tomorrow.”
She patted César’s shoulder.
She ignored the faint displeasure lingering on his face. She remembered the look he’d given earlier. She also clearly remembered the things Reina had said today.
Like,
“I’m sorry about everything. It won’t happen again.”
Or,
“I really… gave up this time. I must have been such a bother to Your Highness.”
Even when she probed further, Reina really did seem to have整理ed her feelings for César. There was no affection left. Like a cool autumn day after the heat wave passes — all the heat gone, only calm remaining. Viviana was sensitive about such things.
The truly dangerous one was—
Viviana narrowed her eyes at César’s back.
Yes — the dangerous one was César.
Now that Reina had lost interest, César was starting to show it.
Reina Regifield would not help César’s future. The Regifield family was known as staunch imperial loyalists. Their heir was close to the Crown Prince and was expected to be the next commander of the knights. Keeping the Regifields close was no different than keeping an enemy close.
“I can’t bring poison under my own roof.”
She had kept her head down and endured for a greater goal. In that sense, Reina was not a suitable match for César.
The Empress was a princess from the Kingdom of Karzina, famous for its trade. Compared to that, Viviana’s own origins paled. Since the mother’s background was lacking, the wife would have to make up for it.
So she had chosen the highest-born ladies in the empire.
That was why she had invited Selena and Grace today.
“…The Hailboard young ladies were truly wonderful girls.”
The Empress opened the topic,
hoping César would show interest.
“If there’s another event someday, I think I’ll ask the two of them again. What do you think?”
“If that is what you wish, Mother, then please do so.”
César answered calmly, showing not even a speck of interest. Viviana’s smiling face stiffened just a little.
There’s no need to rush. Affection grows when you spend time together.
She steadied herself.
Youth still had plenty of time. After waiting this long, she couldn’t afford to ruin things by being impatient. Forcing a smile, she said,
“You’ll escort the young ladies again when the time comes, won’t you?”
“Yes. If that’s what you want, Mother.”
For now, this was enough. Whatever César was thinking — whatever he was interested in — if they just kept moving step by step, they would eventually reach their goal.
All that remained was to separate him from Reina.
