The Villainess is a Marionette

“Did the celebration invitations come out?”

The roses bloomed most beautifully around the time of her birthday. Hence, they always opened the rose garden outside and used the grand hall for a ball.

‘I’d like to scale it back, but everyone is already working to schedule, so I can’t cancel what’s already begun.’

For her coming-of-age, there would be a ball as well as a hunting competition.

“The imperial court artist drew all the pictures on the cards that will be used for the invitations. The paintings are all dry now, so the ladies-in-waiting will be able to write the invitations today, Your Highness.”

While Vera spoke, she handed Cayena a sample of the invitation. Cayena checked the cards that would be sent to each residence. A fetching rose decorated the card.

“How nice. Send them out with a messenger after all the contents are written out.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Additionally, the ingredients to be brought in, the number of servants needed for the banquet, and the type and order of songs to be performed by the orchestra were all checked.

They had to make sure that nothing would be disappointing.

‘That’s what it means to be a part of the imperial family.’

Cayena’s birthday had always been seen as an important event that signaled the beginning of the social season. The more successful the banquet, the fiercer the competition would be to become Cayena’s husband. What she wanted was that sort of reaction.

‘I have to encourage them to compete to be my husband.’

While people were distracted, competing for something useless, Cayena would create her imaginary husband and run away.

Knock, knock.

At that moment, the new senior ladies-in-waiting arrived at Cayena’s bedroom.

Julia, Susan, and Olivia stood in a row and bowed to Cayena.

“We respectfully greet Her Highness, the Princess.”

These court ladies had just started their practical education today.

“Susan.”

“Yes, Your Highness?”

Cayena had something to do right away, so she called out to Susan first.

“Please prepare me some things so I can write a letter to Sir Raphael.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Then, she called Olivia.

“Olivia, please prepare to deliver this letter.”

Olivia wrinkled her nose slightly, then cleared her expression.

It was only appropriate for the princess’s exclusive lady-in-waiting to deliver a message to the next duke.

“I will return as soon as I prepare.”

Soon, Susan put the paper for the letter on the table and a paperweight on top of it. She dipped the pen into the inkwell, neatly finishing the preparations.

Now, it was time to write a letter to Raphael.

「Sir Raphael.」

‘Is it too obvious that I’m trying to keep away from him?’

She recalled Raphael’s words, telling her not to avoid him. In other words, she had unknowingly hurt him.

However, she couldn’t just write a letter to him in the same way she had done in the past.

‘I really wasn’t in my right mind.’

She had sent him such cheesy love letters that even a lover would be embarrassed to send.

She wanted to die a little when she thought about it.

But maybe writing too plainly would come off as being cold. She shoved a few words in front.

「My dear Sir Raphael.」

Maybe ‘my dear’ was a little much, but it wasn’t bad.

「I’m about to return the book I borrowed from the imperial library. I thought I could also check the location of the building that will have my name at the academy.

I hope that the building will be useful to the youth of the empire. However, I am worried about whether I can do this work well.

I’ve never attended the academy nor interacted with the students as much as you have. While the documents are being notarized, I’d like for you to share your opinions with me. I patiently await your reply. Cayena.」

She leaned back in her chair for a moment, thinking that the message was very concise and professional.

‘This is just a very practical letter.’

Cayena struggled to push aside her memories of him holding her in the library and the parlor.

After some tasks, Olivia returned to Cayena’s room, ready to go out.

She was wearing a dark blue coat and a simple hat with a ribbon. It was a rather dowdy outfit for the imperial princess’s lady-in-waiting.

“Oh my…”

Julia sighed quietly, looking dissatisfied with Olivia’s outfit.

Both Olivia and Susan heard Julia’s sigh. However, they wisely ignored it.

“If Sir Raphael is in the mansion, would you ask for his schedule and make an appointment for the nearest date?”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

Cayena handed Olivia the letter. Then, she took off the brooch from her own dress and attached it to Olivia’s hat.

The jeweled butterfly brooch shone above the round hat.

Olivia lightly grabbed her hat with wide eyes.

Instead of making a big deal of it, Cayena shared with her a simple sentiment.

“I thought that this yellow butterfly brooch would go well with that green hat.”

As a result, even if Olivia’s outfit was somewhat plain, she was wearing a gift directly from the princess. This way, she wouldn’t lose face.

“…Thank you.”

It was a kind and warm favor.

Cayena seemed to be indifferent, seemingly detached. But when Olivia looked at her, she saw Cayena as a very warm and complex person.

“Have a safe trip. That will be the last of your duties today, so you don’t need to rush.”

Cayena was implying that Olivia could stay a long time at Raphael’s villa, but Olivia didn’t interpret it that way.

“I will complete the mission and come back unscathed, Your Highness.”

Olivia went straight away to the Kedrey residence.

***

The carriage stopped in front of the Kedrey villa. Olivia stepped down from the foothold and stood in front of the entrance.

‘So this is the famed Kedrey villa.’

The gatekeeper, seeing the carriage with the imperial symbol, immediately and politely bowed his head.

“Did you schedule your visit in advance?”

“I haven’t, but I have come to deliver a letter from Her Highness, the Princess.”

“Please wait a moment.”

While the servant delivered news of her visit to the mansion, Olivia looked around the reputed garden.

A spectacular garden made in the country style, which was recently in vogue in the capital, entered her sight. The nobles thought that planting herbs and trees with edible fruit was rustic.

‘Still, it looks much better than a garden with only flowers.’

Trees adorned with colorful fruits had a different palette from the flowers. The Kedrey villa combined them together very well.

It was hard to believe such a dreary man lived in this bright residence.

“I apologize for making you wait, Miss Olivia.”

The butler came out and ushered Olivia in.

“The master is here now, so he asked to bring you straight to the parlor. Do you mind?”

“Not at all.”

Olivia felt the people of the mansion glancing at her with a subtle interest.

It was natural for them to be curious because she was one of the four exclusive ladies-in-waiting selected by the princess.

“Are there any refreshments that you prefer or would like to avoid?” the butler asked politely after leading Olivia into the parlor.

“Anything is fine.”

He quickly prepared the refreshments.

“The master will come soon.”

It was as the butler said. Raphael appeared while Olivia was taking a bite into a fluffy soufflé.

His bangs had been slightly pushed back, revealing a smooth forehead as he stepped forward. Olivia noticed that he seemed to have come in a hurry.

He greeted Olivia in a formal manner.

“Welcome to my home, Miss Olivia.”

Olivia also faced him and greeted him with a curtsy, holding the hem of her dress.

“Thank you for your hospitality even with the sudden visit, Sir Kedrey.”

They sat down, across from each other at a round table.

Instead of asking about the weather, Olivia handed him the letter from the princess. She felt that he would appreciate that more.

“It’s a letter written by Her Highness.”

Raphael received the golden envelope.

The imperial emblem stamped on the red candle wax looked special today.

‘Thinking about it, there was a time when she sent me love letters.’

Strangely, it felt like that happened a long time ago.

When he remembered the love letters, a faint smile formed on his lips. Olivia cast a sidelong glance at the smile.

“Hmm.’

No matter which way she looked at it, it seemed to be a sign.

She quietly swallowed a laugh and drank her tea.

“Her Highness told me to make an appointment for the closest date that you could meet her. What time would be good?”

Raphael’s aide, Jeremy, had been as quiet as a shadow behind him. He tried to tell him his schedule, but Raphael spoke before he could.

“I can see her the day after tomorrow.”

Jeremy opened his mouth.

‘No, that day is the day he has to visit the cathedral…’

It was the day that the ducal couple would take care of the divorce proceedings at the cathedral.

Even so, Raphael ignored it as if he didn’t remember that appointment and made a rendezvous with the princess.

“Then, I will tell Princess Cayena that you will be meeting her at the imperial academy in two days. Does having dinner together at a nearby location sound fine?”

“I’ll reserve the restaurant.”

Jeremy’s jaw dropped.

“Then I will tell her so.”

After finishing his words, Raphael seemed to be struck with a sudden thought that this somehow didn’t feel like enough. He asked Olivia to be patient for a little while.

“I’m thinking of writing a reply to Her Highness. Would you mind waiting a moment?”

Jeremy felt like he was losing his mind for a moment, then just barely returned to his senses.

“Yes, take your time.”

Jeremy carefully looked at his master after being told to bring stationery for Raphael to write a reply.

‘I thought Baston was just spinning tales.’

Raphael sealed the letter and stamped it with the Kedrey family crest.

“Then, please take care of this.”

Olivia took the letter and put it in her bag. She felt strange for some reason.

‘Am– Am I a messenger of love?’

~~~