The Villainess is a Marionette

Today was the day Cayena would meet with Raphael. It was also the last day of Rezef’s probation.

“Today, the doctor said that His Majesty, the Emperor, will be able to take an audience.”

Every morning, Cayena was informed of the Emperor’s condition. If her father’s condition was all right, she would ask to visit him in the morning. Such greetings had become a part of her schedule now.

Cayena visited the Emperor’s quarters along with her ladies-in-waiting, dressed up so that she could go outside right afterward.

“Greetings to His Majesty.”

“You must be busy. There’s no need to send a servant to announce that you will come to greet me every time.”

He seemed indifferent, but his words showed he fully acknowledged Cayena’s achievements. Cayena smiled and went to the hiss side.

“I’ve been so worried that my mind couldn’t feel at ease.”

There was a smile on those who watched the princess’s outstanding filial piety.

The Emperor looked at his daughter’s outfit and said, “It looks like you are going out.”

“Yes. I was thinking that I would check the location of the building for the imperial academy. I’ll also review what sort of facility the students at the school need.”

The Emperor also knew that Raphael had given Cayena a building as a birthday present.

‘That Raphael wouldn’t do this without reason…’

The Emperor nodded.

Luden, the chamberlain, handed Cayena a leather pouch.

“It’s what Your Highness asked for.”

‘This is the letter of appointment for the military leader of the west.’

Cayena bowed straight away.

“Thank you for accepting my foolish request.”

“It was something I had to do anyway. I trust that you will make good use of this.”

Cayena chatted with the Emperor a little more before leaving.

“How are things at the prince’s palace?” Cayena asked.

Vera answered right away. “Things are still quiet there.”

After today, Cayena would become busy again as she dealt with Rezef.

“I should go to the academy early to find out the location of the new building.”

Cayena said that she would take Olivia.

Soon, the carriage was ready and they left the palace for the academy. She arrived an hour earlier than the time agreed upon. The only people in her entourage today were Olivia and one knight. Since many students were still in class, Cayena had no intention of making a scene.

“I believe there is where the new building will be erected, Your Highness.”

Cayena turned her gaze to where Olivia pointed.

The ground had needed to be cleared before starting to build. There were no workers there at the moment because it was still class time.

She walked to that quiet place where she thought no one would be around, but she was wrong. As she got closer, she began to hear a strange noise. There was a dull, thudding sound.

“Arrogant bastard!”

The sudden swear made her briefly stop walking.

Cayena frowned slightly. “What was that sound?”

The escort knight stepped forward.

“I’ll check just in case, Your Highness.”

Cayena nodded and paused her steps. The knight went behind the building. As he did, the commotion ended.

“It seems like some students were fighting,” Cayena said.

Olivia nodded. This happened every so often during her time at school as well.

Soon, male students who looked beaten came into view along with the knight. They were huffing, and when they caught sight of Cayena, they quickly ran away.

‘Hmm?’

It was natural that they would be embarrassed to be in that state, but it was strange that they ran away like that.

Soon the knight reported back to her. He had a somewhat troubled expression.

“Those kids were fighting against one student.”

So it was bullying? Cayena’s expression turned sour. The escort spoke perplexedly.

“But… The other student is Ethel Lindberg.”

Cayena paused at that name.

“You mean Lady Catherine’s son?”

“Yes.”

Which meant that he was her younger half-brother.

Sure enough, Ethel Lindbergh walked out from behind the building.

She had never seen Ethel Lindbergh before she had returned to this life.

They never had the chance to meet, and because Rezef hated him, she didn’t even think of meeting him. Hence, it was the first time that she had ever met him in real life.

Ethel had neat, beautiful silver hair like their father. The blue eyes shining under the hair also resembled Emperor Esteban’s.

‘He looks quite a lot like me.‘

The boy looked so much like Cayena that they could be mistaken for full siblings. However, his sharply raised eyes and beat-up look showed he had a tough disposition.

Ethel also saw Cayena. He paused as he wiped his mouth with a sleeve.

She saw his forehead crinkle. It was a hostile gaze.

In Cayena’s eyes, he looked like a porcupine raising its spikes for self-defense.

‘I believe I read that he had suffered quite a bit after the Emperor became ill.’

In the novel, Ethel Lindbergh only became important after he grew up more. With the full support of the Kedrey duchy, he pushed out Rezef and became the next emperor.

Cayena didn’t think that she would witness his tough childhood in person.

‘I don’t think the group attacked him just once or twice.’

Cayena slightly pushed aside the mesh that covered her face.

Ethel’s face, filled with hostility, turned confused. He was surprised not just by how beautiful she was but also by her resemblance to him.

She greeted Ethel brightly.

“Hello?”

“…?”

Ethel had an expression that asked, ‘Who is this crazy woman?’

It had been a long time since Cayena had dealt with someone with such transparent emotions. Somehow, it made her feel cheerful.

“Ethel Lindbergh, is that right?”

“…I greet Her Highness, the Princess.”

His unwilling face showed that he was forcing himself to bow. Cayena laughed inwardly as she helped him up. Ethel coldly rejected her hand.

It wasn’t because he was arrogant for having the Emperor’s favor, though. He still didn’t know the ways of the world, so he was a child who was always on edge. Also, he was one head shorter than Cayena.

“It looks like you don’t get along well with your friends.”

Ethel bared his teeth and replied, “They’re not my friends.”

“If they’re the children of high-ranking officials, it would be better for them to get along with you.”

“What does it matter to you?”

The knight startled at the impudent tone. Cayena, however, did not seem to mind.

“I am your older sister.”

“…Ha!”

Ethel never imagined that he would encounter the princess, whom he had heard so much about, at this unexpected time and place. The situation itself was absurd, but her attitude was so audacious that it made him speechless.

His sister?

Sure. It may only be half, but the same blood flowed through them. If they only considered the facts, then yes, she was his sister.

But could their relationship be defined so simply?

Ethel learned that Prince Rezef and Archduke Heinrich were completely abandoning him and his mother because of an unforeseen situation.

Back when the Emperor was healthy enough to act, everyone eyed each other carefully and did not act against him. That wasn’t the case now. Like they did a moment ago, the children of high-ranking officials often tried to pick a fight with him.

It was fortunate that Ethel had the qualities of a promising swordsman. Thanks to that, he was able to beat them all.

But when he fought back, bad things happened to his family.

Ethel’s mother didn’t say much, but seeing that her dress hasn’t changed for three years, he could guess that the situation was poor.

So he tried not to fight back. As a result, more children began to think of Ethel as a pushover, and the group beatings became more frequent.

Today was also one of those usual days. Until he ran into Cayena, that was.

“You seem to be hurt.”

Cayena seemed distant, but strangely, she treated him normally.

She approached Ethel, right in front of his nose, without hesitation. Ethel was startled and tried to step back, but Cayena was quicker.

Her slender hand, covered by a glove, grabbed his chin and brushed against his bruised mouth.

“Ack!”

He yelped a bit at the pain, then shut his mouth. Ethel’s ears burned with shame.

“Y-Your Highness!”

At that moment, the principal, who had heard of Cayena’s visit, rushed toward her in a flurry of panic.

Seeing Ethel, who looked a mess, beside her, he gulped.

“Oh my, Your Highness. I apologize. We showed you a poor example—we should have cracked down on him…”

The president knew that the relationship between the imperial children and Lindbergh’s son wasn’t good.

He roughly grabbed Ethel with his hand.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness. I will ensure that this student who disturbed the atmosphere will be punished firmly.”

Ethel swallowed his anger, gritting his molars. His fist trembled.

Then, a pleasant voice made his anger dissipate.

“And what will you do with the other students?”

~~~