The Villainess is a Marionette

The carriage headed toward Count Hamel’s residence, not to the new mansion to which Catherine had moved.

It seemed that Catherine would stay with the Hamels for a while to communicate to the others that they had become a family.

Thus, Cayena requested a visit to see her new aunt.

‘Count Hamel would probably welcome me with both hands.’

The count was likely antsy because he hadn’t been able to get in contact with the princess. This was because Rezef had restricted access to his sister while protecting her from political issues.

Rezef was especially vigilant since he thought Count Hamel might say something unnecessary to Cayena.

“Archduke Heinrich will find it hard to move for a time,” Cayena said to Olivia.

Olivia did not ask why. She just listened.

“You said that the debt collectors connected to the archduke are just increasing the total amount without pestering for repayment, I believe. And they continue to lend your family money?”

“That’s correct, Your Highness.”

“This is one of the archduke’s tricks. He takes over bonds and loans, then threatens families to join his faction. That’s how he has been increasing his influence.”

Olivia bit her lips at Cayena’s explanation.

“How can such a wicked man…”

Yester was a person who would unflinchingly pull any dirty tricks in order to succeed.

‘He’ll use violence if necessary.’

Yester could not be appeased by mere words. Only money and power would get through to him.

“We have arrived, Your Highness.”

The carriage came to a stop at Count Hamel’s residence.

Cayena felt nostalgic as she saw the stunning mansion, which seemed to be trying to show off the family’s prestige.

“I used to think this mansion was amazing.”

But looking at it now, Cayena could feel how shallow it was.

“We greet Her Highness, the Princess!”

The county’s servants bowed when they saw Cayena.

It seemed they had been outside waiting for her for a long time.

All of their faces turned a warm red hue from being in the spring sun.

“I was waiting for you, Your Highness!”

A blond-haired, green-eyed man greeted Cayena. It was Cayena’s maternal uncle, Sir Jonathan.

“It’s been a long time, Uncle.”

Jonathan smiled broadly. “It has. Ah, are you feeling well?”

“Yes, of course.”

“So many things have happened these days that your uncle was extremely worried. I wanted to go and see you, but…”

His expression stiffened as he thought of Rezef, and he gritted his teeth a little. Then, he grinned again.

“Come in. It’s been a while since this house entertained so many young guests at once.”

Cayena hesitated.

‘Young guests?’

Count Hamel was a disagreeable old man, and Jonathan, the next Count Hamel, was a middle-aged gentleman. What young person would come to such a boring home?

Cayena narrowed her eyes, feeling some sort of foreboding.

‘Perhaps the one who planted the spy has come.’

“Oh my. There are other guests?”

“Yes. Duke Kedrey has dropped by.”

“…Did you say, Duke Kedrey?”

At that moment, the parlor door opened, revealing Raphael elegantly drinking tea inside.

Raphael shamelessly greeted Cayena.

“It’s nice to see you here, Your Highness.”

Cayena was astounded. She laughed.

“…Yes. What a coincidence.”

‘How did he know that I would… Is Raphael really Annie’s master?’

She outwardly smiled at Raphael while eyeing him with suspicion.

“I’m quite surprised to meet you here at my maternal family’s home.”

Raphael serenely nodded. “I’m also surprised.”

His brazen lie was surprisingly careless. Olivia quietly swallowed a laugh and greeted Raphael, lifting the hems of her skirt.

“Greetings, Duke Kedrey.”

“It’s a pleasure, Miss Olivia.”

Their greetings were very basic.

The relationship between the two seemed like the relationship that Cayena had with her peers at work in her past life.

Their faces were familiar, so they just greeted each other as they passed by.

‘Raphael’s heart is focused on me alone…’

It was weird that their relationship was so dry, but Cayena also felt some relief. Anyway, there was something more important to ask right now.

“What are you doing here, Duke Kedrey?”

Raphael casually replied, “I came here to meet someone.”

Saying that, he naturally approached Cayena and extended his hand so he could kiss the back of hers.

Cayena knew well that she was the person he was talking about.

She obligingly granted her hand. Raphael held it not at her fingertips, but past them, at her palm.

It almost made her flinch.

Before long, his breath tickled the back of her hand, and Raphael gently pressed down his lips. Their gazes crossed in the air.

‘Really…’

Cayena suddenly felt like sighing.

It was because of his eyes. Raphael’s eyes when he looked at her were neither cold nor dull like they originally were.

They were an intense, dark, beautiful red.

When Cayena tried to take her hand back, Raphael lowered their hands while pretending to let go.

They were still touching, sharing warmth.

Clap!

Jonathan clapped his hands with a smile.

“Please wait a moment. I will escort Miss Catherine.”

Jonathan was delighted that the two most notable people in the capital were in his parlor.

He planned to casually stay in the parlor by escorting Catherine.

As Jonathan was leaving the parlor, Raphael guided Cayena with the hand he was still holding to a seat.

Cayena asked plainly, “Was it you?”

Was it he who placed Annie as a spy?

However, Raphael pretended not to understand.

“What are you talking about?”

Cayena didn’t fall for it. With a smile on her face, she gently reasoned, “You have no reason to come to the Hamel county.”

Raphael shrugged as if he didn’t know what she was referring to.

“I came to visit Ethel Hamel today.”

‘Why would he visit Ethel?’

Even if it was true that he came to see Ethel, he had no proper reason to do so.

Unless… Had he decided to support Ethel as the successor to the throne?

Cayena stopped to think while being led to a chair by Raphael. Sitting down, she looked up at Raphael.

His gaze met hers immediately, given that he had already been looking at her.

“Duke, why are you visiting Ethel?”

“That’s…”

Knock, knock.

Some servants entered through the threshold of the parlor.

Cayena and Raphael shut their mouths.

“Are there any nuts inside?”

Olivia asked a servant.

“Of course not.”

“Prepare some warm milk. And bring something soft for Her Highness to eat.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Olivia had deliberately drawn the servants’ attention away from the strange atmosphere by carefully looking over the refreshments.

Meanwhile, Raphael smoothly changed his seat to be beside Cayena.

Jonathan shortly returned with Catherine. They greeted Cayena formally; Catherine went down on one knee and bowed.

“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.”

Cayena quickly helped her up. “You’re an adult member of my maternal family; there’s no need for that.”

Jonathan chuckled and said magnanimously, “Yes, of course. We’re family!”

Catherine aloofly lowered her head slightly, this time greeting Raphael.

“Well met, Duke Kedrey. I am Catherine Hamel.”

“Well met. I am Raphael Kedrey.”

They all sat down.

Who knew when they were called in, but a band entered the parlor and began to perform.

It all felt like an elegant meetup planned well in advance. Perhaps that was why it was so easy to read Jonathan’s high expectations.

He and Count Hamel seemed to think that Cayena’s increased influence would help them.

They must have calculated she would visit Catherine and were using the opportunity to gain power and establish their prestige.

Cayena hid her derision.

Sadly for them, Cayena only needed the Hamels as a tool. She didn’t feel any special attachment to them.

The Hamels were too rotten to hold onto.

Catherine opened her mouth first.

“There have been so many things happening by Your Highness’s side that it’s worrisome. But I thank you for coming to visit me like this.”

“You’re my aunt now.”

They may now be relatives on paper, but it was still unusual that Cayena would treat her so familiarly.

Thus, Catherine was wary. Furthermore, it was strange that Raphael came to see Ethel.

A meeting between Duke Kedrey and her son could be seen as a new competitor for the throne, so she felt anxious.

When Catherine was contemplating these complications, Cayena began to speak.

“Is Ethel still at the academy?”

“Yes. It’s still class time. He should be back soon.”

Recently, Catherine had heard Ethel often talk about Cayena.

He said that she looked like him and had let him call her ‘sister.’

Catherine was also aware that Cayena had stood up for Ethel at the academy. She was grateful for that.

However, she questioned the princess’s intentions behind such kindness. Ethel and Cayena had never been close.

Their relationship was further complicated by Rezef, who came between them.

Cayena was able to take a guess at Catherine’s thoughts.

“Actually, I asked to visit you because I have a request.”

Jonathan’s eyes glistened like a knife as Cayena explained her business.

“Because I don’t have a mother or a nanny, I don’t have an adult who can help me with my coming-of-age.”

“You mean…”

“Aunt Catherine, please be my chaperone.”