Episode 106
Everything Cesar said felt unreal.
Was this a dream? Would I wake up and kick my blankets in embarrassment?
I pinched Cesar’s cheek, and he winced.
“So it’s not a dream?”
I was speechless, still in disbelief. Cesar, as if asking me to stop, said,
“It hurts when you keep pinching me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Cesar.”
I hurriedly removed my hand and nervously looked around, avoiding his gaze. Realizing it wasn’t a dream made my face burn.
As I fidgeted, waiting for him to leave, Cesar, after looking at me for a moment, teased me playfully,
“Your ears are bright red.”
‘He’s still teasing me at a time like this.’
“…Whatever. Just… have a safe trip.”
I replied curtly, and Cesar chuckled.
“I will, Lily.”
His words made my heart flutter. A smile spread across my face, and a giggle escaped me. It felt like it had been a long time since I had smiled so purely, without any worries about the future.
Of course, after Cesar left, I was subjected to the intense scrutiny of the servants.
I should have been angry at Cesar for saying such things in front of the servants and knights, knowing what would happen, but… I couldn’t bring myself to dislike it.
Everything he did seemed perfect now.
‘Ah! This isn’t the time. I have to find something to give him when he returns…’
I couldn’t just sit here, dazed, after practically receiving a proposal. And now that I was human, the possibilities were endless.
Cesar erased the smile he had shown Lily and was lost in thought.
‘What is the Empress planning?’
Even his information network couldn’t find anything. She was incredibly cautious.
What was she planning that made her so wary and secretive? At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if a bloody conflict broke out during the hunting competition.
‘Even if the Crown Prince is taking precautions…’
Considering that some of the foreign delegations had expressed their intention to participate in the hunting competition, he had to be careful to prevent any misunderstandings that might escalate into a diplomatic dispute.
‘In a fight between someone with a lot to protect and someone with nothing to lose, it’s usually the former who’s at a disadvantage.’
All the Empress wanted was the throne for her son; she didn’t seem to be thinking about the aftermath.
And her son, the Second Prince, was obsessed with scheming and plotting to gain the throne, showing no concern for the Empire.
That’s why some of the neutral faction, anticipating the Empire’s downfall if the Second Prince became Emperor, had sided with the Crown Prince.
He also knew that the Seirthe Marquisate had become one of the Crown Prince’s supporters at that time. Although they would eventually fall from grace due to their greed for power.
‘More accurately, they paid the price for harming Lily.’
Cesar’s eyes flashed with a murderous glint.
Those who annoyed him, like Prea Seirthe, would also be attending today’s banquet.
He would have to wait and see what they wanted, but if they tried to take Lily, he wouldn’t stand idly by.
He didn’t want to see her hurt by someone else again, while he couldn’t protect her. He didn’t want to lose her bright smile.
She was the woman he loved, and now, his future fiancée.
What lovely words would Lily say to him on the day they promised to spend their lives together?
‘I feel the same way, Cesar. I want to be by your side. As your fiancée, and… as your wife, whispering words of love.’
Her easily angered lips would curve into a smile, and her eyes would soften with affection. Her hair would flow like waves, captivating his gaze.
Like a beautiful seashell found on a white sandy beach, she was like a lucky charm to him. She had not only fluttered into his heart and made a nest there, but she had also stolen it completely.
Since Lily would be attending the hunting competition, he had to observe the atmosphere at today’s banquet and gather information.
Cesar, stepping out of the carriage, stood before the Imperial Palace banquet hall where the foreign delegations were gathered. A knight standing guard noticed him and announced his arrival.
“Duke Cesar Clovis is entering.”
Although the atmosphere was cautious due to the presence of foreign dignitaries, there was a sense of unease among the Empire’s nobles. He saw several glances directed at him.
‘A sudden shift in power. It’s only natural for the nobles to be calculating which side to choose for their own benefit.’
It irritated him.
Cesar, wiping the polite smile off his face, coldly scanned his surroundings. He saw some flinch and avert their gazes.
‘So they’re aware of the current situation within the Imperial Palace. What about the foreign countries?’
The kingdoms bordering the Empire seemed to be aware of the situation and were just maintaining a polite facade, and some, seemingly oblivious, were preparing to dance.
Those oblivious countries would soon learn about the Empire’s situation and would refrain from acting rashly, so there was no need for him to be concerned about them.
‘The Holy Kingdom is the only one that bothers me.’
They were strangely quiet. They weren’t interacting with others, just staying in their designated area.
But looking closely, he saw their eyes darting around, as if searching for something.
‘Are they looking for Lily?’
Cesar narrowed his eyes.
But it was just a suspicion. He wasn’t certain that they were looking for something in the Empire, or that it was Lily, even if they were.
“Annoying.”
If the Holy Kingdom wasn’t so heavily fortified, known as an inviolable territory, he would have burned it all to the ground.
Cesar clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Feeling like he wouldn’t gain anything by staying here, he walked towards the balcony. And someone naturally followed him.
Cesar, already knowing who it was, spoke playfully,
“Aren’t you worried about rumors spreading? You’re following me, Sylvia.”
“It’s fine. I had a fight with the Crown Prince.”
She was smiling as usual, but there was a tension in her forehead.
He quietly nodded, not wanting to provoke her, and Sylvia approached him.
“I was looking for you because I have something to ask, Cesar.”
“Ask what?”
“The Crown Prince said he would involve Lily in the hunting competition. Did you agree to that?”
Sylvia’s eyes, looking at him, were sharp, like she was facing an enemy.
“I did.”
Sylvia’s voice rose at his answer.
“Why?! Don’t you care about Lily? It hasn’t even been long since she was kidnapped by the Seirthe Marquisate, and now…!”
“Lily wanted it.”
“What?”
“She said she worries about me, just like I worry about her. So she wants to be by my side, even if it’s a dangerous place.”
Sylvia’s sharp tone softened. And a low voice followed,
“Lily always prioritizes others over herself. And she likes you, Cesar. I wish she was more selfish sometimes…”
Sylvia’s lips trembled, hurt by Lily’s choice.
Cesar had also thought the same thing. If she were just selfish and only thought about herself, she wouldn’t have fallen into that trap.
But he knew that wasn’t Lily.
“I also wish she were, but Lily won’t change. You know that, having seen her all this time.”
He was captivated by her warmth, her constant worry for others. And Sylvia felt the same way.
“Of course I know. That’s why I like her. But you could have refused…”
“She always smiles and reaches out, melting my heart. What right do I have to ignore her wishes?”
Sylvia was speechless. She knew she couldn’t have ignored Lily’s wishes either, in that situation.
Sylvia reluctantly gave in and said,
“Cesar, I’ll look after Lily during the hunting competition. She’ll be waiting with the other noble ladies.”
“Thank you.”
With their necessary conversation concluded, Sylvia walked towards the balcony door. Then, she stopped and said,
“Your Grace, even if I’m in danger and can’t look after her, you must find and protect Lily, no matter what.”
Now that their conversation could be overheard, Sylvia spoke formally. Cesar replied in kind,
“I’ll make sure she’s safe. She’s my priority, Lady Veronica.”
Sylvia finally smiled brightly and turned around. Cesar, watching her retreating figure, knew she would return to the Crown Prince.
He would have coveted her light before, but now, he had another warm light embracing him.
Now, he wanted to cherish and protect the light that made him smile. He cherished that playful light that would approach him, pouting and complaining, even after his teasing.
But he couldn’t indulge in such sentiments now.
He had to track the Second Prince, who wasn’t present at the banquet, and before that, he had to deal with the annoying man who had appeared before him.
“What brings you here, Heron Lovisiel?”