.jpg)
It was a room used as a drawing room.
What else could he do?
To keep Rozalina's influence on his side, he needed to appease her and send her back.
Mortega had a plausible excuse.
Mortega stared at Rozalina with nervous eyes.
"What did Your Highness, the Crown Prince say?"
Rozalina took out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from her eyes. As she removed the handkerchief, clear tears fell in drops.
"...Your Highness, the Crown Prince said that there is no need for you to go to the trouble of serving His Highness anymore."
At those words, Rozalina's face turned pale. Rozalina's lips trembled.
That can't be.
What was the reason she endured all the humiliation until now!
It was to encounter Cerden even once more. And her purpose was also to have tea with Cerden under the pretext of reporting about Evelyn.
Showing off herself, being compared to her next to Evelyn, was also one of the essential things to do.
She thought it was going well.
Rozalina, reflected in Cerden's eyes, was special, and his smile was Rosie's alone.
But why suddenly?
"...Did I do something wrong? Ah, did His Highness blame me for being away?"
Rozalina said, trembling.
"If that's the case, I'll meet Your Highness, the Crown Prince! Please let me meet him, Lord Mortega. I'll explain everything!"
Rozalina shed fragile tears. Her clear face gradually became wet.
Mortega's expression became affectionate.
He didn't know why Cerden was distancing himself from Rozalina. Rozalina was someone who could collapse so easily with just one word from Cerden.
Such deep affection could become an unconditional strength for Cerden.
'Your Highness, the Crown Prince should look after Lady Rozalina before she completely changes her mind.'
Count Carma's power was not something to be ignored. Count Carma was the long-time resident who had protected this place during the time Cerden was not in the center.
There were many people who had friendships with Count Carma. And that's not all. Count Carma had deep ties with merchants.
This was because Count Carma had a firm grip on the Ministry of Trade. All the wealthy people in the capital went through Count Carma.
And the fastest way to reach Count Carma was Rozalina.
Mortega once again calculated the situation and slowly exhaled. To appease Rozalina, his voice became even more affectionate.
"...That's not it, Lady Rozalina. He simply thought that you no longer need to do such difficult work."
"Difficult... work?"
"Yes. In fact, although you are a lady-in-waiting, haven't you been cleaning up after Your Highness, the Crown Princess's accidents all along?"
Rozalina glanced at Mortega through her handkerchief. Mortega's eyes were still shining towards Rozalina.
He had a captivated expression.
So did the voice that became especially kind only to Rozalina.
"Besides, His Highness judged that Lady Rozalina would be in danger since Her Highness had gone through such an ordeal."
Mortega said. It was also a statement to himself. Otherwise, Cerden's neglect of Rozalina could not be explained.
In Mortega's mind, the image of Cerden returning, holding Evelyn as if she were dying, was replayed.
A pale face.
A face that had lost its composure, as anyone could see. He could count on his fingers the number of times he had seen Cerden so disheveled while being with him.
'Does that mean she is that precious?'
Mortega shook off that guess.
No, it can't be. Cerden shouldn't be like that. Evelyn is not good for Cerden.
"Is, is that so?"
"Yes, Lady Rozalina. So, I think it would be best for you to return to your residence without worrying too much. The lockdown will be lifted soon."
Rozalina nodded with a clear face. As if she understood what he meant.
"Then, when can I meet Your Highness, the Crown Prince?"
"Once things are settled, Your Highness, the Crown Prince will surely call for you."
"Will he?"
"Yes, Lady. Of course."
Rozalina nodded. But Rozalina, who was pretending to be virtuous, was thinking something else.
'It's definitely that woman's fault.'
Stupid Evelyn.
That damned woman.
A woman who dared to crawl into the Imperial Palace in that state! If it weren't for Spelman, she wouldn't even be qualified to sit in that position!
Rozalina gnashed her teeth and swallowed her malice.
The image of Cerden with Evelyn kept popping up.
Evelyn standing side by side with Cerden. Cerden looking at Evelyn in a special way.
Everything that had been wavering like the spring sunshine came to her mind in a chain reaction.
He was clearly captivated by that woman.
Evelyn must have used some strange sorcery. Duke Spelman must have done it for his daughter.
Even for Cerden's sake, that woman must be removed from his side.
'It's for you, Cerden.'
Rozalina hid her true feelings, and Mortega, who was comforting her as she cried, left the room only after spending quite a long time with her.
It was enough time for Rozalina to fully enjoy Mortega's blushing and glancing at her.
It was when Mortega, who had ordered a servant he met in the hallway to take care of Rozalina, was leaving the banquet hall.
'Wait a minute.'
Mortega slowly looked around the banquet hall.
He recalled Rozalina, who had been shedding tears.
"But... she didn't seem to ask about Her Highness's well-being."
His chest turned cold.
No matter how much he thought about it, he had no memory of Rozalina mentioning Evelyn. Mortega clenched his fist.
It was strange.
It couldn't be.
Wasn't she known to be kind, caring, and good at taking care of people? Voices praising Rozalina could be heard anywhere in the capital.
But why.
'Could it be that Lady Rozalina is involved?'
The words he had said came to his mind. Mortega blankly looked at the banquet hall, then shook his head.
Mortega slapped his cheeks.
"No, that can't be."
She was the Crown Princess candidate that Mortega and the other Crown Prince's aides had unanimously picked out.
Mortega calmed his confusion and turned his body.
There was still a lot of work to be done.
* * *
Duchess Roger entered the palace in less than two hours. Ria greeted Cerden.
Until then, Cerden had been by Evelyn's side. The shock was great, and Evelyn was unable to wake up due to extreme fear.
She needed to rest more.
Ria examined Evelyn's complexion and spoke cautiously.
"I think you can be alone for a while. Can we talk outside?"
Cerden sighed and nodded. Cerden left the room with Ria.
They couldn't go far and were only in the hallway in front of the door. Cerden closed the door and ran his hand through his hair.
"It's chaos outside, but it's peaceful here. Is Her Highness alright?"
"...Yes. I heard the story."
"Yes. I heard a detailed explanation from the knight you sent. I brought three maids. They are maids I brought from my parents' home, so you can trust them."
"Thank you. I should also thank Dimiter."
Cerden said in a heavy voice. Ria sighed with a troubled heart.
"...Let's postpone that for later. I heard you were kidnapped. I don't need to know the details. But I know that Your Highness shouldn't be here right now."
"Ria."
"I know you called me here because you trust me. I will take care of her with the heart of caring for my own children. Please go quickly."
Ria smiled faintly.
"Go and catch those guys quickly, Your Highness. Don't miss a single one. They say the evidence disappears as time goes by."
Cerden turned his body and stared at the bedroom. Ria smiled faintly as she watched him hesitate.
She had such a thought.
'He's met his match.'
Cerden's life, which had been going on as he pleased, had come to a halt.
.jpg)