Chapter 17
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17.
It seems you've already monopolized me quite thoroughly through contract, haven't you?
Both my professional time and even portions of my private hours...?
If anything, I have even less time to myself.
As I regarded him with questioning eyes, Cassian Artez whispered low.
"You're lost in thought again, Rose."
Truly, he was a supernatural superior.
I resolved to willingly participate in Cassian Artez's performance.
Just imagining the mountain of work that would accumulate if I stepped away for even a moment...!
I couldn't afford to lose any more of my precious private time.
Besides, Cassian Artez and I were supposed to be lovers, after all.
Even if no one actually believed it....
With consistent effort, some people would eventually accept it as truth.
"You say such excessive things—surely you don't mean to say you've forgotten I've already given myself entirely to Your Highness?"
I answered as calmly as possible, drawing upon dialogue I'd read in romance novels over time.
"It's simply that there are far too many who covet you for me to ignore."
Cassian Artez brought his lips to the back of my hand, then turned his head toward Alexis and spoke.
"Indeed, I cannot fault my Rose for this. How could it possibly be her fault that Princess Alexis harbors such desires?"
I was truly grateful that today's final dessert was a tart grapefruit sorbet.
Otherwise, the sweetness of his words might have become rather overwhelming.
Yet despite Cassian Artez's saccharine remarks, Alexis responded with evident delight.
"Since the Prince speaks so modestly, I find myself all the more curious. I won't make such an unreasonable demand as to ask you to abandon your betrothed entirely."
Alexis straightened her posture and continued.
"During my stay in the Empire—approximately one month—I wish to have your aide at my side. Of course, this is no mere curiosity."
Alexis's gaze sharpened.
"As the heir to the Anden Kingdom, I wish to understand her for the future. Is there any better way to know a person than by observing those whom they value most?"
Unlike the hesitation she'd displayed before me, Alexis presented her proposal with utmost seriousness.
Even Cassian Artez's violet eyes grew cold.
"You speak boldly."
"I am not without perception."
Alexis laughed softly at Cassian Artez's words and replied lightly.
Had the First Empress heard this conversation, she would have raged about why Cassian Artez was valued more highly than the First Prince.
I remained silent without adding any words, yet I sensed what decision he would make.
"That statement applies to me as well, does it not, Princess Alexis?"
"Of course."
Indeed, he was quite an admirable superior.
To think he'd bring along someone to shoulder even a fraction of this infernal burden in my stead...!
Yet as I entertained the thought, a peculiar sensation stirred within me.
"I'll come to collect you tomorrow, Miss Salice."
With his objective achieved, Alexis departed the Winter Palace with a remarkably refreshed expression.
And I—
"You'll come to regret this, Your Highness. Losing such a capable aide as myself."
I found myself grumbling petulantly at Cassian Artez.
Even though I knew full well I could spend the next month in far more leisurely working conditions than these.
"Rose, you don't know me at all."
What? At least humor me a little in moments like this...!
With that sentiment, I turned my head, and Cassian Artez leaned close to my shoulder, whispering softly.
"I'm already regretting it."
My body stiffened at his low voice.
Surely he meant nothing by it. He couldn't have.
Yet somehow I found myself pitying him, reaching out to pat his shoulder gently.
Soon a deep sigh escaped from him.
"...How will I manage all these tasks without Rose?"
At those sincere words, I patted his shoulder with even greater compassion.
"Ow, that hurts, Rose."
It was genuinely meant as encouragement.
*
"Hello, Miss Salice."
Alexis had come to fetch me as promised.
"...Good morning, Your Highness."
Though the location was hardly the Winter Palace Office, but rather the front of my residence.
It was truly an incongruous sight.
Despite being reasonably close to the Imperial Palace, the street was lined with well-appointed townhouses, modest though they were.
'The disparity in grandeur is quite striking.'
The carriage she'd brought was none other than the one used for the ceremonial procession upon arrival.
As I gazed at it with a vacant expression, Alexis burst into hearty laughter.
"You seem displeased—I thought First Prince Cassian Artez would employ something more elaborate to lure you in."
When I lifted my head at her words, Alexis smiled, drawing her firm lips upward.
Soon after, she took my hand and helped me aboard, then promptly set the carriage in motion and spoke.
"You're looking at me as though you believe First Prince Cassian Artez chose you for that reason alone."
I neither affirmed nor denied her statement.
Alexis hadn't been a significant character in the original work, so I didn't know her particularly well, but something told me this was the wisest response.
"I'm consciously trying not to do that. This position tends to narrow one's perspective rather quickly."
Alexis crossed her long legs and shrugged her shoulders.
"Therefore, Miss Salice, you needn't provide me with an answer. My ability to discern is a quality of my own."
I met her wine-colored eyes before quietly lowering my gaze.
How considerate of her to remind me, without being asked, that I was technically a foreigner and should remain vigilant.
This woman was more impressive than I'd anticipated, and moreover....
"You're very kind, Your Highness."
"Your character is equally admirable. In the Empire, I was surrounded by those who sought to misinterpret me."
Alexis exhaled softly and tousled her own hair.
So this had been a test directed at me as well.
She'd wanted to see what sort of person I was, and perhaps she'd wanted to conduct a kind of recruitment examination.
I relaxed my stiffened shoulders and spoke to her with confidence.
"Though the duration is brief, I have been appointed as Your Highness's aide. For that reason, I shall conduct myself so as not to cause you fatigue."
At my words, the corners of Alexis's mouth lifted further.
She softened the corners of her eyes and spoke with playful intent.
"Don't perform too flawlessly. I wouldn't want to commit a diplomatic breach."
At that, I felt deeply reassured.
It meant she was quite pleased with the brief impression I'd given.
*
If working with Cassian Artez had been hellfire, assisting Alexis was manageable—merely the mortal realm.
'Leaving on time every single week...! In a situation like this.'
Though I'd supposedly received a handover from Cassian Artez, I couldn't fathom what he'd told them—they were taking two-hour lunch breaks.
Even stranger, while the other aides ate in the official cafeteria, I always dined separately with her, enjoying full-course meals.
"We're destined to become family, aren't we? Of course things must be different."
I'd thought that coming here, at least with other aides present, I might finally experience something resembling workplace camaraderie.
That never materialized.
Well....
Still, the work environment wasn't unpleasant.
Everyone was professionally courteous, and none of them were the type to create unnecessary friction over duties.
Perhaps the most taxing aspect was one of the nobles who'd followed His Highness Alexis—he'd grumble whenever he saw me.
Since nobles grumbling at me was practically routine, it barely grated on my nerves.
Contrary to my concerns, working with His Highness Alexis proceeded smoothly.
By working directly here, I could also process matters entangled with Cassian Artez more swiftly.
And, well....
I wasn't actually leaving on time.
Because I couldn't stop worrying about him.
6:15 p.m.
As I quietly entered the Winter Palace office, Cassian Artez's brow furrowed slightly, while Alexis's aide—suffering under the grueling workload in my stead—wore an expression on the verge of tears.
"Oh, you've arrived, Aide Salice...!"
He couldn't even set down his pen, continuing to write as he turned toward me with a desperate expression.
"Go on, His Highness is asking for you."
He's telling you to leave work.
At my words, the aide's face brightened with gratitude as he hurriedly organized his documents and rose from his seat.
Alexis must have sent someone carefully chosen—his work ability was excellent.
Habitually, I settled into the chair, reviewed the day's task summary left by the other aide, and picked up my fountain pen.
Then Cassian Artez stood and tapped my desk lightly.
"...Rose seems genuinely kind only to everyone except me."
"Aren't you being treated with considerable kindness, Your Highness?"
"I can't say it's not considerable."
"It's just ordinary, Your Highness."
Truth be told, I'd skipped the first day—I'd wanted to enjoy the freedom of leaving on time.
But then the aide who'd thrown himself into this inferno in my place looked anxious, and Cassian Artez's golden hair had rarely lost some of its luster....
So I couldn't help but come back.
It wasn't as though I'd never return to this position anyway.
"If you're grateful for my kindness, then prepare something very spicy for tonight's stew."
The meals Alexis prepared were wonderful, but they felt too overwhelming—now my stomach craved something fiery.
It seemed my K-palate was inescapable, even if my body had changed.
As I thought this and was about to begin working in earnest.
Click.
Cassian Artez lifted my left arm and fastened a bracelet around my wrist.
It was an exquisite piece—multiple strands of delicate gold filigree, and at its center lay a violet gemstone that....
'It's imbued with magic.'
Why on earth would he give me something like this?
"I'll have them prepare a spicy stew. Once you've eaten, you're free to leave. Rose."
Did I just hear what I think I heard?
This scheming demon.
He's... letting me go?
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