Chapter 22
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22.
"...Do you know what's inside this?"
How would I know?
At my bewilderment, Cassian Artez let out a hollow laugh and spoke.
"Unfortunately, I can guess exactly what a princess would be thinking."
Cassian sighed deeply as he said this.
His expression was oddly displeased.
'What is this? That look of displeasure toward Alexis Periander?'
I had never once thought their personalities were similar.
Cassian's temperament was far from ordinary, and I felt far too sorry toward Alexis Periander for such a comparison.
"Rose is being too harsh on me alone."
Since I was in front of Cassian Artez, I didn't bother hiding my expression, and he grumbled softly under his breath.
Who was being too harsh on whom?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Cassian gazed at me quietly, then grasped my empty hand and brought his lips to it with a soft kiss.
"I suppose I need to show my affection more generously from now on, if that's Rose's preference."
Even without a mirror, I could imagine my expression.
My eyes must surely be lifeless.
"...Pardon?"
"Weren't you envious of the day the princess whispered sweet words to my younger brother?"
The corners of his mouth curved upward diagonally.
"Why would you think that?"
"Because nothing else makes sense. I'm always doing my very best for Rose, am I not?"
His demeanor was confident, as though he had nothing to reproach himself for.
"I provide Rose with all the pretty things she likes, all the delicious food, all the wine in abundance. Is there anyone more sincere than me in filling your coffers?"
His playful expression transformed into seriousness in an instant.
Cassian Artez, still holding my hand, lifted himself up and drew close beside me.
"So the only thing I've failed to give Rose is perhaps my affection alone."
Of course, I displayed an utterly flabbergasted expression at those words.
"What you have already shown me is more than sufficient, Your Highness."
Far, far more than enough.
I pray that his cunning never grows sharper in such peculiar directions.
Recalling the original story, ugh...
That would be completely taboo.
At my earnest dissuasion, he squinted one eye slightly and released a low laugh.
"Very well, if my precious aide insists, then I, powerless as I am, have no choice but to comply."
*
The moment I opened the first envelope—the severance package that Alexis Periander had handed over—Cassian Artez's eyes grew melancholy.
"...Rose looks far too happy."
His expression suggested he'd been right to worry all along.
Of course, I made no effort to conceal my delight, regardless of his sadness.
"It's absolutely beautiful...!"
Alexis Periander truly did have impeccable taste.
The envelope she'd given me as severance contained three items.
One was a month-long residence permit for the Kingdom Capital, another was a temporary property transfer deed, and the last was a landscape painting that included a full view of the building.
It was a two-story building in the Kingdom Capital, situated slightly away from the bustling commercial district, but with excellent road access that made it convenient to reach anywhere.
The first floor housed a café, and even from the landscape painting alone, I could sense its charm—it seemed like the perfect place to spend leisurely hours while staying there.
The surrounding scenery was beautiful, and the second floor featured a two-bay style residence, making it absolutely ideal for a month-long stay.
"...Your face says you want to leave for the Kingdom right this instant, Rose."
Cassian Artez spoke while draped across his desk, lifting his head slightly to gaze at me with a sullen expression.
Even so, this was in front of my superior—perhaps I was being too obvious.
I cleared my throat and composed myself.
"Of course, a month-long stay in such a beautiful place is something I've always wanted to experience."
If I'm going to do this, I might as well commit fully!
He'd teased me relentlessly every single time.
I couldn't let an opportunity like this slip away.
As I turned to face Cassian Artez with a triumphant expression, he quietly rose to his feet.
"You're really going to the Kingdom, Rose?"
"Whenever my circumstances permit, absolutely."
"Leaving me behind...?"
As he spoke, he pitifully lifted another document I hadn't paid attention to and continued.
"That is..."
It was none other than the temporary property transfer deed.
Should I ever feel inclined to reside in the Kingdom, the condition was that he would secure a position for me as the Princess's aide and transfer the attached building to me.
"You've always wanted to go to the Kingdom, Rose. Your parents have too."
Cassian Artez's expression turned forlorn.
He closed the distance between us, then leaned his head against my shoulder with a soft touch, whispering.
"But I can't function without you. Will you really leave me behind?"
How underhanded.
He knew full well I had no such intention, yet here he was, deliberately playing weak with me.
Or rather, he was being deliberately pathetic.
"...You're not even truly frightened, are you?"
As I grumbled, a deep sigh escaped from him.
"You really don't understand, Rose."
He pressed his forehead lightly against my shoulder.
"It's me."
My heart gave a light flutter.
"How long I've waited for you, how much I've longed for you."
At his deep, tender voice, I found myself holding my breath without thinking.
It sounded so genuinely sincere.
His heart, which always slipped away behind a veil of jest, seemed to be bleeding through in this moment alone.
"...Where would I go?"
It was always Cassian Artez who shattered such moments with his playfulness.
Seized by an inexplicable fear, I spoke first.
"My precious salary is here."
Please, I silently begged, break this tension.
He slowly lifted his head to gaze at me.
Several seconds passed.
A soft smile bloomed across his face as his serious eyes studied mine.
"That's right—everything you love is here."
He took my hand and pressed a kiss to my ring finger, dispelling the heavy atmosphere.
"Your dependable salary, wine, delicious food. And of course, my beautiful face."
His voice was utterly playful, as if apologizing for teasing me so much.
*
Of course, I took my revenge on Cassian Artez.
By gently stroking his foot.
I coaxed every exaggerated complaint from him, feigning pain until my mood improved slightly, and opened the second envelope.
And when that second envelope was opened.
"The First Empress truly is sincere only in pursuing her own interests."
The playful atmosphere between Cassian Artez and me evaporated in an instant.
It was because of the contents of the letter Alexis Periander had left behind.
The Anden Kingdom was renowned for commerce, but it was equally famous for its artistic endeavors.
While the Empire structured its nation around the aristocracy, they illuminated talent and character over social status for the sake of national interests.
As a result, a nation that had been a duchy a hundred years ago strategically absorbed the territories of surrounding smaller nations and expanded into a kingdom.
When talent gathered, money flowed, and when money flowed, it was natural for eyes to turn toward luxury goods and art.
Thus, the Anden Kingdom possessed considerable depth in theater, exhibitions, and similar pursuits.
'They even conduct exchange exhibitions with the Empire from time to time.'
The Empire, with its deep history, possessed numerous relics and historical sites, generating substantial tourism revenue from them.
While House of Jamoti, the First Empress's natal family, was the most expansive operator in that field, it was hardly surprising that they coveted exhibition rights.
Reading what Alexis Periander had left behind, I suddenly found myself reflecting that perhaps I had been a touch too harsh with Cassian Artez.
After all, Alexis Periander had given him a proper acknowledgment in return.
As I gazed at Cassian Artez intently, he looked back at me with an expression that seemed to ask whether I now understood his grievance.
When I lowered my head slightly in embarrassment, a soft chuckle escaped from him.
"...Instead, allow me to be your shield."
I had often stood in for him, after all.
It was my own way of apologizing.
"No, Rose."
Cassian Artez spoke in a soothing voice as he gently caressed the line between my jaw and cheek.
"Yes?"
My ruthless superior, who had often deliberately put me forward when dealing with troublesome nobles, was refusing?
As I stared at him in surprise, Cassian Artez opened his mouth as though it were obvious.
"How could I possibly expose my delicate Rose to the First Empress's sharp fangs?"
...But you've been doing exactly that all this time, haven't you?
Or was that merely my imagination?
At my bewildered expression, he smiled faintly.
"And the Princess has even declared war like this."
Cassian Artez emphasized the final passage Alexis Periander had left, his voice dropping to a low murmur tinged with a subtle killing intent.
"I must properly demonstrate my affection for you."
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