Chapter 32
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32.
Cassian Artez had always been genuinely devoted to treating me to fine dining, so I found myself looking forward to this evening as well.
The destination Cassian and I headed toward was a place I recognized.
It was Ilium, the imperial nobility's retreat situated roughly an hour's carriage ride from Duke Lopez's Estate.
A stream branching from the forest near the estate had widened into a substantial river that cut through the heart of Ilium.
As I descended from the carriage, the narrow riverbed broadened, revealing a dock capable of accommodating vessels of considerable size.
"It was not long after Roselita first arrived in the Capital City."
"Pardon?"
Cassian naturally stepped down from the carriage first and offered me his escort, then spoke.
"Back when Roselita still addressed me with formal courtesy, measuring every word with such care."
"Ah, yes."
I, now approaching a year and a half of service, responded with considerably less enthusiasm than I once would have.
Though he had every reason to be displeased, Cassian merely laughed as if delighted.
"You went on an inspection mission to a pleasure cruise where illegal narcotics were being trafficked."
"Oh, that's right."
The memory remained vivid, etched sharply in my mind.
It had been around my second month of service—when I was finally growing accustomed to work at the Winter Palace and drowning in duties, the very fear of the First Empress beginning to fade.
My superior had suddenly ordered me to prepare for a business trip.
Thus I arrived, after racing eastward from the Capital City for two solid days, at a vast inland lake rumored to resemble the sea at first glance.
Nobles and merchants with surplus wealth and time would often deploy quite sizable pleasure cruises upon that lake for their amusement.
"We even captured sorcerers in the process, so the haul was quite substantial."
And those sorcerers, having received partial remission of their fines and imprisonment, were being thoroughly ground down in service to Cassian's official duties.
"To think you'd recall that."
"...Is something happening on the pleasure cruise again today?"
"I distinctly said this was personal time."
Cassian gripped my hand firmly and gazed at me.
"I remember quite vividly how your eyes sparkled when you infiltrated that pleasure cruise."
That was when I had only recently escaped a life of austere simplicity.
"Yet you yourself have forgotten, showing interest in neither me nor your own self."
Cassian released a notably heavy sigh and guided me into the pleasure cruise moored at the dock.
As if they had been waiting, an attendant in uniform—simple yet bold in color—ushered us inside.
"I thought back then, I would take Roselita to a beautiful pleasure cruise someday."
That tender gaze left me momentarily speechless.
Rather than pressing for a response, Cassian showed me the thoughtfully appointed interior of the modest yet well-appointed cruise, and the serene landscape visible beyond.
"That spire rising over there is the main building of Duke Lopez's Estate."
"Wow...."
Though obscured by the dense forest canopy, the spire's silhouette was distinctive enough to recognize.
Cassian Artez skillfully adjusted my body's orientation, explaining the sights visible from the cruise ship.
I watched the vessel glide smoothly along the tranquil waterway for some time, and just as hunger began to stir, he guided me to the Restaurant aboard.
Only then did I realize something.
"...Did you perhaps charter the entire cruise ship?"
"Yes. I didn't want our time together to be interrupted."
"...You don't have some classified business matter you can't discuss with others, do you?"
Considering everything so far, that would make far more sense.
Cassian Artez was not the type to squander his personal wealth easily.
Moreover, he was the sort to minimize his escort, claiming it caused inconvenience to others.
In fact, only a handful of knights followed him invisibly on occasions like this—Cassian Artez despised ostentatious displays.
'Even in the original story, it was that way....'
During the romance arc, the original Cassian Artez never arranged anything extravagant for Roselita Salice.
To be precise, he simply couldn't visit famous spots where so many people gathered.
'One never knew when an assassin or kidnapper might emerge.'
The Church had even relentlessly interfered.
"My fiancée loves her work so dearly—surely I'm allowed to feel a little lonely?"
Cassian Artez instructed a server to bring appetizers with practiced ease, then met my gaze while resting his chin on his hand.
"That's not it—something like this can't be prepared in just one day."
"Why do you assume it can't be done? It's for my beloved fiancée."
"...Surely Your Majesty didn't go out of your way to find me here just because of me?"
Wasn't it only days ago that you said you could handle work alone and could grant me a vacation?
"Why do you think I wouldn't?"
"Pardon?"
"I might have petitioned His Imperial Majesty, saying I was dying to see my fiancée and would go on strike."
You?
Even the original Cassian Artez wouldn't do something like that.
As doubt crept in, I felt a chill run down my spine at the thought that this demonic version of Cassian Artez might actually be capable of it.
"Could it be that His Imperial Majesty is trying to favor House of Jamoti greatly regarding the recent exhibition matter?"
So you're rebelling against the Emperor out of irritation—exactly the sort of thing my superior would do.
"How exactly does Rose see me?"
"As a very capable, meticulous, and generous superior."
"Not as a ruthlessly hardworking demon who pays well and is generous only with money?"
Isn't that also a compliment?
As I looked at him with confusion, Cassian Artez let out a small laugh.
"Either way, it seems Rose doesn't have a bad impression of me, which is fortunate."
Cassian Artez gestured for me to eat the scallop dish with caviar that had arrived after the appetizers.
I carefully spooned some caviar onto a roasted scallop and placed it in my mouth.
The moment it touched my tongue, the rich flavor bloomed across my palate, and I was instantly transported to bliss.
"Is it delicious?"
"Absolutely!"
Though I did prefer beef, what did categories matter when something tasted delicious?
Seeing my face armed with honesty, Cassian Artez leisurely picked up his fork, took a bite of the tenderloin, and slowly opened his mouth.
"Coming here was pure chance, really."
"...I suppose so. I didn't expect to end up here either."
"Right. Though I'd call it fortunate. When I was suddenly summoned, I honestly wanted to throw tea in my older brother's face."
"You mean First Prince Charlie?"
Cassian Artez nodded with a bitter expression.
"Ashwood, my older brother's chief aide, conveniently happened to be away from his post."
Away from such a cushy position?
Remarkable—that Prospective Duke's sense of responsibility!
Unlike him, who managed work-life balance perfectly, I was constantly grinding away, so I couldn't help but feel envious.
Cassian Artez tapped the table to redirect my attention.
"In any case, people gather at places famous as resorts, and where people gather, mischief is easily plotted."
"That's true."
"About a year has passed, and apparently those mages are missing me again."
Ah, so those lunatics were manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs again.
"They're so cunning that without Ashwood's help, First Prince Charlie would have had difficulty resolving this, wouldn't he?"
"Right. That's why the First Empress brought it up during dinner last night."
Cassian Artez's lips curved into an oblique smile.
"Since it requires covert action, and my fiancée happens to be visiting Duke Lopez's Estate, isn't that perfectly convenient?"
Clang—
So startled by Cassian Artez's words, I dropped the fork I was holding.
The servant, who had stepped back to avoid overhearing our conversation, quickly replaced the fork and withdrew again.
"So it's as good as saying I came because of Roselita."
That mad First Empress dropped a major event right in the middle of my vacation!
And worse still....
A chill ran down my spine.
'Wilhelmina is being used.'
In the original story, Wilhelmina was exploited starting from the most trivial matters, and the damage snowballed ever larger.
"...Your Majesty, isn't this really similar to that cruise ship incident from last time?"
"For now?"
Cassian Artez saw my tense expression and added reassuringly.
Rarely did he misspeak.
"So you just enjoy your vacation leisurely. It's something I can handle alone."
And truthfully, I was delighted to spend this time with Roselita.
The sweet words Cassian Artez added out of habit went in one ear and out the other.
I knew I was worrying unnecessarily.
'This time, she just didn't want to burden First Prince Charlie with difficult tasks.'
Even knowing the First Empress lacked the resources and had no intention of attacking Cassian Artez or me because of the last war.
"Your Majesty, promise me something."
"Hmm?"
"If you ever feel I should be there, don't hesitate to call for me."
I couldn't ignore this premonition that coursed through my entire body, trembling with urgency.
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