Chapter 8: TWOCM

Chapter 8

When Reina returned after the banquet, a letter from the ducal estate had already arrived.

[ I will visit tomorrow morning. ]

The handwriting looked swift, as if scribbled in a single stroke—much like the duke’s personality.

The message, stripped of all embellishment and going straight to the point, seemed to carry an attempt at familiarity.

“So he really went to see the Emperor first for my sake.”

It made sense. It was far more efficient for him to deal with the Emperor directly than for her to do it herself.

Still, she hadn’t expected this level of consideration, so Reina felt a little dazed.

Thanks to that, she had also made an impression at the banquet and properly caught the attention of the imperial siblings.

Whether that attention would turn out to be good or bad, however, was still uncertain.

Reina wrote a reply expressing her anticipation for their meeting tomorrow and handed it to a maid.

And the next day, Kaiden arrived.

The sudden appearance of the Duke of Crencia caused quite a commotion in the princess’s palace.

“I-I didn’t expect you to come in person.”

Reina’s voice trembled slightly.

In contrast, Kaiden smirked as if the question was hardly worth answering.

“Then would you prefer I leave my fiancée in someone else’s hands?”

He then lightly kissed the back of her hand.

“Now there’s no need to meet in secret anymore. I came because I wanted to see you.”

The straightforward display of affection made the maids blush.

Reina was no exception.

Her face was already so red it looked ready to burst like an overripe apple.

‘I said we needed to deceive the Emperor… but I didn’t mean he had to go this far.’

Honestly, sending a carriage would have been more than enough.

But for someone as busy as him to come personally—

There was no doubt this would reach the Emperor’s ears.

Perhaps that was exactly his intention.

As Reina froze in place without responding, Kaiden leaned closer and whispered.

“Shouldn’t you at least react? I’m trying my best here.”

Unlike his earlier gentle tone, his voice now carried a sharper edge.

Reina snapped back to her senses.

“I… I wanted to see you too.”

She answered with a smile, and Kaiden gently guided her forward.

Passing the servants who kept glancing their way, Reina boarded the carriage and let out a deep breath.

Kaiden watched her quietly.

“Where did all that confidence from when you came to find me go?”

“Is that even comparable?”

“Doesn’t seem very different to me.”

“I’m just not used to receiving guests. No one has come to the palace I stayed in for years.”

At Reina’s honest answer, Kaiden slowly studied her.

According to Ben’s report, she had almost no public activity records for the past three years.

“So she was in seclusion?”

“No. It’s more accurate to say no one visited her. As is common for imperial children without maternal backing.”

That matched what Ben had reported.

Once her only support—her elder brother—went missing, she was effectively isolated.

What had she been thinking all those years?

He couldn’t fully understand it, but he could tell one thing: Reina’s visit had not been a whim.

“I want to leave this place.”

That look in her eyes had been desperate.

That was why she had gone so far as to meet the Emperor and stage this entire “performance.”

And now, with the appearance of the 1st-class Restricted Monster corpse, her claims had been partially validated.

Kaiden decided he would observe this strange and interesting princess a little longer.

More than anything, she had piqued his curiosity.

Dragons were unusually generous toward those who interested them.

And that alone made this situation entertaining.

“You’ll need to get used to it gradually. You have to put on this kind of performance for the Emperor to avoid suspicion.”

“Thank you. I didn’t expect you to go this far for me.”

“I simply decided that if we’re on the same side, I should treat you properly.”

Reina tilted her head.

“Was it because you wanted information about the spawning location of the Goreth? If its shed skin was found, it means it has already mated.”

She said it casually, and Kaiden’s brow twitched.

“That wasn’t exactly the reason I extended my goodwill.”

Of course, it couldn’t be said that there was no transactional element at all—but it had not been purely business.

According to Ben’s report, Princess Reina had been quietly mistreated within the imperial family.

So Kaiden had intended to show his face and make it clear she was under his protection while in the capital.

But Reina, unaware of his reasoning, tilted her head innocently.

“Oh? It wasn’t?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

When she asked so directly, Kaiden looked slightly exasperated.

He wasn’t the type to explain things in detail.

“Let’s just say I consider us allies now. That’s all. Do I really need a reason beyond that?”

“I see… I didn’t mean to question you. I just… haven’t received kindness like this before. It felt unfamiliar.”

Reina blinked, realizing she might have overreacted.

Even in her past life, Kaiden had sometimes acted like this.

And when she had failed to understand him, he had once said:

“If I thought it was necessary, I did it. If you still don’t get it, just accept it.”

His attitude hadn’t changed.

And neither had the fact that she still couldn’t fully understand him.

“Then get used to it from now on.”

“Pardon?”

“You’ll be receiving this kind of kindness more often.”

The carriage stopped.

Kaiden stepped out first and offered his hand.

Reina looked at the large hand for a moment, then cautiously placed hers in it.

It felt strange.

It was just a gesture to help her down—but somehow, it felt grounding.

Like a massive rock steadying her feet against crashing waves.

‘He’s really kind.’

Pure kindness, unchanged from before.

With him, maybe even this hellish palace wouldn’t feel so unbearable.

A strange sensation rose in her chest, and she pressed a hand over it.

Meanwhile, Kaiden gently held her small hand.

Her words echoed in his mind.

“I haven’t received kindness like this before.”

It revealed everything about her position.

A princess of noble birth—but one who had never truly been allowed to live as one.

Someone who had to doubt even the smallest kindness.

That alone made him care a little more than he intended.

“Welcome.”

Ben greeted her politely and led Reina to the sofa.

A dessert tray and tea had already been prepared.

Éclairs topped with various decorations and a chestnut Mont Blanc drew her attention.

The tea, warmed to the perfect temperature, gave off a rich aroma.

Reina sat awkwardly and sipped the tea.

“Do you not like sweets?”

Kaiden asked.

“No, I do. I was just wondering what to try first.”

“Then stop hesitating and eat.”

At his words, Reina immediately picked up a fork and cut into the Mont Blanc.

“!”

Her pale blue eyes sparkled.

The Mont Blanc melted softly in her mouth.