Countess Elvira's intervention in this matter has indeed brought about a not bad change. From then on, everything became much easier than before.
First of all, at my request, a series of servants have been replaced. I don't know if the newly appointed people are really trustworthy or not, but at least they work very well.
The cleaning in the palace, which always made me uncomfortable, was carried out on a large scale, making the always noisy and messy atmosphere become much tidier.
The only thing is, the number of servants assigned to me is much more than what I requested. Luc Tuoc Palace, which was originally empty to the point of being quiet, now began to become noisy.
There should be more people with more vitality, but for some reason, compared to before, the silence is even thicker.
Watching them just purse their lips as they worked, not saying a word, to the point where I felt like the maids who were rude to me in the past were even better. At least they still have human breath.
It felt like someone was coming and going, there were eyes watching, but absolutely not a single voice was spoken. The eyes that constantly watched me almost made me suffocate.
The guards who actively made things difficult for Cesar were also replaced. The newly arrived knights said that they belonged to the Second Order of the White Rose Cross Knights, a knight order directly under the Queen, consisting only of descendants of hereditary nobles. The atmosphere they gave off was completely different from the previous guards.
Even though I don't know much, just looking at them I can understand that they are people with considerable strength. The restrained movements, the cold air typical of a person holding a sword, the body as solid as steel, and every movement are not superfluous at all.
"……It's OK."
Yet I was gripped by a terrible insecurity. Although compared to when he first entered the palace, the situation was clearly better now, but still.
Even though they were wearing iron armor, they still stood still, not making the slightest sound of metal touching. They observed us from all sides, nominally as guards but also as monitors.
If there were any signs of anything unusual, the eyes of those servants would immediately denounce my wrongdoing, and at that moment, the swords of these knights would point straight at me. A cruel paranoia keeps eating away at me little by little.
Perhaps the Queen already knows everything. That I'm taming Cesar with blood. Perhaps she planted someone here to find out that secret...
“Your Highness, your face is so pale.”
“I… it's okay.”
Delfina worriedly observed me and then applied a cold compress to her eye area. The cool feeling seeps into my skin, making me feel comfortable.
For several consecutive days of insomnia, my mind always felt like it was in a fog.
“It's really okay.”
I muttered as if reminding myself. Must stay awake.
The morning makeup session begins. Delfina covered my pale face with powder.
“Your Highness…”
She hesitated to speak. It's about the clothes that the Queen gave.
“Need something?”
“To adjust the clothes the Queen gives you, I need to take measurements.”
With this type of high-end clothing, unless completely new, it always needs to be adjusted to fit.
Delfina measured my dress yesterday and is gradually fixing it. But taking Cesar's measurements was difficult.
“What about Caesar?”
Delfina shook her head.
“Lady Aronzo tried to go in just now but couldn't.”
“Of course…”
The heavy footsteps of the new servants echoed as they cleaned the palace. Perhaps because there were more people, or because of the strange cold air that filled the space.
No, actually I don't know what the cause is.
Cesar has not left his room for several days. He doesn't eat or drink, nor does he sneak into my bedroom every night like before.
“I'll go see.”
Delfina slowly braided my hair and tied it with a ribbon. I didn't have the courage to wear the Queen's ceremonial clothes, so I just wore a simple robe embroidered with vine motifs before stepping out.
Thanks to that, I was able to see Cesar's room door from such a close distance for the first time. Mercedes is of course standing guard in front of the door. Not only her, but also the Queen's knights also blocked right in front.
As I walked forward, the leader of the White Rose Troupe quietly bowed his head to greet me.
“What about Caesar?”
When I asked that, Mercedes' face immediately wrinkled. Not only Cesar but also she reacted keenly to the changes in Luc Tuoc Palace. She looked extremely confused by all this.
“His Royal Highness refuses to step out.”
She was the one who was so happy to see Cesar more stable than before. But that means that if he becomes insecure again, she will also have to embrace the same insecurity.
“It's all because your highness did unnecessary things…”
She has vented her frustration on me many times. Mercedes' resentment and annoyance were directed more and more towards me.
“Did you really not predict it would turn out like this?”
She was harsh, as if she wanted me to take every word to heart.
“But… with Cesar…”
I gently licked my dry lips. Cesar needs this. That sentence still couldn't get past my throat.
Maybe everything I do is not for him but just for myself.
“Let me in.”
Immediately the knights stopped me. The leader of the hundred people stepped up and said:
“It's very dangerous.”
His voice was heavy. Because they were always silent, I even forgot they could speak. Turns out they still know how to open their mouths.
"It's OK."
But he shook his head even harder. Only then did I see his arm wrapped in bandages. The blood seeping out showed that the injury was quite deep. I had heard they were in conflict with Cesar, but seeing it with my own eyes was the extent of it.
"I don't know how many people have shed blood. People at this time are really dangerous."
I looked straight into their eyes. No matter what, they can't stop me.
“Let me in.”
When I touched the door latch after taking a deep breath, a tired sigh rang out behind me.
“If anything happens, we will rush in immediately.”
I nodded slightly and clasped my hands. The door opened, creaking.
Even though it was noon, the room was dark. The curtains covered the windows, but some were torn to let in some light. Every time the wind blows, the curtains move, the light inside shines brightly.
Gradually, my eyes got used to the darkness. Looking around, a soft moan escaped my throat.
The room was devastated. Every item, every piece of wallpaper was torn to pieces. Nothing remains intact. Long scar-like scratches and deep dents are present everywhere.
I slowly looked for him. Where has he gone? At that moment, a cold feeling like a light touch on my temple made me turn my head. And there he was.
Cesar cowered between the console table and the bed. He curled up so much that he looked like a balled block of clay.
I called softly:
“Cesar?”
He raised his head slightly. Those red eyes glowed cold and distant again, just like the first time we met.
“Are you okay?”
"UH."
He growled softly. When I tried to move a little further, he immediately backed up against the wall, leaving no room to retreat. I held out my palm to reassure him.
“I won't come any closer.”
Cesar stared at me, his whole body shaking violently. I slowly sat down. Broken pieces of wood were scattered all over the floor. I gently pushed them aside and adjusted my dress.
While I lowered myself to the floor, he focused all his attention on observing, as if if anything happened he would immediately rush up.
“Grrrr…”
So we return to the starting point. Just like the day he bristled at everything in the world, baring his teeth to the whole world.
The way he was frightened by nature, howling at the thunder and lightning... was not like a human being, but like a cornered animal.
I thought he was a little better. But maybe it's all just my illusion.
A slight increase in the number of people and a slight change in the environment were enough for him to become this sensitive. Can he endure a banquet?
The evening will be bright. The firelight shines day and night, so bright it hurts the eyes.
In the capital, burning incense has recently become popular. Incense smoke mixed with the smell of men's cigarettes and women's perfume will certainly fill the entire hall.
What about human voices? Noisy, noisy, furniture can fall, food can spill, laughter can echo. Can Cesar really take it?
Many emotions arose. Mercedes' eyes from earlier appeared in her mind again.
If it's true as you say, that it's all just my greed, then what should I do?
What if all I'm doing is making Cesar more miserable?