Chapter 62
Hugo’s long legs and agility shone once again.
In an instant, he dashed to the door and blocked the office entrance with his body. The door, which had been slightly ajar by about a centimeter, slammed shut with a thud. He then clicked the lock into place and moved only his lips.
“Cover the box!”
Marien quickly shut the box’s lid. She draped a large cloth over it, disguising it as a round table. Hugo ran over and straightened the cloth that had shifted to one side.
“Assistant Didi…?”
Vaileon’s tone had changed.
“Is something wrong?”
“Uh… ah, no! Nothing’s wrong. Could you wait just a moment?”
Marien looked at Hugo. She had to lower her voice so Vaileon wouldn’t hear.
“But what exactly did we do that made us lock the door?”
“Why are you asking me?”
Hugo glanced sideways at the door.
“I’m not trying to pick a fight in this situation, but… what the assistant just said sounded a little odd. You should be careful with your word choice in front of Sir Vears.”
“What should I do…”
Marien nervously bit her nails. Every excuse that came to mind seemed inappropriate. Eventually, the four words “Hugo fired” filled her thoughts.
“…I remembered.”
“What is it?”
“A surprise gift, maybe?”
“Not a bad idea. I’ll open the door.”
Hugo, having heard just that much, immediately opened the door. Marien met Vaileon awkwardly, standing beside the desk. The cramped office felt unusually busy today.
“Sir Vears, what brings you here?”
Marien asked brightly. Vaileon’s gaze moved from her face and head to Hugo.
‘My face and Hugo, fine… but why my head?’
Marien subtly brushed her hair behind her ear while pretending to check her hair.
It wasn’t completely messy, just a bit disheveled.
‘I guess I messed it up running around by myself.’
Hopefully, Vaileon wouldn’t form any strange suspicions.
“I have urgent business with Assistant Didi, so you should step out.”
“Understood.”
Hugo glanced briefly at Marien. His eyes revealed a mix of guilt, concern, and unhidden relief at leaving her alone.
‘I’m glad I can escape.’
Marien returned a look that wished him happiness in his own way. Indeed, it was probably better for Hugo not to be in front of Vaileon right now.
‘Still, as a fellow salaryman, I feel some camaraderie. I’ll look the other way this once…’
Hugo bowed to both of them and left the office, not forgetting to close the door politely behind him.
Click.
Now, the cramped office held only Marien and Vaileon.
“You said you had something to discuss with me?”
Vaileon’s eyes landed on the box under the cloth. Marien steadied herself, deciding not to speak before being asked.
“The Fourth Princess requests your presence.”
“Me?”
Marien’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
She tried not to glance at the box in the corner.
‘It can’t be…’
Even with informants everywhere, the palace was vast. Could the news of her fiancé’s affair already have reached Odette’s ears?
‘I’m sane. This is an affair? I’m innocent!’
She imagined spitting toward Cain’s quarters.
Marien also remembered Hugo’s advice: be careful with word choice, especially in front of Odette.
“The messenger didn’t give me all the details.”
“Even a hint would have helped…”
“Don’t worry too much. This time, we were both called. I’ll help.”
Vaileon smiled reassuringly. Marien wanted to rely on him completely but felt too self-conscious.
“Marien.”
“Yes?”
“You should fix your hair again.”
◇ ◆ ◇
She wanted to disappear.
Marien thought this as she entered the Fourth Princess’s reception room. Odette was not alone.
Her fiancé, the Duke of Blackwood, who had sent an expensive gift to another woman just a few hours ago, sat beside her.
When Marien met his gaze while he nonchalantly sipped his tea, her mind went blank.
‘He didn’t actually tell her through me, did he?’
Until her goal was achieved, she would act according to the contract and support Blackwood’s schemes. The timing aside, she would inevitably claim Marien Didi. Gifts like jewels and dresses had already been sent.
‘Sounds crazy, but with him, it’s possible!’
Let’s assume Cain already did it. How would Odette see him now? Would she view him as a troublemaker who disrupts men’s discipline?
Marien studied Odette’s reaction, but the princess’s icy, statue-like expression gave nothing away.
“Vears greets the Fourth Princess.”
Vaileon spoke politely beside her. Marien quickly followed suit.
Unlike Vaileon, who bowed with his hand over his chest, Marien had to bend her knees halfway. Thankfully, today, the invisible force that had pressed on her shoulders during their first meeting wasn’t present.
‘I can’t do this often.’
Even without the pressing force, it was still hard. Marien thought sadly of her poor knee cartilage.
‘I should either minimize my official visits or gain a title and higher status.’
“My knees… my thighs… they’re breaking.”
“You may relax, Vears.”
“Thank you.”
Relieved, Marien tried to stand, but a calm, sharp voice stopped her.
“Did I ask you to rise, Assistant Marien Didi?”
Immediately, she bent her knees again, bowing her head.
“You never fail to maintain good posture. You could occasionally visit my palace and demonstrate to the young maids.”
“That’s kind of you.”
Odette’s lips curved slightly.
“You still respond without losing a word. I was teasing you. Now rise.”
If she were teased twice, her legs would break.
Only then did Marien straighten up, ignoring Cain, who was calmly observing as if he were just a bystander.
Odette spoke again.
“Vears, relax. I was teasing my people. Do you already dislike me?”
Marien instinctively looked at Vaileon, who stood slightly ahead of her. His expression was stiff.
“How could I ever dislike Your Highness?”
“Shall I bring a mirror so you can see his expression?”
“No, let’s get to the main point.”
Vaileon cut her off with a calm tone.
“What brings you here?”
“There will be news from the Crown Prince soon.”
Odette’s gaze shifted to Marien.
“I want to discuss the next steps with the person who devised a brilliant plan.”
Odette gestured to the seats. Marien and Vaileon sat opposite her.
Could there be a more uncomfortable four-person setup?
The maid served tea for the newcomers. Marien hurriedly brought her cup to her lips. At least while drinking, she didn’t need to speak.
A sugar bowl slid in front of her.
Who would do such a thing among the three?
Of course, Cain Blackwood. It had to be him.
Marien wanted to add a spoon of sugar to her tea but couldn’t touch the bowl because of Cain.
“The milk is here, Assistant.”
He seemed determined to intervene. Right beside Odette and Vaileon, he acted boldly. And he used formal speech, of all things. Ridiculous.
“On behalf of the Duke, I thank you.”
Vaileon took the sugar bowl, opened the lid, and carefully scooped sugar with a tiny spoon.
“Marien.”
Vaileon called her name kindly. She, in a daze, lifted her cup. Snow-white sugar fell into the red tea, dissolving gracefully.
“How well it dissolves…”
She wished she could become transparent like the sugar and escape.
“A bit more?”
Vaileon asked. Marien shook her head.
“Then the milk?”
“I’ll do it.”
Smiling faintly, Marien reached for the cute little milk jug. She should have felt smooth ceramic, but her fingers brushed against Cain’s instead.
Startled, she pulled back. Cain said shortly:
“Tea cup.”
He meant to pour the milk and have her hold the cup. Marien feigned a sudden change of mind, but Cain ignored her.
“Assistant, the cup?”
With only the three of them present, she could have poured the tea over his head.
She realized she shouldn’t delay further. Clenching her anger, Marien held the cup toward Cain.
“More?”
“No, thank you.”
Now, she didn’t even dare look at Odette.
What should she do with these men’s insane mind games? Doing this in front of Odette made her heart shrink in real-time.
‘Everyone, please leave. I want to be alone. If not, let me go alone!’
She was drinking to moisten her dry lips but wasn’t sure where the tea ended up going.
“You’re all quite kind.”
Odette, who had been quietly observing the three, finally spoke.
“The Crown Prince’s court lacks manners and is fundamentally different.”
She sought Marien’s agreement.
“Isn’t that so?”
“Yes. I think it’s the unity that will secure the ultimate victory.”
Marien mumbled anything to get through the situation.
“Your Highness, what news do you expect from the Crown Prince? The public library project seems completely hopeless now.”
“Basically. By the end of today, all traps will be in place.”
Marien tried to shift the topic, but Cain suddenly stood.
“This discussion seems somewhat boring to me, so I’ll take my leave. You can inform me of only the finalized decisions later. As always, the Blackwood family funds Your Highness’s plans.”
Not a brilliant plan, Cain added, glancing at Vaileon with his blue eyes.
He lightly held Odette’s hand, kissed her white hand, a normal farewell to a fiancée.
“Then, goodbye.”
Turning away from Odette, Cain gave Vaileon a perfunctory nod.
The problem came next.
Without a word, Cain winked at Marien as he passed. It was audacious, shameless, and absurd.
Even as he left the reception room, Marien couldn’t fully comprehend what had just happened.
Ugh annoying.. i thought she knows not to keep secrets from villeon in order not to create misunderstandings.. why can’t she just tell him!??