The Villainess is a Marionette

Chapter 68

There was nothing as upsetting as the pain of what one wanted most being snatched away. She would take the throne from Rezef like she had put the blade on her cheek in front of Henverton.

Cayena went straight to the emperor.

“I feel anxious because there are so many things to do before my coming-of-age celebration,” Cayena said.

As usual, she had made snacks for the emperor. Also as usual, she sent some to Rezef.

Therefore, on the surface, it seemed that everything was normal. It was only Cayena’s heart that changed.

“I’d like to visit the temple.”

Emperor Esteban took a sip of the watery pumpkin soup. Curious, he asked, “The temple?”

It was unexpected. A temple, at this time? Cayena was not a devout believer.

She answered politely, “I heard that there is a miraculous temple, so I want to give a donation there. I’ve heard good things about it.”

Temples often conducted business in that manner. Usually, noble ladies leaned on such power to pray for an easy delivery or a good marriage for their children. The emperor didn’t know his daughter believed in such things.

‘Recently, there has been a lot of pressure on her.’

It would also look good to outsiders if Cayena visited the temple to purify her body and mind.

“That sounds nice.”

Cayena smiled and hugged the emperor lightly.

“I will pray for your majesty’s recovery.”

The emperor subconsciously smiled at her lovely behavior.

It was good that his daughter was smart, but it was also a great pleasure to see her act so cute.

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

Having achieved her purpose, Cayena bowed gracefully and left the emperor’s chambers. She turned to Vera.

“Prepare my clothes in advance. I think I’ll go simply with one servant.”

“Excuse me?”

Vera was startled.

“Isn’t that too simple for your outing? Please take one of the senior court ladies.”

“It’s fine. It’ll be enough to bring some escort knights. It won’t look good to bring too many attendants to the temple.”

“But…”

All of the escort knights were men, so they couldn’t help her nor attend to her as she changed her clothing.

“I’ll wear simple clothes that I can put on and take off by myself.”

Vera wondered whether Cayena really believed that the strange temple could perform miracles. She didn’t seem like the type to believe in such superstitions.

‘But she has gone through a lot recently.’

Maybe that was enough to make the princess’s heart frail, but Vera doubted it.

‘I have to get the magical power, but it’ll be difficult if I’m accompanied by a lady-in-waiting.’ Cayena thought.

In this world, magic existed. Olivia was brought back from death with the power of magic.

Cayena knew how to get that power since she had read the novel. It would significantly compensate for Cayena’s helplessness.

Thus, she had to get her hands on that power.

There was not much to prepare. She only needed a tribute to offer the temple, a suitable servant, and an escort knight.

Vera continued to express her concerns, but Cayena dismissed them.

“Wouldn’t it be better to prepare more thoroughly and depart tomorrow?”

She couldn’t. Cayena had to hurry up and finish before Rezef heard the news, suspected her, and placed someone to tail her.

Soon, everything was ready.

Cayena put on a hood and climbed into the carriage.

“It will be chilly at night, so please be sure to wear a robe.”

“I know. Don’t worry too much.”

Cayena made eye contact with Olivia, who was standing quietly behind Vera.

To her court ladies seeing her off, she said, “I’ll be back.”

Soon, the carriage left the imperial palace. Cayena looked out the window blankly.

Even in the capital, there was a small temple in a remote location. It was near the slums, so no one used it.

However, due to some strange rumors, noble ladies secretly visited the temple.

‘The temple is bound to be miraculous.’

It was the temple where a wizard hid from the public eye.

“We’ve arrived.”

Cayena stepped off the carriage and gazed at the lonesome building in front of her.

A young priest approached her.

“Are you the lady who requested a visit today?”

“I’m not.”

The priest was a little surprised when he heard the voice of a woman much younger than expected. He couldn’t see her because of her robe, so he thought she was a noblewoman who frequently visited this temple.

Cayena lifted the hood of the robe slightly and met the priest’s eyes. The young priest’s eyes widened.

“Y-Your Highness!”

He hurriedly bowed.

“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

The priest’s face turned crimson. The reason was that he saw, by far, the most beautiful person he had ever met.

“I would like to make a donation to this temple.”

The priest, who was momentarily captivated by her beauty, was astonished. As if he had been struck by lightning, he ran to the entrance of the temple.

“Please come in, Your Highness.”

“Thank you.”

Cayena smiled at the young priest and put on her hood again. The priest’s face was as red as a ripe tomato.

As Cayena entered the temple, a high-ranking priest with a calm voice approached. He looked very faithful and had a benign aura.

“What are you looking to do?”

“I want to make a donation here.”

The high priest smiled at her casual tone. He had realized who she was.

“I greet Her Highness, the Princess.”

Cayena beckoned to the servant she brought along. The servant handed a box over to the priest. The high priest asked with a smile,

“Would you like to pray?”

“Of course.”

The high priest led Cayena to the prayer room.

“Then, may God look over you.”

Cayena told the servant and knights to wait in the lobby. The knights confirmed that no one was there and obediently retreated to the lobby.

There were a total of four prayer rooms. Without hesitation, she entered the last prayer room.

The door closed, and Cayena said, “Master of the Black Garden, I have come to do business with you.”

Then, the wooden wall inside the prayer room began to move, and someone emerged from inside. He was handsome with soft, caramel-like tan hair and light brown eyes.

Cayena greeted the new secondary male lead she encountered.

“Hello, Bayel.”

Bayel’s expression hardened coldly since he was called by an unidentified person. He strode over and grabbed Cayena roughly.

Cayena’s hood fell back, revealing her dazzling blonde hair and blue eyes. His expression turned odd.

“Who are you?”

Cayena smiled with a face that seemed unreal.

“The person who will receive the rose from you.”

“You think I’ll just give it to you?”

Bayel was dumbfounded. Cayena was speaking shamelessly, as if she had already received the rose.

“Of course. Since you’ll also need me.”

Far more annoying than her impudence was her know-it-all attitude.

There was a meticulous calculation behind the face with the mischievous smile.

Bayel had the strong feeling that if he let down his guard, he would be swallowed up by this unknown woman.

“Hasn’t it been a while since a new rose has bloomed?”

At Cayena’s words, Bayel got startled and tightened his grip on her. She let out a wince because she had not completely healed from the wounds she received during the kidnapping.

“It hurts…”

“Ah.”

Bayel was surprised and quickly removed his hand. Seeing that her sleeves were wrinkled, he had used more strength than he intended.

“…Sorry.”

“This much is okay.”

Cayena smoothed her face as if she had not been in pain just a moment ago.

The nuance of her casually spoken words were so strange that Bayel’s eyes were unwittingly drawn to Cayena.

‘This much is okay?’

Did that mean that she didn’t mind pain up to a certain point?

It may have been a leap, but Bayel had a keen intuition.

He thought that Cayena was somewhat insensitive to things that could harm her.

‘Which makes her more dangerous.’

She looked like a flower glistening with dew in the morning sun, but her air was that of the dark sky before dawn. How did a woman like her come to know of the Black Garden’s existence?

In addition, her words were right. Bayel’s situation did not look well.

“This deal won’t be bad for either of us. I get the magic power, and you get fertilizer for your garden.”

Her words showed that she knew the cost of getting the magic power.

Bayel carefully examined her again.

The robe was made of luxurious fabrics, and her brooch was adorned with precious stones. She must have been from an important family. There was no way a woman like her wanted the magic power just for fun.

Transactions with the owner of the Black Garden were made with one’s life.

“If you want to use even a little bit of magic, you have to trade at least 10 years of your life. But…”

“Half.”

“What?”

Cayena smiled brightly.

“I will offer half of my life to your garden.”