~Chapter 50~
Eileen knew she had successfully caught Cedric’s attention when he asked her something difficult.
“Who is it?”
“I… can’t really say…”
Lord Rotner seemed to be in trouble, glancing around as if something was suspicious. Eileen hesitated for a moment. She didn’t think Lord Rotner meant her harm.
‘Cedric is…’
Cedric had just left to find Lord Noheel, who still hadn’t returned. After all, most of the northern territories were under Cedric’s control, and Noheel, as a noble, owed his loyalty to Cedric. So Cedric had to ensure everything was fine there.
Eileen hoped nothing serious had happened and then asked Lord Rotner,
“Is this someone I know?”
“Yes…”
She was curious, but it didn’t seem like someone from the Cashier family would want to meet her. They hadn’t seemed that interested.
‘Although I wonder what they’re up to.’
She had planned to ask for news from the capital if she got the chance. Watching Lord Rotner’s pace, she thought she could gather some information during their walk. After all, Lord Rotner was asking her for a favor now.
“Alright. Let’s go. But I have some questions.”
“You have the qualities of a merchant, wanting to trade immediately. What would you like to know? I’ll answer as best I can.”
Lord Rotner laughed lightly but didn’t refuse. Clearly, the person Eileen had to meet was important to him. Or maybe he owed them something. Or maybe both.
“I don’t have any intention of asking about royal secrets, if that’s what you mean. I’m just curious about the news from the capital.”
“Ah, if I ever find out royal secrets, I’ll be sure to sell them to you at a fair price. As for the capital… there’s nothing unusual. But I’m not sure what you mean by asking.”
Their conversation had shifted, becoming sharper despite the jokes.
Eileen slowed her pace, noticing that Lord Rotner seemed to be wobbling slightly. She thought he might fall over and quickly steadied him while replying,
“Since my name is Cashier, I believe you know what I’m curious about.”
“…Actually, there is one interesting thing.”
Lord Rotner, thinking for a moment, shrugged his shoulders.
“The Crown Prince’s engagement was broken off again recently. The consolation payment to the Kingdom of Shinnon was fully funded by the Cashier family.”
“Again? What was the reason this time?”
“I heard the Crown Prince was seen with another woman. The Princess was furious and reportedly said it was an insult.”
“I see. By now, breaking off the engagement seems almost predictable, though.”
Eileen frowned at the thought of the current Crown Prince, the only heir to the throne, who was quite a troublemaker in the eyes of the public.
‘If he ever needs my help, he can ask.’
‘I don’t think he will, though.’
‘I’ll treat him like a little brother, like I was told.’
Eileen had always lived as part of the royal family but was still somewhat disconnected from them. However, before her parents passed away and her grandmother was still around, Eileen often visited the royal palace. The current emperor and his wife had even hoped that Eileen’s calm demeanor would have a positive effect on their son, Leonard.
Although it wasn’t likely to work.
‘Is he running away from his problems again, avoiding the consequences of breaking another engagement?’
‘It seems like he’s falling in love with someone else. I should let him go, even if I end up looking like the bad guy.’
‘So, you’re doing this for his sake?’
‘You’re smarter than my parents. You figured it out right away.’
If Leonard had truly been her older brother, she might have scolded him for being careless. But sadly, to Eileen, he was just a royal, nothing more.
Back then, when Eileen had to step in, she had told Leonard the truth and explained his problems openly. She had told him where he had been hiding, which was not something anyone would expect from a royal family member.
‘Poor little brother…’
‘Not your brother!’
‘I’ll never call him ‘older brother,’ so stop asking.’
After hearing her parents scold him harshly, Leonard had seemed down, and Eileen always felt weak when it came to his human side. So, from then on, she just let him do as he pleased, since he made a lot of noise when she didn’t.
‘Stop acting so carelessly. Everyone is worried about you.’
‘…It’s better if they’re worried.’
One time, Leonard was caught drinking too much wine, and he had to clean up the broken bottle. Despite everything, he remained mentally clear, even if his actions didn’t show it.
Eventually, due to public pressure, Leonard was sent abroad for his studies.
“So, he’s returned to the capital?”
“After the current emperor’s ascension, he received the position of Crown Prince and returned to the capital.”
“If you meet him, please send my regards.”
Lord Rotner gave a subtle smile at Eileen’s request.
“He actually said the same thing when we met at a party last time. He told me to pass on his regards since I was heading to the north.”
“…You don’t mean I’m meeting the Crown Prince today, do you?”
Eileen stopped at the two-story building they had reached. She paused, thinking, Could it be? He wouldn’t show up here.
Leonard always treated Eileen like a younger sister, which she disliked greatly, but they weren’t close enough to have deep interactions.
“That’s not it, but he did ask me to tell you he’s sorry. I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he said you’d understand.”
“Tell him there’s no need to apologize.”
Eileen knew exactly what Leonard meant. When her parents passed away, he had told her to come to the palace for shelter, offering to provide her with a place and living expenses if she was ever in trouble.
‘Thank you, but no thanks.’
However, Leonard had left for his studies soon after, and Eileen realized that he couldn’t have had much of an impact on her life from the start.
Before she met Cedric, Eileen’s life was uneventful.
“I suppose, no matter what, there was nothing I could have done.”
“You must be quite close.”
Lord Rotner asked this question, and Eileen realized that she wasn’t entirely sure how much she trusted Leonard. But knowing he had returned to the capital made her feel a little reassured. At least, with him back in the capital, she didn’t have to worry too much.
“I suppose it’s important to be on Lady Cashier’s good side.”
As Lord Rotner opened the door to the room at the end of the hallway, Eileen finally understood why he had been so careful.
“Lady Ribbonshire.”
Inside the room, someone was waiting for her. It was the long-time friend of her grandmother, the regent of the Ribbonshire family, a powerful figure who had ruled the western territories for a long time.
