Princess Margareta.
The last of the royal bloodline and the Countess Queensguard.
Cynthia had the same clear, innocent smile that lingered in the Duke’s childhood memories
The Count Queensguard leaned close to the Duke, who was staring blankly at Cynthia, and whispered quietly, “Isn’t it a relief? That you’re not the one being fooled, Your Grace.”
“…Remarkable,” the Duke murmured.
Though a flicker of doubt crossed his mind, no matter how he thought about it, there was no reason to keep a royal descendant, who would be a huge advantage in marriage negotiations, working as a maid.
Gathering his surprise, the Duke forced a polite smile.
“Lady Cynthia, may God’s blessings be with your future.””
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
Unaware that the Duke already knew her true identity, Cynthia smiled back.
Helene approached, lifting her champagne glass toward Cynthia.
“Cindy, how do you like life in the capital?”
“Good.” Cynthia replied, dropping to the casual tone without hesitation.
Still smiling warmly, Helene clasped her hand.
“It’s wonderful that we’ll be living in the same city.”
“Yeah, that’s great. Duke, can I visit my sister often?”
At the innocent question, the Duke nodded.
“Of course. You’re always welcome.”
“Please take good care of my pretty sister. She’s like a cool cat on the outside, but inside, she’s as soft as a mouse.”
Helene’s expression shifted subtly at those words.
‘Something feels off? Or am I being sensitive?’
She couldn’t tell if it was teasing or praise.
The forced family act looked surprisingly natural, helped by Cynthia’s effortlessly casual demeanor.
“Edford’s nose has gotten bigger. Is it growing?”
“Such rudeness…!”
Edford’s face flushed bright red as Cynthia leaned in, whispering in his ear.
“This is how real siblings are. Be careful.”
“Then why do you keep speaking informally to me?”
“Since I’m officially part of the family now, isn’t that okay?”
“Ugh….”
The words “you’re just a lowly maid” were on the tip of his tongue, but everyone would be doomed if he said them out loud.
Cynthia knew that very well. That was why she could get away with such brazenly cheeky talk.
Just then, Maceira approached with a plate of cake and stood beside Cynthia.
Edford couldn’t help but stare and was momentarily lost in thought at his strong build and uniform that suited him so well.
“Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy this family reunion after so long.”
Cynthia gave a quick nod but linked arms with him, holding him captive in place as he tried to leave.
“Honey, what have you been doing now?”
Maceira’s mouth tightened into a straight line, then relaxed slightly as if he was aware of his surroundings. He was also remembered Cynthia’s forced order to look like they were dying in love in front of her family.
Of course, there was no need to actually behave that way. He never would.
Maceira lifted his chin with pride.
“There was some strawberry cake over there.”
“Oh, that’s my favorite cake! Did you bring it for me? How sweet of you.”
Even though he had no such intention, Cynthia made it sound that way.
She plucked a strawberry from Maceira’s cake and popped it into her mouth.
Maceira quietly watched the cake, missing its strawberry.
‘…So annoying.’
Despite committing the felony crime of stealing cake toppings without permission, she was grinning.
“Is it delicious?”
“Yes! Anything from the Brigadier General tastes even more delicious.”
Maceira couldn’t shake the feeling that he was somehow being manipulated by her.
However, he was skilled at hiding his expression.
Thanks to that, from the outside, he looked like a man who secretly adored his fiancée.
“Cindy, have you grown so close already?”
Carlos’s voice broke in.
Maceira’s gaze landed on Carlos, who was looking at him with a stern expression.
He recalled the unpleasant rumors about Carlos and Cynthia that he had heard through Dahlia.
Though baseless, people rarely cared about the truth.
Cynthia nodded and squeezed the arm she was linking.
“Of course. He fell in love with me at first sight.”
‘When did I?’
Instead of replying, Maceira furrowed his brow. Cynthia looked up at Maceira and added.
“I felt the same way. I fell in love at first sight.”
A shiver ran through his body at her words, like something sharp lodged in his chest.
‘Annoying woman.’
Maceira sighed and brushed back his bangs.
Meanwhile, the Count Queensguard clicked his tongue and shook his head silently at the subtle tension between them.
‘…Even Brigadier General Vicente is just a man. Who would’ve thought he’d act like a tamed dog around Cynthia.’
He thought it was no ordinary matter that Cynthia had managed to win over Carlos and Edford.
All the while, the Duke was silently observing Maceira and Cynthia, acting as though he wasn’t.
‘She changed him so quickly?’
Having served in the military together before, he knew Maceira’s ruthless nature well.
The man was hardly the type to give up a strawberry on a cake.
‘It seems a waste to use her as a tool and kill her.’
The Duke narrowed his eyes as he looked at Cynthia.
He thought about Maceira losing her and agonizing over it after falling in love might not be so bad.
* * *
When the atmosphere of the banquet was in full swing, watching couples dance in the ballroom, poked Maceira’s arm.
Maceira hid the newly brought strawberry cake behind his back and looked down at her.
“Please ask me to dance. The man is supposed to make the first move.”
Maceira tilted his head slightly at her words.
Nobles usually kept their true feelings hidden and didn’t ask for things so boldly like this.
“What if I say no?”
“Then I’ll dance with another man. Like Eugene.”
Eugene was seen from afar, hiding behind Dahlia as soon as their eyes met.
At that moment, someone approached and offered Cynthia a hand.
“Brigadier General Vicente. May I borrow Cindy for a moment?”
Carlos smiled gently as he reached for her hand.
Maceira lowered his eyes to glare at him. Why had he been trying to subtly fight with him all this time?
“It sounds like you’re treating her like an object.”
Carlos shook his head and smiled nonchalantly.
“That’s not true. She’s my most cherished sister. I just want to dance with my little sister after a long time.”
Cynthia frowned as she watched the two men’s war of nerves.
‘What’s up with Carlos? Did his brain freeze from the cold?’
According to Cynthia’s memory, Carlos always treated her coldly whenever she craved affection.
Only when she gave up and turned away would he be kind, once in a while.
‘I should just eat cookies with Eugene.’
Just as she took a few steps toward Eugene across the room, she felt a chill run down her spine.
At the same time–
Crash!
A small chandelier hanging from the ceiling shattered into pieces.
“What? What was that?”
Screams erupted from the surprised people.
Cynthia realized the chandelier had fallen where she’d been standing and swallowed hard.
Her eyes met Maceira’s, who was standing behind her as he reached out to her with a brief flash of panic that vanished instantly.
“As long as you’re not hurt, that’s what matters.”
Hey! Could you at least say that’s a relief?
Cynthia made a bewildered expression.
After a while, Carlos hurried over, feigning concern.
“Cindy! Are you hurt anywhere?”
Fortunately, no one was injured, and after a moment to clean up, the banquet resumed.
A congressman raised his champagne glass and raised his voice.
“Ha! We need to lift the mood again. I hear royal descendants have special powers? If Lady has a special ability that matches your unique appearance, why not show us?”
He was a commoner member of parliament who opposed the monarchy, making a pointed suggestion that drew everyone’s attention.
Edford stepped forward, eager to embarrass Cynthia.
“Of course, Sir. Cynthia in particular has a very special ability.”
The Count Queensguard frowned and gave Cynthia a warning look.
It meant she’d better show something now.
‘Come to think of it, there were some who opposed the royal family here.’
She had already assessed the guests.
With a quick smile, Cynthia said, “I’ll show you.”
She sent a servant to fetch paper and pen.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always been able to easily tell what people are thinking. I don’t know why.”
Holding the paper and pen, Cynthia met the congressman’s eyes.
He felt strangely captivated by her red eyes.
Her voice dropped low, buzzing inside his head.
“It means I can read your thoughts.”
The congressman’s eyes flickered weakly.
‘If you’re going to risk your life, you better be ready to deceive the entire world.’
A strange glow swirled in Cynthia’s deep red eyes.
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