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Everything stopped. When Cayena moved her hand a little, she could feel the suspended space and time throbbing. It was a repelling force generated as she moved in the controlled space-time.

Suddenly, Cayena realized that it was her who had stopped time.

‘The magic can control time and space.’

She remembered Bayel’s words.

‘He said that my ability would bloom according to the life I’ve led.’

The magical ability that a contractor would acquire was similar to their life.

When she thought her ability was telekinesis, she figured that it suited her well. Up to now, she had been manipulated and moved by others.

But at this moment, she discovered that she could manipulate space-time.

‘However, this ability is…’

This magic was excessively superior.

If she could stop time, there was no limit to what she could do. Nothing in the future would pose a danger to her.

‘Just now, I wished for this moment to last forever.’

“To think I can pause time with just my thoughts…”

After the shock, joy began to fill her up.

It was perfect. This ability was the greatest power.

Like Cayena had wished, this ability assured she would never be helpless.

It was unbelievable how such a wonderful ability had cost only half her life span.

‘Was I supposed to live a long life? But even if you compare a few decades with time controlling magic, the yield is outstanding.’

With this ability, it’d be easy to seize the throne.

She was going to take away what Rezef desired most right before his eyes and make him feel the same despair as her.

He needed to learn that he couldn’t just take something valuable from someone and destroy it.

They couldn’t be a family with that sort of relationship.

Then, a sharp ringing in her ears caused agony to dig into her whole body.

“—!”

Cayena grabbed Raphael’s shirt without thinking.

Was this because she was using powers above her means? She closed her eyes. Inwardly, she cried, ‘Stop!’

Tock, tock, tock.

Time once again began to flow.

The wind carried along the scent of flowers, and she could feel Raphael’s warm heartbeat. The air that had made her flesh numb with the repelling force of space-time became gentle again.

Cayena bit her lips harshly and buried her face in Raphael’s face so he wouldn’t see her face distorted in pain.

“Your Highness?”

Raphael was confused because from his perspective, Cayena had suddenly embraced him without restraint.

His body twitched, and he slowly ran his hand over Cayena’s back. He felt her exhaling quietly.

“Shall I call a doctor?”

Cayena shook her head. Raphael’s expression turned serious when he noticed that her complexion seemed paler than before.

“Are you really all right? We can go back now, and the doctor will…”

“No.”

Cayena swiftly grabbed onto him.

“I’m fine. Just stay here, please.”

Raphael was about to stand up, but he followed Cayena’s request.

Cayena knew that since this was the aftereffect of magic, it wouldn’t do any good to check with a doctor.

It was disappointing. Logically, a strong ability came at a steep price.

It would be fatal for her to become so tired after using magic. Thus, it’d be difficult for her to use this power for her political plays.

‘But it’ll be the social season soon, so I should be able to use it there.’

The magic was perfectly suited for carrying out plans in crowded locations.

While she thought that, Cayena felt the hand cautiously patting her on the back. It made her smile.

Her sharp nerves softened because of the touch that treated her like she was precious.

Cayena opened her mouth.

“Thank you, Raphael. You helped me again.”

“I’m just glad that I could be of help.”

Raphael couldn’t help but be delighted by Cayena’s words. He felt secure at those words that seemed to express that she wanted and needed him.

Cayena stroked his head as if praising a well-behaved child.

Raphael’s expression subtly slipped. “It feels strange every time you treat me like this.”

“What’s so strange?”

As Cayena batted her lashes and smiled disingenuously, Raphael raised an eyebrow, leaned his head, and kissed her.

“What is it?”

“I thought you were looking at me so I would kiss you.”

“……”

When she stared at him, dumbfounded at his absurd words, Raphael kissed her again.

Cayena quietly laughed. Then, Raphael opened his lips and swallowed that laugh.

The air around them heated up. One of his large hands supported Cayena’s back while the other held her head. Cayena hugged Raphael by the neck and drew him closer to her.

Breathlessly, they exchanged longing gazes. His lips slowly found places to travel beyond her lips.

Cayena thought that things would go out of control if they continued like this, but it was hard to hold back. In front of Raphael’s deep thirst, she couldn’t remain rational at all.

“Sister!”

Ethel’s voice called out in the distance, Startled, Cayena pushed Raphael away.

As she hastily stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles on her dress, Raphael wrapped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear.

“You’ll become dizzy if you stand too quickly, so please be careful.”

The breath that caressed her ears rekindled the tingling sensation.

“I understand, so let me go.”

Embarrassed, Cayena pulled his arm away.

Fortunately, Ethel only appeared after that was done.

“Were you looking for me?”

Ethel had changed into normal clothes. He glanced between Cayena and Raphael, who were standing overly close together.

“Yes. Sir Jonathan said it would be good if Your Highness came back inside.”

Ethel looked at Raphael with disapproval.

Raphael wasn’t Cayena’s fiancé, but the light in his eyes and the atmosphere around them were too intimate.

Raphael stared back with just as much displeasure because Ethel had interrupted his precious time with Cayena.

“I see. Let’s return to the mansion.”

At Cayena’s words, Raphael held out his arm to escort her.

“You had a dizzy spell earlier, Your Highness. I’ll walk you back.”

Cayena’s eyes narrowed a little at his excuse.

Ethel, with a surprised expression, quickly approached Cayena’s side and he held out his arm.

“If so, I’ll escort you to the mansion, Sister.”

Raphael retorted, “It looks difficult for someone of your height to properly escort a lady. Perhaps you should attempt it when you become as tall as I am.”

Ethel looked furious when Raphael mentioned his stature.

He wasn’t very tall compared to his peers, so he was sensitive about it.

Cayena swallowed a sigh. She briefly looked at Raphael, then reached out her hand to Ethel.

“Will you hold my hand, Ethel?”

Ethel shyly held her hand.

When they arrived, Jonathan hurriedly approached them.

“Your Highness! I’ve prepared our best room for you to use. It’s been so long since you’ve come over; would you like to stay and sleep here tonight?”

Cayena had no intention of responding to Jonathan’s artless appeal.

‘What rumors will he try to spin if I stay here overnight?’

Then, Raphael said, “Her Highness felt unwell while taking a walk just now. I believe she should return to the palace to be examined by a doctor and rest.”

“Oh, that’s…”

Jonathan looked disgruntled for a moment, then turned to Cayena with a worried expression.

“How is your body?”

“It’s nothing to worry about. But I think I do need some rest.”

Meanwhile, Olivia had briskly walked to Cayena.

“Let’s go back.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

The Hamels and their servants saw off Cayena while she waited for her carriage.

Cayena whispered to Raphael, who was standing beside her. “Please get along with Ethel. Don’t fight with him.”

“I have never fought with him.”

She was bemused by his words, but she left it at that.

Soon, the carriage arrived. Before getting inside, Cayena asked Raphael,

“By the way, Duke, are you not going home?”

Raphael shrugged and looked toward Ethel.

“I haven’t finished my business yet.”

Cayena furrowed her brows a bit, but she made herself smile again.

“All right. Then, I will see you again later.”

She got into the carriage.

It was time to return to the epicenter of chaos.

~~~