“I have some information regarding the poisoning that might interest you.” He effectively silenced Blanche with that.

There was no way that Cedar would tell Blanche something that might help them. After all, the Vasquez family backed him, so he wouldn't rat them out. But at the same time, any clues could help secure evidence. Even if the prince was trying to lead them on, he might make an error and say something that could serve as proof unintentionally. Hearing him out would be an advantage, even if he might try to make her doubt someone trustworthy. As long as she was careful, they could benefit from Cedar's chattiness.

Still, Blanche didn't have any desire to sit down with him and pretend to be friendly. “I see. Naturally, I would be interested in that. Could you simply tell me here?” She should have expected that the prince would shake his head.

“That would be unfair. I am giving you something, so I need something in return. And that would be you drinking a single cup of tea with me until Theodore comes. There is nothing wrong with that, and this favor won't cost you anything. So, will you be kind enough to join me?”

Every fiber in Blanche's being begged her to decline, but her brain was insisting that it was logical to try to get every bit of information about their enemies. She never helped her lover, and this might allow her to assist in some way too. But sitting in a room with Cedar to drink tea with him? That might be a little too similar to what she had dreamed about. The concubine glanced over her shoulder and made sure that both Owen and Stella were still standing there. If both of them were with them, nothing could happen, right? Theodore would come soon anyway, so she might as well bear it for a few minutes. “Alright... But my attendants will stay. I am so dependent on them that I'm uncomfortable when they aren't there.”

Cedar didn't even show her some fake disappointment. He just kept beaming. “I see. Well, it cannot be helped. I shall honor every second of our meeting.”

Blanche couldn't hide the pure irritation that this man evoked in her and didn't even attempt to do it. Hopefully, that was enough to show Seraphina and Allen that she wasn't willing at all. She turned to them and allowed them to see her annoyance. “If you give me your permission, I will take my leave now. I will certainly have a very friendly conversation now. I look forward to it.” Sarcasm was dripping out of her words. She could only hope that the others weren't dense.

The empress nodded to her without changing her expression. “Do enjoy yourself. Make the best out of the few minutes that you have and hold those memories dear. Have a nice day.”

If the concubine understood right, this was supposed to tell her that she should find out as much as possible and keep the information in mind afterward. That had been her goal anyway. She nodded at the heroine. “I will. Thank you, Your Majesty. May you have a beautiful day too.”

Seraphina turned to the prince after that. “I hope that you will have a wonderful afternoon as well, Your Royal Highness.”

Cedar's smile was as infuriating as ever. “How could I not when I have such pleasant company and will see my brother? May you enjoy your evening too, Your Majesty and Lord Duremont. I wish that we will meet again soon. Send my best regards to His and Her Grace.”

In contrast to his sister, Allen was showing his dismay openly now. “Of course. Thank you, Your Royal Highness.” He was basically glaring at the other man, who just returned a bright smile.

Blanche quickly spoke up. “Well, then. Goodbye, Lord Duremont. Return home safely. And I would like to express my gratitude for the delivery again.”

Allen just nodded at that. “That wasn't an issue. Goodbye, Lady Blanche. Keep your eyes and ears open.”

Despite that obvious warning, Cedar turned to her with a grin. He opened his mouth, and a small warning bell in the back of the concubine's mind began ringing.

So, she hurried to start moving before he could speak. Blanche rushed to the building as fast as possible without needing to run in hopes of being able to walk in front of him so that she didn't have to bother neutralizing her face. She was fuming already, and until now, Cedar hadn't even done anything. She was still angry at him for everything that had happened. Holding herself back as soon as the prince began provoking her would be horribly difficult.

In addition, this was the first time that she would ever be alone with that person without her lover's protection. Theodore had told her to avoid being alone with his brother, and she was doing the opposite. How stupid. But she needed some information, and maybe the prince could provide them with his carelessness. At least if she hadn't run too far and lost him already.

Blanche turned her head to look over her shoulder, only to jump back when she saw that Cedar was walking directly next to her. When had he caught up to her? How did he walk so quietly? Had he trained that?

He gave a bright grin. “I hope I didn't scare you. Should I have said something?” Certainly.

The concubine took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair. He had definitely scared her on purpose. “It's fine. I wasn't careful enough.” She forced herself to continue walking, even though she hated him being directly next to her. She gestured to one of the rooms. “We can use this one. Please wait for a moment while I ask a servant to make some tea.”

Cedar spoke up before she could turn around. “Oh, Her Majesty already ordered someone to do that while we talked. Did you not hear that? You must have been really immersed in the conversation then.” He gave her a questioning look, which made her pause to think.

Blanche hadn't paid attention to the empress much while glaring at the prince, so she wasn't sure about her. But if he was lying, that would be his problem and not require her to worry about it even if his smirk enraged her. After all, she didn't want to have any tea now and didn't care whether they got some or not. “I see. Then let us sit.”

Blanche entered the room while making eye contact with Owen and Stella to get them to follow her. Her maid was as upset as her mistress, but aside from that, both of them weren't in a situation that would keep them from obeying the concubine's demands. They hurried inside immediately and stood behind the sofa, on which Blanche sat down.

The concubine handed the box with the ring to Stella before gesturing to the couch on the other side of the small table. “Please feel free to take a seat. The tea should arrive shortly. If Her Majesty did order it to be brought.”

Cedar complied with her request and made himself comfortable. “Thank you. You really don't trust me, do you?”

Either her words had shown that or the stiff way that she sat on the sofa and balled her fists on her lap. It also might have been her grim expression, but that didn't truly matter. Blanche didn't have to hide her dislike for him. “Not at all. What do you expect when you are acting like we're friends even though we are clearly enemies?”

Cedar chuckled and watched her for a moment before responding. “Who told you that nonsense? We are part of the same family, aren't we? I'm your beloved's brother, so you should be able to trust me. I mean, who else are you going to visit if you ever have issues in your relationship?” That comment made Blanche's heart sting, but Cedar didn't even notice. “But I understand if I haven't earned your trust yet. We barely spent any time together until now. It seems like I have to work harder to win your heart.” He annoyed her on purpose for sure. He liked doing that with everyone he wasn't close with.

Somehow, Blanche hated the smug facade he put up more than she should. She caught herself wondering whether Cedar might not be a nice friend under other circumstances, and as she realized how stupid she had been, her face scrunched up. “You can drop the act and refrain from trying unnecessary things. I won't ever go against the man I love. It would be much easier if you'd just understand that. Besides, Theo and I don't have any issues. We are very happy together.” She didn't know why she was so desperate to affirm that.

Cedar completely ignored the first part and only chose to listen to what he wanted to talk about. “It's great that you are in such a wonderful relationship now, but ups and downs are normal. Eventually, you will fight about something, and my brother is a very bitter person. So, if he is ever harsh to you, you may come to us, and we will support you until he stops sulking. He's always been a bit resentful for a while after a conflict.” She knew that well.

But Blanche didn't want to hear any of that. Theodore never treated her badly. He always forgave and defended her no matter what. Even during the few bad fights they had, the worst he had ever done was yelling back at her when she hadn't stopped raising her voice and complaining for hours at a time. And then he had apologized immediately and hugged her as long as she allowed it. Her lover would never push her away just because she had done something that infuriated him. He had proven that countless times in the past.

He would merely drop her if he thought that she was a criminal.

But Blanche didn't need to show any evidence to his brother. “I know that he isn't like that, but I don't care about what you believe. You said that you had information regarding the poisoning that happened to me?”

Cedar showed her a wide grin and rested his arm on the backrest of the sofa. “I do have some things that would be of interest to you. But if I say that immediately, you will leave before we can talk properly. I want to enjoy such a rare meeting, so I will wait a bit before addressing that topic. I have some other things I want to speak about too.”

Blanche tensed at that and balled her hands tighter. It seemed like this conversation would get even worse than she had imagined. Luckily, she wasn't alone, but her attendants couldn't engage in a chat with a member of the royal family, so she was on her own in that regard. “I see. But make it quick. As I said, I do not have any time. I need to prepare a gift for Theo's birthday, and the hours are passing too fast.”

Cedar nodded excitedly. “I know, right? I have the same issue. I was wondering about what I should get for my brother, but he doesn't care much for luxury. Which means that I have no idea what to prepare for him. But there are only six days left. I thought that you, as the person that knows him best, might have advice for me. Could you help me a little? I swear that I will repay you too.”

The concubine had to refrain from massaging her temples immediately. Was he serious? A topic like that was completely irrelevant when he obviously didn't care about Theodore at all. Besides, she wouldn't just start chatting about what her lover liked and risk revealing something that helped his enemies. “To be honest, I am struggling each year as well. I barely managed to come up with something this time, so I fear that I can't help you. Please do try to find something suitable yourself.”

“I see.” Cedar closed his eyes for a moment. “I was worried about this response. My brother is really hard to please, isn't he? He doesn't want any expensive items, but since he is the emperor, you cannot hand over items of little quality either. Food will not be accepted due to the risk of poisoning, and weapons especially are forbidden too due to the increased security measures this year. Even though there was a sword that I would have liked to give him. It would fit him.”

A sword? No way.

Blanche hated the thought of him bringing a sword anywhere close to Theodore. She despised it to the point of tensing and trying her best not to snap at the prince as her heart skipped a beat.

But Cedar didn't pay attention to her expression. He opened his eyes and pretended to sigh with dejection. “The last six times, I wasn't able to personally hand something over, so I would like to make it special this year.”

Blanche couldn't hold her initial thought back. “That is unfortunate but not my problem. What else did you wish to talk about?”

For a moment, she thought that she might have overdone it, but Cedar simply laughed. He giggled for a few seconds before wiping away some imaginary tears. “Ah. You're too funny. It's always refreshing to have a conversation with you.” It wasn't. Any conversation they could have now wouldn't be anything but a mockery of a pleasant interaction, and that was bitter. But Cedar didn't show a hint of his emotions and just kept that fake smile that seemed to be carved into his face with so much force that he couldn't ever drop it. “No wonder my brother keeps you here so that he can see you every day. It's just a shame.”

The concubine didn't want to ask. She knew that this man would only twist the conversation in a way that he would like, but she couldn't ignore this either. It was obvious that he would say what he wanted to anyway. “I'm afraid to ask, but what do you mean?”

Cedar leaned back and tilted his head sideways while he watched her with a confident smirk. “I am saying that I believe you to be quite the sympathetic person. That's why it's a shame that your only purpose is sitting around here while waiting for my brother. He isn't giving you any chance to raise your rank even though you have been here for longer than Her Majesty. You are still dependent on his whims when you could already have so much more power.”

Blanche felt anger rising inside her. She felt like she was about to explode and yell some unkind insults at the prince, who saw her like he saw everyone around him. As a power-hungry being that would only use human connections for her gain. Blanche wanted to scold him for that and tell him that not everyone was like that just because he was used to it. She wanted to be harsh about it to make him stop treating her like a pawn. But he was a complete stranger, a member of the royal family. She couldn't simply do that. So, she dug her fingernails into her palms and kept her feet firmly planted on the ground. She inhaled and exhaled a couple of times before being convinced that she would be able to respond without raising her voice. “You have nerves saying something like that. Proposing a revolt while being a guest in the royal palace.”

“But I never did that. I didn't say anything wrong. I only pointed out that you could have a more influential position if you chose to find some allies in noble society. Maybe some that aren't dependent on Theodore as well.”

The concubine's patience was hanging by a thread now. Why did all of their enemies believe that her feelings for Theodore mattered so little? They seemed to be convinced that she would throw their relationship away for power, even when that didn't make any sense at all. She hated it. It made her stomach churn with anger and evoked the desire to hit Cedar in her. “Are you not listening to me, or are you just that full of yourself? Aren't you aware that I love Theodore more than my own life? I would never betray him, no matter how many empty promises you or your followers give me. Give it up. You can try to poison me again and again, but that won't change my stance.”

Cedar met her gaze as the corners of his lips lifted slightly. “About that. I am quite displeased about that incident too. I can assure you that neither I nor my mother had any intention of harming you, especially not when your lover would always react quite harshly to such matters. So...” He paused and leaned forward to grab one of the empty glasses off the table. He lifted it to examine it a bit while continuing to speak. “I was very indignant when I heard about it. You have my word that this will not be forgotten any time soon. The perpetrators will be found and punished no matter what. I would love to have a trial against them. I am very good at getting people to confess, you know?” He still showed the same radiant smile. Why did Blanche feel like he was angry anyway? He abruptly stopped and set the glass back onto the table. “So, I am looking forward to the end of the investigation. But I digress. What makes you think that the things our allies are promising you are lies? I am not fond of lying to friends. I can give you a guarantee that there are honest people, whom you could work with. They would surely be happy to grant you a position with more benefits than you could ever imagine in a newer and better version of Artias. What do you say?”

Blanche had enough. Even if he seemed to think that they helped, his speeches weren't causing her to be more open to his offer. Instead, she was at her breaking point. “I'm sick of this.” She jumped to her feet and threw two pillows off the sofa in the process, but she couldn't bring herself to care. “All of you think that you are so clever. But in reality, you are just a bunch of people who don't understand what love means. All you can think about is power. You are disgusting. How many times do I have to tell you? You could make me emperor, and I still would resent you and refuse to follow you no matter what. Because I love Theodore. I will always be on his side. Supporting the people that wanted to kill him is the last thing I'll do. I will leave now.” She took the first steps with the full conviction of storming out of the room. She only reached the sofa, on which the prince sat though.

Cedar had jumped off the couch too and kept her in place with one hand on her shoulder. His touch felt like burning ice and made her want to wash that part of her off her skin until the outer layer was scrubbed off. But that wasn't the worst part. The prince wasn't doing anything special and didn't apply much force, but his fingers managed to press into her muscles in a manner that made her cramp in pain. Just before it became unbearable, he let go but not without whispering something to her. “Blanche Laister. That's our famous lady's full name, correct?”

This shouldn't have hit her much at all. She knew that name by heart. She had always introduced herself like that as a child. And yet, it felt just like an axe that was swung down on her neck.

It had been years since Blanche heard someone saying her last name, so she reacted accordingly. She stumbled backward and covered her aching shoulder with her hand as the blood in her veins felt like it froze. Small pangs of pain echoed from everywhere in her body as memories of her family crashed over her. “Why?” Why did he feel the need to remind her of the fact that he knew everything? Her enemies had free rein over information that could ruin her life. She knew that, but...

Cedar was just grinning at her as she backed away in fear. She collided with someone and realized that Stella was already by her side.

The maid positioned herself in front of her mistress and glared at the prince with nothing but resentment.

The one that was more intimidating was Owen though. He stood next to Stella and stared at the other man with an emotionless expression that still seemed to be more of a threat than anything else. “Even though you are a part of the royal family, there are boundaries that you cannot cross. His Majesty personally ordered me to strike down anyone that dares to attempt harming or threatening Lady Blanche. Naturally, I would never aim to take Your Royal Highness' life, but I might make the mistake of believing that you intended to hurt her and cut off your hand. To prevent such unforgivable errors, it would be wise to maintain some distance.”

Every sane person would have cowered in fear by now. Even Blanche herself was trembling. That might be because hearing the name had shocked her, but she also had to admit that she was a bit scared of Owen when he got serious. Even if she knew that he would never hurt her as long as she wasn't Theodore's enemy.

But as insane as Cedar was, he wasn't scared. Was he ever? Even now, he continued to beam. “How terrifying. It's no wonder that you are His Majesty's personal guard. Do not worry. I did not wish to harm Lady Blanche. It looked like she was stumbling, and I merely wanted to give her some balance without touching her inappropriately. If I was a bit too harsh, I sincerely apologize. You will surely forgive me, right?” He bowed his head to her before piercing her with his eyes.

Blanche couldn't help but shiver at that. Even though she was safe thanks to her two wonderful attendants, she felt like that person in front of them could destroy everything. A few words would be enough to reveal how she had come here to everyone. She knew how well Cedar was able to lie. If he claimed that she was on his side, people might believe him. Specifically the empress. And then Blanche would be branded the villainess. She'd be thrown in that cell at the furthest end of the corridor again, and she'd be executed. No one would still be on her side if they learned that she had been brought to the palace to trick Theodore.

No one.

Oh, how she hated that thought. Why did she have to be in this situation? This was horrible.

“Don't do that again.” Blanche didn't want Cedar to ever touch her again. Even now it felt like his hand had burned scars into her skin. She wanted to wipe it off, but it almost made her think that that wouldn't be enough to cut the sensation from her mind. She didn't just hate this situation. She hated that prince. That had to be what this conflicting emotion was. She had hated Cedar from the very beginning, and it got worse every time she saw him. He was sickening. And sickeningly familiar.

Sickeningly close to what hid in the back of her mind.

Cedar was as calm as always and smiled at her despite her almost choking on the air she was attempting to inhale. He gestured to the sofa. “I do not mind complying in regard to that. I truly did not wish to touch you and just expected you to fall, so I apologize again. Well, then. Would you care to sit down once more? I wasn't done yet. There is still something I wish to tell you about, Blanche.”

She felt nauseous at that. His voice shouldn't be enough to make her want to gag, but it was. The way that he called her name reminded her of something horrible that had never happened. Those words burned in her heart and only made her want to get Theodore's help. She barely managed to respond, but she pressed out her reply with all the hatred that she could muster. “Don't. You are royalty, but you can't ignore rules like this. If you have to say my name, use the title.” Everything else would make it seem like they were close, and that very thought sickened her more than his presence alone. Theodore couldn't misunderstand this.

Cedar still grinned at her, seemingly unaffected by her clear dislike for him. “Are you sure? I would favor it if you called me by my first name too. It's more intimate, don't you think? After all, we are family. I am pretty sure that it will even be official in a few months.” That would be even worse. Especially since saying his name would feel so much more familiar than using his title.

Every single one of his words made Blanche want to run away even more. “No way. There is no need to show friendliness that isn't there in the slightest. Refrain from proposing such ridiculous things in the future. I will leave now.” She really couldn't stand being here with him anymore.

Cedar showed her fake surprise at that, and even seeing that perfect mask on his face made her nauseous. “Why? Did I do something wrong? Please tell me what it was so that I can apologize. I only wished to make it easier for you to get along with our family since you seem to have some issues with Her Majesty. If you do not like other people knowing about that, I will meet you at another place next time.” Somehow, he always found a way to twist her words in a manner that made it seem like she had bad intentions or wanted to spend time with him.

But there was only one thing Blanche would press out now. “I want to leave. Goodbye.”

Cedar took a step to the side to cut her off from the door before she could even move. “That would be a shame. Especially since so little time passed since we came here. We only just met, and the tea didn't even arrive yet. Leaving already would be mean of you. Come on. Don't be like that. I'll tell you about the poison in return.”

Blanche froze in place. She wouldn't get past him anyway unless she wanted to risk being way too close to him again. Her only reason for coming here had been gathering information, so she had to get some now, or everything would have been useless. She scanned the prince's smile with mistrust. “You tell me about what you know first, and then I'll stay for ten more minutes.”

“You surely are strict. But you must keep your word.”

The concubine narrowed her eyes at him. “Speak now.”

Cedar let out a sigh before putting on his beam again. “Alright. I researched a bit about the case since I was as shocked about that incident as you were. Unfortunately, I am not aware of who might have bribed that horrible maid, but I found out what kind of poison was used.”

Admittedly, that was exactly what the concubine needed to know. And it would be something that they could confirm afterward by finding some reading material, which meant that the prince's lies, if he told any, would be revealed quickly. “Go on.” Now she was really interested.