Five days had passed since the Blaine Kingdom announced that they would be conducting a diplomatic visit. On that bright morning, someone from the border of the Magenta Kingdom finally brought news that Prince Cedric had arrived at the border.
After hearing the news, Cecilia left all her business to welcome the man's arrival. She was already ready in the guest hall when Cedric reached the royal palace. The sound of several footsteps was heard. Not long after, Cedric entered to meet Cecilia alone.
Cecilia raised her eyebrows unconsciously. Fortunately, the mask on her face covered the change in her expression. Otherwise, Cedric might have seen how surprised Cecilia was that Cedric decided to come to see her alone.
"I heard that you came with three knights and one advisor."
Cedric stared at Cecilia for a long time, then took a deep breath.
"I thought you would be more open if we talked without any disturbances from others," Cedric said flatly.
Cecilia fell silent. It seemed that Damian was not the only one who had changed in this hundredth life. Like Damian, who suddenly became friendly, Cedric, who usually never thought about anything when he acted, also seemed much more careful and calculating when he acted.
Cecilia felt that she should investigate it in the future. But in front of Cedric, Cecilia seemed calm as usual.
"I appreciate your concern, Prince Cedric."
Cedric stared at Cecilia for a long time, then sat opposite Cecilia when she had permitted him. A simple meal was served in front of them. After that, all the servants left to give the heir to the kingdom a free space to talk.
"So, what can I help you with, Prince Cedric?"
"You already know why I came here," Cedric replied. "I want to know why the Magenta Kingdom gave up its status as a neutral kingdom and instead cooperated with Landis? You understand what that means for the political balance between the three kingdoms, right?"
Cecilia smiled coldly. She did not answer directly, but stared at Cedric silently, as if she was judging him openly.
"Funny how you speak of 'neutrality' as if it were an honor, Prince Cedric," she said. Her voice was soft, yet full of criticism. "But that status is just a mask for weakness. Neutrality never protects anyone. It just means you're too afraid to choose and too weak to be chosen."
Cedric narrowed his eyes. "So you think giving up that status and handing Magenta over to Landis' influence is a sign of strength?"
"I didn't give anything up," Cecilia retorted, still sitting quietly. "We made a deal. We built our power together. It was different from the way your kingdom pressured us to make sure we were aware of our position."
The sarcastic tone hanging in her words made Cedric frown. Cedric was silent for a long time, until he finally opened his mouth again.
"Cecilia. Was she really dead at the funeral?"
The question hit Cecilia like a storm in the silence. Cecilia froze. Her heart was beating slowly but loudly. But in front of Cedric, she tried not to show any reaction.
"Cecilia wasn't someone who was riding a horse for the first time. She knew her horse well. Therefore, dying in a riding accident is-"
"Did you just imply that Princess Cecilia's death was a lie, Prince Cedric?"
The atmosphere in the guest room grew colder when Cecilia cut Cedric off sharply. Of course, what Cedric said was not entirely wrong. 'Cecilia' was indeed good at riding horses. She was forced to become a perfect 'princess' because she would later become queen.
However, even in the original story, Cecilia did have a pretty bad accident at that time. The effects of her accident made her become an idiot princess. Because of her shortcomings, her kingdom was destroyed by the two crazy male leads who were fighting over Fiona.
Even if 'she' entered his body, things didn't change that easily. It took her ninety-nine times to finally stand on her own. In the process, Cecilia had died a ninety-nine times. Even if 'she' didn't kill her, 'Cecilia' will still die along with the horse accident that befell her.
"Cecilia is dead. I, her twin brother, am living proof of that."
For a moment, silence filled the hall. After a while, Cedric finally stopped looking at Cecilia and let out a long sigh.
"You're right. Cecilia wouldn't talk like you," Cedric continued. "She also wouldn't dare to say as if she could shake the order of the three kingdoms."
Cedric stared at him for a long time. Something was raging in his eyes as he looked at Cecilia. Anger, confusion, and sorrow were all mixed in that gaze.
"She... she's too gentle to do all that."
Cecilia frowned as she heard Cedric's words. Yet another piece of foreign information in her hundredth life. In her previous life, no matter what role Cecilia took, Cedric had never been gentle or considerate towards her.
Even at Cecilia's funeral, Cedric was still the same person she had known all this time. There was something different about the Cedric who was now in front of Cecilia. Cecilia couldn't understand what it was, but it was clear that something had changed.
Cedric should have been an impatient man who didn't think much when he spoke. With that personality, it should have been easy for Cecilia to control him. But the Cedric in front of her was too different, making Cecilia start to hesitate to continue with her plan.
Something had happened. The transmigrated Fiona, the friendly Damian, and then the serious-looking Cedric. Everything was too different from the life Cecilia had lived so far.
"Does your answer just now mean that you admit that you have collaborated with Landis and abandoned your neutral status, Prince Cecilion?"
Cecilia woke up from her trance when Cedric called her properly for the first time since he came. Cecilia fell silent. Her mind worked quickly to cope with this strange change.
Cedric stared at Cecilia for a moment, then stood up from his sitting position.
"Very well. I cannot change your decision. However, Prince, I cannot be sure that my father will be happy with this news."
"About that-"
Cedric stopped walking as Cecilia spoke. But Cecilia knew that if she didn't speak soon, he might leave right away. Cecilia clenched her fists. She knew that despite the oddity, thinking about the plot twist was not something that was pressing in the room.
"I can help you solve your problems in the Blaine Kingdom, Prince Cedric."
Cedric snorted. "Thank you, but I don't have any problems in my kingdom."
"You do, Prince Cedric," Cecilia replied confidently. Cecilia silently clenched her fists. It was now, or never.
"You need support to maintain your position in the kingdom after Queen Beatrix gives birth to her first son."
Cedric finally turned his head. A frown was visible on his forehead. But thanks to the bait Cecilia gave, Cedric finally stopped and turned around to sit back in front of Cecilia.
"Where did you hear the news?"
Cecilia smiled. Of course, Cedric felt suspicious after Cecilia found out something that had not been announced publicly by the Blaine royal family.