-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Ruby Brooch and Onion Tears
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Why had Isaac Rodriguez Major come to visit?
Cynthia grabbed her parasol and followed Dalia to the garden where he was waiting.
"Hello."
With his characteristic gentle voice, the major—dressed in casual clothes—approached her.
He held something out to her with a delighted expression.
"The macarons I received that day were truly delicious. I agonized over how to repay you and picked this gift. I hope you like it."
Cynthia examined the gift he offered.
Confirming it was a ruby brooch similar in color to her eyes, she looked up at him in surprise.
"Whoa, isn't this way too expensive compared to what I gave you?"
"Is that an expression from the Republic?"
'I was so shocked that a modern word slipped out without me realizing.'
Cynthia explained with an embarrassed smile.
"It's a complex exclamation that carries different emotions and meanings depending on the situation... Anyway, thank you. I love it."
Gifts weren't meant to be refused.
She extended her hand from beneath the parasol, holding the brooch up to the sunlight to fully admire the ruby's brilliant sparkle.
"Wow, it's so pretty. I'll treasure it and pass it down through generations."
"It's not quite that special, but I'm glad you're happy."
Isaac Rodriguez Major, with the looks of a romance novel protagonist, flashed a sparkling smile.
Do all Esat People look that pure and radiant? Cynthia wondered, carefully observing his appearance.
"Major, let me treat you to some warm black tea. Shall we go to the reception room?"
"No, thank you. I was just passing by and stopped in briefly, so I'll just accept your kind thoughts."
"Ah! You're on a date. That explains why you dressed up so nicely."
He scratched his silver hair and smiled awkwardly.
"I don't have a lover."
"With such a handsome face that no one would leave you alone? You have cool tones, but overall, you give off a warm vibe."
In short, he had the feel of a warm ice mage. The major replied,
"You, Lady, are beautiful in both appearance and heart. When I first saw you, I almost mistook you for an angel come to fetch me."
"Wasn't that the grim reaper?"
After that, an endless battle of compliments ensued between the sunny woman and the gentle man—so warm it was scorching, enough to melt the gazes around them.
Having poured out every compliment she knew, Cynthia extended her hand for a handshake.
"Somehow... I feel like we could be good friends."
They were clearly the same type.
Sensitive and romantic souls.
And they even shared the common ground of having experienced discrimination.
The major carefully grasped her gloved hand.
"You want to be friends with me?"
"Yes. I came from the countryside and don't know anyone here. Lately, I've been making friends left and right."
"It would be my honor. But your eyes are red—are you alright? As a friend, I'm worried."
"No, it's nothing."
Cynthia shook her head. It was only their second meeting, and admitting she'd been peeling onions felt a bit embarrassing.
With kind eyes, Isaac Rodriguez Major looked her over and said,
"If there's anything I can help with, feel free to tell me anytime. Even for advice on troubles."
Wow, it's been a while since I met someone this kind. By now, he must know... that I'm a fallen royal.
Feeling the warmth of unconditional kindness after so long made her heart all fuzzy.
Everyone else looked at her like, 'Eek, the villain royal who ruined the country! She must have a rotten personality!'
After dealing only with Masera, who meowed and threw kitty punches while drooling, this felt like meeting a good golden retriever that wagged its tail and licked her hand even on first sight.
"Can you listen to my chatter like a friend? Everyone else gets tired of it."
"I've mostly been the listener type, so I'm confident I won't tire."
The two shook hands vigorously up and down. It was the moment something only they understood was sealed.
At that time, Masera happened to witness the scene of the two together while passing through the garden.
Masera's brow furrowed upon seeing Cynthia and Isaac Rodriguez Major shaking hands energetically.
What is this?
He didn't fully trust Cynthia yet, so with his sharp eyesight, he watched the two from afar.
To reiterate, it didn't matter who Cynthia met.
But if it was Isaac Rodriguez Major, a direct subordinate of Steve Brigadier General, that changed things.
That's why I feel this unpleasantness. If it's just pure mutual attraction between the sexes, it shouldn't matter.
At that moment, he saw Isaac Rodriguez Major rub his eyes and bow his head.
Cynthia looked at him with genuine worry and regret on her face.
Upon closer inspection, Cynthia's eyes were bloodshot red.
Did she cry?
Masera unwittingly closed the distance.
Then he stopped upon seeing the major's face similarly red-eyed.
A single tear streamed down the major's blue eyes.
"Because of me... I'm sorry for making you hurt."
"No, it's fine."
To anyone watching, it looked like a rejection of feelings, with both hearts aching.
Unlike his earlier thought that it wouldn't matter if it was just mutual attraction, he somehow felt even more displeased.
It was similar to the feeling when he saw Cynthia's brother Karos Queensguard—like swallowing a red-hot stone, burning from his esophagus down.
Did military men have no shame? After wiping his eyes disgracefully, the major soon bid farewell and left.
Masera stood there silently with his back turned.
Soon, the familiar light and jaunty footsteps approached from behind, followed by Cynthia's voice.
"Brigadier General, what are you doing here?"
Her voice was completely casual, unlike the scene just moments ago.
Masera turned and looked at her calm expression.
If she had a fiancé, shouldn't there be at least a hint of surprise or fluster?
Does she not care about me at all?
For some reason, it twisted his insides. Thinking about it, he was always the one swept up in emotions.
No matter how indifferent or hurtful he acted, or even if he said wounding words, this white, harmless woman shone brightly like moonlight, unchanging.
Does she have some solid emotional fortress built inside?
"Why were you crying?"
Masera asked.
But why did she cry like she'd dropped her smiling mask only in front of that man? That was the most unpleasant part.
"Ah."
Cynthia belatedly panicked, hiding both hands behind her back and stepping away.
"The onions I ate earlier were too spicy."
What kind of excuse was that? Masera's expression hardened.
But Cynthia had her reasons.
I can't tell a princess peeled 38 onions.
She'd been in a peeling battle with the servants to see who could do the most.
The kitchen staff would surely get scolded if word got out.
Moreover, the innocent Isaac Rodriguez Major had unwittingly rubbed his eyes after shaking her hand—still onion-scented—and ended up tearing up. The problem was going out with hands fresh from peeling.
If it's found out I terrorized an officer with onions...
She absolutely couldn't let it slip. Like a true culprit hiding her crime, Cynthia gauged Masera's reaction.
Watching her, Masera's fierce eyes sharpened even more.
"It doesn't matter who you meet. There's no obligation to uphold fidelity in the first place."
At his chillingly lowered voice, Cynthia—unable to grasp the context—stared at him with a soulless expression.
"Yep."
It was something she heard every cooldown period, so she just took it in stride.
Then, suddenly recalling the 'nighttime sweet potato' element from regret-male-lead romance novels, she quickly added,
"But I hope you don't bring in a fiancée. If you must, make it a man. I'll select a woman after a strict interview. Soulmate-style, not fiancée..."
Honestly, he didn't seem the type to bring in a fiancée and yell, 'Cynthia! What are you doing to my fragile, innocent darling!' But who knew with the world.
Masera's lips noticeably twisted at her words.
Why is she mad alone? What did I miss?
Running through scenarios in her head, the only one fitting Masera's implication unbelievably was Isaac Rodriguez Major. He was nearby, too.
"Did you see me talking to Major Rodriguez just now and get upset?"
"No."
Masera denied it very firmly.
It is him.
He was a Confucian boy who wouldn't even allow conversations with other men.
She hadn't seen it coming... so petty.
Cynthia looked at Masera with cloudy eyes.
