8 Best Friend

"Cece!" Roxus called out to the woman in a cheerful voice.

Cecilia, the Princess turned her head towards her. "Roxie!" but as soon as she saw Roxus's figure properly, she began to become silent.

Roxus looks so happy to see her best friend again. It was because not long after Roxus and Ernacht had left for the battlefield, they heard of Cecilia's death in the palace. Even though the public was told that Cecilia, who was born with a weak body, fell ill and died suddenly, Roxus knew that was not the case.

Cecilia may be weak, but she doesn't have a dangerous life-threatening disease. Since childhood, Cecilia has consumed small amounts of poison to build up the resistance to various types of poison, so Roxus knew Cecilia wasn't easy to kill either. The Crown Prince must have killed her while personally drawing her blood. It must be so brutal, that her coffin was closed during the funeral.

"How are you today, Cece?" Roxus asked softly.

"Oh, how are you, Roxus?" asked Cecilia in an astonished voice.

Roxus chuckled. She put the flowers in her arms on the table. "So many things happened to the point that I felt that everything didn't feel real," Roxus replied. "Cece, Lord Ariaster came to my house to cancel our engagement," she said.

"What?!" Cecilia would have stood up in shock if she could stand up. "What is—Lord Ariaster—!" Cecilia knew Ariaster didn't love Roxus. She knew that even though Roxus loved Ariaster, he only thought of the marriage between them as a political marriage.

Roxus sat on the chair opposite Cecilia. As soon as the woman sat down, Cecilia could see the glimmer of sad expression on her friend's face. Cecilia furrowed her brows.

"Lord Ariaster seems to have chosen another woman as his life partner," Roxus said dryly, then forced a quick smile and began separating the two flowers that she placed on the table.

"A—another woman?! How dare—Roxus, the aristocratic social circle wouldn't just let that go. Tell me, who is that shameless woman who destroyed other people's relationships?!" Cecilia asked in an angry tone.

"Cece, I'm grateful enough to know that Lord Ariaster was having an affair before we got married. If I find out that that man is not loyal in the future, I will regret it even more," Roxus said later.

"Roxie..." Cecilia felt so sad for her best friend. "But at least tell me who that woman is. What noble lady would dare to be the enemy of the Croix County's Princess, and the best friend of the Princess of Bertia?" Cecilia asked in a cold, elegant voice.

Roxus smiled. "She's not a noble lady," Roxus replied.

It seemed like today Roxus gave Cecilia so many surprises that she, who hadn't caught her breath properly, now had to gasp again. "A commoner?!"

"A very beautiful commoner," Roxus continued with a bitter smile. "Owner of a small restaurant in the capital, and Lord Ariaster's childhood friend," the woman sighed. "I know I'm not pretty, or good at cooking, but for five years we were engaged..."

"Roxie...!" Cecilia desperately tried to prevent Roxus from grieving. "Bebe, that's not true! You are a very beautiful girl and who cares even if you are not good at cooking. And of course, although I know you cook well, the point isn't there," Cecilia said in a sarcastic tone.

"Cece!" Roxus sounded annoyed, but it was an adorable annoyance.

Lucifer, who had been standing in the background, smiled and looked away. The Roxus he knew was not an adorable woman who could joke cheerfully with her best friend. The Roxus he knew was a woman with a clear purpose and lived for that purpose.

"And look who you brought. I guess it's not enough to cut your hair and look very beautiful today, but you also brought a knight who is dashing and charming as your bodyguard today?" asked Cecilia.

"Ah!" Roxus stood up, grabbed Lucifer's arm, and smiled sweetly at Cecilia. "This is my old friend, Cece. Master Lucius. I know I never told you about him, but please know that at least I believe him more than I believe you," said Roxus.

"What?!" Cecilia took offence. "Oh! Of course, you would tell him that you tore your skirt from running through the thorn of flower fields to him too, right?" asked the woman.

Roxus cleared her throat hard.

Lucifer chuckled before bowing his head respectfully. "Nice to meet Her Highness Princess Bertia," said Lucifer in a soft voice. "And no, Your Highness, I did not know that Roxe had ever run through a field of thorns and tore her skirt," he added.

Roxus turned to Lucifer with a suspicious cheerful gaze. "What do you mean, Luc? I clearly remember I told you before," Roxus said in a low voice as if she was hiding her emotions.

Lucifer raised his eyebrows high. "All I remember is when you fell from the horse because you forgot to fasten the saddle belt, even though I already reminded you twice to check it," Lucifer teased.

"Oh! How reckless you are Bebe!" Cecilia covered her mouth with both hands.

"Well, now you know why I don't like riding, Your Highness Princess Cecilia," Roxus said in a formal voice.

Cecilia looked at Roxus suspiciously. Roxus, whom she knew, never dared to be close to horses, because Roxus was afraid of being hated by these horses even though she loved various types of animals.

But from Roxus and Lucifer's point of view, the incident Lucifer was talking about hadn't happened at this time. It is far in the future, on the battlefield. Roxus had checked her horse's saddle belt twice, but on that battlefield, it was not just war opponents who were the enemy. Even among allies, enemies were stalking Roxus and Ernacht.

"Master Luc was just appointed as Croix County's Honored Knight yesterday, Cece. He saved my life from mountain bandits two years ago when I went to Grandma Riria's residence, and after that, he had done a lot of things for me… in fact, he also told me about Lord Ariaster's affair," Roxus said quietly.

"Of course, I have to tell you," Lucifer didn't look pleased. "Although I regret that you have become so sad that you cut your long hair," said Lucifer dryly.

"Of course, I have to cut that long boring hair that even you don't like," said Roxus.

"I never said I didn't like them," said Lucifer. "You should know the best that no matter how you look, to me it will not affect your beauty."

"Oooh," Cecilia reacted in amazement. "Sir Lucius, those are charming words," she said.

"Cece, don't be fooled by him. He is a four-eyed demon who has many ways to win you over with his temptation manual," Roxus said.

"A fictional guidebook that, if it was real, failed to impress Milady's steadfast and loyal heart," Lucifer took a deep breath.

"Ahem!" Cecilia looked pleased. "What are you waiting for, Roxus?! Look, the man who can reply to your harsh words has now appeared! Aren't you happy? I see you are a perfect match," said Cecilia.

"Cece!" back to back, Roxus exclaimed displeasedly, making Cecilia laugh sweetly. Their chat continued as long as they were arranging the flowers Roxus brought that day.

In the afternoon, Cecilia took their goodbye by cheerfully waving her hand. But once Roxus and Lucifer were out of sight, Cecilia waved her hand gently. Instantly three people dressed in black appeared behind Cecilia. They were members of the Bertia Royal Family's Secret Private Force.

Even though Princess Cecilia was not the next King's successor, she was the one who was given the power to command the special forces. Of course, that only proved several things about the relationship between the King and the Princess. "Find out about Hamlet Ariaster and his mistress. Tell me if anything happens in the government," said Cecilia coldly.

One of the three people approached. "Should we find out about the man on Lady Croix's side too? We feel there is something wrong with him," said the man. Cecilia shook her head.

"Looks like Roxie believes him. Just keep an eye on him from afar, but don't violate his privacy. If something is strange, just let me know," Cecilia said later. "And… tell me if anything happens to Roxie. She looks upset today, and I guess it's not just because Ariaster cancelled the engagement—"

Another man in black appeared suddenly. "Your Majesty," he said. Cecilia turned to him with a flat gaze. "Lord Ariaster and Lord Croix did not cancel the engagement," said the man who had just appeared.

Cecilia raised her eyebrows high. "But Roxie said..."

"Lord Ariaster came this morning intending to cancel the engagement. But apparently, Lord Croix refused the cancellation," replied the man.

Cecilia muttered softly. "Looks like Lord Croix is ​​preparing something..."

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