The “aroma” hung thick in the air, sparking a flicker of confusion in Eileen’s eyes. ‘Was he referring to something unpleasant?’ But when their eyes met, a slow flame ignited beneath the surface. Just like that night, the same burning intensity in her crimson eyes.
Not knowing whether it was playful teasing or a sincere confession, a wave of potential embarrassment threatened to overwhelm her. Unable to decipher its true meaning, Eileen looked away.
Meanwhile, the air crackled with an unspoken tension. The man entered the room with firm, decisive steps, each movement echoing in the confined space. Upon reaching the center, he finally released her. His touch, however, lingered a moment longer than necessary before she regained her balance.
He began to inspect the room again, not just observing, but running his hands over various objects. He pressed against the back of the small, single-seater sofa that Eileen usually occupied.
Although it was perfect for her, in Cesare's eyes the piece of furniture seemed tiny, unlikely to offer adequate support for his broad back.
Eileen let him explore freely, but quickly intervened when he approached the bookshelf where she kept her diaries.
"Um... Your Grace... I mean, Cesare. Would you like to see this? " he said, picking up a stuffed rabbit from the bed. "Mr. Diego gave it to me as a gift."
He shook the plush toy vigorously. Fortunately, his desperate gesture caught her attention. Perhaps he was only feigning interest, but at least he managed to divert her attention from the sensitive area.
— Do you want to see the bathroom too? There are some really interesting things in there.
Although nothing particularly special had happened, Eileen, eager to change the subject, chatted away as she led him to the bathroom attached to her room.
Cesare laughed and followed her. However, as soon as they arrived, Eileen ran out of things to say. After reflecting for a moment, she suddenly pointed to the toothpaste.
— I made it. Well, not entirely from scratch…
She had simply mixed some herbs into store-bought powdered toothpaste. It was a gift that was usually appreciated for its refreshing taste.
While Cesare listened attentively, Eileen tried to resist the urge to go into detail about the herbs, their ingredients, effects, and appearances. As she struggled with her words, Cesare inexplicably smiled.
How do you use it?
— Oh… just brush your teeth normally…
Show me.
With the sudden request, Eileen replied without thinking:
— Do you want to try it too, Cesare?
I didn't expect him to accept, but he readily agreed.
They stood side by side in front of the small sink, tasting the pasta. Everything seemed tailor-made for Eileen. Despite the discomfort, Cesare continued his movements without complaint.
Beneath her rolled-up sleeves, the muscles in her forearms contracted and relaxed with each movement. Water trickled down her strong arms, dripping from her fingertips. It was a mundane act, yet Eileen found herself mesmerized.
Cesare, ever careful, finished brushing his teeth and turned his gaze to Eileen. She shuddered, realizing she had been caught watching him.
Like a thief caught red-handed, Eileen hurried out of the bathroom without him saying a word. She walked carelessly and tripped over the sofa.
She fell awkwardly onto the piece of furniture, one leg on the floor, the other thrown over the side support. She tried to quickly regain her composure, but a constant pressure on her back prevented her from moving. Cesare held her firmly, not forcefully, but enough to prevent her from getting up.
At first, she thought it was a joke. However, the way he remained there, without moving, unsettled her. The pressure increased slightly, making it difficult for her to breathe.
— C-Cesare…? — a trembling whisper escaped his lips:
But he remained silent. He only let out a long sigh. When Eileen finally gathered the courage to speak again, he stepped forward:
"From now on… " he said. His tone was one of mild reprimand, like a father correcting a child. "Even if someone asks, never let them into your room."
The low, serious voice carried a sharp edge of seriousness. Eileen replied immediately:
No one has ever entered my room except you. Not even my father.
Not that she had forbidden him, he simply never showed any interest in his daughter's room.
So, there's nothing to worry about.
She expected Cesare to praise her, as if she were a child who had behaved well. However, he remained silent, only extending his other arm.
Leaning his broad body against the back of the sofa, he cast a shadow over her, drawing even closer. Enveloping her almost completely, he brought his lips to her ear and whispered:
And you... aren't you worried about what I might do?
Eileen tried to turn her head to face him, but Cesare's firm voice stopped her:
Don't turn your face away, Eileen.
He obeyed immediately, turning his gaze back to the fabric of the sofa.
"But it's you, Cesare, " he replied calmly.
She had let him into her room because it was him. Someone she trusted completely, someone who would never hurt her.
Even if the man committed something unforgivable, she would accept it. The warnings he had given about death or irreversible damage would be bearable, as long as they came from him.
'My life belongs only to you, Cesare.'
Like her mother before her, Eileen was willing to sacrifice everything for him. Although it seemed that Cesare didn't need her life, all that remained for him was her own devotion.
During the attack in the greenhouse, the man had told her not to risk her life for him. But, if such a situation were to occur, Eileen would die without hesitation.
Although it's unlikely.
Caesar was strong, imposing, capable of protecting himself, and surrounded by loyal soldiers.
Eileen, on the other hand, had nothing to offer. Even her most daring plan involving Morpheus had failed, causing more problems for the man.
— You could kill me or cause irreparable damage to my body. But, Cesare, you wouldn't do that without a reason. And, if it came to that, the blame would be mine.
She articulated her thoughts calmly, believing that by saying that, she was making it clear that she wasn't a naive child who had let him into her room on a whim or out of recklessness. She even felt a certain pride in being able to express her trust and loyalty to the man so firmly.
But the weight on her back shifted suddenly. Cesare leaned forward, his movements slow and deliberate. The contact of his firm chest made her shudder. Then, a wave of heat spread beneath her, the weight of his hips now pressing firmly against her buttocks.
Eileen held her breath, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and an indefinable feeling.
Too stunned to speak, all she managed to utter were gasps. Cesare moved even closer, his warm breath brushing her ear.
"So... this is your fault too? " the man murmured, his voice hoarse.
A light bite on her earlobe made Eileen shudder. It wasn't pain, but an intense awareness of his closeness, of his power. His warm tongue traced a delicate line along the edge of her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
Eileen, paralyzed, tried to escape, but each attempt was met with more pressure.
A subtle movement of his hips made the old sofa tremble, eliciting an involuntary moan from her. He bit her earlobe hard, as if punishing her.
— A-Ah…!
The pain brought tears to her eyes. She stopped resisting and lay motionless on the sofa, trembling as she tried to explain herself in a shaky voice.
— Wait, that's not what I meant. I don't think it's my fault, uh, please don't lick that…!
The warm, moist invasion filled her ear canal. The tongue, like an exploring serpent, provoked terrifying and, at the same time, strangely exciting shivers. The lascivious sounds, amplified within the closed space of the ear, became an intoxicating whirlwind for her senses. Breath caught in her throat for an instant, and the world around her dissolved into pulsating heat and a desperate struggle for control.
To be continued…