There was something strange about his statement. It was the first time Eileen had given him a watch.
Perhaps he had already received something similar from someone else?
It didn't make much sense.
'After all, even if the gift had been carefully chosen and purchased from an upscale shop on Venue Street, Her Grace would have had little reason to expect such a design.'
Cesare had been born a prince and, now as a duke, was one of the most noble figures in the Empire. This meant that items were custom-made for him, carefully designed and produced so that no duplicates existed anywhere else. From clothes and shoes to furniture and even pens, all of the Archduke's possessions were priceless items that commanded high valuations.
His collection of pocket watches was no different. Eileen knew this, for she had seen them several times before. Each one was adorned with expensive jewels and marked with the coat of arms of the imperial family.
The simple, unadorned platinum pocket watch that Eileen bought was something that would undoubtedly never catch Cesare's attention. Besides Eileen, there was no one else who would dare give him something like that.
While Eileen was lost in her confused thoughts, Cesare took his pocket watch out of its case. The white object contrasted sharply with the black leather gloves he was wearing.
CLICK
The faint sound of the bracelet sliding under his glove echoed. He glanced at the watch on his wrist, and for a brief moment, a fleeting glint passed through his eyes.
The tremor disappeared before Eileen could notice. Cesare gripped the watch tightly, as if determined never to let it go, and smiled.
- I liked.
The moment Eileen saw Cesare's cheerful, smiling face, her spirit calmed. As her tense mind began to relax, tears streamed down her cheeks.
Hiccup
Tears flowed like a running tap. Even hurriedly taking off her glasses and trying to wipe them away with the back of her hand was useless. Eileen cried softly as she apologized to Cesare.
— Forgive me, Your Grace. I am very sorry!
What are you talking about?
— It's just that… uh, I'm crying!
Is that why you're apologizing?
No, I feel guilty about everything.
Cesare sighed softly, took off one of his gloves and put it in his pocket with his watch. Tenderly, he held Eileen's face, brushed her bangs aside, and wiped the tears around her eyes with his thumb.
"I can't stay mad at you, especially when I see your face stained with tears. " He wiped away his tears, frowning. With half-closed eyes, he murmured softly, "I was even planning on being tougher on you."
Eileen's heart sank. This was what she had feared. He was truly upset! And on top of that, he planned to be even more cruel! What a deeply disturbing revelation!
The mere fact that he had refused to see her already felt like the end of the world. Eileen looked at Cesare in despair, her voice trembling as she asked:
— May I know why you're angry?
Cesare didn't reveal it immediately. He waited until Eileen had shed what seemed like a bucket of tears before speaking.
"He offered to sell you. " Eileen's eyes widened in shock at that explanation. "He's willing to sell a girl who hasn't even been presented to society. And to a foreign pig, on top of that. Your father demanded money while threatening me, you know? That would be enough to make anyone furious, don't you think?"
So shocked that she even stopped crying, Eileen momentarily forgot about the tears. She could deduce the intentions behind her father's actions.
Under the guise of a marriage, he intended to extort money from Cesare and pass a portion on to foreign nobles to legitimize the "marriage . "
Since his mother's death, his father had openly complained about the lack of money, despite the Grand Duke's affection for Eileen. Only after Cesare's victorious return from the campaign did the complaints cease.
Looking into Eileen's eyes, now darkened by the sunset, Cesare asked a question:
— Are you still going to let them marry you off to that old pig?
Eileen shook her head vigorously. Cesare wiped his wet eyelashes and asked again:
— What do you propose we do, huh?
- I don't know…
How wonderful it would be if she could simply refuse something she didn't want to do. There hadn't been many moments in Eileen's life when she had the autonomy to make her own decisions. Even now, she felt as if she were being dragged along by someone else's whim.
Unable to respond immediately, his gaze fell, and then he felt a slight shake on his shoulders.
— How can you not know, Eileen?
Cesare's voice pierced the darkness, like a lone beacon in the night. His face drew closer, their breaths mingled as their noses lightly touched.
You should marry me.
Eileen's breathing quickened, her heart pounding in her chest. Cesare's gaze enveloped her, as if she were a delicate little bird held captive in his hands.
— You don't like the idea? Even just a little bit?
Eileen didn't answer, but Cesare didn't insist. He already knew the answer.
Eileen parted her lips slightly, a feeling of resignation washing over her. Refusing now would leave her with a miserable fate.
Bound by invisible chains, she surrendered to the inevitable.
I'm going to marry you…
His eyes curved like a blood moon, bending into a brief smile before he lowered his gaze and met her lips with his. Eileen sighed and shivered in his arms, feeling his large hands encircle her waist.
The embrace was tight, and Cesare initiated a slow, lingering kiss, preventing her from pulling away. He lightly nibbled at her lips, encouraging them to part, and then slid his tongue inside.
Eileen hesitated, unsure what to do with hers. This didn't surprise Cesare, who gently guided her through her first lascivious lesson, intertwining his with hers. The sensation of the soft, warm flesh gently brushing against the roof of her mouth was enough to make Eileen shudder.
— Ah~! Mmm!
A soft moan escaped Eileen's throat, giving her away. This made Cesare squeeze her tighter before slowly sliding his hand down her back, tracing a path along her spine.
A peculiar sensation, neither pain nor pleasure, but distinct in its own nature, throbbed within her vagina. It was uncomfortable, but in a different way, recognizable from her previous kisses.
There was also an unfamiliar dampness, which made her instinctively close her tense thighs. With careful movements, she lifted her hand from its awkward position and gently placed it on Cesare's chest.
Although he had no intention of pushing him away, Cesare broke the kiss, slowly parting their lips, and looked silently at Eileen.
Before her red eyes, Eileen's thoughts turned to poppies. Despite their allure, they were poisonous inside. Just like Cesare's true nature, those who remained by his side became addicted to his allure, like opium, even knowing the harmful side effects.
Eileen was no exception. She had become aware of her dangerous nature at the age of eleven, in the gardens of the Imperial Palace. She had chosen to feign ignorance, despite the many frightening situations that had occurred since then.
Upon meeting Cesare's intense gaze, she realized how close they were, separated only by the edge of the window. Belatedly, she noticed the discomfort of being pressed against it.
Cesare must have noticed as well, because he released her from his arms, allowing Eileen to walk away.
Eileen.
- Yes?
Why didn't you eat the cake?
I have no appetite.
She couldn't taste anything now, no matter what she ate. Eileen lowered her head and, clutching her clothes, managed to speak with difficulty:
I want to see my father.
It's better not to meet him.
That statement must have had some truth to it. If Cesare advised her not to meet him, then it would certainly be unpleasant. The way he was reluctant to reveal his father's whereabouts made that clear.
But Eileen couldn't hold back forever. She had entered this forbidden castle, determined to claim it as her own. Now, by showing herself vulnerable before the one she loved—and becoming even more entangled in her debt—the burden only increased.
"What else could get worse? " Eileen asked bitterly. "Okay, just... let me see him, please . " Seeing that he hesitated, she added an argument to persuade him: "We also need to talk about... the wedding."
Still looking annoyed, Cesare reluctantly gave in.
— Very well, then let's go together.
— You must be busy. I can go alone, if—.
She was about to ask him to just show her the way so as not to cause any more trouble, but Cesare quickly closed that gap. Looking at Eileen, who had fallen silent in surprise, he whispered as if he were warning her:
— Well, well, Eileen. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to go with your husband?
To be continued…