- There is?
Eileen's mouth dropped open at his frankness, and her cheeks flushed as she heard the title.
We haven't even made it official yet!
Cesare laughed, seemingly amused by her disbelief. Instead of answering, he simply took Eileen's hand and led her across the living room.
Upon reaching the entrance hall, Sonio, who had been waiting outside, promptly opened the door. His expression remained calm, despite Cesare's sudden appearance.
"We'll go by carriage, " declared Cesare.
"Yes, Your Grace, " replied Sonio, with a polite nod, before disappearing.
The couple went to the locker room, and Eileen was surprised by what she saw.
Several dresses hung around the room, accompanied by shoes, hats, and jewelry to match. This part of the house didn't seem to belong to a single man. While Eileen examined every detail, Cesare went to the other side and picked up a ready-made outfit.
— Put this on.
It was a simple yet elegant combination: skirt, blouse, gloves, and hat. He arranged them carefully on the sofa, as if to avoid wrinkling them, and then chose a hair accessory. Afterward, he motioned for Eileen to come closer.
When she obeyed, Cesare took off his glasses and pinned her bangs to the side.
Eileen touched her own exposed face, uncomfortable with the strange sensation.
Should I really leave like this?
— You would attract more attention with glasses.
With that, Cesare convinced her and went to change. Alone in the dressing room, Eileen hesitated before taking off her old clothes, carefully folding them and setting them aside. Then, she put on the new ones chosen by Cesare. Curiously, each piece fit perfectly. Absorbed by the soft texture of the fabric, she observed herself in the mirror, distracted.
She couldn't. Eileen closed her eyes tightly as she saw her reflection. She didn't have the courage to look at her exposed face, while unpleasant memories began to surface.
"You're disgusting!"
When angry, Eileen's mother would mock her appearance. She would yell that her daughter was horrible to look at, even threatening to put scissors in her eyes. When she calmed down, she avoided looking at Eileen. Whether it was out of discomfort with her daughter's image or shame for what she was doing, Eileen would never know.
Some time later, her mother gave her a pair of glasses. Eileen had good eyesight, so the lenses were made of ordinary glass. Even so, she didn't complain and put them on, not daring to change her appearance since then. She even let her bangs grow out to cover more of her face. And, when washing her face, she avoided looking at herself in the mirror, afraid of reliving those memories.
After years of living like this, Eileen felt anxious whenever her face was exposed. So, she put on her hat without looking in the mirror, slipped on her shoes and gloves, completing the look.
She rushed out of the locker room and found Cesare giving instructions to a servant. They both stopped and looked at her as the door opened.
— …!
The servant's eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets. Eileen looked away, uncomfortable.
'Why can't I at least have my glasses back?!'
Cesare held her hand before she could bring her fingers to her sensitive eyes. They were slightly swollen, perhaps from treacherous tears that had escaped earlier.
Eileen walked silently behind Cesare, her eyes fixed on the floor, until they reached the front door.
— Miss Eileen.
Sonio's voice made her stop before they got into the carriage. She looked at him, a flicker of apprehension appearing on her face. Fortunately, Sonio maintained his usual friendly expression.
'Well, Sonio has taken care of me since I was a child.'
Sonio had known her since she was a child, when she used to wander through the unfamiliar grounds of the castle. He had seen her many times before, so her exposed face shouldn't be unfamiliar to him.
— The young lady didn't touch the cake. I'll prepare some for later.
- It is not necessary-
This can't be. Do you want to leave this old man worried all night?
In the end, Eileen gave in.
— Come more often, Miss Eileen.
Don't worry, Sonio. You'll see her more often.
Cesare answered for Eileen, nodding slightly.
I have a feeling I'll be back too late.
Yes, Your Grace. I will prepare everything properly.
After saying goodbye to Sonio, Eileen and Cesare got into the carriage. The vehicle sped off towards the outskirts of the capital.
The street they arrived on was the same one Eileen had been on when searching for her father. It didn't have an official name, but the locals called it Fiore Street.
Fiore Street was full of nightclubs, bars, casinos, and prostitution. There were also smugglers and merchants of illegal goods. It was even said that there was a shop that accepted assassination orders or brokered confidential information.
Of course, it was all speculation. Innocent until proven guilty.
'I can't believe I've already been here twice!'
That place wasn't for someone like her. Before, the idea of going in there seemed absurd. Eileen swallowed hard and clung to Cesare.
As they descended to the beginning of the street, Cesare took Eileen's arm, as a gentleman does with his lady. They walked in sync, without him paying attention to the calls around them.
He seemed so proud at that moment, Eileen noticed. Sensing her gaze, Cesare asked:
Is something wrong?
I keep thinking about what would happen if someone recognized him.
Due to the archduke's popularity, there was a fashion among men to dye their hair black. Even on Fiore Street, there were several with various shades of black hair.
None, of course, compared to the man. He stood out with his hair as black as night, shiny and impossible to imitate.
— I wouldn't mind. After all, they'd think I came here to drink with my fiancée.
Besides the risk to her reputation, there was something else bothering Eileen. She didn't want to fuel the rumors about him. And, even worse, she felt more eyes on her today. Was it because she was with someone like Cesare?
She brought her hand to her face, as if to adjust the glasses she wasn't wearing. With no other option, she kept her head down, without breaking the rhythm of her steps with Cesare.
At the tavern door, two burly, surly guards greeted them. They smoked and chatted, but put out their cigarettes and straightened up when they saw Cesare. He tossed a silver coin to each of them before going inside.
— Oh, thanks.
Eileen was so startled that she grabbed Cesare's arm. She had heard of the famous taverns there, but the size of this place surpassed her imagination.
The interior was entirely covered in red velvet, and beneath the chandeliers, between luxurious curtains, lay a grand ballroom.
'What tavern?! This is a…'
There were dancers in outfits that looked more like they belonged in a cabaret. They wore dresses of red silk, satin and black lace, with red feathers in their hair.
Eileen's face burned at the sight of exposed breasts. Legs were also on display up to the thighs. Skirts fluttered like butterflies, revealing stockings underneath. While everyone seemed to be having fun, Eileen felt out of place.
The music changed when the dance ended. Colorful confetti fell from the ceiling, and the atmosphere transformed. A dancer appeared on stage, as if summoned by the glitter of the confetti. Her sequined costume set her apart from the others, shimmering like a jewel in the light.
She must be very famous. As soon as she appeared, the audience cheered and shouted her name.
Marlena!
Marlena twirled in the air on her swing, sending kisses to the spectators. Her aerial dance was captivating, the hem of her skirt swirling like an invitation and a shield at the same time.
The entrance music ended, and she was about to descend when her eyes met Eileen's.
— !
The world was too small, and the mutual recognition shocked them.
Marlena was one of Eileen's clients. She went by the name Lena and frequently bought birth control pills. She was one of the few who had ever seen Eileen's face.
Marlena stared at her in surprise. Her eyes widened even more when she saw Cesare.
Immediately, Marlena's expression changed, and she began to sing. Her voice surprised the dancers and musicians. This was not a rehearsed song.
Still, the professionals there were talented. One by one, they accompanied Marlena, harmonizing with her. The woman shook her beautiful golden hair and turned directly to Eileen, as if dedicating the music to her.
Men, men, ordinary men,
Foolish is the woman who trusts them.
Vile lies, in sweet disguise,
Vain scoundrels, full of malice.
To be continued…