Eileen was even more surprised by the sound of Michelle's gunshot. Instinctively, she pressed her hands against her chest as the sudden bang made her heart race uncontrollably.
Michelle blew on the still-smoking gun barrel and cast a triumphant glance at Eileen, her eyes seeking approval. Unfortunately for her, Eileen, completely shaken, could only grip the doorknob, her thoughts scattered.
Eileen!
In the middle of the crowd, a woman hurried forward, her shawl slipping from her shoulders and revealing a cascade of beautiful, dazzling blonde hair that shone like gold dust in the sunlight.
— L-Lena?
Eileen stammered, surprised, calling her by her pseudonym. She watched in amazement as Malena effortlessly dealt with the soldiers blocking her path, using only her delicate hands.
— I have permission from His Grace, the Archduke, to pass! And I'm also an acquaintance of Eileen!
Eileen ran to Michelle, who was in the garden.
— Madame Michelle! She is an acquaintance of mine. Please let her in.
— Of course, I'll let you in. Do you need anything else?
Michelle's smile remained unchanged, as if the chaos didn't affect her. This serenity left Eileen even more confused, wondering how Michelle could act as if nothing had happened.
— The groceries… I was going out to get them—
Okay! I'll do the shopping. Leave it to me.
Michelle swapped her shopping bag for a handful of chocolates, placing them in Eileen's hands.
— I'll take care of buying something nice. You come in and spend some time with your friend.
Eileen found herself gently led back inside the house, alongside Malena.
— …
With a click, the door closed behind them, enveloping the hallway in silence. After a few moments, Eileen broke the silence with a shy greeting.
Good morning, Lena.
Marlena replied curtly:
— Just call me Marlena. Now you know everything.
— Ah, Marlena…
Eileen repeated softly, offering a sympathetic smile. Marlena's proud facade faltered, her expression on the verge of tears. It was poignant to see her vulnerability contrasting with her normally confident demeanor. Placing her hand on Marlena's forearm, Eileen asked gently:
How did you get here? Something's going on, isn't it?
— Of course it is. I brought it for you to see with your own eyes!
Marlena responded, handing Eileen a newspaper. The headline, printed in huge letters, immediately caught her attention:
[THE ARCHDUKE'S WEDDING... IS THE BRIDE EILEEN ELROD?!]
- There is…?
Eileen sounded perplexed. She had heard fragments of conversation outside about marriage, but the voices were mixed together, making it impossible to understand the details.
"So it's true? " Marlena asked anxiously. "You're really going to marry Archduke Erzet, Eileen?"
Eileen looked at Marlena for a moment before replying, with a slight delay:
- Yes…
That was true.
Yesterday, she had met with Cesare at the Archduke's residence, and according to him, had agreed to the marriage.
However, I didn't expect the news of the wedding to be splashed across the newspaper the next day—and in such a grand way.
Following the recent reform movement, newspapers were saturated with articles about Archduke Erzet. Although La Beretta was more restrained, the sensationalist press was in a frenzy, reporting every detail of the Archduke's life, from his clothes to his favorite perfume, and even his culinary preferences.
They even dedicated a special feature to Cesare's hobby of playing the piano.
Despite this intense attention to the Archduke's private life, there was a notable absence of any mention of Eileen in the articles, even with the widespread knowledge of the Archduke's affection for his nanny's daughter.
It seemed as if an invisible hand controlled the newspapers, keeping Eileen out of the spotlight. No journalist bothered her for interviews.
Even during recent high-profile incidents, such as the "Lily Affair" and the "Bloody Banquet" at the Victory Ceremony, where the Archduke's involvement was reported, Eileen's connection as Cesare's beloved remained hidden.
The journalists, normally stubborn, avoided approaching Eileen for fear of the Archduke. But today, Cesare boldly announced his marriage to the Empire, revealing Eileen's existence to the world.
As she repeatedly read the word "marriage" in the newspaper, Eileen felt the weight of the situation fall upon her. She realized there was nowhere to run.
She was indeed going to marry Cesare.
Give me your hand.
Eileen, emerging from her trance, returned to reality upon hearing the irritated voice. Instinctively, she extended her right hand, but Marlena, visibly frustrated, demanded her left, pounding her chest in impatience. Eileen quickly switched hands and extended it.
Marlena tilted her head back, inspecting the fourth finger of Eileen's left hand. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to contain her anger. When she opened them again and looked at Eileen, her gaze was as fierce as a lioness's.
Didn't he give you a ring?
"Ah, that… " Eileen replied shyly, shrinking back. "I didn't win one…"
— He's the Archduke, he can buy as many rings as he wants!
She was furious, asking why Eileen hadn't even received an engagement ring from the Archduke, who could very well have given her a diamond ring large enough for all her fingers.
Eileen calmed Marlena, glancing sideways at the room where her father might be.
Marlena, could you please speak more quietly?
— Oh, sorry. I forgot about the reporters outside.
Although the reporters couldn't be heard in the garden, Eileen preferred not to correct the misunderstanding, worried about her father's terrible reputation.
"Eileen. No, Miss Elrod ," Marlena called out formally, causing Eileen to shake her hand in refusal.
"It's okay, call me by my name, " Eileen insisted.
— … I didn't know you were a noblewoman. And I certainly didn't expect you to be someone the Archduke held in such high esteem.
I didn't know Marlena was a dancer either.
Marlena giggled, almost like a sigh, and Eileen couldn't help but join in.
Among Eileen's clients, Marlena held a special place.
On her first visit to Eileen's lab, Marlena was suffering from complications following an abortion. Despite this, she joked lightly about the constant bleeding, demonstrating a unique combination of humor and resilience.
"I've heard of your talent. Do you have a potion that makes death seem beautiful and painless? I'll pay whatever it takes."
“— ?”
Marlena had said, throwing a heavy bag of gold coins onto the table, which seemed endless as they spread out.
Eileen glanced briefly at the gold, taking only one coin before quietly rearranging her purse and returning it. She casually asked:
"Do you like hot chocolate? Because it's all I have to drink."
She quickly prepared a cup and handed it to Marlena, who stared at it in surprise. However, she found comfort in the warmth of Eileen's hands and the sweet aroma of the drink, which led her to take a sip.
"I will make the medicine you want. But it will take time."
"How long?"
"Hmm... About a month. But you need to come here every three or four days for checkups."
Eileen explained the time and effort required to create a potion tailored for Marlena. As she collected the empty cup, she offered a reminder:
"And don't forget to see a doctor to take proper care of your health."
She emphasized the importance of staying healthy to ensure a graceful end, an idea that Marlena, to her own surprise, found herself inclined to accept. Looking back, it had seemed absurd, but in that vulnerable moment, her mind had been persuaded by Eileen's conviction.
Marlena had diligently followed the advice, maintaining her health with regular visits to the doctor and weekly trips to the lab. At each visit, Eileen quickly assessed her condition before offering her delicious snacks.
Impressed, Marlena decided to reciprocate, bringing a variety of exquisite sweets – from cakes from famous bakeries to exotic imported candies, she spared no effort to find the best treats.
Eileen's joy at each new treat was evident; her reactions resembled the happiness of a child. Marlena found it adorable. But she couldn't help but wonder: even with Eileen's simple profession, she seemed very accustomed to such luxuries.
The thought crossed his mind: 'Do you spend all your money just on snacks?'
To be continued…