Cesare kicked the door, now riddled with bullets, and knocked it down. Inside, only two people were still standing: Eileen and the Marquis's son-in-law, Matteo.
— Damn it, fuck, fuck…!
Matteo pressed a dagger against Eileen's throat. Given his agitated state, there was a high possibility he would injure the hostage.
Diego and Michelle exchanged glances. Michelle, along with the snipers, awaited the opportune moment to act.
Meanwhile, Lotan was outside, prepared for any eventuality. While the gunmen exchanged fire, Diego silently circled the house, climbed to the second floor, and entered through the broken window. He had just reached the ground floor via the stairs.
" Archduke, " Matteo smiled, his eyes bloodshot, "You were enjoying this hottie all alone, huh?"
Lotan approached Cesare, casting a worried glance at Eileen. Despite trembling, she remained calm—a crucial factor in hostage situations. Survival often depends on a delicate balance between cooperation and resistance.
— I'm already condemned to the guillotine anyway! So be it! Before you take my head, I want to see the fear drain from your arrogant face!
Diego, hidden in the shadows, held his breath—the weight of Eileen's life weighed heavily on his finger on the trigger. A clean shot with her so close was a risk, a dance on the blade of a razor. Cursing under his breath, Diego narrowed his eyes, every muscle tense, waiting for the slightest opening.
As the net closed in, Cesare remained unperturbed. He did not react to Matteo's ramblings. His eyes were fixed on Eileen.
Their eyes met for a long moment, and gradually, Eileen began to calm down. Her trembling body and irregular breathing subsided. Only then did he speak:
— Good girl. You didn't even cry.
Cesare commented, causing tears to almost immediately threaten to fall at his words.
— … Because you promised, — her voice faltered, her lips bleeding from biting them so much. — That you would come to rescue me if I waited…
Eileen's large eyes filled with tears as she pleaded with Cesare.
— I want to go home.
— Not tonight. You're sleeping at the mansion.
Cesare gently persuaded her, offering her an amaretto brought from the imperial palace. Eileen finally, bursting into tears, replied:
- It's OK…
Okay, Eileen. Can you close your eyes?
— For… how long? Should I sing too?
He asked, remembering that day in the greenhouse. Cesare gave a small, restrained smile and replied:
The national anthem is too long. Try a lullaby.
Eileen squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to block out the scene before her. Hot, incessant tears streamed down her flushed cheeks. Yet, a strange calm settled over her. The fear, that overwhelming terror, had receded, replaced by a singular focus. With trembling lips, Eileen began to sing, a wordless melody escaping her throat.
— Damn, what nonsense…!
The moment Matteo yelled furiously, Cesare acted. In one fluid movement, he drew his weapon and shot Matteo in the foot. “Bang!” The sound of the shot echoed like thunder.
Startled by the sudden attack, Matteo reacted reflexively. His arm moved forward, the glint of the blade gleaming in the dim light.
However, before the blade could reach Eileen, a black leather glove caught the dagger's edge, intercepting the blow. At the same time, Cesare pulled Eileen into his arms, twisting his own body in a swift retreat.
More shots rang out. Matteo, caught in the hail of bullets, screamed in agony, his limbs trembling in shock.
Cesare threw down the dagger and ordered:
I want him alive.
The dagger pierced Matteo's palm as he lay on the ground. Cesare removed his uniform suit jacket and placed it over Eileen's shoulders. Then, he lifted her in his arms and whispered softly:
— Let's go home, Eileen.
Unable to even sing a verse of the lullaby, Eileen nodded and curled up. She tried to grip his uniform tightly, but her trembling fingers could only lightly touch the fabric. Cesare adjusted Eileen in his arms and tried to calm her trembling hand. But, seeing the palm of his own hand, he gave up.
— …
However, she checked his palm and stopped.
— Archduke! Archduke Erzet…!
Marquis Menegin, his once proud posture now shattered, ran after Cesare as he walked towards the carriage. Cesare turned, his gaze cold and calculating. The Marquis, in a pitiful state, fell to his knees pleading, sweat pouring like rain from his brow.
"P-please, " he stammered, his voice thick with despair. "My daughter... she's innocent in all of this. I'll do anything, Your Grace, anything! Even kneel and beg like a dog at your feet."
The Marquis threw his cane to the ground and pleaded, burying his head in the sand. Senon had explained the entire situation to him in detail while managing the kidnapping.
After the death of the former emperor, drug trafficking in the Traon Empire was punished by the extermination of the entire lineage. A thoughtless act by the son-in-law had led the Marquis's illustrious family to ruin.
Cesare, observing the old man's desperate plea, twisted his lips into a cruel smile.
— Of course, we should spare her.
— …!
He used formal language, readily offering mercy, bringing clear relief to the Marquis. Hopefully, the Marquis's face lit up. Then, Cesare smiled and added:
— If you pluck out that eye you have left.
With these words, saying that he would spare them both if he plucked out the other eye, Cesare turned and continued walking. The marquis, unable to stop him, could only watch helplessly as his back disappeared into the distance.
It will be interesting to see him blind.
Senon, making a brief comment, opened the car door for Cesare.
— To the Archduke's residence.
At Cesare's command, the door closed, and the military vehicle advanced silently into the darkness.
Until they arrived at the property, Eileen remained nestled in Cesare's arms, and he held her in silence.
Even as he exited the car, Cesare carried Eileen in his arms as he got out. This was possible thanks to the height of the military vehicle's chassis.
At the entrance to the Archduke's residence, Sonio paced back and forth, anxiously. When he saw Cesare appear with Eileen in his arms, he let out a sigh of relief.
— Oh, thank the gods.
The old butler seemed to have aged ten years that night. He tried to cover Eileen's shoulders with a blanket he had brought, but, noticing the uniform coat she was wearing, simply hugged her. Eileen held the blanket against her chest and looked at Sonio.
— Miss Eileen, I've prepared hot water for your bath. And warm milk with honey. Would you like the milk first?
As soon as Eileen nodded gently, Cesare added:
And amaretto to go with it.
I'll take care of it.
Cesare gently placed her on the ground. Supported by Sonio, Eileen entered the mansion.
In truth, she wanted to remain close to Cesare. However, she couldn't interfere; he needed to attend to pending matters.
Eileen drank milk and ate two biscuits. Refreshed by the sweet treat, she took a bath with the help of the maids and put on a soft dressing gown.
Upon entering the guest room, she was surprised. Cesare was sitting in an armchair beside the bed. He patted the mattress lightly.
- Come here.
Cesare invited her gently, gesturing towards the bed.
The joy of seeing him was short-lived. His eyes fell upon his bandaged hand.
— Your Grace, your hand…
She ran to him. Cesare remained seated, only raising his head slightly.
— Y-you were wounded by the dagger. Do you want me to examine it…?
To think that he had been injured trying to save her. She felt like crying again. She bit her lip to hold back the tears, but stopped when she felt pain. She had bitten too hard before—her lips were swollen.
Cesare used his other hand to press Eileen's lips together, preventing her from biting them.
— You waited for me, even back then, didn't you?
She didn't answer, not understanding the meaning behind those words. But Cesare didn't seem to expect an answer.
I promised I would always protect you. You must have waited for me.
He didn't seem to be talking about when she was kidnapped at age twelve. Eileen listened to his words in silence.
— You must have been scared. And cried a lot, you must have been very frightened being alone.
Cesare smiled bitterly. He gently pulled Eileen close, trapping her between his legs, and wrapped his arms around her waist. Eileen flinched in surprise, but Cesare ignored it. Making sure she couldn't see his face, he murmured:
I'm sorry, Eileen.
She was shocked by the apology. With trembling hands, she timidly touched Cesare's shoulder and spoke cautiously:
— You have always saved me, Your Grace.
Why was he apologizing? He had been her savior countless times. Eileen expressed her feelings.
— You came today too. You always keep your promises.
After a brief silence, Cesare whispered as if confessing an ancient sin:
— … But there was one time when I couldn't fulfill it.
To be continued…