As thoughts of Cesare's voice flooded her mind, an intense heat rose to her throat.
'Why on earth did he do that? Was it fun for him to see her embarrassed and ashamed?' Lost in her own thoughts, Eileen pulled the sofa cushions forcefully. However, the more she dwelled on the incident, the less significant it seemed.
After all, Cesare was also a young and healthy man with sexual desires. It wouldn't be strange if he sought relief with his future wife.
However, despite arousing such strange emotions in her, Cesare hadn't taken any direct action. Eileen struggled to understand why, but found no answer. Still, one thing was clear:
'I'm so embarrassed…'
I couldn't look at Cesare for a while. Even without seeing his face, I kept thinking about him. His warm breath, his moans, the feverish heat, the overwhelming pleasure.
Remembering those sensations, she felt something like butterflies in her stomach. She even felt an itch in her nipples that Cesare had provoked for a while. She wanted to scratch, but it was too embarrassing a place to touch.
Eileen dug her nails into her palm to contain the growing desire. Only after leaving several crescent-shaped marks was she able to catch her breath.
— …
She had decided to invite the Archduke's knights to a modest dinner.
He felt relieved that Cesare was not among the guests.
Initially, she considered inviting the man, but ultimately decided against it, fearing she would overwhelm him with her busy schedule. Looking back, it seemed to have been the best decision.
'I'll avoid the Archduke for now.' Eileen decided firmly. Thanks to the impactful memories of the night, she couldn't recall anything unpleasant about the kidnapping.
A few days later, on the night of the date, Eileen woke up early to thoroughly clean the house and went to the market to buy supplies. Since she wasn't skilled in the kitchen, she planned to serve food that had been ordered in advance from various restaurants.
After shopping and visiting restaurants, it was already late. While she was busy preparing everything alone, her father returned home, his breath reeking of alcohol and cigarettes, indicating that he might have spent the night out.
Welcome back!
Eileen greeted him, but stopped when she smelled the strong scent emanating from him. Her father looked at her and laughed.
My dear daughter!
— … Did you know we'll have dinner guests tonight?
— Ah, guests. Yes, I know. I'll leave before they arrive.
That said, he went into the room, seemingly heading straight to bed without bothering to shower, despite having a bathroom in the room. He always acted carelessly when he was drunk—a habit Eileen found detestable.
Eileen sighed deeply and refocused on the preparations for receiving the guests, spreading out a fresh tablecloth and gathering out the best plates and silverware.
Outside, she heard cheerful voices. Looking out the window, she saw three men and a woman walking towards the garden, accompanied by a black military vehicle parked in front of the house. Each of them was carrying something in their hands.
Eileen smiled and opened the front door. Before they even knocked, the Archduke's knights entered with warm laughter.
We've arrived!
Lotan, Diego, and Michelle entered first, followed by Senon. He looked at Eileen with a deeply emotional expression.
— Miss Eileen…
— Mr. Senon, it's been a long time.
— You've matured a lot since our last meeting.
As soon as Senon began to reminisce, Michelle nudged him with her elbow.
- I am hungry.
Swaying from the force of the push, Senon regained his composure and looked at her. Michelle laughed and lightly touched their foreheads together.
— Come on, brother, don't be angry. They say a well-fed soldier has beautiful skin.
With that, she went straight to the table. Senon clicked her tongue and suppressed her irritation, rubbing her forehead. It was best to control her temper in front of Eileen.
The man wasn't short, but compared to the other knights—including Cesare—he seemed smaller. Especially next to Michelle, a tall and strong woman, the difference was noticeable.
With his more delicate appearance, Senon often felt out of place among his larger colleagues, especially now.
— You saw, right? They treat me like I'm nothing, just because they're a little bigger than me.
While Senon grumbled to Eileen about his colleagues' jokes, the other knights were busy bringing food to the table.
— Miss Eileen, where do I put this?
Wow, that smells great. Where did you get that? I need to buy some too.
— Miss, I brought a bottle of wine. Let's enjoy it with our meal.
While the three chatted animatedly, Diego approached Eileen again.
— A gift! Here's a gift for you.
He picked up a bag he had placed on the table and, with a sweet smile, took out a large plush rabbit.
Ta - da!
Eileen burst into laughter at the joke, hugging the rabbit and thanking it.
She genuinely liked the rabbit that Diego brought as a gift. Its soft texture seemed to soothe her.
Without realizing it, he began to pet the toy, much to Diego's delight. He proudly displayed it to the others.
Look at this!
Diego boasted that the wine he had brought was of high quality. Upon hearing yet another expression of gratitude from Eileen, he smiled as if he had won the world.
The other three knights exchanged irritated glances before presenting their own gifts. Lotan brought a rare book on foreign botany, Senon gave a set of fountain pens, and Michele a large jar filled with imported candies and chocolates.
After gratefully accepting each gift, Eileen promptly thanked everyone and offered her own gift.
This is my gift.
Wrapped in a small box was a healing ointment.
Although it seemed modest compared to the platinum pocket watch he had given Cesare, the knights were delighted, as if they had received precious jewels.
Wow! This ointment will come in handy!
After Diego exaggeratedly praised the ointment Eileen made as the most effective, the others took theirs out as well. Lotan even applied some to his hand and smiled contentedly.
I'm going to brag about this at work tomorrow.
After exchanging gifts, everyone gathered around the table. As they were about to enjoy the feast, Eileen remembered someone she had forgotten amidst the preparations.
Her father was still in his room on the first floor. Although she had warned him days before about the guests and even given him money to go out, he seemed to have overslept and missed his chance to go.
Eileen glanced briefly at her father's room, hearing a thud, as if something had fallen inside, perfectly timed with their attention. All the knights turned their eyes toward the room.
— Oh, my father… He's still in there.
Eileen murmured awkwardly, fixing her gaze on the bedroom door.
He should join us for dinner.
As she watched with an apprehensive expression, the knights exchanged glances. Senon gestured to Diego, who frowned and stood up quickly.
— Baron.
Approaching the door confidently, Diego turned the doorknob firmly, as if he could force it open.
Come have dinner with us.
After a brief silence, a weak voice came from the other side of the door.
- I am fine…
The voice sounded weaker than the whisper of passing ants. Eileen assumed her father was refusing the invitation, but Diego didn't give up. Leaning against the door with one arm, he insisted:
People need to eat to live. Come eat with us.
Although his words were an invitation to dinner, his tone and actions seemed more like an order. With a thud, Diego knocked on the door and muttered:
— Get out, Baron Elrod.
To be continued…