Struggling to regain her composure amidst the smoke, tears welled in Eileen's eyes as she managed to respond.
— Oh, thank you…
Although smoking was common among the Archduke's soldiers and knights, Eileen had never smelled tobacco before. As a result, those around her, including Cesare, who smoked occasionally, avoided the habit for hours before meeting her. This consideration stemmed from everyone's knowledge of her aversion to smoking.
This was the first time in Eileen's life that she had been directly exposed to smoke. Even seeing her discomfort, Ornella continued smoking. Feeling suffocated by the smoke and intimidated by Ornella, Eileen wanted to escape as quickly as possible. She tried to apologize hastily:
- Then…
"Oh, wait a moment ," Ornella interrupted her.
As she turned to leave, Eileen saw Ornella raise a hand, stopping her from departing. She and the lackey could only wait patiently.
Trapped in the acrid smoke, Eileen coughed with difficulty, her throat constricted. Ornella, for his part, calmly lit another cigarette. With a nonchalant gesture, he tossed the cigarette butt to the ground. The footman, ever watchful, picked it up with a handkerchief. Only then, finally shaking off his clothes, did Ornella turn to Eileen.
Strangely captivated, Eileen felt drawn to Ornella's smile. It blossomed like a flower breaking through the asphalt, beautiful despite the hostile surroundings. At that moment, a peculiar thought arose in Eileen's mind: 'This woman is a Lily. ' She reflected on how the nickname "Lily of Traon" seemed fitting for Ornella.
The other leaned in, her face inches from Eileen's.
The simplicity is a little clearer now.
Surprised by the unexpected gesture, when Ornella reached out toward her bangs, Eileen instinctively took a step back.
"Did I scare you? I'm sorry," said Ornella, with a mischievous smile on her lips.
"Completely disconcerting, don't you think, Miss Eileen? Why would Her Grace choose you… " Ornella's voice was heavy with sarcasm. "Marrying out of pity? That's pushing it too far, wouldn't you agree?"
She paused, her perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowing as she assessed Eileen from head to toe with a disdainful look. Suddenly, the girl became painfully self-conscious about her outfit. She was dressed up enough, she thought, but a doubt crept in as she compared her simple dress to what was probably a designer piece by Ornella. Eileen's dress, made of a coarser fabric than silk, had only a few faded ribbons.
In contrast, Ornella's dress screamed wealth. Made of a material that shimmered like moonlight on a calm lake, it flowed around her body as if it had a life of its own.
Moreover, Ornella exuded a pleasant perfume — an enveloping floral fragrance that almost danced with the tobacco smoke in the air.
Eileen remembered the moment she placed the watch case on the Grand Duke's sofa. It was a poor, worn-out case.
"It must be difficult for you too, Miss Eileen. A marriage between different social classes requires delicacy… Have you prepared the dowry yet?"
— Uh…
Eileen was speechless. It was a problem she hadn't even considered. Unless she was being sold, brides usually needed to provide a dowry.
Sure, Eileen's marriage was somewhat involuntary, but still, it was with the Archduke himself. She couldn't just show up empty-handed.
Upon seeing Eileen's pale face, Ornella clicked her tongue, as if annoyed.
— Your mother passed away, and you don't have the proper noble connections. I don't think anyone taught you even the basics.
The words were painfully true. No one had taught Eileen about the practical aspects of marriage. She had only vaguely thought about it, without really considering the preparations. She had barely reflected on what to do with her father.
That's a big problem. Oh, and come to think of it, you haven't even received a ring yet. It seems things aren't progressing smoothly.
Ornella exclaimed in surprise upon noticing Eileen's empty left hand. She quickly covered it with her right hand, embarrassed.
Well, I need a new lady's companion.
Ornella took the ribbon from Eileen's dress. With gloved hands, she pulled the ribbon, which came undone easily.
Eileen watched as the ribbon came sloppily undone. Ornella dropped it as if she'd touched something dirty, then withdrew her hands.
I will ensure that she is properly compensated.
Eileen bit her lip. She could feel the embarrassed gaze of the footman beside her.
Being a lady-in-waiting to the Empress was an honorable position, a dream for any young noblewoman. But, for Eileen, it seemed an insult, highlighting the chasm between her humble status and the grandeur of the Archduchess's court. Being compared to a lady-in-waiting, a position coveted by all noblewomen, was a cruel reminder of the poverty that tarnished Baron Elrod's name. A stark contrast to the life that awaited her as Archduchess Erzet.
This would likely happen more often in the future. Eileen prepared herself, accepting the deal. From the moment she agreed to become Archduchess Erzet, she had decided to face this new world, regardless of the trials.
Facing this was more distressing than she had expected, but Eileen managed to remain strong. She frowned to hold back tears and then, timidly, gathered the courage to answer shyly:
Thank you for your consideration. But... I'll manage.
— Accepting help when you're in trouble is nothing to be ashamed of, Miss Eileen.
But hearing that lesson about his naiveté made him fall silent again.
'What am I going to do about the dowry!'
Even if she sold the brick house and all the potions from her laboratory, it wouldn't come close to a dowry worthy of an Archduke's bride. And his laboratory was still inaccessible, not that she could get in anyway.
As Eileen's shoulders hunched even further, Ornella's voice suddenly softened.
— Miss Elrod. If you need anything, just come to me. I will help in any way I can. After all, we are now family, part of the same royal house.
Confused by the sudden kindness, Eileen soon understood. The sound of firm footsteps was approaching from behind. Even just from the calm, rhythmic sound of the footsteps, it was possible to recognize who it was.
— Your Grace, Archduke Erzet!
Cesare walked down the corridor. He was just passing through the colonnade, but perhaps it was the way the tails of his coat rippled in the wind that made his presence impossible to ignore. The uniform was imposing, but even the coat suited him perfectly.
While Eileen stared blankly, Ornella walked confidently toward Cesare. She seemed deeply moved.
It's been three years. How did you get through it?
— It's been a long time, Miss Farbellini.
Cesare greeted her briefly, and Ornella's cheeks flushed slightly. She looked lovely. Eileen watched from afar. The sparkle in her eyes, her animated voice, and her shy gestures revealed everything.
'Ornella likes Cesare.'
It was natural, since she originally wanted to marry him. Eileen could understand her feelings. It must be frustrating to see someone you love with someone as insignificant as her.
Eileen would probably have resented knowing that Cesare was marrying someone like her as well.
Ornella and Cesare together made a beautiful picture. They were so incredibly handsome it was almost frightening.
Feeling like a stain on that flawless painting, Eileen watched them. Ornella took a handkerchief to cover her mouth. She tilted her head slightly, coughed softly, and then apologized:
— Sorry. I think I dressed a little poorly. The weather today is colder than I expected…
His voice faded into a whisper, leaving the sentence hanging in the air. The reason was clear: Cesare's direct action, unbuttoning his coat, was the cause.
But Ornella's eyes, once full of expectation, soon filled with confusion.
Eileen.
He called her over as he took off his coat. He waited until she hesitantly approached, then placed it over her shoulders.
The loose-fitting garment enveloped her. Eileen looked at him, still stunned, while Cesare adjusted the slightly disheveled sleeves and said:
Put this on. It's cold.
(Elisa: Translating this chapter was a pain in the ass. I stopped 5 times. This woman is trash. Unbearable. Just knowing I'll have to translate more of her interactions already bores me.)
To be continued…