At first glance, the tall man appeared to have a slender build, but closer inspection revealed a remarkably muscular physique. Elaborate designs adorned his arms, and rings and earrings decorated his fingers and pierced ears. With his sleeves rolled up, a striking black tattoo stood out on his forearm, its intricate details a feast for the eyes.
At first, Eileen found it strange that he was dressed in civilian clothes and accessories. When she saw his tattoos, she found the man unrecognizable. Eileen looked at the man in disbelief and cautiously called his name.
— … Mr. Diego?
The man looked at Eileen, his cigarette almost falling to the ground.
- Hey!
He hurriedly spat the cigarette out of his mouth and stepped on it.
— Why on earth are you here, miss? And what's with those clothes?
— Indeed, it is Mr. Diego!
Diego was the Archduke's knight who had bought a stuffed rabbit as a gift for Eileen, as Lotan had mentioned earlier.
Yes, it's me. But why are you here? Did someone drag you inside?
Diego's eyes were wide with panic, as if he were ready to pull out a gun at any moment. Instead of answering, Eileen checked the sign of the establishment where Diego was leaning.
It was an inn. You see, it was a place that sold alcohol and also offered lodging. ʘ‿ʘ)
— …
She turned to Diego without saying a word. Diego glanced at what Eileen was reading before panicking again.
The man protested vehemently to Eileen as if he were being wronged.
— I swear it's not what it looks like. Not at all, miss! I'm on duty, I swear!
- … Here?
— No, damn it! Oh, for God's sake. This is total madness—
He covered his mouth with his hand before he could continue.
— I'm sorry, miss. Please forget about it. I didn't mean to—
- All good!
Diego whimpered and clutched his head. After a mental breakdown or two, he extended his arm to Eileen in a dejected tone.
— Allow me to accompany you back, my lady. Let's talk while we go downtown.
— You said you were on duty.
Is there a more important duty than escorting Miss Eileen?
He offered his arm again, but Eileen shook her head. Before he could drag her out of the alley, she spoke honestly.
I'm here to find my father. Do you know where he is?
Diego's expression twisted, and Eileen knew instantly. He had a short temper and struggled to suppress his emotions.
- You know!
Ah.
Diego sighed before waving his hand. Suddenly, a man in tattered clothes jumped out of the shadows of the alley.
Tell them that you have arrived.
- Yes sir.
When the man disappeared into the store, Diego gently grabbed Eileen's sleeve.
Come here. If anything happens to you on this crazy street, I'll be trampled to death.
Diego led Eileen inside the store where he had been leaning against the wall moments before. She was frightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. Still, she knew Diego wouldn't let anything happen to her, so she let herself be guided.
Despite the ostentatious exterior, the interior was fine. It looked like an ordinary inn and restaurant. There were only a few tables with customers, and they all seemed to be soldiers of the Archduke. As soon as they saw Diego, they jumped to their feet and saluted.
— Sit down… sit down.
Diego waved again and pulled out a chair for Eileen to sit down.
Would you like some hot chocolate? Or how about some warm milk with honey?
— … Beer, please.
Beer?
Diego was startled when he heard the word beer. He disappeared while muttering to himself.
Our dear little girl… all grown up… drinking beer…
Still, he accepted the situation and returned firmly with a large glass of beer and some fruit. Eileen felt a burning sensation as she downed the beer. She lowered the half-empty glass and spoke again.
I know you know. Spill it.
Diego remained silent.
You don't want to tell me because you can't talk, or…
The wooden stairs creaked and twisted. A man with an unbuttoned shirt, disheveled hair, and piercing eyes slowly descended the steps. His lips parted gently as he spoke to the young woman.
Eileen, you should be angry with me.
Eileen, paralyzed with a glass of beer in her hand, managed to find her voice.
— … Your Grace Archduke.
Tomorrow was to be the Victory Ceremony. The day's newspaper devoted several pages to covering the Archduke's event. It was reported that he would be traveling through the provinces for the benefit of the country. However, here he was, supposedly the busiest man of all.
Eileen, who had been staring at him in disbelief, quickly looked away. Otherwise, her face would have turned bright red.
Cesare's disheveled appearance gave off a strange aura. It was unusual to see someone so at ease wearing casual civilian clothes instead of his usual uniform. It seemed even more apparent because his buttons were undone, exposing his collarbone.
He walked slowly and sat down in front of the woman. Eileen, who had been stunned for a while, noticed his disrespect and quickly stood up from her seat. Diego and the other soldiers were already standing and maintaining an upright posture.
His gaze shifted to the table. Cesare chuckled when he saw the half-empty beer glass.
Have you been drinking?
Eileen covered her lips with the back of her hand. Speaking while smelling of alcohol was not feminine at all, it was also the worst thing.
In truth, Eileen didn't like to drink. She would have preferred hot chocolate or milk with honey. However, she didn't like being treated like a child by Diego, so she simply opted for the more "adult" drink .
She regrets that choice now.
Perhaps a little…
Eileen gently gripped the hem of her clothes. She clenched her nails so hard they turned white. She truly felt reprimanded.
- I have a question.
Feel free to ask.
Permission was readily granted, but Eileen could not part her lips. Cesare leaned toward Eileen.
His shadow completely engulfed her. Feeling the stark difference in height, Eileen unconsciously held her breath. She lowered her eyes, unable to look directly at Cesare.
What's wrong? Can't you do it?
She wasn't sure if it was just Diego, but she was reluctant to share personal stories in front of unfamiliar soldiers. Cesare smiled and spoke softly to Eileen, who was still hesitant.
Can we talk alone?
The flirtatious tone was sweeter than milk and honey. Eileen replied softly, her cheeks tingling.
- Yes …
She looked up quickly and regretted her answer.
Cesare hugged Eileen.
— Your Grace!
— You said we should talk alone.
He held the grown woman as if she were a small child and quickly went up the stairs. Eileen struggled in panic.
I can walk by myself!
— Some of the steps are damaged by time. It's dangerous, so please be kind.
But, but…
Cesare pressed lightly on Eileen's back as she struggled. Feeling his large hand, she stiffened like a stone. He patted her gently. Cesare continued as she calmed down, as if praising her.
Eileen felt powerless and was dying of shame. Cesare continued to treat her as if she were a child, and the comparison would haunt her forever. What was unforgivable was that no one here found the situation strange.
Neither Diego nor the soldiers raised the slightest eyebrow. They thought it was only natural for the Archduke to carry Eileen upstairs.
It was all Caesar's fault.
'Why does he always have to make a scene like that?!'
Every time he set an example like that, everyone followed suit, causing chaos in his wake. Sure, she was often carried around as a child, but Eileen was now a grown woman.
'I could have jumped over two or three broken wooden steps by myself, thank you very much!'
But now that she was in Cesare's arms, it would be useless to try. Eileen gave up and put her arms around his neck, without asking any questions.
The touch of the man's strong, muscular body made her heart beat faster. And she was afraid that he could hear.
Fortunately, when they reached the top of the stairs, Cesare immediately let Eileen down. With hesitant steps, she followed in his wake.
They arrived at a room decorated to look like a reception area. Normally, she would have looked around, but she couldn't. She was very aware of his presence.
Eileen, who had been looking at Cesare without really seeing him, was surprised when their eyes met directly. When she shuddered, Cesare laughed, his long eyelashes fluttering.
I haven't done anything yet.
He gestured for Eileen to sit on the sofa and then went to a shelf on the other side.
Would you like some cookies? I don't have any tea.
Who was she kidding? Pretending to be mature in front of him was pointless.
Eileen humbly replied, " Yes ."
But why was there no tea in the "reception room" ?
She looked around the room with interest, but her confusion vanished when Cesare brought in individually wrapped cookies.
He sat down in front of Eileen, with his arm resting on the back of the sofa.
Looking at Eileen, his red eyes examining her.
Eileen felt embarrassed in Cesare's presence. She realized this was a terrible attempt at cross-dressing. Still, she wanted to hear his opinion on it.
Eileen watched Cesare cautiously, but was taken aback the instant their eyes met. She had expected an expression full of pity, not this unfamiliar intensity.
Her red irises, like ruins, were shattered and crumbling, leaving only rubble. She couldn't understand how her eyes, once proud and bright, were now ruined.
The feeling of danger vanished instantly, and Cesare returned with his usual gleam in his eyes. Why do these moments always seem like a fleeting dream?
'I'm not seeing anything wrong, am I?'
In her confusion, he moved to sit beside her. He picked up the untouched cookies and carelessly tore off the wrapping paper.
What are you so afraid of?
When Eileen couldn't answer, he teased a small biscuit with his lips. Eileen slowly opened her mouth, and he placed it inside with a graceful movement.
— I would never hurt you. I can't even bear the thought of you getting hurt. But if it's a kiss, I'm not sure I can avoid it.
Eileen nearly choked on the cookie. Chewing frantically, he was already unwrapping another one.
She was completely beside herself. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined having this conversation with Cesare, much less hearing him utter the word "kiss." How unbelievable! His irreverent change of subject was hard to follow. It was so shocking she felt as if the earth was about to open up.
She accepted the second treat, but refused to be fed again. So Cesare contented himself with wiping the crumbs from Eileen's lips.
After finally swallowing the first biscuit, the girl asked, her voice trembling.
— Do you really want to marry me?
Why do you remain suspicious? Should I prove my worth in other ways?
He didn't seem angry, although he appeared to be suffering.
No, not at all. That's not it.
Eileen quickly denied it. Then, holding the cookie he gave her, she was more careful with her next words.
— You've never acted like this before, it's strange. I mean, I understand things are different now. It's just… It's surprising how much you've changed all of a sudden.
— These seven years… All this change has been worth it.
— Seven years?
It was a confusing number. The war had lasted three years, and she knew of no other significant events. Had something happened in the past that had been hidden from the press? Perhaps she had misunderstood him, so she waited for him to correct her. Cesare simply smiled without saying anything more. Defeated, Eileen moved on.
Isn't there another way?
She couldn't find the courage to tell him the truth. The thought of a loveless marriage was unbearable, but expressing her love for him seemed too daring. She feared his reaction to her bold feelings.
Marriage among nobles was, above all, a transaction. For these blue-bloods, Eileen's romantic ideals would likely be dismissed as childish whims.
As her mind wandered to their kiss, Eileen bit the corner of her lip at the embarrassing memory. It may have been a casual act for Cesare, but it was a moment that would haunt Eileen until her death. It was also the cause of many restless and sleepless nights.
'That was my first kiss.'
Eileen always kept men at a distance. Perhaps her father was to blame, with his revolting habits of drinking, gambling, and adultery.
The young woman grew up watching her mother suffer because of her father's affairs. It was no surprise that she developed a strong aversion to the opposite sex and became devoted to her studies.
Many men persisted, but fortunately for her, they backed down when Eileen remained uninterested. Cesare's knights dealt with those who overstepped the bounds.
Eileen never received a hug, much less a kiss. She only had a few brief interactions with the knights during their escorts, such as being guided by the hand.
The nobles described her as "silly ." She would be a dull companion by their standards, both boringly innocent and tiresomely modest.
This never bothered Eileen. She didn't crave attention from the opposite sex, so she lived a relatively contented life.
Everything changed on that hectic day.
The mere memory of that passionate kiss set her lips ablaze. The strange sensation she had felt at that moment slowly resurfaced from within.
Eileen.
The low, hoarse voice startled Eileen, pulling her from her reverie. He didn't even have the decency to stop tormenting her with scandalous questions!
Did you really hate the kiss?
How could she hate it? After all, it was her first kiss with her secret crush. But she also couldn't admit that she liked it. She was speechless before a completely new and profound experience.
Cesare narrowed his eyes slowly as he observed Eileen, who seemed perplexed. His heartbeat quickened. Upon realizing the uncomfortable proximity, Eileen closed her eyes and let out:
— Y-Yes, I hated it!
Cesare smiled knowingly.
— I told you not to close your eyes when you lie, Eileen.
Who was she fooling? Cesare was a man who knew all her tics and habits. He saw through them all. So, Eileen was forced to confess the truth.
Honestly, I don't know…
He tilted his head as she spoke, her face downcast. The distance between them grew even smaller, their breaths almost touching. Cesare whispered urgently.
Should we keep exploring until you find out?
Her heart had been racing for some time. It felt like it could explode at any moment.
His crimson eyes were piercing. Up close, she wondered how long his eyelashes were. His well-defined lips spoke in an even lower tone.
"It would be inconvenient if you didn't like it. There are other things I'd like to try with you in the future." His breath danced along Eileen's skin, and the resonance of his deep voice echoed within her. That strange, peculiar feeling surged through her body once more.
Frozen in place, Eileen let out a short, breathless moan. Just before their lips could meet, she quickly turned her head away.
— Aah!
Eileen murmured, her eyes widening at the unfolding events. Feeling his lips brush against her neck, a shiver ran down her spine.
At first, his touch was light, but then it intensified. His lips met hers, tracing them with the tip of his tongue. A soft sucking sound followed, and his teeth grazed delicately against her flesh. A faint, almost ticklish sensation, akin to pain, enveloped her.
'What is that?'
The hairs all over his body stood on end, and the lower part of his body tensed with the new sensations.
'Why do I feel this way? Was it because of the bite? Or…'
Eileen knew little about sex, only the basic biological facts. She couldn't tell which sensation came from where or what caused what. All she could do was tremble and beg Cesare.
— That's strange—! Ah!
Her body trembled and writhed with each strange sound that escaped her throat. His long fingers tugged at the loose collar of her blouse.
As his lips traced her exposed collarbone, she felt a tightening inside her vagina. It was too much, and she couldn't bear it any longer.
— For…
Eileen pushed Cesare away in panic, driven purely by instinct. He grabbed her wrist, despite her struggle, and pulled it to his lips. In a sudden, violent movement, he sank his teeth into the soft flesh where the blue veins flowed.
It was a gentle bite, but Cesare refused to release her wrist, carefully tracing the teeth marks with his tongue. Eileen's fingertips twitched as she gasped, blushing at the sign of her claim.
His heart pounded at that blatant display of lust, his red eyes burning with need.
You should only do things like that with someone you like…
Eileen whispered her thoughts subconsciously. It might be a naive or stupid idea… She couldn't even think of a clever way to express her furious thoughts! All that remained was a head full of chaos.
She didn't know what to do, and Cesare gently stroked Eileen's cheek, finding it very sweet.
But it is possible to do this with the person you intend to marry.
He answered casually and continued in a soft tone.
— Tomorrow you will enter the Imperial Palace. Come to the Victory Banquet and congratulate me.
Would that be possible?
Eileen nodded absentmindedly. Then Cesare stroked her head.
We'll talk more at the banquet. And about your father…
He paused briefly before continuing in a reluctant tone.
Don't worry. I'll find him and send him home.
Eileen finally remembered why she had come here. Cesare had completely occupied her thoughts, but they eventually returned, and she became aware of her situation. After hearing his confirmation about her father, she stood up.
— Th-thank you… I-I should go now. Someone is w-waiting for me.
Cesare glanced at the door. He frowned slightly as he stroked Eileen's wrist. Tracing the marks he had left behind, he spoke as if he were persuading a child.
Eileen, remember to go to bed early. You need to rest.
She nodded mechanically, but deep down, she already knew. There was no chance she'd be able to sleep tonight.
To be continued…