Lucio's grip, initially intended as a polite gesture during his brief exit from the carriage, suddenly intensified, creating an unexpected tension. Eileen looked at him in surprise.
His normally gentle expression had shifted to an unfamiliar intensity. This abrupt change made Eileen uncomfortable, causing her to glance at her husband.
Cesare, who was observing the scene, met her gaze with his usual neutral expression. His calm, red eyes did little to ease Eileen's anxiety. Still, the unsettling feeling she had moments before quickly dissipated when she saw Cesare's serene posture.
When the man's gaze met hers, he offered a slight smile. Surprised by the couple's interaction, Lucio immediately let go of Eileen's hand. She rubbed her slightly numb fingers and turned to look at the teachers, who were watching with astonished expressions.
'Will he find that insolent?'
Although it was unlikely that Cesare would feel jealous, Eileen worried that he might interpret Lucio's gesture as inappropriate toward the Archduchess. Cesare had a history of taking extreme measures to maintain order and discipline, and she feared he might react drastically.
To her relief, Cesare paid Lucio no attention whatsoever. Instead, he focused solely on her and called her name.
Eileen.
She walked quickly to Cesare, who was waiting patiently. As she approached, the man opened his arms. After a brief hesitation, Eileen embraced him.
Cesare embraced her gently, mindful of the insignia on her uniform so as not to hurt her. The warmth of his embrace gave Eileen a moment of relief, allowing her to fully savor the joy of his unexpected return.
"I didn't expect you to be home already ," said Eileen, feeling a pang of regret for not returning sooner.
Instead of responding with words, Cesare placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
After gently stroking her cheek, the man turned his attention to the guests. Eileen, still nestled in the comfort of his arms, belatedly remembered to introduce them.
— Ah, these are Professors Glenda and Elio from the University of Palerchia.
"I know ," Cesare replied, keeping his arm around Eileen's waist. He glanced at Glenda and Elio, who were visibly surprised to find themselves before Archduke Erzet.
Accustomed to the tranquil environment of the academy, the professors suddenly found themselves overwhelmed by the imposing presence of that man. The casual recognition of their names, combined with his authoritative demeanor, left them with the feeling of being in the presence of a formidable force.
Eileen, accustomed to Cesare's dominant demeanor, knew that others would easily find her intimidating.
Few in the Traon Empire could remain indifferent under the weight of his intense gaze.
"It's an honor to meet you, Your Grace ," said Glenda and Elio, with a hint of nervousness in their voices, as they bowed. They congratulated him on his recent victory.
Congratulations on your victory. Thanks to you, the citizens of the Traon Empire can now enjoy peace.
— We sincerely thank you, as citizens of the Empire.
His eyes revealed a mixture of apprehension and admiration. Caesar, who had led the Empire to victory in a war that seemed impossible, was a figure revered by the people.
Seeing the teachers, so animated and relaxed in the tea house, now visibly intimidated by Cesare's presence, made Eileen feel a pang of unease.
Despite knowing the man's high position, the reality of his authority struck her in a renewed way. Normally, she would be behind Glenda and Elio, not caught up in Cesare's embrace.
'Or perhaps we would never have met…'
Eileen pushed away the bittersweet feeling that threatened to surface. Meanwhile, Cesare, with a slight smile, addressed the teachers:
Make yourselves at home during your stay at the property. I will ensure you are well taken care of.
Then Cesare pulled Eileen along naturally and, with a gentle yet firm gesture, carried her upstairs as soon as the front door closed.
Cesare…
Eileen blushed, thinking of Lucio and the teachers, watching her being carried like a child. She discreetly signaled that she wanted to be put down, but Cesare seemed oblivious to her gestures. As he carried her up the stairs, he asked:
How was your outing today?
Eileen momentarily forgot her embarrassment and began to chatter happily. There were so many things she wanted to tell him.
— It was fun! I was lucky to find some out-of-print books at the bookstore. They weren't about plants, believe it or not. I read more than just botany books, you know? I also looked at some lab equipment, but I didn't buy anything because we already have everything we need. I ended up just grabbing a simple beaker, so I wouldn't go back empty-handed.
Lost in her excitement, she didn't realize they had reached the top of the stairs. Cesare was still holding her effortlessly, and she forgot to ask to be put down.
— … And the teachers were actually looking for me. They had some of the medicines I sold, the painkiller. When they showed them to me, I was very surprised. They wanted to meet the pharmacist who made it, and I was so distressed trying to decide what to do that I ended up telling them everything at once.
She looked at Cesare, worried about how he would react to the revelation. Although she had mentioned her role before, she feared that the revelation about being a pharmacist would upset him now.
But Cesare seemed to receive the news with a certain satisfaction, not disapproval. Relieved, Eileen continued cheerfully:
"So, they found out I'm the pharmacist and they want to market the headache medicine. They praised it highly, saying it could benefit the people of the Empire. I'm not so sure... but I thought that if you approved, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to try."
Although the praise from her teachers boosted her confidence, Eileen struggled to feel proud of her accomplishments in the presence of Cesare, the hero who saved the Empire.
As her voice faded, she realized they had already entered the room. Cesare, naturally, began to unbutton her dress. The calmness with which he did this only made Eileen more aware of her own vulnerability, causing her to shudder when the cold air touched her exposed collarbone.
"So, what did you talk to Lucio about? " Cesare asked, his tone casual but attentive.
(Elisa: Webtoon also made by me available on Nocturne)
To be continued…