Eileen remained blissfully unaware of the day's events. Cesare had instructed Lady Elrod to keep the truth a secret. He knew that tears would surely fall if she discovered that he had abandoned his post to save her and, for that reason, endured the Emperor's whip.
From their first meeting, Eileen had been a tear-prone creature. Often, the reasons escaped Cesare's understanding. A beloved plant wilting, an insignificant scratch on her skin—any tiny detail was enough to trigger a torrent of emotions, plunging her into a state of despair.
Unable to decipher her delicate emotional universe, Cesare simply accepted it, registering this peculiarity in his memory. Preserving the angelic vision she had of him was a constant challenge. Naturally, this led him to hide many things, protecting her innocent eyes from the harsh realities of the world, both past and present.
Cesare watched her. Eileen looked like she was about to cry. Her golden-green eyes, usually so bright, shone with restrained tears. A disturbing thought crossed his mind, the urge to lick her tears, but he immediately banished it, gently wiping her damp eyelashes with his fingertips.
Eileen shuddered slightly, but didn't pull away. Witnessing her struggle to hold back tears was distressing, but intervening seemed pointless. He needed to begin desensitizing her, gradually preparing her for the inevitable revelation of the truth. After all, her greatest secret always had an expiration date.
— Eileen… — Cesare murmured softly, as he enveloped her in a gentle embrace with his soft, unscarred hand. Feeling the warmth in his palm, he whispered: — Apply the ointment.
Hesitantly, Eileen reached out her hand and, with trembling lips, murmured:
— You have no scars… no wounds on you…
It was, in its own way, a courageous form of protest. Frowning, Cesare replied immediately:
So let's make one now.
While he was searching for a knife in the lab, Eileen fluttered like a panicked bird.
No! I'm going to apply the ointment! Please don't do that!
He laughed at her frightened and trembling response. Eileen quickly washed her hands, took some of the ointment, and carefully applied it to his palm.
The smooth skin received the opaque, white layer. Cesare watched her intently as she focused on spreading the ointment aimlessly.
Feeling the weight of his gaze, Eileen subtly raised her head. When their eyes met, Cesare asked, as if he had been expecting it:
Should I apply the ointment to my wife as well?
With wide eyes, Eileen replied, perplexed:
- Where…?
Playfully, like a boy teasing a girl he likes, Cesare replied with a mischievous smile:
Down there.
Exhausted, Eileen returned to the palace. The details Cesare had hidden in the laboratory had dissolved from her memory, replaced only by the unusual suggestion of applying the ointment "down there."
There was still a slight tingling sensation within her, a remnant of their passionate first night together, but the idea of such an application seemed unthinkable to her. The mere thought of his fingers exploring that intimate space disturbed her.
Back in the carriage, Eileen launched into a fervent explanation, meticulously detailing why her concerns were unnecessary. Fortunately, Cesare relented, abandoning his playful suggestion.
"And what about Senon? " Cesare asked as they arrived at the palace.
Sonio, who was waiting for them, received his master's overcoat and replied:
He just left the palace.
— I understand… It will take a while to arrive. I need to show you the new lab…
Cesare paused, his expression doubtful, before saying that Senon should first hear a brief explanation about Morpheus before the visit.
Wait a moment, and then we'll inspect the laboratory, Sonio.
Yes, Your Grace.
With a simple call, Sonio understood exactly what Cesare wanted. Smiling gently, he led Eileen to another room.
— Madam, may I take a moment of your time?
While Cesare headed to the office to finish pending tasks, Eileen chatted with Sonio until Senon arrived.
During the conversation, Sonio informed Eileen about several important matters.
— As you know, in a few days you will formally enter the Imperial Palace to receive the title Erzet.
She was still "Eileen Elrod." According to imperial law, she could only formally receive her husband's title after the wedding ceremony and a seven-day waiting period.
On the seventh day, he would enter the palace and receive the title "Erzet" directly from Emperor Leone.
Although they had already exchanged marriage vows, this tradition had roots in the founding myth of the Traon Empire.
According to legend, the founding Emperor of Traon was an abandoned prince. Raised on lioness milk in the wild lands, he vowed to establish his own kingdom. It was precisely on the spot where he first planted his flag that the central square of the capital now stands.
The gods blessed his birth by sending a winged lion, the eternal symbol of the Empire.
The nation prospered rapidly and soon proclaimed itself an empire. The ambitious ruler, who had conquered continents without hesitation, finally fell in love.
She was the only one who made the Emperor, relentless in his conquests, pause. He laid down his bloodied sword for her sake and remained in his kingdom.
The man wished to marry her immediately, eager to make her his Empress, but a prophecy intervened, stating that he would have to wait seven years. However, the young Emperor defied the prophecy and held a grand wedding immediately.
But the happiness lasted only a day. The morning after the festivities, the young woman died in his arms, vomiting blood.
Devastated, the emperor embraced his lifeless body and fasted in the temple, praying before the divine symbol of the winged lion.
He regretted his reckless defiance of the prophecy and begged to have the woman he loved brought back from the dead.
Grief-stricken by the loss, he threatened that if his prayers were not answered, he would bring death upon them all.
On the seventh night, his prayer was answered. The god promised to restore the empress's life if the sovereign could endure seven trials.
It was seven years of grueling sacrifices. In the end, after overcoming each torment, he managed to resurrect his beloved. They lived together from then on, until they died on the same day, at the same hour.
In homage to this immortal love, the people transformed the seven years demanded by the prophecy into just seven days of waiting.
I have already prepared the dress that you will wear.
Sonio assured, recalling the upcoming event and the responsibilities to come.
Eileen nodded, still pondering the legend. After hesitating for a moment, she asked:
— As an Archduchess, will I not have duties to fulfill?
Realizing that Sonio might not mention it immediately, Eileen pressed:
Now that I'm the Archduchess, there will be many responsibilities, right?
Sonio seemed momentarily uncomfortable, as if he were hiding something. Eileen clenched her fists, determined.
I want to be useful. Perhaps His Grace doesn't think so, but…
"No, ma'am, " interrupted Sonio gently.
Still adjusting to her new title, Eileen waited for him to continue.
"The Archduke simply ordered that you be informed gradually as you adapt. I should have explained sooner. Forgive this old man, who only wanted to ensure your comfort."
Touched by the almost paternal care, Eileen thanked him sincerely.
Sonio met her gaze with a dignified expression and said:
— Madam, some important letters have arrived. Would you like to check them first?
He added, explaining that he had prepared an office just for her.
Appreciating Sonio's thoughtful behavior, Eileen promptly replied:
I'll check them now.
However, upon seeing the first envelope, Eileen immediately felt regret. It was Ornella, the daughter of Count Farbellini and the future Empress of Traon, precisely the woman who most troubled her heart.
Feeling a mixture of anticipation and apprehension, Eileen set aside Ornella's letter for a moment and decided to check the others first. Absentmindedly picking up a thick envelope, she was surprised to see the sender's name:
My teachers...?
It was a letter from the professors at the university where he had studied.
To be continued…