Baron Elrod had been quite pleased lately.
Despite his household having descended into chaos and financial ruin, bringing long days of misery, his spirits were unexpectedly restored by his daughter's extraordinary ascension to the rank of Archduchess. It seemed like a gift from heaven. The Baron was euphoric at the prospect of leveraging Eileen's new title to his advantage, dreaming of the benefits it would bring.
However, as the Archduchess's father, he knew he needed to maintain a certain level of dignity. So, he resolved to acquire wealth in a more subtle way than before. Even before the wedding, visitors had already begun to arrive—bringing drinks and showering him with flattery.
He envisioned a future where he would never have to make any effort; others would take care of providing him with riches. All he would have to do was have fun, or so he thought.
But Baron Elrod's golden dream began to crumble the day after the wedding.
At dawn, a sharp knock on the door startled him. When he opened it, he was confronted by an imposing man. His eyes widened in terror as he recognized him. With half his face scarred by burns, the visitor was someone the Baron knew well.
"M-Mr. Lotan...? " stammered the baron.
Good morning, Baron.
Instinctively, Baron Elrod recoiled, feeling his legs weaken. The man before him was one of Archduke Erzet's personal guards.
The four knights, chosen and trained by the Archduke himself, were absolutely loyal. Their devotion was so great that they would obey any order, even if it cost them their lives.
They were men forged in battle — and, therefore, known for their ruthless nature.
On one occasion, Baron Elrod had been forced to sit in a torture chamber and watch a man being skinned alive before his eyes.
(Elisa: This scene refers to the beginning when Eileen is looking for her father. Cesare picked up this garbage bag to warn her about trying to blackmail him and sell Eileen. The best thing about this novel is that everything Cesare does is very well explained, so you have to pay close attention to the smallest details.)
Baron Elrod, trapped in that hell, was forced to endure the horrifying scene for hours. Finally, he was even forced to sit in the chair where the victim had been tied. Just remembering that day filled him with such profound terror that his vision seemed to darken.
He remembered the warm, sticky blood on his palms, legs, and back, and the metallic, suffocating stench that seemed to burn his lungs.
As these memories involuntarily resurfaced, Baron Elrod forced a pale, trembling smile.
— To what do I owe the honor of your visit…?
There was no reason whatsoever for one of the Archduke's knights to go to a house where Eileen no longer lived. A bad feeling overwhelmed him—and, unfortunately, he was right.
— You must come with me.
Lotan grabbed him by the arm and dragged him outside without explanation. The baron was shoved into a military vehicle, unable to even ask where they were going. Although it was, in effect, a kidnapping, Baron Elrod could only tremble in silence throughout the journey.
They arrived at a ranch about an hour's drive from the capital. This tranquil place, run by an elderly couple and their son, was surrounded by open plains.
"You will be staying here from now on, " Lotan declared.
The small house attached to the ranch would be their new home.
Baron Elrod froze, his eyes wide with the terror of someone who had just heard a death sentence. He wanted to protest, but he was too frightened by the imposing presence of the man before him.
Lotan glanced at him and issued a clear warning.
Don't try anything foolish.
From that day on, Baron Elrod was forced to work on the ranch. He carried bales of hay, milked cows, and tried to understand how life had reduced him to the condition of a simple peasant. It was impossible to reconcile the image of his former life of luxury with the harsh reality that now surrounded him.
Unable to bear the thought of remaining in a place devoid of alcohol, women, and casinos, Baron Elrod desperately sought an escape route. However, the elderly couple and their son kept a close watch on him, and soldiers patrolled the surrounding area, making escape impossible.
Until one day, while working under the scorching sun, he was once again taken away, without warning, in a military vehicle—as abruptly as he had arrived.
Trembling with fear and certain that he would be executed, his eyes widened as he recognized the familiar landscapes of the capital.
Once back in the capital, he had the opportunity to bathe and put on new, elegant clothes. Although he appreciated the feeling of regaining his noble appearance, he was equally anxious, unsure of what was happening.
"How have you been? " asked Archduke Erzet.
"Your Grace, the Archduke, " stammered Baron Elrod.
Breaking into a cold sweat, he bowed deeply. Before him, Archduke Erzet, dressed in the uniform of the imperial army, remained as dazzling as ever, his beauty bordering on the supernatural.
The Archduke's blood-red irises swept over the baron, who had been meticulously prepared for the occasion. The weight of that crimson gaze made his legs tremble miserably.
With a slight smile, Cesare observed the pitiful man before him. He made no attempt to explain the abrupt banishment to the ranch or the conditions for the baron's release. Instead, he made clear the purpose of his presence there.
Today is the day Eileen officially takes on the name Erzet.
— Ah! Has so much time passed already…?
The baron knew it had been seven days since the wedding, but he had completely forgotten that this was the day Eileen would formally adopt her husband's surname. He had spent the entire week obsessed with plans to escape the ranch, thinking of nothing else.
"It's a joyous occasion, " Cesare continued. "Therefore, naturally your father should be there to congratulate you."
The baron nodded frantically, his hands trembling, and followed the Archduke. Before he knew it, they were at the Imperial Palace.
Seeing her father at the Imperial Palace seemed like a dream to Eileen—or perhaps a nightmare.
She had planned to visit him in person to deliver another stern warning, but she never imagined he would show up of his own accord.
Caesar probably must have been looking for him…
Eileen stared at her father, who looked on the verge of collapse, before turning her gaze to Cesare. The man gazed at her with a faint, enigmatic smile. With his long legs quickly covering the distance, he caught up with Eileen in a few steps.
The man first pulled Eileen into his embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist. Without hesitation, he tilted his head and kissed her cheek.
A collective murmur echoed through the crowd. The Archduke's affectionate gesture was enough to capture the attention of everyone present.
Accustomed to stares, Cesare completely ignored the murmur. He smiled warmly as he looked at Eileen.
My wife has finally arrived.
Surprised by the hug and the kiss, Eileen took a moment to react. Then, a slight smile appeared on her lips.
In his arms, everything seemed right. The anxiety and discomfort that tormented her seemed to dissolve. All that mattered was Cesare's presence.
Although she longed to remain in his arms, she slowly pulled away, pretending to adjust her hair to hide the slight blush rising to her ears.
"Thank you for coming to pick me up ," she said, turning first to Cesare, then to her father.
Baron Elrod looked at Eileen with a mixture of surprise and disbelief, as if struggling to recognize his own daughter.
Accustomed to seeing her with disheveled hair, heavy bangs, and thick glasses, he could hardly believe that this elegant woman was the same Eileen from before. Even though he hadn't expected her presence, Eileen thanked him calmly, as if everything had been planned.
Seeing her act like that, a flash of amusement shone in Cesare's eyes. His smile made it clear that he found the scene charming.
'Was my acting really that bad?' Eileen thought, trying to hide her nervousness.
Eileen tried her best, but it seemed her performance hadn't been entirely convincing. While glancing nervously at Cesare, he squeezed her hand lightly and confidently, a silent gesture of approval, quietly acknowledging her effort.
Finally, he turned his attention to Duke Farbellini and Ornella, who, until that moment, had been completely ignored.
(Elisa/ With a warm heart, I wish you all a Happy New Year !)
May the new year be an invitation to start anew, and may 2025 arrive with the lightness of a new dawn, bringing with it blossoming dreams, ideas that transform into achievements, and moments that illuminate your soul.
May each day be a blank page.
Where you write with courage, love, and authenticity, your best version.
Let's toast to what has passed, to the lessons and the laughter, and embrace what is to come, with an open heart and eyes full of hope.
We're going to shine brightly in 2025, my loves!
To be continued…