Eileen, keeping a cautious gaze on him, timidly retorted:
How can a cow and a person become friends?
Faced with this perfectly rational objection, Cesare chuckled softly and continued walking at a leisurely pace, guiding Eileen.
Perhaps they can. The Baron may very well prove it this time.
The walk continued with light conversation, and the subject of her father naturally faded into the background.
Eileen mentioned that she needed someone to look after the brick house. Cesare readily agreed to find a caretaker and added:
I'll stop by there on my way back tonight.
Normally, she would have been pleased with the offer and taken the opportunity to retrieve some belongings she had left in the brick house. However, Eileen remained silent.
Noticing the lack of response, Cesare stopped and looked directly at her, his gaze clearly demanding an explanation.
"Today… " she finally managed to say, struggling to find the right words. "Could we go another day?"
Cesare narrowed his eyes mischievously and asked:
- Why?
He knew perfectly well the reason, having caused Eileen so much trouble since the morning. Eileen, blushing, tried to explain.
— Because… I want to go to bed early. I'm a little tired. If it's not too much trouble, Cesare… The brick house isn't going anywhere, we can go there calmly…
— You don't have to sleep only in the Archduke's room.
Eileen understood the insinuation immediately. Stunned, she looked at Cesare with wide, trembling eyes, but quickly looked away. Her flushed ears were visible, but she made no move to cover them, too embarrassed even to pretend to fix her hair.
Then I'll sleep in the brick house…
Cesare took her hand with a smile and quickened his pace. Eileen, her face still flushed, followed him.
They soon arrived at the imperial residence. Just the thought of meeting the emperor made his previously relaxed nerves tense up again.
Upon entering the residence, Eileen proceeded to the formal audience chamber, unlike the previous occasion. There, Leone was already waiting for the Archduke and Archduchess Erzet.
"Finally, the main characters have arrived, " he greeted with a smile.
Cesare greeted him briefly while glancing at the tea and snacks on the table.
We're a little behind schedule.
— That was to be expected. I thought you wouldn't arrive before sunset. They let you leave so easily?
— Actually, no. I just came by a less busy route.
Leone laughed heartily at Cesare's nonchalant reply. After a moment, he turned his wide smile back to Eileen.
While Cesare took the emperor's friendly behavior in stride, Eileen couldn't reciprocate. Like a malfunctioning automaton, she greeted him stiffly:
Your Majesty.
Leon's smile widened at the polite bow, and he offered a generous compliment:
Now that she's cut her hair and taken off her glasses, she looks much more like a real Archduchess. She should have done this sooner.
Cesare's eyebrows furrowed slightly at the comment. Eileen, unsure what to say, simply murmured "thank you" and gave a small bow. She always felt self-conscious when complimented on her appearance.
— Since the wedding, the nobility hasn't stopped talking about you. All the newspapers and magazines in Traon, even the tabloids, are full of praise for the Archduchess's beauty.
Leone had attended the wedding, but Eileen couldn't remember him. In fact, she couldn't recall anyone who had attended the ceremony. Her nerves had made her forget everything except how handsome Cesare looked in his uniform.
- Brother.
The emperor seemed eager to continue talking with Eileen, but Cesare interrupted him abruptly. Seizing the opportunity, Leone nodded and summoned a servant, who brought documents on a golden tray.
Leone took the papers and placed them before Eileen. It was a marriage certificate, confirming her new title of Archduchess Erzet and the adoption of the Erzet family surname, sealed by the Emperor of Traon.
Eileen's hand trembled slightly as she held the fountain pen. Taking a deep breath, she pursed her lips and signed her name at the bottom of the document. The pen scratched across the paper with a soft sound.
[Eileen Elrod Karl Erzet]
Setting her pen down on the table, Eileen studied her signature with a sense of unease. The name “Karl Erzet” sounded odd attached to hers. She had once admired how perfectly it complemented Cesare’s name, but now, with her own soft-sounding signature, it seemed out of place.
'But there's nothing to be done.'
However disconnected it seemed, Eileen was now officially Archduchess Erzet. Not even high-ranking figures, such as Duke Farbellini or Emperor Leone of the Traon Empire himself, could contest her new position.
There was only one person who could question him: Cesare.
'But if I try my best, everything will be alright.'
If she dedicated herself, she could remain by his side as the Archduchess. Eileen mentally reinforced her resolve. While she was immersed in her thoughts, Leone nodded to Cesare, who was reviewing the documents.
Are they leaving already?
- Yes.
— How about playing a song on the piano before you go?
The mention of the piano made Eileen's eyes widen. It had been a long time since she had heard him play.
Cesare had played the piano during his dance lessons, but she hadn't heard him since. Even during her stay at the Archduke's residence, the piano remained silent.
Eileen glanced at Cesare, trying to disguise her curiosity; it seemed like just a casual observation, but the expectation was clear. Cesare, as always, seemed to read her thoughts effortlessly. When he looked back at her, Eileen found herself staring directly into his red eyes, and, in that instant, she had the feeling that her thoughts had been exposed.
— Piano…
Once the word slipped out, there was no going back. Unable to continue her sentence, Eileen felt a pang of embarrassment. Cesare put the documents aside and replied in a light tone.
If you wish.
Leone seemed surprised by Cesare's promptness, but he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and smile.
Thanks to the Archduchess, we will have the privilege of hearing a rare performance.
The palace had a room dedicated to a magnificent black grand piano, positioned before large windows through which the golden sunlight streamed in. The instrument, bathed in natural light, was a dazzling sight.
Cesare adjusted the bench to his height and played a few keys to check the sound. While doing so, he glanced at Eileen.
Lost in admiration, Eileen finally came to her senses. Her gaze seemed to ask if she had any music in mind. But Eileen, more accustomed to practical matters than cultural refinements, knew little of the piano repertoire. The only piece she remembered was the one used in her dance classes.
Leone, who was by her side, came to her aid.
I liked the one you played last time. How about this one?
Eileen showed interest, casting a hopeful glance at Cesare, but he didn't immediately begin.
Then, unexpectedly, the melody began. The first piece was familiar, the one he played during his dance classes. When he finished it, he moved on to the one Leone had requested.
The new piece was unlike anything Eileen had ever heard before. It began with a light and airy melody, but quickly transformed into something faster and more complex. Cesare's long fingers moved deftly across the keys, the delicate touch and fluid movements in stark contrast to the image of the man wielding weapons and swords.
Eileen watched him, mesmerized by the performance. She was completely fascinated by the beauty of the execution.
"You know, Cesare has never been bad at anything since he was little. I never imagined he played the piano so well ," Leone commented softly, breaking the spell of the music.
Startled, Eileen turned her head toward the source of the soft voice filtering through the music. Blue eyes, so different from Cesare's, shone with a warm smile.
He really is the perfect younger brother, isn't he?
To be continued…