When Eileen entered university, she faced severe bullying. Admitted at a young age through a letter of recommendation from the prince, it was no surprise that both students and professors harbored resentment towards her.
Although she told herself it was inevitable, there were times when the loneliness was hard to bear. After spending the whole day without talking to anyone, she would retire to her bedroom and write about her day in her diary, often thinking of Cesare and the knights of the capital.
'How wonderful it would be to have someone to talk to and laugh with.'
However, Eileen knew very well that attending university was a privilege she couldn't afford to waste. She wasn't in a position to complain about loneliness or exhaustion. She needed to excel and get good grades to repay Cesare, who supported her in every way. Whenever she felt exhausted, she thought of Cesare, rereading his few letters repeatedly until they were worn out, using them to strengthen her wavering heart.
As she dedicated herself to her studies day after day, her efforts began to bear fruit. What had once seemed overwhelming and difficult began to make sense. She began to understand how to take notes, complete assignments, conduct experiments, and prepare for exams—skills that were new to her.
It was around the time Eileen's grades started to improve that she met Lucio.
One day, Eileen noticed a large man in the library. He had a robust build, messy hair, and oversized glasses. He stood awkwardly in front of the librarian, nervously clutching a piece of paper. After much hesitation, she finally mustered the courage to speak in a low voice.
"Hmm... do you know when it will be returned?"
"When they return it."
Apparently, someone had taken the book he wanted. The librarian replied without even looking up, her tone indifferent.
As the dejected man turned to leave, he bumped into Eileen, who was standing nearby. He flinched, his gaze fixed on the book in her hands. She blinked in surprise and asked:
"Were you looking for this book? I can return it to you right now."
She smiled, offering to return it to the library for him to pick up immediately, since there were no reservations. However, the man remained silent. Noticing his lack of response, Eileen's smile faltered, and she hesitated before speaking again, feeling a little discouraged.
"Ah... I'm sorry if I offended you."
She regretted being too direct with someone who probably didn't want to interact. While mentally reprimanding herself, the man suddenly shuddered and stammered:
"N-No, you didn't offend me. It's just that... you're the first person to talk to me."
Hearing her words and seeing her flushed face, Eileen felt a strong sense of connection. She had experienced the same isolation.
No one had ever spoken to Eileen before. Even when she tried to start conversations, most people ignored her. Whenever she offered help, she was often met with irritation and accusations of being a nuisance.
Today, she thought she had once again intruded out of sheer curiosity, and she regretted it. But this time, someone answered. Eileen couldn't help but smile radiantly, unaware that the man was staring at her in shock. She replied cheerfully:
"This is the first time someone has responded to me, too!"
And that's how Eileen and Lucio began to grow closer. Despite the frequent teasing from others who said that only weird people spent time together, Eileen wasn't fazed. She was too absorbed in her studies to worry about such comments. Having someone to share small moments of her daily life with was enough for her.
Lucio proved to be a genuinely kind and helpful person. It turned out he was studying in the same field and helped Eileen adjust to university life in various ways.
He made time to teach her and, from a certain point onward, willingly lent her his belongings whenever she lost something. When Eileen lost her handkerchief, he even gave her a new one as a gift.
"This is too expensive..." protested Eileen.
"It's... a gesture of gratitude," Lucio replied, his face flushing.
The handkerchief was obviously of high quality. When Eileen tried to refuse, Lucio, looking embarrassed, stammered:
"I really... hope you use it."
Eventually, Eileen gathered the little money she had and bought him a similar gift. Unfortunately, she lost the handkerchief shortly after using it. When she apologized to Lucio, he gave her a new one.
Lucio also liked to give Eileen small gifts: pretty water bottles, plates and forks for snacks, pens and notebooks for taking notes—each item small, but thoughtful.
Whenever Eileen tried to refuse, finding it difficult to reciprocate, Lucio became visibly upset. He pleaded with her to accept, but with a disheartened expression, Eileen had no choice but to accept. Even though she often lost the items shortly after receiving them, she deeply appreciated his kindness.
Thanks to Lucio, Eileen adjusted well to university life. As she began to achieve good grades and attract the attention of professors, other students gradually began to approach her.
Naturally, he made many friends, but Eileen always held Lucio in the highest regard and remained close to him. However, their harmonious relationship was abruptly interrupted one day.
"I... I'm sorry. I'm a very, very bad person..."
Lucio suddenly appeared in the middle of the night, muttering incoherent words. He returned the items she had lost over time and then disappeared as if he were running away.
Before Eileen could even ask what was going on, she learned the next day that Lucio had taken a leave of absence from the university.
Months later, Eileen received a letter from her mother, forcing her to suspend her studies and return to the capital. She tried to push the thoughts of Lucio out of her mind, but…
I didn't recognize you.
Lucio appeared with a completely transformed look. Just as Eileen had taken off her glasses and cut her bangs, Lucio had also trimmed his previously messy hair and ditched his glasses. The stutter and averted gaze that characterized him had disappeared, making him almost unrecognizable.
As Eileen watched him in surprise, Lucio blushed slightly and touched his own cheek, a habit he had when he was embarrassed.
Her face flushed slightly, a reminder of how it used to be. The fresh memories of the past made Eileen smile softly.
— It's you, Eileen... who has changed so much.
However, Lucio had changed in more ways than just his appearance. It seemed strange to see him looking directly into her eyes, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. As Eileen watched him with this strange new feeling, the teachers approached her.
— Eileen… congratulations on your wedding.
They spoke awkwardly, their words coming out like a broken wind-up toy. They handed her a dense document, glancing nervously at the team around them.
This is… the research article published in the academic journal… and thanks to the Archduke's generous permission…
While the teachers struggled to organize their thoughts, Eileen, sensing their discomfort, took the initiative to interrupt.
Please feel free to treat me as a student who is still eager to learn from you.
The teachers looked at her for a moment, exchanging uneasy glances. After a brief, tense pause, they finally got to the point.
With the Archduke's permission, we would like to assist in the research currently being conducted by the Archduchess.
The man rolled his eyes desperately. His amputated limbs were some of the few parts still capable of moving freely. Lotan stared at him with an indifferent expression, exhaling cigarette smoke.
After smoking for a while, he shoved the cigarette into the man's mouth. The man writhed in pain as the burning tobacco scorched his flesh.
— Ugh, nngh…
The man struggled, desperately trying to stifle his grunts. He knew that the presence before him could not tolerate noise.
Amidst the flickering lights and sounds of pain, the rustling of pages breaking the silence broke the silence. It was an incongruous sound, emanating from Cesare. Reclining comfortably in his chair, he calmly leafed through his book before speaking abruptly.
And what about Eileen?
— She is with the guests who arrived early, as planned. However, an uninvited visitor has joined them — Lucio Zaetani.
There was no need to explain more about Lucio; Cesare remembered everything about Eileen with vivid clarity.
"I allowed the teachers to visit, but… " Cesare closed the book he was reading. "I never authorized the intrusion of pests into my house."
(Elisa: Webtoon also made by me available on Nocturne)
To be continued…