Cesare stared intently at Eileen. Although she had asked to be hugged, she was already in his arms. It seemed as if the man wondered if there was a deeper meaning behind that request.
To confirm her thoughts, Eileen reached out with trembling hands toward his uniform and began to carefully unbutton it. Red eyes followed her every movement. When she reached the third button, his hand quickly intercepted hers.
"There's no need for that ," he said, in a firm but gentle tone. "I would have told you anyway."
Cesare took a step back, moving away from Eileen, and began to button his uniform again, his voice soft and low as he continued.
Lucio Zaetani has harbored feelings for you since university. His affection wasn't pure; he also engaged in inappropriate behavior.
Eileen always knew that Cesare had been watching her during her university years, protecting her from a distance.
But she hadn't expected him to know such specific details about someone's feelings and actions. Eileen herself was unaware of those details until that moment.
— For example, he would stain objects intended for you as gifts with his own semen.
Eileen's lips parted involuntarily at Cesare's icy words. Although she heard them clearly, she struggled to grasp the gravity of what had been said. Cesare observed her bewildered expression and continued.
— Recently, he attempted to commit vile acts in his laboratory. Under orders from Duke Farbellini, he tried to steal research materials.
"Mr. Lucio? " Eileen murmured, her face pale. "I didn't know..."
You wouldn't know.
Cesare cupped Eileen's face in both hands, forcing her to look at him. His eyes sought hers, which trembled as if trying to convey something without words.
That's what I expected.
The realization hit Eileen with a shock. Cesare had concealed the truth to protect her from the sordid details. He had chosen to deal with all that was unpleasant alone, keeping her away from the impurities outside the carefully maintained world they had created.
"Eileen, " he called softly, bringing her back from her thoughts. His gaze remained steady, reflecting her image with a slight trace of sadness. "I'm not going to tell you everything."
Crimson eyes locked onto hers, and Eileen saw her own reflection—blurred, almost distorted by emotions and truths she still couldn't fully process.
"But I promise, " Cesare continued, "that from now on I will treat you differently."
Although he still concealed certain truths, he was willing to be more open about what lay beyond the boundaries he had set. It was a step toward greater honesty.
Eileen's voice trembled as she replied, still overcome with emotion.
— …I didn't know. I almost misunderstood you again.
Eileen had briefly considered the unsettling thought that Cesare might have executed Lucio. It was a fleeting and unsettling notion, but it had crossed her mind.
Ordinary people don't get killed like that.
— So, Mr. Lucio…
Eileen.
Cesare's smile twisted slightly, revealing a trace of anger.
If you keep talking about him, your husband might end up thinking badly of you.
He pinched Eileen's cheeks, making her lips pout. Although his attitude was playful, his tone remained cold as he added:
I can imagine that my wife might have had feelings for him.
Eileen's eyes widened in shock. Cesare had misunderstood everything. She tried to defend herself, forming short, hesitant words, but Cesare spoke first.
I know. That's impossible.
There was absolute confidence in his voice—the certainty that Eileen would never look at anyone else. Cesare knew her loyalty and feelings well.
Still, it's not a pleasant feeling.
He released her face, and the tension eased.
— Did you receive my gift? It was obtained from Duke Farbellini.
When Cesare changed the subject, Eileen instinctively reached out and took his hand. The contact sent a shiver through her body, making her aware of the warmth of his skin against hers.
— I… I…
Simply holding hands sparked a whirlwind of emotions, the physical contact intensifying everything.
Let's talk about that later…
- After?
Cesare's gaze sharpened, as if challenging her to continue. Eileen's face flushed, and she spoke hesitantly.
Now, if it's not too much trouble... are you still, perhaps, avoiding this sort of thing...?
Cesare tilted his head slightly, speechless. For a moment, Eileen considered fleeing through the sinister forest beyond the back door. It seemed a better option than remaining there, unable to look at him out of sheer shame.
After noticing Eileen's discomfort, Cesare quickly unbuttoned the top button of her uniform, and then the others. The shirt underneath was now visible. He asked calmly:
- You want?
Eileen struggled to find an answer. Before, she had mustered the courage to ask for a hug, wanting to confirm Cesare's affection. Now, she was met with a cold and distant demeanor.
Until now... has this been just an obligation?
She'd heard that newlyweds indulged in this every day, but the frequency between her and Cesare was remarkably low. Even when their bodies mingled, Cesare firmly rejected her requests for more pleasure.
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed that the intimate moments of the past had been merely an obligation, not a genuine connection.
'Did I act without thinking again?'
Now, Cesare seemed to be trying to embrace her out of obligation. Realizing this, Eileen shook her head slowly and replied:
No… I'm sorry for taking up your time.
Unable to bear the embarrassment and wanting to escape, she thought it would be best to return quickly to the archduchy. Eileen took a step back, trying to distance herself.
Thank you for telling me. I'll... go back home first...
But as he retreated, Cesare advanced, calmly closing the distance, like a predator cornering its prey. In a short time, Eileen was pressed against the wall, with Cesare in front of her. Confused, she looked up and murmured her unfinished words.
I'm going now…
Eileen.
— Y-yes?
Her voice wavered. Trembling like a cornered mouse, she watched him lean his hand against the wall, casting a dark shadow on her. He spoke as if he were trapping her.
Where do you think you're going if I've already started undressing you?
To be precise, he had already undressed her before, and now he was simply continuing. But there was no time to discuss details.
— Hmm, I mean, home.
- Why?
There's a lot of work to do... Ah!
As Eileen's voice trailed off, swallowed by her growing sense of panic, Cesare made a decisive move. The sound of tearing fabric could be heard as he undid her dress.
Eileen's eyes widened in shock, fixed on Cesare. His expression was a mixture of amusement and intensity, as if something inside him had changed.
Suddenly wondering what she could have done wrong, Cesare quickly removed the top part of her dress. Exposed to the daylight in only her underwear, Eileen quickly crossed her arms around herself.
Looking at Cesare, he gently took his left hand and brought it to his lips.
Do you want to leave after hearing about your senior?
No, no, that's not it…
Before he could finish, Cesare bit the fourth finger of his left hand, hard enough to leave the mark of his teeth just above the wedding ring.
Don't go, Eileen.
Cesare licked his bitten finger and then kissed the palm of her hand. His long, dark eyelashes framed his eyes, now filled with a seductive glint. Looking down at her, his voice softened into a sensual whisper.
Stay with your husband.
To be continued…