107 - Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 107
107
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As if it was an unexpected question, Leone slowly closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and muttering in a low voice.
"I didn't expect you to come to ask me this."
Leone politely took the hand placed on his chest and lowered it.
"Since the Parvellini Duke visited me recently, I thought you had a similar matter."
Because of Cesare's intrusion into the Duke's residence in the middle of the night, the Parvellini Duke was vowing not to let him get away with it. Naturally, he also visited his son-in-law, Leone, and passionately expressed his anger.
When the Traon Imperial Family and the Parvellini Dukedom first formed a marriage alliance, it was a deal where the Dukedom was endlessly losing. The twin Emperors had won the civil war but were in an endlessly unstable position.
The Duke invested in the Imperial Family, seeing only Ornella's demands and potential, and Parvellini's eyes were correct. With the successful conquest of Kalpen, the Traon Imperial Family became the perfect victor.
The Parvellini Duke considered himself a meritorious subject. He felt that he deserved to be treated as a family of meritorious subjects, but he was humiliated by Cesare, so he was beside himself with anger.
The Duke threatened to formally raise this issue in the council, criticizing Cesare's arrogance. However, while he was raging, he was also afraid of Cesare.
The reason why the Duke didn't immediately raise the issue in the council and launch a full-scale attack was clear. It was because he was worried that Cesare might really go crazy and do something absurd.
Cesare, the Grand Duke of the Empire, the commander-in-chief of the army, and the Emperor's brother, had more to lose than anyone else. Especially now that he was married and had a family, he should be more careful.
Yet, for some reason, Cesare had recently been giving off a precarious feeling, as if he would throw everything away. This was something that not only the Parvellini Duke but also Leone deeply felt.
Since Cesare had been saying strange things since returning to the capital, Leone couldn't help but be concerned. In the midst of all this, this incident occurred.
While realizing the seriousness of the situation, Leone tried to guess the cause.
What had changed his brother like this?
His brother had never been one to easily reveal his inner thoughts. But it was the first time that he couldn't guess his brother's intentions at all, like recently. As twins, he thought they knew each other better than anyone else...
He was bewildered by the flaws that had begun to appear in his brother, who had been as perfect as a god.
"I'm just curious about His Majesty's intentions."
Leone, who had been lost in thought for a moment, looked at Ornella. Ornella smiled like a painting and said.
"As his fiancée."
Leone chuckled dryly and then let out a light sigh.
"I wish you would tell me if there's something you want. As you said, because I'm your fiancé. And..."
Leone stopped talking for a moment as he was about to talk about Aileen. She was a child he had known since she was young. He knew that Cesare adored her, but he never thought she would become the Grand Duchess.
Even when he was a prince, Cesare had done incomprehensible things because of that child. Could it be that Aileen Elrod is still having some influence?
Leone suppressed the urge to furrow his brow slightly. He wore his usual smile, but he suddenly felt that the image reflected in Ornella's eyes was very unfamiliar. Leone, who had paused at the slight unfamiliarity, smoothly continued.
"...I don't know what you mean by asking about the Archduchess of Erzeht. Even if I think she's a little lacking, what does it matter? It's a meaningless question, Ornella."
He couldn't intervene and change Cesare's choice. Leone thought he had answered somewhat coldly, but for some reason, Ornella seemed satisfied.
Her smile deepened even more. Ornella whispered in a voice that smelled sweet like a fruit on the verge of rotting.
"That's a sufficient answer."
Ornella took Leone's hand again. She intertwined her fingers with his and opened her lips.
"I hope you will treat me as your fiancée at the Hunting Festival."
He was about to ask if he wasn't already doing so, but Leone was speechless at Ornella's next words.
"As if it were love, not a contract."
Aileen named the headache remedy 'Aspilia'. It was a name derived from the scientific name of the willow, which belonged to the Spiraea family, the raw material.
After the news of Aspilia's release was announced, the Traon Empire was noisy in many ways. The fact that the Grand Duchess had excellent knowledge of pharmacy and botany was already widely known through various newspapers and magazines.
People praised the Grand Duchess's knowledge, but opinions were divided about the medicine she had developed herself. The majority of people thought that she was trying to sell medicine by selling the fame of the Grand Duke of Erzeht.
No matter how much she studied at university, what could the Grand Duchess, who hadn't even properly graduated, do? There were many scholars who had graduated from university and devoted decades to their studies.
There were also many who subtly wished for the Grand Duchess's failure. They seemed to be supporting the Grand Duchess, but behind it was a dirty jealousy that yearned for the fall of the high-ranking.
No matter what they said outside, the Erzeht Grand Dukedom was steadily preparing for the release of the new drug. And finally, the day came when Aspilia was unveiled to the world.
"It's as expected! People all over the capital are buying Aspilia from pharmacies. We prepared a generous initial supply, but it looks like it will be sold out today."
Senon shouted, filled with joy. His eyes were sparkling, and he looked like he wanted to dance if he could.
The Aspilia medicine bottle had a label with the Erzeht Grand Dukedom's crest on it. As the Erzeht Grand Dukedom was very popular in the Empire, people lined up all day to buy the medicine, wanting to own the bottle with the crest on it.
Unlike Senon, who was on the verge of jumping up and down with excitement, Cesare was calm. He only briefly added to Senon's report.
"This is just the beginning."
"Of course! It's just the beginning. So many people have bought the medicine, so once they see its effectiveness, no one will doubt the new drugs developed by the Grand Duchess in the future."
It was Senon who suggested putting the Grand Dukedom's crest on the bottle to encourage people to buy Aspilia. He was filled with the thrill that his idea had hit the mark and the expectation that Aileen's fame would greatly increase in the future.
Senon was so excited that he needed to calm down a bit. Cesare lightly gestured to Senon. Senon, who had been swinging his fist in the air by himself, finally gasped and cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry."
Cesare chuckled and tilted his head towards the building outside the car window.
"There must be many who are dissatisfied, so we must be careful."
It was in front of the parliament building where the Imperial Council was held. Senon hurriedly straightened his disheveled collar and put on a stiff expression. After confirming that Senon was ready, Cesare got out of the car.
The reporters, who had been waiting since the military vehicle stopped in front of the parliament building, swarmed in as soon as Cesare got out of the car, shouting.
"Grand Duke!"
"Your Excellency! Would you like to say a word about the new drug released by the Grand Duchess?"
"A bill to completely reduce the budget of the Imperial Army will be introduced in the council today. Please say something about that!"
They didn't dare to get too close, but they shouted diligently from a few steps away. Senon followed Cesare with a blank face. Cesare also seemed to ignore the reporters and enter the parliament building as usual, but he suddenly stopped.
The reporters were the most surprised when he stopped. It was because they had no expectation of hearing an answer, even though they were diligently asking questions.
The many reporters suddenly shut their mouths. In front of the silenced reporters, Cesare smiled slightly. The reporters' eyes widened at the Grand Duke's smile, which was rare in public.
"Aileen's new drug."
Cesare leisurely declared to them, who were waiting with bated breath for what he would say next, unable to take their eyes off the Grand Duke's smiling face.
"I think it will remain in the history of Traon."
