148 - Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 148
148
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Senon didn't understand Cesare's words. But what was clear was that Senon, too, was feeling endless fear in this situation.
Cesare was the center of the Traon Imperial Army. Because of his existence, the Imperial Army could win even impossible wars.
Even when Senon, Diego, Michele, and even Rohan faltered, Cesare remained a steadfast center. The soldiers' faith in Cesare was akin to fanaticism.
But now, Cesare was showing a broken appearance for the first time, his eyes shattered like the ruins of a collapsed Pantheon.
He was presuming Aileen's death.
Senon, who had been staring blankly at Cesare, slowly turned his gaze. The Pantheon had collapsed so completely that it was difficult to recognize its original form.
To survive in that place. In fact, they should be happy if they could even retrieve an intact corpse. Senon entertained a thought he had never had before.
'What if Aileen dies?'
The death of comrades and subordinates on the battlefield was commonplace. Senon always planned operations with death in mind.
But Aileen was an exception.
He had only ever thought that if he worked hard on the battlefield, Aileen, who was staying in The Capital, would be safer.
He had never imagined such a futile farewell, even in his dreams…
Senon covered his mouth with his hand. His heart was beating too fast. His breathing became rapid, and he felt dizzy. Senon counted numbers in his head, slowly inhaling and exhaling. A long inhale, and an exhale slightly longer than that.
Forcibly calming himself, Senon tried to think as the Grand Duke's aide. Desperately holding onto his reason, he thought only about the current situation.
Currently, Archduke Erzeht was officially recuperating at the Grand Duke's Residence. The shoulder injury caused by the shooting was a fact known to all the people of the Empire.
It wouldn't be good to keep showing Cesare moving his arm without any problems.
"Your Excellency. First of all… let us escort you outside."
Despite hearing Senon's words, Cesare showed no reaction. Only after a long time did he open his lips.
"...Yes. We don't know yet."
Whether it was the end of a deal, or a simple warning…
He muttered quietly and staggered to his feet. Cesare's face, which had been a mess of emotions, had already sunk into an expressionless mask. Blood dripped from his hands, which had been rummaging through the stone fragments.
Senon unconsciously swallowed hard. It was clearly Cesare's blood, but for some reason, it felt as if he had someone else's blood on him.
Cesare, who had been staring at the ruined Pantheon for a long time, finally stepped back. Senon hurriedly supported Cesare and looked at the pile of stones. The word 'death' was once again clearly etched in his mind, but he tried hard to shake it off.
For now, he could only pray for a miracle from God.
From some point on, noisy sounds began to be heard. It seemed they had started moving the collapsed stones.
Along with the vibrations, stone debris rained down from above. Aileen, who had been sitting still and waiting, was startled and moved her body. Fortunately, no debris fell on Ornella's side.
"It seems they're moving the stones."
Aileen spoke to Ornella, but there was no reply. Aileen checked her condition. Her whole body was damp with cold sweat. She was also shivering from the chills caused by the bleeding. She had stopped the bleeding, but she wouldn't be able to hold out much longer here.
Aileen anxiously looked above. But the sky, blocked by mismatched stones, was just dark.
'Quickly…'
Cesare had seen the collapsing Pantheon, so he would surely be carrying out rescue operations. She knew she should trust and wait, but her anxiety kept making her impatient.
Aileen sat close to Ornella to share her body heat. If she had been conscious, she would have definitely hated it, but now she was almost passed out, so it seemed okay. Even if she pushed her away, she was going to forcibly stick to her.
Sensing the movement, Ornella struggled to lift her eyelids. Aileen flinched in surprise when their eyes met.
"Bo-body heat, because it's cold from the bleeding."
As she stammered an explanation, Ornella stared at her silently for a while before closing her eyes again. She didn't seem to have the energy to argue. Aileen pressed her body close to Ornella and waited for Cesare.
The vibrations and noise gradually grew closer. The candlelight flickered, and shadows swayed. Aileen stared intently upwards.
How long had she waited? With a loud noise, a ray of light fell. The light that fell into the dim space was pure white. Aileen widened her eyes and stood up.
But at the same time, a roar erupted. Whether something had been touched wrong outside, the stone fragments that had been precariously piled up collapsed again. Aileen couldn't even scream and squatted down, covering her head.
But for some reason, pain didn't follow. Aileen slightly opened one eye.
"...?"
And then she widened both eyes in surprise. She thought she was really going to be crushed this time, but once again, the stones created a space by crossing each other.
Aileen dazedly looked above her at the miracle that had happened twice in a row. Then she heard a desperate voice.
"Aileen!"
As soon as she heard the voice, a wave of relief washed over her. Aileen unknowingly smiled brightly and shouted.
"Cesare!"
After calling his name to let him know she was here, she turned to look at Ornella. She was still unconscious despite all the commotion. Aileen quickly shouted again.
"I'm here! I'm not hurt at all and I'm fine. But Lady Parbellini is badly injured. Her injuries are serious, so please get her out first…"
Before Aileen could finish speaking, the largest stone covering her head was lifted. The light, which had been only a single ray, now poured in brightly from all directions.
Having been trapped in the dim space for a long time, she had no choice but to close her eyes at the sudden light. But Aileen narrowed her eyes and tried to look up anyway.
She saw the person silhouetted against the light. Just like when he had rescued her from the kidnapper when she was a child…
Aileen unknowingly parted her lips. Cesare reached out his hand. She subconsciously tried to grab his hand, but then she came to her senses.
"Ah, Ornella first…"
"Aileen."
It was a cold call. Cesare commanded again.
"Grab on."
Aileen obediently grabbed his hand with both hands. After all, Ornella was too badly injured to escape like this. They would need a stretcher, ropes, and all sorts of things, so it seemed better for her to go out first.
Aileen grabbed Cesare's hand and flinched in surprise. His palm was all wet. She glanced sideways and saw that it was covered in blood. His hand was so slippery, but she didn't let go. Cesare lowered another hand and grabbed Aileen's wrist, pulling her up.
Her feet immediately left the ground. As soon as she had come up a certain distance, Cesare immediately pulled Aileen out, almost hugging her.
Aileen, who had come outside, took a deep breath. Fresh air filled her lungs. The place she had been trapped in had air circulating, but it was still stuffy because it was blocked on all sides. She felt like she was finally alive now that she was out in the open.
As she was breathing hard, she was suddenly embraced. Aileen's eyes widened in surprise.
Cesare's chest rose and fell greatly. His breathing, which was panting heavily, was extremely unstable.
"…"
Cesare just held Aileen without saying anything. Aileen blinked dazedly. It couldn't be, but it felt like Cesare was trembling. She couldn't believe the faint vibration that was transmitted from him.
She wanted to see what kind of expression he was making, but she couldn't because he was burying his face in her. Aileen hesitated, then carefully hugged Cesare back.
Thump, thump, she felt a rapid heartbeat that felt like it was racing. It was unclear whether the beat was Cesare's, hers, or both of theirs. The wildly beating heart slowly regained its original speed in the long embrace.
When even the vague trembling had subsided, Aileen carefully opened her mouth.
"I… wasn't scared at all."
Would what she was about to say have any meaning? Aileen didn't know.
"Because I knew Cesare would come."
But she wanted to tell him. That the reason she could be at ease even in the depths of that pile of stones was all because he existed.
"Because you've always saved me…"
Even after the quietly added words had completely dissipated, Cesare was silent. Suddenly, he laughed. The hand holding Aileen tightened.
"I was."
Cesare, who had let out a short, low laugh, whispered.
"I was scared, Aileen."
