157 - Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 157
157
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Fiore Street held no good memories. It was because her father's disgraceful behavior still surfaced as vividly as a photograph. She tried to avoid recalling it on purpose, but she couldn't stop the recollections that suddenly invaded her mind.
At that time, when Aileen witnessed her biological father's actions, she couldn't do anything. She just blankly watched, trembling at the sound of Mother's voice ringing in her ears.
If Cesare hadn't been by her side then, Aileen might have broken down. Because Cesare was there, she found stability in his arms, and she was able to escape the nightmare by relying on Cesare.
The cheap lodging where Aileen ended up staying was just a small room. The room, which was decently furnished, had everything she needed.
Alessia was in the room right next door, and because the walls were thin, voices could be heard clearly. So Alessia told her to shout and call her if anything happened.
Because there were no windows, no sunlight entered, so the room was dim even in broad daylight. Of course, there was no Gas lamp, and there was only one candle, already shortened from previous use. Aileen lit the candle with a match and sat on the wooden chair.
The chair creaked. Aileen put her feet up on the chair and hugged her knees. She curled up and quietly fell into thought. Too many thoughts floated around in her head. As always, the one who occupied the largest part of her mind was Cesare.
'He's really going to be angry this time.'
The knights and Sonio must have been very surprised. Aileen thought about the time when she had secretly slipped out through the Secret passage.
She had asked the employees to leave her alone because she wanted to be quiet, and they all allowed her to be alone without any suspicion. The reason Aileen was able to leave the Grand Duke's Residence so easily was all thanks to their trust. If she went back, she wouldn't be able to face them.
As she thought about each thing one by one, all the recent events felt like a dream. These were things she could never have imagined in the days when she was waiting for Cesare's return in the Brick house with the orange tree.
Maybe all of this is just a dream, and when she wakes up, she will still be waiting for Cesare, who went on the Kalpen conquest, to return in the Brick house. Aileen smiled bitterly at the absurd thought that came to her mind. It was when she was shaking her head alone.
"Ilen."
Alessia called Aileen's alias with a knock. She opened the door and came in, carrying a stack of books in one hand. They were all books that Aileen had asked if she could get for her.
Alessia, who put the mountain of books on the table, examined Aileen. She tilted her head and asked.
"Are you okay?"
Could it be that tears had already come out? Aileen touched her cheeks, wondering if there were any tear stains, even though she knew there weren't.
"Oh, I'm okay..."
When she answered awkwardly, Alessia stared at her for a moment and then said.
"Would you like to take a look around the Tavern together?"
It seemed like it would be good to check the place where she would be working in the future in advance. Aileen got up, following Alessia. She took Aileen around to see the place.
The Tavern was quiet during the day. It was a space filled only with silence, so it was hard to imagine the splendor of the night. The empty stage felt even bigger somehow. It was hard to believe that it was a place where splendid performances were held, as there was a desolate atmosphere with no guests or Dancers.
The unlit lamps, the Red velvet curtain heavily draped over them, and the dust floating around. Those who only knew the Tavern at night would never be able to imagine the Tavern during the day.
"The Dancers and other workers usually take a nap at this time."
As Aileen was looking around the Tavern while listening to the explanation, a familiar passage caught her eye. It was the passage she had gone to with Cesare to find her father before.
When Aileen seemed interested in that place, Alessia immediately moved her body to block Aileen's view.
"It's a place you don't need to worry about."
Knowing why she was saying that, Aileen nodded with gratitude. As if that wasn't enough, Alessia added again.
"It's a nominal job. You absolutely don't have to work hard."
So she repeatedly told her that she only needed to go back and forth between the lodging and the back of the stage without having to go outside.
Aileen replied that she would be careful so that she wouldn't worry, and asked a question that came to her mind in passing.
"I heard that there was a bigger place than this Tavern, but why did it suddenly disappear?"
Then, for some reason, Alessia stared at Aileen very openly. While Aileen was flustered by her cat-like gaze, Alessia slowly spat out the words.
"A high-ranking person eliminated that place."
Aileen was so surprised that her eyes widened involuntarily.
"We don't know the reason either. We can only guess that something offended that person's sensibilities."
Other nobles' interests must have been involved as well, but to eliminate such a large Tavern at once seemed impossible in a common sense. Alessia walked with Aileen on the empty stage and continued to speak.
"That person had a high status and enough power to do so. No, it would have been an easy task."
Only then did Aileen realize who Alessia was referring to as the 'high-ranking person'. After looking around for a moment, she lowered her voice and asked.
"Could it be that Grand Duke Cesare... did it?"
She put the title, which she had rarely called recently and had become unfamiliar with, into her mouth. Alessia neither affirmed nor denied it. She just kept her mouth shut and suddenly brought up something else.
"How much do you know about him?"
"...I."
Aileen, who was momentarily at a loss for words, hesitated and answered.
"I don't think I really know him well. The image of him that I see is always just a fragmentary part."
Even though she had devoted her life to observing him, Cesare was always an unknown being. At Aileen's answer, Alessia seemed to be contemplating for a moment and then brought up a new story.
"Malena has worked under His Excellency for a long time."
"Yes?"
Surprised by the unexpected beginning, she asked back, and Alessia looked around again. After confirming the silence with no sign of anyone, she said again.
"His Excellency helped Malena achieve what she had wished for and took the price. Malena respects him but fears him. Maybe others are similar too."
Aileen couldn't say anything. Only after a long time did she whisper in a trembling voice.
"I knew that Malena had worked under Cesare, but I didn't know that they were so deeply involved."
She had vaguely thought that she had just received Cesare's instructions and worked a few times. But if Alessia said this much...
Aileen, who was mulling over the shock, suddenly raised her head. For some reason, Alessia was staring with her eyes wide open and frozen.
"Alessia?"
"...I'm sorry."
Aileen wondered about her embarrassment, but asked about the urgent matter first.
"Hey, isn't Malena too dangerous? I'm worried that something might happen to Malena because of me..."
When Aileen became very anxious, Alessia answered firmly.
"No. Malena was accepted because she could handle it."
"But..."
"Everything I'm telling you is also something that Malena has allowed."
"......"
"Malena was saddened by the two of you getting married, and wanted to convey her words through me. Because there would be no one by Aileen's side who could tell her an objective story about Grand Duke Cesare."
Aileen blinked blankly. For the first time, she was looking at Cesare from outside the fence. Cesare, seen from the perspective of someone other than a knight or soldier, was another unfamiliar being. Aileen wanted to hear more of her story.
"Could you tell me a little more about Cesare that Alessia knows?"
However, Alessia showed surprise again at Aileen's request. Her eyes, startled and flinching, contained astonishment. Aileen shrank her shoulders.
"Did I say something wrong...?"
"Absolutely not. I was just a little surprised and committed a discourtesy."
Alessia, who hurriedly calmed Aileen, swallowed her saliva. Then, she carefully added.
"It's the first time I've seen someone refer to Grand Duke Cesare... by his name."
