174 - The Evil Husband (15th Anniversary Edition) Chapter 174
174
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The peaceful time flowed faster than ever. A month felt like a day, and a year passed like a month. Archduke Erzeht, the pharmacist in the old inn, were slowly forgotten by the people.
Lord Elrod, who had fled first when Aileen was sentenced to death, visited the Brick house only once. However, Cesare put a gun to his forehead, and he immediately disappeared, never to be seen again. Perhaps he judged that he could no longer get anything from his daughter.
The knights and soldiers who used to visit Cesare also stopped coming to the Brick house at some point. It was as if their existence had disappeared. Cesare thought that the knights, at least, would come, but he didn't delve into it.
It was because he liked the moment when it seemed that only he and Aileen were left in the world. It was a dreamlike happiness that lasted forever.
When he opened his eyes, Aileen was by his side. When Aileen said she would make sandwiches, he would cut the bread, and when the meal was over, he would take care of the cleanup.
Sometimes, the two of them would sit under the orange tree in the garden, chat, and take a nap. They would fall asleep sweetly, wake up, yawn lazily, do housework, and eat an early dinner.
Sometimes he would play the piano for Aileen. He emptied the room that Lord Elrod used to use and brought in a grand piano. The piano, made by the best craftsman using the most precious and valuable materials, did not suit the small Brick house.
It looked like it would suit the splendid Imperial Palace or the Grand Duke's Residence, but Cesare thought that this piano had to be in the Brick house. It was because Aileen looked at Cesare, who was playing the piano, with enchanted eyes.
Every night, without fail, they had relations. Aileen showed a more active response as the days went by, and Cesare willingly gave Aileen more pleasure than she wanted.
However, the heir that Aileen wanted was not easily conceived. Aileen was upset by this fact and shed tears. Cesare comforted the crying Aileen, but inwardly felt no emotion.
He did not know why his bloodline should continue. In his honest heart, he wanted this moment, when only he and Aileen existed in the world, to last forever. He did not want any foreign substances to interfere, even if they inherited his blood and flesh.
But Aileen always imagined having children, raising them, and becoming a new kind of family. Cesare followed her wishes because Aileen wanted it. If that made his wife happy, Cesare would be happy too.
One day, as the peaceful peace continued, Cesare was organizing books in the study of the Brick house. He was briefly looking through the books to rearrange them when something fell with a thud.
“……”
Cesare felt a sense of déjà vu. However, he did not clearly recognize what the déjà vu was. He only slowly turned his head in the direction of the sound.
A book had fallen there. Cesare read the title written on the spine of the book. It was a book related to plants. A long time ago, Cesare had given it to Aileen when she was a little girl.
Aileen had loved plants since she was a child and had devoured all kinds of books. Cesare always bought and gave her the latest books for Aileen.
After reading the book, Aileen would always tell Cesare about its contents and impressions in front of him, and Cesare enjoyed giving her books because he liked her chattering voice.
The eyes containing red pupils narrowed slightly. A question arose in Cesare's mind.
Since living in this Brick house, had Aileen ever talked about plants?
From some point on, she stopped talking about plants, which she had loved so much. She spent all day with Cesare and only talked about everyday things.
As if there was only Cesare in Aileen's world.
Cesare was pleased with that fact. It was a satisfying time because he liked the fact that only each other existed in each other's world. He was truly completely happy. But he kept feeling like he had forgotten something.
Cesare picked up the book that had fallen on the floor. He was going to put it back in its place, but for some reason, he couldn't. He just held the book in his hand and left the study.
The moment he left the study, he ran into Aileen coming up the stairs. Cesare held out the book he was holding to Aileen.
"It's been a while, this book."
As he handed it over with a smile, Aileen opened her eyes wide and took the book. After checking the title, Aileen burst into laughter.
"You gave me this book when I was 11 years old."
"It's been a long time since I gave you a book."
"It's okay."
Aileen shook her head gently. And she smiled shyly and said brightly.
"I only need Cesare."
Cesare, who was looking into her golden-green eyes, had another question. Since when did Aileen take off her glasses and not wear bangs?
It seemed to be since the first night. Since then, Aileen had gradually changed into the appearance that Cesare liked.
Cesare, who had been staring at her, suddenly looked out the window. He saw the garden with the swaying orange tree. And the door leading out of the garden. The long road beyond the door was quiet, with no one coming or going.
Cesare tried to remember when he had last gone outside. But nothing came to mind. His memory was as white as a blank sheet of paper.
In the Brick house, food and other necessities were automatically filled, and the seasons were endlessly mild. No diseases or accidents occurred. Cesare only had to enjoy comfortable peace with Aileen.
It was like a perfect dream.
"Cesare?"
Aileen tilted her head as she stared at him silently.
"Aileen..."
Cesare called her name in a low voice and hugged the body in front of him. It was so vivid. The warm warmth, the soft flesh, the sparkling eyes. She was a beautiful being like a small doll.
But Cesare knew Aileen, who loved plants. When she found a strange plant, she would stick to it for hours and observe it, and she wanted to study all the plants in the world.
Aileen, who was studying at Palerchia University, was tired and lonely and cried every night. Even so, she studied fiercely and took the top spot.
Aileen, who sold medicine in the old inn, had a sense of responsibility towards the guests who came to her. She made medicine with the best effort than anyone else.
Tick, tock, the sound of the clock hands stuck. Cesare, who remembered the sound he had forgotten for a long time, wore a bitterly twisted smile. Countless thoughts tormented him.
Could he be happy even if he left this place? Perhaps he would repeat other trials. Even if this was the end of the trial, he did not even know if God would make a proper deal.
Compared to the reality where nothing could be confirmed, the illusion was truly sweet. This place was a perfect ideal space for Cesare.
But it was not a place for Aileen.
If he did not know Aileen's life, if he did not know the process from the first meeting at the age of 10 to adulthood. Then he might have hesitated a little more.
But Cesare knew everything. That's why Cesare had no choice but to choose reality. Because what he truly wanted was 'Aileen', not a doll made for him.
That day was a rainy day. Dark, heavy clouds covered all sides in black and poured down like rods.
Cesare played the piano all day for Aileen, who was afraid of thunder. And they went to bed early together. It was when he was comforting Aileen, who was clinging to his side and not letting go.
The light of the lamp flickered briefly. The flickering light in the room where not even a breeze was blowing was alien.
Cesare's eyes narrowed slightly, and then Aileen, who had been burying her face in his arms, raised her head. Cesare's eyes widened. It was because Aileen was crying.
"Cesare."
Aileen, her face soaked with tears, pleaded in a cracked voice.
"Please kill me."
