35
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The frock coat smelled of Cesare. It was the same scent she had noticed earlier in the Emperor's audience chamber. It was a relief to her nose, which had been suffering from the smell of tobacco.
Aileen carefully closed the coat. The texture felt soft and warm in her hands. It was thanks to Cesare's warmth that remained intact.
Perhaps Aileen wasn't wearing it properly, Cesare closed the coat again. He tapped Aileen's nose with his finger and asked.
"The garden."
"Not yet..."
"Why not yet?"
Cesare looked at the servant who had been guiding Aileen. The servant hurriedly stuffed the handkerchief wrapped around the cigarette butt into his pocket and reported promptly.
"The two of you were delayed while having a conversation."
His tone was as stiff as a soldier. The servant's eyes were filled with admiration and respect, as if it were an honor just to exchange words with Cesare.
Usually, maids and servants were divided into several ranks, with high-ranking nobles in charge of aides. Most of those in charge of such chores were nobles below the rank of lieutenant.
It was well known that Cesare scouted talent regardless of status. The knights he kept closest to him were from commoner backgrounds, and they had become nobles by receiving knighthoods.
Therefore, people held admiration, respect, and a little expectation for Cesare. They hoped that maybe they too could catch Cesare's eye and rise in the world.
Cesare, who had been watching the servant with sparkling eyes, laughed briefly.
"A conversation."
As the eyes containing red pupils narrowed, the servant immediately lowered his gaze. The servant couldn't dare to make eye contact with Cesare.
Cesare didn't seem to have any intention of saying anything to the powerless servant, he just gave a short order.
"Escort Lady Parbellini outside."
He added with an indifferent expression.
"Since she seems to be lost."
Everyone knew it was nonsense. But no one here could contradict the Grand Duke's words. Ornella, the Emperor's fiancée, was still just the Parbellini Duchess Young Lady.
Ornella didn't show anger or disappointment. She just bit her lip silently. Her eyelashes trembled finely as if holding back tears.
"...Archduke Erzeht."
Ornella, clutching her handkerchief tightly, said in a trembling voice.
"I am relieved to see you in good health. While you were out on the conquest, I prayed for you every day. Without missing a single day."
She smiled weakly. Aileen also prayed for Cesare every day, but somehow it felt like nothing compared to Ornella's prayer. Aileen lowered her gaze.
"But since you have returned safely, it seems that God has heard my prayers. I will step down first."
Ornella bowed slightly and then asked the servant in an elegant voice.
"Could you please guide me?"
She looked like a lily drenched in water. The servant also momentarily forgot what had happened earlier and gave her a sympathetic look.
"Of course, Lady Parbellini."
As she left with the servant, only Aileen and Cesare remained in the hallway.
Aileen glanced up at Cesare. Then their eyes met. It was because Cesare was also looking at Aileen. He smiled faintly and asked.
"Shall we go see the plants?"
But Aileen whispered listlessly.
"I'm sorry..."
She seemed to always be saying sorry to him. She wished she could be confident too. After meeting Ornella, she lost all confidence. She was in a state where it wouldn't be strange if she sank into the ground and disappeared.
Cesare immediately realized the cause of her listlessness when she didn't react to his suggestion to see the plants.
"Ornella must have said something unnecessary."
It wasn't unnecessary. Thanks to Ornella, she became aware of the reality she hadn't known, so she should rather thank her.
"...Archduke."
Aileen hesitated and asked him.
"Could you perhaps open the laboratory for me?"
The thought of the dowry made her feel dizzy. The previous incident where she was about to marry a foreign nobleman was different. It was a case where a man who had difficulty getting married was buying a bride with money.
But now she was marrying the best groom in the empire, whom everyone admired. She couldn't just sit idly by when marrying Cesare, who was perfect in every way. She had to show at least a trace of hard work.
First, she was thinking of selling the medicines in the laboratory, and there were some expensive items among the research tools, so she was going to pawn them to get money.
If she hadn't bought the platinum pocket watch, she would have been a little more relaxed, but she decided not to regret it because it was a gift she really wanted to give.
'I hope he'll understand even if the dowry is a little short?'
It was a sudden marriage, and Cesare had strongly pushed for it, so she hoped he would be lenient if she brought as much as she could.
However, even if she could get the dowry, the problem was how to deliver it. Usually, the bride's father would deliver it to the groom's father. In Aileen and Cesare's case, Lord Elrod would have to deliver it directly to Archduke Erzeht himself.
'But how can I trust my father?'
There was a high possibility that he would touch the dowry she had barely prepared. He was afraid of Cesare, so he wouldn't be able to take it all, but he was the type of person who would easily swallow some of it. The already meager amount might be cut in half.
The more she thought about it, the more hopeless she felt. Especially since the wedding was not far away.
'If it were Ornella, she wouldn't have worried about this.'
She envied her for having a strong family. Aileen tried not to be jealous of Ornella and waited for Cesare's answer.
For some reason, Cesare didn't answer right away. Aileen anxiously stared at Cesare's lips. Cesare slowly opened his mouth.
"I was going to open it after we got married."
"Ah, well, I'm in a hurry..."
"Why are you in a hurry?"
"Because the guests are waiting. And there are people who are sick."
In fact, none of the regular customers were in a hurry. Only Mr. Luca, the watch merchant, was running out of medicine, so she had prepared the headache medicine she had made in advance and handed it to him.
But because she was in a hurry, excuses flowed out smoothly.
"The medicine I make is quite good. So there are people who only take mine. They say other medicines are less effective... Ah, I'm not trying to brag. I'm just telling you what I heard from the customers."
She was making excuses diligently as if she had committed a serious crime, but Cesare just listened quietly without any reaction. Aileen, who had nothing more to say, looked up at Cesare with pleading eyes.
"I guess it's difficult?"
Her heart was so earnest that her hands naturally came together politely. Cesare quietly looked down at Aileen and suddenly frowned.
"Take off your glasses."
She didn't know why, but she quickly took off her glasses and held them in her hand. Then he suddenly reached out and swept Aileen's bangs back.
"Ah."
Their eyes met without any obstacles. Cesare filled her vision completely. Aileen gasped in surprise. Her chest swelled slightly.
He slowly stroked her cheek. A faint shiver ran down her body as the leather glove touched her. A tingling sensation flowed down her spine.
Since she was young, Cesare had often stroked Aileen's hair or touched her cheeks. It was the same as caressing a cute child.
But now it felt so different. It was probably because she knew what else that hand could do. Digging into the most private places and teasing her...
As the memories of the night came to mind, Aileen unknowingly parted her lips slightly. The moment her small tongue was revealed, Cesare kissed her.
He sucked Aileen's tongue and took it into his mouth. He tormented her by nibbling on it and held Aileen's waist with both hands as she flinched.
He held her tightly in his arms, stirred the sensitive places in her mouth deeply, and then released her lips.
Aileen, breathing raggedly, looked at the man in front of her in bewilderment. She couldn't understand why he had suddenly kissed her.
"Why, why..."
"Why can't you sing?"
He licked his lips with his tongue in front of Aileen, who was stammering, and whispered.
"You're good at chattering, though."
