69
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Cesare stared at the Duke and Ornella in silence for a moment. His height made it seem as if he was looking down on them.
All the aristocratic families of the capital had crammed into the Imperial Palace, eager to see the Archduchess of Erzeht. Standing silently and staring in front of so many people, the Parvellini Duke couldn't bear it and opened his lips first.
"Your Highness, Archduke Erzeht."
The Parvellini family had continued its reputation as a prestigious political family in the Traon Empire. The Duke, a seasoned politician, did not reveal his emotions outwardly. He smiled leisurely and spoke.
"Congratulations. It's finally been seven days."
He had planned to exchange greetings normally and then step back naturally. Now that Cesare had stepped in, there would be no good outcome from getting further involved.
But Cesare had no intention of letting the Duke off easily. He led Lord Elrod, who was trembling behind him, forward.
Aileen, who had been trying to maintain a calm face from the beginning, was startled. Fortunately, Aileen was not the only one who was surprised. Parvellini Duke and Ornella also had a momentary flicker in their eyes.
For a mere Baron to be involved in a conversation between the Duke, the Duke's daughter, and the Grand Duke was practically unheard of.
"Please, greet each other."
Cesare twisted the corners of his mouth and smiled. The Parvellini Duke smiled after Cesare. Then, he readily extended his hand to Lord Elrod and asked for a handshake.
Originally, he was someone whom the Duke would never encounter, not even as much as the stableman of the Parvellini Duke's residence. But now they were standing face to face, shaking hands. As if they were equals. It was quite unpleasant for the Parvellini Duke, who was born with blue blood and had lived a noble life.
However, he was the father of the Archduchess of Erzeht, and Cesare had directly recommended the greeting. It would be ridiculous to refuse to greet him in this situation, so he was forced to shake hands.
Aileen watched them with anxious eyes. The Parvellini Duke's eyes were cold as he shook hands with her father. Her father was almost on the verge of fainting, but he managed to finish the handshake.
Ornella seemed to be momentarily frustrated and tried to open her lips, but the Parvellini Duke placed his hand on her arm and stopped her. The Duke smiled faintly and said to Cesare.
"I didn't know that Your Highness cherished your wife so much."
Cesare replied nonchalantly to the meaningful words.
"They say that when a man is obsessed with a woman, he will sell his country."
The onlookers gasped softly. It was an extreme remark that could never come from the mouth of a royal. But because it was emotional and intense, it also sounded romantic.
Cesare was wearing his uniform alone among the gentlemen in suits. The noble ladies and young ladies who were watching blushed and exclaimed softly at the unreserved declaration of love that flowed from the mouth of a man with a completely different and foreign appearance from the capital's aristocrats.
Those who were deeply immersed in gossip and popular novels seemed to enjoy the novel-like situation unfolding before their eyes. The Parvellini Duke, who had suddenly been cast as the villain, had a stiff face.
Cesare looked down at the Duke and continued to speak cheerfully.
"There have been many rumors in the capital lately that I've gone mad, but it seems that the Duke is slow to hear the news."
"...Your Highness, why would you say such a thing?"
"It's true, so you don't have to worry about it."
Since he admitted that he was crazy himself, there was nothing to say in response. Just as the Parvellini Duke was about to say something with his mouth gaping, Cesare lightly bowed.
The Parvellini Duke flinched and stepped back at the sudden close distance. It was a reflexive action, but he felt humiliated by the fact that he had stepped back and his wrinkled eyes twitched.
Cesare stared at the Duke with an expressionless face. Aileen quietly held her breath, feeling like she was being scolded.
The vividly colored red eyes gave a instinctive threat to the person facing them. Knowing that Cesare's eyes were not made by a desk-bound scholar, most people could not maintain eye contact with him for long.
The Parvellini Duke endured well, but he could not hide the fact that his fingertips were trembling slightly. After looking at the Duke like that for a while, Cesare slowly opened his lips.
"Thank you for your congratulations, Duke."
He twisted his mouth as if to mock the nervous Duke, and ended the short conversation.
"I hope you will continue to bless the future of our couple."
It was a warning-like remark. Before the Parvellini Duke, who was moving his lips, could answer, Cesare turned around and walked away.
Aileen, who was caught by Cesare and followed him, glanced back. The Duke and Ornella, glaring at them with frightening eyes, came into view. And Diego, taking care of her father, who was flustered and didn't know what to do, followed behind.
It was the moment she gave her gaze to Ornella again after confirming her father.
"Aileen!"
She called her name in a clear voice. As if the eyes that had been glaring until just now were a lie, she smiled brightly and spoke to her friend as if joking.
"I'll be waiting for the tea party invitation, okay?"
Even Aileen, who was not very perceptive, could understand. The intention of mentioning the tea party in front of everyone else was one. It was to prevent Aileen from running away. It was to draw her into the social circle that was advantageous to Ornella.
But there was something Ornella didn't know. Aileen had already put her name on the tea party invitation list.
Cesare paused for a moment. Aileen took a breath without making it obvious, and then smiled brightly as Ornella had done.
"Of course. I've already prepared the invitation."
And just like her, she called only her name without honorifics.
"Please come, Ornella."
Ornella's eyes widened slightly, as if she didn't expect Aileen to dare call her name so casually. But soon she smiled softly like melting sherbet. She smiled sweetly and replied to Aileen.
"I'll be waiting."
Aileen quickly turned her head back and held Cesare's hand tightly. The words she had just retorted were her best special move. She no longer had the confidence to talk to her any further.
Cesare chuckled softly. He moved his steps for Aileen and whispered.
"Shall we go somewhere where there are no people?"
Her heart was pounding from the aftermath of arguing with Ornella. Aileen quickly nodded, pressing down on her chest with her other hand.
"Yes...!"
The process of heading to a secluded place was not smooth. It was because people kept approaching them along the way. There were people they couldn't just pass by, so they had to greet them and have short conversations in between.
Still, she was glad to meet Count Domenico. He found Aileen from afar and rushed over, almost running.
He was so happy to meet Aileen that, although it was really rude, Aileen couldn't help but think of him as a big dog.
She felt much more relieved after meeting someone who was friendly to her. Aileen was able to deal with people with a much more relaxed feeling.
When they finally reached a secluded place, Cesare placed Aileen under a large flowering tree in the garden.
"Wait here for a moment."
Then he nodded to Diego. Diego immediately took her father to Aileen's side and followed Cesare.
Cesare stood at a distance where he could see Aileen and her father but could not hear their voices, and talked to Diego.
Aileen awkwardly turned to her father. It was the first time she had seen him since the wedding, so it had been a week. It wasn't a very long time, but for some reason, it felt like she was seeing him after almost several months.
"Father, have you been well..."
Before Aileen could finish speaking, her father whispered in a low, quick voice.
"Please save me, Aileen."
Aileen blinked at the sudden words. He kept wiping the cold sweat with a handkerchief and widened his eyes.
"Don't tell me you stuck me on a ranch?"
"A ranch?"
"Yes! I'm milking cows on a ranch right now!"
"Milking... cows?"
Aileen couldn't understand what her father was saying at all. Her father, whose life consisted of alcohol and gambling, had lived a life far removed from labor. But he was milking cows on a ranch.
She needed a little more explanation to understand, but her father, who had been rambling on about absurd stories, suddenly startled and shut his mouth.
Diego was looking directly at them. He had taken off his uniform jacket and hung it over his shoulder, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, so the tattoo on his forearm was clearly visible. When he met Aileen's eyes, Diego smiled silently.
