Ilya Nova would covet Cecilia's man, Eden, in this life as well. It could be a means to climb to the top, or it could be love.
Whatever it was, it was good for Cecilia. If she bragged about what Ilya didn't have and started to tease her, Ilya would quickly become furious. Young Ilya, who was even less patient than before, would certainly do that.
“Just like me, His Highness is someone you have to serve, so please pay attention to him when you see him in the mansion often.”
Madame Monte hurriedly opened Cecilia's bedroom door. Cecilia turned around as she crossed the threshold of the bedroom and spoke to Ilya. Ilya nodded as if it was not a difficult task.
“Abby, take Ilya to the bedroom.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It was hard to get here, Ilya. Get some rest.”
Cecilia gently but firmly pushed Ilya away. Ilya, who had been following Cecilia to her bedroom at a brisk pace, stepped back with an embarrassed expression.
“At first glance, she doesn’t seem like such a bad person.”
"Yes?"
Madame Monte nodded, taking off the earring hanging from Cecilia's ear.
“She just seems like an ordinary girl of that age.”
“Naive, cheerful, and greedy?”
"Yes yes?"
Madam Monte, who had been agreeing, tilted her head at the last statement and asked again.
"No."
At Cecilia's denial, Madame Monte, who thought she had misheard, forgot the previous conversation.
“But it would be better not to move together when meeting His Highness the Grand Duke.”
"Why?"
“She was prettier than I expected.”
Madame Monte untied Cecilia's hair, which was in a bun and spoke in a complaining tone. Cecilia listened to her story in silence.
“Of course, Your Highness is more beautiful, and I don’t think His Highness the Grand Duke, who has not had any scandals in the past ten years, would open his eyes...”
Cecilia slowly closed her eyes at the sound of her hair being brushed. It was a very comfortable feeling.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep.”
But perhaps because such an action seemed careless, Madam Monte stood on one leg and tapped the floor with her foot.
“You never know what a man would do if a beautiful woman were in front of him. Do you understand?”
"Yes."
Cecilia nodded in understanding. In fact, Cecilia knew that fact better than anyone else. But because of that, Eden and Ilya in this life would never be able to have the same relationship as before.
There was no reason to look at her like that in the first place. Cecilia stared into the mirror with a cold, slumped face. A woman with an expressionless face was staring into the mirror with a pale light.
“Madame Monte.”
Madame Monte, who was combing Cecilia's hair, perked up her ears.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you know the people my father was in contact with when he was at the mansion?”
At Cecilia's question, Madame Monte tilted her head slightly to the side and frowned. Her face was troubled.
“Well... I am the young lady’s servant, so I am completely unaware of His Majesty’s connections.”
The answer that came back was no different from what Cecilia had guessed. It was something that Madame Monte, who was always busy taking care of Cecilia, would not have known.
“Because the mail was also managed by the butler, Charles.”
Butler Charles was a name that Cecilia also knew. He had been managing the townhouse of the Duke of Lane within the system for as long as Cecilia had. Not only was he good at his job, but there was no doubt about his loyalty to the Duke of Lane.
“Cecilia.”
She was thinking about contacting him and was changing into her pajamas when Eden, who was an invited guest, came to Cecilia's bedroom in comfortable clothes.
"Your Highness."
Cecilia greeted Eden naturally. On the table was a bottle of wine and some light snacks that Madame Monte had prepared in advance.
“Aren’t you tired?”
"A little."
“Then have a drink and get some rest.”
Eden did not refuse Cecilia's offer. Sitting down on the chair, Eden opened the bottle, poured the liquor into two glasses, and handed one to Cecilia.
“What do you want to say?”
As Cecilia rolled the glass around, sniffed the aroma, and took a sip, Eden asked a question without delay.
The strong alcohol went down her throat with a soft scent. Cecilia answered, gently wiping her throat, which felt a little hot.
“There are two things.”
Eden's gaze turned to the slender neck and white flesh that Cecilia's hand was caressing.
“Let's talk.”
It wasn't something a gentleman would do. Eden slowly took his eyes off Cecilia's neck.
“One, as you saw earlier, is that I made Ilya Nova my maid.”
Eden nodded. He had already personally confirmed that part. However, his memory was particularly hazy when it came to Ilya Nova. It was because Cecilia had kissed him on the cheek first.
“The other thing is that I invited Marquis Calibre to the mansion.”
“Sienna?”
“Because I told Marquis Calibre the other day.”
Cecilia continued, taking another sip.
“I realized too late that I forgot to ask Your Highness about your schedule. The promised date is in three days. Is that okay?”
Cecilia asked with clear eyes. Eden was not a cold-hearted person who would ignore the fact that his wife had asked him a question for the first time.
“It doesn't matter.”
Cecilia smiled with satisfaction at Eden's answer and swirled the glass in her hand.
“It’s okay, nothing special happened.”
Eden's gaze turned to the innocent lady who was no different from usual.
The Cecilia of the last ten years he remembers was simple. An aristocratic young lady who had been chosen as the Second Prince's mate from a young age and raised as if she were royalty. The kind of person who took it for granted that someone would approach her rather than make the first move.
Whatever it was, it was good for Cecilia. If she bragged about what Ilya didn't have and started to tease her, Ilya would quickly become furious. Young Ilya, who was even less patient than before, would certainly do that.
“Just like me, His Highness is someone you have to serve, so please pay attention to him when you see him in the mansion often.”
Madame Monte hurriedly opened Cecilia's bedroom door. Cecilia turned around as she crossed the threshold of the bedroom and spoke to Ilya. Ilya nodded as if it was not a difficult task.
“Abby, take Ilya to the bedroom.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“It was hard to get here, Ilya. Get some rest.”
Cecilia gently but firmly pushed Ilya away. Ilya, who had been following Cecilia to her bedroom at a brisk pace, stepped back with an embarrassed expression.
“At first glance, she doesn’t seem like such a bad person.”
"Yes?"
Madame Monte nodded, taking off the earring hanging from Cecilia's ear.
“She just seems like an ordinary girl of that age.”
“Naive, cheerful, and greedy?”
"Yes yes?"
Madam Monte, who had been agreeing, tilted her head at the last statement and asked again.
"No."
At Cecilia's denial, Madame Monte, who thought she had misheard, forgot the previous conversation.
“But it would be better not to move together when meeting His Highness the Grand Duke.”
"Why?"
“She was prettier than I expected.”
Madame Monte untied Cecilia's hair, which was in a bun and spoke in a complaining tone. Cecilia listened to her story in silence.
“Of course, Your Highness is more beautiful, and I don’t think His Highness the Grand Duke, who has not had any scandals in the past ten years, would open his eyes...”
Cecilia slowly closed her eyes at the sound of her hair being brushed. It was a very comfortable feeling.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep.”
But perhaps because such an action seemed careless, Madam Monte stood on one leg and tapped the floor with her foot.
“You never know what a man would do if a beautiful woman were in front of him. Do you understand?”
"Yes."
Cecilia nodded in understanding. In fact, Cecilia knew that fact better than anyone else. But because of that, Eden and Ilya in this life would never be able to have the same relationship as before.
There was no reason to look at her like that in the first place. Cecilia stared into the mirror with a cold, slumped face. A woman with an expressionless face was staring into the mirror with a pale light.
“Madame Monte.”
Madame Monte, who was combing Cecilia's hair, perked up her ears.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you know the people my father was in contact with when he was at the mansion?”
At Cecilia's question, Madame Monte tilted her head slightly to the side and frowned. Her face was troubled.
“Well... I am the young lady’s servant, so I am completely unaware of His Majesty’s connections.”
The answer that came back was no different from what Cecilia had guessed. It was something that Madame Monte, who was always busy taking care of Cecilia, would not have known.
“Because the mail was also managed by the butler, Charles.”
Butler Charles was a name that Cecilia also knew. He had been managing the townhouse of the Duke of Lane within the system for as long as Cecilia had. Not only was he good at his job, but there was no doubt about his loyalty to the Duke of Lane.
“Cecilia.”
She was thinking about contacting him and was changing into her pajamas when Eden, who was an invited guest, came to Cecilia's bedroom in comfortable clothes.
"Your Highness."
Cecilia greeted Eden naturally. On the table was a bottle of wine and some light snacks that Madame Monte had prepared in advance.
“Aren’t you tired?”
"A little."
“Then have a drink and get some rest.”
Eden did not refuse Cecilia's offer. Sitting down on the chair, Eden opened the bottle, poured the liquor into two glasses, and handed one to Cecilia.
“What do you want to say?”
As Cecilia rolled the glass around, sniffed the aroma, and took a sip, Eden asked a question without delay.
The strong alcohol went down her throat with a soft scent. Cecilia answered, gently wiping her throat, which felt a little hot.
“There are two things.”
Eden's gaze turned to the slender neck and white flesh that Cecilia's hand was caressing.
“Let's talk.”
It wasn't something a gentleman would do. Eden slowly took his eyes off Cecilia's neck.
“One, as you saw earlier, is that I made Ilya Nova my maid.”
Eden nodded. He had already personally confirmed that part. However, his memory was particularly hazy when it came to Ilya Nova. It was because Cecilia had kissed him on the cheek first.
“The other thing is that I invited Marquis Calibre to the mansion.”
“Sienna?”
“Because I told Marquis Calibre the other day.”
Cecilia continued, taking another sip.
“I realized too late that I forgot to ask Your Highness about your schedule. The promised date is in three days. Is that okay?”
Cecilia asked with clear eyes. Eden was not a cold-hearted person who would ignore the fact that his wife had asked him a question for the first time.
“It doesn't matter.”
Cecilia smiled with satisfaction at Eden's answer and swirled the glass in her hand.
“It’s okay, nothing special happened.”
Eden's gaze turned to the innocent lady who was no different from usual.
The Cecilia of the last ten years he remembers was simple. An aristocratic young lady who had been chosen as the Second Prince's mate from a young age and raised as if she were royalty. The kind of person who took it for granted that someone would approach her rather than make the first move.
“Cecilia.”
"Yes?"
Despite her personality, his fiancee was excited like other girls her age whenever she met him and couldn't hide her affection for him.
“Enon has made a list of books related to the island of Laner.”
He knew that Cecilia liked him even before they got married. Cecilia wasn't good at hiding her feelings, and he thought it would be better to live together as a couple without any feelings of affection, so he just left it alone.
“Have you already purchased it?”
“Should I buy it if necessary?”
And he didn't regret that decision. After all, they were destined to become a couple.
“No. I want to see it in person at the bookstore and then decide.”
Cecilia opened her mouth with an innocent smile. Eden said that he would tell Enon to hand over the list and empty his second glass. Then he thought.
Yes, he didn't regret it one bit. Until he realized that his actions had hurt Cecilia a little bit. He had a conscience, too.
“I’m tired after drinking two glasses. Can I rest here today?”
Cecilia frowned at Eden's question. Eden just smiled quietly.
“You don’t have to ask. This is Your Highness’s home.”
“It’s your home too.”
“And you already did that yesterday.”
Eden laughed briefly at the refreshing answer as if asking why he was asking so new. It was because he remembered Cecilia's face, which he had met eyes with when he woke up a while ago.
'...or what?'
First, Cecilia blinked her sleepy, dazed eyes. Then she smiled bashfully like a child without any sense of caution. She buried her face in Eden’s exposed chest and called his name in a voice like a candle that seemed ready to go out at any moment.
It was the first time. Cecilia had never called him 'Your Highness the Prince' or 'Your Highness the Grand Duke'.
When did that happen? The feeling of their bodies touching each other felt new. It was ticklish but also seemed hot.
Above all, it was strangely satisfying. It was something that was his in his arms. It didn't have to be taken away or given up to anyone.
'Ah. Your Highness?'
Cecilia's body stopped as she came to her senses belatedly. The face she looked up at as she lifted her head from his embrace was filled with shock. As soon as Cecilia confirmed that it was not a dream, she got out of his embrace.
Thanks to that, Eden suddenly found himself in a position where he was hugging the air. However, more than the ridiculous position, he hated the feeling of emptiness.
Because it was an undeniable feeling, almost a sense of loss.
“Cecilia.”
"Yes?"
It was a strange thing. So Eden wondered where that feeling came from.
He cherished Cecilia as a family member. Yes, that was probably why. No fool would want to let go of such a person from his embrace.
“Do you still like me?”
Eden asked. Cecilia nodded silently at the question that had no meaning.
“Then, in addition to simply waiting for you to make your own mental preparations...”
Of course, no matter how hard he tried, it would be difficult for his feelings toward Cecilia to go beyond the feelings of family and sometimes lust. That was what Eden believed.
“I will try my best to repay that kindness.”
But if it was for this little girl, I wanted to do something that would make me feel fake. If I didn't get caught, wouldn't that be an effort too?
Cecilia looked blank after hearing Eden's words. Eden smiled briefly.
“Shall we stop and rest?”
Eden put down his glass and got up from his seat. As he lay down on the bed, Cecilia also looked around and carefully climbed onto the bed.
Eden watched the body, which was much smaller than his, move, then quietly reached out. Cecilia's jewel-like eyes followed Eden's hand.
“I won’t do anything stupid, so you can relax.”
Before he knew it, they were lying face to face and even held hands. Cecilia's shoulders flinched reflexively.
“I know that Your Highness is a gentleman.”
Cecilia added in a small voice, perhaps worried that it might be perceived as rejection.
"Good night."
Cecilia answered softly, “Yes.” Eden entangled his fingers with those of his wife. It felt warm and smooth.
Eden smiled and closed his eyes. Naturally, the desire for sleep took over him.
“...Your Highness, are you sleeping?”
Above all, it was strangely satisfying. It was something that was his in his arms. It didn't have to be taken away or given up to anyone.
'Ah. Your Highness?'
Cecilia's body stopped as she came to her senses belatedly. The face she looked up at as she lifted her head from his embrace was filled with shock. As soon as Cecilia confirmed that it was not a dream, she got out of his embrace.
Thanks to that, Eden suddenly found himself in a position where he was hugging the air. However, more than the ridiculous position, he hated the feeling of emptiness.
Because it was an undeniable feeling, almost a sense of loss.
“Cecilia.”
"Yes?"
It was a strange thing. So Eden wondered where that feeling came from.
He cherished Cecilia as a family member. Yes, that was probably why. No fool would want to let go of such a person from his embrace.
“Do you still like me?”
Eden asked. Cecilia nodded silently at the question that had no meaning.
“Then, in addition to simply waiting for you to make your own mental preparations...”
Of course, no matter how hard he tried, it would be difficult for his feelings toward Cecilia to go beyond the feelings of family and sometimes lust. That was what Eden believed.
“I will try my best to repay that kindness.”
But if it was for this little girl, I wanted to do something that would make me feel fake. If I didn't get caught, wouldn't that be an effort too?
Cecilia looked blank after hearing Eden's words. Eden smiled briefly.
“Shall we stop and rest?”
Eden put down his glass and got up from his seat. As he lay down on the bed, Cecilia also looked around and carefully climbed onto the bed.
Eden watched the body, which was much smaller than his, move, then quietly reached out. Cecilia's jewel-like eyes followed Eden's hand.
“I won’t do anything stupid, so you can relax.”
Before he knew it, they were lying face to face and even held hands. Cecilia's shoulders flinched reflexively.
“I know that Your Highness is a gentleman.”
Cecilia added in a small voice, perhaps worried that it might be perceived as rejection.
"Good night."
Cecilia answered softly, “Yes.” Eden entangled his fingers with those of his wife. It felt warm and smooth.
Eden smiled and closed his eyes. Naturally, the desire for sleep took over him.
“...Your Highness, are you sleeping?”
It was when he felt his consciousness sinking darkly. Cecilia's hand felt a slight strength and started to tremble as if it was going to slip away.
Eden's hand reflexively tightened. Thanks to this, Cecilia couldn't escape. However, the hand that Eden was holding onto remained a little stiff until he fell completely asleep.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment