How did it end up like this? Cecilia thought, looking down at the hand that was being held by Eden.
Even if they slept in the same bed, she thought they would fall asleep without even touching skin like on the first night. That was why she easily allowed herself to sleep with Eden.
"Ha..."
But unexpectedly, Eden fell asleep while holding her hand, like a child falling asleep while leaning against its mother's body heat.
'I will try my best to repay that kindness.'
Perhaps he meant to keep his word that he would try, but it didn't feel good. What she said on the first night was just an excuse to minimize contact with Eden for a while.
Since he couldn't give her his heart, she thought he would back off by saying sorry. Cecilia didn't know that the man in front of her would say that he would try to make himself love her back.
'A man is a being who, when pushed away, becomes impatient and wants to come closer.'
Suddenly, she remembered what Madam Monte had said. She thought that Eden wasn't such a pathetic man in the past, but in the end, there was nothing she could do.
“What are you thinking about?”
Cecilia asked quietly, knowing that Eden, who was in a deep sleep, couldn't hear her at all. And then she laughed briefly as if her own foolish actions were funny.
“It’s not important.”
And then she pulled her hand away from Eden with great force. It wasn't that difficult since he was completely asleep.
What Eden said was unexpected, but it was beneficial. Emotions can be very sharp blades, and one day they can stab a defenseless man's heart.
"Your Highness."
“...”
“Either.”
Cecilia sat up in bed and drank all the wine left in Eden's glass in one go.
"I love you."
Then as if she was under the influence of alcohol, she whispered a lie. Eden smiled softly as if he had heard a confession even in his sleep. Cecilia also laughed along with him.
The truth is, I want you to love me in this life. Until my love kills you until it strangles you.
“Surely you weren’t planning on sending her off alone?”
Sienna asked curiously.
Ilya's eyes also quietly rolled towards Eden. Sitting with his legs crossed in somewhat comfortable clothing, he looked like a languid animal under the pouring sunlight.
“Of course not.”
Eden answered refreshingly. Only then did Sienna smile with a satisfied face.
“But why are you going to buy a book?”
Suddenly, Cecilia's gaze stopped on Ilya. Ilya was lying on the edge, like a sack of barley that had been placed somewhere. Her gaze was fixed on the most beautiful man in the mansion.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has asked me to do something.”
“The Crown Prince to Cecilia?”
That ecstatic gaze moved when Aster's story was brought up. Ilya looked at Cecilia with an expression that said she had heard something unexpected.
“Yes. So, I have some information to look into.”
Cecilia answered as she met Ilya's gaze. Ilyna rolled her eyes awkwardly and smiled. Cecilia returned the smile.
It's time to stop making petty observations.
Even if they slept in the same bed, she thought they would fall asleep without even touching skin like on the first night. That was why she easily allowed herself to sleep with Eden.
"Ha..."
But unexpectedly, Eden fell asleep while holding her hand, like a child falling asleep while leaning against its mother's body heat.
'I will try my best to repay that kindness.'
Perhaps he meant to keep his word that he would try, but it didn't feel good. What she said on the first night was just an excuse to minimize contact with Eden for a while.
Since he couldn't give her his heart, she thought he would back off by saying sorry. Cecilia didn't know that the man in front of her would say that he would try to make himself love her back.
'A man is a being who, when pushed away, becomes impatient and wants to come closer.'
Suddenly, she remembered what Madam Monte had said. She thought that Eden wasn't such a pathetic man in the past, but in the end, there was nothing she could do.
“What are you thinking about?”
Cecilia asked quietly, knowing that Eden, who was in a deep sleep, couldn't hear her at all. And then she laughed briefly as if her own foolish actions were funny.
“It’s not important.”
And then she pulled her hand away from Eden with great force. It wasn't that difficult since he was completely asleep.
What Eden said was unexpected, but it was beneficial. Emotions can be very sharp blades, and one day they can stab a defenseless man's heart.
"Your Highness."
“...”
“Either.”
Cecilia sat up in bed and drank all the wine left in Eden's glass in one go.
"I love you."
Then as if she was under the influence of alcohol, she whispered a lie. Eden smiled softly as if he had heard a confession even in his sleep. Cecilia also laughed along with him.
The truth is, I want you to love me in this life. Until my love kills you until it strangles you.
***
Three days passed. On the appointed day, Marchioness Calibre, who had received the invitation of the Grand Duchess, entered the front yard of the mansion.
“Welcome, Sienna!”
It was the moment when Cecilia was about to take a step to greet Sienna. Perhaps because she was walking in a hurry, the hem of her skirt was slightly stepped on.
“You have to be careful.”
As Cecilia stumbled, Eden hurriedly grabbed her waist. His hands, which had a slightly higher body temperature than the others, were firmly holding her slender waist and hips.
"Thank you."
Cecilia straightened up with an awkward smile.
“It’s okay now, Your Highness.”
“I can smell the warm scent all the way here.”
At that moment, Sienna came over with her husband, smiling. Her voice was clearly teasing. Cecilia pushed Eden away with force.
“My husband caught me when I almost fell. I looked so embarrassed.”
“You’re a married couple, do you need to be embarrassed?”
Sienna tried to calm Cecilia down, telling her that there was no need to be so scared.
“And you say you have a cold? It’s understandable for the Grand Duke to be worried.”
Eden nodded briefly at Sienna's words. After waking up from a sleepover in one of the bedrooms, Cecilia began to sneeze.
As summer colds are perceived as something that only unhealthy people get, the servants surround Cecilia.
“Because she's already a weak person.”
Eden was no exception. He kept his word with his whole body.
“That too.”
Sienna sympathized with Eden's words. It was only natural that she felt unfamiliar with his overprotectiveness towards Cecilia.
“Come in and let’s talk.”
It was embarrassing to be treated as a seriously ill patient just because she sneezed a few times. Cecilia hurriedly brought the guests inside.
“Who is that person?”
On the way to the restaurant, Sienna, who was standing right next to her, looked at Ilya from afar and whispered to her.
“She is the daughter of Count Nova, who became my maid.”
“There must be more than enough people in the capital to apply to be the Grand Duchess’ maid, so why did you bring the young lady of Count Nova’s family?”
It seemed like Sienna didn't think it was a good choice, since she didn't come from a prestigious family and Ilya's face was half and half.
“The Count of Nova is a vassal family of the Duke of Lane. If I can find a good match for Ilya, it would be a way to repay their hard work.”
Sienna nodded at Cecilia's answer.
“Well, it’s true that all the powerful people are gathered in the capital.”
It was natural for a person to want to find a good partner. Sienna also found such a partner and got married. It was too nitpicky to criticize her for such a thing.
“Have the marriage arranged as soon as possible and send her away. Or I can introduce her to a young lady from a good family as a maid.”
But she didn't forget to add a word of advice. It was a worry that wasn't unpleasant.
So Cecilia invited Ilya to join her for tea time after dinner.
“I think it would be good for Ilya to get closer to Sienna. Is that okay?”
Because kindness toward oneself will soon lead to antipathy toward the opposite sex.
“Ilya Nova of the Count Nova House meets with Marchioness Calibre.”
Ilya, who had no idea what was going on, appeared in fancy attire and greeted her warmly.
“You don’t know anyone in the capital. I think it would be good to become friends with Sienna as well.”
Ilya's eyes sparkled with emotion at Cecilia's words.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.”
“Always keep in mind how thoughtful the Grand Duchess is, and act accordingly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I must always do my best.”
Ilya responded meekly to Sienna's words that seemed to belittle her. Sienna did not throw any harsh words at Ilya.
“If someone saw me, they’d think I did something great. I actually feel sorry for Ilya.”
So Cecilia threw a stone into the peaceful lake. Sienna's eyes widened as she asked what she was talking about. Ilya also looked surprised as if she had not expected what he said.
“Actually, a few days ago, there was an incident where several employees’ salaries were not paid. Ilya saw it and immediately pointed out what the problem was.”
Cecilia spoke softly, holding her hands together.
“I felt bad that I had to have someone like that just serve me.”
Eden, who was talking to Marchioness Calibre, frowned slightly as he heard that sound.
“That’s ridiculous, Cecilia!”
Sienna praised Cecilia, saying that not everyone has the honor of serving such a great person as the Grand Duchess.
“I don’t like showing my face at every event, and I’m not the type of person who would captivate the social scene like Sienna.”
Cecilia honestly confessed her weaknesses. Ilya's eyes, staring at Cecilia like that, sparkled meaningfully.
“Cecilia.”
“I am a wife who is of no use to His Highness the Grand Duke. I always feel sorry for him.”
Perhaps Eden thought that he was a better fit for her than Cecilia, who only had her father's title. And that was what Cecilia had hoped for.
Please, in this life, I will be greedy, but this time, I will not be able to hide it.
“To begin with, Grand Duke Burnett, no, Eden himself, is not a very active person when it comes to external activities. Cecilia doesn’t need to feel sorry.”
“Did the Grand Duke give you any hints about something like that?”
Sienna's voice became higher as she turned her gaze to Eden. If that had happened, she had a chilling air that suggested she wouldn't let it go.
“No way. Your Highness, you won’t notice.”
Then Siena's gaze reflexively turned to Ilya. It was natural. It made her think that Cecilia's worries originated from Ilya.
Besides, Ilya didn't even say a word to say that it was okay, even if it was just out of courtesy. It wasn't Sienna's consideration that she didn't have the conditions to say a word.
“You don’t have to think like that because of an impolite maid, Cecilia. You are one of the most honored royals in Wyatt.”
In the first place, the fact that Cecilia had such thoughts was that Ilya was not functioning properly as a maid and was only showing off how great she was. That was what Sienna thought.
“If you just show that you are on good terms with Eden, everyone will look up to you.”
Ilya, who was suddenly accused of being an impolite maid looked as if she was being wronged. However, Sienna did not give her any room to join the conversation. Without even getting a chance to explain herself, Ilya was completely forgotten.
“Then your maid will also be able to go and find a good match who is more than worthy of her.”
Siena spoke to Ilya while looking at her. Ilya quietly lowered her head. She could not dare to speak to Siena, who was a member of the royal family, so she could only bow her head to hide her shame.
“Instead of just thinking negative thoughts, why don’t you go on a date with Eden?”
“Your Highness is busy.”
“No matter how busy you are, how can you not have time to spend with your wife?”
Sienna frowned and glared at Eden. Her face said that she wouldn't let him off easy if he dared show such an attitude.
“I heard the Grand Duchess is going to the bookstore tomorrow to buy a book.”
“...”
“Welcome, Sienna!”
It was the moment when Cecilia was about to take a step to greet Sienna. Perhaps because she was walking in a hurry, the hem of her skirt was slightly stepped on.
“You have to be careful.”
As Cecilia stumbled, Eden hurriedly grabbed her waist. His hands, which had a slightly higher body temperature than the others, were firmly holding her slender waist and hips.
"Thank you."
Cecilia straightened up with an awkward smile.
“It’s okay now, Your Highness.”
“I can smell the warm scent all the way here.”
At that moment, Sienna came over with her husband, smiling. Her voice was clearly teasing. Cecilia pushed Eden away with force.
“My husband caught me when I almost fell. I looked so embarrassed.”
“You’re a married couple, do you need to be embarrassed?”
Sienna tried to calm Cecilia down, telling her that there was no need to be so scared.
“And you say you have a cold? It’s understandable for the Grand Duke to be worried.”
Eden nodded briefly at Sienna's words. After waking up from a sleepover in one of the bedrooms, Cecilia began to sneeze.
As summer colds are perceived as something that only unhealthy people get, the servants surround Cecilia.
“Because she's already a weak person.”
Eden was no exception. He kept his word with his whole body.
“That too.”
Sienna sympathized with Eden's words. It was only natural that she felt unfamiliar with his overprotectiveness towards Cecilia.
“Come in and let’s talk.”
It was embarrassing to be treated as a seriously ill patient just because she sneezed a few times. Cecilia hurriedly brought the guests inside.
“Who is that person?”
On the way to the restaurant, Sienna, who was standing right next to her, looked at Ilya from afar and whispered to her.
“She is the daughter of Count Nova, who became my maid.”
“There must be more than enough people in the capital to apply to be the Grand Duchess’ maid, so why did you bring the young lady of Count Nova’s family?”
It seemed like Sienna didn't think it was a good choice, since she didn't come from a prestigious family and Ilya's face was half and half.
“The Count of Nova is a vassal family of the Duke of Lane. If I can find a good match for Ilya, it would be a way to repay their hard work.”
Sienna nodded at Cecilia's answer.
“Well, it’s true that all the powerful people are gathered in the capital.”
It was natural for a person to want to find a good partner. Sienna also found such a partner and got married. It was too nitpicky to criticize her for such a thing.
“Have the marriage arranged as soon as possible and send her away. Or I can introduce her to a young lady from a good family as a maid.”
But she didn't forget to add a word of advice. It was a worry that wasn't unpleasant.
So Cecilia invited Ilya to join her for tea time after dinner.
“I think it would be good for Ilya to get closer to Sienna. Is that okay?”
Because kindness toward oneself will soon lead to antipathy toward the opposite sex.
“Ilya Nova of the Count Nova House meets with Marchioness Calibre.”
Ilya, who had no idea what was going on, appeared in fancy attire and greeted her warmly.
“You don’t know anyone in the capital. I think it would be good to become friends with Sienna as well.”
Ilya's eyes sparkled with emotion at Cecilia's words.
“Thank you for your grace, Your Highness.”
“Always keep in mind how thoughtful the Grand Duchess is, and act accordingly.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I must always do my best.”
Ilya responded meekly to Sienna's words that seemed to belittle her. Sienna did not throw any harsh words at Ilya.
“If someone saw me, they’d think I did something great. I actually feel sorry for Ilya.”
So Cecilia threw a stone into the peaceful lake. Sienna's eyes widened as she asked what she was talking about. Ilya also looked surprised as if she had not expected what he said.
“Actually, a few days ago, there was an incident where several employees’ salaries were not paid. Ilya saw it and immediately pointed out what the problem was.”
Cecilia spoke softly, holding her hands together.
“I felt bad that I had to have someone like that just serve me.”
Eden, who was talking to Marchioness Calibre, frowned slightly as he heard that sound.
“That’s ridiculous, Cecilia!”
Sienna praised Cecilia, saying that not everyone has the honor of serving such a great person as the Grand Duchess.
“I don’t like showing my face at every event, and I’m not the type of person who would captivate the social scene like Sienna.”
Cecilia honestly confessed her weaknesses. Ilya's eyes, staring at Cecilia like that, sparkled meaningfully.
“Cecilia.”
“I am a wife who is of no use to His Highness the Grand Duke. I always feel sorry for him.”
Perhaps Eden thought that he was a better fit for her than Cecilia, who only had her father's title. And that was what Cecilia had hoped for.
Please, in this life, I will be greedy, but this time, I will not be able to hide it.
“To begin with, Grand Duke Burnett, no, Eden himself, is not a very active person when it comes to external activities. Cecilia doesn’t need to feel sorry.”
“Did the Grand Duke give you any hints about something like that?”
Sienna's voice became higher as she turned her gaze to Eden. If that had happened, she had a chilling air that suggested she wouldn't let it go.
“No way. Your Highness, you won’t notice.”
Then Siena's gaze reflexively turned to Ilya. It was natural. It made her think that Cecilia's worries originated from Ilya.
Besides, Ilya didn't even say a word to say that it was okay, even if it was just out of courtesy. It wasn't Sienna's consideration that she didn't have the conditions to say a word.
“You don’t have to think like that because of an impolite maid, Cecilia. You are one of the most honored royals in Wyatt.”
In the first place, the fact that Cecilia had such thoughts was that Ilya was not functioning properly as a maid and was only showing off how great she was. That was what Sienna thought.
“If you just show that you are on good terms with Eden, everyone will look up to you.”
Ilya, who was suddenly accused of being an impolite maid looked as if she was being wronged. However, Sienna did not give her any room to join the conversation. Without even getting a chance to explain herself, Ilya was completely forgotten.
“Then your maid will also be able to go and find a good match who is more than worthy of her.”
Siena spoke to Ilya while looking at her. Ilya quietly lowered her head. She could not dare to speak to Siena, who was a member of the royal family, so she could only bow her head to hide her shame.
“Instead of just thinking negative thoughts, why don’t you go on a date with Eden?”
“Your Highness is busy.”
“No matter how busy you are, how can you not have time to spend with your wife?”
Sienna frowned and glared at Eden. Her face said that she wouldn't let him off easy if he dared show such an attitude.
“I heard the Grand Duchess is going to the bookstore tomorrow to buy a book.”
“...”
“Surely you weren’t planning on sending her off alone?”
Sienna asked curiously.
Ilya's eyes also quietly rolled towards Eden. Sitting with his legs crossed in somewhat comfortable clothing, he looked like a languid animal under the pouring sunlight.
“Of course not.”
Eden answered refreshingly. Only then did Sienna smile with a satisfied face.
“But why are you going to buy a book?”
Suddenly, Cecilia's gaze stopped on Ilya. Ilya was lying on the edge, like a sack of barley that had been placed somewhere. Her gaze was fixed on the most beautiful man in the mansion.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has asked me to do something.”
“The Crown Prince to Cecilia?”
That ecstatic gaze moved when Aster's story was brought up. Ilya looked at Cecilia with an expression that said she had heard something unexpected.
“Yes. So, I have some information to look into.”
Cecilia answered as she met Ilya's gaze. Ilyna rolled her eyes awkwardly and smiled. Cecilia returned the smile.
It's time to stop making petty observations.
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Thank you so much for the chapters, dear Translator!❤️
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