A few hours later, Enon felt like reconsidering his decision. The waves weren't normal. It wasn't a small boat, so it didn't sway in the wind, but it was enough to feel a subtle vibration.
“Your Highness, the weather is not very good. How about we leave after the weather calms down a bit?”
No matter how much he thought about it, there was no reason to rush like this. Enon had no doubt that Eden would accept his reasonable proposal.
“There's nothing urgent, right?”
Eden explored at Enon. And before answering, he showed his intention with action. Enon flinched as Eden stepped onto the bridge leading to the ship.
“Is there anything else going on?”
"Just..."
Eden, who was fully aboard the ship, trailed off. It was not like the man who had always been so clear. To be exact, it was not like the attitude of the superior that Enon had always treated. Enon narrowed his eyes and stared at Eden.
'Enon, you are...'
'Yes?'
'Have you no eyes?'
Suddenly, a recent memory came to mind. The look in Cecilia's eyes as she looked at him pitifully, asking if he was that important to her, was as vivid as if it were yesterday.
“Cecilia said she would wait, so we should hurry and go.”
The answer to the question that Enon had been unable to ask, even though he had thought it was impossible, came back. Enon stared at Eden as if he was looking at the most unfamiliar thing in the world.
As she went outside, she saw Eden getting out of the carriage. Cecilia ran into Eden's arms like someone who was so lost in longing for her lover.
“I'm back.”
Eden didn't seem to be in a bad mood either. He kissed Cecilia's temple and accepted the greeting warmly.
“Your Highness, Maria Casper sends greetings.”
"Countess."
Eden, who had discovered an unexpected guest, raised his eyebrows. However, he did not show any sign of displeasure as if he was dealing with someone he disliked or an uninvited guest. Instead, he had a faint smile on his face.
“I was just about to leave after having a pleasant time at the invitation of the Grand Duchess.”
“It would be good to bring some food with you.”
“No. I can't interrupt your cozy time together.”
Countess Casper covered her mouth with her hand and smiled slightly. It seemed that she was not so tactless as to intrude on the happy couple.
“I will see you at His Majesty the Emperor's birthday banquet.”
“Take care on your way back, ma'am.”
Countess Casper smiled brightly and bowed her head at Cecilia's greeting. Eden, who briefly glances at Countess Casper as she boards the carriage, enters the townhouse with Cecilia.
“How did things go?”
“We have succeeded in negotiating with Benia.”
Eden summarized the results briefly. Cecilia nodded without being surprised. She had expected it.
“Things will proceed as originally planned.”
It wasn't that there was no danger at all. However, rulers usually hate annoying fights. The atmosphere became so tense that it seemed like they would even risk war, but the situation was resolved when the Emperor's beloved second Prince stepped forward to negotiate.
“I'm glad it was finished before His Majesty the Emperor's birthday banquet.”
Eden negotiated with the Emperor's authority behind him and achieved everything he wanted.
Benia completely abandoned the troublesome landmass that they had never considered their territory anyway. The people of Laner Island, whose fishing activities were restricted to Wyatt's waters, had no choice but to follow Eden.
“What did you talk about with Countess Casper?”
“Oh, it wasn't anything special.”
Whatever it was, it was something she wanted to do. Cecilia smiled and answered, feeling better.
“There have been rumors recently that Ilya Nova is meeting with Marlon Jacinson of the Jacinson family.”
Eden frowned slightly at Cecilia's answer. He instinctively showed a look of displeasure at the mere mention of the name Ilya. Of course, it was only for a moment, so few people would notice it.
“Marlon Jacinson comes back every day stepping on the night dew.”
"...Is that so."
“If that news is true, I hope she lives well since it has come to this. I hope I never see her face again.”
Eden smiled faintly at Cecilia's words.
"If you want it, it will be so."
And Cecilia said that it would come true as she wished, just like the secret box in mythology that grants wishes if you rub it and make a wish.
"Your Highness."
At Cecilia's soft voice, Eden, who was unbuttoning her vest, turned her gaze.
“The designer will be here soon to put the finishing touches on the dress I will wear for the banquet.”
Eden nodded, having been estimating the timing. By now, Cecilia's dress would also be finished. Eden's clothes had been finished a long time ago, but men's clothing tends to require less work than women's clothing.
“If you were not tired, would Your Highness be able to look after me?”
Cecilia whispered like a shy girl as if she was too embarrassed to ask actively.
"If you want."
Eden readily gave the same answer as before.
“Your Highness, the weather is not very good. How about we leave after the weather calms down a bit?”
No matter how much he thought about it, there was no reason to rush like this. Enon had no doubt that Eden would accept his reasonable proposal.
“There's nothing urgent, right?”
Eden explored at Enon. And before answering, he showed his intention with action. Enon flinched as Eden stepped onto the bridge leading to the ship.
“Is there anything else going on?”
"Just..."
Eden, who was fully aboard the ship, trailed off. It was not like the man who had always been so clear. To be exact, it was not like the attitude of the superior that Enon had always treated. Enon narrowed his eyes and stared at Eden.
'Enon, you are...'
'Yes?'
'Have you no eyes?'
Suddenly, a recent memory came to mind. The look in Cecilia's eyes as she looked at him pitifully, asking if he was that important to her, was as vivid as if it were yesterday.
“Cecilia said she would wait, so we should hurry and go.”
The answer to the question that Enon had been unable to ask, even though he had thought it was impossible, came back. Enon stared at Eden as if he was looking at the most unfamiliar thing in the world.
***
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. I heard that His Highness the Grand Duke has returned.”
Just as she was about to send Countess Casper back, Madame Monte approached Cecilia and whispered to her. Cecilia quickly put on her mask with a fluttering face.
“Oh, my goodness. I heard His Highness has returned. I'm going out to greet him now. Would you like to say hello to him as well?”
"If you give me a chance."
Countess Casper readily agreed to Cecilia's question. Cecilia hurried up the stairs to the first floor, escorting Countess Casper like a maid.
"Your Highness!"
Just as she was about to send Countess Casper back, Madame Monte approached Cecilia and whispered to her. Cecilia quickly put on her mask with a fluttering face.
“Oh, my goodness. I heard His Highness has returned. I'm going out to greet him now. Would you like to say hello to him as well?”
"If you give me a chance."
Countess Casper readily agreed to Cecilia's question. Cecilia hurried up the stairs to the first floor, escorting Countess Casper like a maid.
"Your Highness!"
As she went outside, she saw Eden getting out of the carriage. Cecilia ran into Eden's arms like someone who was so lost in longing for her lover.
“I'm back.”
Eden didn't seem to be in a bad mood either. He kissed Cecilia's temple and accepted the greeting warmly.
“Your Highness, Maria Casper sends greetings.”
"Countess."
Eden, who had discovered an unexpected guest, raised his eyebrows. However, he did not show any sign of displeasure as if he was dealing with someone he disliked or an uninvited guest. Instead, he had a faint smile on his face.
“I was just about to leave after having a pleasant time at the invitation of the Grand Duchess.”
“It would be good to bring some food with you.”
“No. I can't interrupt your cozy time together.”
Countess Casper covered her mouth with her hand and smiled slightly. It seemed that she was not so tactless as to intrude on the happy couple.
“I will see you at His Majesty the Emperor's birthday banquet.”
“Take care on your way back, ma'am.”
Countess Casper smiled brightly and bowed her head at Cecilia's greeting. Eden, who briefly glances at Countess Casper as she boards the carriage, enters the townhouse with Cecilia.
“How did things go?”
“We have succeeded in negotiating with Benia.”
Eden summarized the results briefly. Cecilia nodded without being surprised. She had expected it.
“Things will proceed as originally planned.”
It wasn't that there was no danger at all. However, rulers usually hate annoying fights. The atmosphere became so tense that it seemed like they would even risk war, but the situation was resolved when the Emperor's beloved second Prince stepped forward to negotiate.
“I'm glad it was finished before His Majesty the Emperor's birthday banquet.”
Eden negotiated with the Emperor's authority behind him and achieved everything he wanted.
Benia completely abandoned the troublesome landmass that they had never considered their territory anyway. The people of Laner Island, whose fishing activities were restricted to Wyatt's waters, had no choice but to follow Eden.
“What did you talk about with Countess Casper?”
“Oh, it wasn't anything special.”
Whatever it was, it was something she wanted to do. Cecilia smiled and answered, feeling better.
“There have been rumors recently that Ilya Nova is meeting with Marlon Jacinson of the Jacinson family.”
Eden frowned slightly at Cecilia's answer. He instinctively showed a look of displeasure at the mere mention of the name Ilya. Of course, it was only for a moment, so few people would notice it.
“Marlon Jacinson comes back every day stepping on the night dew.”
"...Is that so."
“If that news is true, I hope she lives well since it has come to this. I hope I never see her face again.”
Eden smiled faintly at Cecilia's words.
"If you want it, it will be so."
And Cecilia said that it would come true as she wished, just like the secret box in mythology that grants wishes if you rub it and make a wish.
"Your Highness."
At Cecilia's soft voice, Eden, who was unbuttoning her vest, turned her gaze.
“The designer will be here soon to put the finishing touches on the dress I will wear for the banquet.”
Eden nodded, having been estimating the timing. By now, Cecilia's dress would also be finished. Eden's clothes had been finished a long time ago, but men's clothing tends to require less work than women's clothing.
“If you were not tired, would Your Highness be able to look after me?”
Cecilia whispered like a shy girl as if she was too embarrassed to ask actively.
"If you want."
Eden readily gave the same answer as before.
***
The dress, which the designer had modified throughout, was incredibly beautiful. Not only was the color between blue and purple subtle, but the bust area was filled with embroidery and the voluminous bell-shaped skirt that spread out like a flower was the pinnacle of beauty.
Well, it makes sense since it was used twice as much fabric as the one normally used for skirts. Thinking that, she was checking the hem of the dress in the full-length mirror when Cecilia's eyes met those of the man who was quietly watching her over her shoulder.
“How is it, Your Highness?”
At Cecilia's question, Eden let out a small sigh. It was only then that he realized that he had not been offered any compliments.
“...It's pretty. It's very beautiful.”
Eden praised Cecilia in a slightly lowered voice. Then he got up from his seat and stood in front of Cecilia.
“Thanks to Your Highness sparing no expense in making the dress, the designer really did not spare any expense on the fabric.”
Cecilia gently grabbed the hem of her skirt and shook it. The skirt swayed gently like crashing waves.
“I think Your Highness might feel a little heavy when dancing.”
Cecilia muttered, looking down at her dress again.
"Then I guess I can practice here."
"Yes?"
Cecilia asked with wide eyes. Her gaze followed the movement of his arm reaching out to her.
Eden wrapped one arm around Cecilia's waist, extended the other arm, and held her hand. Then he lifted his partner up and spun her around in the air as if he were spinning her around in a dance.
“...!”
Cecilia's mouth opened in surprise without her knowing. Eden, who was observing the movement of the dress through the mirror, smiled briefly at Cecilia's surprised face.
“It's not that heavy.”
And with words that weren't very heavy, he lightly placed Cecilia on the platform. It was the position where Cecilia had originally been standing.
“You're so pretty. I'll hold you, so turn around and take a look at yourself in the mirror.”
Eden, who had said so, grabbed Cecilia's hand. He then raised his hand above her head, giving Cecilia room to turn around. Cecilia, who had been hesitant, turned around with a determined face and stared into the mirror.
The rippling hem of the skirt was certainly beautiful. But that wasn't what Cecilia saw. It was where Eden's gaze was fixed.
Sky blue shoes peeking out from between the hems of her voluminous skirt, her slim, white ankles. After all that was covered up, his gaze naturally rose up to her face. Eden's face, staring at Cecilia's face, was smiling. It wasn't a smile made out of courtesy or consciously. The corners of his lips were slightly raised without his knowledge, and his softly curved eyes were almost unconscious.
Well, it makes sense since it was used twice as much fabric as the one normally used for skirts. Thinking that, she was checking the hem of the dress in the full-length mirror when Cecilia's eyes met those of the man who was quietly watching her over her shoulder.
“How is it, Your Highness?”
At Cecilia's question, Eden let out a small sigh. It was only then that he realized that he had not been offered any compliments.
“...It's pretty. It's very beautiful.”
Eden praised Cecilia in a slightly lowered voice. Then he got up from his seat and stood in front of Cecilia.
“Thanks to Your Highness sparing no expense in making the dress, the designer really did not spare any expense on the fabric.”
Cecilia gently grabbed the hem of her skirt and shook it. The skirt swayed gently like crashing waves.
“I think Your Highness might feel a little heavy when dancing.”
Cecilia muttered, looking down at her dress again.
"Then I guess I can practice here."
"Yes?"
Cecilia asked with wide eyes. Her gaze followed the movement of his arm reaching out to her.
Eden wrapped one arm around Cecilia's waist, extended the other arm, and held her hand. Then he lifted his partner up and spun her around in the air as if he were spinning her around in a dance.
“...!”
Cecilia's mouth opened in surprise without her knowing. Eden, who was observing the movement of the dress through the mirror, smiled briefly at Cecilia's surprised face.
“It's not that heavy.”
And with words that weren't very heavy, he lightly placed Cecilia on the platform. It was the position where Cecilia had originally been standing.
“You're so pretty. I'll hold you, so turn around and take a look at yourself in the mirror.”
Eden, who had said so, grabbed Cecilia's hand. He then raised his hand above her head, giving Cecilia room to turn around. Cecilia, who had been hesitant, turned around with a determined face and stared into the mirror.
The rippling hem of the skirt was certainly beautiful. But that wasn't what Cecilia saw. It was where Eden's gaze was fixed.
Sky blue shoes peeking out from between the hems of her voluminous skirt, her slim, white ankles. After all that was covered up, his gaze naturally rose up to her face. Eden's face, staring at Cecilia's face, was smiling. It wasn't a smile made out of courtesy or consciously. The corners of his lips were slightly raised without his knowledge, and his softly curved eyes were almost unconscious.
“…”
“It’s so beautiful. Even if it’s really heavy, I have to endure it.”
And whispered affectionately. Since everything was unfamiliar to Cecilia, she naturally observed all of Eden's subsequent actions.
“People are listening.”
The designer and his assistant, who had been keeping quiet as if they were not there the whole time, trembled as they could not stand the affectionate behavior of the Grand Duke and his wife.
Cecilia lowered her head slightly, pretending to be embarrassed, and half-hugged herself into Eden’s arms. Then she quietly looked up at Eden. As if sensing her gaze, Eden lowered his head slightly and met Cecilia’s eyes.
"Your Highness."
Eden didn't answer Cecilia's call. There was something about his face that didn't seem to like it.
“Are you not going to call me by my name again?”
“...Your Highness?”
But he didn't express his dissatisfaction directly. He just asked a roundabout question. Cecilia blinked, unable to gauge his intentions.
“It’s so beautiful. Even if it’s really heavy, I have to endure it.”
And whispered affectionately. Since everything was unfamiliar to Cecilia, she naturally observed all of Eden's subsequent actions.
“People are listening.”
The designer and his assistant, who had been keeping quiet as if they were not there the whole time, trembled as they could not stand the affectionate behavior of the Grand Duke and his wife.
Cecilia lowered her head slightly, pretending to be embarrassed, and half-hugged herself into Eden’s arms. Then she quietly looked up at Eden. As if sensing her gaze, Eden lowered his head slightly and met Cecilia’s eyes.
"Your Highness."
Eden didn't answer Cecilia's call. There was something about his face that didn't seem to like it.
“Are you not going to call me by my name again?”
“...Your Highness?”
But he didn't express his dissatisfaction directly. He just asked a roundabout question. Cecilia blinked, unable to gauge his intentions.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment