It's a dream.
Cecilia realized that this was a dream, as she looked down at her own face, clear and innocent.
Cecilia of the past couldn't sleep properly because her heart was pounding. She just kept repeating useless actions. She watched Eden sleeping, and she tried to caress his smooth shoulders for no reason. She tried to hold him in her arms.
'I can't believe it...'
Because she couldn't believe that they were truly a couple.
'Thank you, Your Majesty.'
It was a great blessing that Eden chose her over the many women who had been around him. It was fortunate that she loved a man who would not break off the engagement even when his fiancée was struggling on the brink of death.
'...Hmm.'
Eden groaned softly, perhaps annoyed by the constant movement and noise. Cecilia hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
'Cecilia?'
However, Eden, who was a light sleeper, ended up waking up. Cecilia rolled her eyes with a look of disappointment on her face.
'Did you wake up because of me?'
At the cautious question, Eden gave a short laugh with her face half buried in the pillow.
'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that.'
As Cecilia apologized, Eden quietly reached out his hand. With the rustling sound of the blanket being crumpled, Cecilia's body was pulled into Eden's arms.
'Can't sleep?'
Suddenly, she found herself leaning her face against Eden's solid chest. Cecilia nodded, her ears blushing.
'Is it because it's unfamiliar?'
Eden whispered softly. Cecilia shook her head. Eden’s large hands gently stroked Cecilia’s exposed shoulders.
'Or, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?'
'Yes?'
'Or if you're sick.'
The voice that had been low as if she was about to fall asleep again became louder. Before Cecilia could answer, Eden pushed her out of his arms.
'If you have any pain but can't tell me...'
A worried gaze swept over Cecilia.
'I might have hurt you because I was the first.'
'I'm okay. I'm not in pain.'
Cecilia shook her head with an embarrassed expression. She didn't want to talk about such an embarrassing story. Only then did Eden lie down on the bed again.
'It's okay to be honest.'
However, he did not seem to be completely at ease. Cecilia smiled as if to say that it was okay to be reassured as she looked at the face of the man lying across from her.
'I feel embarrassed because you worry too much.'
'Because you are weak.'
Only then did Eden's face calm down. His long, straight fingers tucked Cecilia's messy hair behind her ears and straightened it. Those hands were sweet.
'Promise me that if anything hurts in the future, you'll tell me right away. If you don't tell me, I won't know.'
'Then will Your Majesty come running right away?'
Cecilia asked playfully.
'Of course.'
She thought Eden would answer playfully, but the answer she got back was more decisive and clear than she expected.
'Because I have a duty as your husband to cherish and protect you at all times.'
Young Cecilia was moved to tears by the promise. Eden pulled Cecilia back into his arms, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and closed his eyes.
Cecilia twisted her lips as she recalled a forgotten memory through her dream.
“You are lying so shamelessly.”
And then, unable to bear it any longer, she blamed Eden. At that whisper, Eden opened his eyes again. And he stared straight at Cecilia, who was far away.
His mouth moved once. It was when she frowned to read the shape of his lips. Eden closed his eyes again, holding Cecilia who had fallen asleep. The surroundings began to darken, and he began to be buried in the darkness.
It was only then that Cecilia realized that what Eden had said was clearly a curse.
Eden didn't hesitate to do what Cecilia wanted, to bind them together forever, because that was what Cecilia wanted.
'As an Emperor who protects generosity, fairness, and peace.'
The Emperor looked at Eden as if he was crying. His second son was sixteen years old, and as soon as he became an adult, he lived beyond the walls of the palace, so he often had a side that he couldn't understand.
'Not bad.'
However, Eden never made any particularly wrong judgments. Considering his side of secretly pushing people into a corner, he seemed more suited to the Emperor's crown than the kind-hearted Aster.
'But I don't know what you're trying to do by linking them like that.'
Eden did not answer the Emperor's questions, for he had no obligation to reveal his true feelings one by one.
“Umm...”
However, he thought about the future they might face. Even in a place where love has disappeared, the betrothal that the Emperor has made cannot be broken. Heaven and hell are only a hair's breadth apart.
“Cecilia.”
However, he was cautious about revealing such feelings to Cecilia. Cecilia was a woman who felt sorry for Ilya and wished for her to live well.
It was too shameful to reveal to Cecilia the truth that he had expected their misfortune and pushed them from behind. So Eden shamelessly incited the Emperor and pretended not to know.
“Just get up.”
Eden gently soothed Cecilia in his arms and woke her up. Cecilia, who had been groaning softly and sleeping, opened her hazy eyes.
Eden groaned as he met Cecilia's sparkling green eyes that seemed to be soaking wet. Then he gave Cecilia a short kiss on the forehead.
He liked this peace.
Enough to make him wish it would never break.
Cecilia realized that this was a dream, as she looked down at her own face, clear and innocent.
Cecilia of the past couldn't sleep properly because her heart was pounding. She just kept repeating useless actions. She watched Eden sleeping, and she tried to caress his smooth shoulders for no reason. She tried to hold him in her arms.
'I can't believe it...'
Because she couldn't believe that they were truly a couple.
'Thank you, Your Majesty.'
It was a great blessing that Eden chose her over the many women who had been around him. It was fortunate that she loved a man who would not break off the engagement even when his fiancée was struggling on the brink of death.
'...Hmm.'
Eden groaned softly, perhaps annoyed by the constant movement and noise. Cecilia hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands.
'Cecilia?'
However, Eden, who was a light sleeper, ended up waking up. Cecilia rolled her eyes with a look of disappointment on her face.
'Did you wake up because of me?'
At the cautious question, Eden gave a short laugh with her face half buried in the pillow.
'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that.'
As Cecilia apologized, Eden quietly reached out his hand. With the rustling sound of the blanket being crumpled, Cecilia's body was pulled into Eden's arms.
'Can't sleep?'
Suddenly, she found herself leaning her face against Eden's solid chest. Cecilia nodded, her ears blushing.
'Is it because it's unfamiliar?'
Eden whispered softly. Cecilia shook her head. Eden’s large hands gently stroked Cecilia’s exposed shoulders.
'Or, are you feeling uncomfortable somewhere?'
'Yes?'
'Or if you're sick.'
The voice that had been low as if she was about to fall asleep again became louder. Before Cecilia could answer, Eden pushed her out of his arms.
'If you have any pain but can't tell me...'
A worried gaze swept over Cecilia.
'I might have hurt you because I was the first.'
'I'm okay. I'm not in pain.'
Cecilia shook her head with an embarrassed expression. She didn't want to talk about such an embarrassing story. Only then did Eden lie down on the bed again.
'It's okay to be honest.'
However, he did not seem to be completely at ease. Cecilia smiled as if to say that it was okay to be reassured as she looked at the face of the man lying across from her.
'I feel embarrassed because you worry too much.'
'Because you are weak.'
Only then did Eden's face calm down. His long, straight fingers tucked Cecilia's messy hair behind her ears and straightened it. Those hands were sweet.
'Promise me that if anything hurts in the future, you'll tell me right away. If you don't tell me, I won't know.'
'Then will Your Majesty come running right away?'
Cecilia asked playfully.
'Of course.'
She thought Eden would answer playfully, but the answer she got back was more decisive and clear than she expected.
'Because I have a duty as your husband to cherish and protect you at all times.'
Young Cecilia was moved to tears by the promise. Eden pulled Cecilia back into his arms, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and closed his eyes.
Cecilia twisted her lips as she recalled a forgotten memory through her dream.
“You are lying so shamelessly.”
And then, unable to bear it any longer, she blamed Eden. At that whisper, Eden opened his eyes again. And he stared straight at Cecilia, who was far away.
His mouth moved once. It was when she frowned to read the shape of his lips. Eden closed his eyes again, holding Cecilia who had fallen asleep. The surroundings began to darken, and he began to be buried in the darkness.
It was only then that Cecilia realized that what Eden had said was clearly a curse.
Go.
He said only one thing. It was as if he could not take the woman sleeping in his arms, even if she was Cecilia herself.
She was annoyed that she couldn't swear even once. She felt suffocated as if a corner of her chest was blocked.
He said only one thing. It was as if he could not take the woman sleeping in his arms, even if she was Cecilia herself.
She was annoyed that she couldn't swear even once. She felt suffocated as if a corner of her chest was blocked.
***
Eden slowly opened his eyes to the tickling sensation on his chin. For a moment, his eyes were dazzled by the sunlight streaming through the gap in the curtains, but then he discovered the being that had woken him up.
Blonde hair as bright as a wheat field ready for harvest. White, slender shoulders with a rare trace of red. Soft, smooth skin clinging to his chest.
All of these things were what made up his wife, Cecilia. Eden rested his chin on his wife's head, enjoying the peace, with a contented expression like a predatory lion.
The very presence of Malone Jackinson, who had been harassing Cecilia, was annoying. However, it was true that he had made the uncertain relationship with Cecilia clear.
'Malone Jackinson said he's going to marry Ilya Nova.'
Eden recalled a conversation he had once had with the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor laughed as if he thought they were a perfect match.
'I don't think it's bad that they shave their faces off, but it's really funny.'
Even in a world without the system of collective punishment, it was impossible for the daughter of a criminal to be treated well. Furthermore, Ilya had already damaged her reputation while working as Cecilia's maid and was not recognized in high society.
'But if you think about it, that's also love...'
The Emperor muttered as he leaned back in his chair. But Eden did not think that they were truly in love. Or, if they were, it was only a fleeting passion.
'How about bestowing a favor in the name of the Emperor?'
Actions that he normally wouldn't do...
Blonde hair as bright as a wheat field ready for harvest. White, slender shoulders with a rare trace of red. Soft, smooth skin clinging to his chest.
All of these things were what made up his wife, Cecilia. Eden rested his chin on his wife's head, enjoying the peace, with a contented expression like a predatory lion.
The very presence of Malone Jackinson, who had been harassing Cecilia, was annoying. However, it was true that he had made the uncertain relationship with Cecilia clear.
'Malone Jackinson said he's going to marry Ilya Nova.'
Eden recalled a conversation he had once had with the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor laughed as if he thought they were a perfect match.
'I don't think it's bad that they shave their faces off, but it's really funny.'
Even in a world without the system of collective punishment, it was impossible for the daughter of a criminal to be treated well. Furthermore, Ilya had already damaged her reputation while working as Cecilia's maid and was not recognized in high society.
'But if you think about it, that's also love...'
The Emperor muttered as he leaned back in his chair. But Eden did not think that they were truly in love. Or, if they were, it was only a fleeting passion.
'How about bestowing a favor in the name of the Emperor?'
Actions that he normally wouldn't do...
Eden didn't hesitate to do what Cecilia wanted, to bind them together forever, because that was what Cecilia wanted.
'As an Emperor who protects generosity, fairness, and peace.'
The Emperor looked at Eden as if he was crying. His second son was sixteen years old, and as soon as he became an adult, he lived beyond the walls of the palace, so he often had a side that he couldn't understand.
'Not bad.'
However, Eden never made any particularly wrong judgments. Considering his side of secretly pushing people into a corner, he seemed more suited to the Emperor's crown than the kind-hearted Aster.
'But I don't know what you're trying to do by linking them like that.'
Eden did not answer the Emperor's questions, for he had no obligation to reveal his true feelings one by one.
“Umm...”
However, he thought about the future they might face. Even in a place where love has disappeared, the betrothal that the Emperor has made cannot be broken. Heaven and hell are only a hair's breadth apart.
“Cecilia.”
However, he was cautious about revealing such feelings to Cecilia. Cecilia was a woman who felt sorry for Ilya and wished for her to live well.
It was too shameful to reveal to Cecilia the truth that he had expected their misfortune and pushed them from behind. So Eden shamelessly incited the Emperor and pretended not to know.
“Just get up.”
Eden gently soothed Cecilia in his arms and woke her up. Cecilia, who had been groaning softly and sleeping, opened her hazy eyes.
Eden groaned as he met Cecilia's sparkling green eyes that seemed to be soaking wet. Then he gave Cecilia a short kiss on the forehead.
He liked this peace.
Enough to make him wish it would never break.
***
“Nice to meet you.”
Count Casper smiled and extended his hand. The thin man wiped the sweat from his palm on his thigh and shook his hand.
“It is an honor to meet you, Count Casper.”
“Haha. Is this even an honor? We met like this because our goals aligned, right?”
He was the owner of the Driton mines. Count Casper wanted to use the information his wife had obtained from Cecilia.
In fact, Count Casper had benefited greatly from Eden. He had helped him with some good businesses and even hinted at businesses that he would not invest in if they looked good. However, after Count Casper had a few accidents, Eden completely changed his attitude.
You always feel sorry for my wife, who you treat like a mother, but how can you be so cold?
Count Casper clicked his tongue as he recalled Eden's face, who had flatly rejected his request for help. But it didn't matter anymore.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late. I’m such a meticulous person, it took me some time to review the report you sent me.”
The Grand Duchess, unaware of the fact, innocently leaked the information. Furthermore, the information was secretly circulated in the gambling house he frequented. Count Casper quickly contacted the owner of the mine.
However, it took quite some time until they met face to face like today. It was, of course, because of money. The person who bought half of his land raised the price by 1.5 times, and he could not afford it.
“Actually, I thought I couldn’t help it if I missed the opportunity, but I’m glad you’re a person of deep faith.”
Count Casper took back his wife's family's lands by borrowing from them. He then squeezed the withering lands to raise investment funds. He then took out loans using the lands as collateral to cover the remaining amount.
“Of course. It’s not just a penny or two, so you have to examine it carefully.”
Meanwhile, he made excuses by saying that the report to be reviewed for investment was insufficient. Fortunately, the owner of the Driton mine waited for Count Casper, even though it took time. He argued that the credibility of the business was also reflected in the attitude he showed to investors.
Count Casper found his attitude very satisfactory and trustworthy.
“Yes, so when can we start work?”
Count Casper, sitting down, asked a question. He was very interested in the business in which he had decided to invest all his wealth.
“I think we can start within a month.”
“Then what about the real profits?”
The owner of the mine was talking nonsense. At first, he was trying to attract attention by selling it cheaply, and then he was going to increase sales in earnest.
“Yes, yes. Do as you wish. Since we’ve already reviewed it once, there’s no need to listen to the details.”
Count Casper gave his consent with relish.
“As expected, you are so refreshing.”
The owner of the Driton mine smiled brightly.
“Then I will come back next time with the mining volume and profit report.”
“Yes, take care on your way back. If anything happens, feel free to contact me at any time.”
The owner of the Driton mine rose from his seat, thanked Count Casper several times, and left the parlor.
Count Casper puffed out his chest like a peacock in the empty drawing room and coughed in vain. He had the face of someone who had already made a fortune through investment.
Count Casper smiled and extended his hand. The thin man wiped the sweat from his palm on his thigh and shook his hand.
“It is an honor to meet you, Count Casper.”
“Haha. Is this even an honor? We met like this because our goals aligned, right?”
He was the owner of the Driton mines. Count Casper wanted to use the information his wife had obtained from Cecilia.
In fact, Count Casper had benefited greatly from Eden. He had helped him with some good businesses and even hinted at businesses that he would not invest in if they looked good. However, after Count Casper had a few accidents, Eden completely changed his attitude.
You always feel sorry for my wife, who you treat like a mother, but how can you be so cold?
Count Casper clicked his tongue as he recalled Eden's face, who had flatly rejected his request for help. But it didn't matter anymore.
“I’m sorry for calling you so late. I’m such a meticulous person, it took me some time to review the report you sent me.”
The Grand Duchess, unaware of the fact, innocently leaked the information. Furthermore, the information was secretly circulated in the gambling house he frequented. Count Casper quickly contacted the owner of the mine.
However, it took quite some time until they met face to face like today. It was, of course, because of money. The person who bought half of his land raised the price by 1.5 times, and he could not afford it.
“Actually, I thought I couldn’t help it if I missed the opportunity, but I’m glad you’re a person of deep faith.”
Count Casper took back his wife's family's lands by borrowing from them. He then squeezed the withering lands to raise investment funds. He then took out loans using the lands as collateral to cover the remaining amount.
“Of course. It’s not just a penny or two, so you have to examine it carefully.”
Meanwhile, he made excuses by saying that the report to be reviewed for investment was insufficient. Fortunately, the owner of the Driton mine waited for Count Casper, even though it took time. He argued that the credibility of the business was also reflected in the attitude he showed to investors.
Count Casper found his attitude very satisfactory and trustworthy.
“Yes, so when can we start work?”
Count Casper, sitting down, asked a question. He was very interested in the business in which he had decided to invest all his wealth.
“I think we can start within a month.”
“Then what about the real profits?”
The owner of the mine was talking nonsense. At first, he was trying to attract attention by selling it cheaply, and then he was going to increase sales in earnest.
“Yes, yes. Do as you wish. Since we’ve already reviewed it once, there’s no need to listen to the details.”
Count Casper gave his consent with relish.
“As expected, you are so refreshing.”
The owner of the Driton mine smiled brightly.
“Then I will come back next time with the mining volume and profit report.”
“Yes, take care on your way back. If anything happens, feel free to contact me at any time.”
The owner of the Driton mine rose from his seat, thanked Count Casper several times, and left the parlor.
Count Casper puffed out his chest like a peacock in the empty drawing room and coughed in vain. He had the face of someone who had already made a fortune through investment.
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