"Your Highness!"
Enon, who found Eden leaving the arena, greeted him happily.
“I will serve you.”
And he quickly guided Eden to the carriage.
“How did the competition go today?”
As the wheels were just starting to roll, Enon asked cautiously. He didn't think Eden would lose, but he didn't look too happy about it. There's always a chance in this world.
“Three days later.”
Eden answered shortly, then leaned back against the cushioned backrest, crossing his arms.
“Well, of course, Your Highness will win...”
“I don’t know.”
"Yes?"
Enon asked back in disbelief.
“Damon is also the son of the Emperor. He is more than qualified and has the brains to do so.”
Damon had a rather impulsive side and was not very good at controlling it. Because of this, his other strengths were easily buried.
“Yes, well...”
Enon answered with a displeased expression. Perhaps because Damon was the only brother left, his attitude seemed somewhat toxic.
“My wife?”
Enon let out a small sigh as he was about to ask how he could know the whereabouts of Cecilia, who was staying at the mansion.
“She’ll be in the townhouse.”
And he answered obediently.
“Why would she suddenly disappear into the ground?”
It was a joke that was quite clever, but there was no response from Eden. Epan just frowned somewhat in dissatisfaction.
"Well."
Well, where on earth did the perfectly fine Grand Duchess suddenly disappear to?
“If there was something special, she would have contacted me. Isn’t that the kind of person she is?”
Lately, Eden has been seriously ill. He keeps asking for Cecilia and wondering what she is doing. Of course, his wife is suddenly trying to run away.
“She didn’t say anything about going anywhere.”
How did I end up in a position where I had to figure out something like this? Enon looked a bit skeptical.
Eden was not unaware of this fact, but he was not in control of his own mind. He had been extremely nervous lately. It was always like that until he got close to Cecilia.
As if it knew his mind, the carriage raced to the townhouse at a fast pace. Those passing by, whether unfamiliar or familiar, were not a concern for him.
“What about Cecilia?”
Eden took off his hat and gloves and handed them to the butler, asking a question.
“Her Highness...”
The butler opened his mouth in a serious tone.
At that moment, the sound of mother and daughter arguing could be heard. Eden easily recognized the voices as those of Madam Monte and Abby.
“It looks like we have guests.”
“Oh, the Grand Duchess’s servant, Abby, and her husband have come to see us.”
However, only Madame Monte and Abby appear at the end of the passage.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”
Eden looked down at Madam Monte and Abby, who were hastily bowing in greeting, and quietly raised one eyebrow.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen me since your wedding day?”
“Oh, yes! I have visited the mansion once more since then, but this is the first time I have met Your Highness. It was truly an honor to have you come that day.”
Abby answered, trembling. No matter how good a hostess Cecilia was, it was difficult for her husband to be comfortable.
“You didn’t come here to see the Grand Duchess?”
Eden ordered Madam Monte and Abby, who were still bowing their heads, to stand up. He then glanced over their shoulders and asked them a question.
“Her Highness told me to pack a gift, so I came down for a moment. I was just about to go up now.”
At Abby's explanation, Eden tilted his head slightly. Abby glanced at Eden's expression, then lowered her head again. It was a blank face, making it difficult to read what he was thinking.
“I’ll bring my wife so you can spend some more time with your mother in the living room.”
Eden made a generous offer. It was unimaginable that a former maid would dare to converse in the Grand Duke's drawing room.
“No. I’ll go up and...!”
Just as Madame Monte was about to move in a hurry, Madame Monte stopped moving like a stuffed butterfly. Eden was staring blankly at her.
It was not a face of dislike, irritation, or displeasure. But unlike the clear blue eyes, there was a cold anticipation in them that made Madame Monte unable to move.
“I will do it.”
Eden spoke briefly and held onto the railing of the stairs. His attitude was cold, as if he would not forgive anyone who disobeyed his orders.
“Go to the living room.”
Eden walked to the second floor, leaving behind the gazes of those who looked at him strangely. As he climbed each step of the stairs, questions began to arise.
Is Cecilia close enough to the maid's husband to have a private conversation with him?
That's not it.
Then why on earth are the two of them whispering?
“...”
Eden stepped on the noise-absorbing carpet and stood quietly in front of the study door.
'I have visited the mansion once more since then, but this is the first time I have seen Your Highness.'
It wasn't even the first time. No, if you think about it, it wasn't right to say it was the first time in the first place. Even before marriage, there was a time when Cecilia quietly called the man and had a conversation.
Perhaps the maid's marriage was merely a pretext? To hide the man from his gaze...
“...I need it.”
Eden, with a stern expression, opened the door to the study without warning.
"Your Highness?"
Cecilia, who had been asking Diego for something, stared at Eden with a surprised face. She couldn't believe that the thug was Eden.
“Why did you suddenly come without even knocking...”
Cecilia, who had been wide-eyed in surprise, naturally calmed down her expression. Her face was filled with a calm peace as if she had never been surprised before.
“I thought you was alone.”
"Ah."
Eden's attitude of making excuses was ridiculous. He was not usually like that, so he knew that he had opened the door carelessly on purpose.
“I was waiting for Abby and Madam Monte. Please step aside for a moment.”
Cecilia's gaze turned to Diego. As soon as she noticed Eden coming in, he jumped up from his seat and seemed to be checking his reaction.
"...Is it so."
Eden opened his mouth after a short silence.
“Leave.”
Cecilia sent Diego out with an indifferent expression. Diego greeted Cecilia and Eden and quickly left the study.
“Did something bad happen?”
Eden's gaze was fixed on Diego's back until the door closed. Sensing this, Cecilia gently brought his gaze back to her.
“Did anything go wrong with the competition?”
Eden quietly untied the tie and placed it on the table.
“No, nothing happened.”
Eden answered without hesitation. Then he reached out to Cecilia. Cecilia did not refuse and approached Eden.
“What does Your Highness plan to do?”
Eden stood with his buttocks leaning against the table without saying a word. He wrapped his right arm around Cecilia’s slender waist. Naturally, his chin rested between her collarbone and shoulder.
“I didn’t know you would discuss competition over His Majesty.”
“Whether it’s Damon or me, we need to see if he has what it takes to be Emperor.”
A warm breath tickled her shoulder. Cecilia placed her hand on his head and stroked it gently as if soothing him.
“What was the first topic?”
“Whether or not to maintain diplomatic relations with Benia.”
Fortunately, it was no different from what she knew.
“What are the results?”
“They said they would let me know in three days.”
“You will win.”
As Cecilia sighed in relief, thin brown hair flowed out between her fingers.
“How can you be so sure?”
Eden asked. Cecilia blinked at the unexpected question and tried to think of an answer.
“Unless a natural disaster occurs, there is no way Your Highness could lose to the Third Prince.”
Eden laughed briefly at Cecilia's answer.
“Do you wish I were the Crown Prince?”
No way. It was when Cecilia, unable to bring herself to say the words that were rising to the tip of her tongue, became silent.
“...If I want, will you do that?”
“If you want.”
“...”
“Anything.”
I can do anything. Eden whispered like a child yearning for affection. At that moment, Cecilia's hand, which had been repeatedly stroking Eden's head, stopped.
There were times when she would just blank out whenever he showed her his affection. It was because she was unfamiliar with it.
But soon, a faint smile appeared. She must have loved to be happy, but she got hurt because she loved. Both her past self and her current self were funny.
Oh, how blind and foolish is affection.
Enon, who found Eden leaving the arena, greeted him happily.
“I will serve you.”
And he quickly guided Eden to the carriage.
“How did the competition go today?”
As the wheels were just starting to roll, Enon asked cautiously. He didn't think Eden would lose, but he didn't look too happy about it. There's always a chance in this world.
“Three days later.”
Eden answered shortly, then leaned back against the cushioned backrest, crossing his arms.
“Well, of course, Your Highness will win...”
“I don’t know.”
"Yes?"
Enon asked back in disbelief.
“Damon is also the son of the Emperor. He is more than qualified and has the brains to do so.”
Damon had a rather impulsive side and was not very good at controlling it. Because of this, his other strengths were easily buried.
“Yes, well...”
Enon answered with a displeased expression. Perhaps because Damon was the only brother left, his attitude seemed somewhat toxic.
“My wife?”
Enon let out a small sigh as he was about to ask how he could know the whereabouts of Cecilia, who was staying at the mansion.
“She’ll be in the townhouse.”
And he answered obediently.
“Why would she suddenly disappear into the ground?”
It was a joke that was quite clever, but there was no response from Eden. Epan just frowned somewhat in dissatisfaction.
"Well."
Well, where on earth did the perfectly fine Grand Duchess suddenly disappear to?
“If there was something special, she would have contacted me. Isn’t that the kind of person she is?”
Lately, Eden has been seriously ill. He keeps asking for Cecilia and wondering what she is doing. Of course, his wife is suddenly trying to run away.
“She didn’t say anything about going anywhere.”
How did I end up in a position where I had to figure out something like this? Enon looked a bit skeptical.
Eden was not unaware of this fact, but he was not in control of his own mind. He had been extremely nervous lately. It was always like that until he got close to Cecilia.
As if it knew his mind, the carriage raced to the townhouse at a fast pace. Those passing by, whether unfamiliar or familiar, were not a concern for him.
“What about Cecilia?”
Eden took off his hat and gloves and handed them to the butler, asking a question.
“Her Highness...”
The butler opened his mouth in a serious tone.
“Her Highness bought it for you to take.”
“How can I take this?”
“It looks like we have guests.”
“Oh, the Grand Duchess’s servant, Abby, and her husband have come to see us.”
However, only Madame Monte and Abby appear at the end of the passage.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duke.”
Eden looked down at Madam Monte and Abby, who were hastily bowing in greeting, and quietly raised one eyebrow.
“Is this the first time you’ve seen me since your wedding day?”
“Oh, yes! I have visited the mansion once more since then, but this is the first time I have met Your Highness. It was truly an honor to have you come that day.”
Abby answered, trembling. No matter how good a hostess Cecilia was, it was difficult for her husband to be comfortable.
“You didn’t come here to see the Grand Duchess?”
Eden ordered Madam Monte and Abby, who were still bowing their heads, to stand up. He then glanced over their shoulders and asked them a question.
“Her Highness told me to pack a gift, so I came down for a moment. I was just about to go up now.”
At Abby's explanation, Eden tilted his head slightly. Abby glanced at Eden's expression, then lowered her head again. It was a blank face, making it difficult to read what he was thinking.
“I’ll bring my wife so you can spend some more time with your mother in the living room.”
Eden made a generous offer. It was unimaginable that a former maid would dare to converse in the Grand Duke's drawing room.
“No. I’ll go up and...!”
Just as Madame Monte was about to move in a hurry, Madame Monte stopped moving like a stuffed butterfly. Eden was staring blankly at her.
It was not a face of dislike, irritation, or displeasure. But unlike the clear blue eyes, there was a cold anticipation in them that made Madame Monte unable to move.
“I will do it.”
Eden spoke briefly and held onto the railing of the stairs. His attitude was cold, as if he would not forgive anyone who disobeyed his orders.
“Go to the living room.”
Eden walked to the second floor, leaving behind the gazes of those who looked at him strangely. As he climbed each step of the stairs, questions began to arise.
Is Cecilia close enough to the maid's husband to have a private conversation with him?
That's not it.
Then why on earth are the two of them whispering?
“...”
Eden stepped on the noise-absorbing carpet and stood quietly in front of the study door.
'I have visited the mansion once more since then, but this is the first time I have seen Your Highness.'
It wasn't even the first time. No, if you think about it, it wasn't right to say it was the first time in the first place. Even before marriage, there was a time when Cecilia quietly called the man and had a conversation.
Perhaps the maid's marriage was merely a pretext? To hide the man from his gaze...
“...I need it.”
Eden, with a stern expression, opened the door to the study without warning.
"Your Highness?"
Cecilia, who had been asking Diego for something, stared at Eden with a surprised face. She couldn't believe that the thug was Eden.
“Why did you suddenly come without even knocking...”
Cecilia, who had been wide-eyed in surprise, naturally calmed down her expression. Her face was filled with a calm peace as if she had never been surprised before.
“I thought you was alone.”
"Ah."
Eden's attitude of making excuses was ridiculous. He was not usually like that, so he knew that he had opened the door carelessly on purpose.
“I was waiting for Abby and Madam Monte. Please step aside for a moment.”
Cecilia's gaze turned to Diego. As soon as she noticed Eden coming in, he jumped up from his seat and seemed to be checking his reaction.
"...Is it so."
Eden opened his mouth after a short silence.
“Leave.”
Cecilia sent Diego out with an indifferent expression. Diego greeted Cecilia and Eden and quickly left the study.
“Did something bad happen?”
Eden's gaze was fixed on Diego's back until the door closed. Sensing this, Cecilia gently brought his gaze back to her.
“Did anything go wrong with the competition?”
Eden quietly untied the tie and placed it on the table.
“No, nothing happened.”
Eden answered without hesitation. Then he reached out to Cecilia. Cecilia did not refuse and approached Eden.
“What does Your Highness plan to do?”
Eden stood with his buttocks leaning against the table without saying a word. He wrapped his right arm around Cecilia’s slender waist. Naturally, his chin rested between her collarbone and shoulder.
“I didn’t know you would discuss competition over His Majesty.”
“Whether it’s Damon or me, we need to see if he has what it takes to be Emperor.”
A warm breath tickled her shoulder. Cecilia placed her hand on his head and stroked it gently as if soothing him.
“What was the first topic?”
“Whether or not to maintain diplomatic relations with Benia.”
Fortunately, it was no different from what she knew.
“What are the results?”
“They said they would let me know in three days.”
“You will win.”
As Cecilia sighed in relief, thin brown hair flowed out between her fingers.
“How can you be so sure?”
Eden asked. Cecilia blinked at the unexpected question and tried to think of an answer.
“Unless a natural disaster occurs, there is no way Your Highness could lose to the Third Prince.”
Eden laughed briefly at Cecilia's answer.
“Do you wish I were the Crown Prince?”
No way. It was when Cecilia, unable to bring herself to say the words that were rising to the tip of her tongue, became silent.
“...If I want, will you do that?”
“If you want.”
“...”
“Anything.”
I can do anything. Eden whispered like a child yearning for affection. At that moment, Cecilia's hand, which had been repeatedly stroking Eden's head, stopped.
There were times when she would just blank out whenever he showed her his affection. It was because she was unfamiliar with it.
But soon, a faint smile appeared. She must have loved to be happy, but she got hurt because she loved. Both her past self and her current self were funny.
Oh, how blind and foolish is affection.
***
Late at night, Eden climbed down from the bed, tying the waist of her gown. Cecilia, who had been tired all along from her recent experiences and his own clinging, was fast asleep.
Eden stared blankly down at the sight. His wife was too beautiful and precious to even look at. She was also something he never wanted to let go of.
“...Cecilia.”
Eden called Cecilia's name and gently stroked her face. Cecilia, who was already deeply asleep, did not wake up.
He liked this peace. He didn't want to lose it, even though he could still hear the ice cracking under his feet.
“You're sleeping.”
Eden, who kissed Cecilia on the forehead and reluctantly left, headed to the study. Eden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the table and began writing a letter without hesitation.
It was a letter to Enon.
Ordering an investigation into James Morak.
Eden stared blankly down at the sight. His wife was too beautiful and precious to even look at. She was also something he never wanted to let go of.
“...Cecilia.”
Eden called Cecilia's name and gently stroked her face. Cecilia, who was already deeply asleep, did not wake up.
He liked this peace. He didn't want to lose it, even though he could still hear the ice cracking under his feet.
“You're sleeping.”
Eden, who kissed Cecilia on the forehead and reluctantly left, headed to the study. Eden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the table and began writing a letter without hesitation.
It was a letter to Enon.
Ordering an investigation into James Morak.
Support Novellate!
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