“Cecilia!”
A voice calling. Was it a dream?
Cecilia barely opened her eyes. Eden held onto Cecilia's body with a pale face.
"How..."
Cecilia first saw the face of the Empress Dowager, wide-eyed and surprised, over Eden's shoulder. She had an expression of confusion.
“Ah, finally!”
But the Empress Dowager soon smiled brightly, her face soaked with joy. It was the first time Cecilia had seen a face of genuine joy.
“You’re finally going to experience the same emotions I felt!”
The Empress Dowager laughed like a madwoman. Eden couldn't even think of responding to her and just touched Cecilia's blood-stained face.
“Call the palace doctor, now!”
Behind Eden, who was hugging herself, someone could be heard screaming and running around. However, they all just faintly moved away.
“Cecilia. It’ll be okay. You’re okay.”
Eden gently stroked Cecilia's face with his trembling hands. Cecilia smiled faintly at his gentle touch, leaning against his large hand.
She was shamelessly glad to see him one last time.
"...Sorry."
But at the same time, she felt sorry. Even in the hazy vision, his eyes were wet with tears.
Her revenge, which she had no right to take, was finally completed at the most undesirable time, with death.
Now she had no strength to keep her eyes open. Cecilia quietly closed her eyes, with the Empress Dowager's laughter in the background. Eden's tears fell down her face.
Is this the road to death?
Cecilia, who had been walking around like a practicing believer, suddenly stopped. There was no one in the space, which was covered in a hazy mist. There was only Cecilia.
If she was going to hell for sinning, it would be better if she just fell down like this. That was when Cecilia was thinking that. The ground under her feet shook and rumbled. Cecilia also shook helplessly.
"Ah!"
And in a split second, the ground gave way. Cecilia fell very quickly. Just like how Cecilia had taken her own life in her first life.
"...”
But there was no falling to the floor and crushing her body like that time. Cecilia felt something supporting her body. At the same time, a large hand moved as if cutting through the smoke. Only then did her blurry vision open up.
"Ah..."
Eden and Curtis were sitting across from each other. Cecilia realized instinctively.
This was the story of Curtis and Eden, the first life Cecilia had never known.
“Why did you kill my brother?”
Breaking the still silence, Eden opened his mouth. His words were filled with an unfathomable confusion. It was understandable. After all, it was his father-in-law who had killed his brother. It was natural that he could not remain calm. He had never even wanted to become Emperor.
“Because Your Majesty should have become Emperor.”
Curtis responded calmly. He didn't even seem surprised that Eden had found out about it. How could he be so shameless while claiming that he had murdered the former Crown Prince?
“Cecilia.”
It was a joke to make fun of Cecilia, who had once done anything to protect him.
“I raised that child by feeding and dressing her with only the best things in the world.”
When Cecilia's name was mentioned, Eden flinched. He knew very well how well Cecilia, the only daughter of the Duke of Lane, had grown up. That was why he had been careful to surround her with the most precious and good things even after she became his wife.
“So, it is impossible for her greed not to extend to the position of Crown Princess and Empress.”
Curtis spoke calmly.
Cecilia, who was watching the scene, shouted out in disbelief that it was not true. But of course, Cecilia did not come into contact with her past memories. To be exact, she did not even make a sound.
“Cecilia said she wanted to become the Crown Princess.”
“...”
“She didn’t ask me to do it, but I wanted to do whatever my daughter wanted.”
Curtis continued calmly, not seeming at all concerned about the well-being of his daughter, who had no idea what was going on.
“Do you believe that I cannot cast out Cecilia, and you?”
Eden asked, gripping the armrest of the sofa tightly with her gloved hands. Curtis stared blankly at his hands, which must have turned pale from the lack of blood inside the gloves.
"Yes."
And he answered without hesitation. At the same time, the strength in Eden's hands disappeared.
“Your Majesty will not be able to cast Cecilia out.”
It was overconfidence. What kind of belief could have made Curtis so sure that he was safe?
“Because you love her.”
The words that followed immediately answered her question. Cecilia felt breathless.
'Don't worry. His Majesty loves you, Cecilia.'
Curtis always whispered to Cecilia that Eden loved her and cherished her very much.
She believed those words and leaned on Eden, but all she got in return was a betrayal. So, Cecilia tried not to completely believe in Eden's love in this life.
“You don’t want that fragile child to be shocked when she finds out about this.”
But everything Curtis said was true. Eden really did love her.
“And you can bury your brother who is already dead, but you can’t bury your beloved wife in the ground, right?”
“How shameless, Curtis Lane.”
And that became his weakness.
“I’ll decide what to do with you later. Get out.”
“See you soon, Your Majesty.”
Curtis, who had shamelessly bowed to the Emperor, left the drawing room.
"Ha..."
Eden, who had been staring at the door of the living room that Curtis had closed, burst into laughter. It was a mixture of emptiness and despair.
“Cecilia..."
Eden muttered, and placed his large hands on his face, tilting his head back.
After a while, Eden quietly withdrew his hand, still tilting his head back. Cecilia stared into his blue eyes revealed through his disheveled bangs.
“...”
Fortunately, there were no tears in those jewel-like, beautiful eyes. Instead, they were filled with terrible confusion, despair, and sadness.
"Your Majesty."
It was then that the chamberlain came in and told him that Cecilia was looking for him. Cecilia. Eden blinked, still in that position.
"...Your Majesty?"
The blood-red sunset leaned against the window. Eden spent the time blankly waiting for the attendant to call him again.
“I’m busy today.”
And then he barely opened his mouth.
“Tell her that I won’t be able to eat with her.”
It was a rejection that would have upset Cecilia. However, it was a natural response for Eden. He was not prepared to face his wife so casually.
“Get out.”
At Eden's command, the chamberlain bowed deeply and stepped back. Eden remained in that position for a long time. Until the sun had completely set and the moon and stars rose in the dark night.
And then, past the deep dawn, until it was almost time for the sun to rise.
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
“I’m going to the Empress’s Palace.”
Finally, Eden got up from his seat and started walking with unsteady steps. The chief attendant who had been guarding the front of the reception room the whole time followed him cautiously.
“Don’t let anyone in.”
And when Eden arrived at Cecilia's bedroom, he left that message behind and entered Cecilia's intimate space alone.
“...”
On a bed covered with a thin canopy, Cecilia was fast asleep. Fatally and cowardly, she looked more beautiful than anything else in the world.
“Cecilia.”
Eden walked closer to the bed and called Cecilia's name. Cecilia flinched as if she heard the voice.
“My wife, my Empress.”
Eden listed the titles related to Cecilia in a soft voice as if reciting a poem. Cecilia, who flinched for a moment, did not wake up, but simply let out a quiet breath.
Eden, who had reached into bed, reached out through the canopy and stroked Cecilia's round cheek. Cecilia smiled like a baby as if she felt the familiar touch even in her sleep.
“I love...”
Eden stopped talking and took a deep breath. His face showed despair and sorrow that could never be hidden. He loved the enemy in front of him more than anything.
"I."
It wasn't love at first sight. But as his heart soaked in passion, it became love. Eden came to the point where he believed he couldn't live without Cecilia.
"Loving."
He swore eternity before God and his love for Cecilia.
“My Cecilia.”
Maybe that's why this love was not broken. Even in such a desperate and painful moment. Eden was sad. A single teardrop fell down his cheek.
He was at a loss. She was the woman who had caused his brother's death, and he fucking loved Cecilia.
“...”
Sunlight streamed down onto Cecilia's bed. Eden stared at his wife in the peaceful light, then quietly turned around.
Curtis Lane received no punishment. Not the next day, nor the day after that.
A voice calling. Was it a dream?
Cecilia barely opened her eyes. Eden held onto Cecilia's body with a pale face.
"How..."
Cecilia first saw the face of the Empress Dowager, wide-eyed and surprised, over Eden's shoulder. She had an expression of confusion.
“Ah, finally!”
But the Empress Dowager soon smiled brightly, her face soaked with joy. It was the first time Cecilia had seen a face of genuine joy.
“You’re finally going to experience the same emotions I felt!”
The Empress Dowager laughed like a madwoman. Eden couldn't even think of responding to her and just touched Cecilia's blood-stained face.
“Call the palace doctor, now!”
Behind Eden, who was hugging herself, someone could be heard screaming and running around. However, they all just faintly moved away.
“Cecilia. It’ll be okay. You’re okay.”
Eden gently stroked Cecilia's face with his trembling hands. Cecilia smiled faintly at his gentle touch, leaning against his large hand.
She was shamelessly glad to see him one last time.
"...Sorry."
But at the same time, she felt sorry. Even in the hazy vision, his eyes were wet with tears.
Her revenge, which she had no right to take, was finally completed at the most undesirable time, with death.
Now she had no strength to keep her eyes open. Cecilia quietly closed her eyes, with the Empress Dowager's laughter in the background. Eden's tears fell down her face.
***
Is this the road to death?
Cecilia, who had been walking around like a practicing believer, suddenly stopped. There was no one in the space, which was covered in a hazy mist. There was only Cecilia.
If she was going to hell for sinning, it would be better if she just fell down like this. That was when Cecilia was thinking that. The ground under her feet shook and rumbled. Cecilia also shook helplessly.
"Ah!"
And in a split second, the ground gave way. Cecilia fell very quickly. Just like how Cecilia had taken her own life in her first life.
"...”
But there was no falling to the floor and crushing her body like that time. Cecilia felt something supporting her body. At the same time, a large hand moved as if cutting through the smoke. Only then did her blurry vision open up.
"Ah..."
Eden and Curtis were sitting across from each other. Cecilia realized instinctively.
This was the story of Curtis and Eden, the first life Cecilia had never known.
***
“Why did you kill my brother?”
Breaking the still silence, Eden opened his mouth. His words were filled with an unfathomable confusion. It was understandable. After all, it was his father-in-law who had killed his brother. It was natural that he could not remain calm. He had never even wanted to become Emperor.
“Because Your Majesty should have become Emperor.”
Curtis responded calmly. He didn't even seem surprised that Eden had found out about it. How could he be so shameless while claiming that he had murdered the former Crown Prince?
“Cecilia.”
It was a joke to make fun of Cecilia, who had once done anything to protect him.
“I raised that child by feeding and dressing her with only the best things in the world.”
When Cecilia's name was mentioned, Eden flinched. He knew very well how well Cecilia, the only daughter of the Duke of Lane, had grown up. That was why he had been careful to surround her with the most precious and good things even after she became his wife.
“So, it is impossible for her greed not to extend to the position of Crown Princess and Empress.”
Curtis spoke calmly.
Cecilia, who was watching the scene, shouted out in disbelief that it was not true. But of course, Cecilia did not come into contact with her past memories. To be exact, she did not even make a sound.
“Cecilia said she wanted to become the Crown Princess.”
“...”
“She didn’t ask me to do it, but I wanted to do whatever my daughter wanted.”
Curtis continued calmly, not seeming at all concerned about the well-being of his daughter, who had no idea what was going on.
“Do you believe that I cannot cast out Cecilia, and you?”
Eden asked, gripping the armrest of the sofa tightly with her gloved hands. Curtis stared blankly at his hands, which must have turned pale from the lack of blood inside the gloves.
"Yes."
And he answered without hesitation. At the same time, the strength in Eden's hands disappeared.
“Your Majesty will not be able to cast Cecilia out.”
It was overconfidence. What kind of belief could have made Curtis so sure that he was safe?
“Because you love her.”
The words that followed immediately answered her question. Cecilia felt breathless.
'Don't worry. His Majesty loves you, Cecilia.'
Curtis always whispered to Cecilia that Eden loved her and cherished her very much.
She believed those words and leaned on Eden, but all she got in return was a betrayal. So, Cecilia tried not to completely believe in Eden's love in this life.
“You don’t want that fragile child to be shocked when she finds out about this.”
But everything Curtis said was true. Eden really did love her.
“And you can bury your brother who is already dead, but you can’t bury your beloved wife in the ground, right?”
“How shameless, Curtis Lane.”
And that became his weakness.
“I’ll decide what to do with you later. Get out.”
“See you soon, Your Majesty.”
Curtis, who had shamelessly bowed to the Emperor, left the drawing room.
"Ha..."
Eden, who had been staring at the door of the living room that Curtis had closed, burst into laughter. It was a mixture of emptiness and despair.
“Cecilia..."
Eden muttered, and placed his large hands on his face, tilting his head back.
After a while, Eden quietly withdrew his hand, still tilting his head back. Cecilia stared into his blue eyes revealed through his disheveled bangs.
“...”
Fortunately, there were no tears in those jewel-like, beautiful eyes. Instead, they were filled with terrible confusion, despair, and sadness.
"Your Majesty."
It was then that the chamberlain came in and told him that Cecilia was looking for him. Cecilia. Eden blinked, still in that position.
"...Your Majesty?"
The blood-red sunset leaned against the window. Eden spent the time blankly waiting for the attendant to call him again.
“I’m busy today.”
And then he barely opened his mouth.
“Tell her that I won’t be able to eat with her.”
It was a rejection that would have upset Cecilia. However, it was a natural response for Eden. He was not prepared to face his wife so casually.
“Get out.”
At Eden's command, the chamberlain bowed deeply and stepped back. Eden remained in that position for a long time. Until the sun had completely set and the moon and stars rose in the dark night.
And then, past the deep dawn, until it was almost time for the sun to rise.
“Your Majesty, where are you going?”
“I’m going to the Empress’s Palace.”
Finally, Eden got up from his seat and started walking with unsteady steps. The chief attendant who had been guarding the front of the reception room the whole time followed him cautiously.
“Don’t let anyone in.”
And when Eden arrived at Cecilia's bedroom, he left that message behind and entered Cecilia's intimate space alone.
“...”
On a bed covered with a thin canopy, Cecilia was fast asleep. Fatally and cowardly, she looked more beautiful than anything else in the world.
“Cecilia.”
Eden walked closer to the bed and called Cecilia's name. Cecilia flinched as if she heard the voice.
“My wife, my Empress.”
Eden listed the titles related to Cecilia in a soft voice as if reciting a poem. Cecilia, who flinched for a moment, did not wake up, but simply let out a quiet breath.
Eden, who had reached into bed, reached out through the canopy and stroked Cecilia's round cheek. Cecilia smiled like a baby as if she felt the familiar touch even in her sleep.
“I love...”
Eden stopped talking and took a deep breath. His face showed despair and sorrow that could never be hidden. He loved the enemy in front of him more than anything.
"I."
It wasn't love at first sight. But as his heart soaked in passion, it became love. Eden came to the point where he believed he couldn't live without Cecilia.
"Loving."
He swore eternity before God and his love for Cecilia.
“My Cecilia.”
Maybe that's why this love was not broken. Even in such a desperate and painful moment. Eden was sad. A single teardrop fell down his cheek.
He was at a loss. She was the woman who had caused his brother's death, and he fucking loved Cecilia.
“...”
Sunlight streamed down onto Cecilia's bed. Eden stared at his wife in the peaceful light, then quietly turned around.
Curtis Lane received no punishment. Not the next day, nor the day after that.
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