Cecilia didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything, to be exact. It was the first time she had seen Eden cry.
“...Why are you leaving me?”
It felt like time had stopped. She couldn't breathe. She also felt a dull pain, as if someone had thrown a rock at my chest.
"I am..."
The tear he shed was just one drop. But the moment she saw the tear trail left on his cheek, she felt an indescribable sense of despair.
It was a difficult feeling to handle. It was also a feeling she did not want to feel towards him. Cecilia turned around quickly.
“Cecilia.”
"No, I do not want!"
Just as Eden was about to reach out and grab her wrist, Cecilia shoved Eden's hand away with a sharp shout. She then half-jogged down the hallway.
"Your Highness?"
“I want to be alone. Leave me alone, please.”
Madam Monte left the bedroom with a bewildered look on her face. Her confusion was evident, but she had no time to explain.
'You are the one who deceived my heart.'
Cecilia pushed the door behind her closed with both hands, then sat down on the floor helplessly. She leaned the back of her head against the door and covered her face with both hands.
'Why are you angry at me?'
She didn't know that she would go wild like a child who couldn't tell the difference between heaven and earth at a single word from Eden and that she wouldn't be able to keep her composure. Cecilia was swayed by the fear that he might grab her by the scruff of the neck and a deep-rooted sense of betrayal.
Foolishly. Stupidly.
'No!'
She didn't know she could laugh at the pain in his eyes. Because she remembered her past self. Because she felt her heart sink at the thought of hurting him.
“...”
Foolish Cecilia Lane. Cecilia took her hands off her face and let them fall limply to the floor. Her face was as calm and indifferent as ever.
Underneath the disheveled dress, she could see her shoes, half-off from walking around frantically. It was a mess, just like her mind. Cecilia bit her lower lip without realizing it.
“We have to finish this quickly.”
The moment she saw it, she had a vague feeling. It wasn't the kind of thing she'd like to have.
“Who knew you would make such a fuss at the end?”
Damon was babbling excitedly. Normally, he would have looked around and been told to restrain himself a little, but this time, the Empress just listened.
“My mother should have seen it too.”
Damon chuckled at the look of disappointment on the Emperor's face and Eden's self-abandonment.
“I’m curious as to why the Second Prince suddenly became like that.”
The Empress took a sip of tea and opened her mouth leisurely. She seemed to be in a good mood, whether it was because of the fragrant tea or the news Damon brought.
“Well, maybe that woman from Count Nova’s family was talking about divorce, so he might have done it for his wife.”
“Huh,” the Empress snorted softly and rested her chin on her hand.
“Well, I guess the Emperor cannot possibly take the Second Prince’s side, so that’s probably the reason.”
Damon didn't seem interested in it at all. It was also Damon's problem that his field of vision was narrow, but it was okay for him now.
“Anyway, that woman was right.”
Damon spoke with a cool smile.
"So?"
Damon nodded in response.
“Actually, the second topic was a bit tricky, but I won because I was told to just push through.”
“...”
“The third is that the Emperor wanted that answer, and it really was.”
The Emperor was disappointed in Eden, but on the contrary, he became generous to Damon, who brought up the story he wanted to tell. Damon felt proud as he recalled the Emperor's passing figure, patting his shoulder twice.
“Why did that woman say she helped you?”
The Empress asked, knowing that the woman who had advised Damon was Cecilia, so she had to guess what she was thinking.
“She didn’t say what she wanted. She just said she wanted to apologize for tarnishing my mother’s honor.”
It is absolutely not true. The Empress knew that better than anyone. It was Cecilia who had gone to great lengths to force the Empress to break up with her father, Curtis Lane.
“She don’t expect anything from you after giving you such hurtful advice?”
But to say that she meant to apologize for that was ridiculous. And there was no way Cecilia had any intention of scattering ashes to prevent her husband from becoming Crown Prince.
“If that woman can really see the future, she will be useful to have around in many ways. Please compensate her without any regrets.”
“Of course, it should be like that.”
Damon agreed. If she could really see the future, he had to have it by his side. How useful it would be. Damon, who had already become the Emperor in his imagination, looked proud.
“And if possible, I’d like to meet her sometime too.”
“My mother?”
It was a surprised expression. However, Damon soon nodded. It was because he remembered the reaction of the Empress when he had told her about the advice he had received regarding the third competition. Even the Empress, who had been squinting her eyes as if she was suspicious of her sincerity, was impressed.
“She will tell you that she will never show her face. She will not be afraid even if you cut off her neck.”
“It doesn’t matter what her face is. It’s not my concern what she looks like. Tell her that I don’t care if she comes with a bandage on her face or a mask on.”
The Empress responded indifferently. It really seemed like she didn't care at all. However, for the Empress of a country, it was quite an unconventional suggestion. Someone she didn't even know could harm her.
“Let me put it this way.”
Damon couldn't turn down such extraordinary treatment, the offer of endless future glory.
But a few days later, his victory was met with rejection. Contrary to her son’s careful delivery of the story, the Empress was not surprised. She had expected it.
Of course, it wasn't a decision made out of fear of being revealed. Cecilia also knew that the Empress had noticed her identity. She just couldn't leave her seat.
"Your Highness..."
She fought with Eden, raising her voice so loudly that the lower classes knew. In the meantime, she couldn't freely go outside, saying she had business to attend to.
Of course, it was Cecilia who was the one who got angry. Eden didn't raise his voice even for a moment.
“You should eat.”
He said that until the very end, what he wanted to do was to plead, not to get angry. And indeed, that was his behavior.
“I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“What if you skip the meal? Go down quickly. His Highness the Grand Duke is waiting for you.”
Madame Monte scolded Cecilia with a stern face.
“Madame Monte.”
“If you don’t even see each other’s faces because you’re embarrassed by a fight, are you really a couple?”
Just sharing the same space, scanning people with your eyes, responding to short conversations, sharing the same bed - just that can have a heart-warming moment, she said.
“Come down. I did not teach Your Highness this way.”
Madame Monte gave Cecilia a push on the back. Cecilia reluctantly began to descend the stairs.
“Could it be that His Highness the Grand Duke was sensitive because he ruined the competition?”
The servants hiding under the stairs could be heard whispering. Cecilia stopped Madame Monte from running down.
It was a natural decision for them. The day Eden returned from the third competition, he had a huge fight with Cecilia. The two of them didn't even see each other's faces for several days.
In the meantime, the result of the third competition was revealed. The Emperor chose the Third Prince, Damon, rather than the Second Prince, who was a strong candidate.
“Hey. His Highness is not the type of person to be sensitive about something like that. He's kind to people like us.”
Various speculations followed. Some said that the 2nd Prince was actually lacking in ability, while others said that the 3rd Prince was surprisingly interested in society.
“That’s true.”
“You never know. Her Highness the Grand Duchess may have done something wrong.”
The arms bend inward, so in the end, the servants' evaluations are bent toward Eden. It was natural since the real master to them was Eden rather than Cecilia.
"OMG."
As the sound of footsteps began, the maids hurriedly shut their mouths and lowered their heads. Cecilia pretended not to see the tops of their heads and walked towards the dining room.
No matter how much she thought she was smart, she was not foolish enough to take his anger out on someone else.
“...”
It seemed as if Madam Monte's words about waiting at the restaurant were not a lie; Eden, who had already finished preparing the meal and was sitting down, cast a glance at Cecilia.
The silence between the couple, who would normally have exchanged a few words with a smile, was chilling. The servants hurriedly served the food, cleared the table, and left.
“As Your Highness knows, Her Majesty the Empress has sent an invitation.”
Before they started eating, Cecilia opened her mouth. Eden, who had been looking down at the food with a reluctant face, turned his gaze to Cecilia.
“I would like to see you briefly to discuss the matter of selecting a concubine for His Highness the Third Prince.”
Eden didn't say anything. The silence weighed down on Cecilia's shoulders strangely. She had never known that his silence could be so unbearable.
“I didn’t know that the Empress had sent you an invitation. As I said, I don’t have anyone attached to you.”
Eden answered slowly after some time had passed. At the same time, Cecilia corrected her thoughts.
His silence was something she was used to. In the past, when she couldn't remember the last time she had had a proper conversation, she was more used to struggling to get him to say one more word.
“...Was it like that?”
But at some point, Cecilia got used to his affection and consideration again. To the point where his silence became burdensome.
“...Why are you leaving me?”
It felt like time had stopped. She couldn't breathe. She also felt a dull pain, as if someone had thrown a rock at my chest.
"I am..."
The tear he shed was just one drop. But the moment she saw the tear trail left on his cheek, she felt an indescribable sense of despair.
It was a difficult feeling to handle. It was also a feeling she did not want to feel towards him. Cecilia turned around quickly.
“Cecilia.”
"No, I do not want!"
Just as Eden was about to reach out and grab her wrist, Cecilia shoved Eden's hand away with a sharp shout. She then half-jogged down the hallway.
"Your Highness?"
“I want to be alone. Leave me alone, please.”
Madam Monte left the bedroom with a bewildered look on her face. Her confusion was evident, but she had no time to explain.
'You are the one who deceived my heart.'
Cecilia pushed the door behind her closed with both hands, then sat down on the floor helplessly. She leaned the back of her head against the door and covered her face with both hands.
'Why are you angry at me?'
She didn't know that she would go wild like a child who couldn't tell the difference between heaven and earth at a single word from Eden and that she wouldn't be able to keep her composure. Cecilia was swayed by the fear that he might grab her by the scruff of the neck and a deep-rooted sense of betrayal.
Foolishly. Stupidly.
'No!'
She didn't know she could laugh at the pain in his eyes. Because she remembered her past self. Because she felt her heart sink at the thought of hurting him.
“...”
Foolish Cecilia Lane. Cecilia took her hands off her face and let them fall limply to the floor. Her face was as calm and indifferent as ever.
Underneath the disheveled dress, she could see her shoes, half-off from walking around frantically. It was a mess, just like her mind. Cecilia bit her lower lip without realizing it.
“We have to finish this quickly.”
The moment she saw it, she had a vague feeling. It wasn't the kind of thing she'd like to have.
***
“Who knew you would make such a fuss at the end?”
Damon was babbling excitedly. Normally, he would have looked around and been told to restrain himself a little, but this time, the Empress just listened.
“My mother should have seen it too.”
Damon chuckled at the look of disappointment on the Emperor's face and Eden's self-abandonment.
“I’m curious as to why the Second Prince suddenly became like that.”
The Empress took a sip of tea and opened her mouth leisurely. She seemed to be in a good mood, whether it was because of the fragrant tea or the news Damon brought.
“Well, maybe that woman from Count Nova’s family was talking about divorce, so he might have done it for his wife.”
“Huh,” the Empress snorted softly and rested her chin on her hand.
“Well, I guess the Emperor cannot possibly take the Second Prince’s side, so that’s probably the reason.”
Damon didn't seem interested in it at all. It was also Damon's problem that his field of vision was narrow, but it was okay for him now.
“Anyway, that woman was right.”
Damon spoke with a cool smile.
"So?"
Damon nodded in response.
“Actually, the second topic was a bit tricky, but I won because I was told to just push through.”
“...”
“The third is that the Emperor wanted that answer, and it really was.”
The Emperor was disappointed in Eden, but on the contrary, he became generous to Damon, who brought up the story he wanted to tell. Damon felt proud as he recalled the Emperor's passing figure, patting his shoulder twice.
“Why did that woman say she helped you?”
The Empress asked, knowing that the woman who had advised Damon was Cecilia, so she had to guess what she was thinking.
“She didn’t say what she wanted. She just said she wanted to apologize for tarnishing my mother’s honor.”
It is absolutely not true. The Empress knew that better than anyone. It was Cecilia who had gone to great lengths to force the Empress to break up with her father, Curtis Lane.
“She don’t expect anything from you after giving you such hurtful advice?”
But to say that she meant to apologize for that was ridiculous. And there was no way Cecilia had any intention of scattering ashes to prevent her husband from becoming Crown Prince.
“If that woman can really see the future, she will be useful to have around in many ways. Please compensate her without any regrets.”
“Of course, it should be like that.”
Damon agreed. If she could really see the future, he had to have it by his side. How useful it would be. Damon, who had already become the Emperor in his imagination, looked proud.
“And if possible, I’d like to meet her sometime too.”
“My mother?”
It was a surprised expression. However, Damon soon nodded. It was because he remembered the reaction of the Empress when he had told her about the advice he had received regarding the third competition. Even the Empress, who had been squinting her eyes as if she was suspicious of her sincerity, was impressed.
“She will tell you that she will never show her face. She will not be afraid even if you cut off her neck.”
“It doesn’t matter what her face is. It’s not my concern what she looks like. Tell her that I don’t care if she comes with a bandage on her face or a mask on.”
The Empress responded indifferently. It really seemed like she didn't care at all. However, for the Empress of a country, it was quite an unconventional suggestion. Someone she didn't even know could harm her.
“Let me put it this way.”
Damon couldn't turn down such extraordinary treatment, the offer of endless future glory.
But a few days later, his victory was met with rejection. Contrary to her son’s careful delivery of the story, the Empress was not surprised. She had expected it.
***
Of course, it wasn't a decision made out of fear of being revealed. Cecilia also knew that the Empress had noticed her identity. She just couldn't leave her seat.
"Your Highness..."
She fought with Eden, raising her voice so loudly that the lower classes knew. In the meantime, she couldn't freely go outside, saying she had business to attend to.
Of course, it was Cecilia who was the one who got angry. Eden didn't raise his voice even for a moment.
“You should eat.”
He said that until the very end, what he wanted to do was to plead, not to get angry. And indeed, that was his behavior.
“I don’t have much of an appetite.”
“What if you skip the meal? Go down quickly. His Highness the Grand Duke is waiting for you.”
Madame Monte scolded Cecilia with a stern face.
“Madame Monte.”
“If you don’t even see each other’s faces because you’re embarrassed by a fight, are you really a couple?”
Just sharing the same space, scanning people with your eyes, responding to short conversations, sharing the same bed - just that can have a heart-warming moment, she said.
“Come down. I did not teach Your Highness this way.”
Madame Monte gave Cecilia a push on the back. Cecilia reluctantly began to descend the stairs.
“Could it be that His Highness the Grand Duke was sensitive because he ruined the competition?”
The servants hiding under the stairs could be heard whispering. Cecilia stopped Madame Monte from running down.
It was a natural decision for them. The day Eden returned from the third competition, he had a huge fight with Cecilia. The two of them didn't even see each other's faces for several days.
In the meantime, the result of the third competition was revealed. The Emperor chose the Third Prince, Damon, rather than the Second Prince, who was a strong candidate.
“Hey. His Highness is not the type of person to be sensitive about something like that. He's kind to people like us.”
Various speculations followed. Some said that the 2nd Prince was actually lacking in ability, while others said that the 3rd Prince was surprisingly interested in society.
“That’s true.”
“You never know. Her Highness the Grand Duchess may have done something wrong.”
The arms bend inward, so in the end, the servants' evaluations are bent toward Eden. It was natural since the real master to them was Eden rather than Cecilia.
"OMG."
As the sound of footsteps began, the maids hurriedly shut their mouths and lowered their heads. Cecilia pretended not to see the tops of their heads and walked towards the dining room.
No matter how much she thought she was smart, she was not foolish enough to take his anger out on someone else.
“...”
It seemed as if Madam Monte's words about waiting at the restaurant were not a lie; Eden, who had already finished preparing the meal and was sitting down, cast a glance at Cecilia.
The silence between the couple, who would normally have exchanged a few words with a smile, was chilling. The servants hurriedly served the food, cleared the table, and left.
“As Your Highness knows, Her Majesty the Empress has sent an invitation.”
Before they started eating, Cecilia opened her mouth. Eden, who had been looking down at the food with a reluctant face, turned his gaze to Cecilia.
“I would like to see you briefly to discuss the matter of selecting a concubine for His Highness the Third Prince.”
Eden didn't say anything. The silence weighed down on Cecilia's shoulders strangely. She had never known that his silence could be so unbearable.
“I didn’t know that the Empress had sent you an invitation. As I said, I don’t have anyone attached to you.”
Eden answered slowly after some time had passed. At the same time, Cecilia corrected her thoughts.
His silence was something she was used to. In the past, when she couldn't remember the last time she had had a proper conversation, she was more used to struggling to get him to say one more word.
“...Was it like that?”
But at some point, Cecilia got used to his affection and consideration again. To the point where his silence became burdensome.
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