The two of them pressed their bodies together like secret lovers hiding in a cave. They kissed and felt each other's body heat as if it were the last day of their lives. Eden's desperate hands were like someone struggling in water.
“You don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
Cecilia quietly took his hand. Then she gently stroked Eden's neck with her other hand, as if she were soothing a misbehaving animal.
“Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I am here. I am not leaving. She whispered like a parent reassuring a child.
“Even if I’m not around, I won’t let you be left alone.”
A faint doubt appeared in Eden's desperate eyes. Cecilia kissed him briefly on the lips. It was a simple kiss.
“I quit taking the medication. I won’t take it again in secret.”
“Cecilia.”
“I want to have a child.”
But that light kiss was affection and, at the same time, an obsession that could not be guessed at the end.
“... You told me you didn’t want it.”
“I want it now. Because when the world you love grows bigger, you will never be lonely.”
If death were unavoidable, Cecilia wanted Eden to never forget her and to trace her shadow on the child's face.
“I want to be the only god in your world.”
It was difficult to see such intentions as pure love. But even that dirty wish was undeniably love.
“And I really have no relationship with James...”
Ironically, Eden reacted most vehemently to the affection, burrowing into Cecilia's arms and kissing her already flushed skin again and again.
"I know."
A rough voice that sounded so low that it was almost hoarse fell into her ears in pieces.
“I know that too.”
Cecilia held onto Eden as if he were her only lifeline in a world that was shaking. The waves that crashed in didn't go away. He just whispered in her ear over and over again.
You are already my god, the one I will forever desire, cling to, and beg for.
“They both look very desperate.”
The Empress Dowager burst into laughter when she heard the news that the Emperor and Empress had gone into the water together.
“Yeah, well, since it’s come to this, there’s nothing wrong with them being on good terms.”
And she let out a long breath. Gray smoke, the color of death, danced through the air. Since Damon died, she had been smoking it without a second thought, and the room was already filled with its smell. At first, it may have been for medicinal purposes, but now it was just a cigarette that gave off acrid smoke.
There was a subtle strength in the tongue that swept the inside of the cheek. It was a look of dissatisfaction.
“I don’t know about other people, but you shouldn’t do that, Cecilia Lane.”
The Empress Dowager muttered. If before she had been just a pitiful thing caught up in a storm, now Cecilia was a reproach.
“I’m in hell, so why should you be the only one happy?”
The Empress Dowager reached across the table and lifted her glass. The bloody liquid rippled with the rough movement, exceeding the height of the glass. The Empress Dowager’s indifferent gaze followed the red liquid that soaked her hand.
“Yes. Let’s play a game.”
The Empress Dowager, who had just poured the alcohol down her throat, was shocked.
“I got hit last time, so I’ll strike first this time.”
She even made suggestions as if she was having a conversation with someone, even though there was only empty space in front of her.
“I have nothing to lose, so I stab you, and you have much to protect, so you defend yourself.”
But the attitude was as natural as if she were talking about a sports game.
“Protect your husband, protect your father, and protect your family.”
Could she handle all those things on her own and change the future? The Empress Dowager tilted her head, wondering. But soon, she looked straight ahead with a monotonous expression.
The last portrait of Damon, her son who was already dead, hung there. Her teeth clenched as she thought about the son she had lost twice.
“It’s none of my business.”
A twisted smile appeared on her cold face.
“Then I will give you a chance to attack too.”
Of course, it wasn't like she was having fun discussing a fair game.
“Well, if you’re alive.”
She was confident that she wouldn't live long anyway.
Eden, who was leaning against the headboard of the bed, turned his gaze to Cecilia, whose breathing had finally calmed down. His wife was a lovely woman, even her soft shoulders, which were revealed whitely in the moonlight.
“I have something to tell you about James Morak.”
“Let’s talk.”
Cecilia said that with her eyes wide open, half-asleep, as if she was falling asleep after a long time together. Eden stroked her soft blond hair and opened his ears.
“As you know, he was the lover of my former servant, Abby, so I found out a lot of secrets. I originally wanted to give Abby a man she would be proud of, so I did some research.”
Eden lay down on the bed and pulled Cecilia into his arms. Cecilia was securely trapped between her husband's chest and strong arms.
“Then I found out that he was the illegitimate son of the Count Lawson family and that his real name was Diego Lawson.”
Cecilia yawned slightly and explained, feeling good about the stability.
“He said that since he runs a pawn shop and a dealership under the name of James Morak, he gets a lot of information as people and goods move around.”
It meant that it was thanks to this that Wyatt was able to secretly obtain the unfamiliar contraceptive. Eden noticed the omitted words.
“I know what you mean.”
And likewise, he noticed that Cecilia was trying to clear up the misunderstanding. Eden whispered softly while caressing Cecilia's bare back under the blanket.
“I want to keep him with us.”
“Why?”
Eden asked in a puzzled voice. It was a separate matter from clearing up a misunderstanding that had never happened. If Diego had outlived his usefulness, he wondered if there was any need to keep him around.
“He was the one who revealed the secret of the Third Prince. He was trying to get his hands on the theater and cultural businesses, and that information was leaked.”
Of course, it was Cecilia's own initiative, but she couldn't tell the whole truth. To do that, she had to tell the story of how she met Diego, what she had told him to do, and even the fact that she remembered her past life.
“I want to use him.”
There was no need to tell Eden about Diego. The only reason she revealed some of the secrets was to keep the Empress Dowager in check.
“I find it strange that the Empress Dowager insisted on bringing up the truth investigation team earlier. She may have other ideas.”
The Empress Dowager lost her beloved children twice. Both times, her husband killed her children. It was impossible not to be shocked. Although no one suspected it, Cecilia suspected that the Empress Dowager was the one who killed the late Emperor.
Besides, since the reason Damon died was the same as before, she wouldn't be able to control her anger towards Eden. She didn't know where or how the sparks would fly.
“It seems quite useful, so I think it would be a good idea to assign Diego some work separately from forming the fact-finding team.”
Thinking back to the moment when the Empress had openly shown hostility towards Cecilia and cursed at her, it was surprising that it wasn't Cecilia or Eden who had died in the hunting grounds.
“If we offered him a countship as a reward for uncovering Irina Jackinson’s crimes, he would do anything. He had an inferiority complex about his status.”
Now that the Emperor was dead, it was time for Eden to come after him. And for helping Damon die, he had to respond.
Meanwhile, Diego was one of the cards that Cecilia could use. It was also a card that the Empress Dowager had already lost, not knowing that Cecilia had also returned.
“This is the palace. The Empress Dowager is resentful of His Majesty. You never know what might happen.”
Cecilia added her explanation as if trying to persuade Eden.
“You speak as if you have lived in the palace for a long time, Cecilia.”
Eden smiled lowly and gave Cecilia a quick kiss on the forehead.
“Your Majesty, I am sincere.”
As he spoke, she must have woken up from sleep because her eyes were clearer than before. Cecilia desperately touched the man’s face that she could clearly see.
"I know."
As if that was satisfying, Eden answered obediently.
“I will do as you say.”
And he said he would follow Cecilia's words.
“You don’t have to worry.”
However, that decision was not made entirely based on Cecilia's words. At the foundation of that decision was still a slight anxiety.
I'll do as you say. I'll do as you wish. Now, there was a pleading heart there for the only love left in his world.
No one could go back to a time when they knew nothing.
“You don’t have to be in such a hurry.”
Cecilia quietly took his hand. Then she gently stroked Eden's neck with her other hand, as if she were soothing a misbehaving animal.
“Because I’m not going anywhere.”
I am here. I am not leaving. She whispered like a parent reassuring a child.
“Even if I’m not around, I won’t let you be left alone.”
A faint doubt appeared in Eden's desperate eyes. Cecilia kissed him briefly on the lips. It was a simple kiss.
“I quit taking the medication. I won’t take it again in secret.”
“Cecilia.”
“I want to have a child.”
But that light kiss was affection and, at the same time, an obsession that could not be guessed at the end.
“... You told me you didn’t want it.”
“I want it now. Because when the world you love grows bigger, you will never be lonely.”
If death were unavoidable, Cecilia wanted Eden to never forget her and to trace her shadow on the child's face.
“I want to be the only god in your world.”
It was difficult to see such intentions as pure love. But even that dirty wish was undeniably love.
“And I really have no relationship with James...”
Ironically, Eden reacted most vehemently to the affection, burrowing into Cecilia's arms and kissing her already flushed skin again and again.
"I know."
A rough voice that sounded so low that it was almost hoarse fell into her ears in pieces.
“I know that too.”
Cecilia held onto Eden as if he were her only lifeline in a world that was shaking. The waves that crashed in didn't go away. He just whispered in her ear over and over again.
You are already my god, the one I will forever desire, cling to, and beg for.
***
“They both look very desperate.”
The Empress Dowager burst into laughter when she heard the news that the Emperor and Empress had gone into the water together.
“Yeah, well, since it’s come to this, there’s nothing wrong with them being on good terms.”
And she let out a long breath. Gray smoke, the color of death, danced through the air. Since Damon died, she had been smoking it without a second thought, and the room was already filled with its smell. At first, it may have been for medicinal purposes, but now it was just a cigarette that gave off acrid smoke.
“I'm still not sure I'm going to sleep tonight. I wonder if I'm not scared to go to that jingling place.”
“I don’t know about other people, but you shouldn’t do that, Cecilia Lane.”
The Empress Dowager muttered. If before she had been just a pitiful thing caught up in a storm, now Cecilia was a reproach.
“I’m in hell, so why should you be the only one happy?”
The Empress Dowager reached across the table and lifted her glass. The bloody liquid rippled with the rough movement, exceeding the height of the glass. The Empress Dowager’s indifferent gaze followed the red liquid that soaked her hand.
“Yes. Let’s play a game.”
The Empress Dowager, who had just poured the alcohol down her throat, was shocked.
“I got hit last time, so I’ll strike first this time.”
She even made suggestions as if she was having a conversation with someone, even though there was only empty space in front of her.
“I have nothing to lose, so I stab you, and you have much to protect, so you defend yourself.”
But the attitude was as natural as if she were talking about a sports game.
“Protect your husband, protect your father, and protect your family.”
Could she handle all those things on her own and change the future? The Empress Dowager tilted her head, wondering. But soon, she looked straight ahead with a monotonous expression.
The last portrait of Damon, her son who was already dead, hung there. Her teeth clenched as she thought about the son she had lost twice.
“It’s none of my business.”
A twisted smile appeared on her cold face.
“Then I will give you a chance to attack too.”
Of course, it wasn't like she was having fun discussing a fair game.
“Well, if you’re alive.”
She was confident that she wouldn't live long anyway.
***
Eden, who was leaning against the headboard of the bed, turned his gaze to Cecilia, whose breathing had finally calmed down. His wife was a lovely woman, even her soft shoulders, which were revealed whitely in the moonlight.
“I have something to tell you about James Morak.”
“Let’s talk.”
Cecilia said that with her eyes wide open, half-asleep, as if she was falling asleep after a long time together. Eden stroked her soft blond hair and opened his ears.
“As you know, he was the lover of my former servant, Abby, so I found out a lot of secrets. I originally wanted to give Abby a man she would be proud of, so I did some research.”
Eden lay down on the bed and pulled Cecilia into his arms. Cecilia was securely trapped between her husband's chest and strong arms.
“Then I found out that he was the illegitimate son of the Count Lawson family and that his real name was Diego Lawson.”
Cecilia yawned slightly and explained, feeling good about the stability.
“He said that since he runs a pawn shop and a dealership under the name of James Morak, he gets a lot of information as people and goods move around.”
It meant that it was thanks to this that Wyatt was able to secretly obtain the unfamiliar contraceptive. Eden noticed the omitted words.
“I know what you mean.”
And likewise, he noticed that Cecilia was trying to clear up the misunderstanding. Eden whispered softly while caressing Cecilia's bare back under the blanket.
“I want to keep him with us.”
“Why?”
Eden asked in a puzzled voice. It was a separate matter from clearing up a misunderstanding that had never happened. If Diego had outlived his usefulness, he wondered if there was any need to keep him around.
“He was the one who revealed the secret of the Third Prince. He was trying to get his hands on the theater and cultural businesses, and that information was leaked.”
Of course, it was Cecilia's own initiative, but she couldn't tell the whole truth. To do that, she had to tell the story of how she met Diego, what she had told him to do, and even the fact that she remembered her past life.
“I want to use him.”
There was no need to tell Eden about Diego. The only reason she revealed some of the secrets was to keep the Empress Dowager in check.
“I find it strange that the Empress Dowager insisted on bringing up the truth investigation team earlier. She may have other ideas.”
The Empress Dowager lost her beloved children twice. Both times, her husband killed her children. It was impossible not to be shocked. Although no one suspected it, Cecilia suspected that the Empress Dowager was the one who killed the late Emperor.
Besides, since the reason Damon died was the same as before, she wouldn't be able to control her anger towards Eden. She didn't know where or how the sparks would fly.
“It seems quite useful, so I think it would be a good idea to assign Diego some work separately from forming the fact-finding team.”
Thinking back to the moment when the Empress had openly shown hostility towards Cecilia and cursed at her, it was surprising that it wasn't Cecilia or Eden who had died in the hunting grounds.
“If we offered him a countship as a reward for uncovering Irina Jackinson’s crimes, he would do anything. He had an inferiority complex about his status.”
Now that the Emperor was dead, it was time for Eden to come after him. And for helping Damon die, he had to respond.
Meanwhile, Diego was one of the cards that Cecilia could use. It was also a card that the Empress Dowager had already lost, not knowing that Cecilia had also returned.
“This is the palace. The Empress Dowager is resentful of His Majesty. You never know what might happen.”
Cecilia added her explanation as if trying to persuade Eden.
“You speak as if you have lived in the palace for a long time, Cecilia.”
Eden smiled lowly and gave Cecilia a quick kiss on the forehead.
“Your Majesty, I am sincere.”
As he spoke, she must have woken up from sleep because her eyes were clearer than before. Cecilia desperately touched the man’s face that she could clearly see.
"I know."
As if that was satisfying, Eden answered obediently.
“I will do as you say.”
And he said he would follow Cecilia's words.
“You don’t have to worry.”
However, that decision was not made entirely based on Cecilia's words. At the foundation of that decision was still a slight anxiety.
I'll do as you say. I'll do as you wish. Now, there was a pleading heart there for the only love left in his world.
No one could go back to a time when they knew nothing.
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