The dance, which was clearly meant to be just one song, continued several times because Cecilia was so happy.
“Enough now.”
But it wasn't excessive. The moment Cecilia's breathing started to get a little difficult, Eden immediately applied sanctions.
“I think it would be better to rest.”
Cecilia also nodded obediently. Cecilia placed her hand near her chest, where her heart was beating rapidly, and tried to catch her breath. Eden took off the jacket he was wearing, placed it on the windowsill, and grabbed Cecilia’s hand.
“Your clothes will get dirty.”
"It's okay."
Eden replied in a serious voice. Well, that was not a big deal to him. Cecilia did not refuse either and sat down on his clothes. As she stretched out her legs, her feet, naturally clad in shoes, peeked out from under her dress.
"Your Majesty!"
Eden reached out and took the shoes off Cecilia's feet. His guess was that she was tired from dancing.
“What if someone sees me?”
Her opinion was not wrong. However, the feet were an intimate part of the body, and Cecilia did not want anyone to see her swaying around like an unloved person. There was such a thing as the dignity of an Emperor.
“Everyone has left their seats, so there’s no one here.”
However, Eden didn't seem to care much. Instead, he simply made sure that no one was around and held Cecilia's foot in his hand.
“How can you dance and walk with these little feet?”
“That kind of talk is a bit...”
Cecilia wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow slightly. She knew it was an expression of affection, but it made her feel unbearably embarrassed whenever she heard that.
“In a place like this...”
“Even though there’s no one there?”
“Still.”
Cecilia whispered that there was such a thing as decency in broad daylight. Eden laughed as if he had heard something very funny.
“Then can I do it when it’s dark?”
Cecilia blinked her large eyes at Eden's question. Eden smiled and reached out to Cecilia's face. The green color, which seemed more transparent than usual in the light, was pleasing.
“Are you not going to allow that either?”
An embarrassed look came over Cecilia's face. Soon, Cecilia's face turned red and she whispered something in Eden's ear. Eden couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
“It’s been over 10 years since we met, and it’s already been several years since we got married.”
“...”
“Why are you still so pretty and lovely?”
And he honestly whispered words of love and kissed her ear several times. Cecilia instinctively flinched and accepted his kisses.
“I’m embarrassed.”
“You have to adapt.”
Eden spoke shamelessly. The indifferent man from before was so different that he couldn't even be remembered.
“...”
Well, that was all in the past now. It was so distant that it felt like a dream. Cecilia thought as she met Eden’s gaze.
At some point, the blue light sparkling with the colorful colors of love came closer, as if it couldn't even endure the short distance.
Cecilia quietly closed her eyes and placed her hand on Eden's shoulder. More than anything, she liked the touch of his precious hands and the careful touch of his lips. Because it made her realize directly that he loved her more than anything else.
Finally, the day of Cecilia's birthday arrived. Since it was something related to the Emperor's beloved Empress, the palace was bustling from the morning.
“I’m sure you all are worried about what to offer to His Majesty.”
Abby giggled as she told the story of Diego still having his head wrapped the night before.
“I don’t really want to receive anything.”
Cecilia answered with her eyes closed. Abby had delicate fingertips, just like Madame Monte. Her body became tired after being served.
“Because everyone wants to look good to His Majesty.”
Of course, it wasn't something that Abby, now Countess Lawson and the Empress's maid, could do. However, Cecilia was shy and didn't let people get close to her, and it was difficult to stop her when Abby rolled up her sleeves.
“So what did Diego choose?”
“Oh, that’s him.”
Abby, who was staring at the hair ornament in the locker, answered a beat later. Even though it was her husband's name, Abby still felt somewhat unfamiliar with the name Diego. After all, when she first learned his real name, she had fought so hard that the house was turned upside down.
“It's a secret.”
Abby stuck her tongue out and playfully replied.
“Everything is a secret.”
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly. At the same time, Abby picked up an emerald hair ornament. It was a laurel wreath-shaped hair ornament. A thin gold chain connected to it flowed naturally through her hair.
“It suits you well!”
“Now you can have the maid do this kind of thing. You just have to choose.”
Finally, seeing the completed appearance, Abby clapped her hands in admiration. Cecilia felt a bit sorry. It was because she felt like she had brought Abby in as a maid and was still using her as a maid.
“I’m comfortable with this. Diego told me to do whatever I wanted. But he said he wouldn’t let anyone ignore me.”
Abby smiled and put her husband forward. After all, Abby was the wife of Count Lawson, the biggest moneymaker in Wyatt outside of the royal family. Even if she wasn't aristocratic, who would dare to ignore Abby?
“I’m glad I met you and Diego then.”
Abby smiled broadly at Cecilia's words.
“I also thank you, Your Majesty.”
And she thanked Cecilia. She meant it completely.
“Your Majesty the Empress, Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
It was then that a voice from outside the door called Eden's room. Cecilia calmly stood up from her seat. Abby motioned to the maid to open the door.
“Cecilia.”
As the door opened, a fully grown Eden appeared. He was wearing exactly the clothes Cecilia had recommended. The navy jacket had gold threads adorning the neck and chest fastenings. Over it, a blue cloak was draped over one side, making him dazzling.
“It suits you well.”
Eden, who had strode over, gave Cecilia a quick kiss on the cheek and complimented her appearance.
“You too.”
Just as Cecilia chose Eden's clothes, Eden chose Cecilia's dress. So, it's impossible not to like it. Cecilia answered, giggling.
“I have to go out now.”
And she convinced the man who wanted to stay in the bedroom.
“Of course. Because it’s your birthday.”
Eden kissed Cecilia’s cheek one last time before straightening his waist. The man, who had been holding back his lingering feelings, extended his arm to Cecilia. Cecilia accustomed to it, linked arms with her man.
“Shall we go?”
Cecilia nodded and took a step. Eden matched Cecilia’s pace with his own. They had been pacing together for a long time, so even though he had not practiced escorting her separately, he felt very natural.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!”
When they arrived at the hall as the last in line, the gatekeeper rang the bell loudly to announce the imperial couple's arrival. Everyone's eyes were focused on Eden and Cecilia.
“Her Majesty the Empress is still beautiful.”
As she walked among the nobles who were divided like waves, no one gave Cecilia an aggressive look or looked down on her. It was true that they would not dare to do so. Eden was Cecilia's back.
“Because she's not just good-looking.”
Moreover, the fact that Cecilia herself came forward and acknowledged and cut out the rotten parts of the family caused a great stir in the noble society.
“Enough now.”
But it wasn't excessive. The moment Cecilia's breathing started to get a little difficult, Eden immediately applied sanctions.
“I think it would be better to rest.”
Cecilia also nodded obediently. Cecilia placed her hand near her chest, where her heart was beating rapidly, and tried to catch her breath. Eden took off the jacket he was wearing, placed it on the windowsill, and grabbed Cecilia’s hand.
“Your clothes will get dirty.”
"It's okay."
Eden replied in a serious voice. Well, that was not a big deal to him. Cecilia did not refuse either and sat down on his clothes. As she stretched out her legs, her feet, naturally clad in shoes, peeked out from under her dress.
"Your Majesty!"
Eden reached out and took the shoes off Cecilia's feet. His guess was that she was tired from dancing.
“What if someone sees me?”
Her opinion was not wrong. However, the feet were an intimate part of the body, and Cecilia did not want anyone to see her swaying around like an unloved person. There was such a thing as the dignity of an Emperor.
“Everyone has left their seats, so there’s no one here.”
However, Eden didn't seem to care much. Instead, he simply made sure that no one was around and held Cecilia's foot in his hand.
“How can you dance and walk with these little feet?”
“That kind of talk is a bit...”
Cecilia wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow slightly. She knew it was an expression of affection, but it made her feel unbearably embarrassed whenever she heard that.
“In a place like this...”
“Even though there’s no one there?”
“Still.”
Cecilia whispered that there was such a thing as decency in broad daylight. Eden laughed as if he had heard something very funny.
“Then can I do it when it’s dark?”
Cecilia blinked her large eyes at Eden's question. Eden smiled and reached out to Cecilia's face. The green color, which seemed more transparent than usual in the light, was pleasing.
“Are you not going to allow that either?”
An embarrassed look came over Cecilia's face. Soon, Cecilia's face turned red and she whispered something in Eden's ear. Eden couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
“It’s been over 10 years since we met, and it’s already been several years since we got married.”
“...”
“Why are you still so pretty and lovely?”
And he honestly whispered words of love and kissed her ear several times. Cecilia instinctively flinched and accepted his kisses.
“I’m embarrassed.”
“You have to adapt.”
Eden spoke shamelessly. The indifferent man from before was so different that he couldn't even be remembered.
“...”
Well, that was all in the past now. It was so distant that it felt like a dream. Cecilia thought as she met Eden’s gaze.
At some point, the blue light sparkling with the colorful colors of love came closer, as if it couldn't even endure the short distance.
Cecilia quietly closed her eyes and placed her hand on Eden's shoulder. More than anything, she liked the touch of his precious hands and the careful touch of his lips. Because it made her realize directly that he loved her more than anything else.
***
Finally, the day of Cecilia's birthday arrived. Since it was something related to the Emperor's beloved Empress, the palace was bustling from the morning.
“I’m sure you all are worried about what to offer to His Majesty.”
Abby giggled as she told the story of Diego still having his head wrapped the night before.
“I don’t really want to receive anything.”
Cecilia answered with her eyes closed. Abby had delicate fingertips, just like Madame Monte. Her body became tired after being served.
“Because everyone wants to look good to His Majesty.”
Of course, it wasn't something that Abby, now Countess Lawson and the Empress's maid, could do. However, Cecilia was shy and didn't let people get close to her, and it was difficult to stop her when Abby rolled up her sleeves.
“So what did Diego choose?”
“Oh, that’s him.”
Abby, who was staring at the hair ornament in the locker, answered a beat later. Even though it was her husband's name, Abby still felt somewhat unfamiliar with the name Diego. After all, when she first learned his real name, she had fought so hard that the house was turned upside down.
“It's a secret.”
Abby stuck her tongue out and playfully replied.
“Everything is a secret.”
Cecilia clicked her tongue briefly. At the same time, Abby picked up an emerald hair ornament. It was a laurel wreath-shaped hair ornament. A thin gold chain connected to it flowed naturally through her hair.
“It suits you well!”
“Now you can have the maid do this kind of thing. You just have to choose.”
Finally, seeing the completed appearance, Abby clapped her hands in admiration. Cecilia felt a bit sorry. It was because she felt like she had brought Abby in as a maid and was still using her as a maid.
“I’m comfortable with this. Diego told me to do whatever I wanted. But he said he wouldn’t let anyone ignore me.”
Abby smiled and put her husband forward. After all, Abby was the wife of Count Lawson, the biggest moneymaker in Wyatt outside of the royal family. Even if she wasn't aristocratic, who would dare to ignore Abby?
“I’m glad I met you and Diego then.”
Abby smiled broadly at Cecilia's words.
“I also thank you, Your Majesty.”
And she thanked Cecilia. She meant it completely.
“Your Majesty the Empress, Your Majesty the Emperor has arrived.”
It was then that a voice from outside the door called Eden's room. Cecilia calmly stood up from her seat. Abby motioned to the maid to open the door.
“Cecilia.”
As the door opened, a fully grown Eden appeared. He was wearing exactly the clothes Cecilia had recommended. The navy jacket had gold threads adorning the neck and chest fastenings. Over it, a blue cloak was draped over one side, making him dazzling.
“It suits you well.”
Eden, who had strode over, gave Cecilia a quick kiss on the cheek and complimented her appearance.
“You too.”
Just as Cecilia chose Eden's clothes, Eden chose Cecilia's dress. So, it's impossible not to like it. Cecilia answered, giggling.
“I have to go out now.”
And she convinced the man who wanted to stay in the bedroom.
“Of course. Because it’s your birthday.”
Eden kissed Cecilia’s cheek one last time before straightening his waist. The man, who had been holding back his lingering feelings, extended his arm to Cecilia. Cecilia accustomed to it, linked arms with her man.
“Shall we go?”
Cecilia nodded and took a step. Eden matched Cecilia’s pace with his own. They had been pacing together for a long time, so even though he had not practiced escorting her separately, he felt very natural.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress!”
When they arrived at the hall as the last in line, the gatekeeper rang the bell loudly to announce the imperial couple's arrival. Everyone's eyes were focused on Eden and Cecilia.
“Her Majesty the Empress is still beautiful.”
As she walked among the nobles who were divided like waves, no one gave Cecilia an aggressive look or looked down on her. It was true that they would not dare to do so. Eden was Cecilia's back.
“Because she's not just good-looking.”
Moreover, the fact that Cecilia herself came forward and acknowledged and cut out the rotten parts of the family caused a great stir in the noble society.
“Anyway, there’s a reason why Her Majesty hangs herself like that.”
The cowardly Curtis Lane ran away because he didn't dare to die. But his daughter Cecilia Lane didn't run away. She dared to expose his crimes one by one in court and quietly took care of the aftermath.
“She is a great person.”
Cecilia's honest and truthful response helped to establish her authority as Empress. No one questioned her position.
“...”
But in fact, Eden's protection was probably the biggest influence. Cecilia didn't know that either. Cecilia's gaze quietly flowed to the sturdy man standing beside her.
Eden, who was always sensitive to his wife, immediately noticed the gaze. Eden turned his head in Cecilia's direction. Their eyes naturally met.
Why?
The shape of his mouth as he asked that question was cute. She was seriously ill. Cecilia assessed herself harshly.
“Because I think you love me too much.”
Eden laughed briefly at Cecilia's small whisper. The girls' eyes were instantly drawn to the handsome man with power.
“I got caught.”
It was something that could have made her jealous. But instead of showing her anxiety, Cecilia smiled quietly. Eden's eyes were solely on Cecilia. And he was just whispering words of love.
So on August 8th, 278, the day Liene turned twenty-fifth, something she had never experienced before, she was not anxious at all.
“She is a great person.”
Cecilia's honest and truthful response helped to establish her authority as Empress. No one questioned her position.
“...”
But in fact, Eden's protection was probably the biggest influence. Cecilia didn't know that either. Cecilia's gaze quietly flowed to the sturdy man standing beside her.
Eden, who was always sensitive to his wife, immediately noticed the gaze. Eden turned his head in Cecilia's direction. Their eyes naturally met.
Why?
The shape of his mouth as he asked that question was cute. She was seriously ill. Cecilia assessed herself harshly.
“Because I think you love me too much.”
Eden laughed briefly at Cecilia's small whisper. The girls' eyes were instantly drawn to the handsome man with power.
“I got caught.”
It was something that could have made her jealous. But instead of showing her anxiety, Cecilia smiled quietly. Eden's eyes were solely on Cecilia. And he was just whispering words of love.
So on August 8th, 278, the day Liene turned twenty-fifth, something she had never experienced before, she was not anxious at all.
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