Wicked Husband-Chapter 32 - 31

The creaking of the old door accompanied its hesitant opening. As her father emerged, his gaze lowered to the ground upon seeing Diego, who stood almost as tall as the door, grinning broadly.

With an impassive expression, Lotan, who had been observing the scene, nodded and gestured toward a seat.

"Please, sit here."

It was positioned between Lotan and Diego, with Lotan having shifted one seat over to accommodate. Of course, this adjustment wasn’t made out of consideration.

Across from them, Michele leaned her chin on her hand, casting a sharp glance. Senon, seated next to Michele, remained silent, but his subtle contempt and discomfort were evident in his expression.

’They weren’t like this before.’

The knights had always harbored disdain toward Eileen’s father. Even Eileen’s mother hadn’t been particularly well-liked, but as the Prince’s nanny, she had always been treated with respect.

However, since her mother’s passing, their animosity toward her father had gradually surfaced, reaching its peak recently. As former servants of the Crown Prince, they were all too familiar with the past events.

The fact that Eileen had nearly been sold off to a foreign country...

The more she dwelled on it, the more foolish she felt worrying about her father’s meal. Even though no one said anything, how much must they despise her?

’But he’s still my father.’

Regardless of her feelings of hatred and disdain toward him, how could she simply sever ties with her own flesh and blood? Eileen listlessly toyed with her fork, lost in her thoughts.

Then, Senon, seated closer to Eileen, quickly resumed smiling as he noticed her glance. She couldn’t afford to create a somber atmosphere after inviting guests.

"Is everyone hungry? Let’s dig in."

"Thank you for the delicious spread."

With words of gratitude, the formal dinner commenced in earnest. There was chicken cooked in wine, deer seasoned generously with spices, partridge stuffed with rice, dishes featuring herring and trout, various seafood stews...

If it had been a noble banquet, they would have been bound by intricate etiquette. However, as they were gathered among friends, they enjoyed their meal freely, unburdened by such formalities.

While everyone relished their food with ease, Senon adhered to his own code of etiquette. Despite his years spent as a soldier, his demeanor remained that of a noble.

Amidst the laughter and chatter around the table laden with food, the feast continued, with only one person seeming out of place.

Eileen’s father appeared hesitant, his face betraying uncertainty as he handled the tableware clumsily. Whenever his elbow inadvertently brushed against the large men seated on either side of him, he immediately bowed and apologized.

"I-I’m sorry."

"Please, enjoy your meal. You need sustenance if you’re going to be active."

Diego’s tone was ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether he was encouraging her father to eat or not. However, as he caught Eileen’s eye, he seemed to realize something and corrected himself.

"Please, eat plenty, Baron."

The baron chewed his food painstakingly slowly, his complexion turning paler by the minute. However, since the knights refrained from pressing him further, he gradually relaxed, handling the tableware with increasing ease.

It seemed the tension was dissipating, perhaps aided by the effects of alcohol. Eileen’s father, who had been quite indulgent with both food and drink, suddenly inquired as he took a bite of fried squid in tomato sauce.

"Did you make this?"

When Eileen answered affirmatively, her father clicked his tongue.

"Somehow it tastes so... good..."

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud bang erupted, like thunder. Michele pounded the table with her fist, fork in hand, causing the baron to startle and drop his utensils.

"This is divine! Baron, shall I send you to heaven so you can truly savor it? Shall I?"

"Michele."

Lotan’s stern voice cut through the tension. Senon also firmly grasped Michele’s forearm, which she had placed on the table.

"Oh, uh, sorry."

Michele nonchalantly apologized, her lips pursed. Though her demeanor lacked remorse, Lotan chose not to pursue the matter further.

Yet, following her bold declaration, Michele grew more hesitant and muttered.

"Well, everyone has their own taste... It’s delicious to me."

Observing the situation, it became evident that it would be best if the baron departed soon. Calmly, Eileen broached the topic to her restless father, who seemed as uncomfortable as if he were sitting on thorns.

"By the way, didn’t you mention having an appointment today?"

"Oh, right, yes, I did have one. An appointment."

Her father promptly rose from his seat, nearly toppling the chair backward in his haste. Lotan and Diego swiftly reached out from either side to steady the wobbling chair.

"Thank you. Th-thank you for the enjoyable meal. I have an appointment with a friend, so I must take my leave..."

With hurried farewells, her father dashed out of the room. As he hurriedly exited the brick house, the atmosphere became even warmer.

After finishing the meal and sharing some drinks, the group engaged in lighthearted conversations, veering away from battlefield topics. The news of Diego’s decision to adopt a stray cat he encountered on the street added to the relaxed ambiance.

"Miss Eileen."

Lotan’s solemn tone pierced the air, prompting everyone to fall silent.

"His Majesty the Emperor wishes to meet with you."

Eileen froze momentarily before reacting with a startled expression.

"T-the Emperor!?"

"Yes. His Majesty wishes to meet with you privately, without informing the Duke."

Lotan calmly elaborated that the Emperor had discreetly made this request of him. Michele, who had been listening silently, suddenly raised her hand.

"Wait a minute. If His Majesty insisted on secrecy, why are you telling us about it here?"

Lotan replied with a blunt expression.

"Because I refuse to be the only one reprimanded by His Excellency."

The other three knights were caught off guard by Lotan’s strategy and let out a collective groan. Michele, seizing Lotan by the collar, exclaimed,

"You cunning b*stard...!"

Unable to curse in front of Eileen, she expressed her frustration with piercing glares. Diego and Senon reacted similarly. Instead of grabbing Lotan like Michele, Diego clenched his fist in the air, while Senon held his forehead in his hand and released a deep sigh.

As the knights grappled with their emotions in their own ways, Eileen struggled to comprehend the weight of the words laid upon her.

’It was bound to come to this, I suppose.’

Though she was startled almost to the point of fainting, it felt inevitable. She had encountered Leon, Cesare’s brother, several times already. As she frequented the palace, she naturally crossed paths with Leon as well.

Though Leon and Cesare were twins, they differed greatly in many aspects. Unlike Cesare’s sharp and angular features, Leon possessed softer facial contours.

His eyes held a gentler gaze, and his physique was somewhat leaner. In terms of personality, while Cesare exuded rationality and composure, Leon was the antithesis, displaying emotional and delicate tendencies.

Occasionally, when they met in the palace, Leon would offer Eileen sweet treats and engage in playful banter with her.

However,they hadn’t encountered each other since the Emperor’s demise and the ensuing power struggle for the throne. If she were to meet him now, it would truly mark a significant reunion.

The reason for meeting secretly one-on-one was probably because of...

’The impending marriage to the Duke, I suppose.’

Eileen swallowed hard, feeling her heart pound with tension.

Leon had once harbored fondness for her when they were children, but that was because she was merely a cherished "child" to him. It remained uncertain whether he would extend the same warmth now that she was to become his "wife."

Yet, she couldn’t reject the Emperor’s summons. With a heart heavy with apprehension, Eileen responded.

"I will comply, Sir Lotan."

***

When she entered the palace for the victory celebration, night had already fallen. At that time, her nerves had been too taut to fully take in her surroundings.

Not much had changed since then, and Eileen trailed after Lotan like a wooden doll.

He led her to an area reserved for nobles and authorized individuals, ensuring they encountered no other aristocrats along the way. After traversing the corridors diligently, they finally reached the audience chamber.

’I’ve arrived...’

She wished the procession could continue indefinitely, but alas, the path was too brief.

As the door to the audience chamber swung open, a man stood bathed in sunlight streaming through a large window. He appeared somewhat apprehensive as he paced back and forth, but upon catching sight of Eileen, he greeted her warmly.

"Lady Elrod."

The door clicked shut behind them. With Eileen now poised to meet the Emperor alone, she mentally recited the palace etiquette to ready herself.

"I-I greet the Emperor."

Her voice quivered slightly from nerves, but it remained proper. At the sound of her anxious tone, Leon chuckled.

"There’s no need to be so frightened. Please, have a seat."

However, once Eileen settled, Leon broached a topic that instantly heightened her anxiety.

"Do you harbor any resentment toward the Traon Empire?"

Before she could formulate a response, he asked another question.

"Has Cesare ever requested to kill about half of the Empire’s citizens?"

"...What?!"

***