Wicked Husband-Chapter 42 - 41

In the end, the words tumbled out in a rush. Though she’d steeled herself for rejection, the thought of being denied in front of him sent a jolt of anxiety through her. Butterflies erupted in her stomach, and her throat tightened.

’He’ll probably say no, as expected.’

However, why did the question even arise? Cesare, a hint of amusement dancing in his red eyes, let out a low chuckle.

"Are you asking me to hold your hand because you’re scared?"

The question struck her. Holding his hand hadn;t even crossed her mind. She’d simply craved his presence, the comfort of him being there.

But wouldn’t having his hand in hers be even better?

A shy smile, barely there, played on her lips as Eileen whispered, "Thank you..."

The words were barely out of her mouth before Cesare reached for her hand. His grip was firm, a surprising jolt that traveled up her arm, sending shivers down her spine. Eileen flinched instinctively, like a deer caught in headlights.

Cesare’s lips quirked into a playful smile. He tilted his head, his red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Why? Why aren’t you holding it now?"

Eileen stammered, cheeks burning, "Oh, no! Please do as you wish!"

Only after her flustered reply did it dawn on her – he was teasing her. Cesare escorted Eileen as if they were a newlywed couple. Walking hand-in-hand with Cesare through the ducal palace felt surreal. It felt as if... they were truly a newlywed couple.

Led by Cesare’s strong hand, they reached the familiar reception room. The very room where she’d waited for him with the ticking clock clutched in her hand. Eileen settled onto the same sofa where she had placed the clock box. She could call the hairdresser, but... as if summoned by her unspoken wish, Sonio appeared.

"Sir Sonio?"

"Don’t worry. I’m quite skilled."

He patiently explained to the still-confused Eileen that he often cut the hair of the other palace staff. Eileen knew Sonio’s hairs were indeed skilled. Back then, in the palace, he’d whittle her small gifts – flowers or animals carved from wood, each one a treasure. But hairdressing?

Sonio draped a cloth around her neck, his movements calming. As he spoke, he discreetly covered the glint of the scissors with his hand. "Let me take care of it, and you’ll feel a bit more at ease."

Relief washed over Eileen. An unfamiliar hairdresser would have been far more nerve-wrecking. She gave a small nod, and Cesare, his gaze lingering on her with a hint of amusement from their earlier exchange, began to remove his glovers. Their bare hands met, sending a jolt through her. He interlocked his fingers firmly with hers, his touch sending shivers down her spine as he threaded his fingers through the gaps between hers. A blush crept up her neck. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at their intertwined hands, a kaleidoscope of emotions swirling within her. What had started a simple request for a haircut had taken an unexpected turn.

Despite being surrounded by familiar faces, she felt tense with scissors in hand. Eileen felt her breath becoming shallower. A gentle pressure against their intertwined hands startled her. She turned, her gaze meeting Cesare’s calm, crimson eyes.

"Keep your eyes closed."

Eileen obeyed, squeezing her eyes shut and nodding tightly. The cool metal of the scissors against her forehead sent another jolt through her. Panic threatened to rise, but she forced it down, focusing solely on the warmth radiating from Cesare’s hand, solid and reassuring in hers.

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yes... I’m fine..."

Sonio continued snipping, the rhythmic click a counterpoint to the frantic thrumming of her heart. Eileen tried to remain a statue, fearing any movement might send the blades careening out of control. Suddenly, a gentle stroke grazed her palm, Cesare’s thumb tracing a lazy circle.

"...!"

The unexpected touch sent a jolt through her. Her fingers, slick with sweat, trembled, sending a tremor through their hold. Even as she attempted to pull away, his grip remained firm, his fingers weaving between hers. It was a simple gesture, yet the slow caress sent a tingling sensation down her spine, raising goosebumps on her flesh.

A shiver racked her body, a primal reaction she couldn’t explain. Memories, unbidden and unwelcome, flooded back. Flustered and overwhelmed, she straightened her fingers. As if in response, Cesare lightly scratched her skin with his nails, sending another spark igniting deep within her. A whimper threatened to escape her lips, but she clamped her mouth shut, modified by the lewd thoughts swirling her mind.

In the midst of this silent struggle, the rhythmic snip of the scissors abruptly stopped.

"It’s done."

Eileen practically leaped out of her chair, her hand flying free from Cesare’s grasp. She took a deep, shaky breath, trying to regain her composure as the strange heat slowly receded.

She couldn’t believe it was already over. She had been so focused on their joined hands that she hadn’t paid any attention to the scissors.

It was so frightening and scary, yet it had passed so quickly... It would have been impossible if it weren’t for Cesare.

She could see ahead much clearer now. Her vision felt awkwardly sharp, and she instinctively reached for her glasses, but her hand found only empty space. She remembered taking off her glasses to cut her hair and hesitated to raise her hand.

Sonio gently brushed her face with a soft cloth and handed her a hand mirror.

"How do you feel? The old man is satisfied, but I’m not sure about you, Eileen."

Even though she looked in the mirror, all she saw was the black monster. Eileen looked at Sonio and Cesare instead of her reflection. She guessed her face from their expressions and gazes.

"I like it, too. Thank you, Sir Sonio."

Seeing everyone satisfied, Eileen grinned and thanked Sonio. After Sonio tidied up the cut hair and left, only the two of them remained in the reception room, still holding hands.

As they realized they were alone, a strange tension filled the air. Eileen felt her throat dry up as if parched, and she swallowed nervously. She cautiously turned her head to the side.

"Thank you for taking the time, even though you must be busy."

It was absurd to have dared to take up the Grand Duke’s time just to cut her hair. She felt grateful for his unreasonable indulgence. She had been choosing her words carefully, wanting to express her gratitude a little more.

"Eileen."

He handed her the hand mirror she had put down earlier.

"What do you see?"

As she looked at the mirror he offered, Eileen froze. She didn’t want to reveal her imperfections. Even though she was already marred in various places, she wanted to hide at least one. But lying in front of Cesare was not easy.

"...Honestly," Eileen blurted out the truth as if compelled. "I can’t see my face properly. It’s painted black, like a monster..."

While speaking, she continued to gauge his reaction. She tried to maintain an indifferent tone, as if it didn’t matter much, to avoid appearing too distraught.

"That’s all. Other than that, I’m fine."

As she spoke, she felt her heart racing again. It felt like she would be swallowed whole by the monster reflected in the mirror. Not just her face, but her whole body seemed to be dyed pitch black.

There had been a reason why she had been avoiding mirrors all this time. Eileen swallowed a short sob inwardly. Meanwhile, she found herself looking at their joined hands. A man’s hand with distinct veins and clear knuckles.

Perhaps he sensed the unconscious breeze in her gaze. Cesare lifted Eileen up and seated her on his lap like a child, holding her hand again. Their large and small hands were intertwined.

It wasn’t proper for someone well into adulthood to behave like a child. But his embrace was so warm and comforting. Eileen pretended not to notice and leaned her head against Cesare’s chest.

After enjoying the comfort for a while, she lifted her head again and met his gaze. Cesare, who seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, immediately turned his gaze to Eileen.

"Do you like... the bangs? Are you not disgusted by them? My eyes must look a bit grotesque."

After speaking, Eileen felt like she had acted too flustered. She quickly added another word.

"Sorry for asking so many questions. I was just curious."

He gently bumped his forehead against hers. His red eyes filled her entire field of vision.

"Have I ever told you that I find you disgusting and repulsive, Eileen? Since I first saw you when you were ten?"

Cesare spoke slowly and deliberately.

Somehow, the voice sounded angry.

Could it be that, for the first time in her life, Cesare was angry with Eileen today?

Feeling thoroughly intimidated, Eileen replied softly, "No..."

She hunched her body slightly, biting her lip in apprehension. Then, Cesare reached out and tenderly wiped Eileen’s eyes.

"Is it the Baroness Elrod?"

Eileen neither confirmed nor denied his words.