Wicked Husband-Chapter 48 - 47

The Grand Duke’s knights held the Elrod couple in long-standing contempt.

Baron Elrod, notorious for his indulgence in alcohol, gambling, and debauchery, was no friend to them. His wife, Lady Elrod, who once served as Cesare’s nanny, shared his disregard. She took excessive pride in her former position, a common trait among those who, lacking fulfillment, seek self-worth by association with the powerful. She viewed Cesare’s accomplishments as her own, a delusion that only deepened their disdain.

Initially, the knights dismissed Lady Elrod as another sycophant, one of many who craved a connection to power. However, upon meeting Eileen, the Elrod’s daughter, and forming a bond with her, they began to take a closer interest in Lady Elrod herself.

This newfound attention, however, proved disastrous. Consumed by a suffocating jealousy, Lady Elrod couldn’t stomach the idea that Cesare’s affections lay with her daughter, Eileen, rather than herself. Her envy festered, turning towards her own child.

Cesare, too, couldn’t ignore Lady Elrod’s increasingly erratic behavior. The once infrequent squabbles between the Elrods escalated in frequency and intensity. Witnessing this growing discord, Cesare harbored a growing concern: could the Elrods truly provide a healthy environment for Eileen?

To shield Eileen from the influence of the Elrod couple, Cesare and the knights explored several possibilities. One option under consideration was arranging for Eileen to be adopted by another noble family. However, Eileen could not abandon her family.Forcibly separating Eileen from her family would undoubtedly cause her immense distress.

Ultimately, Cesare opted for the most pragmatic solution: enrolling Eileen in a university located in a distant land. From a young age, Eileen had shown a keen interest in botany. Despite her youth, she possessed sufficient knowledge to pursue higher education at a university. Cesare subtly introduced the idea of the university to Eileen, hoping to naturally ignite her interest in the opportunity.

Eileen was captivated by the prospect of attending the university, where she could delve into her passion for researching different plants and studying medicinal herbs. Yet, she hesitated, daunted by the hefty tuition fees and feeling uncertain about her relatively young age.

To allay Eileen’s concerns and bolster her resolve, Cesare urged her not to give up hope. He pointed out the existence of scholarship opportunities and assured her that early admission was feasible based on her considerable knowledge, even though most students enrolled around adulthood. Cesare’s words infused Eileen with renewed determination and optimism.

Trusting Cesare’s guidance implicitly, Eileen diligently followed his instructions, meticulously crafting her self-introduction and academic plan. In addition, Cesare only provided minimal assistance by writing a recommendation letter—or so Eileen thought. Little did Eileen know, Cesare had exerted behind-the-scenes pressure on the university through a substantial donation, securing a seat for her and establishing a special scholarship in her name.

Thrilled by her acceptance into the university, Eileen initially grappled with the challenges of unfamiliar coursework. However, her dedication and innate intelligence enabled her to swiftly grasp complex concepts and absorb knowledge with ease. Eileen’s academic performance soared, reaching unprecedented heights that she sustained without falter. While she had confidence in her abilities, she remained pleasantly surprised each time she received her grades in the mail.

Initially, professors who begrudgingly accepted students at the prince’s behest viewed Eileen with skepticism. However, they quickly warmed to her charm, wit, and exceptional intelligence. Such was their admiration for her that they vied for the opportunity to mentor her in their respective research labs, particularly those specializing in botany and pharmacology.

Unbeknownst to Eileen, her trajectory towards a promising career in academia seemed almost predestined, had it not been for the tragic unraveling of her family.

The Baron of Elrod’s reckless actions had brought ruin upon the family, leaving Lady Elrod to pen a poignant letter to Eileen, pleading for her return amidst profound sorrow and simmering resentment. Torn by familial obligation, Eileen abandoned her studies and heeded the call to return home, only to find herself ensnared in the turmoil that awaited her.

On the day of Eileen’s return home, the knights of the Grand Duke congregated at a tavern, seeking solace in each other’s company as they drowned their sorrows in drink.

It was a poignant realization that Eileen’s potential, which once seemed boundless, had been tragically shattered. Despite their heartfelt desire to assist her, their offers of financial aid were rebuffed, leaving Cesare and the knights feeling powerless to intervene.

Indeed, the Elrod couple’s actions had irrevocably marred Eileen’s life. Therefore, when Lady Elrod passed away, there was neither jubilation nor grief... only a somber acknowledgment of the tangled web of suffering she had wrought.

...It appears there were also instances of physical abuse,"

Diego confided in Senon, sharing the troubling details he had gleaned from Eileen. While he was aware of Eileen’s insecurities regarding her appearance, he had not comprehended the depth of her self-loathing.

The revelation that Eileen had nearly suffered a grievous injury, narrowly escaping being stabbed in the eye with scissors, sent a shiver down Diego’s spine. The atrocities committed by Lady Elrod were so abhorrent that they stirred a visceral sense of revulsion within him, leaving Diego feeling physically ill at the mere thought of them.

"Our miss, what reason is there to harbor hatred towards her? She was even smaller in stature when she was younger than she is now. She was merely a child."

Diego cursed vehemently under his breath, grinding his teeth in frustration. Senon refrained from swearing, but his gaze burned with suppressed anger. It was a moment when they shared tales of Lady Elrod with fervent intensity.

The lord of the mansion made his return.

"You’re here."

Senon and Diego greeted the Grand Duke respectfully, extinguishing their cigarettes as a sign of deference. Cesare nodded in acknowledgment and allowed them to continue smoking before lighting his own cigarette.

"Ah, perhaps I’ll indulge after quite some time," Cesare mused casually as he strolled towards the window. Diego momentarily set down his cigarette on the ashtray and retrieved a cigarette case and matches from his pocket. After lighting his own cigarette, he extended the match to Cesare, offering it with a nod of deference.

With the cigarette now lit, Cesare turned his head to gaze out of the window, his eyes fixed on the orange tree swaying gently in the courtyard breeze. He took a drag from the cigarette, exhaling slowly as he mulled over his thoughts. Cesare wasn’t particularly fond of smoking; for him, it served as a telltale sign that something weighed heavily on his mind.

Among the knights, a variety of opinions circulated, but a shared sentiment lingered: they perceived a newfound impulsiveness in His Highness, coupled with a sense of restraint.

Indeed, Cesare’s interactions with Eileen appeared enigmatic and unconventional, leaving many puzzled by his motives.

Cesare had indeed undergone a transformation. He no longer viewed Eileen solely as a child but rather as a potential life partner. However, unlike in the past, when he had taken great pains to protect and care for her, there were now occasions where he seemed to purposefully allow her to endure hardship.

Rather than shielding Eileen from the outside world, Cesare often exposed her to it, treating those who approached her with suspicion and hostility. This was evident in the recent incident involving the Duke of Farbellini’s daughter. While Cesare could have intervened to prevent Eileen from encountering any potentially embarrassing situations, he chose instead to let events unfold without interference.

Cesare remained passive in the face of the rumors and disparaging gossip circulating in society, as well as the slanderous articles published in newspapers and magazines. He stood idly by as individuals attempted to manipulate Eileen with false promises and as others plotted against her behind the scenes.

Cesare, reclining lazily and releasing a stream of smoke, responded in his usual composed manner. "Speak your mind, Senon."

"...Your Highness," Senon began, exchanging a glance with Diego, who offered no insight. Summoning his resolve, Senon broached the subject of Eileen.

"I fail to understand why you continue to expose Lady Eileen to various situations."

Cesare’s response came swiftly, but it left Senon puzzled. "Because she’s evolving beyond my previous perceptions of her."

Senon couldn’t help but find Cesare’s explanation perplexing, leaving him uncertain of how to proceed.

"Kidnapping should never have occurred to Eileen. With the changes that have taken place, we must adjust our strategies accordingly... This approach is the most effective way to swiftly and accurately identify those who pose a threat to Eileen."

"Is it to safeguard Lady Eileen?"

"Yes."

Senon struggled to contain his emotions, his voice thick with concern.

"I believed Your Highness wished for Lady Eileen’s happiness. Even if it requires patience, surely there are safer and more humane methods..."

"There are other means."

Cesare’s interruption was firm as he extinguished his cigarette in the ashtray. His eyes, ablaze with crimson intensity, seemed on the brink of overflowing like a brimming pool.

"Well, what other options do we have? Should we resort to chaining Eileen to the Grand Duke’s mansion, forbidding her from interacting with anyone?"

***