Wicked Husband-Chapter 52 - 51
The final words echoed those of a soldier’s wedding prayer. Similarly, Eileen’s concluding vow reflected the commitment of a woman marrying a soldier.
"I, Eileen Elrod, representing the Baron Elrod family, swear in the name of the Gods: eternal love that will never change, obedience without deceit, and for peace to flourish in our new family like the olive tree."
With heartfelt sincerity, Eileen offered her prayer to the gods:
"...to weave a laurel wreath for my knight."
She prayed that Cesare would always be blessed with the glory of victory.2
In truth, Eileen’s prayers had seldom been answered by the Gods. However, if they were to grant just one, she hoped it would be today’s. It was a special day, and she dared to believe that perhaps the Gods would heed her prayer this time.
After they finished their vows, the flower boy approached and presented a tray holding a box of rings. Cesare picked up the small red velvet box.
Though she had never received a proposal ring, it didn’t matter. Just receiving a wedding ring from Cesare filled her with happiness. With a heart pounding in anticipation, Eileen awaited the ring he would place on her finger.
As the red velvet box opened, Eileen couldn’t believe her eyes. Inside lay a ring she had never seen before, yet it felt oddly familiar.
It was the ring young Eileen had secretly sketched in her diary. The childlike design had been elevated through delicate craftsmanship into a breathtaking piece of art. A platinum band adorned with sizable diamonds and emeralds, it surpassed her wildest dreams. The intricately designed band was embedded with smaller diamonds, each one sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight. The sheer extravagance of the ring was almost intimidating to contemplate its price.
’How...’
’How did he know about the ring I had sketched so secretly in my diary?’
Cesare had visited the brick house only a handful of times, and he had ventured upstairs just once.
While it was possible she might have shown him the drawing when they were children, Eileen recalled every interaction with the Prince so vividly that it seemed improbable. It defied logic and reason, yet there was a strange sense of rightness to it. Eileen’s grip on reality seemed to waver, as if she were floating on a cloud.
Cesare knelt on one knee, his gaze meeting Eileen’s as she extended her trembling hand towards him. With a smile playing on her lips, her almond-shaped eyes locked onto his intense crimson gaze.
He gently took her hand and slid the ring onto her finger, the solid metal gliding smoothly until it nestled snugly at the base of her fourth finger, fitting her perfectly.
Above the delicate lace glove enveloping her hand, the ring sparkled, casting a mesmerizing glow. Eileen’s gaze lingered on it, her heart overflowing with joy. With a serene smile, she accepted the box from the flower boy and retrieved Cesare’s ring. His ring, adorned with a single, smaller diamond, exuded simplicity and elegance, perfectly befitting Cesare’s demeanor.
As Eileen admired the ring for a fleeting moment, Cesare rose from his kneeling position and removed his left glove, extending his hand towards her. Though it was merely the exchange of rings, she found herself trembling inexplicably. Drawing a deep breath, Eileen steadied herself and clasped Cesare’s hand. His hand was strikingly beautiful—large and masculine, yet possessing an elegant grace, with prominent veins tracing across his skin. Almost unconsciously, she traced her fingertips along his hand before delicately sliding the ring onto his finger.
Her trembling made her movements slow and awkward, yet Cesare waited patiently, without a hint of complaint. Finally, she managed to push the ring to the base of his finger. As she gazed at the rings shining on both their hands, Eileen was overwhelmed with bliss. Cesare, too, admired the pair of rings adorning their hands. His intense red gaze shifted slowly to meet Eileen’s, and she smiled shyly in return.
"..."
As he watched her smile blossom like a flower bud unfolding, Cesare drew a deep breath. The scent of lilies filled his lungs, momentarily overwhelming him. Gazing at Eileen, now his wife and radiating joy like a blooming flower, he suppressed a bittersweet smile.
This was his first and last chance. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
He had long resigned himself to the belief that perfect happiness would forever elude him. The path he had chosen was one of sacrifice, fueled by his unwavering desire for Eileen’s survival, even if it meant she endured moments of unhappiness. Yet, it didn’t diminish his fervent wish for her happiness. He treasured nothing more than seeing Eileen’s smiling face.
Unable to contain his emotions any longer, Cesare pulled his bride into his arms. Embracing his beloved, now his wife, tightly, he supported her back with one hand and kissed her fiercely.
"Ah...!"
Eileen shrieked, her wide eyes rounding like a rabbit’s in surprise. Her body arched back, clutching desperately at Cesare’s uniform. He chuckled lowly at the sight, a sound that sent shivers down her spine.
Cesare continued the kiss, his gaze locked on hers. It was a kiss unlike any wedding vow – far too passionate, a raw display of carnal desire. Yet, with the temple’s high priest and countless guests witnessing the scene, Cesare seemed utterly unconcerned.
Years of hardship had hardened him to the scrutiny of others. He devoured Eileen’s mouth with a ferocious hunger, a possession that mirrored the frenzy of war. His crimson eyes blazed with a dangerous intensity, a reflection of the turmoil within.
In that moment, the unthinkable flickered across his mind. He yearned to consume Eileen entirely, to keep her safe within him, forever shielded from the world’s cruelty. The chilling thought settled in – only he could inflict the pain he so desperately wanted to shield her from.
Cesare, a master of control, channeled his burning desire into the kiss. He relentlessly traced her soft palate with his tongue, a slow seduction that melted Eileen’s initial shock and uncertainty. A delicious haze clouded her eyes, their golden-green depths reflecting only him. Perhaps he’d already lost his mind under the spell of her complete surrender.
A dark chuckle rumbled in his chest, quickly swallowed. He captured her soft tongue between his own, a brief nip leaving a tender mark. It was a possessive claim, a brand in this new world where he was her shield.
Everything was for Eileen. He was hers, body and soul, a weapon to be wielded in her defense.
***
The supposed "I do" was a scandalously intimate display. The Grand Duke’s scorching kiss, far exceeding the boundaries of a ceremonial vow, ignited a blush across every guest’s face. The spectacle continued until the bride, Eileen, swayed precariously on her feet, her cheeks mirroring the heat radiating from the newlyweds. Finally breaking apart, the couple greeted their wide-eyed audience before disappearing into the mansion.
Inside, a whirlwind of activity awaited. Photographers buzzed around, capturing the union for the nation’s newspapers. Soon, Eileen would be whisked away for preparations for the night ahead, while the Grand Duke transformed from passionate groom to gracious host, ensuring a joyous celebration for their assembled guests.
The staff of the Grand Duke’s mansion bustled about, guiding the still-dazed guests to the banquet hall. They expertly crafted beautiful bouquets from the fresh flowers that had adorned the outdoor wedding venue, distributing them among the attendees and infusing the hall with a delightful floral scent.
Slowly, the guests, who had initially been half-stunned, began to regain their composure. Soon, the room buzzed with excitement as they animatedly discussed the historic wedding they had just witnessed.
Those invited to the Grand Duke of Erzet’s wedding were a select few, chosen from foreign royalty and the highest nobility of the Empire—individuals with the bluest of blood. Accustomed to luxury and opulence, they nevertheless found themselves awestruck upon arriving at the outdoor wedding venue within the Grand Duke’s mansion. The transformed garden, now a floral paradise, left them breathless.
The wedding venue was adorned lavishly with an array of expensive fresh flowers, prominently featuring lilies. The décor struck a balance between opulence and elegance, exuding a sophisticated atmosphere that transcended mere monetary value.
As the guests took their seats, meticulously arranged around the intricately decorated venue, they eagerly anticipated the arrival of the bride and groom. Meanwhile, hushed whispers circulated about Eileen Elrod, the recent subject of Empire-wide gossip.
Merely the daughter of a baron’s family, Eileen possessed neither wealth, power, nor prestige. Yet, to the astonishment of many, the Grand Duke of Erzet had chosen her as his bride. Initially, speculation ran rampant, with many assuming Lady Elrod must be an exceptional beauty.
However, the initial rumors of her peerless beauty soon fizzled out. Those who knew her from before began to share their observations, asserting that she was rather plain and unremarkable in appearance, lacking the allure expected of a bride of such high standing. initially met with skepticism, the repeated circulation of the same story gradually swayed public opinion. Naturally, curiosity turned towards the question of why the Grand Duke had chosen Eileen Elrod as his bride.
***
