Wicked Husband-Chapter 53 - 52
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.
Already possessing formidable power, wealth, and prestige, the Grand Duke’s decision puzzled many. Instead of aligning himself with a bride from a powerful noble family to further bolster his influence, he had seemingly chosen a woman from a family he could easily control and manipulate to his desires.
Speculation ran rampant, with many surmising that while Eileen Elrod may not possess striking beauty, she must possess an exceptionally kind and obedient nature. Whispers suggested that the Grand Duke, having been molded by a life on the battlefield, sought solace in a woman who could provide him with comfort and tranquility.
The rumors, which had been spreading uncontrollably, reached their climax when Lady Ornella, daughter of the Duke of Farbellini, shared her perspective. During a social gathering of ladies and noblewomen, Ornella recounted her encounter with Eileen at the Imperial Palace, expressing her concerns with evident worry.
"It appeared her family was facing financial difficulties. She even asked if she could work as my maid, and I had to gently dissuade her, reminding her of her impending status as part of the royal family. It saddened me deeply that I couldn’t offer her assistance..."
She sorrowfully observed that it seemed the Grand Duke was rather indifferent to Lady Elrod.
Upon learning that the motive behind this perplexing marriage was not even love, people were both shocked and consumed by curiosity. Ornella observed the women, who were fervently speculating on various reasons, and then added one more possibility.
"Perhaps it’s out of compassion or loyalty? I’ve heard she is the daughter of the deceased nanny."
The new piece of information regarding the Empire’s hottest topic spread swiftly among the noblewomen and young ladies, who eagerly disseminated it throughout their social circles. By the time the wedding day arrived, Eileen Elrod’s reputation had plummeted to its lowest point. Vicious rumors swirled around her, and many openly criticized the Grand Duke’s seemingly poor choice.
Consequently, the guests invited to the Grand Duke’s wedding awaited the appearance of Eileen Elrod with heightened anticipation, considering her the true star of the day.
Meanwhile, Ornella appeared particularly resplendent, resembling a lily herself, which harmonized perfectly with the outdoor wedding venue adorned with lilies. Observing this, some guests whispered speculations that the bride might feel overshadowed.
When Cesare made his entrance in his uniform, some guests sighed in disappointment, shaking their heads at the prospect of such a capable man making what they deemed to be a foolish choice.
As Eileen Elrod made her grand entrance, the guests were momentarily rendered speechless. Before them stood a woman of such breathtaking beauty and grace that she appeared as though she had stepped out of a fairy tale, perfectly complementing the lily-filled wedding venue.
Clad in a gown adorned with intricate lace and sparkling crystals, each step she took caused her neatly half-tied brown locks to cascade gracefully. Her face, veiled delicately, exuded a fragility and elegance akin to that of a flower fairy.
When the veil was lifted, revealing Eileen Elrod’s radiant countenance in its entirety, the guests could only hold their breath in wonderment. Her most captivating feature, lending her an ethereal allure, was her eyes. Flecked with golden fragments, her green orbs shimmered with a kaleidoscope of hues when caught in the light.
Those who had been captivated by the Grand Duchess’s beauty found themselves further entranced by the passionate kiss exchanged between the Grand Duke and his bride. So spellbound were they that by the time they regained their senses, the wedding ceremony had drawn to a close.
As they entered the reception hall, each guest clutching a bouquet of lilies and other fresh flowers, reality began to settle in. And in unison, they all echoed the same sentiment –
The wedding of the Grand Duke and Duchess of Erzet would be remembered forever in the history of the Traon Empire.
***
To capture the photograph, they had to remain perfectly still for several seconds. While this process marked a significant improvement from the days when capturing a landscape could take hours, it still felt burdensome. For Eileen, being photographed for the first time, anxiety gnawed at her. She imagined countless scenarios where a sneeze or a slight mistake could lead to an awkward photo published in the newspaper.
As the moment for the actual photo arrived, she stood straight as directed by the photographer, maintaining a gentle smile on her lips without budging an inch. She managed to endure the process without incident. However, once the photo was taken, new worries began to plague her.
’The entire Empire will see this unflattering photo of the Grand Duchess.’
With the entire Empire eagerly awaiting the wedding photo of the Grand Duke and Duchess of Erzet, the anticipation was palpable. As soon as the photo was captured, newspapers would scramble to print it, sending the nation into a frenzy.
The president of La Beretta, specially invited to the wedding, hurried back to the newspaper office immediately after the ceremony’s conclusion. An editorial on the day’s events, accompanied by the wedding photo, was to be published. All other articles had been prepared in advance, requiring only minor adjustments based on the wedding’s particulars.
Eileen could only hope that people wouldn’t be too disappointed. Perhaps they might even perceive the Grand Duke as exceptionally kind-hearted for choosing a bride regardless of her perceived appearance.
’Since it’s already done, I should just forget about it.’
Resigned to her fate, she made the decision and, after parting ways with Cesare, headed to the bathroom.
While Cesare entertained guests in the reception hall, Eileen finally found relief from the wedding dress she had worn since morning. Despite not cinching the corset too tightly around her slender waist, it still felt stifling, and the elaborate decorations added to its weight.
Servants hurriedly assisted her out of the dress, providing a much-needed massage to soothe her exhausted body. After indulging in some light snacks and quenching her thirst, she luxuriated in a relaxing bath.
A discreet attendant, a small, sharp blade held with practiced ease, ensured flawless smoothness across the bride’s most intimate contours. The steel then gave way to polished emery, each nail meticulously shaped and filed to a perfect, gleaming point. No errant caress tonight would leave its mark on the Grand Duke.
Eileen was tended to and groomed for quite some time, the pampering process so soothing that she even dozed off midway through. She only stirred awake when the servant gently dressed her in a nearly transparent nightgown.
’Are we really going to do it tonight?’
With a nervous bite on her lip, Eileen glanced down at the practically nonexistent nightgown, her mouth feeling parched with nerves. When she reached for a drink of water, the servant attempted to dissuade her, but Eileen drank it nonetheless, fearing her throat might stick together if she didn’t.
Fully prepared, Eileen entered the Grand Duke’s bedroom. She half-expected to see rose petals scattered on the bed, but there were none. Instead, large bouquets of lilies, lisianthus, gerberas, and baby’s breath—flowers from the wedding ceremony—adorned the room in vases.
After the servants departed, leaving Eileen alone in the bedroom, she approached one of the vases and inhaled the fragrance of the flowers. Among them, the strong scent of lilies stood out the most.
To Eileen, lilies were Cesare’s flower. Yet, it seemed Cesare thought otherwise...
Eileen, who had been lost in the fragrance of the lilies, gently plucked one from the vase. Cradling the fresh bloom in her hand, she made her way to the bed. Carefully placing the lily among the crimson rose petals, it added a touch of elegance to the arrangement. As she contemplated where to position the lily on the bed, the bedroom door suddenly swung open without warning.
Startled, Eileen instinctively clutched the lily to her chest, her heart racing. It was only after belatedly confirming the identity of the intruder that she realized Cesare had entered and closed the door behind him. His eyes roamed over her for a moment before he spoke, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Is it alright to simply cover your chest?"
A rosy flush crept up Eileen’s neck as her hand instinctively dipped to shield her intimacy. Her sheer nightgown offered little in the way of modesty, one side dipping precariously low to reveal the tempting swell of a breast, its peak a taut bud against the fabric.
Cesare, still a vision in his crisp uniform, chuckled darkly. The contrast between their attire was stark, a silent declaration of his intent. Before a single word could be spoken, a gloved finger brushed against her exposed skin, sending a jolt of electricity sparking through her.
Without preamble, Cesare swept Eileen off her feet, a forceful undercurrent beneath his casual touch. He deposited her onto the bed, their gazes locked in a silent dance of anticipation.
***
