Wicked Husband-Chapter 61 - 60

Count Domenico held his breath. Unsure of what expression he wore, Cesare added with a smiling face, "Just kidding, Count."

Yet, despite his attempt to appear jovial, a flash unmistakably revealed itself through Cesare’s bright red pupils that seemed to drip blood. No, it was intentional.

Count Domenico’s mind raced back to the events of the previous night.

He had attended the Grand Duke’s wedding and enjoyed the banquet until the late hours. With a pleasant buzz from the wine, he had prepared to depart for home when trouble struck: his carriage, expected to await him, had vanished.

Anxiously scanning the surroundings, Count Domenico saw a black carriage approaching. It halted before him, and a knight descended, adorned with the Grand Duke’s crest.

The man, half of his face covered in burn scars, looked at Count Domenico with an expressionless face and said, "I will escort you, sir."

Count Domenico swallowed hard. The man was physically imposing, and his deep voice alone was intimidating.

"I can manage on my own," the Count attempted to assert.

"Please get in," the knight replied firmly.

Despite his feeble resistance, the knight dismissed it and promptly opened the carriage door. Faced with a gaze that seemed ready to compel him if he didn’t comply, Count Domenico obediently entered the military vehicle.

The carriage departed in silence. Count Domenico felt as though the alcohol had abruptly sobered him up. He cautiously observed the knight sitting beside him.

The Grand Duke’s knight remained silent, staring straight ahead. The Count endured the silence that pierced his skin like thorns, eagerly awaiting their arrival at the Grand Duke’s residence.

Count Domenico paused, ready to bid farewell as he prepared to step out of the carriage.

"Thank you. Then I’ll be...-"

"Count."

With hands as large as plates, the knight handed him a sealed envelope.

"The Grand Duke requests this be delivered to you, Count."

As Count Domenico barely stepped out of the carriage, he watched its retreating figure. He then slowly opened the trembling envelope. Thick paper slid out as he flipped through each page, his eyes shaking uncontrollably as he read the contents.

Details were meticulously recorded about how the Marquis of Menegin and his son-in-law were handled. The line that the Marquis had personally plucked out one of the remaining eyes was enough to widen Count Domenico’s eyes.

Even if the Marquis of Menegin had admitted guilt, this act crossed a boundary. Any wrongdoing should have been dealt with through trial and punishment. Yet, to eliminate adversaries in such a brutal manner...

Count Domenico spent the night with wide-open eyes, and as soon as dawn broke, he rushed to the Grand Duke’s residence. However, when he finally sat face-to-face with Cesare, all the words he had prepared got stuck in his throat. With broken resolve, Count Domenico muttered, "...What is it that you want?"

Why would they reveal something that could potentially be a weakness for the Grand Duke? It was evidence that they could easily use against him to take his life.

Having shown little interest in politics until now, suddenly eliminating adversaries... Count Domenico couldn’t fathom the reason behind such actions. As he speculated, Cesare silently tapped on the table.

Another document lay on the desk. Instinct thrummed through Count Domenico, a premonition that this pertained to him. He steeled himself and began to read, composure cracking as the pages flipped beneath his trembling fingers. His face drained of color, a chilling realization settling over him.

The document laid bare Count Domenico’s collusion with Kalpen – a transgression severe enough to cost him his head.

The weight of his actions pressed down. He had betrayed his principles, a single lapse committed solely for his ailing wife. The Kalpen had exploited this vulnerability during the war’s throes, dangling a secret remedy known only to their royal family as bait to turn him into their informant.

Blinded by this sliver of hope, Count Domenico had succumbed. Now, as he stared numbly at the incriminating document, a shadow fell across the page. He looked up to find Cesare, casually sipping tea delivered by a servant.

Cesare’s voice dripped with nonchalance as he spoke. "You must already know why I spared your life."

When Kalpen’s beloved youngest son died on the battlefield, Cesare harbored a desire for Kalpen to suffer the same anguish. He plotted to frame the noblewoman saved by the Grand Duke, stirring the nobles of Traon into action, including Count Domenico.

Upon receiving orders from the Kalpen king, Count Domenico hesitated long before finally refusing. Despite having committed deeds unbecoming of an Imperial subject, he could not bring himself to harm an innocent young woman.

Furthermore, as the effects of the remedy his wife had been taking began to wane, his decision to refuse became easier. He contemplated seeking out a skilled pharmacist in the Empire.

Following Cesare’s rise to power, relations with Kalpen were severed. With the Kalpen king’s death, he believed his past would quietly be buried. Now, he vowed to dedicate the rest of his life to Traon.

Count Domenico’s silence stretched taut, a heavy counterpoint to the rustle of papers. Finally, he lifted his head, a measured question escaping his lips.

"Is this about cooperation, Your Grace?"

A flicker of amusement danced in Cesare’s eyes. A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, the sound both dark and strangely captivating. "With a new bride by my side," he drawled, "wouldn’t a loyal watchdog be a welcome addition to the household?"

Count Domenico’s jaw clenched tight, the insult a bitter pill to swallow. He couldn’t deny the truth in Cesare’s words – his life hung by a thread, a pawn in the Grand Duke’s intricate game. A flicker of defiance sparked in his eyes, quickly extinguished by a wave of despair. His wife’s health was failing, and this "medicine" offered a glimmer of hope, however precarious.

"Apparently," Cesare drawled, his relaxed tone a stark contrast to the weight of his words, "the Grand Duke’s wife plans to unveil a new medication soon."

Count Domenico’s eyes widened in surprise, a spark of desperation flickering in their depths. Cesare propped his chin on one hand, his gaze unwavering as he studied the Count’s face.

"It’s quite a remarkable medicine," Cesare continued. "I myself am quite hopeful. However, there seems to be a minor issue."

"If it’s a minor issue..." Count Domenico stammered, his voice barely a whisper.

"In terms of efficacy, it’s nothing major," Cesare said, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "But it would be a shame to bury such a valuable medicine. So, how about you, as the Senate Chairman, protect the Grand Duke’s wife?"

Cesare folded his long eyelashes and smiled.

"As the watchdog of Grand Duke Erzet."

***

Soon after saying he would return shortly, Cesare took much longer than expected to come back. Eileen ate breakfast alone and glanced briefly at the newspaper she had folded and set aside.

She hesitated for a while but decided not to unfold it again, getting up from bed. She didn’t want to start their first morning as newlyweds being lazy in bed. However, as soon as she got up, she screamed in pain and collapsed back onto the bed. She had thought her body was feeling somewhat better, but the reality was far from it. Just the act of standing up made her feel like she was falling apart.

Eileen lay on the bed for a moment longer, then called for a servant’s help to finally get herself up. She hobbled to the bathroom and immersed herself in a bathtub full of warm water, finally feeling a sense of relief.

As she soaked in the warm water, all sorts of thoughts that she had been avoiding rushed to her mind. She decided not to dwell on their wedding night; the more she thought about it, the more embarrassed and ashamed she felt, wanting to escape to her brick house instead. Instead, she redirected her thoughts.

"..."

Eileen looked at the wedding ring on her left ring finger. She had noticed some strange behavior from Cesare occasionally. She attributed his changes to the war, and even Leon didn’t know the clear reason behind them.

Eileen’s doubts intensified every time she glanced at the wedding ring that had only existed in her diary until recently.

"Should I ask Cesare about this?"

But if he had something to say, he would have said it already. Asking him now wouldn’t necessarily yield an answer. She pondered this silently, but as she finished her bath, she still hadn’t reached a conclusion.

After getting dressed and grumbling to herself, Eileen emerged from the bedroom to find Michele waiting for her in the parlor.

"Michele!"

"Congratulations on your marriage."

Laughing happily, she continued to deliver good news.

"His Grace has allowed the opening of the research lab."

She was so delighted that she considered it a wedding gift. For a brief moment, Eileen forgot about her pain and simply basked in happiness. However, Michele remained composed, mindful of his duties.

"But it’s difficult to set up in that old street. We’ll make it new in the palace. How about visiting the lab today?"

"..."

"Do you want me to arrange for someone to move the lab items, or would you prefer to oversee it yourself, especially if it’s something important?" Michele offered.

Since Eileen needed to inquire about medicine sales from the innkeeper anyway, she decided it made sense to visit the lab afterwards and take a painkiller once she arrived.

"And His Grace?"

"He had urgent business and entered the palace."

Originally, Cesare was supposed to accompany them, but Michele took his place instead. Though she had hoped to spend the day with Cesare, Eileen concealed her disappointment.

Thus, Eileen went to the inn’s lab with Michele, hoping for a peaceful outing. However, their plans took an unexpected turn when they encountered someone.

Michele frowned deeply upon seeing a man standing in front of the inn. Quickly positioning herself in front of Eileen protectively, she called out to the man.

"...Count Domenico?"

Startled by Michele’s voice, the man swiftly turned around. He appeared surprised to see Michele and was utterly shocked when his gaze fell upon Eileen.

In a faltering voice, Count Domenico asked, "Why is the Grand Duchess here...?"