Wicked Husband-Chapter 63 - 62
Cesare’s remark caused Count Domenico’s expression to twist into one of disbelief. It mirrored the look of stunned surprise Eileen wore earlier when he’d mentioned the "dog."
Count Domenico remained rooted to the spot, speechless. While Eileen blushed and glanced up at Cesare. She hadn’t anticipated seeing him again today, knowing he had entered the palace.
To see him both yesterday and today was beyond belief for her. What’s more, Cesare had come specifically to see her.
’I’m so glad I became the Grand Duchess.’
It felt surreal to be in such a relationship with him. Suppressing the urge to pinch herself, Eileen parted her lips.
"I heard you’re busy."
"I am," he replied leisurely, brushing Eileen’s wind-tousled hair with his gloved hand. The touch of his leather glove against her skin made Eileen momentarily hold her breath. Cesare chuckled softly as he playfully tapped Eileen’s nose with his finger.
"I still have time to visit my wife. Do you mind?"
Eileen couldn’t help but enjoy it. Her cheeks continued to flush with the ticklish sensation. She replied softly, "I’m glad you came..."
Pleased with her response, Cesare kissed Eileen’s crimson cheek. The sensation of his lips was both delightful and embarrassing, causing Eileen to shrink her shoulders.
"Why are you standing out here if you’re not feeling well?"
"Ah, well..."
Cesare’s question snapped Eileen out of her dreamy state. She glanced over at Count Domenico, who had been led away to a distant spot by Michele.
They were far enough that their voices couldn’t be overheard. Checking the Count’s location, Eileen stood on tiptoe and whispered quietly into Cesare’s ear.
"He says he wants to be a dog...!"
Cesare burst into laughter at this revelation. His deep chuckle momentarily stunned her, and then she realized her mistake.
She had been so eager to finally have someone to ask about it that she blurted out the most peculiar part without any context. Eileen quickly whispered a follow-up explanation.
"Exactly. I didn’t realize it at first, but it turns out the Count was the customer who used to buy medicine from me. When I arrived at the inn, he was looking for me, and concerned that something serious might have happened, I revealed that I was a pharmacist."
At this point, she paused to apologize to Cesare for disclosing her identity without permission. Fortunately, Cesare graciously reassured her that it was acceptable to act as she saw fit.
Feeling more at ease, Eileen continued her explanation.
"Thank you, Your Grace. Anyway, after that, the Count suddenly said he needed to become the Grand Duchess’s dog. Of course, I never asked him to become a dog. Could it be some sort of social code I’m not aware of? Do you know what it means, Your Grace?"
"We’re married, yet you still call me ’Your Grace’."
Eileen glanced again at Count Domenico before replying, "I thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to call you by name in front of others. From now on, I’ll only call you Cesare. Anyway, if you know the meaning, please tell me. Michele doesn’t seem to know either..."
However, unlike Eileen’s serious demeanor, Cesare continued to laugh. After a moment, still smiling, he addressed Eileen.
"It seems like the count wants to express his gratitude to you."
Though Eileen’s curiosity remained unsatisfied, Cesare’s words resonated enough for her to nod in understanding.
"If that’s the case, then I’m relieved."
"If you don’t like an old dog, should I get you a young puppy?"
"What? Oh, I like all dogs. But if you’re asking if I dislike Count Domenico, that’s not the case..."
As Eileen and Cesare continued their conversation, Count Domenico, who had been silently observing them, blinked thoughtfully.
He glanced at the grand ducal couple and then turned to Michele beside him, silently questioning the situation with a raised eyebrow.
Michele, engrossed in searching through a paper bag, met the count’s gaze with an expression that seemed to say, "What’s going on?" There was no hint of surprise in Michele’s eyes, as if she was accustomed to such interactions.
"Heh..." Count Domenico let out a dry chuckle. He had always believed Cesare held deep affection for his wife.
The kiss on their wedding day had demonstrated Cesare’s devotion, as had his ability to compel the President of the Senate to become the Grand Duchess’s "dog." Count Domenico had assumed it was simply Cesare valuing his beautiful wife.
However, witnessing a man who appeared as formidable as blades and gunpowder gazing at someone with such tender affection was unexpected. Any noble witnessing this scene would be utterly surprised.
Cesare’s laughter, so pleasant and genuine, was a sight one might believe to exist only in dreams.
Public perception of Grand Duke Erzet was sharply divided. He was often likened to the god of war, possessing not only exceptional looks but also extraordinary martial prowess.
Cesare was universally admired. Even when his gaze turned fierce, it was interpreted as the rugged intensity of a soldier, a quality appreciated by many.
However, those who had glimpsed even a fraction of Cesare’s true nature knew better than to be deceived by his handsome exterior.
He was devoid of human emotions—incapable of feeling pity, love, sorrow, or regret.
The nobility generally believed that while Cesare’s cruelty might be innate, it was largely shaped by his circumstances.
The birth mother of the twin princes harbored a deep animosity towards Cesare. She blamed him for losing the Emperor’s favor and became obsessed with superstitions, convinced that cursing Cesare would somehow restore her standing with the Emperor.
She subjected young Cesare to all sorts of sorcery. Making him wear the fresh blood of beasts while standing in strange magical circles was mild in comparison.
She once went as far as cutting open a live black goat and making him sleep inside its entrails for a night. She forced him to consume hallucinogenic herbs, including love potions, and locked him in a dark room for days without a drop of water. Despite these tortures, Cesare miraculously survived. When even these extreme measures failed to harm him, his mother sent the young prince to the battlefield.
Typically, noble boys of high status were kept safe in the rear to gain experience. However, due to his mother’s influence, Cesare was thrust into the thick of battle, where he experienced the horrors of war firsthand.
After surviving numerous deployments and earning accolades, Cesare eventually caught the Emperor’s attention. This marked the beginning of another phase of misfortune. Delighted to have such a capable prince, the Emperor sent Cesare into even more perilous conflicts.
His life became one sustained by the blood and flesh of others, and it was only natural that Cesare grew up with a cruel disposition.
When the twin princes won the civil war and seized the throne, Count Domenico was greatly relieved that it was Leon, and not Cesare, ascended to the title of Emperor.
No matter how skilled a warlord, a man devoid of human emotions cannot be a ruler who truly cares for the people of the Empire. Fortunately, Cesare had previously shown little interest in politics.
However, recently he had begun to actively involve himself in political matters. After causing a stir in the senate with his demand to erect a triumphal arch, Cesare swiftly expanded his influence using the unwavering loyalty of the Imperial army. The nobility grew increasingly wary of him...
Observing Cesare laughing joyfully with his wife, Count Domenico felt he might understand the reason for Cesare’s transformation.
It mirrored his own sentiments when he had become a spy for Kalpen out of love for his wife. The difference lay in it being Cesare, which made it somewhat unbelievable.
After watching Cesare and Eileen for some time, Count Domenico let out a faint sigh. Nonetheless, he was grateful for the chance to repay his benefactor. The memory of nearly harming her still sent chills down his spine.
If he had followed the orders of the King of Kalpen, his bedridden wife would have succumbed long ago.
But fate had bestowed upon him a golden opportunity. Count Domenico was resolute in repaying his debt with every ounce of his strength.
For Eileen, the Grand Duchess of Erzet.
***
