Wicked Husband-Chapter 66 - 65

Eileen remained blissfully unaware of that day’s events. Cesare had also instructed Lady Elrod, her Baroness mother, to keep the truth from her. He knew tears would surely flow if Eileen learned he’d deserted his post to save her and endured the Emperor’s lash.

From their very first meeting, Eileen had been a creature of tears. Often, the reasons escaped Cesare’s grasp. A beloved plant wilting, a minor scratch on his own person—these seemingly insignificant matters could trigger a downpour of emotions in Eileen, reducing her to a state of despair.

Unable to decipher her emotional landscape, Cesare simply accepted it, etching this peculiarity into his memory. Maintaining her angelic perception of him proved a constant challenge. Naturally, this led him to conceal many things, shielding her innocent eyes from the harsh realities of the world, both past and present.

Cesare gazed at Eileen, who appeared on the verge of tears. Her golden-green eyes, usually so bright, glistened with unshed tears. The thought of licking away her tears – an undeniably unsettling notion – briefly crossed his mind. He quickly banished it, gently wiping her damp eyelashes with his finger.

Eileen trembled slightly but didn’t flinch away. Witnessing her struggle to hold back tears was agonizing, but intervention felt futile. He needed to start desensitizing her, gradually preparing her for the inevitable revelation of the truth. After all, his secret had always had an expiration date.

"Eileen," Cesare murmured softly as he gently embraced her with his smooth, unscarred hand. Feeling the warmth in his palm, he whispered, "Apply the ointment."

Hesitantly reaching out, Eileen puckered her plump lips. Her large pupils darted around as she muttered hesitantly, "There are no scars or wounds on you..."

In her own way, it seemed like a brave rebuttal. Frowning, Cesare responded immediately,

"Let’s make one now."

As he searched the laboratory for a suitable knife, Eileen fluttered like a small bird.

"No! Let me apply the ointment! Please don’t do that."

He chuckled at her startled, stuttering response. Eileen quickly washed her hands and then carefully scooped out some ointment, gently applying it to Cesare’s palm.

The smooth skin received the smear of opaque white ointment. Cesare watched Eileen, who was deeply focused on the task of spreading the meaningless ointment.

Sensing his gaze, Eileen subtly raised her eyes. When their eyes met, Cesare asked, as if waiting,

"Should I apply ointment to my wife, too?"

With wide eyes, Eileen replied quizzically, "Where...?"

Teasing her playfully, like a boy teasing a girl he likes, Cesare chuckled mischievously as he answered, "Below."

***

Exhaustion gnawed at Eileen as she returned to the palace. The details Cesare had concealed in the laboratory dissolved from her memory, overshadowed entirely by his offer to apply ointment "below."

Undeniably,a faint tingle lingered from their passionate first night together. But the suggestion of ointment application there was simply unthinkable. The thought of his fingers breaching that intimate space was unbearable.

Back in the carriage, Eileen launched into a fervent explanation, meticulously detailing why his ministrations were unnecessary. Thankfully, Cesare relented, abandoning his playful suggestion.

"What about Senon?" Cesare inquired upon arriving at the palace.

Immediately seeking out Senon, Sonio accepted his overcoat and replied, "He has just left the palace."

"Oh, I see. It will take him a bit to arrive. I need to show him the new laboratory..."

Cesare paused, a puzzled look crossing his face, as he explained to Senon that he needed to hear a brief explanation before showing him the new laboratory, concerning M*rpheus.

"Wait a moment, and then we’ll tour the laboratory, Sonio."

"Yes, Your Highness."

With a simple call of his name, Sonio understood exactly what Cesare wanted. The steward gently smiled and led Eileen away.

"Madam, may I have a moment of your time?"

Cesare proceeded to his study to attend to remaining tasks, while Eileen spent time chatting with Sonio until Senon arrived.

During their conversation, Sonio informed Eileen of several important matters.

"As you know, in a few days, you will formally enter the Imperial Palace to receive the title of Erzet."

Eileen was still ’Eileen Elrod.’ According to Imperial law, she could only formally receive her husband’s title after their wedding ceremony and a seven-day waiting period.

On the seventh day, Eileen would enter the palace and receive the title of Erzet directly from Emperor Leon.

Although they had already exchanged marriage vows, the reason for the one-week interval was tied to the founding myth of the Traon Empire.

According to the myth, the founding Emperor of Traon was a discarded prince.

Raised on lioness milk in the wilderness, the Prince vowed to establish his own kingdom. The land where he first planted his flag is now the central square of modern Traon.

The Gods blessed the birth of the new king by sending a winged lion, which became the symbol of the Traon Empire.

Blessed by the gods, the kingdom prospered quickly and soon proclaimed itself an empire. The ambitious Emperor, who had conquered continents without hesitation, fell in love with a woman one day.

She was the one who made the Emperor, relentless in his conquests, pause. He set aside his bloodied sword for her sake and remained in his kingdom.

The Emperor desired to marry her immediately as his Empress, but a prophecy intervened. It stated that he must wait seven years before welcoming her as Empress.

However, the young Emperor defied the prophecy and held a grand wedding right away.

Their happiness did not last long. The day after their wedding and the evening festivities, the Empress died in the Emperor’s arms, vomiting blood.

Devastated, the Emperor embraced her lifeless body and sought solace in a temple. As an offering in accordance with the sign sent by the gods—a winged lion—he prayed all night without eating or drinking. His earnest prayer was clear:

He repented for his reckless defiance of the prophecy and begged to bring back the woman he loved from death.

Fearing the loss of all he held dear, he threatened that if his prayers were not answered, he would bring death upon all those he cherished.

On the seventh night, the god responded to the Emperor.

If he passed seven trials, the god would resurrect the Empress from death.

It took the Emperor seven grueling years to overcome all the trials. But in the end, after enduring every hardship, he successfully resurrected the Empress. From that moment until they died together at the same time on the same day, the Emperor and Empress shared a love that burned passionately.

In honor of their miraculous reunion, the people of the empire revised the god’s command of a seven-year wait to a seven-day period.

"I’ve already prepared the dress you’ll wear then," Sonio assured Eileen, recalling the upcoming event and the responsibilities that would follow. Eileen nodded, her mind still pondering over the founding myth of the empire. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked, "As the Grand Duchess, are there no duties I should perform?"

Realizing Sonio might not mention it immediately, Eileen pressed further, "Now that I’m the Grand Duchess, there will be many responsibilities, right?"

Sonio appeared momentarily uncomfortable, seeming to withhold something. Eileen clenched her fists, determined. "I want to be of help as the Grand Duchess. His Grace may not think so, but..."

"No, Madam," Sonio interrupted gently. Still acclimating to her new title, Eileen waited for him to continue.

"His Grace simply ordered that you should be informed gradually as you adapt. I should have explained earlier, but this old man only wished for your comfort..."

Grateful for Sonio’s paternal concern, Eileen thanked him sincerely for always considering her well-being. Sonio met her gaze with a dignified expression and said, "Madam, there are important letters that have arrived. Would you like to check them first?"

Sonio disclosed that letters had been arriving since morning, and he had prepared the Grand Duchess’s study for her convenience. Appreciating Sonio’s thoughtful demeanor, Eileen promptly replied, "I’ll check them now."

However, upon seeing the first envelope, Eileen immediately felt regret. It was from Ornella, the daughter of Count Farbellini and the soon-to-be Empress of Traon, currently her most concerning counterpart.

Feeling a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, Eileen set aside Ornella’s letter for the moment and decided to check the others first. Absentmindedly picking up a thick envelope, Eileen checked the sender and was startled.

"The professors...?"

It was a letter from the professors at the university where Eileen had studied.