Wicked Husband-Chapter 76 - 75

EHer father wouldn’t have gone to the ranch of his own accord; someone must have forced him there. And there was only one person who could have done that.

Cesare confirmed it readily.

"Should I bring him back?"

She should have immediately demanded that Cesare release her father, but the words caught in her throat.

After all, the only reason Cesare had bothered with a baron of such low status was because he was Eileen’s father.

It was easy to understand why Cesare had sent him to the ranch—to prevent him from exploiting the Grand Duchess’s name for his own gain.

’Maybe he should stay there a little longer... Perhaps it might even help him quit drinking.’

Though it was a thought she quickly dismissed, Cesare seemed to voice it for her.

"It appears the Baron has adapted quite well to pastoral life. The cattle have even grown fond of him."

Cesare’s words, though spoken with a veneer of logic, seemed almost absurd—implying that she shouldn’t deny the cattle their new companion.

ileen, keeping a wary eye on him, timidly countered,

"How can a deer and a person become friends?"

At this perfectly rational objection, Cesare chuckled softly and continued in a leisurely manner as he led Eileen along.

"Perhaps they can. The Baron might just prove it this time."

Their walk continued with light conversation, and naturally, the topic of her father faded into the background.

Eileen mentioned that she needed someone to manage the brick house. Cesare readily agreed to find a caretaker and added,

"I’ll stop by on my way back this evening."

Normally, she would have been pleased with this offer and would have taken the opportunity to retrieve some items she had left at the brick house. However, Eileen remained tight-lipped.

Seeing her lack of response, Cesare paused and looked directly at her, his gaze clearly demanding an explanation.

"...Today," she finally managed to say, struggling to find the right words.

"Could we possibly go another day?"

Cesare mischievously narrowed his eyes and asked,

"Why?"

He was fully aware of the reason, having caused Eileen so much trouble since the morning. Eileen, blushing, tried to explain.

"Because... I want to go to bed early. I’m a bit tired. If it’s alright with you, Cesare. The brick house won’t run away; we can go there slowly..."

"You don’t have to sleep only in the Grand Duke’s bedroom."

Eileen immediately understood his implication. Flustered, she looked up at Cesare with wide, trembling eyes before dropping her gaze. Her flushed ears were visible, but she made no move to cover them, too embarrassed to even pretend to adjust her hair.

"Then I’ll sleep at the brick house..."

Cesare took her hand with a smile and quickened his pace. Eileen, her face still red, followed him.

Soon, they arrived at the emperor’s residence. The thought of meeting His Majesty made her previously relaxed nerves tense again.

Entering the residence, Eileen made her way to the formal audience room, unlike before. There, Leon was already waiting for the Duke and Duchess of Erzet.

"At last, the protagonist has arrived," Leon greeted them with a smile. Cesare briefly acknowledged him as he glanced at the tea and snacks on the table.

"You’re a bit late."

"Of course, you were bound to be. I thought you wouldn’t arrive until sunset. Did they let you go easily?"

"Not really. I just came through a less crowded area."

Leon chuckled heartily at Cesare’s nonchalant reply. After a moment, he turned his broad smile toward Eileen.

While Cesare took Leon’s friendly demeanor in stride, Eileen could not. Like a malfunctioning automaton, she clumsily greeted Leon.

"Your Majesty."

Leon’s smile widened at Eileen’s respectful greeting, and he offered generous praise.

"Now that you’ve cut your hair and removed your glasses, you truly look more like a Grand Duchess. You should have done this sooner."

Cesare’s brows slightly furrowed at the remark. Eileen, unsure how to respond, managed a small thank you and a bow. She always felt awkward receiving compliments about her appearance.

"Ever since the wedding, the noble class has been abuzz about you. All the newspapers and magazines in Traon, even the yellow press, are full of praise for the Grand Duchess’s beauty."

Leon had attended the wedding, but Eileen couldn’t actually remember him. In fact, she had forgotten all the attendees from that day. Her nerves had made her forget everything except how handsome Cesare looked in his uniform.

"Brother."

Leon seemed eager to continue chatting with Eileen, but Cesare abruptly interrupted. Realizing this, Leon nodded and summoned a servant. The servant arrived with documents on a golden tray.

Leon took the documents and placed them before Eileen. It was a marriage certificate, confirming her new title as Duchess of Erzet and her adoption of the Erzet family name, certified by the Emperor of Traon.

Eileen’s hand trembled slightly as she held the fountain pen. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her lips together and signed her name at the bottom of the document. The sharp nib of the pen made a soft scratch against the paper.

[Eileen Elrod Karl Erzet]

After setting down the fountain pen, Eileen studied her signature with a sense of unfamiliarity. The name "Karl Erzet" felt awkward attached to her own. She had once admired how impressive it sounded with Cesare’s name, but now, with her own round-sounding name, it seemed misplaced.

’But it can’t be helped.’

Regardless of how mismatched it felt, Eileen was now officially the Duchess of Erzet. Even high-ranking figures like Duke Parbellini and Emperor Leon of the Traon Empire could not dispute her new status.

There was only one person who might question it: Cesare.

’But if I work hard, it will be fine.’

If she put in the effort, she could remain by his side as the Duchess. Eileen mentally resolved to herself as she reaffirmed her determination. While she was deep in thought, Leon nodded to Cesare, who was reviewing the documents.

"Are you leaving right away?"

"Yes."

"How about playing a piece on the piano before you go?"

The mention of the piano made Eileen’s eyes widen. It had been a long time since she had heard him play.

Cesare had played the piano during her dance lessons, but she hadn’t heard him since. Even during her stay at the Grand Duke’s residence, the piano had been silent.

Eileen stole a glance at Cesare, trying to hide her curiosity. She looked as if it were just a chance observation, though her eagerness was unmistakable.

But Cesare, as always, seemed to read her thoughts effortlessly. When he turned his gaze toward her, Eileen found herself staring directly into his red eyes. Her unspoken thoughts were laid bare in that instant.

"Piano..."

Once the word slipped out, there was no taking it back. Unable to continue her sentence, Eileen felt a pang of embarrassment. Cesare set the documents aside and replied with a light tone.

"If the lady wishes."

Leon looked slightly surprised at Cesare’s easy acquiescence but couldn’t help raising his eyebrows and smiling.

"Thanks to the Grand Duchess, we’ll get to hear a rare performance."

The palace had a room dedicated to a grand piano, a magnificent black instrument positioned by large windows that let in bright sunlight. The piano, bathed in the natural light, was a stunning sight.

Cesare adjusted the bench to his height and tapped the keys a few times to check the sound. As he did so, he glanced over at Eileen.

Lost in admiration, Eileen finally came back to her senses. His gaze seemed to ask if she had a particular piece in mind. However, Eileen, who had been more focused on practical matters than cultural refinement, didn’t have much experience with piano music. The only piece she was familiar with was the practice piece from her dance lessons.

Leon, standing beside her, came to her aid.

"I enjoyed the piece you played before. How about that one?"

Eileen was intrigued by the piece and shot a hopeful glance at Cesare, but he did not immediately begin to play.

Then, unexpectedly, he started. The first piece was familiar—one he had played during her dance lessons. After finishing it, Cesare moved on to the piece Leon had requested.

The new piece was unlike anything Eileen had heard before. It began with a light, airy melody but quickly evolved into something faster and more intricate. Cesare’s long fingers moved expertly over the keys, his delicate touch and fluid movements a striking contrast to the image of him wielding guns and swords.

Eileen watched him, mesmerized by the performance. She was completely absorbed in the beauty of Cesare’s playing.

"You know, Cesare was never bad at anything from a young age. I didn’t realize he could play the piano so well."

Startled, Eileen turned her head to the source of the soft voice filtering through the music. Leon, with his blue eyes that were so different from Cesare’s, was looking at her with a warm smile.

"He really is a perfect younger brother, isn’t he?"