Wicked Husband-Chapter 121 - 120

The Emperor watched her flounder for a moment before his voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding.

"Undress."

For a brief moment, Eileen thought she must have misheard him. She blinked, confusion washing over her as she struggled to process his command. But the Emperor crossed his arms and barked at her again.

"Why are you hesitating? I said, undress!"

Eileen trembled as she looked up at the Emperor. His eyes blazed with anger as he raised his voice.

"You insolent girl! Do you think you’ve become something just because the prince favors you?!"

The moment his voice rose, Eileen dropped to her knees on the floor. Her mind went blank, paralyzed by the dual fears of losing her life and tarnishing Cesare’s reputation. The thought of bringing harm to the prince terrified her even more than the threat to her own life.

Desperately, she muttered apologies, her hands fumbling to undo the ribbon of her dress. She didn’t fully understand what was happening, but terror gripped her as she began to obey, tugging at the knots and loosening her clothing.

Just as she started to unfasten her dress, a commotion erupted outside the room. Suddenly, the door flew open with a deafening bang, crashing violently against the wall.

Cesare stood in the doorway, his crimson eyes blazing like a furious fire. He took in the scene: the Emperor lounging lazily in his robe and Eileen, kneeling on the floor with her dress half-undone. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A dark, seething rage flickered in Cesare’s eyes as he turned to his father. But the Emperor, far from being troubled, broke into a broad smile, spreading his arms wide in a welcoming gesture.

"Cesare!" he exclaimed joyfully.

"...Your Majesty," Cesare replied, his voice low and controlled, though the fire in his eyes remained.

The Emperor had been about to say something more, but his expression darkened at Cesare’s next words.

"She’s someone I cherish. You know that, don’t you?"

"Yes, I know. That’s why I called her here."

The Emperor gestured toward Eileen, who trembled in fear, her arms wrapped tightly around herself.

"Her face is plain, but is she better in bed?"

Cesare remained silent, staring at his father without raising his voice or showing any anger. The Emperor, noticing Cesare’s calm demeanor, appeared pleased.

"I should know my son’s woman, don’t you think? After all, you are my reflection."

Listening quietly, Cesare suddenly twisted the corner of his mouth into a crooked smile.

"Father."

The Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise, unable to hide his joy at hearing the word. But Cesare’s voice remained low as he continued.

"I’ve told you before. She’s mine—just my person."

Not a woman.

His brief yet pointed words were quiet, but clear enough for both the Emperor and Eileen to hear.

Eileen parted her lips slightly before pressing them together in silence. Cesare draped his uniform jacket over her shoulders and gently helped her to her feet. Eileen leaned on him, barely able to stand.

The details of how they escaped the Emperor’s chamber blurred in her mind. The next thing she remembered was sitting on a sofa in the drawing room of the palace, while Cesare stood with his back to her, staring out the window.

The rain that was supposed to have passed quickly continued to pour outside, drenching the world in a gloomy, oppressive atmosphere. As Eileen stared blankly at Cesare’s back, she finally spoke in a cracked voice.

"...I’m sorry."

"For what?"

Cesare turned to face her, his crimson eyes as vivid as they had been in the dim Emperor’s chamber, now just as striking in the drawing room. Eileen wanted to confess everything she thought she had done wrong, but Cesare asked another question before she could respond.

"What did the Emperor do to you?"

"Nothing happened..."

Nothing had happened, thanks to Cesare’s timely arrival. She didn’t want to speak ill of his father either.

But upon hearing her response, Cesare’s eyes narrowed. The heavy silence was punctuated only by the sound of the rain. After a long pause, he spoke again.

"Was there no one at the university who troubled you?"

At that question, only one thought rushed to Eileen’s mind: ’How can I answer in a way that won’t upset Cesare?’

It seemed he hadn’t been satisfied with her earlier answers. She didn’t want to fail again.

She didn’t want to make Cesare uncomfortable, especially after seeing him for the first time in so long. Yet, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t find the right words. In the end, she gave the only response she could think of.

"No, there wasn’t."

There had been some difficult moments, but overall, her memories of university were filled with happiness. The time she spent there felt like a dream—an experience made possible by Cesare’s unwavering support. She had no reason to complain.

Cesare let out a faint, bitter laugh at her response.

"You always say nothing happened."

With a quiet murmur, he told her to return home. Eileen left without having dinner with him, and for the next few days, she endured her mother’s constant nagging about not witnessing Cesare’s reaction to the letter.

But even as her mother pestered her, Eileen found herself thinking about something else entirely. What would have been the right answer?

’Did Cesare want me to be honest with him back then?’

As she mulled over the past, a nagging curiosity tugged at her. Yet, even if she could go back in time, she wasn’t sure she would have been able to be completely honest in that moment.

Being honest would have felt ungrateful and arrogant. No matter how much Cesare cared for her, she was still just a baron’s daughter... nothing more.

Lost in thought, Eileen was startled back to reality by a gentle touch on her cheek. When she opened her eyes, she found Cesare’s bright crimson gaze fixed on her.

Those same eyes had watched her in the past, now just as intense.

***