Wicked Husband-Chapter 140 - 139

The knights, who had watched over Eileen and Cesare for so long, couldn’t help but notice the subtle shift in the air between them.

Eileen, feeling the weight of the strange tension, grew even more withdrawn, her nerves tightening.

This isn’t right...

It had been some time since everyone had gathered like this. It should have been a chance for them to enjoy each other’s company, to share in the excitement of the day. But instead, there was an uncomfortable silence hanging between her and Cesare. She wasn’t sure how to fix it. Cesare wasn’t speaking either—he simply stood there, looking down at her in silence, and that only made things worse.

After a moment of deliberation, Eileen decided she had to say something to break the tension.

"Um, your hunting outfit..."

She had meant to compliment him, to find the right words that would make the moment feel lighter, but when the words finally left her mouth, they came out flat and awkward.

"You look... really handsome."

Eileen winced inwardly, instantly regretting how plain and childish her words sounded. She wished, not for the first time, that she had spent more time studying poetry instead of medicine. The urge to pinch herself grew stronger.

Cesare didn’t respond immediately. He continued to gaze at her, his eyes unreadable. Then, after a pause, he asked, his voice quiet but teasing, "Is that it?"

"Pardon?"

"We haven’t seen each other in days, and that’s all you have to say, Eileen?"

"Oh..."

Flustered, Eileen stammered, but Cesare only let out a brief chuckle.

"Let’s be on our way, then."

Cesare’s command was calm, but there was an underlying tension in his voice. He gave a brief instruction to Sonio, and the knights quickly ushered Eileen aside. Diego leaned in and whispered, his tone reassuring.

"Don’t worry, His Grace isn’t upset."

Michele, ever the one to add emphasis, followed with a murmur. "Definitely not upset. He’s just waiting to hear something specific from you."

Eileen’s brow furrowed, but before she could ask what they meant, Cesare finished his conversation with Sonio and walked over to her.

"It’s time to depart."

Cesare extended his hand, and Eileen took it, following him to the carriage. She braced herself, wondering if he was going to press her on the awkward moment they had shared, but Cesare remained silent.

Inside the carriage, he busied himself with reviewing some documents, his focus entirely on the papers before him. Eileen sat quietly beside him, watching as the scenery passed by the window. The carriage gradually slowed and came to a halt.

Cesare folded his papers neatly, then turned to her.

"Go on ahead. I’ll join you shortly."

Eileen hesitated. She wanted to ask where he was going, but the instinct to hold her tongue stopped her. She opened her mouth, only to close it when he spoke again, his voice lighter than before.

"Let’s hope you won’t be too angry."

Angry? Eileen blinked, taken aback. She couldn’t fathom a situation where she would be angry with him. Just moments ago, she had been concerned that he might be upset with her. She gave him a confused look, trying to find her words.

"I’m not angry..." she said carefully, her voice soft. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something important was hanging between them, something she didn’t fully understand.

"Not yet, anyway."

Once again, Cesare had said something that left Eileen confused, a cryptic remark that only deepened the sense of distance between them. She clenched her hands in her lap, her mind swirling with thoughts and questions, but the words she wanted to speak wouldn’t come. She felt frustrated by the silence, by the gap between them that she couldn’t bridge.

Still, she knew it would be impolite to leave without at least meeting his gaze and offering a proper goodbye. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally looked up at him.

"...!"

Before she could say anything, their lips met in a brief, light kiss. It was so fleeting, so unexpected, that Eileen blinked in surprise. A soft "Oh" escaped her lips, the shock of the moment still reverberating in her chest.

"Oh dear," Cesare said with feigned nonchalance, his voice light. "I thought you were asking for a kiss."

With that, he exited the carriage, leaving Eileen alone in a daze. Her heart raced as the heat slowly crept up to her cheeks.

She wondered why he thought she might be angry with him. But before she could delve into that question, her thoughts kept drifting back to the kiss.

Involuntarily, Eileen rubbed her lips with the back of her hand, still caught in the lingering sensation of Cesare’s kiss. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of him. It almost felt as if he had kissed her intentionally, as if to stop her from overthinking.

By the time the carriage reached its next destination, she had worked hard to cool the heat in her face, though her heart still raced from the unexpected encounter.

***

The forest hosting the hunting festival was alive with activity. Banners bearing the royal family’s and noble houses’ emblems fluttered above the various camps, and the area buzzed with people coming and going.

Dozens of prized horses lined up, each one a marvel of breeding, their worth said to rival that of a fortress. Well-trained hunting dogs stood at attention, their tails wagging in excitement, while falcons with large, outstretched wings flew above the crowd, ready for the sport of falconry.

Despite the bustle and abundance of animals, the air felt fresh and invigorating, filled with the scent of lush greenery and fragrant offerings. The aroma of cedarwood and flowers drifted through the air—gathered for the ritual sacrifice that was to come.

Eileen looked around with a sense of awe, her curiosity piqued by the grandeur of it all. She was escorted by guards toward House Erzet’s tent, her gaze moving over the scene as they walked. As the family’s carriage became visible in the distance, a group of noblewomen—eager to make a good impression—quickly gathered, anticipating her arrival.

Each of them was determined to form a connection with the Duchess of Erzet, seeing the opportunity as one to advance their own status. But as they drew near, they hesitated, their smiles faltering as they took in Eileen’s attire.

’I should have worn a dress.’