Wicked Husband-Chapter 171 - 170

Eileen’s love for Cesare was deeply selfish. Others might see it differently, but Eileen believed her feelings were inherently self-serving.

If she truly cared for Cesare, she wouldn’t pry into the parts of him he wished to keep hidden. She would respect his secrets and leave them untouched.

But Eileen wanted to know everything about him. Even though her efforts wouldn’t help him in any meaningful way—barely as much as a single petal could aid a flower—she still wanted to protect him.

Yet that wasn’t what Cesare desired.

He didn’t expect Eileen to do anything for him. He wanted her to stay within the safe confines of the boundaries he had set for her. He was willing to expand those boundaries as much as she wished, but leaving them was forbidden.

Just like tonight.

In the past, Eileen would have retreated to the very center of his protection at the slightest frown. But now, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. She didn’t want to anymore. Even if her actions brought consequences, even if it meant losing his affection.

The moment she realized the walls around her might be built from his blood and flesh, she knew she needed to uncover the truth.

"Even if you don’t allow it, Cesare..."

The car’s headlights illuminated the dark forest ahead, but inside, the cabin was dim. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air.

Against the backdrop of the black forest, with eyes redder than blood, Cesare watched her in silence. Eileen licked her dry lips and whispered softly, "I want to know."

The moment she declared her defiance, her nerves overwhelmed her, and her vision blurred. Her heart pounded like a drum, as if she were a soldier daring to disobey her commander.

Their eyes locked for what felt like an eternity, though it was only a fleeting moment. In the end, it was Cesare who broke the gaze. Eileen’s eyes widened in shock.

Had he ever looked away from someone’s stare before? At least, not in Eileen’s memory.

Cesare turned his gaze to the forest, staring into the darkness beyond the headlights. The white birch trees, stripped of their natural color, appeared black as shadows.

Without a word, he opened the car door and stepped out. Startled, Eileen watched him, then tried to follow, but Cesare reached her side and pressed the passenger door shut, preventing her from leaving.

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the glow briefly illuminating his sharp features. Eileen stared at him in a daze as he took a drag, the smoke curling around his face before dissipating into the night.

Unable to step out, Eileen hurriedly rolled down the window. Smoke drifted into the car, prompting Cesare to issue a terse command.

"Close the window."

But Eileen didn’t obey. She opened the window further, extending a trembling hand to gently grasp the cuff of his sleeve.

Her touch was so light it could hardly be felt, yet Cesare allowed her to pull him slightly closer. She slipped the leather glove from his hand, exposing his unscarred palm. Holding his hand between hers, she clutched it as if in prayer.

Cesare tilted his head, a faint smile curving his lips. After exhaling a stream of smoke, he leaned toward her.

"Now you’re not even listening to me."

Eileen’s heart sank, but she remained silent, her hands still holding his. Cesare sighed and called her name softly.

"Eileen."

She hesitated before meeting his gaze. His crimson eyes softened as he spoke, his voice soothing, like a lullaby.

"Why don’t we stay home together?"

His tone was sweet, almost coaxing, reminiscent of the way he had once handed her flowers when she was a child. He continued, the softness of his voice contrasting sharply with the weight of his words.

"Don’t trouble yourself with things like Morpheus or Aspiria. I’ll let go of everything too. I’ll give up my title as Archduke and stay by your side."

Cesare leaned closer, his scarlet eyes now impossibly near. His voice dropped to a whisper, as if sharing a secret meant only for her.

"Let’s live in a little brick house, just the two of us."

He was breathtakingly beautiful, dangerously alluring. Eileen almost nodded, captivated by his words. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Living in a brick house with Cesare was a dream she had often imagined. Days spent as an ordinary couple, tending to a small garden, sharing oranges from their tree, cooking together in a cozy kitchen.

In her dream, Cesare would cut the bread for sandwiches, probably preparing all the ingredients himself because he disliked seeing her use a knife. In return, she would find small ways to make his days brighter—not through grand gestures, but simple acts of care.

The thought warmed her heart. It was everything she wanted. Yet, she couldn’t nod.

Because as perfect as it seemed, it was a castle built on sand.

"So, you still wouldn’t tell me anything?" she asked, her voice steady but soft.

Cesare didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he held her hands, his larger ones gently brushing over hers.

"There’d be no danger to worry about," he replied.

Once, she would have trusted his words without hesitation. But now, she couldn’t accept them at face value.

"...If that’s truly what you wanted—living together in a brick house," she began carefully, "I think you would have done it already. You wouldn’t have made me the Grand Duchess."

Cesare had chosen not to live in the brick house. Instead, he had made her the Archduchess of Erzet. He had elevated her, once an obscure baron’s daughter who couldn’t even call herself a proper apothecary, to one of the Empire’s most esteemed positions.

He had pulled her from a small world and given her the wings to soar—wings he had crafted himself, making her bold enough to fly high without fear.

Now, he was asking her to clip those wings, but Eileen didn’t believe it was what he truly wanted.

It terrified her to voice this judgment, to presume to know his heart. But she had to say it. Looking into his fractured crimson gaze, she called his name.

"Cesare."

"...."

He didn’t reply, waiting silently as he always did when she had something to say. He might seem to impose his will, but he never dismissed her words.

"Do you really want me to do nothing and stay in a brick house?" she asked.

Cesare let out a soft, broken laugh. He brought her hand to his face, brushing it against his cheek as he closed his eyes.

"...No," he murmured.

"No, Eileen..."

***