Wicked Husband-Chapter 186 - 185

Or was it more accurate to say they had never fought because Cesare had always been indifferent? Perhaps their lack of conflict was simply because Cesare had never cared enough to engage.

Unconsciously, Leon took a step back. His wrist trembled faintly where Cesare had held it.

"So, brother."

Cesare’s voice remained unchanged from when he had first asked.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

This time, Leon couldn’t respond with another question. The moment Cesare first asked, something had already surfaced in his mind.

It was a single mistake.

When the Imperial Army gained the upper hand by killing the Crown Prince of Kalpen, the people of the empire cheered but the nobles did not. Most had bet on Kalpen’s victory.

The Duke of Farbellini, who had aligned himself with the Traon Imperial Family, was one of the few nobles who had welcomed the victory. However, as the war continued and the citizens of the empire began chanting Cesare’s name, the duke changed his stance.

He had placed his bets not on Cesare but on Leon.

"No matter how great a war hero he may be, his name must not outshine the emperor’s."

The Duke of Farbellini had wanted a ruler he could manipulate. Cesare, who could not be controlled, had gained too much power too quickly, and so the duke sought to diminish his influence.

"I desire victory for our nation more than anyone, Your Majesty. I only wish to correct a minor imbalance."

The plan was to inflict just enough political damage on Cesare to tarnish his reputation, nothing too extreme, but enough to weaken his growing influence.

At first, Leon had laughed it off. But as the persuasion continued, and as Cesare’s name filled the newspapers, an uncomfortable feeling began to take root.

That day, he had been reviewing a report about Eileen. Per Cesare’s request, Leon had assigned people to periodically monitor Eileen Elrod.

While reading the report, the Duke of Farbellini had come to visit him. Without thinking, Leon had spoken.

It had been just a short, simple sentence.

"Cesare has someone he treasures."

The moment the duke recognized the significance of that statement, his eyes gleamed.

That was all it took. Leon had no idea what the duke did afterward. He had dismissed the conversation as a passing mistake, pushing it to the back of his mind.

It wasn’t until Cesare returned victorious from Kalpen and took Eileen as his wife that the memory resurfaced.

The fear that his mistake would eventually return as a blade aimed at his own throat had only grown stronger.

But how could he admit it now? It was already far too late.

Leon felt the lingering pain in his wrist as he finally spoke.

"...No."

He lied and averted his gaze. He knew he shouldn’t, but he couldn’t bear to look at Cesare directly. His eyes dropped to the ornate patterns on the marble floor. When he finally looked up again, Cesare let out a short, bitter laugh.

It was unlike him.

Was it because they were brothers that Cesare saw through him? Or was it because he was a seasoned interrogator, skilled at uncovering deception?

In a voice as low as the deep notes of a piano, Cesare murmured,

"So it was you."

Leon had thought he died for Eileen.

No, he had convinced himself that he had.

In Cesare’s sacrificial ritual, Leon had been the first offering. He had chosen to become a sacrifice for Eileen.

But his death had been nothing more than the manifestation of his own guilt and fear.

Because the first person to reveal Eileen’s existence to the King of Kalpen... was Leon.

He had set everything into motion.

Wracked with guilt and terrified of Cesare discovering the truth, he had chosen to become a sacrifice.

And in the end, the truth he had unearthed was a bitter one, even Cesare, who rarely felt anything, could sense it.

***

Sitting in the back of a military vehicle, Cesare gazed blankly out of the window. He remained expressionless for a long time, but as the grand ducal estate came into view, his eyes narrowed slightly.

He recalled Eileen, who had sobbed until she had no tears left. Her golden-green eyes, filled with resentment.

For once, even Cesare didn’t know how to console her. In truth, it was likely impossible.

He had always known she would eventually learn the truth, but this wasn’t how he had planned it. Yet ever since the gods had sent their warning by destroying the Pantheon, there was no longer anywhere left to run.

And there was still more he hadn’t told her.

If she learned everything, she might never want to see him again.

As he thought about lighting a cigarette, the car slowed as it neared the grand ducal residence. Cesare frowned.

Something was wrong.

The estate was in chaos.

Cesare ordered the driver to stop at the front gates and rolled down the window. The guard stationed there saluted him with a face drained of all color.

"Your Grace!"

"What’s going on?" Cesare demanded.

Despite being questioned by the Grand Duke himself, the guard hesitated. When Cesare’s eyes narrowed slightly in irritation, the soldier finally stammered out his answer.

"T-The Grand Duchess... has disappeared."

Without a word, Cesare closed the car window again. The driver, who had been watching tensely, immediately stepped on the gas.

The vehicle passed through the gates, sped along the long driveway and through the garden, and finally reached the mansion’s entrance. The scene there was just as chaotic. Stepping out of the car, Cesare called out in a loud voice.

"Sonio!"

It was rare for him to raise his voice. The servants flinched in response, and Sonio belatedly rushed out, his face already drenched in sweat.

"Your Grace..."

His voice carried layers of meaning. Without hesitation, Cesare strode into the grand ducal estate, speaking as he walked.

"Was it a kidnapping?"

"No."

Cesare came to an abrupt halt. His crimson eyes turned back to Sonio, who swallowed hard, fully aware of the weight of the words he was about to say. Finally, Sonio spoke, though he himself could barely believe the words coming out of his mouth.

"My lady... appears to have left of her own accord."

"..."