Wicked Husband-Chapter 22 - 21

Marlena had gone to great lengths to surprise Eileen, even seeking advice and buying snacks.

But despite her best efforts, every attempt to surprise her friend had failed, causing Marlena to lose her temper.

"For heaven’s sake! Just what kind of desserts have you not tried?!"

Eileen, while still eating her fruit pudding, widened her eyes at her anger.

"Oh, that... Someone I know often gives me gifts like these."

’They’ appeared to be quite affluent. Given her reputation as a talented pharmacist, it wouldn’t be surprising if Eileen had at least one wealthy customer.

Marlena snorted as she ate her fruit pudding. Then, a sudden realisation struck her.

"..."

A month had already passed.

Slowly setting down her spoon, Marlena glanced at Eileen. Eileen smiled innocently and remarked,

"Regardless of it all, thanks to you, I’ve been enjoying myself lately."

Seeing her innocent expression stirred a tumult of emotions within Marlena. She rose abruptly from her seat, overwhelmed by indescribable feelings, only to sit down again.

It wasn’t until a month later that she acknowledged her true feelings. She didn’t want to die. She wanted to live.

"...How foolish."

She muttered to herself and hastily stuffed the pudding into her mouth, then grabbed Eileen’s portion and devoured it as well. Tears welled up in her eyes as she accused Eileen of deception before storming off. Yet, a few days later, she returned, bearing snacks for Eileen as an apology.

Eileen and Marlena continued to meet occasionally, sharing desserts and conversation. Since they avoided discussing personal histories, they found it easier to connect.

Then, one day, Marlena had an epiphany. She wanted to give Eileen a makeover, starting with trimming her bangs and upgrading her glasses.

"Just stay still."

Marlena removed Eileen’s glasses and attempted to trim her bangs with scissors. However, as Marlena made her first cut, Eileen began trembling.

"Oh, no. Lena..."

Feeling pity at her trembling, Marlena reluctantly set down the scissors and pinned up Eileen’s bangs with a hairpin.

"Eileen, promise me you’ll never reveal your face again. Okay?"

Marlena had never witnessed such exquisite beauty before. It was akin to the visage of a woodland nymph, captivating. Yet, she couldn’t find joy in it.

Cold sweat trickled down her spine at the thought. For a woman without wealth or influence, Eileen’s beauty would be more of a curse than a blessing.

Marlena once bore the brunt of this type of curse as well. She urged Eileen to never, under any circumstances, reveal her face.

Eileen was oblivious to her own allure, that much was evident. Perhaps a life dedicated to nurturing cherished plants was far preferable, Marlena thought.

Eileen obediently followed Marlena’s instructions for a while. It proved to be a blessing, until a few days ago, when Marlena saw Eileen at the tavern on Fiore Street, her face fully exposed.

Upon spotting Grand Duke Erzet seated next to Eileen, Marlena immediately sensed trouble brewing. If Eileen had granted Marlena a second chance at life, Erzet had presented Marlena with an opportunity for revenge. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

As Marlena toiled under Cesare’s employ, she learned first-hand just how formidable he could be.

To imagine Eileen entangled with such a man...

How could an ordinary pharmacist become entwined with the Grand Duke? It was evident that her beauty had been discovered and exploited. She must have fallen prey to Cesare’s ostentatious charms and been ensnared.

Throughout the performance, Marlena couldn’t shake the thought of Eileen potentially ending up working in the bar. Once the show concluded, she hurried to seek out Cesare. Yet, a mere dancer had no easy access to the Grand Duke.

Marlena steeled herself for the worst. If Cesare refused to see her, she would resort to threats of exposure.

Fortunately, Cesare proved magnanimous and granted her an audience. He instructed his subordinate to admit her and even handed him some newspaper. It had an article detailing the marriage of Eileen and the Grand Duke.

"...That’s why you came."

After hearing Marlena’s story, Eileen nodded, feeling a little dazed. She had never imagined that Marlena would work for Cesare, but after hearing everything, she had a bright idea.

’I guess he figured me out.’

She informed Cesare that she had no acquaintance named Marlena and that her visit was unexpected. Anxious at his potential reaction, Eileen struggled to maintain her façade, inwardly groaning at digging her own grave with her falsehoods.

"Eileen," Marlena interjected, her gaze piercing. "Tell me the truth. How did this happen? Did he coerce you?"

Eileen was silent.

Biting her plump lips with determination, Marlena locked eyes with Eileen.

"I’ll assist you in any way I can."

Yet both women understood the futility of Marlena’s offer. In the Traon Empire, no one dared oppose Cesare.

While some nobles in the council resisted Cesare, their efforts were hampered by the approval of the Arch of Triumph and the Bloody Banquet incident, significantly diminishing their momentum.

There was no aid forthcoming for Eileen. It was an impossible feat.

Moreover, Eileen had already pledged herself to Cesare as his wife, the Grand Duchess.

"His Excellency saved my life. I broke the law and he saved me from the consequences and my father’s debt... In turn, his Excellency happened to be in need of a Grand Duchess, so he offered me the position."

Despite her shame, Eileen spoke openly about the situation, her voice tinged with a shy smile.

"I decided to become a Grand Duchess on my own."

Marlena remained unconvinced. Instead of allaying her doubts, Eileen’s explanation only fuelled Marlena’s anger.

’I’ve never known anyone as innocent as Eileen.’

Marlena’s breath grew heavy, her meticulously groomed eyelashes quivering violently.

"Do you truly believe that was entirely your own decision? No, it was merely the outcome dictated by his will."

Fear was unmistakable in her piercing blue eyes.

"I’ve witnessed how he deals with his political adversaries. He may be concealing his true nature from you, Eileen, but..."

Terror clouded her gaze. "He lacks human empathy," Marlena stated, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Eileen couldn’t help but laugh weakly in response. "I know."

"Then why?!" Marlena pressed.

"It’s simple. I love him."

Marlena felt a sharp pang in her heart, finally revealing the foolish feelings she had harboured in secret for so long.

"Even though I know everything... I still love him."

Eileen looked down, unable to meet Marlena’s gaze. Fidgeting with her fingertips, she murmured, "If I don’t become the Duchess, I’ll have to leave the country due to my circumstances. And I don’t want that, so I chose to marry him."

Marlena was silent for a long time, trying to speak several times before she let out a bitter laugh. "What can I do? Emotions don’t always obey your will. Eileen has always been more about appearances than personality".

Gently cupping Eileen’s cheeks with her hands, Marlena gazed at her somberly. "I know you’ll become unhappy, yet he’s forcing you into this... He seems cruel."

Would Eileen become unhappy? It seemed likely. An unwanted marriage, an unsuitable partner. A being as high as the sun in the sky and herself that was no more than a weed on the wall.

If Eileen became the Grand Duchess, she would have to navigate social circles and political disputes, yet she knew little of either.

But even with all these hardships combined, it paled in comparison to the agony of being apart from Cesare.

"If you change your mind, tell me. I think I can try something, at least once," Marlena offered.

Eileen nodded quietly as Marlena softened her expression and embraced her. They held each other for a while, drawing warmth from the connection, until a knock sounded at the door.

"I’ve brought the groceries," Michele announced.

Slowly releasing her hold, Marlena squeezed Eileen’s hand one last time.

***