Wicked Husband-Chapter 94 - 93

Eileen hesitated, unsure whether to mention Lucio’s past confession. It seemed unnecessary to revisit such old feelings, especially since they were from a distant past.

Given that the soldier who had driven them likely reported everything to Cesare already, she feared mentioning it might come off as boastful. The situation itself felt oddly surreal to her.

Receiving a confession was likely a once-in-a-lifetime event. She had always seen herself objectively—despite the slight change in appearance from removing her glasses, her inherent gloominess and dullness remained unchanged. It seemed implausible that anyone would find her attractive.

Lost in these inconsequential thoughts, Eileen realized too late that she hadn’t answered Cesare’s question. She decided to omit the confession and instead shared more neutral updates.

"Senior Lucio might become a professor at the School of Pharmacy. It seems he’s a strong candidate. He’s been publishing papers regularly and has changed a lot both physically and mentally while I was away. It’s really impressive—"

Her words faltered as Cesare’s kiss interrupted her. The gentle pressure of his lips overwhelmed her senses. His hands, traveling along her spine and gripping her waist firmly, made the kiss linger longer than expected.

When the kiss finally ended, Eileen exhaled a warm breath, her cheeks flushed. She touched them with the back of her hand, trying to cool them down. Her slightly swollen lips were caught between her teeth as she met Cesare’s gaze.

"I wanted to kiss you," Cesare murmured softly.

Eileen, her lips still moist, replied, "...You already did."

"Hmm, yes, I did."

Cesare’s smile was gentle as he placed another kiss on Eileen’s lips—a soft, fleeting touch. Eileen swallowed a small, involuntary sound of discomfort, her heart fluttering uncontrollably despite her embarrassment.

Wrapped in Cesare’s embrace, her hands fidgeted as she mumbled, "Anyway, we didn’t talk about anything important..."

Cesare didn’t reply with words. Instead, he pressed a tender kiss to her neck, his lips brushing lightly against her skin as he continued to remove her dress.

Eileen shivered as the cool air met her bare skin. After her recent encounters with old acquaintances, being so close to Cesare now felt almost surreal.

Detached from reality, she looked up at him. His vivid red eyes seemed to absorb her gaze completely. Gradually, his expression softened. His large hand gently rested on her head, and his affectionate strokes lulled her into a state of contentment.

As she was enveloped by his touch, Eileen’s mind drifted back to a time when she had returned to the estate, abandoning her studies.

She had received a letter from her mother and, overwhelmed by a sudden sense of urgency, had returned to the brick house with its orange trees swaying in the breeze. Standing outside, she hesitated, unable to bring herself to enter.

The rustling of the leaves in the wind was the only sound she heard before she finally gathered the courage to open the door. A profound sense of melancholy washed over her as she stepped inside.

"Lily..."

Her mother’s voice, laden with sorrow, called out from the darkened house. The lights were off, casting everything in shadow, and her mother’s bloodshot eyes met Eileen’s with a piercing gaze.

Eileen set her bag down beside her and approached her mother. With a cautious embrace, she offered comfort, but her mother, as if waiting for this moment, unleashed a torrent of pent-up emotions.

Eileen was engulfed by her mother’s outpouring of resentment and despair. Her mother cursed Eileen’s father and bemoaned their dire circumstances, lamenting that without Eileen’s support, she would have already succumbed to despair. The academic freedom she had once enjoyed at university now seemed like a distant, idyllic dream compared to the harsh reality she faced.

As her mother’s sorrowful emotions flowed, Eileen held her tighter, hoping to provide solace. Yet, rather than feeling comforted, Eileen felt as if her own warmth was being drained away, leaving her colder and more isolated.

Taking over her mother’s responsibilities, Eileen embarked on the grueling task of negotiating debt repayments. She visited creditors and tried to delay payments, something her mother, bound by her pride as Baroness Elrod and the prince’s nurse, had been unable to do herself.

Eileen sold everything of value, including her cherished collection of books and academic texts from university, except for the gifts from Cesare. Despite her efforts, she still fell short. The debt was overwhelming, and though the temptation to succumb to despair was strong, she fought to keep those thoughts at bay.

Returning to her family’s estate was not without its positives. It allowed her to reunite with Cesare, filling a void that neither scholarly pursuits nor new relationships had managed to address. Meeting him in the palace, she felt a profound sense of fulfillment she had longed for.

"Your Grace," Eileen said softly, gazing up at Cesare, who had grown even more imposing since their last meeting. The respect and admiration he commanded as the god of war suited him perfectly.

As she looked at him, Eileen realized her feelings had evolved. From their first meeting to now, her admiration for Cesare had deepened into something far more profound.

Eileen yearned to hold Cesare’s hand, kiss his cheek, and be the one to receive his tender gaze. Yet, she knew this desire was both painful and disheartening because it was a wish she believed would never be fulfilled. To Cesare, she felt like nothing more than a child, not a woman worthy of his affection.

Suppressing her fluttering heart became a struggle as she faced the reality of her situation. Cesare’s casual remark brought her back to the present.

"You’ve finally returned to the palace."

It had been fifteen days since she came back, due to the time spent resolving family matters. Eileen’s cheeks flushed deeply as she apologized.

"I’m sorry..."

Her delay wasn’t solely due to family issues; she had hesitated to face Cesare out of embarrassment. Despite his support in helping her get into university, she had returned without achieving anything of significance. Eileen felt ashamed for not meeting his expectations.

Her situation had worsened since her departure for university, making it even harder to feel confident in his presence.

"Have you grown a bit taller?" Cesare asked casually, placing his hand lightly on Eileen’s head. The familiar gesture now felt awkward, given the changes in her feelings.

Cesare’s awareness of the awkwardness in the air was apparent as he observed her reaction and then smiled. Instead of withdrawing his hand, he began to gently pat her head. Eileen found herself helplessly subjected to his affectionate touch.

"Have you lost interest in me?" Cesare asked, his tone laced with a hint of playfulness.

Eileen, startled, quickly denied it. "No, absolutely not!"

Cesare’s brow furrowed slightly, his gaze steady as he continued to observe her. "Then?"

"It’s just... It’s been a while since we last met..."

Her attempt to explain her fluttering emotions came out awkwardly, and Cesare tilted his head slightly, his expression softening. With a whisper that felt both like a command and a plea, he said:

"Don’t avoid me, Eileen."

***