Wicked Husband-Chapter 97 - 96

Cesare opened the glass case, exposing the relic to the outside air for the first time in centuries. This was a risky move, as exposing the artifact could potentially damage it beyond repair.

Yet, he proceeded without hesitation, confident that the relic would withstand the exposure.

He held the feather up to the moonlight. Its golden surface still dazzled, radiating a subtle glow as if sprinkled with gold dust, twinkling like a star with each touch of the moonlight.

It looked exactly as it had when he offered it as a burnt sacrifice to turn back time.

As he recalled the bloodstains that had once marred the feather, Cesare slowly raised his gaze to the pale moon, bathed in its noble light.

Does God exist?

Perhaps Cesare was uniquely positioned to answer that question. After all, he had come into contact with something that could be described as divine.

In truth, it mattered little whether what he encountered was God or something else—something far more profane. To Cesare, only the outcome mattered.

Though he could no longer turn back time, he continued to collect traces of the past.

His purpose was to prevent anyone else from tampering with time.

Given the trials he had endured, it was unlikely that any other human could achieve the same success he had. This wasn’t arrogance but an objective truth.

Yet Cesare wanted to leave no possibility, no matter how slight. He was always contemplating a world without him.

Because this would be a return completed by his death.

Out of habit, Cesare pulled out his pocket watch. The ticking hands moved steadily, never faltering. He gazed at the smooth, unblemished platinum watch for a long moment before slipping it back into his pocket.

There was still much to be done.

***

Eileen woke up early, feeling a chill. It seemed Cesare hadn’t entered the bedroom at all the previous night. The bedding was untouched, showing no sign of his having rested there, even for a moment.

Absentmindedly, she ran her hand over the thick pillow, wishing she could see him. Then, with a brisk resolve, she got out of bed to start her day.

Today promised to be exceptionally busy. She had lunch plans with the professors and Lucio, and she needed to finalize and send out the first invitations for the Grand Duchess of Erzet’s tea party.

As for her research, she decided to set aside Morpheus temporarily and focus on reviewing the manufacturing process to determine if the headache medicine could be mass-produced. She also needed to come up with a name for the medicine, which she had been referring to simply as a headache remedy up to now.

While having breakfast in the dining room, she picked up a magazine from the table. A single sentence from a nearby newspaper article caught her eye.

[...The attempt to target the Grand Duchess of Erzet failed.]

Startled by the mention of the Grand Duchess, Eileen set down the magazine and quickly grabbed the newspaper. It was La Verita.

She read the article with disbelief, her eyes scanning the words repeatedly. But no matter how many times she read it, the printed text remained unchanged.

The report detailed an attempted theft by a guest who had been staying at the Grand Duchess’s residence the previous night. The thief had been apprehended while attempting to steal research materials belonging to the Grand Duchess. The article explained that the thief coveted the Grand Duchess’s research and went on to describe their identity and their relationship with her.

[Meanwhile, this incident has highlighted the exceptional knowledge of the Grand Duchess of Erzet, stirring considerable public interest.

She had pursued degrees in pharmacology and botany at Palercia University. Although she was forced to withdraw due to financial difficulties, she was a remarkable prodigy who ranked first in her class throughout her time at the university, despite her youth. Indeed, research papers bearing her name had been published in esteemed academic journals, and...]

Alongside the story of the thief, the article also highlighted the Grand Duchess’s expertise in pharmacology and botany. She stared blankly at the detailed report, which even mentioned her favorite foods from her university days, before she finally snapped out of her daze. With a shocked expression, Eileen muttered to herself.

"Senior Lucio..."

Had they really caught Lucio trying to steal from the lab while she was asleep?

Images of Lucio facing a firing squad flashed through her mind. The thought that someone she had dined and conversed with just the previous day might no longer be alive sent a chill through her heart.

All of this had transpired while she was blissfully unaware, asleep. And now, it was already in the morning newspaper. La Verita must have prepared the article in advance—there was no way it could have been published so quickly otherwise.

She lost her appetite and couldn’t bring herself to touch her food, her gaze fixed solely on the newspaper. She flipped through all the magazines and papers on the table, but only La Verita had reported on the incident at the Grand Duchess’s residence.

’Cesare must have tipped off the newspaper in advance.’

La Verita was a newspaper that operated according to Cesare’s wishes. He had given them numerous favors, including exclusive access to the grand couple’s wedding photos, effectively molding the paper to his liking.

It was clear that Cesare not only aimed to eliminate Lucio but also sought to publicize Eileen’s expertise in pharmacology and botany. This seemed to be part of a strategic groundwork for her eventual release of the headache medicine and M*rpheus to the public. Introducing these innovations gradually rather than all at once was a shrewd move.

Cesare had punished the guilty and, in doing so, used the situation to his advantage. Knowing this didn’t make the overwhelming emotion inside Eileen any easier to bear.

’While I knew nothing...’

That thought echoed relentlessly in her mind. She suddenly felt suffocated and took a deep breath, though the tightness in her chest persisted no matter how deeply she inhaled and exhaled.

Despite her new status as a duchess, nothing had fundamentally changed. Eileen was not Cesare’s equal—she was merely a piece on his chessboard. No matter how powerful the queen, if she became useless, she would be discarded.

’But am I even a queen?’

Perhaps she was nothing more than a lowly pawn. The most insignificant one...

Eileen tightly shut her eyes, forcing herself to push away the negative thoughts. She struggled to dispel the dark feelings, but her efforts were interrupted when a servant arrived to announce a visitor.

"Lord Senon has arrived. He says he is here to deliver something from His Excellency."

It was unusually early for a guest, but it seemed Cesare had arranged this visit. The prospect of company was a welcome distraction from her solitary brooding. Eileen, with a hint of desperation in her voice, instructed them to let Senon in.

"Eileen! Good morning! You look as radiant as ever today."

Senon entered the dining room with a broad grin, placing a large bouquet of flowers and a glass case on Eileen’s table.

"These are gifts from His Excellency."

The refreshing scent of the flowers helped bring Eileen back to her senses. She reached out to gently touch the petals before turning her attention to the glass case.

Inside the elegant, antique-looking case was a large golden feather. Though she didn’t know its significance, its exquisite appearance suggested it was something of great value.

"His Excellency also mentioned that he wishes to commercialize the medicine you developed, so I’ve brought the relevant legal documents..."

Eileen’s gaze remained fixed on the golden feather as she blurted out, "Has he been executed?"

It was an abrupt question, unprompted by Senon’s presentation, but he answered without hesitation.

"Not yet."

Senon observed Eileen closely, noting her strained attempt to maintain a neutral expression.

"Do you wish for him to live?" Senon asked, as if her words alone could determine the outcome.

"No, it’s not that..."

The weight in her voice was hard to conceal. Eileen looked directly at Senon, who blinked rapidly under her intense gaze. Finally, she admitted the burden she had been carrying.

"I just don’t know anything... I asked because I wanted to know."