Wicked Husband-Chapter 98 - 97

A soldier once served under Cesare—a man of remarkable talent and diligence who advanced rapidly through the ranks, earning recognition for his abilities within the military. Cesare favored him, and there were even rumors that he might soon be knighted by Cesare himself.

The soldier’s kind and gentle nature made him well-liked, including by the young Eileen, who admired him greatly. However, one day, this promising figure vanished without a trace.

When Eileen, still just a young lady at the time, inquired about his whereabouts, everyone claimed ignorance. As a child, she had little means to uncover the truth.

The soldier was never mentioned again, and Eileen, initially confused, eventually let him fade from her thoughts. It wasn’t until much later that she learned of his death. They said he had committed a crime and faced the appropriate punishment.

Eileen never discovered the nature of his crime, but given that Cesare himself had dealt with him, she assumed it must have been serious. The soldier’s death left a chilling mark on Eileen’s emotions, planting a seed of fear—that she might one day meet a similar fate.

He had been far more capable than she was, yet despite his exceptional talents, he had been erased from Cesare’s world as if he had never existed. Even now, as the Grand Duchess, Eileen felt her position was precarious, not unlike his. The fear persisted.

What if, like the soldier, she remained unaware of impending danger until it was too late? What if she vanished without a chance to explain herself?

It wasn’t the thought of dying for Cesare that terrified her. What truly frightened her was the idea of becoming a forgotten figure, erased from his life entirely, as though she had never mattered. She dreaded the prospect of a disgraceful end.

The anxiety that had been gnawing at her erupted with the news of Lucio’s fate. She hadn’t heard a word about what had happened until she read the morning newspaper, making the shock all the more intense.

The harsh reality shattered the dreamlike reverie she had maintained as the Duchess. Negative thoughts began to spiral, growing darker with each turn.

"Did my senior really try to steal my research?"

Eileen clenched her fists, struggling to suppress the rising doubt. Her nails dug into her palms as she slowly released her grip and spoke.

"Lord Senon..."

Senon had remained silent throughout her turmoil, and Eileen offered a bitter smile at his lack of response.

The knights and soldiers had all cared for and cherished Eileen, and she had valued them in return.

But in the end, they were Cesare’s knights and soldiers. If it came down to a choice, they would choose Cesare. A bitter taste filled her mouth.

"I just... for once, I wish I had been informed, even just a little. After all, he was a guest I had invited to the palace..."

Even as she spoke, her heart ached. Her nose tingled, and her eyes grew hot with tears she struggled to hold back.

"I always feel so helpless, always in the dark... But I can never bring myself to say these things to His Grace..."

She paused to steady her breath, forcing a smile as she tried to brush off the moment as if it were insignificant.

"I’ve made things awkward for you, Lord Senon. I didn’t mean to. I was just being a bit childish because I felt upset."

But despite her efforts, a tear slipped down Eileen’s cheek. She hurriedly wiped it away with the back of her hand, pressing down as if to halt the flood. Yet, the tears continued to fall, an unstoppable stream. Nothing seemed to go her way.

"Sorry... I’m so sorry, Lord Senon."

As Eileen sniffled and apologized, Senon, who had been rigid and formal until then, shuddered. He fumbled frantically through his coat, his movements so desperate that it seemed he might tear his pockets apart. After a moment of struggle, he finally found a handkerchief and handed it to Eileen.

Eileen grabbed a napkin from the table and Senon’s handkerchief, using one for each eye. With her face half-covered by the cloths, she apologized again, her voice nasal from crying. Senon spoke in a somber tone.

"Lady Eileen... It was my fault..."

But there was no reason for Senon to apologize. When Eileen told him not to blame himself, Senon replied with even greater sorrow.

"I should have anticipated that this would shock you. I was just so excited about the commercialization of the medicine you created that I got completely caught up in it..."

Senon couldn’t hide his distress as he watched Eileen struggling to calm herself. Having served Cesare as a soldier for so long, the knights had developed a mindset quite different from ordinary people. In short, they were far more indifferent compared to others.

Their lord, Cesare, was not just indifferent; he was detached. Naturally, his knights had adopted some of his traits.

From their perspective, their actions were logical. They had simply dealt with a criminal and, in the process, leveraged the situation to their advantage.

To ensure the success of their mission, secrecy had to be maintained, which was why Eileen hadn’t been informed. They believed it might seem extreme, but they hoped that explaining things to her afterward would help her understand.

However, upon reflection, Eileen didn’t even know what crime Lucio had committed. She had always seen him as a kind and good senior.

Senon realized too late that this was the first time they had dealt with someone Eileen was close to, and that’s where they had gone wrong.

"If Diego had been here, he would have stopped me."

Diego was the most empathetic of the knights, the one who could best understand others’ feelings. Had he been present, he would have suggested a more considerate approach.

Unfortunately, Diego was away on a business trip outside the capital. Missing him now more than ever, Senon fidgeted and opened his mouth, but no words came out.

Despite his reputation for intelligence, Senon’s sharp mind was useless in this situation. He could think of many things to say, but everything sounded like an excuse. Desperately trying to comfort Eileen, he eventually blurted out,

"I’ll speak to His Grace about this, even now."

He had no idea what he would say, but seeing Eileen in tears pained him so much that he spoke without thinking.

Eileen simply shook her head. She gently lowered the handkerchief and napkin that had been covering her tear-stained eyes. Her eyes, now red and swollen, looked directly at Senon as she spoke.

"No."

It would be childish to have someone else deliver her message. Eileen glanced at the newspaper on the table, focusing briefly on the words La Verita. After a moment’s contemplation, she made her decision.

"Is it possible... to meet with His Grace now?"

***

Senon personally escorted Eileen to Cesare’s residence. Although she repeatedly assured him that she understood how busy he was and that his presence wasn’t necessary, Senon insisted on accompanying her, so she reluctantly accepted.

Throughout the drive, Senon sweated nervously, trying to comfort Eileen and alleviate her distress. His overwhelming guilt eventually led to Eileen having to console him instead.

"We’ve arrived..." Senon mumbled weakly as he brought the car to a stop. Eileen, stepping out of the vehicle with Senon’s assistance, froze momentarily. The place was all too familiar.

She had been here only once before, but the memory was indelibly etched into her mind.

It was the house she had visited right before Cesare left for the Kingdom of Kalpen. It was the last time she had tried to see him. Despite her desperate knocking, no sound or response had come from within...

As those vivid memories resurfaced, the courage she had mustered seemed to deflate instantly. It felt as though the door would remain shut once again, and even if she pleaded to speak with him, she feared he wouldn’t bother to refuse.

Eileen’s face paled slightly. The old wooden door creaked open, its rusty hinges protesting. Eileen stared blankly at the door, which she had thought would remain closed forever.

Cesare appeared, his expression unreadable as he stepped through the doorway. His eyes widened slightly in surprise at the sight of Eileen. It was clear he hadn’t expected her visit. However, a slight smile soon crept across his lips as he called her name.

"Eileen."

As he approached, his smile faded when he saw her face. Concern etched itself onto his brow.

"You’ve been crying?"

At that moment, the tears Eileen had barely managed to suppress surged back, spilling over once more.

***