Chapter 16
<I apologize for not being able to remain long at the gathering. I wish you a happy marriage, Grand Duchess Burnett. Please convey my regards to your father.>
After all that curiosity, the contents were so hollow and meaningless that Cecilia could only laugh in disbelief. With a careless flick of her hand, she tossed the letter into the trash.
“Your Grace, Lady Illina Nova has arrived.”
The news came shortly after. Illina Nova had accepted Cecilia’s offer with suspicious eagerness, and now, only a few days later, she had arrived at the townhouse.
As Cecilia rose from her seat, she unconsciously recalled the man’s sleeping face, so childlike as he slumbered. The man who dared occupy her bed like its rightful owner, despite being an uninvited guest.
“Move Lady Nova’s belongings to the room assigned to her, and escort her to the drawing room.”
It couldn’t be helped. As long as the fact that Illina Nova was Eden’s mistress in her past life didn’t change, this was necessary.
With that indifferent thought, Cecilia made her way to the drawing room. Unaware of Cecilia’s silent observation, Illina glanced around the room, wide-eyed.
In her gaze, Cecilia could see envy, longing, and greed—all thinly veiled. No matter how much Count Nova acted in place of Duke Rain, the wealth and influence he enjoyed had clear limits.
“Your Grace.”
The attendants bowed toward Cecilia. Only then did Illina snap to attention and rise to her feet.
“Illina Nova greets Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
Cecilia’s eyes swept over the all-too-familiar girl—wavy golden-blonde hair with a hint of light brown, and golden eyes that sparkled like sunlight. She wasn’t fully matured yet, but even now, Illina was beautiful enough to ensnare any man’s heart.
“It’s nice to meet you, Illina.”
At Cecilia’s greeting, Illina flushed, smiling shyly.
“How is your father doing?”
“Father is tending to Vester on behalf of His Grace the Duke.”
“I see. That’s good to hear. How is Vester?”
Illina blinked a few times, as though the question hadn’t occurred to her. She wasn’t being particularly thoughtful. She was sixteen, only recently come of age.
“It’s peaceful as always, thanks to Father’s dedication.”
What, exactly, was Count Nova so troubled over? Illina seemed unaware of the weight of her words.
“That’s a relief.”
There was little else Cecilia could say to such a cursory reply.
“Father told me that this is the greatest honor our house has ever received, and that I should serve Your Grace well.”
Illina’s eyes sparkled as she repeated her father’s words, fully aware of the honor bestowed upon her.
“I wouldn’t call it that grand.”
Cecilia replied, gazing blankly at the teacup before her. It was genuine. After all, her true intent was to bring down the Nova family.
“What I need from you is simple—help with basic tasks like letter writing or sorting invitations, just as other maids do.”
Still smiling, Cecilia outlined Illina’s duties. She noticed Illina’s faint frown, quickly masked, but not quickly enough.
Cecilia was glad she brought Illina here while she was still young. Illina had been clever when she’d served Cecilia before. Though she now struggled to hide her emotions, she would eventually learn to conceal her true thoughts—just as she had in the past.
“You won’t be receiving guests. We rarely have visitors.”
Even in her past life, Cecilia never truly knew Illina’s full nature. This time, she wouldn’t allow her near anyone of importance.
Illina wanted power. She yearned to meet those at the center of influence and use that proximity to build her presence.
“I may occasionally ask for help with other tasks, but I promise they won’t be difficult.”
She had no intention of giving Illina those opportunities—unless she was to be used.
“Of course, if you prove trustworthy, I might even let you handle the ledgers. I hate dealing with numbers.”
“I’ll do my best until Your Grace finds me worthy of trust.”
Illina replied, though her expression betrayed disappointment. Cecilia silently watched, recognizing the look of someone burdened with tasks beneath her perceived worth.
“If Your Grace has any particular houses or individuals you prioritize, I’ll keep them in mind.”
Illina then listed several noble houses—Duke Somerset, Marquis Clinton, and Duke Rain. Names that raised no eyebrows.
“And I assume we should also consider Count Oberon’s family?”
Cecilia’s hand paused on her teacup. Count Oberon—House of the Empress.
“We’re family now, after all, through Her Majesty.”
Illina nodded. It wasn’t incorrect. Yet House Oberon had no warmth toward Eden. While they had never openly opposed him, they had also consistently supported Damon, the Third Prince.
Eden, after all, was a Crown Prince loyalist.
“…Indeed.”
Cecilia replied calmly, tipping the cup to her lips. The warm tea cleared her mind. A sentence from the Empress’s letter surfaced.
<Please convey my regards to your father.>
As far as Cecilia knew, Curtis and the Empress were never close. After Cecilia married Eden, the Empress—mother of the Third Prince—stood in quiet opposition to House Rain.
“Your Grace.”
Being part of the Imperial family was less about kinship and more about confirming political alliances. That was why Cecilia scoffed inwardly at Illina invoking House Oberon.
And yet the Empress, of all people, had asked her to deliver regards to her father—a strained acquaintance, not a close one. It was strange.
Even if they once had a cordial relationship, it would have cooled. And they had never been close to begin with…
“Your Grace?”
Lady Monte called Cecilia again with a puzzled voice. Cecilia finally turned her head, surprised.
“His Grace has returned.”
Lady Monte informed her that Eden had returned from his outing.
“I see.”
Cecilia rose from her seat to greet him.
“May I greet him as well?”
Illina also stood, looking at Cecilia expectantly. Cecilia glanced first at Lady Monte, then at Illina. Now that Lady Monte had seen Illina’s beauty, her expression had clearly soured.
“You can come along, Illina. It’s good to familiarize yourself with his face.”
With that, Cecilia turned first, leading the way. Illina followed just behind her, ahead of the servants, walking in step.
“You’re back.”
As Eden stepped over the threshold, Cecilia greeted him. He turned his eyes toward her.
“I’ve returned, Cecilia.”
He approached her, and Cecilia looked up at him with a shy expression. Eden gave a brief smile in response. Illina quietly observed the couple.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. If you haven’t either, we can eat together.”
“I already ate while waiting for Illina.”
Illina? Eden’s expression shifted, unfamiliar with the name. Cecilia turned slightly toward where Illina stood.
“This is Lady Illina Nova, daughter of Count Nova. She became my lady-in-waiting today.”
At the introduction, Eden gave a quiet, “Ah,” recalling Cecilia’s mention of hiring Illina during their visit to the palace.
“It’s a pleasure, Lady Nova.”
“Please feel free to call me Illina, Your Grace.”
Illina gave a polite bow. Eden’s face remained expressionless as he looked at her.
“That would be too familiar.”
When he looked at Cecilia, Eden seemed like a young man basking in spring—but when he looked at Illina, he seemed like a man of late autumn, brittle and dry.
“Since we’re not close enough for familiarity, I’ll call you Lady Nova.”
His tone drew a clear line between them.
“Please forgive me if I overstepped, Your Grace.”
Illina bowed again, appearing flustered.
“….”
But as she slowly lifted her head, her cheeks were even more flushed than before. Her golden eyes sparkled like topaz, their glow unmistakably filled with longing and greed. It was impossible not to notice.
At that moment, Cecilia was certain of two things. First, Illina had desired Eden from the beginning—even in their past life.
“Your Grace, there’s something I’d like to speak with you about.”
And second, Illina would inevitably move exactly as Cecilia intended.
“Shall we speak elsewhere?”
“No. After you’ve had some rest.”
“Then I’ll come to your chambers shortly.”
Cecilia felt no guilt whatsoever toward Illina. Even if she wanted to slice her throat, even if such thoughts were passing through her mind at that very moment.
“Alright.”
Cecilia responded with a smile, then rose slightly on her toes and placed a light kiss on Eden’s cheek. A soft, damp sound accompanied the motion. It was a calculated act—performed for Illina to witness.
The servants, oblivious to the undercurrents, turned away with stifled grins. Their masters were so affectionate, not even bothering to hide it. How sweet, they thought.
“I’ll be waiting for you.”
Eden, caught off guard by the sudden kiss, still maintained a composed expression. With so many eyes watching, he kept his cool, knowing that showing surprise might embarrass Cecilia.
“The two of you seem very close.”
As they walked toward the bedchambers, Illina whispered from behind.
“His Grace is always kind and gentle with me. We’ve been engaged for a long time.”
“….”
“And now, we’re husband and wife.”
Cecilia responded with a soft smile, saying what Illina hadn’t expected to hear. Illina’s expression stiffened. The smooth silk of her cheeks twitched ever so slightly.
Cecilia’s face turned cold and unreadable.
Of course. You want that man. Don’t you?
