Chapter 24
“There’s nothing between your maid and me.”
Cecilia, gazing at herself through the vanity mirror, thought of the man who had spent the night in her chambers—only to eventually fall asleep alone.
He had gone so far as to directly deny any connection with Illina. It seemed he truly had no interest in her. And yet… why did he keep Illina close?
“I’ll twist your hair up like this.”
Lady Monte spoke as she skillfully pinned Cecilia’s neatly brushed hair. Cecilia nodded absentmindedly.
“Your Grace, wouldn’t a more elaborate dress be better…”
Once her hair was done, Abby—who had been adjusting Cecilia’s accessories and straightening her gown—voiced her concern, clearly dissatisfied. Cecilia wore a simple dress, adorned only with a modest necklace and earrings.
“This isn’t an official outing. It’s just a dinner.”
“I know, but still…”
Lady Monte elbowed Abby’s side, silencing her. She had already spoken with Cecilia about this and saw no point in pressing the issue again.
“Your Grace, dinner is ready.”
A voice called from beyond the door. Cecilia ended the conversation there and stepped outside.
“My father always said His Grace the Grand Duke is truly remarkable.”
The hallway had been quiet, but as Cecilia neared the dining room, an exaggerated voice began to carry—it was Illina.
“Ever since then, I’ve been interested in banking and accounting…”
“I must be late. I apologize, Your Grace.”
Cecilia’s voice cut cleanly through Illina’s words. Illina immediately stood, and Eden, who had been listening, looked up.
“Sit here, Cecilia.”
Eden rose naturally and seated her beside him. As Cecilia took her place, Illina cast a leisurely glance over her modest attire and smiled serenely.
“Your dress is lovely, Illina.”
“It’s a birthday gift from my father—I treasure it dearly. I wanted to wear it tonight, since I’m with such esteemed company.”
Cecilia’s compliment was met with Illina’s demure explanation, and though Cecilia could read right through her, she smiled like a gracious hostess.
“It suits you well, Illina. Don’t you think so, Your Grace?”
Cecilia turned to Eden. He set down his glass, having just taken a sip, and glanced at Illina.
“It suits her.”
He replied curtly. Illina smiled sweetly at the compliment, while Cecilia, still composed, quietly clenched the napkin in her lap.
Look at them.
She had thought she could tolerate watching them flirt right in front of her—but now that it was happening, her insides twisted. She nearly spat out the piece of meat in her mouth.
“Well, I imagine both of you were surprised that I arranged this dinner so suddenly.”
Despite her irritation, Cecilia’s face remained calm. She spoke gently, swirling her wine glass in slow circles.
“With His Grace’s birthday banquet approaching, I wanted to ask if there are any families we should give special consideration to.”
“You can handle it however you see fit, Cecilia.”
“Then I’ll focus on families allied with you, Your Grace.”
At that, Eden let out a short sigh.
“If that’s the case, Lady Nova already asked me about it. Didn’t she inform you?”
Illina, who had been gazing at Eden with shining eyes, flinched.
“I hadn’t heard a thing.”
Cecilia took a sip of her wine, watching Illina’s reaction. Illina, now glancing at her nervously, offered a careful excuse.
“I didn’t want to trouble Your Grace with the details, so I thought I’d consult His Grace directly and bring him a prepared list…”
It was laughable. A transparent excuse to avoid mistakes or hassle—yet Cecilia knew Illina had been visiting Eden’s study with disturbing frequency. Clearly, Illina thought Cecilia was an easy mark.
“I wasn’t thinking clearly. I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
With her head bowed, Illina looked pitiful. Like a mistress playing the victim, scolded by the wife.
“You weren’t thinking clearly, indeed.”
Cecilia murmured, lifting her glass again. On any other day, she might’ve said, It’s fine, but this time, she subtly rebuked her.
“I meant to tell you yesterday, but with what happened… I was too shaken.”
Illina subtly invoked Lady Monte’s mistake, clearly trying to provoke Cecilia. Cecilia gave a short laugh.
“That was unfortunate. Lady Monte isn’t well-versed in reading—she made an honest mistake.”
It was her responsibility to apologize. Nobles were expected to accept their servant’s mistakes as their own.
“But when we visit Laner Island, I’ll leave Lady Monte here, so you’re not inconvenienced. I hope you understand.”
Still, Cecilia didn’t miss the opportunity to address Illina’s tactless comment—and make her point.
“It’s fine. His Grace already apologized to me.”
Illina replied shamelessly, pretending not to understand.
“His Grace likely stepped in to resolve it quickly, to avoid harm coming to Lady Monte.”
Cecilia turned to Eden with a look of heartfelt gratitude. Eden smiled gently.
“She’s someone you cherish like family.”
With that, he gently took her wine glass. It was her third.
“Your face is red. You should stop drinking.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’ll regret it tomorrow if you don’t.”
Eden gently coaxed the pouting Cecilia.
“If you want to drink more, let’s do it comfortably—in the bedroom, just the two of us.”
A flicker of envy crossed Illina’s face. The bedroom—that was a place she could never dare to intrude upon.
“Lady Nova.”
“Yes?”
“We’ve discussed everything about the banquet. You may take your leave after dinner. We’ll excuse ourselves first.”
Eden helped Cecilia to her feet, signaling the end of their shared meal.
“Ah!”
Cecilia stumbled, feigning tipsiness, and leaned against his chest. Eden caught her in his arms, steadying her.
“Careful. Lean on me.”
Cecilia felt Illina’s gaze land on Eden’s chest, where she rested, and on the firm arm wrapped around her waist.
A laugh escaped her before she could help it. Impulsively, she reached up, cupping Eden’s jaw, and pulled him down. Her lips brushed his—soft and deliberate.
“Ah…”
While the other servants tactfully ignored the scene, Illina let out an audible gasp, startled. A few seconds later, Eden calmly drew back, lifting Cecilia into his arms as if she’d lost all strength.
Without a word to Illina, Eden turned away. In his embrace, Cecilia narrowed her eyes, gazing over his solid shoulder.
“I’m fine, Your Grace…”
Illina watched Eden’s retreating back with a hollow expression. It was laughable—as if Cecilia were the one coveting someone else’s man.
“Oh my.”
Lady Monte’s eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Cecilia being carried across the threshold of the bedchamber.
“Help her change into something more comfortable—”
Eden was about to give instructions, but Cecilia clung tightly to his sleeve, refusing to let go.
“You said we’d share another drink in the bedroom.”
“You can barely stand.”
“Are you leaving?”
Cecilia clung to him, and Eden sighed softly.
“I’ll stay.”
She had no intention of letting him leave her chambers tonight. A man who spent the night in his wife’s bedroom, not appearing until morning? It was clear what rumors that would spark.
And Illina—burning with insecurity, trembling with frustration at being unable to have the man Cecilia possessed. It was petty, but Cecilia wanted to strike that nerve.
“Everyone out. Wait outside.”
At Eden’s order, Lady Monte bowed and exited quietly. Eden sat on the edge of the bed, his sleeve still held tight in Cecilia’s grasp, and silently gazed down at her.
Cecilia resisted the urge to let go and turn away. Enduring Eden’s silent gaze was far more difficult than she’d expected.
“Why did you drink so much when you can’t even handle it?”
Eden finally asked. Cecilia blinked slowly. She wasn’t actually drunk—just moving slowly on purpose, and the reaction had come naturally.
“Do you like Illina?”
Cecilia’s blunt question made Eden frown.
“No.”
The answer came instantly, as if the mere need to say it irritated him.
“Then why are you so kind to her? Why are you always so gentle…”
But her quiet, childlike whimper dissolved his irritation. Eden gave a faint laugh.
“You were upset because I said there’s nothing between us?”
“Did it hurt your feelings?”
Eden gently stroked her face, his hand soft and soothing, like Lady Monte’s.
“I was just curious—how far your maid would go if left alone.”
“…”
“If you don’t like it, I won’t entertain it any further.”
He murmured. Cecilia nodded quietly.
“I’m sleepy now.”
“…”
“I want to fall asleep in your arms.”
Eden froze, looking down at her, unsure if he had heard correctly. But Cecilia pulled him down onto the bed, clinging to him.
While Eden blinked in stunned silence, Cecilia slowly crawled into his embrace, resting her head on his arm and closing her eyes.
“…”
Caught off guard, Eden did not push her away. The faint scent of wine and Cecilia’s unique fragrance lingered in her breath—stirring something within him, just like that night.
He reached out and brushed aside the hair that had fallen over her face. Strangely, the hand that touched his own wife trembled—ever so slightly.
