Chapter 28
Early morning. Cecilia awoke in the arms of a man whose presence was not unfamiliar, yet far from comfortable.
“…Eden?”
She had only dozed off briefly at her desk, but now found herself in bed, wrapped in Eden’s embrace. Clearly, he had carried her.
Carefully, Cecilia tried to twist away from him, conscious of his arms loosely but securely holding her. It might have been fine while he was asleep, but she had no desire to remain so close once he was awake.
“Cecilia?”
Her movement must have roused him, for Eden called her name in a low, drowsy voice.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. Please, go back to sleep.”
As she spoke, attempting to shift away, his arm tightened around her waist once again.
“Rest a little more.”
It felt more awkward to struggle. Cecilia let her body relax and lay back down on her side. The warmth and firmness of Eden’s embrace felt just as she remembered.
Is His Majesty truly that busy?
Once, she had longed for this—for his embrace. The messengers she’d sent had always returned with vague excuses. She had often fallen asleep alone in this large bed.
Back then, she missed him so dearly. His embrace would have been proof that his love hadn’t changed. She had waited desperately for something that never came.
“Cecilia.”
Just thinking about those times brought a subtle ache.
“Yes?”
Lost in thought, Cecilia flinched when Eden suddenly called her, her body trembling slightly.
“Is there anything you want to do once we return to the estate?”
She didn’t answer right away and pondered for a moment.
“Well, I need to prepare for Your Grace’s birthday banquet, and I suppose it would be good to spend some time with Countess Casper.”
At her response, Eden exhaled deeply. She felt the soft breath against her neck where his face was resting and instinctively pulled back slightly.
“Not things like that—something you want to do.”
In this life, she had nothing to look forward to—no hope except for petty revenge. Swallowing down the words she couldn’t say, Cecilia came up with a safer answer.
“Well… I heard there’s a new opera being performed.”
It wasn’t a complete lie. She had always held some interest in opera.
“Is there anything you want?”
“Why are you asking that?”
His persistent questions prompted her to turn her head toward him, her voice edged with curiosity.
In her previous life, Eden had never asked such things. He would simply send gifts through Enon, and she would accept them gladly if they suited her tastes.
“I thought it’d be nice to spend time together. Siena suggested it, too.”
It was strange for him to now seek out her preferences so attentively.
“Let’s go see the opera together when we return.”
“….”
“And while we’re out, you can buy whatever you’d like.”
Eden whispered gently, enclosing her small hand in his. His fingers moved softly, filled with affection. Truly, the Eden of now was an unfamiliar man.
“…If Your Grace has the time.”
A man she didn’t want to grow accustomed to.
The short three-day trip ended without anything particularly notable aside from exploring the island and walking along the beach with Eden. Cecilia and Eden soon returned to their daily lives.
The time when Illina had been under everyone’s scrutiny had passed, and finally, Eden’s birthday arrived.
“Are fresh flowers prepared at each table?”
“Yes, Your Grace. All thirty families invited have their own arrangements.”
At Cecilia’s question, Head Maid Loren responded promptly.
“As expected, Loren. You’re dependable.”
“You honor me, Your Grace.”
Though she was long used to her role, Loren still smiled at the praise. Cecilia lightly patted her arm and moved on—there was much to confirm now that she was officially the lady of the house.
Cecilia moved through the estate, checking the landscaping of the gardens, decorations in the hall, and food preparations—everything inside and out.
The time drew near for the invited families to arrive, their invitations already in hand. Overseeing the household’s events was a testament to Cecilia’s capability.
“Illina, you sent out the invitations to all families?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Not a single one missed?”
“I sent them exactly as per the list I compiled and showed you.”
Illina answered confidently, nodding repeatedly.
“You’ve saved me a lot of trouble. Thank you.”
With that, Cecilia turned from her.
“Your Grace, it’s nearly time.”
“Make sure everyone is ready to greet the guests.”
At her command, the servants lined up at the entrance. Though there was still time before the banquet officially began, the first carriage to pass through the open gates belonged to the House of Duke Rain.
“Father!”
Just as Cecilia was about to head inside, she saw Curtis’s carriage and stopped. Stepping down from the carriage with a footman’s help, Curtis smiled as he spotted her.
“Cecilia.”
She approached and embraced him warmly. Pleased by his daughter’s welcome, Curtis looked content.
“Thank you for coming.”
“That’s only natural.”
Curtis gave his daughter a light pat on the back, as if to say empty formalities were unnecessary.
“I greet the Duke of Rain. I am Illina Nova, eldest daughter of the House of Count Nova.”
“It’s been a while, Miss Nova. I heard you’ve become Cecilia’s maid, and it’s nice to see you here in person.”
Curtis accepted Illina’s greeting with a pleasant smile. She was the daughter of a loyal vassal. While her dress seemed a bit excessive, there was no reason to dislike her beyond that.
“Please continue to take good care of Cecilia.”
“That’s my duty, Your Grace.”
Illina responded with a graceful smile, as if she were the most elegant lady in the world.
“Illina, would you bring us some tea?”
At Cecilia’s request, Illina nodded obediently and headed into the manor ahead of them.
Soon, Cecilia and Curtis moved to the drawing room. Normally, as a guest, Curtis would have gone directly to the guest wing, but no one would dare criticize the lady of the house for escorting her father into the main building.
“I was hoping to discuss something with you, Father.”
“I heard your maid stopped by recently. Was that the reason?”
Curtis asked, curious if that had been her intent. Cecilia shook her head with a gentle smile.
“No, I just had something to ask Charles at the time.”
Cecilia answered as she took a seat on the drawing room sofa.
“What was it?”
“I was wondering if you correspond with Her Majesty the Empress.”
Curtis looked at her, puzzled by the question.
“I recently visited the imperial palace to pay my respects, and Her Majesty sent me a personal letter afterward. In it, she asked how you’ve been.”
Cecilia couldn’t recall any notable interactions between Curtis and Count Oberon since her engagement to Eden.
“What reason would I have to correspond with Her Majesty?”
Curtis answered with a neutral expression, patting his chest where his jacket rested. Yet, at the same time, his tightly held jaw twitched ever so slightly.
“…Of course.”
Cecilia responded calmly, casting a brief glance at the pocket of Curtis’s jacket.
“So, what was it you wanted to discuss?”
Curtis smoothly changed the subject, and Cecilia also shifted her focus without hesitation.
“Oh. It’s about Laner Island.”
“Laner Island?”
“I’ve been considering shifting the island’s main source of revenue to tourism, led by the House of Rain.”
Cecilia nodded and explained the situation—how one of her maids, Alice, was from Laner Island, and how the Crown Prince had made a personal request.
“Why tourism?”
“Because it’s geographically close to Wyatt, and the entire island is surrounded by beaches. Especially on the eastern shore, the soft sand seems perfect for leisure.”
Cecilia absentmindedly touched her wedding ring as she answered.
“I was thinking we could build lodging facilities and promote tourism. If we employ the island’s residents, it could stimulate the local economy and increase outside interest.”
Curtis looked at her, somewhat surprised. His daughter was clever—he had raised her well, preparing her to lead the family someday.
Still, he hadn’t expected Cecilia to be this perceptive when it came to business and politics. In his memory, she had never shown interest in such matters.
“That sounds promising.”
Curtis readily gave his approval. A soft glow returned to Cecilia’s face.
“I’m surprised you have a maid from Laner Island. There aren’t many of them here in the capital.”
“It was a coincidence.”
Cecilia replied from the plush sofa, feigning innocence. Of course, it was no coincidence—she couldn’t exactly tell him she had sought out a maid from Laner Island to prevent future tragedy, now that she was living a second life.
“If we guarantee the islanders’ safety and employment while promoting tourism, we can also pursue real estate and hotel ventures.”
“It’s profit all around.”
Fame and wealth alike. Curtis nodded in agreement.
“But please process the investment through His Grace’s investment bank. Consider it the value of the plan I’ve provided.”
“You’re already putting your husband first.”
Curtis chuckled softly. It wasn’t a reprimand but a father’s pride at seeing his daughter now a wife, tending to her household.
They had been speaking for some time when Cecilia realized Illina had yet to return and turned to Abby.
“Abby. Where did Illina go?”
“She said she was going to get the tea…”
Evie blinked her large eyes, uncertain. Illina had insisted on preparing the tea herself because the guest was important.
“Shall I go find Miss Nova?”
“No need. It’s about time we moved to the guest wing anyway.”
Curtis shook his head and waved off the suggestion. Arriving ten minutes early was standard courtesy. Though Curtis had come earlier than that, some time had already passed while he spoke with Cecilia.
“You come with His Grace the Grand Duke.”
“I will. Please go ahead and take your seat.”
Cecilia saw Curtis off, and as she was about to send a servant to summon Eden from the study, Head Maid Loren came rushing toward her.
“Is something wrong in the banquet hall?”
Loren was not one to act hastily, so her sudden approach unsettled Cecilia. At the question, Loren caught her breath and spoke.
“Marquis Clinton and Duke Somerset’s families haven’t arrived.”
“That can’t be. Are you sure?”
“Only their tables remain empty, and there are no carriages waiting to enter.”
Cecilia turned toward the door, disbelief on her face. At some point, Illina had returned and was standing nearby, her face pale and trembling.
