Chapter 42
“Your Highness, where did you go at this hour?”
Evie looked at Cecilia with a flustered expression after returning with warm water, only to find the bedroom empty.
“I stepped out briefly to see His Grace, the Grand Duke.”
“His Grace?”
Evie repeated, looking puzzled.
“A guest came late at night. I wondered if something had happened.”
At Cecilia’s explanation, Evie nodded in understanding. It wasn’t her place to question where her mistress had gone.
“Will you be retiring for the night now?”
“Yes. You may go.”
Cecilia dismissed her with a kind tone. Evie turned off the lamp and quietly left the room. Cecilia lay beneath the covers, eyes closed atop the bed.
Of course, she didn’t fall asleep right away. Her mind was busy retracing the events that had just unfolded.
“……”
It was then that she heard a faint sound. Cecilia opened her eyes and looked toward the direction from which a silent guest had entered.
“…Who is it?”
The room was dark, and she couldn’t immediately tell who had come in. With a cautious tone, she asked for the visitor’s identity.
“It’s me, Cecilia.”
“Your Highness?”
It was Eden. Apparently, he had meant it when he said he’d speak with Ennon a while longer.
“You didn’t go straight to sleep.”
Cecilia sat up in bed. Her voice, feigning concern, made Eden smile faintly as he approached.
“I didn’t want you to feel hurt hearing about it later.”
His voice was gentle.
“Hearing about what?”
Bathed in soft moonlight, Eden’s figure became faintly visible as he came closer. Cecilia reached for the corner of the blanket as if to get up.
But Eden gently stopped her with a soft touch, then sat on the edge of the bed, meeting her gaze at eye level.
“I’ll be meeting His Majesty tomorrow, and if possible, I plan to depart for the island right afterward. I might have to leave without even saying goodbye.”
He spoke as though it were a foregone conclusion, even though it wasn’t certain whether the Emperor would meet him so soon or grant him the authority of proxy. Strangely, Cecilia didn’t question it either—because she believed in him.
“I suppose I won’t be seeing you for a while.”
It was a contradictory statement coming from someone who trusted him the least, but that trust was born of certainty. She had no doubts Eden would accomplish his goal.
Even in her previous life, after Aster’s death, it had been Eden who finalized the peace treaty with Venia. Unless his head had suddenly gone flying off, nothing should go wrong this time either.
“It should take about a week.”
Thus, Cecilia believed she had maneuvered Eden in the direction she wanted. Though she hadn’t directly handled everything herself, which was slightly disappointing.
“That’s quite a while.”
When Cecilia spoke with a hint of regret, Eden chuckled softly.
“Will you miss me?”
“You’re stating the obvious.”
Her words contained not a trace of sincerity, but they flowed so naturally that no hint of pretense could be detected.
“In that case… shall I stay here tonight?”
Eden asked. Cecilia quietly gazed at his beautiful face, dimly illuminated beneath the waning moonlight.
“If Your Highness is truly disheartened by the thought of not seeing me for some time…”
She left the decision to him. Rather than answering, Eden simply lay beside his aloof wife, naturally offering her his arm.
“……”
Their eyes met in the dark. His warm, blue gaze held only tenderness.
“Will you be back before the ball?”
There were moments when his kindness and affection felt ambiguous. It would be a lie to say she hadn’t wondered during those times.
“I have to return by then. I can’t let you make your entrance without a partner.”
Still, Eden maintained his composure and sense of propriety. And so, Cecilia refrained from making assumptions about his feelings.
“I actually wanted to show you my dress first when it’s finished… It’s a bit disappointing that I won’t get to.”
Yet whenever those uncertain moments came, she strangely found herself wanting to throw out a lure—to see if she could glimpse his heart.
He knew that Eden’s affection would become the most powerful weapon she could wield—and the shield that would protect her.
As expected, Eden departed for the island immediately after speaking with the Emperor. On the third day after his departure, Cecilia invited a guest to her home.
“Your Highness, Countess Casper has arrived.”
“Please show her in.”
Cecilia gave the servant a calm order. Only after checking her appearance once more in the mirror did she head to the drawing room.
“Your Grace, the Grand Duchess.”
When the drawing room door opened, Countess Casper, who had already been seated by a servant’s guidance, stood and offered a graceful bow.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“I’m pleased to see you too, Countess Casper. I apologize for the delayed invitation.”
“Oh, please don’t feel that way.”
Countess Casper quickly dismissed the apology. She was someone who knew exactly how to act when Cecilia’s position was clear.
“Thank you for saying so.”
Cecilia smiled graciously. At that moment, a maid brought in tea and a simple assortment of refreshments.
“I’ve heard about you. Given that you were once His Highness’s wet nurse, I thought I should greet you at least once.”
“You honor me greatly.”
Though it had been the former Empress Janet who had given birth to Eden, it was Countess Casper who had raised him. In that sense, she had played a mother’s role in Eden’s life. It was precisely why Cecilia had trusted her and kept her close in her previous life.
“For me, it’s enough just to see His Grace and Your Grace living happily.”
Countess Casper responded with a face full of humble gratitude. Perhaps because Cecilia knew the woman wanted far more than just that, her expression felt a bit amusing.
“By the way… His Grace is…?”
“Oh, he had business to attend to…”
Countess Casper tilted her head with a puzzled expression. Cecilia, feigning hesitation, furrowed her brow deliberately before smoothing it again.
“I’m not sure if I should say this, but His Grace holds you in such high regard, I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Of course. I, Maria Casper, swear my loyalty to both of you.”
Sensing something intriguing, Countess Casper eagerly encouraged Cecilia to continue.
“He’s gone to Laner Island. There’s a business venture he’s pursuing.”
“A business venture…?”
Countess Casper leaned in slightly as she asked, showing interest.
“He’s been planning to develop Laner Island in partnership with House Rain.”
Cecilia chose to reveal the truth to maintain Countess Casper’s expectations.
“However, there have been ongoing issues with the Venian navy, so I’m not sure how it will turn out. He left recently to resolve that matter.”
Of course, a little falsehood was mixed in. Upon hearing this, Countess Casper let out a sigh, as if disheartened.
“It’s troubling… Why would he undertake something so dangerous? I’m quite worried that he insisted on going.”
“That’s why I called for you.”
Cecilia gave a faint smile.
“It’s a little embarrassing, but I felt you’d understand.”
Countess Casper looked at Cecilia fondly, as if admiring something endearing.
“Of course, when a husband goes to a dangerous place, it’s natural to feel anxious. But His Grace will return safely, so you needn’t worry.”
She offered words of comfort, claiming to deeply understand Cecilia’s anxious heart.
“I just wish he had taken interest in a different investment. I keep thinking that.”
Countess Casper simply nodded along. Laner Island had long been neglected, treated as though it didn’t exist, and she knew little about it—so she had nothing to say.
Besides, the project was already underway. There would be no scraps left for her to claim.
“This has been a dull conversation. Has there been anything noteworthy in your household?”
At Cecilia’s question, Countess Casper nodded.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Cecilia’s response, however, lacked sincerity. Having hoped for some business-related opportunity and being disappointed, she hadn’t quite recovered her composure.
“Lately, I’ve heard that some among the cadet branches have become obsessed with gambling—card games and such. It’s been troubling.”
At that, Countess Casper flinched and sat upright. Cecilia watched her with a soft smile, noting her obvious discomfort.
“Y-yes, I’ve heard similar things.”
Around this time, gambling and card games were sweeping through the nobility. Nobles and commoners alike crowded into cramped buildings, playing with such fervor it seemed they’d lose their very wrists.
At first, it had seemed like harmless entertainment, but the gambling rings involving nobles grew larger. With significant sums being exchanged, lower-ranking nobles were said to have ruined themselves financially.
“Did Your Grace hear about this as well?”
Count Casper’s family was one such example. For now, they were desperately trying to hide it, so the rumors hadn’t yet spread beyond their estate’s walls. But in time, it would be exposed.
“Yes. His Grace said it’s become a serious issue. His Majesty the Emperor is also deeply concerned.”
Cecilia took a sip of tea as she spoke. The fragrant aroma should have been calming, yet Countess Casper sat stiffly, her expression awkward.
“Well, surely they wouldn’t go so far as to strip someone of their title.”
Cecilia said it lightly, as though the matter wouldn’t concern Countess Casper personally.
“Strip them of their title?”
“Apparently, His Majesty can no longer tolerate nobles who lose their dignity—selling off their lands due to gambling and such.”
Countess Casper’s face turned pale. Despite the debt, her husband—Count Casper—believed he could reverse their fortunes by doubling down. He had even considered selling their estate piece by piece.
“Even if someone could stop gambling now, those who’ve already sold their land and honor can’t be looked upon kindly.”
Cecilia spoke with a pleasant smile. Countess Casper, now visibly uneasy, began nervously picking at the skin beside her nails.
