“Can’t you handle even such a simple thing properly? There must be several ways to deal with this – whether it’s crushing them in a battle of wills or winning their favor with flattery. I even taught you these things. You’re good at begging when you put aside your pride, aren’t you? So why can’t you act as usual and avoid causing this trouble…?”
Cesare’s voice, as he bent over looking at Adele like an insect he was stepping on, rang clearly in Adele’s ears.
To be clear, this situation had little to do with Madame Flavia’s harassment.
Even without Madame Flavia’s strict orders, an after-meal walk was part of a noble’s daily routine.
This man knows that.
Cesare was simply irritated.
Because he couldn’t showcase Adele when he wanted, at the time he wanted, as he had planned.
Because he got involved in a power struggle between two women.
“…I”
Adele killed something rising within her heart several times.
“…I’m sorry. It’s my fault.”
“It’s good that you understand.”
The sound of shoes leaving accompanied a voice that stimulated both composure and sensuality. As he straightened up, the shadow that had loomed over Adele as if to devour her disappeared.
Adele stared at her feet, just her feet, in the lingering pain like residual heat.
Her feet were covered in wounds, with pus oozing out again.
Realizing this, Cesare lightly touched her foot with the tip of his shoe.
“Make sure to treat it.”
“……”
“Save the getting wet for when you’re in front of Ezra.”
At that moment, when her eyes were about to burst with heat and her chest heaved, Epony rushed into the reception room.
“Young master!”
The maid, who had never been seen running or raising her voice, did both simultaneously as she blocked Cesare’s path.
“Young master! The young lady is…”
“We’ll take a break from lessons for three days.”
Cesare turned around sternly.
*** *** *** *** ***
Meanwhile, while Cesare was carrying Adele, there was a commotion in a corner of the garden that they were unaware of.
It was the ladies of Fornatti, whom Cesare had instructed through his aide to ‘guide to the outer palace’.
Cesare’s aide, Gigi, tried to guide them to the outer palace as ordered, but the weather was too nice for that.
The ladies agreed to stay in the garden a bit longer and headed to another garden to avoid the foolish Lord Henry and his party who didn’t know the time and place.
That’s when they saw Cesare preciously carrying someone in his arms towards the inner palace.
“Oh my, oh my, oh my! Oh my!”
The lady who first spotted this scene screamed.
Soon, they all saw Cesare and a barefoot woman buried in Cesare’s coat, with only her white, thin legs like candles exposed.
“What’s going on? Could it be… really… Duke Cesare’s, well, lover, or…!”
“But she’s barefoot! Duke Cesare never dealt with anyone who wasn’t a lady!”
“Has his taste changed?”
“Whatever it is, it’s not a normal relationship… Wait a minute. Did Duke Cesare just pat that woman?”
“Oh my…”
The ladies were too busy watching the scene to remember to cover their mouths with their fans.
It was that surprising.
Cesare never had a specific lover. He didn’t stop women who came to him, nor did he hold onto those who left.
He treated every lady like a queen, but at the same time, it was clearly felt that he viewed all ladies merely as bedmates.
Moreover, he had never shown such an affectionate gesture to his own partner.
“This can’t be… Who on earth is that?”
“I should have gone to see!”
Just then, gentlemen began to emerge one by one from the pine tree garden.
“What on earth happened in the garden? Who is that lady?”
One of the ladies asked Lord Henry Fetch, who was at the forefront, but he irritably exclaimed.
“Nothing happened!”
The others were the same. The men dispersed with uncomfortable expressions. No one would say what had happened inside the pine tree garden.
At that moment, Lady Genevieve Malatesta, who had been watching the scene, abruptly stood up from her seat.
“Larks of Fornatier! I’m afraid Genevieve must return home as she’s not feeling well!”
The ladies widened their eyes at the sudden announcement, but soon smiled ambiguously as if they understood.
“I see, Lady Genevieve. Take care.”
“May the sea goddess be with you all!”
Genevieve barely acknowledged their farewells as she made her way to the main gate of Buonaparte. She urged her servant to bring out the carriage, then hurried the coachman as well.
“Quickly! To home as fast as possible!”
Upon arriving at the Malatesta mansion, Genevieve rushed to her room, her legs moving swiftly under her dress.
As soon as the door closed behind her, she hastily opened her bureau and took out rose-colored stationery.
The feathered pen repeatedly dipped into the inkwell. A few drops of black ink splattered onto the letter paper, but Genevieve, with an excited expression, was busy scribbling with the pen.
| To Lady Lucrezia Della Valle, Autumn in Fornatier is in full bloom. The sea shines like clear oil, and the Lacrima River flows eternally as always. Happily, time has also flowed, and the day when your penance ends and we can share joy again is just around the corner. However, shockingly, Genevieve cannot help but inform you that a dark cloud has cast over this future. You must already be aware that the envoy from Orquenina is staying at the Buonaparte Palace, right? Genevieve was invited to interact with them. But… Amazingly, Genevieve witnessed Duke Cesare Buonaparte heading to the inner palace, holding an unknown woman dearly in his arms. What on earth is happening? Although Duke Cesare, who is so wise, fails to recognize the value of a lady and overlooks Lady Lucrezia, Genevieve always thought it was merely a whim. But the inner palace? None of those who had brief and fleeting encounters with Duke Cesare were ever invited to the inner palace. How much more does Duke Cesare intend to tear apart my friend’s heart before he is satisfied? Ah! The thought of tears welling up on your pearly cheeks makes my heart feel like it’s being torn apart. I wish it were my lungs and heart that were on fire instead. Genevieve wishes to meet you soon to console your sorrow. Also, perhaps this time we will find out which unchaste lady has seduced Duke Cesare. I look forward to the day we meet again. Sending a comforting hug, Your friend, Genevieve. |
Having dashed off the letter in one swift stroke, Genevieve admired her eloquent writing as she flung open the door.
“Take this letter to the Della Valle house! As quickly as possible!”
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