[Buonaparte now belongs to that child. But I still have some power.]
At this subtle implication, Adele’s fists clenched.
Was this a test?
Noticing Adele’s tension, Eva continued writing.
[You don’t need to go that far. If you wish, I will acknowledge and accept you as a Buonaparte. I’ll give you more than what that child offers.]
“…..”
For a moment, Adele’s expressionless face, which had been giving only ‘correct’ answers, wavered.
From her words, Eva clearly seemed to know that Cesare had picked Adele up from the streets.
Yet she would accept someone like her as a member of the Buonaparte family?
‘…Ah.’
Adele suddenly realized something.
She had almost been deceived by Eva’s gentle impression, but this woman was the former head of the Buonaparte family. She wouldn’t make such crucial decisions out of mere sympathy.
Adele’s expressionless mask returned.
She had almost mistaken this for kindness.
“You want brother to marry Lucrezia. My presence would prevent that arrangement.”
“…..”
Eva’s golden eyes widened slightly.
‘As I thought, this is the correct answer.’
After hesitating, Eva moved her pen.
[I want that child to be loved. Lucrezia could make that happen.]
“Everyone in society already loves brother. Fate and the gods too.”
At those words, Eva showed the saddest expression Adele had seen yet.
[Of course, that child has everything. But do you think that’s true happiness?]
“…..”
[I want that child to be happy. That child hasn’t been very happy throughout life.]
Adele remained silent.
Eva, seemingly not noticing anything strange, continued writing.
[Do you know about my husband?]
“…I heard you were widowed.”
[My husband… Atticus and I had a good relationship. Until he passed away. Rowan and Katarina were the same. Those two were perfect for each other.]
“I see.”
[Cesare grew up watching that. So that child—]
“Our Madame Eva is quite curious, isn’t she?”
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side and snatched Eva’s notebook.
“Hmm.”
It was Cesare. He leisurely examined the notebook’s contents with dimpled cheeks, then smiled while furrowing his brows.
“It seems our Madame Eva was bored.”
Cesare. Eva’s mouth opened. Her face was full of surprise and joy.
Cesare tossed the notebook over his shoulder.
“May the goddess’s peace be with you, Madame Eva. Your hobby is still as unpleasant as ever.”
He said this while kissing Eva’s cheek.
Though it appeared to be an affectionate grandmother-grandson moment, there was a subtle coldness—more from Cesare’s side than Eva’s.
Adele glanced at the notebook that had fallen to the floor.
“While it’s nice to see you after so long, I have somewhere to go with Adele.”
Cesare, who had whispered sweetly and gently, pulled away from Eva.
Only then did Adele notice his clothing, unusually bound at the chest to hide his bandages.
Though the clothes tailored specifically for him wouldn’t struggle with buttons, his body lines were clear under the tightly pulled fabric.
No, why am I looking at such things…
Adele’s face hardened.
Seeing this, Cesare also raised one eyebrow indifferently.
“Stand up, Adelaide.”
“Yes.”
Adele, who hadn’t wanted to stay there anyway, quickly rose from her seat.
Eva gazed at both Adele and Cesare alternately with clear eyes.
She seemed to want to say something, but since Cesare had thrown away her notebook and pen, she couldn’t express anything.
“Madame Eva. Take care until we meet again.”
Cesare said with an endearing eye-smile.
“…..”
Eva’s lips quivered before she finally nodded.
After confirming this, Cesare extended his arm to Adele.
“Shall we go?”
“I should bid farewell to the Elder…”
“It’s fine since I’m the one taking you away.”
What an unfilial person.
But Adele also wanted to leave this place quickly. She gave Eva a respectful nod before linking arms with Cesare.
The clear-eyed elderly woman silently watched the two leave.
*** *** *** *** ***
As they exited the ‘Room of Stars,’ Gigi was waiting outside with Epony and Aegir. Just as Adele exchanged a glance with him, Cesare spoke.
“Why the face?”
“Sorry?”
“You look like you’ve heard something unpleasant.”
“…..”
Adele was slightly flustered by Cesare’s comment as he tapped his cheek with his fingers.
How did he know? Even her friend Clarice often complained that she couldn’t read Adele’s expressionless face.
“It’s nothing like that.”
“Then is it because of me?”
“…..”
It felt both wrong and right to deny it.
Cesare rummaged through his coat as if exasperated.
“You’re making it quite obvious you dislike me. Did you act like that in front of Madame Eva?”
“…I don’t think so.”
At least, not to that extent.
Cesare bit off the end of a cigar and asked.
“Well, whatever. Ignore whatever you heard. Our Madame Eva is just overly fond of her grandchildren.”
Gigi quickly lit the cigar with a small, square flint. The scent of almonds and chocolate filled the air. Even for Adele, who didn’t smoke, the aroma was sweet.
Perhaps it was to meet women who disliked the smell of cigars.
“What about the Madame’s proposal?”
“I declined.”
Through the smoke, his golden eyes curved slyly.
“Good.”
He began walking.
Still in an escorting posture, Adele thought he was leaving and tried to withdraw her arm.
But at that moment, Cesare grabbed her hand.
“Why?”
With a playful yet oddly mature smile—perhaps due to the cigar in his mouth—Cesare re-linked his arm with hers.
He patted the back of her hand as if soothing a child.
“Do you dislike being escorted by a scoundrel?”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?”
“Avoiding the question, I see.”
“I don’t dislike it.”
Cesare chuckled softly.
“I told you, I have somewhere to go.”
Ah, so it wasn’t just an excuse.
‘It’s not to meet nobles since my debut into society is still over two months away…’
She didn’t know where, but she hoped they’d return before the evening banquet.
Cesare noticed Adele’s expressionless face and raised an eyebrow with a smile.
“Aren’t you curious where we’re going?”
“I trust you’ll take me somewhere good.”
“Not curious. Not asking.”
“I fear I might offend you with an improper question.”
“And your interest?”
“…..”
Adele suddenly felt very tired.
Why had this lunatic been acting like this since that day?
‘I am his sister. His sister…’
After mentally reinforcing herself, Adele sighed softly and said.
“I’m very interested.”
Cesare smirked mischievously.
“Life must be hard for you.”
“…..”
What an insufferable bastard…
It seemed he took great pleasure in tormenting women who didn’t like him but had to pretend they did.
“Enough. We’re short on time, so let’s go. Ernst has prepared the carriage.”
Cesare tossed the barely smoked cigar to Gigi, who yelped in surprise as he caught it.
“Yes.”
“By now, shouldn’t you be asking where we’re going?”
“Where are we going?”
Cesare, feigning a wounded expression, soon smiled slyly, his golden eyes narrowing.
“To the place ladies most want to go with me.”
*** *** *** *** ***
Fornatti, the capital of Santenare.
The most splendid area with the highest cash flow was Bellastella Street.
Here, alongside Stellone Bank’s main branch, numerous luxury shops clustered together.
Jewelers, fashion boutiques, lace and fur specialists, shops selling handcrafted lace, and galleries selling expensive artwork.
It was always bustling with customers. In Santenare, merchants never delivered goods directly to noble estates. The narrow streets couldn’t accommodate multiple carriages.
Thus, driving a carriage through downtown Fornatti signified a family’s high status.
And now.
Adele was entering Bellastella Street in the four-horse carriage she’d only seen in newspapers.
‘To think I’d ever ride in this carriage.’
The Buonaparte’s four-horse carriage was ‘truly’ famous.
In Fornatti, where carriages were rarely used, there were no other carriages this expensive.
It was sturdily built with three-inch beech wood panels, sealed with a mixture of resin, sulfur oil, and lime, then covered with pine exterior boards.
The exterior gleamed with deep blue paint, while the interior cushions were covered in canary-colored brocatelle embroidered with golden coral patterns and stuffed with swan feathers.
This remarkable carriage cost 12,000 gold just for construction.
The Buonapartes went further, having it pulled by four glossy Destrier black horses.
Each horse cost about 9,000 gold.
Adele’s heart raced suddenly riding in a 48,000-gold transportation.
Meanwhile, Cesare leisurely gazed out the window, smoking his cigar.
Only Adele seemed worried about ash falling on the cushions.
As the glass-ceiling arcade of Bellastella Street came into view, Adele’s heart pounded with different expectations.
‘I’ve never been inside before.’
During her shoe-shining days, though nothing prevented her, she only watched the arcade from afar.
Now she was entering in a carriage. Quite nonchalantly at that.
It felt like a dream, though it might sound silly. Like entering a fairy tale fantasy world.
“You look pleased, but you’re not smiling.”
Cesare spoke then.
Adele looked at him, careful not to let her lips curl upward.
At her questioning gaze, Cesare smirked.
“You’re happy right now.”
“I’m not.”
“I don’t like lies. That answer fails even as a ‘sister’s’ response.”
Cesare answered leisurely.
“…..”
Feeling defeated, Adele deliberately maintained composure and turned to look outside.
“I don’t know how you can tell.”
“By your face.”
Usually people couldn’t tell.
“…It’s because it’s my first time. I’ll get used to it soon.”
At those words, Cesare laughed softly.
“Well. What’s wrong with liking it? Everyone does.”
The words somehow sounded cynical. Adele didn’t ask further.
The carriage was approaching the street’s center. Cesare, arms crossed, muttered while looking out the window.
“Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile.”
“There’s nothing to smile about.”
“You should smile more. You have a pretty face after all.”
“I’ll manage when necessary.”
“Is smiling such a grave matter?”
Cesare grinned cheerfully, squinting one eye.
Though it might seem odd to say about a man of his height and build, it was a refreshing smile with a boyish charm.
Yes, she had to admit. How could anyone resist when someone with such innate wild charm smiled so sweetly?
But his words were something only a noble, a man, could say.
“Being serious was better for survival.”
“But that’s not the case now.”
“…I’ll try.”
The carriage stopped. Without a coachman, Cesare reached for the door.
“Wait.”
At that moment, Adele unconsciously grabbed Cesare’s hand.
“…..”
Cesare’s eyes widened in surprise, then slowly turned to look at Adele.
Their eyes met. Beyond his smiling face, she saw both curiosity and wariness.
Adele quickly withdrew her hand.
“Just… wondering if your back is alright.”
“…..”
“The physician said you shouldn’t go out…”
Her voice grew increasingly quiet.
‘Shouldn’t have asked.’
She regretted it. Though she couldn’t help but worry since he was injured because of her, asking about it could be misinterpreted as personal interest.
This man seemed to be looking for women who wouldn’t like him, after all.
Cesare stared at Adele with strange eyes, and Adele finally mumbled quietly.
“It’s absolutely not ‘that’ kind of concern…”
After a long silence, Cesare finally spoke.
“…Well, looking at Madame Eva’s notebook, you did deny it quite vehemently. This is.”
He trailed off mid-sentence. Then unconsciously muttered to himself.
“…It’s actually starting to hurt my pride.”
Before Adele could respond, the door swung open.
Cesare jumped out of the carriage and extended his hand to Adele.
“Let’s go, Adelaide.”
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