Chapter 47

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Another Method
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The Grand Duke's knights had long held Baron and Baroness Elorde in contempt.

To say nothing of Baron Elorde, who was steeped in drink, gambling, and women, they weren't fond of Baroness Elorde, Cesare's wet nurse, either.

She took immense pride in being Cesare's wet nurse. The knights had seen her type often enough.

People who couldn't find fulfillment on their own and instead sought self-worth through Cesare. The kind who treated the glory he had built as their own achievement.

There had been countless others like her before, so at first, they paid her no mind. But after meeting her daughter and growing fond of Aileen, they gradually started paying attention to Baroness Elorde.

The Baroness couldn't stand the fact that her own daughter was more beloved by Cesare than she was. Eventually, she reached the point of envying her young child.

Cesare, too, noticed the Baroness's strange behavior. Around that time, Baron Elorde began to argue frequently with his wife, leading Cesare to conclude that the Elordes could not be good parents.

To protect Aileen from her parents, Cesare and his knights deliberated over various options. One of which was having Aileen adopted by another noble family. But Aileen wasn't the type of person who could abandon her family.

If they were to forcibly separate them, Aileen would break as well.

Thus, Cesare chose the most moderate approach: enrolling Aileen in a university in a distant land.

Aileen had been interested in plants since she was a child. Though young, she possessed enough knowledge to study at a university.

Cesare mentioned the university to Aileen, naturally guiding her to take an interest.

Aileen became completely captivated by the idea of a place called a university, where she could freely study all kinds of plants and learn about their medicinal properties. However, she hesitated, worried about the tuition and her age.

As Aileen was about to give up, Cesare encouraged her to apply, telling her about a scholarship program. He instilled sweet hope in her, explaining that while students usually enrolled around the age of majority, early admission was possible for those with sufficient knowledge.

Aileen was the type to believe the Prince even if he called a stone gold. She diligently wrote her personal statement and study plan as he instructed. To that, Cesare simply lent his support by writing a letter of recommendation... or so Aileen believed.

She was unaware that Cesare had already pressured the university with a hefty donation, securing her a spot and a special scholarship.

Once enrolled, Aileen was happy. At first, she struggled with the unfamiliar classes, but with her diligent attitude and sharp mind, she quickly absorbed the knowledge.

Her grades skyrocketed, and once they reached the top, they never once fell. He had known she would do well, but not *this* well; he was surprised every time he received her report card in the mail.

Even the professors, who had been forced to accept a student because of the Prince, were initially reluctant but were soon won over by her dazzling intellect and grew to cherish her. It even reached the point where the botany and pharmacology professors would fight over who would get Aileen in their lab.

Perhaps Aileen would have worked in a lab and gone on to become a professor herself. That is, if her family hadn't fallen into ruin.

Baron Elorde finally drove his family to ruin, and the Baroness sent Aileen a long letter. The letter, begging her to return, was filled with deep depression and anger. Aileen abandoned all her studies and walked right back into hell, trapping herself.

The day Aileen returned to the capital, the Grand Duke's knights gathered at a tavern and drank through the night.

It was a pity that her wings, which could have soared to greater heights, had been broken. But there was nothing more they could do. She refused financial aid, so Cesare and his knights could only watch.

In essence, the Baron and Baroness had ruined Aileen's life. So when the Baroness died, they felt no joy, but no sorrow either.

"...It seems there was physical abuse, too."

Diego told Senon everything he had heard from Aileen. He knew Aileen was insecure about her looks, but he hadn't realized it was to the point of self-loathing.

To think she was almost stabbed in the eye with scissors.

The Baroness's actions were so disgusting it made him want to vomit.

"Our lady, what is there to hate about her? She was even smaller when she was a child. Barely a handful."

Diego spat a harsh curse, grinding his teeth. Senon didn't swear, but his eyes were similarly blazing with rage. Just as the two were vehemently discussing the Baroness,

the master of the grand ducal residence returned.

"Welcome back."

Senon and Diego lowered their cigarettes and greeted him. Only after Cesare gave a slight nod, permitting them to continue, did they bring the cigarettes back to their lips.

"Ah, perhaps I'll have one. It's been a while."

Cesare murmured, leisurely approaching the window. Diego rested his own cigarette on the ashtray for a moment and promptly pulled a cigarette case and matches from his pocket. He offered a cigarette first, then struck a match.

*Chik.* He scraped the match head against the striking surface, and a flame erupted on the first try. Cesare tilted his head slightly, bringing the tip of his cigarette to the flame Diego offered.

After lighting his cigarette, Cesare turned his head to look out the window. He smoked for a moment, his gaze on the orange tree in the courtyard.

Cesare didn't particularly enjoy smoking.

Him smoking meant something had displeased him.

There was no need to guess what. It had to be Baroness Elorde.

Senon watched his profile as he stared at the orange tree.

He had served Cesare as his master for quite a long time. He was already a difficult man to read, as he rarely revealed his inner thoughts, but the recent Cesare was especially hard to understand.

*What is His Excellency thinking?*

Opinions were divided among the knights, but there was one thing they all felt in common. It was the feeling that His Excellency was acting more impulsively than before, yet at the same time, was constantly suppressing something.

Cesare's actions toward Aileen were also perplexing and ambiguous in many ways.

Cesare had changed. He had come to see Aileen not as a child, but as a marriage partner. But unlike in the past, when he had tried to protect her as much as possible, he now sometimes deliberately let her face unpleasant situations.

He was intentionally exposing Aileen to the outside world to sort out those who were hostile to her.

The recent incident with Duke Parvellini's daughter was one such case. He could have prevented her from encountering Aileen, or at the very least, gifted Aileen an expensive dress so she wouldn't be embarrassed. But Cesare simply let it happen.

He also ignored the rumors circulating in high society and the insulting gossip about Aileen in newspapers and magazines.

It was as if he had coated Aileen in sweet sugar and was simply watching to see which adversaries it would lure, and what they would try to do.

"Senon."

Cesare, who had been languidly lowering his gaze and exhaling smoke, spoke in a calm tone.

"I believe I told you that you could speak your mind."

"...Your Excellency."

Senon's eyes darted toward Diego. But Diego only gave him a thumbs-up. Senon mustered his courage for Aileen's sake.

"I do not understand why you continue to expose Lady Aileen."

"Because the facts as I knew them are changing."

Cesare offered a ready answer, but his words were strange and incomprehensible.

"The kidnapping was also something Aileen should not have experienced. Many things have changed, so I must rearrange the board to match... This method is best for quickly and accurately sorting out those who would harm Aileen."

"Do you mean this is to protect Lady Aileen?"

"Yes."

Senon couldn't suppress the surge of emotion and let it show.

"I thought Your Excellency wished for Lady Aileen's happiness. That you would choose a safer, gentler method, even if it took more time..."

"Another method."

Cesare cut Senon off, grinding out his cigarette in the ashtray as if crushing it. His crimson eyes wavered like the surface of water about to overflow.

"Well, what would that be? Chaining Aileen by the ankle, locking her away in the residence, and letting her see no one?"