Chapter 89

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: An Old Acquaintance
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Cesare knew Lucio Gaetani well. He was a pest who had latched onto Aileen during her university days.

He had left him alone when he heard that Aileen, who was struggling to adapt to university life, had made a friend. But the man had turned into a stalker and become a nuisance.

Oblivious Aileen had only known him as an upperclassman who was kind to her. She would never have dreamed that the bastard had masturbated with things he stole from her.

Upon hearing the report back then, Cesare had simply ordered the matter to be handled quietly. There was no need to inform Aileen of such a filthy business, so he commanded his men to scare him off and get rid of him.

He had spared his life for the service of keeping the lonely Aileen company… But for some reason, the fool couldn't take a hint and had crawled back. And to the Erzet Grand Ducal estate, of all places.

He must have known he was walking into his grave, yet he dared to come. His act of feigning pure love wasn't even amusing.

"My apologies."

Rotan apologized first before giving his report.

"Lucio Gaetani is apparently on the verge of becoming the youngest professor. Given his extensive knowledge of pharmacology and his past friendship with Lady Aileen, it seems the professors brought him along on their own initiative."

From the perspective of the professors, who were unaware of the full story, there was no reason not to bring Lucio. They must have done it for Aileen's sake.

That was, after all, what Cesare had ordered the professors to do: anything and everything for Aileen.

"I will have him removed at once."

At Rotan's gruff voice, Cesare raised an eyebrow.

"If he has value, we should use him thoroughly before discarding him."

All the more so since Aileen would like that. Rotan, too, must have guessed Cesare's intentions, which was why he hadn't stopped Lucio when he received the report about him. Just as his clever subordinate had judged, Cesare gave a different order instead of having Lucio thrown out.

"I should head home early."

"I will clean up."

At Rotan's words, Cesare gave a slight nod of permission. Rotan grabbed the man's head with his large hands. The man, his head caught in the grip, shot his eyes wide open. His bloodshot eyes quickly filled with moisture.

"S-spare me..."

Before the slurred plea for his life could finish, Rotan twisted the man's head. *Crack.* The sound of breaking bone echoed. The man died instantly.

Rising from his chair, Cesare tucked a book under his arm and walked over to the piece of meat that had been a human moments ago. He looked down at the man, who had died with his eyes wide open, with an impassive gaze.

This one was the last on the first list.

Now, everyone on his kill list who could be easily dispatched had been dealt with. The ones who remained were high-ranking nobles or those with complicated connections, making them difficult to touch.

As he thought of the people on the second list, Cesare took a pocket watch from his coat. He opened the plain, unadorned silver watch and checked the time.

Rotan knew Cesare wasn't doing it because he was curious about the time. As if confirming its existence, Cesare would occasionally open the pocket watch. He touched it once for no particular reason, then snapped the lid shut with a click.

Rotan, who was waiting with his hands clasped behind his back, checked Cesare's gaze. Seeing the calm red eyes, he showed a flicker of relief before schooling his features back into their usual impassive expression.

Putting the pocket watch away, Cesare let out a faint smile, as if he knew exactly what Rotan was worried about.

"It's still fine for now."

Answering the unspoken question, Cesare added in a low murmur.

"...For now."

***

Glenda and Elio were living peaceful lives as professors in the pharmacology and botany departments. When they read in the newspaper that their student, with whom they had suddenly lost contact, had become the Grand Duchess of Erzet, the two professors were utterly astonished.

It was no wonder, as the Grand Duchess in the newspaper was as different as night and day from the student they knew. Aileen had a bright and cheerful disposition, but she had always worn her bangs frustratingly long and sported glasses.

The moment they saw the photograph of their student in a wedding dress, her face neatly revealed and smiling shyly, the professors thought they would faint.

At first, they suspected the photo had been published by mistake. But the Grand Duke of Erzet would never have allowed such a thing. Glenda and Elio, while amazed at their student's transformation, sent a congratulatory letter with joyful hearts.

They had been excited at the thought of visiting the capital and catching up after so long...

"The Grand Duchess requests your assistance with her ongoing research."

Soldiers had suddenly barged into the labs of the professors, who were peacefully packing for their trip to the capital. They conveyed the Grand Duke's 'request,' but even professors as oblivious to the ways of the world as they were could tell it was a command.

Before departing for the capital, Glenda and Elio were filled with worry. They had promised to go with Lucio, with whom Aileen had once been close, but seeing the obvious danger ahead, they had intended to leave him behind.

They felt it would be fine for old folks like themselves, but they trembled at the thought of Lucio, with his bright future, suffering a terrible fate. However, Lucio had been stubbornly insistent, so he ended up coming to the capital with them.

They knew Aileen's character, but people who tasted money and power were prone to change. The professors were deeply anxious, wondering if their cherished student had also been changed by the Grand Duke of Erzet.

But the moment they met Aileen, they immediately realized their worries had been unfounded.

Aileen was unrecognizably different. Her breathtaking beauty, the mystical color of her eyes, and the elegant clothes that signified her noble status.

She had become a flawless Grand Duchess, but her character remained unchanged. Aileen still smiled as innocently as the young student she once was. She greeted her professors with clear eyes, and was even a little hurt that they seemed intimidated by her.

Glenda and Elio wanted to genuinely help their beloved student's research, not because of the Grand Duke's command. They were also secretly pleased that Aileen had continued her research even after leaving the university.

But when they offered to help with her ongoing research, Aileen's expression darkened for some reason. She couldn't bring herself to speak, her face a picture of despair.

While Glenda and Elio looked on in confusion, Aileen was lost in a difficult dilemma.

*Cesare...*

The professors' help would certainly be a great boon to her research. They might even point out things she hadn't considered.

But Aileen couldn't rashly accept their offer. It was because her research involved opium. Accepting their help was tantamount to putting them on the guillotine with her.

Cesare would surely protect the professors from execution. That must have been why he tried to push them into assisting with her research.

But if something went wrong, Cesare would save only Aileen and abandon them. She couldn't drag her benefactors from her university days into research she knew full well was a life-or-death gamble.

*How can I do that, knowing everything? And even Lucio...*

Cesare had been considerate for her sake, but this time she had no choice but to refuse. Having made up her mind, Aileen spoke carefully.

"I appreciate the thought, but I want to try and complete this research on my own."

Reading something in Aileen's face, Glenda and Elio remained silent, not asking for a reason. Not wanting the atmosphere to grow heavy, Aileen forced a bright smile.

"Have you had a chance to see the capital? Since you're here, it would be good to buy any supplies you need before you go."

The capital had many interesting shops, such as stores selling quality lab equipment and bookstores stocked with rare books. Aileen suggested they look around. It was an itinerary she had planned in advance upon hearing her professors were coming.

"Will you be joining us, Lady Aileen?"

When Lucio suddenly asked, Aileen replied, "Of course." There were many things she wanted to ask him, too.

When they were ready to leave, two cars were waiting in front of the estate. The professors got into the back car, and as Lucio naturally joined Aileen in hers, Sonio's expression hardened slightly.

But Aileen, oblivious to it all, was seen off by Sonio. As the car started to move, Lucio glanced at the driver's seat.

He seemed bothered by the driver in the military uniform. But it was a necessary precaution for Aileen's protection.

The driver remained silent throughout the drive, and at some point, Lucio spoke quietly.

"Lady Aileen."

Aileen, who had been preparing to catch up with him, was caught off guard by his sudden words.

"Back then... I was in love with you, Lady Aileen."