Wicked Husband-Chapter 109 - 108

Eileen doodled on the paper, her pen moving in a scattered rhythm. It was less an act of recording than a way to release the tangled thoughts swirling in her mind. The sharp tip of the pen scratched across the surface, black ink forming erratic patterns and letters as her emotions spilled out in fragmented bursts.

[Nightmare? Death. Continuity...]

Eileen exhaled deeply as she jotted down her thoughts. Based on what had transpired, it appeared that Cesare was tormented by nightmares about his own death. There was a troubling possibility that these nightmares involved him killing Eileen with his own hands.

’It’s not just a one-time nightmare, but one with continuity.’

Cesare seemed to be plagued by persistent and disturbing dreams, which might have blurred into his waking thoughts. Yet, the idea that he could read his own diary within these nightmares seemed implausible.

’Could he be experiencing unusually long-lasting nightmares? But would Cesare, who is so grounded in reality, really be so shaken by a single dream?’

Cesare was a man of logic and reserved emotions. The notion that he would be overwhelmed by nightmares to the point of causing such bizarre events was difficult to reconcile with his character. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Eileen tried to reason it out, but each theory she considered seemed to hit a dead end. She set her fountain pen down with a sigh, feeling the weight of unanswered questions.

’What could Cesare possibly want?’

It was evident that Cesare was hiding something, yet he didn’t seem to be making any significant effort to conceal it. Instead, it felt as though he was subtly guiding Eileen towards discovering his secrets. It was as if he was deliberately leading her through a maze, scattering clues like breadcrumbs to draw her deeper into his enigmatic world.

In fairy tales, following breadcrumbs often led to dire consequences, like being captured by witches. Despite knowing Cesare would not harm her without reason, Eileen felt uneasy about venturing deeper into the labyrinth he had set before her.

What if the truth at the center was something she dreaded most?

Horrible scenarios played out in her mind, but since the truth remained concealed, they were merely unfounded fears.

Eventually, Eileen ceased her speculative musings. Though she was tempted to delve deeper into the mystery, she had pressing matters at hand.

Determined, Eileen clenched her fist, focusing on the task before her. Today marked the culmination of her meticulous preparations—the day of her first tea party as the Duchess of Erzet.

The tea party, eagerly anticipated within the social circles, had become the highlight of the season. Eileen had deliberately kept the guest list small, including only a select few, such as Ornella, which added an air of exclusivity to the event.

The gossipy yellow press were already abuzz with speculations and stories about Eileen’s tea party, adding to the excitement and intrigue surrounding the occasion.

[What sets the Grand Duchess of Erzet’s beauty apart is her eyes—where the regal golden hue of a winged lion meets the vibrant green of laurel leaves.

These golden-green eyes, emblematic of victory and grace, shine so brilliantly that anyone who meets her gaze is instantly captivated. Her beauty promises to make a significant impact on the social scene.

Will a new star rise in Traon and challenge the reigning social elite? The answer will unfold at this much-anticipated tea party.

Our publication eagerly awaits the floral showdown that will take place at this gathering...]

Although the article praised Eileen’s beauty extravagantly, it ultimately anticipated a clash between her and Ornella. Some yellow press even took the liberty of openly disparaging Ornella, who had long been the queen of the social scene. It was clear that Ornella had many rivals, and Eileen was becoming a prominent figure in their crosshairs.

Despite the buzz, Eileen had no ambition to seize the crown of the social elite. Her aim was modest: to maintain her dignity as the Grand Duchess and avoid any potential blemishes on her reputation. The idea of wearing a social crown was not something she aspired to or felt confident about.

The reason she had chosen to invite only a select few to the tea party was her own apprehension. It was her first time hosting such an event, and she found it too daunting to manage a large-scale gathering right out of the gate. With Sonio’s help, she had meticulously selected a small group of attendees and rehearsed the event tirelessly up until the day before.

As Eileen was lost in thought, anxiously pacing in her mind, a polite knock on the door interrupted her.

"Madam."

At Eileen’s assent, Sonio entered the office with an unusually stern expression. Known for his kind smile and warm demeanor, his current demeanor was unexpected and concerning. Eileen’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Lady Farbellini has arrived."

"What? Already...?"

It was unexpected for Ornella to arrive so early. In social circles, arriving late would have been more in keeping with the usual decorum, and this early arrival was somewhat rude. Sonio’s frustration with Ornella’s behavior was apparent.

"She requested to see you, but you’re under no obligation to agree. It’s entirely up to you."

Sonio’s frustration with Ornella’s early visit was apparent, as if he wished to dismiss her immediately. Despite this, Eileen didn’t want to seem as though she was avoiding Ornella. She was also curious about the reason for Ornella’s early arrival.

Ornella was a seasoned figure in the social scene. Although Eileen had not interacted with her extensively, it seemed unlikely that Ornella would engage in overt provocation if her intention was merely to cause trouble. It was more probable that Ornella would attempt to maneuver subtly during the tea party.

"I’ll meet with her. It seems she has something she wants to discuss."

Sonio expressed concern about Eileen’s decision but proceeded to prepare for the early guest. After taking a moment to adjust her appearance, Eileen made her way to the reception room.

In the sunlit reception room, Ornella sat with a dignified posture, having left the tea and snacks untouched.

***