Wicked Husband-Chapter 112 - 111

It was as though Ornella had swallowed her turbulent emotions along with the tea. Now, she wore the same serene, elegant smile Eileen had come to expect from the Duke’s daughter and the Emperor’s betrothed.

"Do your best with the tea party. I’m looking forward to it."

Her smile still held traces of hostility, but beneath it lay an unfamiliar, subtle emotion—something that hadn’t been there before.

Eileen couldn’t quite decipher what that feeling was. Perhaps it leaned toward something negative. But one thing was certain: both Ornella’s and Eileen’s perspectives of each other had shifted, even if only slightly.

***

The first tea party hosted by the Grand Duchess of Erzet took place in the garden, evoking memories of the grand wedding held there not long ago.

While it wasn’t an exact replica of the wedding, the decorations captured the same enchanting atmosphere, reminding guests of that momentous occasion. Much like the exclusive guest list at the wedding, this tea party exuded an air of selectivity, making attendees feel as though they were part of an elite group.

The noblewomen invited to the gathering entered the grand duchy with bright, beaming smiles, aware that simply attending this event would provide them with ample conversation fodder for days to come. It was a delightful opportunity, one that would temporarily elevate their standing in the social hierarchy.

Many were likely eager to witness a confrontation between Ornella and Eileen. Whether it was Ornella or Eileen who ended up embarrassed, it would undoubtedly make for the most tantalizing gossip.

As Eileen greeted the arriving guests and watched them take their seats, she began to understand Ornella a little more. To reign as queen of society, Ornella had likely endured countless moments where all eyes were on her, ready to judge.

"This is harder than I thought," Eileen mused, sneaking a glance at Ornella. The woman was already smiling and chatting effortlessly with others, guiding the atmosphere as if she were the host of the tea party.

If Eileen didn’t stay focused, Ornella might steal the spotlight of the event she had painstakingly prepared. She took a discreet, steadying breath.

Ornella had yet to apologize for her earlier rudeness, but Eileen wasn’t expecting her to. She had decided to let it go.

However, unlike before, Eileen felt a flicker of curiosity about Ornella. She found herself watching her more intently without meaning to. Although she tried not to make it obvious, Ornella’s sharp intuition picked up on it, and their eyes met now and again.

Whenever that happened, Ornella no longer responded with a fake smile; instead, she subtly furrowed her brows in annoyance. Despite that reaction, Eileen’s gaze kept drifting toward her, almost unconsciously.

Amid this peculiar atmosphere, the tea party began. Eileen, hiding her trembling hands in the folds of her dress, spoke up.

"Thank you... for attending today."

As many pairs of eyes turned to her, a cold sweat broke out. This wasn’t like confidently presenting research at a symposium. This was a tea party, and the pressure felt far greater. Eileen forced herself to continue speaking, her voice shaking despite her best efforts.

Eileen offered a candid remark, admitting that while it was her first tea party and there might be some shortcomings, she had given it her all. Glancing around to gauge the response, she wasn’t entirely sure of the mood, though it didn’t seem wholly negative.

The guests, aside from Ornella, had arrived with favorable opinions of Eileen. Sonio had carefully selected attendees who would likely view her in a positive light, and they would probably overlook any minor missteps on her part.

"Of course, as long as there aren’t any major blunders..." Eileen thought, picking up her teacup with slightly trembling hands.

Fortunately, the noblewomen were seasoned enough to carry the conversation smoothly, even if Eileen didn’t take the lead. They complimented the fine tea, the exquisite food, and the elegant tableware. Before long, their inquiries turned to more personal matters—specifically, the private life of the Grand Duchess and her husband.

Having long wanted to ask Eileen such questions but lacking the proper opportunity, they eagerly seized the chance now. Eileen recalled Sonio’s advice.

"Some degree of privacy must be shared," she had said.

It was better to reveal a bit of the truth than to allow wild rumors to spread. After all, Cesare was one of the most scrutinized figures in the empire, and as his wife, Eileen had to accept the price that came with it.

"Is the dress you’re wearing today from the same ateliers that designed your wedding gown? It complements your golden-green eyes beautifully."

Given that the most prestigious ateliers in the capital handled Eileen’s wardrobe, many of the women showed keen interest in the details. However, this was merely a side conversation. The central topic was, inevitably, Cesare.

"On your wedding day, everyone was so surprised. None of us knew the Grand Duke could show such expressions," one of the ladies remarked, and the discussion naturally drifted toward Cesare as they reminisced about the wedding.

The noblewomen were eager to know the story behind Cesare’s apparent love for Eileen. From an outsider’s perspective, theirs was the love story of the century, a marriage so vastly mismatched in social standing.

Eileen crafted a carefully worded response, explaining that she and Cesare had known each other for a long time, and their relationship had gradually led to marriage. This answer made the women’s eyes sparkle with excitement, their imaginations running wild. Though the truth was far more complicated, Eileen leaned into their romanticized expectations.

"He cares for me deeply," she said, though the words felt hollow. She couldn’t bring herself to say that Cesare loved her; even as a lie, it felt too far from the truth. She wished for a better expression but settled for what she could muster, hoping to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"How much?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

A playful voice interrupted.

Eileen looked up from her teacup to find Ornella smiling at her, a teasing glint in her eyes. Ornella asked again, her curiosity feigned as if it were purely innocent.

"How much does he care for you? I’m curious, you see. After all, he’s known for being rather aloof."

Ornella’s tone was perfectly polished, but the question was sharp. With a flawless facade, she continued to probe, feigning innocent interest in Eileen and Cesare’s relationship.

"And before the wedding, he didn’t even give you an engagement ring. I always thought that was rather... detached of him."