Wicked Husband-Chapter 115 - 114

At his words, Sonio appeared in the garden, carrying a large cake box, which he carefully set down on the table. When Sonio opened the box, the noblewomen gasped like excited children.

Inside was a cake from a renowned bakery in the capital, one of their newest creations. Only one cake was sold per day, making it nearly impossible to acquire. Eileen had heard about it but had long given up on the idea of ever tasting one.

’Cesare wouldn’t have waited in line for it himself’

The bakery must have prepared a second cake just for Cesare. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

’Which means he must have planned to come to the tea party from the start’, Eileen realized, a surge of confidence washing over her. Gently tugging at Cesare’s sleeve, she asked, "Would you like to join us?"

"If you’re not too busy, how about joining us for some tea? The weather is lovely, and the ladies would be delighted..."

As Eileen glanced at the noblewomen, they quickly chimed in, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

"It would be an honor if Your Grace could join us," one said hurriedly.

"Please, give us the opportunity to spend time with you, Your Grace," another added.

And so, the tea party proceeded with none other than the Grand Duke himself. The servants swiftly arranged a seat for Cesare.

Amid the noblewomen in their fine dresses, Cesare stood out sharply in his military uniform. While the tea party was vibrant and cheerful, the dark navy of his attire only made him more striking.

The faces of the noblewomen lit up with excitement. Having tea at the Grand Duke’s estate was already a point of pride, but sharing his company was a truly extraordinary occasion.

Worried that her racing heartbeat might be audible, Eileen handed the bouquet to a servant, who arranged the flowers into vases, enhancing the table’s decor.

During the brief commotion, a look of confusion passed among the noblewomen. It was clear that Cesare hadn’t given Ornella any special attention.

Once the atmosphere settled, Ornella, who had been waiting patiently, greeted Cesare warmly. "Your Grace, it’s been a long time."

"Ah, Lady Farbellini," Cesare replied, giving her a slight nod before ending the conversation with a polite acknowledgment. There was no small talk. Ornella was about to continue when Eileen, noticing her discomfort, reached for the cake knife to serve the ladies. However, Cesare gently stopped her, removing his leather gloves and placing them on the table before taking the knife himself.

It seemed unusual for a tall man in uniform to be cutting a soft, delicate cake, yet Cesare handled it with ease, as if he had done it many times before, expertly serving slices onto plates.

The noblewomen looked as though they might faint from surprise. They had only ever imagined the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army wielding a sword or a gun, never a cake knife.

Eileen, the first to receive her slice, was so flustered that a bit of cream ended up on her lips as she tried to eat. She quickly reached for a napkin to wipe it away, but a large hand appeared beside her.

Cesare’s thumb brushed her lips, wiping away the cream before he licked it off his own finger. Meeting the astonished gazes of the noblewomen, he smiled and said, "We’re newlyweds, you know."

He asked them to kindly forgive the affectionate gesture, and the women, their faces reddening, nodded eagerly. Eileen blushed like a ripe tomato and murmured, "Thank you for the cake...."

"I’m mischievous at night, so I must be kind during the day," Cesare replied with a playful grin.

Surprised, Eileen quickly shot back, "You’re kind at night too!"

Laughter erupted around the table. Noticing Eileen’s warm cheeks, Cesare gently cooled them with the back of his hand and said softly, "I’m glad to hear that."

Eileen hurriedly took another bite of her cake, hoping the sugar would help clear her mind. She realized she needed to entertain the ladies and couldn’t let them simply watch her and Cesare converse all afternoon. Little did she know, their interaction was already the most captivating topic of gossip. Determined to fulfill her role as the hostess, she shifted the conversation to upcoming social events. The most enthusiastic noblewoman immediately chimed in.

"I’m planning to host a ball soon."

Eileen remembered hearing that this lady’s balls were quite famous among the capital’s aristocrats, and it was one of the social gatherings she was considering attending after this tea party.

"After the hunting festival, I’m thinking of holding the ball. I’d be honored if Your Grace could attend. And if possible, His Grace too," she said, clearly excited about the effort she was putting into the event, even managing to invite the most renowned dancer in the capital—no small feat.

Since Cesare showed no signs of opposition, the noblewoman’s face brightened with hope. To steer the conversation away from the ball, another lady deftly shifted the topic.

"Speaking of which, the hunting festival is soon, isn’t it? Will Your Grace be attending this year?"

The royal hunting festival took place in the imperial forest during early summer, honoring the gods who protected the Traon Empire. The finest catch from the hunt was offered as a sacrificial tribute, and the person who captured the most prized animal earned the honor of wearing a laurel crown and presenting the offering to the gods.

As a noblewoman from a minor family, Eileen had never attended the hunting festival. Cesare didn’t always go either, as he wasn’t particularly fond of hunting. However, on the rare occasions he did, he would gift her the fur of the animal he had caught.

Curious if he planned to attend this year, Eileen looked at Cesare, waiting for his response. Instead of answering immediately, he simply gazed at her.

"Do you want to go?"

His gentle voice left the decision entirely up to her.

"Shall we attend the hunting festival?"

***