Chapter Title: The Encounter at the Spring Garden
_Not today._ Cesare thought as he looked indifferently toward the inner palace while strolling in the garden with others. Recently, he often saw his "sister" during his walks. Adèle Bibi. Adelaide Bonaparte. It seemed their walking times overlapped. His new sister was beautiful enough to be noticeable from five hundred yards away, so she invariably caught his eye whenever their times coincided. They almost always made eye contact. But that was all. Adèle merely glanced at Cesare as if he were a street statue and went her way. Unbelievable. Such indifference—he had only ever received it from his parents.
"What's over there?" At that moment, someone clung to his arm. It was his companion for the day. A blonde with… well, it didn't matter much—a lady with large breasts.
"Usually a mermaid, but she's not there today."
"Huh?" The blonde squinted and tilted her head to look toward the inner palace. In Santnar, "mermaid" also meant a beautiful woman. Cesare wrapped his arm around her head and covered her eyes with his hand.
"There's one right here, though."
"You're so naughty, my lord."
"So you don't like it?" Cesare pulled her closer and kissed her lightly.
"Not that I don't like it…" The blonde pouted, but her lips were already curling into a smile. She pretended to lower the hand covering her eyes and intertwined their fingers.
"It's just that I want your attention, my lord." She placed her hand on her chest with an innocent expression, a gesture meant to draw his eyes to her bosom, which was accentuated by her corset. How ridiculous and cute. Cesare let out a small laugh without hiding his amused gaze.
"I'm giving it to you."
"Deeper attention."
"I can give you that in bed."
"My lord, I…"
"You'll come tonight? I'll be waiting." Her cheeks turned red. She confirmed that they were a bit away from the group and pressed herself closer.
"Lord Cesare." Her eyes sparkled like starlight. Cesare felt a sense of foreboding.
"If you promise to take me seriously, I'll come tonight." Cesare kept his smile silent. Judging by her nonsense, it was time to dismiss her. _Why do they all try to give meaning to a one-night stand?_ Thinking that everyone had such a tiring personality, Cesare lazily ran his fingers through her blonde hair. It used to seem quite lovely, but after seeing Adèle's hair, it didn't feel the same.
"You're cute."
"…! Really…"
"Overstepping." The woman stiffened. Cesare laughed softly, twirling her hair around his finger.
"Let's keep it reasonable." He tried to kiss her forehead soothingly, but she pulled away. She trembled and spoke with a furious face.
"…I'm leaving."
"Alright. Get home safely."
"…!" She glared at him, her face turning bright red, then spun around. As she stomped away, tears flew from her eyes.
"Ha!" Cesare, feeling pleased, laughed aloud. The group was out of sight. The smile on his lips gradually faded. _How boring._ Cesare took out a cigar with a bored expression. Suddenly, his gaze turned toward the inner palace. The green, wave-like hair was still nowhere to be seen.
"…" _Is her walk late today?_ Just as he thought this and was about to light his cigar, he heard voices again.
"Seriously, again…"
"How can he be like this here unless he's obsessed with women?" It hadn't been a few minutes since entering the garden, and ladies were already coming around the corner. Cesare tossed his fifty-gold-a-stick cigar to the ground without hesitation and approached them.
"Ladies, is something wrong?" Cesare asked, reaching out to the lady at the front. She reflexively offered her hand while frowning.
"Lord Cesare, I regret to inform you…"
"It's my pleasure."
"…Sigh. We were enjoying the surroundings and were a bit late to the garden, where we saw a beautiful sculpture fountain."
"Bercelli's 'Goddess of Spring,' I assume."
"Yes, but…" The lady's cheeks twitched with irritation.
"There was Lord Henry again, 'doing that'!"
"He acts like any woman of lower status would fall for his position." As soon as the first lady finished speaking, the other ladies began chiming in.
"I don't understand why he behaves like that! Even at Bonaparte, he has to act that way?"
"And the person seemed to be a noble."
"Oh my, who knows? She seemed to have her shoes off." Ladies don't show their feet carelessly. Showing bare feet is an intimate gesture meant to seduce a man. _Is there a security lapse?_ Just as Cesare was about to smile smoothly—
"Besides, I've never seen such a beauty in the Fornatie social circles." Cesare immediately realized who the barefoot lady was.
"Lord!" At that moment, his aide, Gigi, hurriedly caught up from behind. Cesare spoke to him.
"Gigi, please guide the ladies to the drawing room. They might be upset." He then quickly walked toward the Spring Garden. His long legs swiftly crossed the garden. It didn't take long before the edge of the white marble sculpture fountain came into view. At that moment, he heard someone shouting with a mix of fear.
"Let go, I said!"
---
Recently, Adèle had often encountered Cesare during her walks. It was very uncomfortable for her. She feared that constantly loitering in front of Cesare might irritate him. But she couldn't ignore Madame Flavia's order to practice "a lady's walk."
"Walking gracefully and lightly on any path, be it a stony road or a mud puddle, is the virtue of a lady." _Does that make a lady like a water strider?_ Thinking about how angry Madame Flavia would be, Adèle delayed her daily walks slightly. Adèle opened her parasol and looked up at the sky as she stepped into the garden.
_The weather is nice…_ Gentle autumn sunlight filtered through the beige linen parasol with its white buffalo horn handle. Santnar's autumn, warm all year round, was the most pleasant time—neither too hot nor too humid. Adèle stepped forward with a refreshed feeling, but the pain shooting through her feet made her close her mouth tightly. _Why are my feet so weak?_
_Think good thoughts, good thoughts…_ She kept walking nonchalantly, but her steps were very slow.
_Today's lunch was Bagna Cauda, Osso Buco, Marzipan…_ She tried to recall the wonderful lunch menu and the surely delicious dinner menu, but it wasn't very effective. The dull pain from her swollen and blistered feet made her thoughts tangle like thread. But she had to continue. She had to eat, and she had to survive. Just as Adèle gripped the parasol and took another step, Epony, who had been quietly following behind, spoke.
"…Miss." Adèle turned around, seeing Epony's serious face. She hesitated before speaking.
"…Are your feet all right?"
"They're fine."
"…" Epony's expression grew complicated at the immediate response.
"Actually, your walking is already perfect." Adèle's eyes widened slightly. Epony continued, showing a hint of distress.
"Madame Flavia surely knows as well. Your progress is dazzling. Your walk is impeccable, and you absorb information like a sponge."
"Really?"
"Yes. While maintaining such poise in urgent situations requires repetitive training, no one would think you're of a lower class now."
"Oh… that's a relief." Epony frowned at Adèle's reaction, looking as if she couldn't understand her.
"…Madame Flavia's lessons are certainly high-level. But this is unjust punishment." Her blue eyes glanced at Adèle's feet. Adèle nodded again.
"I see."