Chapter Title: The Test
Cesare's body slowly leaned over Adèle, enveloping her like a dark wave. Adèle inhaled sharply, feeling as though she were being swallowed by a black tide.
"…Brother!"
"Cesare."
"Brother, I don't understand why you're doing this!"
"If you don't understand, you can start learning now." As he reached out and caressed her hair, the green waves wrapped around his fingers. _Such a pleasant scent._ Cesare frowned slightly but maintained his smile.
"Let's cut the cute act, Adèle Bibi." Adèle's eyes quivered as she took a deep breath, her already ample chest rising even higher. It was almost as if she was doing it intentionally.
"I'm a man, you're a woman. You're quite pretty and a bit adorably foolish. Not a face I'd get tired of."
"…"
"I'll indulge you, so just pretend you don't know what's happening." Adèle's eyes wavered. It looked like humiliation. _Quite the actress._ But she would give in eventually. That had to be her goal—to seduce the infamous Bonaparte rake and turn her miserable life around. Cesare had encountered countless women like her. More than enough to make him sick. His "sister" didn't need to be one of those women. Especially not his "sister." So if she gave in, he'd enjoy her once, part ways cleanly as he usually did, and Aegir would handle the rest. He'd send her off on a small boat—a neat ending. Losing his sister would leave only the arrangement with the Della Valle family. But he could delay that for a future generation. If they were upset, they should have been born earlier; no one could fault him for that.
"Let's be honest now." Cesare closed his eyes slowly and leaned in.
"Open your mouth." Her pretty face with its tightly closed pink lips drew closer. _She's infuriatingly pretty for a shoe shiner._ Just as he thought it would be a shame to only have her once, something cold touched his neck.
"…" Cesare reopened his eyes and leaned back slightly, looking down. It was a pair of scissors. To be precise, the blades were open. He raised his eyes again to see fiery comet-like eyes glaring at him. They burned with righteous anger and clear hostility. _Ah. Damn._ A spark of thrilling excitement exploded in his head. His nerves stood on end, and a satisfied smile spread across his face. The open scissor blades conveyed her firm resolve. Adèle Bibi was seriously considering cutting Cesare Bonaparte's throat. _A man she would never have encountered in her shoe shiner life was seducing her. Unbelievable._ Cesare looked at Adèle lying beneath him without blinking.
"Are you really going to cut my throat?"
"If necessary." Adèle Bibi's eyes blazed like the sun as she spoke coldly. Her icy response only fueled his excitement further. Resisting the urge to act on his desire, Cesare smiled softly.
"Do you think you can?"
"Do you think I lived naively in Kimora?" He knew she was serious. Her eyes held a determination he had never seen before. A resolve to drag him to hell even if she had to die. He felt a rush of tension, his blood coursing through his veins.
"So presumptuous."
"You're the one who suggested dropping the act, Lord Cesare."
"Are you saying you dislike me, Adèle Bibi?"
"I don't dislike you, but I don't want to sleep with you either." Cesare swallowed a curse and chuckled lowly. This wasn't the time to be honest. Her sudden honesty was what made her so exhilarating.
"Foolish."
"And debauched." Cesare chuckled and grabbed the hand holding the scissors.
"So easy to control."
"Ah!" Adèle let out a short gasp. Her eyes quivered as he gently but firmly pinned her wrists down. For a moment, her eyes burned like comets again. Determined to bite his neck and gouge out his eyes if she had to. Cesare, still smiling, released her and sat up slowly. Adèle Bibi remained between his legs. Confused, she clutched the scissors tightly. She looked on the verge of exploding. Cesare laughed, his throat rumbling.
"Adelaide." Even as she relaxed her grip, Adèle remained vigilant.
"Do you like me?"
"…" She blinked, measuring his intentions in the silence. Her anger, which had burned so fiercely, vanished in an instant.
"Yes. I like you." _A perfect answer._ Adelaide Bonaparte liked Cesare. Adèle Bibi wanted to cut Cesare's throat. It was eerily satisfying. Cesare slowly climbed off Adèle's abdomen and sat back on the bed.
"Let's get to the treatment, Miss Adelaide. I have places to be soon."
"…" She looked like she wanted to call him a madman, but "Adelaide" obediently began the treatment. Cesare smiled contentedly. He was starting to feel reluctant to give her to Ezra.
---
Cesare showed no signs of injury as he attended every ball and entertained every envoy. The envoys from Orqueenia left, having been warmly received by the charming and sensual head of the Bonaparte family. The guests also returned to their own homes. The outer palace became almost eerily quiet. Afterwards, Cesare very naturally announced Adèle's existence. This happened twice a week, at the Signoria meetings he attended as a Prior. Toward the end of the meeting, during the time for tea and conversation, someone brought it up.
"I heard that during the last ball, Lord Cesare called Miss Lucrezia to your office. Can we expect good news?" Cesare gave a deep, pleasant smile. This was the topic he had been waiting for.
"It wasn't for the reason you think. I simply needed her opinion."
"Miss Lucrezia's opinion? Did you discover an antique?"
"Haha." Cesare laughed, amused, and raised his teacup.
"My estranged parents sent me a sister, you see."
"What…"
"Ahem." Some coughed, others widened their eyes. Cesare spoke cheerfully, his signature charming smile in place.
"I called Miss Lucrezia to see if I should have a dress made for my sister. As a man, I lack the eye for ladies' items." _…A lie._ Everyone had the same thought. One of the reasons Cesare Bonaparte was notorious as a rake was his skill in giving refined gifts to ladies. And now he claimed he lacked an eye for such things? The older Priors couldn't even muster a cynical laugh as they watched the young Prior's brazenly fresh smile. Eventually, one of them spoke.
"Wait, Lord Bonaparte. What about the arrangement with the Della Valle family…"
"I appreciate your interest in my marriage, despite your busy schedules with Signoria duties." _Prying into his marriage while neglecting their own duties_—Cesare's comment made the Priors clear their throats.
"…Just answer the question."
"It's simple. I intend to fulfill the agreement by sending Adelaide, my sister, as she has come of age."
"…"
"…" Everyone's eyes turned to one person. One of the Priors, Luca Della Valle. His tawny hair was neatly combed back, and he wore small round glasses. His beard was trim and neat. Normally, he would present a scholarly, composed image, but now his violet eyes were trembling with shock.
"Lord Bonaparte. Do you mean…"
"The agreement will be honored. The arrangement was to marry 'the daughter of Bonaparte' and 'the son of Della Valle,' after all."
"B-but what about Lucrezia…" Cesare gazed steadily at Luca Della Valle. His smile, dimples, and eye creases couldn't conceal the coldness in his eyes.
"Does Miss Lucrezia Della Valle have any relationship with me?"
"…"
"She is a beautiful lady and will find a good match. It will be a joyous occasion for the Della Valle family. She won't have to marry a rake like me."
"…"
"…Hah." Luca Della Valle fell silent, his expression grave. The other Priors followed suit. It was more than just a marriage between two families. There were many entangled interests.