Chapter Title: Love and Smoke
*Are you really not involved with Cesare?*
Eva asked in penmanship beside her. Adelaide smiled a little.
"We are siblings."
Eva didn't seem convinced.
*Then why does Cesare care about you?*
Did he care about her? She wasn't sure. He said he came to watch her dance while taking a break after being scolded by the doctor. It was probably because of his plans.
"Because I'm his only sister."
Eva stared at Adelaide for a while before moving her hand.
*If your feelings change, be sure to tell me.*
Feelings. What feelings? Adelaide wanted to burst out laughing. Could this clever old woman really think that Adelaide liked Cesare?
*Listen, Madam Chairwoman. Your grandson is keeping me here because I don't like him.*
Suppressing the urge to say that, Adelaide just smiled. Perhaps because she heard such an absurd remark, she felt lighter. She started wondering about the dinner menu. With guests, it would surely be more splendid.
At that moment, Cesare and Lucrezia's dance ended. Lucrezia, who had returned, was on the verge of fainting. Her flushed cheeks and weak body continued to lean towards Cesare.
*Did I look like that too? I must have looked quite ridiculous.*
Finding her own thoughts amusing, she couldn't stop smiling. Eva clapped her hands beside her.
*Wonderful! You two look so well-matched. When will the wedding be?*
Eva's words made Lucrezia shyly touch her cheek.
"Oh, Elder Madam, really... But thank you for your kind words."
Ignoring Cesare's chuckle beside her, Lucrezia looked at Adelaide.
"What did you think, Miss Adelaide?"
Her light purple eyes showed a hint of triumph. Adelaide responded with a bright smile from her heart. Both Lucrezia and Cesare, as well as Eva, paused.
"You were both truly wonderful. I must work harder. Thank you for the meaningful experience, Miss Lucrezia."
Lucrezia's eyes trembled at the light-hearted congratulations. She glanced at Cesare and smiled awkwardly.
"...Not at all. You were quite wonderful too, Miss Adelaide."
"Wonderful?"
Cesare, who had been silent, sneered. When Adelaide looked at him, his golden eyes curved playfully.
"The one who was wonderful was me, and Adelaide was just flailing around."
After a moment's silence, Adelaide smiled sweetly.
"That's right. Unlike me, you were really wonderful, Brother. You also looked great with Miss Lucrezia."
"..."
Not the response he wanted, Cesare frowned and didn't reply. With the atmosphere becoming awkward, Eva intervened.
*Of course, Adelaide did well too. That was quite good. It reminded me of my younger days. Atticus and I used to dance just like that. Though these days, the dances seem too close.*
Showing her notebook, Eva looked at Cesare as if asking, *Isn't that right?*
"...Indeed. Grandfather was also a good dancer, just like me."
Cesare, smiling as he answered, didn't look very pleased. Eva, wearing a gentle smile, suddenly moved her pen.
*But Cesare, I must go due to Signoria matters. Take good care of my guest.*
It was a polished sentence, likely the reason she had come.
*Make sure to host them for dinner. We don't want anyone saying Bonaparte neglects their guests.*
"Madam Eva."
*I trust you. My beloved grandson.*
"..."
Cesare smiled more prettily without a word. He affectionately kissed Eva on both cheeks.
"Whose grandson do you think I am?"
Cesare answered kindly despite his reluctance. It was a compliant attitude, unlike a man without regard for hierarchy.
*Don't fight. Get along well.*
Eva, with a typical elderly person's harmless smile, left. Her wish, one that would never be fulfilled, was characteristically elderly.
---
Once Eva left, the atmosphere became uncontrollably chilly. The people remaining in the ballroom were Adelaide, Cesare, Lucrezia, Epony, and Aegir. In addition, Lucrezia's maid and attendant knight were present. Somehow, Cesare's personal assistant, Gigi, was also there.
"Lord."
He skillfully handed a lit cigar to Cesare.
"..."
Cesare, with a cigar in his mouth, had his hand in his pocket. He said nothing. He seemed in a bad mood. Eventually, he let out a sharp laugh.
"...How annoying."
He ran a hand through his hair and looked at Lucrezia. His narrow, smiling eyes were menacing.
"Having fun? Miss Lucrezia."
"Ye-yes?"
Lucrezia, once again flustered, blushed. Cesare's sharp gaze scanned her up and down.
"Haven't you been appearing in front of me too often lately?"
"Oh! I, I was worried..."
Lucrezia's eyes flicked to Adelaide.
"So, I just couldn't stay still..."
"Stop it. It's unnecessary."
"Bu-but..."
Lucrezia's eyes trembled. She looked like a small animal, pitifully shivering.
"Do you mean to tell me to ignore the Marquis's missteps?"
"Is it such a misstep for me to meet some ladies freely?"
"That's not what I mean! I thought you would realize it someday, but..."
Lucrezia's gaze turned to Adelaide, filled with resentment and fear.
"I thought the Marquis might really be heading towards Limbo, so, despite the shame, I had to inform the Elder Madam..."
Lucrezia started to sob.
"Why don't you understand? I, I really..."
"Miss Della Valle."
"I really love you so much..."
With those words, Lucrezia's face shone with the radiance of a pilgrim. It seemed as if no one could quench the virtuous will emanating from within her. She then blushed and smiled benevolently, born of boundless affection.
"I love you, Marquis Cesare..."
Adelaide felt an overwhelming sense of fatigue.
"I can wait as long as necessary. Until you cross the River of Purgation and head towards the right heaven... I'll wait for you until then."
*Is that love?*
"If there's only one person in this world who truly loves you, it's me."
She had never known that repeated declarations of love could be so nauseating. It was then that Cesare, who had been silent with a cigar in his mouth, laughed out loud and spoke.
"What nonsense."
"..."
Lucrezia froze instantly. Cesare snorted and approached her, blowing smoke in her face.
"Cough, hack! Cough!"
"What's love when you can't even give?"
"...!"
Lucrezia's eyes filled with despair, and tears finally fell. She could say nothing more. Whether he said it to get rid of her or not, it was effective. Regardless of the vulgarity of his words, Adelaide couldn't help but be impressed.
*How can he be so strong?*
Lucrezia's love-masked violence seemed to have no effect on Cesare. Is that even possible? His cold, smiling profile felt unfamiliar.
At that moment, Cesare turned his head, and their eyes met.
"Let's end the dance practice here. Return to your room, Adelaide."
"...Yes, Brother."
Adelaide stopped thinking and grabbed the hem of her dress.
"Then take care..."
"No!"
At that moment, Lucrezia interrupted.
"The Elder Madam said to get along with Miss Adelaide, right? Right...?"
Quickly approaching, her hand wrapped around Adelaide's arm like a snake. It was an intimate gesture typically seen between close ladies.
"So, Miss Adelaide must come too. The Elder Madam's orders...!"
"..."
"You can't disobey the Elder Madam's words, can you?"
Her tear-filled light purple eyes shone with firm resolve. Her earnest expression seemed ready to brave any wicked abyss for the man she loved. Cesare's face turned expressionless. He threw his cigar and strode towards Lucrezia just as Gigi called out.
"Sir Aegir!"
Aegir, who had been standing at a distance, blocked Lucrezia. Her attendant knight also pulled her back from behind.