Chapter Title: Omertà
Adelaide was acting more cleverly than Cesare had expected. To navigate high society, one must know such politics. His sister had handled her first social battle admirably, proving Cesare's judgment about her was also excellent.
*"Marquis Cesare is indeed a very admirable person. You two make a wonderful pair."*
At the same time, she had made it clear that she had no rational interest in Cesare Bonaparte whatsoever. Two proofs from one statement. Truly efficient.
"..."
Cesare suddenly recalled the smile Adelaide had worn while they danced together. He also remembered when she had threatened him with scissors. Indeed, with such a firm declaration, it was certain. Adelaide Bibi would never have romantic feelings for Cesare Bonaparte. And that was always what he had wanted.
*"Whomever my respected brother meets has nothing to do with me."*
Cesare let out a low chuckle, still holding the unlit cigar.
"Then why do I feel so terrible..."
---
In the carriage returning to the Della Valle estate, Lucrezia stared blankly out the window, lost in thought. Her maid, Anese, with gray hair and glasses, and the taciturn footman with olive-colored hair, both remained silent.
"...Anese."
Lucrezia suddenly spoke without warning.
"Miss Adelaide said she would help me meet Marquis Cesare more often. Could that be true?"
Anese, Lucrezia's maid, flinched silently. Anese had recently been appointed as Lucrezia's maid from among the household servants of the Della Valle family. Her original job was cleaning the mansion daily. For her, the position of maid to the lady of Della Valle was far too generous.
Although she had not been with the Della Valle family for long, Anese had already realized that this was no ordinary job. She had noticed that the former maid, Hazel, had disappeared from the mansion at some point. No one in the household spoke of the vanished Hazel. Knowing it was better to keep her mouth shut like the others, Anese had still sought out the head maid the night she became Lucrezia's maid to ask.
"Head maid. You know I've become Lady Lucrezia's new maid, right?"
"Yes."
"...What happened to Hazel, the previous maid?"
The head maid's expression changed the moment the words were spoken.
"Anese. You know we are in a position to witness the affairs of high society."
"...Yes."
"And what they want from us is just one thing."
"..."
"*Omertà*."
The rule of silence. Anese had felt fear in the mansion where no one asked about Hazel. But running away was not an option, as working at the Della Valle mansion was too great a job.
"...Maybe she's just trying to reassure you?"
Knowing Lucrezia had already mentioned that Adelaide wasn't from Bonaparte, Anese answered cautiously. Lucrezia turned from the window to look at Anese. Her lavender eyes sparkled like they were coated in pearls.
"Is that so? But her eyes were different."
"Her eyes?"
Lucrezia ignored Anese's question and turned back to the window. She recalled the way Adelaide looked at Cesare.
*Adelaide probably doesn't love Marquis Cesare.*
It was clear from her gaze. Her amber eyes held a slight gloom and a decadent aura. Whenever those eyes turned to Cesare, they showed a deep sense of distance. Her attitude was also too detached to be that of a lover. Although Lucrezia thought it was a façade for Eva Bonaparte, Adelaide's demeanor hadn't changed until they parted ways.
A woman who doesn't love Cesare? Is that even possible? She herself trembled and felt her lower abdomen tighten just thinking about him. Perhaps Adelaide was either stupid, blind, or very aware of her place.
"Flavia Loredan is missing, isn't she? Then it's certain that Adelaide isn't Marquis Cesare's sister. She must have paid for breaking *Omertà*. Poor thing..."
Anese, who flinched at the last remark, responded humbly.
"If she isn't his sister, then she must have been brought in because of the arrangement with Della Valle."
"Seems so."
Lucrezia looked down sorrowfully.
"With just the arrangement, I could marry Marquis Cesare..."
Indeed, the best outcome would be for Adelaide to disappear. However, Lucrezia had seen the familiar red-haired *bracciere* behind Adelaide. He was Aegir Correll, known as Cesare's trusted aide. He was also known for handling various issues skillfully. It would probably be difficult to deal with Adelaide in the same way as before.
"...Wouldn't it be better to expose Miss Adelaide's true identity to society?"
Anese, now contemplating with her, suggested. Lucrezia smiled sweetly.
"Anese. If I did that, Marquis Cesare would really push me away. Not just me, but the entire Della Valle."
That was the last thing Lucrezia wanted. For Cesare to truly decide to cast her aside.
"This is fine. Just being slightly bothersome to Marquis Cesare. That way, I can safely approach him little by little. It's painful, but it's necessary for our future..."
Anese, her eyes darting, asked.
"Then do you plan to cooperate with Miss Adelaide?"
"Yes. If I can prove that Miss Adelaide isn't Marquis Cesare's lover, that would be better."
Lucrezia clasped her flushed cheeks with both hands. Thinking of Cesare brought her back to a state of ecstasy.
"If that's true, I could see Marquis Cesare more often. I want to see him more to make up for the time lost due to my penance..."
"But, my lady."
"Hmm?"
Anese hesitated before speaking.
"...That means Miss Adelaide will safely become a member of society and, following the arrangement, marry Lord Ezra, doesn't it?"
"Yes, that's right."
"...Is that alright with you?"
"What?"
Lucrezia tilted her head with a smiling face. Anese began to sweat lightly. She looked confused.
"She isn't of noble birth... A person like that marrying Lord Ezra..."
"Well? That's Lord Ezra's concern."
Lucrezia smiled brightly, making Anese's worries seem trivial.
"Brother will understand. He's kind. He likes me a lot too. Miss Adelaide is lady-like on the outside, so it should be fine, right?"
"..."
"But it's probably best not to mention Miss Adelaide's background, right? Anese, don't tell Brother, okay?"
Anese was at a loss for words. Did she mean that for the sake of her own love, it didn't matter if her brother married a commoner? Lucrezia's words left Anese shocked.
"And if she really is someone brought from outside, in the end..."
"...?"
Seeing Anese's curious expression, Lucrezia stopped talking. A coldness typical of high society flickered across her face.
"It's nothing."
Lucrezia just smiled sweetly.
---
Cesare's injury treatment was again handled by Doctor Giotto Grimaldi. Adelaide was relieved. She wanted to avoid clashing with him as much as possible. Dancing with Cesare had made her realize that Cesare Bonaparte was like a rapid current, sweeping away anyone careless enough to get caught.
*I don't want that.*
Cesare had probably also been scolded by the doctor for the dance lessons. Just before heading to the Hall of Aria for the lesson, a maid handed her a note.
*To my beloved sister, Adelaide. I deeply regret being unable to dance with you any longer due to Giotto's insistence. If nature or art set traps on human bodies or paintings to captivate eyes and hearts, even those combined pale in comparison to the joy reflected in your smiling face. Cesare Bonaparte.*