Chapter Title: Disgusting
Cesare raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"Are you an idiot?"
"If that's what you prefer, I'll act that way."
Adelaide Bibi responded calmly. Her eyes were unfocused. Not just unfocused, but completely devoid of emotion, an inorganic gaze.
Cesare pulled a long smile to suppress his rising irritation. Even the old raccoons of the Signoria had never annoyed him this much.
"Adelaide Bibi."
Cesare whispered, looking down at her with a frown.
"Let me ask you again."
"Yes."
"Was that something to cry about?"
"..."
Adelaide hesitated slightly.
Cesare thought it would be better if Adelaide got angry here. Or even cried like yesterday. At least that would be better than this wretched attempt to impersonate a 'little sister.'
"...You're right, Brother."
But Adelaide Bibi smiled, beautiful and lifeless as if stamped from a mold.
"I overreacted. It's embarrassing. I shouldn't have..."
Only in the last sentence did her eyes reveal a hint of sarcasm, probably her only genuine feeling.
But she quickly erased her emotions and gently placed her hand on Cesare's chest.
"You'll forgive me, won't you?"
"..."
Cesare involuntarily smiled fiercely.
Adelaide Bibi was not the kind of woman to act like this. If anything, she would grab him by the collar.
*So, what was the big deal about some teasing?*
If it bothered her so much, she could have called him right away or whined about it. Or at least pretended to be weak.
Why couldn't this troublesome and prideful woman take the easy path and instead chose to irritate him this way?
His eyes grew fiercer as his thoughts continued. Adelaide, seeing his face, smiled clearly and stepped back.
"If there's something you don't like, I'll fix it. Don't be too angry. I'll do my best to meet your expectations from now on, so don't worry."
Feeling a strange emptiness where her hand had been, Cesare irritably brushed his clothes.
"My little sister seems to find it easy."
"Because it's what you told me to do."
"You'd even sleep if I told you to."
"Of course."
Cesare was taken aback by her unexpected response.
Adelaide tilted her head, as if puzzled by his reaction.
"I'll sleep if you tell me to."
"..."
Cesare's face gradually became expressionless at her calmly delivered words.
It was so obvious that he wondered why he hadn't thought of it before.
Adelaide would eventually be tied to Ezra because Cesare wanted it that way.
The shoeshine girl before him, not knowing what he was thinking, simply watched him.
A stupid shoeshine girl who cried just because she was among a crowd might fall for Ezra's slick appearance.
The shoeshine girl who hated being pushed into bed so much she almost brought out a razor blade.
The one who, though terrified enough to cry, never leaned on him.
Adelaide Bibi.
"...That's really..."
In a heavy, sharp voice that seemed to be addressed to no one in particular, Cesare sneered.
"Disgusting."
"..."
For a moment, Adelaide's eyes blurred, but only briefly. She smiled dryly and said,
"...I'm sorry. I'll try to fix that too."
---
After sending Cesare away, Adelaide stood in the middle of her room, staring blankly. Then she suddenly staggered.
"My lady."
Aegir quickly supported her.
"I'm fine."
Adelaide shook her head and pushed Aegir away. The red-haired *bracciere* stepped back, his beautiful blue eyes frowning.
Adelaide sat on the long sofa, catching her breath.
*"Disgusting."*
Her eyes started to feel hot. She closed them, curled up, and bit her lip hard.
*It wasn't surprising, was it? To Cesare Bonaparte, a shoeshine girl would be just that.*
Even while carrying out his orders, she was a disgusting existence. It wasn't surprising. Really.
"..."
After catching her breath for a long time, Adelaide slowly stood up.
When she looked up, Aegir was watching her silently, his face heavy with concern.
Adelaide smiled softly at him.
"Shall we practice the waltz? I still have a lot to learn to become a proper lady."
---
Quando m'en vo
Geneviève Malatesta was in a foul mood since morning.
*I'll be taking a different carriage today. Sorry.*
*- Lucrezia Della Valle.*
Lucrezia, who had been out of touch recently, had sent a letter saying she wouldn't be riding with Geneviève today. And on such a day!
"That damn girl betrayed me?! After all I've done for her!"
Geneviève fumed as she stood at the portico waiting for another family's carriage.
Her maid, Emery, tried to soothe her.
"My lady, don't be so upset. It's just a carriage ride."
Geneviève shot her a sharp look.
"Are you joking, Emery? Do you know what today is?"
"Well..."
"It's Lord Bonaparte's birthday celebration! And she wants me to ride in a cramped carriage with four people! Is Lucrezia out of her mind?"
Geneviève recalled Cesare Bonaparte's first birthday celebration after becoming the head of the family.
It was a nightmare. The narrow streets of Fornatie were clogged with carriages. It seemed like everyone in Santnar had brought out their carriages.
"Where did all these carriages come from?"
People from not only the northern island but also the southern island had come up to celebrate Cesare's birthday, so the traffic was worse than usual.
There was nowhere to park the carriages, so some parked on the streets, and those who parked far had to walk to the mansion, sweating.
Attending Cesare's birthday celebration was mandatory, even if it meant enduring such inconvenience.
Opportunities to connect with Cesare were rare. Though he was a dominant figure in society, he approached and seduced ladies on his terms, enjoyed the night, and then disappeared.
After the traffic nightmare of the first year, Cesare came up with a clean solution.
"Everyone must ride a single carriage with four people. I'll make an exception for the Priori family."
The nobles were outraged. So Cesare offered another option.
"Then I'll just celebrate with my family, and everyone else can relax at home."
Reluctantly, the nobles had to pair up in groups of four and ride in a single carriage. It was rare for families to ride together. Due to the sheer number of carriages, it took ages to get through the checkpoints.
High-ranking officials, except the Priori, chose to ride with other high-ranking officials to quickly pass through the main gate. Those without titles naturally fell to the back of the line.
Attendants or maids followed separately on donkeys and sent the donkeys back at the Bonaparte mansion's gate.
Geneviève had never ridden in a 'four-person carriage' before. She was Lucrezia's closest friend.
Lucrezia, as the daughter of Luca Della Valle, the current Priori, could use an entire carriage without interference.
So, during these grand parties, Geneviève would ride in the Della Valle carriage.
"But why the sudden change? It's all because of that Adelaide...!"
"My lady!"
Emery hurriedly covered Geneviève's mouth.
It was a presumptuous action, but Geneviève herself was surprised and looked around.
"...No one heard, right?"
"I don't think so."
Emery let go and wiped her sweat.
"But you should be careful. That name is a hot topic these days."
"I know!"
Geneviève shouted irritably and sighed.
"But it's still annoying..."
Adelaide Bonaparte. Lucrezia had probably gone to her.
Geneviève bit her crimson-painted lips.
"Even though she's a Bonaparte, she's from the countryside. She probably didn't receive proper education. Why is everyone making such a fuss?"
"But I heard she's very beautiful."
"Do you believe what men say? Really?"
Just then, a carriage appeared in the distance. It was from the Foscari family.
"A carriage is coming! Smile. And don't talk about such things in the carriage. Got it?"
Emery quickly arranged Geneviève's dress. Geneviève grumbled but smiled.
"I'll be going. Follow closely, Emery."
"Yes. I'll follow shortly."
---