Chapter Title: The Trembling Embrace
While Lucrezia was being summoned, the councillor and the knights arrived. They were accompanied by a city magistrate as well. It didn't look like things were going to end simply. While the officials and family members were talking, Adele was treated by a physician from the Grimaldi family. As soon as the councillor saw Adele's neck, he grimaced, and when he saw her arm, he clicked his tongue.
"Oh, I hope this doesn't leave a scar..." As he was pulling the glass from her arm, a sharp gaze pierced her cheek. When she turned her head, she caught Cesare doing the same—turning away and speaking to Luca.
*…?* She wondered, but decided not to dwell on it. Ezra stood against the wall, sullen, staring at Adele. He tried to approach her a few times but was stopped by Aegir. Soon, Lucrezia was summoned. She was draped in a fur shawl, feigning illness while having been preparing for the ball. When she heard the account, she appeared stunned.
"I don't understand. Why would I summon Palmina? Ezra and Bernie asked me to arrange something. That's why I didn't even send out invitations." Having finished her defense, Lucrezia turned to Adele with sorrowful eyes.
"Are you alright, Miss Adelaide? I can't believe this happened... The actions of Della Valle—I apologize as a member of this house." As she finished speaking, Luca interrupted.
"We'll have to address this publicly somehow. How dare anyone do this to a guest of Della Valle!" Amid his theatrical outrage, Adele watched Lucrezia in silence. Their eyes met, as if both had been waiting. It just so happened that no one was watching them. Lucrezia smiled and moved her lips. *He's not dead.*
"……."
*Insane.* Adele turned her head. Just then, Cesare took control of the situation with a stern demeanor.
"The body is in police custody. We'll discuss the details tomorrow at Palmina's estate. The Della Valle family must be present."
Luca nodded firmly. "Understood. I'll contact Prince Palmina immediately."
"Do that."
"I believe that's best."
"Aegir, carry Adele to the carriage and remain at the scene. From tonight, Adele will be staying at the Stellone Resort. Eponi will bring her belongings."
"Yes, my lord." The crowd fell silent. Cesare finished giving orders and walked directly toward Lucrezia. The sound of his footsteps was particularly unnerving.
"Ces—!" Ezra stepped forward with an anxious expression. But Cesare walked past Lucrezia, defying everyone's expectations. He spoke coldly.
"You've crossed the line."
Lucrezia smiled innocently. "I love you, Prince Cesare."
---
Adele climbed into the blue carriage with Cesare.
"We're going back together."
She had thought she would be summoned in about a week and return after some unpleasant ordeal at a noble manor. The silver lining was that she had nearly died and come back alive, so all her complicated thoughts about Cesare had been wiped clean. But that didn't seem to be the case for him. From the moment he entered the carriage, he stared at Adele in silence. Then he asked quietly.
"Did you cry?"
*Can't you tell just by looking?* Adele replied, masking her deeper thoughts.
"Tears come naturally when you're being strangled."
"So you did cry. Why make it complicated?"
"I just wanted to clarify that I didn't cry because I was emotionally distressed."
"I'm not interested."
"I know."
Cesare let out a heavy sigh at her blunt reply. Then he opened his arms.
"……?"
"I feel sorry for poor Adele, who almost died. I think she needs some comfort."
"……."
Adele waited for him to say it was a joke, but Cesare didn't give her the answer she wanted. He stubbornly held his arms open, staring at her.
"It's alright."
"It's not alright. You must want to tremble in the arms of the most handsome man in Fornatier."
"I've never felt that way before."
Cesare was silent for a moment. "Me?"
"In Kimora. Sometimes I nearly died."
The answer was cut short. A dark shadow passed through his bright lemon-gold eyes. His outstretched arms didn't waver. Adele stared at them for a long moment, then lowered her gaze. *Is this an extension of his offer to sleep together?* If so, there was no reason to refuse. She rose slowly and leaned her upper body toward him. She had only meant to pretend to embrace him. But as she awkwardly extended her arms, Cesare pulled her in.
"……!"
The force was so strong that the air escaped her lungs. His hard forehead and the bridge of his nose pressed against the nape of her neck. He inhaled carefully, avoiding the bruises on her throat. Then his broad back rose and fell as he swelled with breath before releasing it in a long, shuddering exhale. She felt a faint tremor.
"……."
Adele held onto him and looked down at her own hand. It was trembling. *…How would I know?* Cesare tightened his grip around her, his throat rumbling as she shifted. The hem of her dress was crumpled, and her long hair tangled between his fingers, but he didn't seem to care. Meanwhile, the trembling in his hands gradually subsided. Adele closed her eyes and clenched her fists. When she opened them again, she felt calmer. She looked down at Cesare's hair against her. Royal blue. Or the color of the deep sea—a beautiful shade with a blue sheen over black. Perhaps sensing her gaze, Cesare spoke quietly.
"It's just because I like your body."
He said that, then pressed the bridge of his nose harder against her shoulder.
"…I was bought by you."
Adele laughed softly. "…Yes. I know."
This time, the man laughed at her answer. She glimpsed his well-groomed brows furrowing through his flowing hair.
"You don't know."
His voice sounded faintly pained. Adele blinked once, then looked up at the ceiling.
"I know it's not something I need to understand."
"……."
His grip on her back tightened, but Cesare said nothing more.
*I thought he would try something, but he didn't.* He was unpredictable. He didn't seem to want to let go, and since his arms were still trembling, Adele casually placed her hands on the back before her. Cesare flinched for a moment, then held her as if squeezing an orange. He did not release her until the carriage stopped.
---
Lucrezia returned to her room after a lengthy discussion with Luca della Valle, the city magistrate. Her handmaiden, Anese, had kept the lights on.
"My lady, you've returned?"
"Mm. I'd like some tea. Could you prepare it?"
"Yes. Please wait a moment."
As Anese left to fetch the tea set, Lucrezia approached the terrace. When she opened the door, a man wearing a black tabard and a wide-brimmed hat slipped inside. It was Lucrezia's sworn knight.
"Well done, Lord Arles."
"……."
Arles shook his head. Lucrezia seated herself on the sofa in the private parlor. She did not offer the knight a seat—naturally, given the difference in their stations. The knight spoke in a manner that seemed to accept this as expected.
"Aegir Korrer had infiltrated. He dealt with it before I could step in."
"I heard. It seems Prince Cesare had someone inside as well. I was planning to kill the man afterward anyway, so it worked out. You weren't seen, were you?"
Arles nodded.
"Good. What else?"
"We acquired what you wanted."
"I knew you would. Thank you."
Lucrezia smiled. Just then, Anese returned. She placed only the tea set on the low table and withdrew. Lucrezia murmured as she slowly brewed her tea.
"She's so fortunate..."
She recalled the words of the maid she had ordered to observe the ballroom earlier.
*"They danced for an hour. Cesare wouldn't let go of Adelaide. The people around them remarked on how much they looked like lovers, though I'm not sure it was meant as a compliment."*
"……."
Her concentration wavered, and the tea overflowed the cup.
"Oh..."
Lucrezia stared at the spilling tea, her eyes flickering with something unreadable.
"…I'm going to kill her soon."