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She spoke with the shopkeeper about sales plans, told him not to worry about the headache pills, and chatted for a bit.
Then, with a triumphant air, she returned home with the watch.
Diego was supposed to visit soon, so she could ask him to deliver the gift.
*‘He probably already has many fine watches.
But surely he needs an ordinary one for daily use—something simple that he wouldn't mind losing.’*
Though the expense had been significant, she was pleased with her choice.
She hummed to herself as she approached the house.
"?"
An unfamiliar car was parked in front of the house.
Usually, the Duke's subordinates used army vehicles bearing the insignia of the imperial army.
After examining the car closely, she found no identification marks—it seemed it was not a military vehicle.
Passing by the car, Eileen entered the garden and immediately flinched in surprise.
A stranger was examining the orange tree.
He was an elderly man of large build.
*‘Perhaps a guest of my father's?’*
Aside from the Duke's soldiers, no one else ever came to see Eileen.
Thus, the idea that this was her father's guest seemed the most plausible.
Eileen discreetly hid the watch box behind her back and approached the man.
"Hello."
Hearing the greeting, the man turned around immediately.
His dull eyes, surrounded by drooping lids, slid up and down Eileen's frame.
The gaze was persistent and unpleasant.
Eileen mentally rebuked herself.
One shouldn't judge a stranger based on a single look.
It was simply ill-mannered.
"Eileen Elodd?"
"Yes!
Are you a friend of my father's?"
Vigorously brightening her expression and smiling, she saw the man break into a satisfied smirk.
His smile, revealing his teeth, was so repulsive that she wanted to run away, but she restrained herself.
"Hmm, I am a close friend of Baron Elodd."
A foreign accent was discernible in his speech.
Perhaps he was a nobleman from another country.
*Maybe father owes him money and hasn't paid?
I've already spent all my money on the pocket watch...
Will I be able to resolve the matter with the emergency savings?*
Hiding her anxious thoughts, Eileen spoke politely to this "friend of her father's."
"Father is away at the moment."
"Is that so?"
Despite being informed of her father's absence, the man showed no intention of leaving.
Watching him in hesitation, Eileen asked, not knowing why herself:
"Would you like some tea?"
"Bring it."
He agreed immediately and followed Eileen into the house.
She seated him in the living room and hurried to the second floor to hide the watch box.
Judging by her father's usual behavior, his "friend" had likely come for money.
Anything could be given—anything but the watch.
This gift was intended only for Cesare.
If she didn't present it now, she would forever miss the moment when he could celebrate a historic victory.
"Forgive me..."
Whispering an apology to "father's friend," she hid the box in the farthest corner of the wardrobe.
Then she pulled a small safe from under the bed and checked the spare cash.
Counting the silver coins, Eileen compressed her lips.
She didn't know how much her father had borrowed, but she hoped at least the interest would be enough.
Having checked her emergency funds, she returned downstairs.
"Father's friend" was no longer looking at the orange tree but at the lilies in the vase.
Heading to the kitchen to prepare tea, she felt his intense gaze upon her.
*‘Why is he looking at me like that?’*
Assuming he was about to ask for money, she hurried with the tea.
Just as she took the tray and was about to turn...
"Ah!"
Eileen flinched and nearly dropped the tray.
The man was standing directly behind her.
Her heart pounded from the fright.
He was roughly the same height as her, and their eyes were at the same level.
Unexpectedly, he reached out and pushed back her bangs.
Eileen’s eyes were fully revealed.
Though it was a gross rudeness, her hands were occupied with the tray, and she couldn't stop him.
When she simply stared with wide eyes, the man chuckled.
"Just as they said—truly mesmerizing eyes."
Eileen hastily backed away.
Setting the tray down wherever she could, she spoke hurriedly:
"What are you doing?
If this is about money..."
"Money?"
Repeating the word briefly, the man's face suddenly contorted into a malevolent grimace.
"Yes, it’s about money.
I have something to tell you, Lady Elodd."
His voice grew louder.
Eileen shrank back at his threatening tone.
"Baron Elodd made a clear agreement with me regarding a sale.
We signed a contract, and he received a down payment.
Now all that remains is to receive the girl and the rest of the sum...
But the Baron suddenly vanished."
Eileen felt a sinister premonition.
She wanted to drive away the bad thoughts, but it wouldn't work.
As if someone were controlling her lips against her will, they moved on their own.
"What item did he promise you?"
She asked the question, hoping her guess was wrong.
The man smirked.
His smile distorted so much that both upper and lower teeth were visible.
"He promised me his daughter.
I’ve already prepared everything for the wedding, but the bride isn't coming, so I’ve come myself."
She had thought her father had already sold off all their property, but it turned out something still remained.
Eileen.
According to imperial law, an unmarried girl cannot refuse a marriage arranged by her parents.
Her father had sold Eileen to get money for gambling.
Her head spun; a ringing sounded in her ears.
Whether it was because of something happening beyond her control or a refusal to believe in what was occurring.
There weren't even tears.
Instead, she wanted to laugh.
The man, standing before the stunned Eileen, pulled a contract from his pocket and shoved it under her nose.
The seal of House Elodd was clearly visible on the document.
"I will return in three days—be ready for departure.
Do not doubt, I will pay generously for the bride."
Leaving this message, the man departed.
The door slammed.
To Eileen, it felt like the sound of her life ending.
Left alone, Eileen slowly sank to the floor.
The hard wooden floor pressed against her legs, but she didn't even think about moving to the soft sofa—she just sat there.
Suddenly, she remembered Cesare's words in the greenhouse:
*"You have to marry someone eventually—am I not better than some old pig?"*
The man who had come today was large and elderly.
Cesare's previously mysterious words now took on a clear meaning.
*‘So His Highness already knew.’*
He must have found out while looking for her father.
Eileen covered her face with her hands.
A wave of shame enveloped her, compressing her whole body.
The realization of her own powerlessness before the problem was particularly agonizing.
Cesare was her only hope.
Eileen looked at the velvet red box she was clutching like a lifebuoy.
She didn't want to present the gift in such a situation at all.
But it was probably better to come with something than with empty hands.
Eileen rubbed her red, tear-stained nose with the back of her hand and looked toward the villa.
Armed soldiers guarded the gates—it was the townhouse Grand Duke Erzet used while in the capital.
Cesare had acquired it when he became a Duke, but had soon left for the war, and the house had been empty ever since.
This was Eileen’s first time here as well.
She hesitated to approach and examined the residence from a distance.
Calling out her name would have been enough to get her admitted instantly, but she lacked the courage for now.
She needed a little more time to prepare.
She hesitated for a long time, delaying the moment she would have to humbly beg for help.
Finally, Eileen headed toward the house.
The soldiers immediately blocked her path.
"I’m here to see His Grace.
Please tell him it’s Eileen..."
"Lady Eileen!"
Without waiting for the end of her sentence, the soldiers exclaimed respectfully.
Eileen flinched slightly at their stern shout and blinked rapidly.
"Please wait."
They immediately contacted the house and escorted her inside.
The massive iron gates opened, revealing a garden with lush greenery.
On such a golden piece of land in the very center of the capital—such a villa...
The sheer luxury took her breath away.
Servants had already lined up on the porch.
They bowed respectfully to Eileen.
The elderly butler standing at the front greeted her:
"Finally, you've visited us.
We've been waiting for you, Lady Eileen."