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Eileen froze in bewilderment, her mouth slightly agape, letting out a short gasp.
She was flustered by how quickly the way she was addressed had changed after the announcement of the engagement.
"But it’s not time yet..." she murmured automatically, unable to restrain her shock.
Cesare smirked, as if finding it amusing.
Instead of answering, he simply took Eileen by the hand and led her through the parlor.
When they opened the door, Sonnyo, who had been waiting outside, immediately attended to them.
His face remained calm despite Cesare's sudden appearance.
"We are heading to the outskirts; prepare the carriage."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Sonnyo vanished instantly upon receiving the order.
Cesare then led Eileen to the dressing room.
Upon seeing it, the girl gasped in surprise.
Dresses, women's jewelry, hats, shoes—everything had been prepared in advance.
Eileen was amazed; such an abundance of women's items seemed out of place in a bachelor's house.
While Eileen looked around, Cesare expertly selected an outfit.
A skirt with a blouse, gloves, and a hat were laid out on the sofa.
At the last moment, he chose a hair accessory and beckoned Eileen.
She approached timidly.
Cesare pinned back her bangs with a clip and then took away her glasses.
Eileen touched her face uncertainly.
Now, fully revealed, it felt alien to her.
"This will be better."
"But..."
"Glasses will only draw unnecessary attention there."
Cesare reassured her and told her to change, leaving the room.
Left alone, Eileen hesitantly removed her clothes.
She neatly folded her old clothes in a corner and put on the new ones chosen for her.
To her surprise, everything fit perfectly.
The fabric slid pleasantly over her skin.
Mechanically, she glanced in the mirror.
"Oh."
Eileen immediately squeezed her eyes shut.
Her face, uncovered by glasses and bangs, seemed like a stranger's and evoked painful memories.
Looking at herself in the mirror was agonizing.
*"You are ugly!"* her mother had screamed in anger, looking directly into her eyes, calling them disgusting and vile.
Sometimes she had even reached for scissors.
Even in a good mood, her mother might suddenly grimace at the sight of her daughter.
Once, her mother had given Eileen glasses.
Since then, she had worn them even though her vision was fine, and she had grown out her bangs to hide her "ugly" face.
She even washed her face quickly to avoid looking in the mirror.
And now she was facing this trial again.
Eileen turned away from the mirror, put on her hat, then her gloves and shoes, completing her change of clothes.
She almost ran out of the dressing room, where Cesare was giving instructions to a servant.
At the sound of the door, both turned around.
"!"
The servant's eyes bulged as he stared at her.
His mouth even hung slightly open.
Eileen, embarrassed, looked away.
*‘If only I had my glasses...’*
She instinctively reached for her face, but Cesare caught her wrist—her eyes were red from tears, and further touching would only irritate them.
Eileen lowered her head and pressed herself against Cesare's back as they walked out.
She didn't look up until they had left the mansion.
"Lady Eileen."
Before they boarded the carriage, Sonnyo called out to her.
Eileen timidly met his gaze.
Fortunately, he showed neither surprise nor disgust at the sight of her revealed face.
He only smiled warmly, as he always did.
*‘Then again, he’s known me since I was a child.’*
The servant had seen her as a little girl, running carefree around the house.
Her face was not unfamiliar to him.
"The pastry you didn't manage to try today, I will send later."
"No, there’s no need..."
"Do not refuse.
You wouldn't want to deprive an old man of his sleep, would you?"
He jokingly threatened that he wouldn't be able to sleep if she refused the pastry.
Eileen gave in, and Sonnyo’s face lit up with a smile.
"Visit often, Lady Eileen."
"Don't worry, Sonnyo.
Soon she will be here permanently," Cesare answered for her, nodding slightly.
"Will you return late?"
"Yes, Your Highness.
Everything will be ready for your return."
Under his following gaze, Eileen and Cesare boarded the carriage.
They quickly left the city, heading toward the outskirts.
To the very street where Eileen had looked for her father.
It had no formal name, but among the people, it was called Fiore.
Taverns, gambling houses, brothels—everything that belonged to the night was gathered here.
It was said they traded in forbidden things here, even hiring assassins.
But all of this remained rumors, without confirmation.
*‘And I am here again.’*
Eileen, whose life was far removed from Fiore, swallowed and pressed closer to Cesare.
At the entrance to the district, they stepped out, and Cesare offered his arm.
He walked confidently, ignoring the street callers.
Eileen looked around nervously while he moved forward unperturbed.
"What is it?" Cesare asked, noticing her anxiety.
"What if someone recognizes you?"
Thanks to the Grand Duke's popularity, the color of black waves had become fashionable in the capital.
On Fiore, too, many men walked with such hair.
But among them, Cesare stood out.
His hair was black as a raven's wing—a shade that couldn't be achieved with dye.
"Let them recognize me.
They'll just think I've gone out with my beloved."
That was exactly what she feared.
More reason for gossip among the Duke's countless female admirers.
People's attention was drawn to her particularly often today.
She reached to adjust her glasses, but her hand only touched empty air.
Eileen walked with her head bowed, longing to hide.
Soon they reached the largest tavern in Fiore.
There had been a larger one, but it had recently gone bankrupt overnight, vanishing without explanation.
Two brawny guards stood at the entrance.
They were smoking and whispering, but upon seeing Cesare, they immediately straightened up.
He flicked them some coins and went inside.
"Goodness!"
Eileen clutched his arm.
She had heard of this place, but the scale exceeded her expectations.
Red velvet covered the walls, and a huge hall stretched out under hanging chandeliers.
Dancers moved to the music.
Their dresses of crimson silk, satin, and black lace sparkled, and feathers adorned their hair.
Necklines and thighs were exposed, making Eileen blush.
With every movement, skirts billowed, revealing legs in elastic stockings.
Everyone around was having fun, except for her.
The music changed, and sparkles showered from the ceiling.
Among them appeared a trapeze dancer.
Adorned with sequins, she sparkled like a jewel.
The artist was clearly famous—the audience met her with enthusiastic cheers.
"Malena!"
She blew air kisses as she swung.
Her dress fluttered in the air.
The music died down, and she prepared to descend.
"!"
Their eyes met.
Malena froze.
Eileen's eyes widened too.
She recognized her—the customer named Lena, who bought contraceptives.
The dancer saw her without glasses.
The shocked Malena shifted her gaze to Cesare and her eyes widened even further.
But immediately her expression changed, and she began to sing.
The other performers were confused—this was not part of the script.
However, the experienced musicians quickly caught on.
Malena, throwing back her golden hair, sang while looking directly at Eileen.
"Men, men, despicable men!
He who believes them is a fool.
Their lies are like honey, their words are poison.
Deceivers, hypocrites, scoundrels!"
The song sounded like a strike to the most painful spots.