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More than anything, Eileen was frightened by Michele's shot.
She pressed a hand to her chest.
Her heart pounded frantically from the blast.
Michele blew on the smoking barrel of his pistol and looked self-satisfied at Eileen.
His gaze held an expectation of praise.
Unfortunately, Eileen was so shaken she couldn't even think of compliments, barely holding onto the doorframe.
"Eileen!"
At that moment, a woman broke from the crowd, roughly pushing people aside.
A shawl slipped from her head, and magnificent golden hair played in the sun, sparkling like sand with gold.
"Le...
Lena?"
Eileen confusedly murmured her pseudonym while Malena desperately fought off the soldiers blocking her path, sharply slapping them with her graceful little hands.
"I have permission from His Grace the Grand Duke!
And I am an acquaintance of Eileen’s!"
Eileen quickly approached Michele, who was standing in the garden.
"Lord Michele!
She is an acquaintance of mine.
Please, let her through."
"Of course we'll let her through.
Do you need anything else?"
The smiling Michele looked perfectly ordinary, as if there were no chaos around them.
His calmness only increased Eileen's confusion.
"I... was going to go shopping..."
"Ah, shopping.
Give it to me." Michele snatched the basket from her and placed chocolate in her palm instead.
"I'll buy something tasty myself.
Stay inside with your friend."
Eileen felt herself being pushed back, and soon she was in the house again with Malena.
"..."
The door clicked shut.
They stood in the hallway, and for a few seconds, silence reigned.
Eileen was the first to break it, greeting her uncertainly:
"Good morning, Lena."
Malena smirked.
"Just call me Malena.
You know the truth about me now."
"Ah, Malena."
Eileen smiled, pronouncing her real name, but Malena’s face suddenly contorted as if she were about to cry.
Her arrogant expression, reminiscent of a spoiled rich cat, changed into a grimace of resentment, and Eileen felt frustration and pity.
She touched Malena’s hand and asked:
"How did you end up here?
Did something happen?"
"Of course something happened!
Why else would I come?!"
Malena shoved a newspaper at her.
A large headline immediately caught her eye:
**[Wedding of the Grand Duke... to Eileen Elodd]**
"Huh?.."
Eileen gasped in bewilderment.
She had heard the people at the gates saying something about a wedding, but because of the noise of the crowd, she couldn't make out anything.
*‘So the news of my marriage has already spread?’*
The newspaper Malena had brought was called *La Verita*—a publication known for its restrained, plausible articles and its pro-imperial stance.
Eileen took the newspaper and began to read, and with every line, her eyes and mouth opened wider.
"Is it true?" Malena asked anxiously.
"Are you truly marrying His Grace Grand Duke Erzet?"
Eileen looked at her dully, hesitating before answering.
"Yes..."
So it was.
Yesterday she had gone to the Duke’s residence, met with Cesare, and agreed to marry him.
But she hadn't expected that already the next day it would be the main news.
And on such a scale.
After the triumphal parade, the newspapers were already publishing daily articles about Grand Duke Erzet.
*La Verita* was still holding within the bounds of decency, but the tabloids were simply going wild: the Duke’s clothes, his favorite perfume, preferred dishes...
All of this became fodder for articles.
There was even a special edition dedicated to Cesare’s hobby of playing the piano.
But despite the fact that they were turning the Duke’s personal life inside out, not a word was written about Eileen.
Although rumors that he favored the daughter of his wet nurse were fairly well-known.
It was as if an invisible hand held the press in an iron grip—not a single newspaper mentioned Eileen.
No one dared to bother her with questions.
Of course, the "lily" incident during the parade and the "bloody banquet" after the victory celebration had been covered.
But the fact that young Lady Eileen Elodd was involved in them had remained hidden.
Journalists are persistent people.
They obviously knew of her existence, but until now they had left her alone—it must have been out of fear of the Duke.
But today her name had flown across the entire Empire.
And that could mean only one thing—Cesare himself had announced the upcoming wedding.
Eileen reread the word "wedding" several times.
It seemed so alien, even looking at it again and again.
And then she realized: there was nowhere to run now.
She really was going down the aisle with Cesare—and there was no escape.
"Show me your hand."
Startled out of her thoughts by that voice full of indignation, Eileen held out her right hand.
Malena slapped her own chest in frustration and shouted:
"The left!"
Eileen immediately held out the other hand.
Seeing the empty ring finger, Malena snapped her head back.
She squeezed her eyes shut, restraining her fury, but when she looked at Eileen again, her eyes burned like a lioness’s.
"He didn't even give you a ring?!"
"Well, that's..." Eileen shrank back.
"He d-didn't..."
"His Grace could buy you a diamond ring the size of your fist!"
Malena flared up, indignant that the Duke, capable of showering her with rings with enormous gems, hadn't bothered to present even an engagement ring.
Eileen stole a glance toward the bedroom where her father was and tried to calm Malena.
"Malena, quieter, please..."
"Uff.
Sorry.
The journalists are right out there."
The journalists remained beyond the garden, so Malena’s voice wouldn't reach them anyway.
But Eileen was worried about her father, so she didn't try to reason with her.
"Eileen...
I mean, Lady Elodd."
Eileen flinched at such a form of address and waved her hands.
"Just my name is fine."
"I didn't know you were an aristocrat.
And I certainly didn't think you were the girl His Grace protects."
"And I didn't know you were a dancer."
Malena smirked, as if sighing.
Eileen also smiled in response.
Malena was special among all those who visited Eileen.
When she first came to the laboratory, she was suffering from the consequences of an abortion.
"They say you're the best," she’d said with a pale smile.
"Do you have medicine to die beautifully and without pain?
I'll pay whatever you say."
She threw a heavy purse on the table.
Gold coins scattered with a crash; it seemed there would be no end to them.
Eileen looked at them, then took one coin and silently counted the others, returning the purse.
"Do you like hot chocolate?
I have nothing else."
She quickly prepared the drink and served it to Malena.
Malena stared at the cup in bewilderment, but the warm sweetness in her hands made her take a sip.
"I will make the medicine you need.
But it will take time."
"How much?"
"Mm...
A month.
But you will need to come for a check-up every few days."
Eileen explained that for the perfect medicine, time and care were needed.
Then she took the empty cup and added:
"And go to a doctor."
Only a healthy woman can die beautifully, she explained.
Malena believed her.
Now it sounded silly, but then her mind was too weak.
She wanted to become the most beautiful corpse in the capital, so she went to a doctor and visited Eileen once a week.
Eileen examined her each time and treated her to something tasty.
After a few visits, Malena began bringing treats herself—news from the best pastry shops, imported sweets, luxurious desserts.
Eileen was delighted every time, like a child.
Malena liked seeing her that way, and soon a silent competition began between them—to surprise each other.
But it confused her that Eileen already seemed to have tasted all these expensive delicacies, which a poor apothecary could hardly afford.
*‘Does she really spend all her money on sweets?’* Malena had thought then.