---
Cesare's words changed the expression of Count Domenico's face.
He looked as if he didn't believe his own ears, exactly the same as Eileen when the count had spoken of a "dog."
While Count Domenico stood as if petrified, Eileen reddened and raised her gaze to Cesare.
Having heard he’d arrived at the Imperial Palace, she thought she wouldn't see him again today.
She didn't believe she’d managed to see him both yesterday and today.
Moreover, Cesare himself had come to meet with her.
*‘How good it is that I became a Grand Duchess.’* She couldn't believe that she and Cesare had such a relationship.
Having restrained a surge to pinch her hand, Eileen asked: "I heard you were busy."
"No." Calmly having answered, he adjusted her hair, ruffled by the wind.
Eileen's skin for a moment froze from the touch of the leather glove.
Cesare poked with a finger at the tip of her nose and smirked.
"I have time to look at the wife's face.
Do you not like it?"
Of course she liked it.
Cheeks were more and more reddening from the tickling feeling.
Eileen answered quietly: "I am glad you came..."
Having received the desired answer, Cesare kissed her burning cheek.
Lips lightly touched the skin, were pleasant, but from embarrassment Eileen shrank.
"After all you are unwell, why are you standing in the street?"
"Ah, that..." To Cesare's question Eileen, as if having woken from a slumber, slightly came to herself.
She looked around at Count Domenico.
He had been taken by Michele to a respectful distance.
They were located far enough not to hear the conversation.
Having been convinced of this, Eileen stood on tiptoes and whispered in Cesare's ear: "He wants to become my dog!.."
Cesare laughed.
Eileen for a moment froze, looking at his laughing face with frowning eyes, and then caught herself.
Finally a person had appeared whom one could ask, and in a hurry she immediately blurted the most important, not having given explanations.
Hastily Eileen began in a whisper to supplement: "That is...
I didn't know, but it turned out the count was that client who bought medicines from me.
When I returned to the inn and saw that the count was seeking me, I thought something serious had happened and admitted I was the apothecary."
At this place she stopped and apologized to Cesare for having revealed her identity without permission.
Fortunately, Cesare magnanimously said she could act at her discretion.
With relief Eileen continued the explanation: "Thank you, your grace.
In general, after this the count suddenly stated he wanted to become the Grand Duchess's dog.
Naturally, I didn't ask him for this.
Maybe it's some kind of turn of speech in High Society I don't know of?
Do you understand what he has in mind?"
"We’ve already married, and you are still 'your grace'?"
Eileen stealthily glanced at Count Domenico and answered: "That... it seems to me, with others one mustn't call you simply by name.
Henceforth I will address you only by name, Cesare.
In any case, if you know the meaning, explain it to me.
It seems even Sir Michele is not in the course..."
Unlike the serious Eileen, Cesare only laughed.
Having laughed a little, he with a smile said: "I think the count wants to express gratitude to you." Her curiosity was not fully satisfied, but his words seemed plausible, and she nodded.
"Then I am glad."
"If you don't like an old dog, maybe get a young puppy?"
"E-e-e?
Well, I am not against dogs in general...
But if you are asking whether I like Count Domenico, that's not so..." Cesare again laughed, seeing how Eileen was fussing, not understanding where the joke was and where the truth.
Meanwhile, while Eileen and Cesare were talking, Count Domenico, watching them, blinked.
Having looked at the pair, he slowly turned to Michele.
His eyes questioned: *‘What at all is happening?’* Michele, rustling the bag and checking if there was bread there, looked at the count with a question.
In his calm eyes there was not a shadow of surprise, as if all this were an ordinary matter.
"He-he..." Count Domenico swallowed a chuckle.
He already thought Cesare very much cherished his wife.
Recall at least the kiss at the wedding or how he, chairman of the Senate, had been forced by threats to agree to become the Grand Duchess's "dog." One could think all was because of the incredible beauty of the Duchess.
But he hadn't expected the man, it seemed, woven of steel and gunpowder, could look so tenderly.
Not only he, but any other aristocrat of the capital would be shocked by this scene.
Cesare, joyfully laughing.
A sight that even in a dream one wouldn't dream of.
Public opinion of Grand Duke Erzet was polar.
Possessing an outstanding appearance and incredible military power, he was often compared with a god of war.
All admired Cesare.
Even his fierce gaze was perceived as the wildness of a warrior and evoked only sympathy.
But those who’d even for a little collided with Cesare's true nature knew one mustn't be deceived by the beautiful shell.
He didn't experience human emotions.
For him it was impossible to empathize, to love, to grieve or regret.
Although Cesare's cruelty was partly innate, the main reason was considered the circumstances in which he grew up—such was the general opinion among aristocrats.
His mother hated and tormented Cesare.
She considered that she’d lost the emperor's favor because of him.
Obsessed with superstitions, she believed that curses would return to her the emperor's love.
She conducted over little Cesare diverse rituals.
Daubing with the blood of animals on strange magic circles was one of the easiest trials.
He was forced to sleep in the belly of a black goat that was cut alive, or fed with herbs evoking hallucinations, for example, datura, and then locked in a dark room for several days without water.
And yet Cesare didn't die.
Since the curses didn't work, the mother sent the young prince to war.
Usually boys from noble families remained in the rear, gaining experience in safety.
But Cesare turned out on the front line, having experienced all the horrors of war, thanks to his mother.
Despite numerous battles, he not only survived but also earned the emperor's recognition.
But this became the beginning of a new misfortune.
Having been delighted by the useful prince, the emperor sent Cesare to all the more dangerous fields of battle.
His life was snatched out of others' hearts and flesh.
In some sense his cruel nature was inevitable.
When the twins won in the civil war and seized the throne, Count Domenico considered it a great blessing that Leone had become emperor, and not Cesare.
How could rule the empire one who doesn't understand human feelings, even if he were a god of war?
Fortunately, Cesare didn't manifest interest in politics.
But recently he’d unexpectedly begun actively to interfere in political affairs.
After the demand to build a triumphal arch, which had agitated the parliament, Cesare quickly expanded his influence, using soldiers of the imperial army absolutely devoted to him.
The aristocrats began to fear him, but...
Glancing at the man joyfully smiling at his wife, Count Domenico suddenly understood the reason for the changes in Cesare.
Probably, his feelings were similar to those experienced by the count himself, having become a spy in Calpen for the sake of his wife.
To Domenico it was difficult to believe that Cesare was capable of such.
Having for a long time looked at Cesare and Eileen, Count Domenico quietly sighed.
In any case, he was glad of the opportunity to thank his benefactress.
He was still thrown into a shiver by the thought that he’d nearly caused her harm.
If he had followed the King of Calpen's order, his wife, chained to bed, would already have become a cold corpse.
But heaven gave him an invaluable chance.
Count Domenico was full of resolution to pay back in full.
For the sake of the Grand Duchess Erzet, for the sake of Eileen.