Chapter 1.2

Chapter 1.2

She cautiously pushed the door open, revealing a cluttered space. Glass tubes, books, syringes, hoses… It was a chaotic array of miscellaneous items.

Despite the familiar surroundings, it felt incredibly unfamiliar. It was because of the man standing by the window.

He was caressing the flowerpot on the windowsill, and the poppy petals were carelessly crushed against his leather gloves.

As he removed his hand and turned around, a few scarlet petals fluttered softly to the ground.

He wore a navy blue uniform. The outfit was flawless on his frame, making him appear elegant and neat. Only the string of medals and badges caught the sunlight, casting a soft glow.

Under those dark locks, further shaded by the blazing sun, gleamed a pair of crimson eyes, unwaveringly fixed on Eileen.

Those eyes garnered praise for their clarity and nobility akin to rubies. And yet, they were also the subject of notorious rumors, often likened to his exploits on blood-stained battlefields.

“Eileen Elrod.”

A mellifluous baritone called out her name. Eileen, caught off guard, belatedly took a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.

“Y-your… Your Excellency.”

The sudden reunion made her heart race. After swallowing nervously, she managed to speak.

“Um…uh… C-congratulations on your victory.”

Chezare chuckled at her stuttering words. It was a laugh that seemed to suggest he hadn’t expected to hear such words as a first greeting.

Eileen also felt that it was a very unseemly greeting, so she hesitated before adding, “I thought you were preparing for the victory ceremony.”

Now that the Triumphal Arch had just been approved, it was time to prepare for the belated victory ceremony. Surely, he would be busy beyond belief, so she couldn’t fathom why he had come to this shabby inn.

Of course, he found Eileen quite charming. But it was only out of courtesy, as the daughter of his deceased nanny. In the face of potential upheaval that might result from the approval of the Triumphal Arch, there was no need for him to rush into a relationship and put everything else aside.

Eileen waited for an explanation, watching his reaction carefully. But Chezare just stared at her silently. His gaze was so intense and incomprehensible.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, she was about to speak again when he suddenly smiled wryly and approached her.

The sound of military boots echoed on the worn wooden floor. As he got closer, his stature became more apparent. He was taller than most men, with broad shoulders and a firm, muscular body.

In the face of such an imposing figure, Eileen felt suffocated. His striking looks were said to be comparable to the male gods in legends.

However, Eileen was well aware of how cruel and terrifying Chezare could be. Even now, she could smell the distinct scent of blood and gunpowder emanating from him.

As the man sat down in front of her, an inexplicable sense of nervousness rose up her spine, and she lowered her gaze.

“You created a drug.”

“… What?” Eileen’s head shot up when she heard the abrupt comment.

As Chezare’s gaze fixed on her, continued languidly, “Morpheus, Eileen.”

“Oh, that can be used as a painkiller…!”

“And?”

Eileen’s lips shut tight at his retort. Morpheus was a powerful painkiller, but its main ingredient was opium. Being a derivative of opium, it had considerable addictive properties.

After the former emperor died of drug addiction, the Empire imposed the death penalty on those involved in the production or distribution of drugs.

As the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army, Chezare had the authority for summary execution. He could shoot Eileen in the head right here and now without any repercussions.

There was a rush of countless excuses in Eileen’s mind. She could say that she wanted to contribute to the Empire, that it would be immensely helpful to His Excellency’s soldiers who had been wounded during the war…

However, in her overwhelming fear, she couldn’t articulate a single word. She trembled, afraid that he might point his gun at her any moment.

Seeing her pale face, he sighed softly. His hand cupped her cheek, gently rubbing her fair skin as he mumbled, “Oh, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

When he spoke, he sounded as though he wanted to scare her, but he simply brushed aside her bangs. Then, he removed her already-crooked glasses and put them on.

It was strange seeing the pair of round glasses on his face. He smiled, as his finger pressed the frame down.

“Listen, Eileen.”

With the glasses and her bangs out of the way, her field of vision felt extremely strange. She looked at Chezare with a trembling gaze.

“I happen to need a duchess.”

He lowered his head leisurely. Eileen was so nervous that she was barely breathing. His fine, black hair fell towards her.

“Shall we get married?”