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nChapter 86

nThe leopard-like gaze glided from the crown adorning my head down to the shoes that peeked under my dress.

nThen, he quickly raised his gaze again and stared at me closely.

n“I thought you weren’t the type of person to browse through women’s clothing, but you look unexpectedly satisfied. Is this the power of first love?

nHis low voice combined with a sarcastic smile and playful atmosphere were able to send a cold sensation down onto my spine.

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nHis hands which enclosed my body couldn’t be anymore terrifying, but I managed to smile nonchalantly as usual.

nI had to be careful, if he ever happened to discover even just a bit of my intention…….

n“Not as much as you, brother.”

n“Do you mean I look good?”

n“Sometimes, like now for example. Who else would be worth comparing to you? I’ve been waiting for this day to come for so long already, how’s father doing? What about Enzo?”

n“Father is busy hanging out with his new lover. Julia is currently pregnant.”

nHe grabbed my waist, lifted me up, and put me down easily while still in tune to the beat.

nThe beautiful chandelier was spinning above me.

n“Enzo was beaten furiously by father because he got in trouble while joining the war in Rimini Camp.”

n“Ah… That’s just like him.”

n“He had been hiding in my mother’s house lately. Such a man is in charge of the Pope’s Army. I wonder when will father get himself together, hmph.”

nDark and bitter emotions flashed through his sapphire-colored eyes.

nI recalled Cesare and Enzo’s mother, who was from Cortizan.

nI’d only met her very occasionally because she rarely appeared in public meetings and stayed quietly in her private house, but I remember the time I wasn’t convinced of the fact that she was Cesare’s biological mother.

n“Honestly, Brother is more qualified for such a position than anyone else. However, I don’t like it when you go to dangerous places.”

nThe man’s mouth loosened ever so slightly after putting on a smile, gaze sharp enough to cut through me.

n“My beloved sister. Father’s temper has been unpredictable lately. Enzo is just being Enzo, but you also caused an accident.”

nYes, I knocked everything over really hard. Because I made the marriage invalidation became impossible.

nWhen I was about to open my mouth to utter a response, the song came to an end.

nCesare added in a terrifying tone as he pulled me into his arms for the last time.

n“The two of us will talk about that later, so let’s finish watching this pigpen for now.”

n* * *

nThe feast of the gladiator match was held four days in total.

nThe first day was the day to welcome the special guests from the foreign countries as well as the players, and the match was held for two days.

nThe last day was the wrap up of the festival.

nBecause it was the first day of the banquet, it was a great place to gauge the skills and exchange interaction with high-ranking people of Romagna, delegations from the diplomatic countries, as well as talented people who became participants from different countries.

nThe same with young men and women who dreamed of having a sweet affair with the opposite gender.

nAs usual, the atmosphere on the first day was the most lively.

nThe thrill and excitement that would’ve subsided altogether after the festival came to an end, and all other desires shone in various ways, filling the splendid banquet hall.

nBut Izek was not interested in those kinds of things.

nHe stood and leaned against the golden pillar, smoking a leaf cigar while sipping from his glass, as he simply stared straight at the dance floor.

nSeveral people had come near to strike up a close conversation with him, but the man quickly withdrew himself, exuding a menacing aura that didn’t allow them to approach him.

nHe looked like a fantastic sculpture. A beautiful sculpture. One that was best appreciated just from afar.

n“Compared to his bad reputation, he seems to be a surprisingly energetic person.”

nIvan muttered with one arm draped around his shoulder after returning from a round of dance.

nIzek answered without turning his head.

n“I think so.”

n“I still don’t know why you asked us to do that. Did anyone say anything weird to you?”

n“What are you talking about?”

n“…nevermind, why don’t you loosen up instead of sulking around like this? Everyone would think you’re the kind of guy to go after his wife, wouldn’t they? If you’re as mushy as always were, no matter how much you like him, you’ll still be pissed off. Such a foolish b**t*rd.”

nIvan seemed in a good mood today as he babbled continuously.

nPerhaps it was because he had danced with Ellenia earlier.

nIgnoring the uncommon thought, Izek focused his attention on the pair of siblings across the dance floor again.

nRudbeckia looked very happy as she twirled around while holding her brother’s hand.

nIt was unexpected like what Ivan said. Not only Cardinal Valentino, but also Rudbekia’s demeanor.

nFrom the moment they reunited until now, they unexpectedly seemed to be genuinely delighted in each other.

nThe brother that sold her several times.

nOf course, the will of the Pope was far more absolute than anyone else in her marriage.

nRegardless of that, Izek could not see Cesare in a good light.

nIt was only because of Rudbeckia that he showed his courtesy thoroughly, unlike usual.

nBecause he didn’t want her to be nervous while looking at him.

nHe recalled what happened at the stable of the other day again when her head began to throb.

nWas Cesare the one who made her that way, the bystander, or was he no different than her, nothing but a scapegoat of this complicated and unrevealed story?

nHe thought he could’ve known it after watching it with his own eyes, but then he thought to wait and observe it a little longer.

nUntil now, Cesare and Rudbeckia seemed just like a pair of affectionate siblings.

nShe did not show any fear or being disturbed in particular.

nIzek would have noticed immediately if she had shown even just a little of those expressions.

nSo, should he feel relieved?

nShortly afterwards, the fact that Rudbeckia had been hiding her strange eating habit so well came to his mind.

nThe habit in which Ellenia said she would’ve never imagined if it wasn’t because of his mother’s doing.

nHe presumed that she wasn’t very good at hiding something.

nIn some ways, she looked really careless, but in some ways she was like a shard of enclosed puzzle in a veil.

nIt wasn’t that he didn’t have the urge to hold her and question everything closely.

nHe wanted to ask her who made her like this every time he saw her eyes which were as clear as the lake flickering. And whenever he soothed the scars engraved on her smooth body.

nWhat kind of hell did she go through before she finally came to him?

nBut he couldn’t do so. Whenever he intended to ask about her past, she would immediately avert the topic, and her sorrowful eyes were tainted with a somber look.

nThere was nothing he could do about that.

nHe didn’t know what she was so anxious about nor what life she had been living in the past, but urging her to tell everything to him would be impossible as well.

nMoreover, she probably would not have told him even if he asked about it.….

nNo, he was convinced that she would’ve never opened up to him.

nThere was a secret hidden closely behind her innocent smile, like a taboo box adorned so colorfully.

nAnd if he even forcibly tried to open the box, he would’ve had no idea what was about to happen afterwards.

nHe had to figure out a different way.

nSipping from his glass, Izek turned his attention away.

nHe knew about the fact that there was Duke Vishelier of Rembrandt here.

nAnd the fact that he had been looking at his surrounding like an adolescent boy full of curiosity since earlier.

nBut to think rationally, where was the husband who wanted to talk to the man his wife’s ex-fiance?

n“Don’t they look like close siblings?”

n“…….”

n“What are you drinking on your own like this? Is this alcohol?”

nWas she trying to snatch and drink it again? Even though he had never given it to her.

nIzek glanced sideways and looked at Freya without saying anything in response.

nHer purple eyes gleamed playfully, along with a light smile formed on her mouth.

nIt was a face that he had known from a long time ago.

nSince his sister was still a toddler, and before his mother passed away.

nMaybe that was why.

n“Don’t worry, I’m not going to snatch it from you today. Why are you doing this sort of thing alone? There are so many people who want to dance with you. Don’t you feel bad for them?”

n“……where is your younger brother?”

n“Huh? Why do you ask about Lorenzo all of a sudden?”

n“It’s irritating because I didn’t catch sight of him lately.”

n“What are you talking about?”

nThere was a hint of confusion in her laughter, as if she was baffled.

nIzek simply looked down at her without even changing his expression.

n“If you suddenly want to meet my brother, you can greet him whenever you want. Anyway, I envy your wife so much, if only I had such a reliable brother. But they really don’t resemble each other.”

n“Are you attracted to him?”

n“Hmm, he’s handsome, but I don’t prefer that type of man. Besides, a person who’s close to his younger sister like that…….”

n“Then, leave it.”

n“What……”

n“I told you to leave it. Leave my wife’s matters.”

nIn a completely calm tone. A calm and quiet voice as if he was just talking about the weather.

nA subtle ripple was seen on Freya’s face, which was as smooth as a porcelain.

n“What are you talking about all of a sudden… Perhaps it was because of the tea party, wasn’t it? I was going to talk about it with you. I don’t know what your wife has said to you but.…..”

n“There’s a lot of people who kept on mumbling insults. I don’t know why everyone can’t understand what I’m trying to say.”

nHis red eyes glistened along with a flash of a suspicious cold smile.

nThe situation was suffocating as his already cold features were stained with sarcasm.

nFreya gently bit her open lips while barely able to conceal her fear.

n“I seemed to know the thing you had misunderstood, but first, I’ll tell you that your wife…….”

n“Did you learn from your parents to hustle and know when you can butt in and when you can’t?”

n“What?”

n“What sort of authority do you think you have to be so concerned about my wife?”

n“…….”

n“Even the authority to say whatever you want.”

nAuthority.

nA strange word that pierced sharply through her ear.

nThe feeling of humiliation which spread coldly from her nape also felt kind of strange to her.

nFreya glared at Izek with a completely stiffened face.

nHe knew he had to be composed since the other person was out of control due to shock rather than fear.

n“You’re talking too much. Why did you change so much? There’s no man who doesn’t fall for their wives’ private talk, is that right?”

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nIt was a shallow provocation.

nThe side which had been blurting this out felt rather hurt instead.

n“Then, did you think I was a woman all this time?”

nShe didn’t expect him to be like this.

nFreya managed to calm herself down and pull the corners of her mouth at his reaction that felt more aggressive. He had gotten so insensitive to the point that she got fed up with it.

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