Chapter 76
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Leopold shook his head.
His impression of seeing her in the ballroom must have been an illusion. He'd been drunk on champagne that night and mistaken a nobleman in costume for his uncle.
How embarrassed he was when he read the Hyreth Daily News after he'd gushed about seeing the past emperor.
He wondered if his mania had been passed on to him.
Leopold ordered his chamberlain to light the fireplace, and when the flames were roaring, he threw the whole book into it.
The chamberlain's lips lifted in relief as he normally reported everything to the emperor.
Leopold asked in a weary voice.
"Do you know why His Majesty has sent for Count Deir?"
The chamberlain narrowed his eyes and shook his head. He was the Emperor's twenty-two eyes, but not his lips.
Leopold turned his dazed gaze to the fireplace.
It didn't take long for the flimsy pamphlet to turn to black ash.
***
It was raining, even drizzling. Outside the window, she finally heard the sound of hooves.
Louise peered out into the darkness and saw the servant greeting his master with an umbrella.
She moved away from the window, relieved.
She could never get used to waiting for him, never knowing when he would return.
The man, whose skin sometimes felt warm against hers, eventually lead her to a bitter realization on nights like this.
H she was only a queen on a chessboard. She could neither affect nor be affected by the players not seated at the table.
Over the past few days, there had been movement among the armies around Burg.
Normally, she wouldn't have noticed it, but she did because of what Caius told her. Even without the wind, she could see the bushes swaying and the dust drifting down the mountainside.
Tomorrow, if her math was right, Caius would have to leave for the capital as well. That's why she had been so anxious about the man who's been away from the mansion for the past few days.
She was afraid he would leave without bothering to say goodbye.
If things went wrong, she might never see him again, and she didn't want to part with the man she'd spent half a year being intimate with without seeing his face.
However, Caius’s face as he entered the master bedroom was no different than usual.
Louise hastily lowered the lantern that had been shining as brightly as day.
"..................Here you are?"
She stepped forward and accepted his robe, studying his complexion a bit more.
His arrogant gaze remained the same, but his usually smooth cheeks looked a little rougher. He was definitely more tired than he looked from a distance.
"I'm glad you're not sleeping."
Caius said. He seemed to have one last thing to say.
Louise watched wordlessly as he set down his watch and began the slow process of untying his cravat.
"Tomorrow."
Caius said, unbuttoning his vest. Even the short word sounded oddly menacing when he pronounced it.
"I'm leaving for the capital, and Ferdinand is preparing to support me at the border, just in case. If that goes wrong, this manor will be yours alone."
Louise looked up at Caius with vivid green eyes. Her innocent eyes, like spring buds, boldly asked if he would offer her another choice, since she had no intention of running away.
Caius recognized the stare, and he flinched.
"In truth, I've never counted the number of times this old plan has failed at the end, especially now that your arrival has simplified and shortened what was once a much more complex and radical plan."
Louise picked up the jewelry box she'd prepared on her nightstand and handed it to him.
"It may have belonged to the Emperor, but it once belonged to my mother. I hope you'll succeed, so that I can write the check you paid."
He took the jewelry box and smiled, as if he'd heard a good joke.
"Is that all you have to say, I may never see you again if I fail?”
Louise stood, feeling her dry throat tighten.
What to say?
To tell him that she had probably fallen in love with him on this road she had been dragged to, but that would mean nothing to him.
She was sure he'd tell her to get her head out of her ass and think about the future.
Caius set the jewelry box back down with a snort.
"Why are you acting like this is all over? You still have something to give me."
What was she supposed to give...............?
"Here, the Heidenberg with the blue half-moon, the last gift you will ever give me."
He couldn't possibly be serious, and if he was joking, the man's nerves were remarkable. Louise turned her head to laugh it off, but a large hand clasped her delicate chin. It was a ridiculous argument.
"How about tonight? If you conceive today, you won't be alone here."
For him to fail and leave her alone and pregnant in Burg would be the worst possible scenario imaginable. To make matters worse, she had run out of birth control pills.
It was hard to find an excuse to travel to Melk alone before the ceremony, and she didn't know it would happen until the last day.
If God grant his wish, Louise would dedicate her fate and the fate of this child to him.
Just as her mother had done.
But the moment their eyes met, Louise was speechless at the brilliant gleam of gold.
It seemed to be made of the most precious things in the world, and it was filled with a certainty that he had built up over time.
Those eyes, devoid of fear or impurity, drew her in like a giant magnet.
To the world he was leading. To the ground he deserved to stand on.
Even if it was a mirage.
Caius looked down into Louise's wavering eyes and slowly pressed his lips to hers.
It should be a creature of habit, a thing of her own making, to shiver hotly at the touch, but the newly damp heat of their joined lips sent a rush of heat through her.
He whispered against their nearly overlapping lips.
"You'll sleep well again tonight."
Louise couldn't resist.
If this was their last night together, if today was the last, how could she escape his touch, even if it meant the end?
Louise closed her eyes and surrendered her body to the hot hands that caressed her.
With him, she drifted off into the night.
***
The next morning, the most ornate carriage in Burg was waiting in front of the main building.
Behind it was a simple carriage, which was said to contain a gift for the Emperor. Probably not true.
The servants lined up in rows, bowing to their master as he departed for the imperial palace.
Louise saw Caius off, one step ahead of the servants.
"Good luck."
Even her goodbye was poor. Caius’s face was gentle as he leaned over and kissed her on both cheeks. The return greeting was short.
"You too."
Louise watched nervously as the man climbed into the carriage.
Michael followed him into the carriage and nodded briefly at Louise as he climbed in. "Take care," Louis mouthed, but he couldn't tell if Michael understood.
A squad of flag-bearing horsemen rode stately behind the two carriages.
Louise stood for a long time staring at the carriages as they drove away. The other servants were forced to stand motionless in the garden.
Pauline looked at her master worriedly, but Louise's rooted feet refused to move.
Martin, the butler, approached and said with determination.
"He will make it."
There was a strange heat in his usually calm ash-colored eyes.
When Louise turned her gaze back to the butler, she saw no more carriages, no more banners.
Louise had no choice but to turn around.
"Yes, he will."
The small answer was far from hopeful, but Martin smiled.
Pauline tilted her head in confusion behind the madame who was walking alongside the butler.
***
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Write a comment
Virginie (Monday, 25 November 2024 20:15)
A real cliffhanger ! I hope that he will succeed !! :)