A Way to Confirm Your Husband’s True Feelings - Chapter 59

Not long after, Caesar had to humbly admit that it had all been nothing but his own arrogance and delusion.

Ever since the New Year’s Ball, he had been unable to stop thinking about that woman.

‘If she’s twenty, then she’s six years younger than me.’

Not a huge gap, but not a small one either. He suddenly worried whether he might look too old in her eyes.

‘If I happen to see her again, what should I even say?’

He tried to think of common interests, but they were like tropical flowering trees and northern conifers—entirely different species. Unless Lady Estern had an unusual interest in longswords or spears, there would be no overlap in conversation topics.

‘What do noble young ladies even do with their time?’

Reading or embroidery, perhaps? The Duchess of Ashburn had mentioned that one of the sisters painted, but he hadn’t been paying close attention, so he wasn’t sure if she had meant Beatrice.

Regardless, Caesar found himself, for the first time in his life, wondering if he should take an interest in books, embroidery, or painting—and that alone was an extraordinary thing for him.

It was the first time in his life that he’d had any interest in something not related to survival. And to think that a woman could be the reason for changing his thoughts and behavior—that was something he’d never imagined.

If asked whether it was simply Beatrice Estern’s beauty that captivated him, the answer would be no. Certainly, she was a stunning beauty, but in terms of facial features alone, there must surely be other women just as beautiful somewhere in the world.

What truly drew Caesar was not her looks, but the warm and gentle aura she gave off. The way she looked at him and smiled, the kind way she spoke, the way her eyes were filled with such pure goodwill.

Her innocent expression, untouched by hardship. Her sunshine-like smile that could startle even a man as hardened as Caesar. The honest gaze that made him feel she would see him without prejudice, no matter what kind of man he was.

In hindsight, it was all something Caesar had never possessed. It was the kind of unconditional goodwill and kindness from others that he’d never expected to receive. He’d lived a life far removed from purity or goodness.

Thinking about her like that made him yearn to see her again. But that desire would soon be extinguished by a cold splash of reality.

‘What would I even do if I saw her again? Am I really deluding myself that something might happen?’

He must have lost his mind from receiving such an undeserved reward.

When he eventually met Beatrice Estern again, Caesar found himself wondering whether he needed to revise his impression of her.

‘Could it be… some sort of scheme?’

He had thought it was simple affection and kindness. But no, surely the world wouldn’t be so kind to him.

Beatrice greeted him again with the same bright smile as before, and in her eyes, Caesar clearly saw affection.

And Caesar believed there was no way a woman like Beatrice could show him such open affection without a reason.

If it were all part of some ploy to trap him, a kind of honey trap, that would actually make more sense. It would be easier to accept. He wouldn’t need to think so deeply—he could simply accept the bait. He was even willing to offer whatever they wanted in return.

Of course, Beatrice’s affection was not part of any honey trap, and Caesar once again fell into confusion.

If that incredibly kind-looking woman truly harbored any kind of feelings for him…

Just the thought made his heart swell painfully, and his mood soared endlessly.

But the next moment, when Crown Prince Edgar spoke, his soaring emotions came crashing down into the mud.

“Still, considering we almost got engaged, I was starting to feel a little slighted.”

If he weren’t used to concealing his expressions, his face might’ve crumpled like a sheet of paper.

‘Engaged? With this idiot who got himself kidnapped?’

He didn’t hesitate to judge him harshly in his mind, but upon reflection, that idiot was none other than the Empire’s heir apparent.

Indeed, if someone were to match Beatrice Estern, it would have to be someone of that caliber. Though, admittedly, she still seemed too good for even him.

Then came another comment that completely rattled Caesar’s composure.

“Since my fiancée isn’t here, I suppose I’ll take the first dance with you. Then the second will be with the Marchioness of Hoyos… What about you, Margrave? I hear your dance tutor can’t praise you enough—says you’re a natural when it comes to physical movement.”