ETDO Chapter 43

Lady Wellington, who was staring at me with a surprised expression, turned her head.

“It’s literally as I said. Their minds are connected. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I’m almost certain they share each other’s thoughts and inner worlds.”

I was stunned.

“How can you be so sure?”

Lady Wellington stared at my face and sighed.

“Because I experienced it firsthand. I don’t know what method they use, but there are probably no secrets between them.”

Frankly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t shocked. Even if I had suspected it, it was natural to be surprised when it was confirmed. But I felt I needed to know more, so I nodded.

“Tell me.”

She turned away from me and began speaking in an indifferent voice.

“I was about thirteen, I think…? It was our first kiss after the engagement. It was after our engagement, and we had our first kiss. I liked Ethan, so I initiated it. It was actually closer to a peck than a real kiss. I was very embarrassed, but I had worked up a lot of courage. I thought it didn’t matter because I liked him. But Ethan seemed indifferent. Like he felt nothing. I regretted doing it. While I was feeling down, the next day, Ethan asked if he could try initiating it this time. I was happy so I agreed.”

Lady Wellington had a slightly melancholic expression as if reminiscing about old memories.

“The second kiss was completely different. Contrary to my expectations, it was a real kiss, very passionate and persistent. I was completely trapped until he was satisfied. Of course, it was intense, but I was happy. And sometime later, when I met with the twins, I stepped away for a moment and happened to overhear them. Arthur said, ‘Your fiancée, unlike her appearance, is quite docile and enjoyable to train.’”

She smirked as if amused by the absurdity of it all.

“It was definitely Arthur who said that. When the two of them are together, the difference in their speech pattern is quite clear. Then Ethan burst out laughing and said to Arthur…”

A self-deprecating smile touched her lips as she pulled the corners of her mouth downwards.

“‘Isn’t that why I let you taste her first?’”

“So that means…?”

“The second kiss, the one where he asked if he could initiate it, was Arthur.”

My heart pounded in my chest. Lady Wellington, staring intently at my face, continued.

“Arthur then replied, ‘Thank you very much. Next time, I’ll let you have the first turn.’ That’s when I knew. Ah, these two not only share each other’s thoughts but everything else as well. Even women.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. Lady Wellington looked at me and spoke. For some reason, her eyes seemed to glitter intensely.

“That’s probably their true nature. Their outward appearance is completely different from what’s inside, and they share everything between themselves, completely isolated from the outside world. Perhaps their mimicking of each other isn’t just out of curiosity, but for another reason that only they know.”

With a twisted smile, Lady Wellington stared at me with an amused expression, as if she knew everything that was going on inside the Duke’s mansion. Even though I knew it was impossible, my heart momentarily sank.

“Unless you plan to indulge them indefinitely, you should consider beforehand where your boundaries lie. Like I said, if you’re not careful, you’ll be consumed by them in an instant.”

“I-I see. Thank you for answering, Lady Wellington.”

I sighed. In the distance, the Crown Prince appeared with his attendants, and the Crown Princess greeted him warmly.

“Do you know what Ethan said when I confronted him about it?”

I turned back to her. Lady Wellington was staring at me, her head tilted slightly.

“He said it was even better because I received kisses from both of them.”

My stomach churned. It was a typical response from Ethan. It wasn’t much different from his attitude towards me as I struggled between the two of them.

The fundamental problem I had been ignoring due to my newly blossoming affection for Ethan suddenly resurfaced. My bold declaration about confessing my sins had long since retreated with its tail between its legs.

“Since you still don’t seem to know much about them, I’ll give you a piece of useful information. Look into a maid who used to work at the Duke’s mansion, with the last name Howard. You’ll hear some very interesting stories about them.”

Lady Wellington, her eyes gleaming as she observed me, gave a meaningful smile and a slight nod before gracefully walking away.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Edward was observing Lily with great interest. Things he hadn’t noticed before now appeared completely different, knowing the hidden truth, and he found this quite amusing.

Such a captivating woman. 

He smirked, watching his “white hydrangea” wear a confused expression after her conversation with Lady Wellington.

Whatever she said, Lady Wellington likely faithfully carried out his order to sow seeds of anxiety and discord in Lily’s mind. This would make it much easier to separate her from the twins later.

He gazed with satisfaction at the Crown Princess and Lily, who were now standing together, engaged in conversation. His “true hydrangea,” already bearing fruit, and his “false hydrangea,” soon to be his. It was an immensely pleasing sight.

Although his wife wasn’t as beautiful as Lily, she was obedient and gentle. Moreover, she was the only daughter of a prestigious, old noble family, second only to the Beauforts, and one absolutely loyal to the Imperial family. And she was already carrying his child, which made her even more valuable.

Now, all that remained was for his father to step down and for him to ascend to the throne. He leaned back in his chair leisurely and turned his gaze towards Lily, who was standing next to his wife.

With her slender waist swaying gracefully yet seductively in the gentle breeze, she was the very embodiment of a flamboyant hydrangea. The more he looked at her, the stronger his desire to possess her became.

No wonder the twins had both fallen for her.

Brothers lusting after the same woman. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

How delightful it would be to see them cry out in anguish after having their favorite toy snatched away. Perhaps ravishing her in front of them would be an amusing way to do it. The thought of their torment thrilled him.

Licking his lips longingly as his gaze lingered on her long, slender neck beneath her upswept black hair, he suddenly raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Somerset, who was waiting behind him, hurried over. Keeping his eyes fixed on Lily, Edward lowered his voice.

“I have no other engagements tonight, do I?”

“No, Your Highness.”

“Then have a… woman sent to my chambers tonight.”

His eyes followed Lily relentlessly as he added,

“Make sure she has golden eyes and black hair.”

Somerset’s head bobbed slightly as if startled, but a swift reply followed.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Edward picked up a glass from a nearby table and took a sip, then frowned. It was water, not wine. Realizing it was the glass his wife had been drinking, he grumbled and smacked his lips.

He craved wine but held back. He could drink his fill later tonight when he indulged himself. It was better to show restraint in front of others, as he needed to maintain his reformed image.

He swallowed the water with difficulty, his gaze still fixed on Lily. He was already thrilled at the prospect of spending a night of pleasure with a woman resembling Lily. It would be exhilarating.

However, the moment he embraced the real Lily after killing the twins would be even more exhilarating. He could wait patiently until then.

As he continued to watch the two women with expectant eyes, he flinched when he saw Arthur entering the Crown Prince’s Palace. 

What was he doing here? 

But then, seeing his cousin head straight for his wife, Edward smirked. 

Just as I thought.

If before, he had seemed like a slightly foolish, lovesick fool, now he appeared utterly pathetic. A moron who shared his precious first love with another man.

But as he watched the couple approach each other, he quickly donned his public persona. There was no benefit in revealing his true intentions before his plans were set in motion.

“What brings you here, Arthur?”

“I came to visit His Majesty and thought I’d return with my wife.”

“Ah… I see.”

He must have come to see his father, who was still lying in a vegetable state. He was truly more devoted than even his own son. Anyone who didn’t know better would think Arthur was the Emperor’s son.

“By the way, you two are still as lovey-dovey as ever, huh?”

“Of course. We’re still newlyweds.”

He almost snorted at his cousin’s happy smile, but he managed to contain himself. It wouldn’t be long now. When the time came, he would steal his wife and ravish her right in front of his disgusting face.

After their greetings, the two of them left the Crown Prince’s Palace arm in arm, looking very affectionate. They were the picture of a typical newlywed couple. To those who didn’t know the truth, at least.

He turned his gaze from them to Lady Wellington. She nodded almost imperceptibly, a movement that would go unnoticed by most. Edward returned the nod with a satisfied expression.