ELND Chapter 55

Chapter 55

 Shake Me More, Rebecca

At the same time, Cedric was leaving the mana stone mine with Chief Devon.

The mine, located near Greyzone Village, was being developed with support from the Twins family.

The two of them descended the mountain path with faint smiles tugging at their lips.

Looking out at the village through the thick trees, Devon finally spoke.

“Does Your Grace truly believe that Her Highness came here sincerely to beg our forgiveness?”

Devon’s expression was deeply conflicted.

Cedric, who had been watching him with sympathetic eyes, soon nodded and parted his lips.

“Yes. Rebecca is sincere.”

The reply came without hesitation.

Devon’s wrinkled eyes slowly widened at that.

He had once served as the head butler of the House of Light before Rebecca was driven out, watching the duke and duchess closely for many years.

For him, seeing Cedric so firmly defending Rebecca still felt strange, no matter how many times it happened.

“What on earth happened between the two of you while I was away from the House of Light?”

“What happened, you ask?”

Cedric let out a faint chuckle.

Then, with a face that grew serious, he looked at Devon again.

“Rebecca has truly changed, Devon. The way she treats the servants, the way she treats Bianca. And…”

“…”

“Even the way she treats me.”

Devon’s brows shot upward, unable to form words for a long while.

To hear the man he trusted most say the thing he could least believe left him shaken.

Sensing his inner turmoil, Cedric pressed on.

“If you cannot bring yourself to believe in Rebecca, then believe in me.”

“But, Your Grace…”

“Rebecca has indeed changed. And I no longer doubt it.”

Cedric’s eyes shone with unwavering trust in Rebecca.

Devon’s lower lip parted slowly in shock.

Just then—

“Huff, huff…! Your Grace! Chief! You’re here!”

A young man came running up to them.

“Please, come to the village quickly. Everyone has gathered in front of the town hall!”

“Everyone has gathered?” Devon blinked slowly.

“Of course! Since His Grace has come, a feast has been prepared!”

The youth grinned brightly, but Cedric and Devon’s faces darkened.

“Don’t tell me… Rebecca is there among them?” Cedric asked warily.

The youth nodded, looking puzzled.

“Y-yes, she came out as well, but…”

Now even Devon’s face showed worry.

“Will Her Highness be alright? If the villagers get drunk and try to threaten her…”

But he didn’t finish his thought.

Cedric had already turned away, anxiety written across his features.

“I need to go to Rebecca immediately.”

Leaving only those words, he darted down the forest path.

The closer he came to the village center, the louder the drunken shouts and laughter grew.

Cedric’s heartbeat quickened.

Damn it. If anyone lays a hand on Rebecca…

He cherished the half-demon more than anyone. If something happened to her here, he felt he might burn the whole place down.

At last, he reached the town hall square. There, a long banquet table stood, piled with rough but appetizing food, surrounded by villagers eating, drinking, and laughing merrily.

To anyone else, it looked like a joyful celebration.

But to Cedric, the sight only deepened his unease. It reminded him far too much of the banquets demons held after a great hunt.

“Rebecca! Where is Rebecca?”

He grabbed people at random, shouting like a frantic parent searching for a lost child.

Just then—

“Hm? Who’s calling for me…?”

Someone at the head of the table lifted a hand.

That familiar but slurred voice made Cedric whip his head around.

“Huh? Cedric?”

Far away, a red-haired woman squinted sleepily at him.

Cedric exhaled in relief and rushed to her.

Rebecca blinked sluggishly at him, tipsy, then turned to Jacqueline beside her to ask repeatedly, “That’s Cedric, right?” while draping an arm over her friend’s shoulder.

“It really is His Grace! But why were you so desperate to find Her Highness?” Jacqueline laughed boisterously, just as drunk.

When they had first arrived, Jacqueline had been one of the most hostile toward Rebecca. The sudden change in her attitude made Cedric raise an eyebrow.

“Cedric, come sit here,” Rebecca said, patting the seat beside her.

“These villagers are so fun. And this honey mead—it’s delicious.”

She gave him a sheepish smile.

Cedric, gazing at her glowing face and sparkling eyes, couldn’t help but smile himself.

Her flushed cheeks, her bright laughter, even her tousled red hair—everything about her was beautiful to him.

He gently tucked her messy hair behind her ear.

“When did you get this drunk? Do you know how worried I was?”

Rebecca only giggled like a child and leaned her cheek against his palm.

“Why? Were you scared the villagers would hurt me?”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

His fingers brushed her soft, pale cheek.

“Your Grace, really now!” one woman laughed. “As if we’d ever harm Her Highness!”

“Exactly! If anything, she’d be the one to harm us!” another cackled.

Cedric smiled faintly. “Thank you for treating the duchess kindly. I truly worried about her along the way.”

But before he could say more, Rebecca pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shh! Don’t ruin the mood. I was in the middle of an important story.”

His lips curved into a smirk beneath her hand.

“And what story was that?”

Jacqueline cut in sharply, narrowing her eyes.

“Why, that you cheated, Your Grace. With none other than Her Highness’s best friend.”

Her words set the villagers aflame with outrage.

“…Me?” Cedric pointed at himself.

“Yes! Her Highness told us just now she caught you in the act with her closest friend!”

Dozens of accusing eyes burned into him.

For a moment, even Cedric wondered if he’d somehow done such a thing.

But then everyone turned to Rebecca.

“Isn’t that right, Your Highness?” Jacqueline pressed.

Rebecca, half sprawled on the table, lazily nodded, then blinked up at Cedric.

“Oh, that’s right… my Cedric is here.”

Her eyes curved warmly.

“Unlike some people, he’s handsome, strong, wealthy… and he only has eyes for one woman.”

It was the complete opposite of her usual complaints.

The villagers gaped.

“But Your Highness, you just said—”

Rebecca burst out laughing.

“Pfft… Cedric? Cheat? As if. He’s secretly a one-woman man.”

Everyone looked bewildered, but Cedric’s lips curled in silent joy.

Handsome, strong, wealthy, and only devoted to one woman…

It had been a long time since he’d heard her praise him.

He bit his lip to suppress the smile tugging at him.

But soon, he rose, gently supporting Rebecca’s swaying form.

“She’s had too much. We’ll take our leave.”

Rebecca, already half-asleep, leaned on him like nothing had happened. Cedric looked down at her lovingly as he carried her back toward their hut.

A pleasant warmth stirred me awake.

The first thing I saw was the nape of someone’s neck.

Blinking groggily through the haze of alcohol, I realized I was on Cedric’s back.

“You’re awake?” he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

He must be exhausted. Should I ask him to put me down?

The thought flickered, but the hut was still far, and I was drunk.

So I gave in, dropping my head against his shoulder.

I felt the low rumble of his quiet laughter beneath me.

Dozing in that comfort, I only awoke again once we’d reached the hut.

I sprawled across the bed, reveling in its coziness.

“Mina… wash my face, quickly…” I mumbled.

My words slurred, but I kept calling for Mina.

Soon, warmth brushed across my skin.

Opening my eyes halfway, I found Cedric smiling down at me.

“Mina’s not here. But I do have a warm towel.”

He was gently wiping my face.

I lay still, watching him.

“…Why are you so handsome?” I muttered clumsily.

His lashes fluttered in surprise, revealing those vivid blue eyes.

“Hm?”

“Why are you unnecessarily handsome? Making my heart waver…”

I frowned, struggling to keep my eyes open.

Cedric chuckled nervously.

“I like it. Knowing my face makes your heart waver.”

His words made me catch my breath.

He leaned closer, his voice low and tender.

“As long as I can move your heart, I don’t care how. So…”

His beautiful face came nearer, his trembling fingers slowly undoing the ribbon at my neckline.

As his gaze locked on me, it felt as if my breath was being stolen away.

Then his deep, husky voice murmured:

“Shake me more, Rebecca.”