Eileen's eyes welled up even more at Cesare's familiar tone. How could she not adore the prince who was willing to stand in the rain with her simply because she had gotten wet?
She longed to cry openly but held herself back. She was already soaked, and crying now would only make her appear even more disheveled.
When she softly called out, "Your Grace," Cesare glanced down at her. While the tree provided ample shelter for Eileen, it felt slightly cramped for Cesare, whose tall frame almost brushed against the branches.
Eileen stared at him for a moment before quickly lowering her gaze. Despite both of them being drenched, Cesare seemed untouched by the rain's gloom, radiating warmth and light, while she felt utterly shabby in comparison.
Though she had saved enough to buy new clothes for this visit, her shoes were old and worn, now looking even worse with the rain, stains spreading across them like marks of neglect.
