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Chapter 7
The young and beautiful Princess Catherine was the most sought-after bride among many neighboring countries.
But Julian sat arrogantly in his chair, openly ignoring Catherine’s greeting.
It was a rude act, yet Emperor Zahidra did not care.
Julian had been raised to believe he never needed to mind anyone else.
Aside from the Emperor, he was without question the most powerful man in the Empire.
The House of Johannes had once even threatened imperial authority with the backing of the temple.
Compared to the former dukes, Julian’s speech and behavior might have been a bit rough, but politically, he was still considered refined.
That was why Emperor Zahidra generously tolerated Julian’s insolence.
Besides, Zahidra cared less for appearances than for profit.
If he considered the benefits Julian could bring, he could endure that rudeness a thousand times over.
Rumors already painted him as a man who frequented brothels as casually as if they were taverns, and whose affairs with women were endless.
At times, he even bluntly declared his distaste for noble young ladies.
It was obvious what treatment Princess Catherine would receive if she married him.
It was cruel to Catherine, but she was a card Zahidra could not afford to give up.
Julian loathed attending banquets, so Zahidra had gone so far as to fabricate a fake rebel threat just to force him to attend.
The purpose was to introduce Catherine to him naturally.
Now, he could not let this opportunity be wasted.
Zahidra smiled slyly, took Catherine’s hand, and presented it to Julian.
“Well? Will you not have the first dance with this beautiful princess?”
Julian stared blankly at Catherine’s pale hand held out by the Emperor.
He glanced around for help, but Croah was nowhere to be seen.
‘Off sneaking a smoke again, no doubt.’
Grinding his teeth, Julian hesitated.
Part of him wanted to shove the hand aside and escape this suffocating place.
But Zahidra was the only one who dared oppose the temple.
Julian disliked the Emperor, but he despised the temple even more.
Every year, the House of Johannes was obliged to attend the temple’s endless ceremonies.
Each time, Zahidra conveniently created incidents that gave Julian an excuse to skip them.
The Emperor may have done it for his own amusement, but it had still worked to Julian’s benefit.
‘If I marry the princess, the temple won’t be able to so easily demand I take a concubine.’
When Julian’s gaze lingered on her, a shy dimple appeared on Catherine’s cheek.
At first, she had hesitated at the Emperor’s suggestion of betrothal.
The scandals surrounding Julian were utterly filthy.
But now, looking directly into his face, she suddenly felt she would follow him even into fire.
That was how beautiful he was.
After a brief calculation, Julian extended his hand to Catherine.
“Then, shall we dance the first song together?”
As expected, Zahidra smiled in deep satisfaction. They made a striking pair.
Julian wrinkled his nose at the heavy rose perfume clinging to Catherine.
Hearing the frantic pounding of her heart, he suddenly recalled his mother’s final words.
“Julian. You must never fall in love.”
Even as she died, his mother had laid that curse—if not a curse—upon him.
‘For a moment there, I must have gone mad.’
Catherine was blameless.
But Julian could never give her love.
He could not reveal the family’s secret to a member of the royal house. Catherine would be left ignorant, yearning for a husband’s affection until she went insane.
Julian’s expression turned cold.
Then the music announcing the first dance began to play.
‘He looks displeased today.’
While dancing with Zeppelin, Rebecca caught a glimpse of Julian passing by.
Even holding the lovely princess’s hand, he wore the expression of a man being led to slaughter.
Noticing her sidelong glance, Zeppelin seized her face and turned it toward him.
“You should be looking at me, Rebecca.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I felt a little dizzy.”
“It’s times like this you must comport yourself well. Everyone’s eyes are on you. You must show them you only see me.”
Zeppelin laughed pleasantly.
The beautiful Count and Countess of Devonshire drew attention wherever they went.
The dresses Rebecca wore to such gatherings often set the year’s fashions.
Even now, she could feel the heated stares of people greedily scanning her attire.
‘Disgusting.’
At last, the first dance ended.
Through the entire dance, Rebecca was astonished at her own patience—not once had she spat in Zeppelin’s face.
“Stay here quietly.”
It was exile to a corner once again.
From the second dance onward, partners other than one’s husband were allowed, but for Rebecca, that was out of the question.
Somewhere nearby, Zeppelin’s hounds were surely watching, eyes sharp for any man who dared approach her.
But for now, that suited her just fine.
Rebecca deliberately leaned against a large column in the least conspicuous spot.
She checked that Zeppelin was busy conversing with the distinguished guests.
Then she glanced at the man standing motionless behind the column.
Julian Johannes, Duke of Johannes.
He drank his red wine with a look of utter boredom.
Though none of the women present openly showed it, Rebecca could feel that every one of them was secretly stealing glances at him.
Black hair, black eyes, skin like melted milk chocolate.
Clad entirely in black formalwear, the towering man looked like a majestic black lion.
Though infamous for sordid rumors, his face alone was enough to capture gazes.
Rebecca, like the others, found herself drawn to him—but for a different reason.
Taking a deep breath, she spoke.
“I don’t see your cats today.”
Julian froze with his wineglass halfway to his lips.
He thought he’d shaken off the women’s advances, yet one had followed him even here?
Annoyance welled up.
He moved to leave without answering.
But Rebecca quickly continued.
“Leo. That’s the cat whose soul is bound to yours, isn’t it? The other cats are just a cover to hide his whereabouts.”
Julian’s eyes widened.
All the world knew was that the Duke of Johannes served Leo, the messenger of the gods. But very few knew their souls were connected.
He turned, needing to confirm the face of the woman who dared know his family’s secret.
“Don’t make it obvious we’re speaking. I’m being watched.”
At her words, Julian narrowed his eyes and scanned the surroundings.
Indeed—one of the servants carrying finger foods was watching them intently.
Julian leaned back against the column again.
“Who are you?”
“Let me be blunt. I know how to break your curse.”
“What?”
He nearly shouted.
Lowering his voice, he demanded,
“Curse? How dare you spout nonsense about a family blessed by the goddess?”
“I know everything. That if the cat bound to your soul dies, you die as well. That it’s a curse passed down for generations. That you’re gathering storytellers in hopes of breaking it.”
“Hmph. That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
It was knowledge only a handful possessed, but such things could leak.
Still, no sane person would go around proclaiming it.
To speak of the House of Johannes as cursed was enough to be dragged away for blasphemy.
This strange woman had clearly picked up some dangerous rumor and used it as pretext to approach him.
Who sent her?
The Emperor? Or was it some trick of Duke Latranis?
“Then how about this—everyone believes the infamous duke, rumored as a depraved libertine, is in truth a virgin.”
Julian almost spat out his wine. The woman said it shamelessly, without a flicker in her voice.
“Wrapped in scandal though you are, you’re actually purer than anyone. You never wanted an heir in the first place, so of course it makes sense.”
Julian could no longer dismiss her.
The rumors had been carefully manufactured to fend off marriage proposals.
Yet despite his efforts, there had still been far too many mad parents willing to push their daughters at him.
Only Croah knew the truth.
Recently, Duke Latranis seemed suspicious of the rumors’ validity, but he had yet to confirm it.
“At this point, you must be curious who I am. I want to make a deal.”
“A deal?”
“That is…”
Rebecca broke off, for in the distance Zeppelin was striding toward her.
“If you’ll dance with me, I’ll tell you.”
“Ha. So that was your aim all along? To snatch a moment at my side?”
“You’ll find out if you dance with me. But you must invite me before the Emperor, where all can see.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then you’ll miss your first and last chance to rid yourself of the curse.”
“…Fine. Then tell me your name.”
“My name is Rebecca Devonshire. First wife of the Earl of Devonshire.”
Julian’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected name.
“Rebecca, I kept you waiting. Duke Latranis wouldn’t stop prattling at me.”
Zeppelin’s voice came.
Now Julian had no choice but to turn his head.
There she was—Rebecca, smiling faintly, her deep blue eyes fixed unwaveringly on him.
When Julian stared at her, Zeppelin frowned.
“How rude, to look at another man’s wife that way.”
At Zeppelin’s displeased tone, Julian finally tore his gaze away.
“Ah, my lord count. Forgive me—your presence is so faint I scarcely noticed you.”
‘You insolent brat!’
Zeppelin clenched his teeth.
Their first meeting had been the worst of beginnings.
“Go away, you ugly thing!”
That was the first thing young Julian had ever said to him, just as he was beginning to form sentences.
Never in his life had Zeppelin been called ugly.
Thus the pure-eyed child’s words had scarred him like a trauma.
Even now, he sometimes dreamed of that day—a wretched nightmare.
But that was not the only reason Zeppelin despised him.
Julian was ill-mannered to everyone, regardless of age or gender.
Yet no one dared to criticize him.
Even the Emperor faltered before him.
His haughty air, as if he were king of the world, was unbearable.
And to think such a man stood higher than himself—Zeppelin shuddered with hatred whenever Julian crossed his mind.
