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Chapter 8
In truth, he had never intended to sell the villa on the Valaria coast.
But Julian possessed two of the paintings he had desperately searched for.
The work would be complete only with those two pieces.
With no choice, he handed the villa over to Julian.
“Hmph, so he does have an eye for art. But Rebecca—he will never have.”
Zeppelin deliberately wrapped his arm around Rebecca’s waist.
Julian’s gaze fixed intently on Zeppelin’s supple hand gripping Rebecca tightly.
A faint frown creased Julian’s brow.
“I’ll be taking my wife now.”
In haste, Zeppelin dragged Rebecca to the center of the ballroom. A subtle sense of victory welled up within him.
Rebecca is mine. Someone like you can’t even dream of touching her.
The thought made Rebecca seem all the more lovable tonight.
He pulled her closer to him, showering her shoulders and forehead with kisses.
Rebecca barely suppressed the urge to gag, though to onlookers they looked every bit the affectionate couple.
Seeing the Earl and Countess of Devonshire, the crowd began their gleeful gossip.
“How can the Earl be so tender with his wife?”
“What good is that? She’s practically locked away at home all the time.”
“Well, of course. His wife is the most beautiful woman in the Empire. If it were me, I’d lock her up too so no one else could see her.”
“I don’t know… I think his second wife is the real beauty. Alicia, wasn’t it? I caught a glimpse last time—she was dazzling.”
“Damn, the Earl’s a lucky bastard. By the way, didn’t the second wife come tonight? I wanted a peek.”
“How could she dare show her face here? She’s a commoner by birth. ‘Wife’ in name only—she’s practically a mistress…”
The chatter stopped short when the crowd noticed Julian striding purposefully toward the couple.
Julian smirked faintly, aware that all eyes—especially the Emperor’s—were now fixed on him.
Zeppelin was tall, but Julian still stood a head above him.
Zeppelin scowled up at him.
“Do you have something more to say?”
“No. Nothing for you, Count. My business is with her.”
Julian bent down to meet Rebecca’s eyes and slowly extended his hand.
“Rebecca, may I have this dance?”
Deliberately, he left off her title, addressing her name alone with gentle intimacy.
It was as if he didn’t care in the least about Zeppelin clenching his fists beside her.
The ballroom fell silent, as though doused in cold water.
Mouths hung open as everyone looked from Julian to Rebecca.
Rebecca met his outstretched hand, her breath catching.
In her previous life, she had had little contact with him. Even when they crossed paths, it had only been from a distance.
Now, those abyssal black eyes were studying her with open curiosity.
Despite the keen intelligence gleaming there, the deep shadows beneath them betrayed the suffocating ennui and desperation he endured.
Rebecca’s gaze drifted along the dangerously sharp line of his jaw.
Her racing heart refused to calm.
She began to understand why so many noble ladies had flocked to him despite his filthy scandals.
He was dangerous. Just locking eyes with him turned her thoughts to static.
If she wasn’t careful, she could be swept away.
“Refuse him, Rebecca. He’s not worth your time.”
But Zeppelin’s hand clamped so harshly on her shoulder jolted her back to her senses.
This was a chance she could never hope for again. She had to take the Duke’s hand.
Rebecca carefully turned her gaze toward Emperor Zahidra, making sure Zeppelin wouldn’t notice.
She sent him a fleeting, pleading look before quickly lowering her head.
The Emperor froze for an instant at the sight of her watery blue-gray eyes.
Zeppelin was a doting husband, but his obsession with his wife was terrifying.
Zahidra had ignored it as a private matter—until now. If Duke Johannes intervened, the situation changed entirely.
Quickly, the Emperor calculated.
Zeppelin was staunchly pro-Emperor. If Julian showed interest in his wife, it could become a crippling weakness.
And besides, rescuing a beauty from distress was always a pleasure.
The Emperor burst out laughing.
“Count Devonshire! Clinging too tightly to your wife is not a good look.”
“But, Your Majesty! This man has insulted me—”
“I don’t see how. The first dance you already shared with her. And I hear she has never once danced with another man. Surely one time won’t hurt. Give your permission.”
The guests, who had been watching eagerly, began to whisper.
There had already been ugly rumors about Rebecca, who rarely appeared in society.
Zeppelin swallowed hard.
He couldn’t defy the Emperor’s direct command.
He glared at the serenely smiling Julian with eyes burning with rage.
“Very well. But only one dance.”
“Oh, but I wasn’t asking the Count’s permission—I was asking hers.”
Rebecca pretended to hesitate, glancing at Zeppelin. When he grudgingly nodded, she slowly placed her hand in Julian’s.
His hand was large and calloused, a sharp contrast to Zeppelin’s smooth one. Yet it was warm.
“It’s an honor, my lady.”
Julian kissed the back of her hand, treating her as though she were an unmarried debutante.
Zeppelin glared at the two of them with such fury it seemed he might set the palace aflame.
The second song began.
Others danced as well, but their steps faltered—they couldn’t look away from Julian and Rebecca.
“So, tell me. What is this ‘deal’ you mentioned?”
Rebecca tried not to focus on his hand at her waist.
This was the first time she had ever been held by a man other than Zeppelin, and her neck stiffened with tension.
“What I meant was…”
She glanced up at Julian without thinking, and nearly screamed.
His eyes had turned a dazzling gold.
Like a predator savoring the chase, Julian pressed her to continue.
Rebecca shut her eyes tight, recalling the torments of her past life to steady herself.
Her frenzied pulse began to slow.
She opened her eyes and spoke.
“I will divorce him.”
“…What?”
“So marry me.”
Rebecca’s full skirts swirled open and closed with the sweet rhythm of the music.
Every time lace brushed, the beads encrusted over her gown sparkled so brightly the onlookers gasped.
Despite his imposing frame, Julian moved lightly, guiding her with practiced ease.
Countless eyes followed their dance across the floor.
With Zeppelin, she sometimes looked like his sister, their features too similar.
But here—this man black as if risen from hell and this woman pale as though descended from heaven—they were breathtaking together.
Even the Emperor and all the gathered nobles could not look away.
Were it not for Zeppelin’s smoldering rage, they might have wished for the pair to dance all night.
Julian’s steps remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with excitement and curiosity.
Rebecca didn’t shy from his gaze. Boldly, she lifted her chin.
“I know this isn’t a romantic proposal. But the terms shouldn’t be unfavorable to you, Duke.”
“And your reason?”
“Soon the temple will pressure you. They’ll demand you take a bride.”
“And how did you hear of that?”
“The source is irrelevant. What matters is our contract. I will be your bride. If you marry me, none of what you fear will come to pass. I swear I won’t touch you, won’t demand affection, won’t bear an heir. In short, our marriage will be nothing but a shell.”
Does she think I couldn’t touch her even if I wanted to?
Julian let out a dry laugh, gazing down at her slender waist beneath his palm.
“That’s all you want?”
Rebecca hesitated, then shook her head.
The dance reached its climax. Julian lifted her into the air.
She was far lighter than he expected, and he raised her higher than intended.
The crowd erupted in admiration.
Rebecca’s golden hair cascaded over him, a waterfall of light engulfing him.
Julian’s eyes widened.
Suspended in the air, she whispered fiercely into his ear.
“Give me the power to destroy the House of Devonshire. And I will save you.”
Then she returned to the floor, spinning gracefully in his grasp.
Julian narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her face.
Her steady gaze showed no sign of deceit.
“And why should I believe you?”
“You must. You’re desperate. Don’t you want to save your little sister from her curse?”
Still holding his hand, Rebecca twirled away, stretching the space between them.
She knows about Lily?
Julian stared at her in shock.
Her eyes still fixed on him unwaveringly, as before.
Save me?
He pulled her back into his arms. Rebecca yielded easily, pressed close.
He gripped her waist tightly, her supple body bending under his hand.
Soon, the dance would end—and with it, their private conversation.
Julian grew restless.
He wanted just a little more time with her.
“I won’t demand your answer now. When you decide, send Leo to the Devonshire estate. My chambers are on the east side of the second floor. I’ll leave yellow flowers by the window.”
Julian looked at her in astonishment.
Rebecca straightened and smiled softly.
The stunning, disarming smile made him falter.
“I also know you can communicate with Leo, the messenger of the gods. I’ll await your reply.”
“Rebecca!”
The moment the music ended, Zeppelin rushed to her, seizing her wrist.
His patience was fraying fast. He no longer cared for appearances.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
Rebecca gave a curt farewell and departed.
Julian stood frozen, staring at the spot where she had been.
