Chapter 16
Rebecca meticulously revised the contract and handed it to Julian.
Julian scrutinized the contract carefully.
Then, with a satisfied smile, he lit it with a lighter, setting it ablaze.
Rebecca's eyes widened as she watched the flames engulf the paper.
"What is this...?"
"Since neither you nor I intend to betray each other, it's best to eliminate the evidence. I will uphold this contract with my life. If you value your life, you won't betray me either."
Julian's lips curled upward. His eyes, amidst the scattering ashes, were tinged with gold.
He interlaced his fingers and said playfully, "Are you going to betray me?"
His expression, more eerie than whimsical, made Rebecca feel as though she had made a deal with the Devil.
It was an attitude that dared her to try and betray him.
Rebecca suddenly envied his confidence.
She vaguely imagined what it would be like to wear such an expression if she had been born Duke Johannes instead of Rebecca Obelia.
Rebecca ended her absurd fantasy and replied, "Of course not. I will uphold the contract with my life as well."
"Good. Now that the contract is settled, what's the first plan? It's easier said than done to bring down the Devonshire Earl's family. The Devonshire Earl is no pushover. He is the most influential figure in the empire after me and Duke Latranis."
"I know."
As Rebecca answered without hesitation, Julian urged her to continue with curious eyes.
Rebecca smiled faintly at his undisguised interest.
"Do you know what the cornerstone that supports the Devonshire Earl's family is?"
"What is it?"
"People."
"People?"
"Yes. There are four cornerstones in the Earl's family. One is the employees who manage the mansion. The second is the retainers in charge of the Earl's major businesses. The third is the aides who provide information to the Earl. The last is the royal guard that protects the Earl's family. And the key figures that make up these cornerstones are called Hounds."
"Hounds, huh..."
"They are not moved by loyalty. The Earl holds the weaknesses of all the Hounds. So the Hounds move only with fear, terror, and appropriate rewards. Therefore, they absolutely obey the Earl's orders."
"You mean they'll do any dirty work."
"Yes. Because if they disobey orders, something more terrible than death will happen."
"So the key is to deal with those Hounds. What are you planning to do? Once a Hound is tamed, it doesn't betray its master easily."
At Julian's words, Rebecca smiled briefly.
"You've overlooked one thing."
"What is it?"
"As I said before, what supports the Earl's family is people. They are not real Hounds, but human beings like us."
Rebecca paused to touch her teacup before speaking again.
"That difference is the decisive part that can bring down Zeppelin. Zeppelin turned people into dogs. I will untie those leashes and break the prison of weaknesses. Then they will naturally realize that they are human and begin to shake the Earl's family."
Julian stared at Rebecca, momentarily speechless.
Her eyes were full of unwavering conviction, as if she had been thinking about it for a long time.
"Good. Then what can I do to help?"
"First, I'm thinking of creating a small trading company. It's better to jump into the market to properly grasp the Devonshire family's source of funds. Oh, and if possible, I'd appreciate it if you could find a competent person to act as the head of the trading company."
"It's not difficult. But you seem to have quite a hard time going out, so how are you going to run the trading company?"
"I have something else in mind for that."
Julian burst out laughing at Rebecca's confident answer.
"So, I just have to sit still and give you money? Not bad. I have plenty of money, so take as much as you want and use it."
"Thank you. I'll send you the general situation in a letter later. And..."
"And?"
"While you're at it, spend a little more."
"Huh?"
Rebecca smiled brightly.
"I want to marry you sooner, Duke."
* * *
There is a plant called Devil's Claw, named for its black, hooked leaves that resemble claws.
It was initially ignored because it was inedible and caused rashes with even the slightest touch.
However, it was discovered that when Devil's Claw was used as a dye, it produced a mysterious purple color never seen before.
Soon, Devil's Claw began to receive attention.
Many nobles cheered for this new color, named Devil's Purple.
Devil's Claw was also difficult to cultivate, so its rarity made it priceless.
"So, you're asking me to get that Devil's Claw?"
"Yes. But instead of dried leaves, I need fresh leaves."
"Unfortunately, it's impossible to get fresh leaves unless you grow them yourself."
"Just provide a greenhouse and a laboratory. If I have the seeds, I'll bring someone who is qualified to grow Devil's Claw."
"Hmm. You're not going to make a dress out of it. What is it for?"
"I know a new use for Devil's Claw."
In her previous life, Devil's Claw was worth more than diamonds. It was because a botanist had discovered another effect of Devil's Claw.
Eating the fresh leaves of Devil's Claw caused hideous Pustule to appear all over the body for one to three months, depending on the person.
The Pustule had a terrible odor, and sometimes a high fever persisted.
But when these Pustule subsided, most chronic diseases were cured.
Devil's Claw was, so to speak, a panacea that detoxified the body due to its addictive symptoms.
Rebecca had eaten these leaves with Zeppelin in her previous life.
Zeppelin had brought it in at a great price, saying that it would make her skin as good as when she was younger.
And in fact, Rebecca became pregnant a few months after eating these leaves.
Rebecca recalled Zeppelin's expression as he stared in horror at her face covered in Pustule.
Even though he looked terrible himself, he frowned and distanced himself from Rebecca.
Zeppelin sometimes said that he dreamed of Rebecca's face at that time.
At that time, Zeppelin did not abandon her because he knew that Rebecca would become beautiful again.
But it's different now.
It was long before the efficacy of Devil's Claw was revealed.
If Rebecca lost her beauty, Zeppelin would abandon her because she would be worthless.
Julian, who was listening to her explanation, asked with a puzzled face.
"You're saying he'll divorce you just because you've become hideous? Zeppelin cherishes you so much, would he really do that?"
"Do you know that love and hate are only a paper apart?"
It was a fact she never wanted to know.
Rebecca recalled the moment when the husband she had loved all her life suddenly turned into a monster.
And Zeppelin's hateful eyes as he kicked her.
"There's only one reason Zeppelin loves me. This beautiful appearance that resembles him. I came to the Earl's family as if I were sold. If even this appearance disappears, there will be no reason for him to hold on to me. Rather, I'll just be a burden."
Julian was momentarily speechless at Rebecca's calm words.
Rebecca burst out laughing to dispel the awkward silence.
"You don't have to look at me like that. Doesn't everyone have a thorn in their life?"
Rebecca was saying that the curse Julian had been given was also a thorn that he would have to live with for the rest of his life, just like her miserable life.
Julian quickly realized the meaning of Rebecca's words.
He stopped comparing his life to Rebecca's to see which was more miserable.
And he was ashamed of that fleeting thought.
Julian quietly sipped his tea, feeling awkward for no reason.
Rebecca pretended not to know his feelings and said nonchalantly.
"No one knows the efficacy of Devil's Claw yet. Try investing in it. It won't be a losing business. Oh, and don't ask about the source. It's a trade secret."
She can even joke around.
Julian narrowed his eyes. A reevaluation of her was beginning in his mind.
'I want to know more.'
As soon as that thought crossed his mind, Julian curled up the corners of his lips as if he had found an interesting toy.
His smile looked particularly innocent, and Rebecca stared at him blankly for a moment.
He sometimes seemed like a dangerous man, but at other times he returned to the eyes of a pure boy.
Julian held out his large hand.
"Okay. Now we're partners. Let's work well together, Rebecca."
Rebecca stared at his hand for a moment.
Had she ever shaken hands before? No matter how hard she tried to remember, she couldn't.
It was a strange feeling to shake hands on an equal footing, rather than receiving a kiss on the back of her hand.
Rebecca gave a radiant smile. And she took his hand.
"I look forward to working with you."
* * *
"You're later than I thought."
Rebecca, who had returned home in a good mood, frowned when she saw Zeppelin standing in front of the mansion gate.
He had cut his hair short as Rebecca had told him to. His sharp jawline and distinct features were clearly revealed.
She could feel the employees glancing at his handsome appearance.
If it had been the old Rebecca, she would have been mesmerized by his appearance like them, but not the current her.
Maybe it was because she had just seen Julian, but he just looked like a child clumsily imitating a man.
He seemed smaller today.
"How is it? I cut it as you said."
It wasn't a question that asked for a real opinion. The answer was always fixed.
Rebecca changed her expression again and smiled softly.
"Why ask? It suits you very well."
"I've been thinking while you were gone..."
Zeppelin slowly approached Rebecca.
Then he swept down Rebecca's hair that was draped over her shoulder.
Goosebumps rose on Rebecca's back.
"I think I've been neglecting you since Alicia came. I was thinking of spending some time alone with you tonight."
Rebecca immediately noticed the signal he was sending.
Tonight, the two of them had to share the same bed.
She knew it was inevitable, but it was overwhelming when it actually happened.
Even this moment of touching skin with that shameless human was hard to bear.
And to do such things with him in the same bed.
Rebecca recalled her past affairs with him. Suddenly, she felt nauseous and her face turned pale.
At this moment, she wanted to cut off her ear where Zeppelin's breath was touching.
Canna watched the scene with a stiff face.
"You understand, Rebecca? So take off your shabby clothes and make yourself pretty."
