Chapter 8
In truth, he never wanted to sell the mansion on the Valaria coast.
But Zeppelin possessed two of the paintings he desperately sought.
The paintings that would complete his collection if he could only acquire them.
He had no choice but to hand over the mansion to Julian.
'For a fool, he has a good eye for art. But he will never have Rebecca.'
Zeppelin deliberately wrapped his arm around Rebecca's waist.
Julian stared intently at Zeppelin's slender hand, which firmly gripped Rebecca.
Julian's brow furrowed slightly.
"I'll take my wife now."
Zeppelin hastily pulled Rebecca to the center of the ballroom. A sense of victory subtly shone through.
Rebecca is mine. Someone like you can't dare to covet her.
Thinking that way, Rebecca seemed even more lovely today.
He pressed Rebecca close to his side and showered kisses on her shoulder and forehead.
Rebecca was barely suppressing a gag, but to others, they simply looked like an affectionate couple.
Seeing the Devonshire Earl and his wife, people excitedly gossiped.
"Oh my, the Earl is so affectionate with his wife."
"What's the point? She spends almost all her time locked up at home."
"Well, of course. His wife is the most beautiful woman in the Empire. If I were him, I'd lock her up at home and not let anyone meet her."
"I don't know. I think the most beautiful woman is his second wife. Alicia, was it? I saw her briefly the other day, and she was dazzling."
"Damn it, the Earl is so lucky. By the way, didn't the second wife attend? I wanted to see her face."
"What face would she have to show? She's from a commoner background, and even though she's called a wife, she's really just a concubine..."
The crowd, who had been chattering away, fell silent when they saw Julian striding towards the Earl and his wife.
Julian, confirming that everyone's gaze, especially the Emperor's, was on him, twisted his lips.
Zeppelin was tall, but Julian was a head taller than him.
Zeppelin looked up at him with a displeased expression.
"Do you have anything more to say?"
"No, I have nothing to say to the Earl. My business is with this lady."
Julian bent down to meet Rebecca's eye level and slowly extended his hand.
"Rebecca, would you care to dance with me?"
He deliberately omitted the Devonshire title and affectionately called Rebecca by her name alone.
He acted as if he didn't care about Zeppelin, who was clenching his fists beside her.
The ballroom fell silent as if water had been poured on it.
Everyone stared alternately at Julian and Rebecca with their mouths open.
Rebecca met Julian's eyes as he reached out his hand and paused for a moment.
In her previous life, she hadn't had much contact with him. Even if they had met, it was only from afar.
His black eyes, like looking into an abyss, were scrutinizing Rebecca with curiosity.
In contrast to the sharpness in his eyes, the dark shadows under his eyes clearly showed that he was suffering from severe ennui and desperation.
Rebecca followed his dangerously sharp jawline with her gaze.
She couldn't calm her wildly beating heart.
She somewhat understood why so many young ladies followed him despite the dirty scandals.
He was dangerous. Just making eye contact for a moment made her head go blank.
She had a feeling that she could get caught up in it.
"Refuse, Rebecca. He's not worth associating with."
But Rebecca quickly regained her senses at the force of Zeppelin's grip on her shoulder.
This was an opportunity that would never come again. She had to take the Duke's hand now.
Rebecca carefully turned her gaze to Emperor Zahida, careful not to be noticed by Zeppelin.
And after sending him a pitiful look for a moment, she lowered her head.
Zahida flinched for a moment when he discovered her tearful blue eyes.
Zeppelin was an affectionate husband, but at the same time, he was frighteningly obsessed with his wife.
He had been trying to ignore it as it was someone else's family matter, but it would be different if Duke Johannes intervened.
Zahida quickly calculated in his head.
Zeppelin was pro-Imperial. If Julian was interested in his wife, it could be a major weakness.
Besides, rescuing a beautiful woman from distress was always a pleasure.
Zahida laughed loudly.
"Devonshire Earl! Being too attached to your wife isn't good to see either."
"But, Your Majesty! This man is being rude..."
"I don't see where he's being rude. Didn't you already have the first dance with her? From what I see, your wife has never danced with another man before, right? Once in a while is fine, isn't it? Allow it."
The audience, who had been watching the situation with interest, murmured.
There had been bad rumors circulating about Rebecca, who didn't set foot in society very often.
Zeppelin swallowed a sigh.
He couldn't refuse when the Emperor said so much.
Zeppelin glared at Julian, who was smiling leisurely, with murderous eyes.
"I understand. But only one song."
"No, well, I asked for permission not from the Earl, but from this lady here."
Rebecca pretended to be mindful of Zeppelin. When Zeppelin reluctantly nodded, Rebecca slowly took Julian's hand.
In contrast to Zeppelin's soft hand, his hand was large and rough. But it was warm.
"It's an honor, Lady."
Julian kissed the back of Rebecca's hand. He treated Rebecca as if she were a single young lady.
Zeppelin glared at the two of them as if he were about to burn down the Imperial Palace.
The second song began.
Other people danced as well, but everyone's steps were a mess because they were watching Julian and Rebecca.
"Alright, tell me now. What is this deal you're talking about?"
Rebecca tried not to pay attention to his hand around her waist.
It was the first time she had been touched like this by a man other than Zeppelin. Her neck stiffened with tension.
"What I was going to say is..."
Rebecca inadvertently looked up at Julian and almost screamed when she saw his eyes.
His eyes had turned a brilliant gold.
Julian was urging her to continue, as if he were looking at an interesting prey.
Rebecca closed her eyes tightly for a moment. She recalled the things she had suffered in the past to calm herself.
Soon, her wildly racing pulse slowly subsided.
Rebecca opened her eyes and opened her mouth.
"I want a divorce."
"What...?"
"So please marry me."
* * *
Rebecca's voluminous dress billowed out and gathered again in time with the sweet music.
Every time the lace brushed against it, the densely packed beads sparkled dazzlingly.
Unlike his massive build, Julian's movements were light. He handled Rebecca skillfully.
Countless gazes swept over Rebecca and Julian, who were dominating the ballroom.
When Rebecca was with Zeppelin, they sometimes looked like siblings because of their similar appearances.
But here, the black man who looked like he had risen from hell and the white woman who looked like she had descended from heaven were so well-matched that people couldn't take their eyes off them.
Everyone in the ballroom, including the Emperor, followed Rebecca and Julian's dance with their eyes.
It was such a mesmerizing sight that everyone would have wanted the two of them to dance all day long if it weren't for Zeppelin's anger.
Unlike his calmly paced steps, Julian's eyes were heightened with a strange excitement and curiosity.
Rebecca did not avoid his persistent gaze and boldly raised the corners of her eyes.
"I know it's not a romantic proposal, but it won't be a bad deal for you, Duke."
"The reason?"
"The temple will soon put pressure on you. To bring in a bride."
"Where did you hear that?"
"The source doesn't help our contract right now. I will be your bride. If you marry me, the things you're worried about won't happen. During our marriage, I swear I won't lay a finger on you. Of course, there will be no craving for love or the birth of an heir. In short, let's have a relationship that's only a couple in name."
'Do you think you can touch me just because you want to touch me now?'
Julian looked down at Rebecca's waist, which was not even a handful, and chuckled.
"Is that all you want?"
Rebecca hesitated and shook her head.
The dance reached its climax. Julian lifted Rebecca up.
Rebecca was much lighter than he had expected.
Julian was taken aback because he had lifted her higher than he had expected.
Exclamations erupted from the surroundings.
Rebecca's blonde hair poured down on Julian. It was as if a golden waterfall was engulfing him.
Julian's eyes widened.
In mid-air, Rebecca whispered to him with burning eyes.
"Give me the power to destroy the Earl's family, the Devonshire Earl's family. Then I will save you."
Rebecca came back down to the ground and began to spin around, holding his hand.
Julian narrowed his eyes and examined her expression.
She didn't seem to be lying, judging by her unwavering gaze.
"How can I believe that?"
"You'll have to believe it. You're desperate, aren't you? Don't you want to save your little sister from the curse?"
While holding his hand, Rebecca stretched her coiled body far away. A distance of two arms' length was created.
She even knows about Lily's existence?
Julian looked at Rebecca in bewilderment.
Her gaze was still fixed on him as straight as ever.
'Salvation.'
He pulled Rebecca's arm and brought her back into his arms. Rebecca willingly fell into his arms.
Julian held Rebecca's waist tightly. Rebecca's slender waist was bent back.
The dance would be over soon. Then this would be the end of their conversation.
Julian became anxious.
He wanted to talk to her a little longer.
"I won't ask you for an answer right now. When you make a decision, send Leo to the Earl's residence. My room is on the east side of the second floor. I'll put a yellow flower in the window."
Julian looked at Rebecca with surprised eyes.
Rebecca straightened her back again and raised the corners of her lips.
Julian hesitated at the unexpected beautiful smile.
"I also know that you can communicate with Leo, the messenger of God. I'll be waiting for your answer."
"Rebecca!"
As soon as the song ended, Zeppelin rushed to her. And he snatched Rebecca's wrist.
His patience was almost at its limit. Zeppelin was no longer in the mood to save face.
"Then, goodbye."
Rebecca gave a concise farewell and left.
Julian blankly stared at the spot where Rebecca had left.
