Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 22

When Juliana met Lochlan’s eyes, she felt a little confused.

Maybe it was just her imagination, but he actually looked pleased. His expression almost seemed excited, as if thrilled by the idea of being able to spend money freely.

Juliana gave him an awkward smile, then turned her attention back to Braeden. He seemed a bit tense, as if worried she might return the checkbook.

Just then, Rosie arrived with the tea and refreshments. Juliana waited quietly until Rosie had finished setting everything on the table and stepped away.

The Juliana she used to be would have politely refused such a generous offer. But after living through an entire lifetime once before, she could no longer turn down this kind of kindness.

“Thank you. I’ll use it… gratefully.”

At her words, the tension in Braeden’s face eased, and his expression softened.

“Are you planning to attend?” he asked.

Juliana knew he was referring to Marchioness Cheryl Clemence’s salon. She nodded.

“Yes. I received the invitation, so I can’t exactly refuse.”

If she turned down an invitation from the most prestigious and popular salon in the capital, people would start talking.

They would say she was already acting proud and haughty, as if she were the Grand Duchess already. Or they might say she was showing her true colors. From there, rumors would spread, and her reputation would take shape based on those lies.

Once an image is created, it is almost impossible to change it. Juliana knew that better than anyone. That was why she had decided she must attend the Marchioness’s salon.

“Are you worried about me?”

She smiled as she asked the question. That made it impossible for Braeden to say yes.

It was a strange feeling.

Why couldn’t he just say he was worried? But somehow, admitting it felt like saying he didn’t trust her.

“Use me.”

Instead of answering her question, Braeden said something else entirely. Society was a battlefield without weapons, a place where people were destroyed without bullets or swords.

Braeden understood that all too well. If only marriage were truly just between two people.

But Juliana becoming the Grand Duchess meant stepping onto the front lines of that battlefield.

“If winning means using my name, then go ahead and use it as much as you want.”

He gave her a sly smile, as if telling her to show those cunning old noblewomen what real power looked like.

Juliana’s eyes stirred slightly at his words.

In her previous life, she had longed so deeply for someone to stand by her side. Now, feeling as if she had finally found that person, her fingers trembled slightly.

“You’re making it sound too grand. It’s just a salon invitation,” she said with a shy smile.

“Is that so?”

Braeden gave a quiet laugh and took a sip of tea. Juliana lowered her eyes, hiding the emotions stirring inside her.

Still, his words left a lingering warmth in her heart that stayed long after the conversation ended.

That night, Juliana quietly left the estate, wearing a black cloak.

“My lady, we’re here,” said Rosie, who had come with her. She opened the carriage window and checked the old sign that read Célyde.

“I won’t be long.”

Juliana stepped out of the carriage and went straight into the shop without hesitation. The interior was dark, lit only by a single gas lamp.

With only a couple of small windows, it was likely just as dim during the day.

A large man was sitting behind the counter, nodding off. Juliana approached and tapped gently on the table.

The man slowly opened his eyes, stretched, and asked,
“Are you here to sell something or to buy?”

“To buy.”

At that, the man finally looked at her properly.

Célyde was an old pawnshop. Most people came here to pawn items for cash. Buyers were rare.

“What are you looking for?”

“Do you have a ruby ring?”

Juliana asked calmly. The man sighed in surprise, almost as if he couldn’t believe she knew about it.

“I do. It’s a really old piece though…”

He paused, trying to remember where he had stored it, then disappeared into the back. She heard several clattering sounds as he searched.

After a few minutes, he returned with a fairly large ruby ring in hand.

“It’s a bit worn, but a ruby of this size is hard to find. It’s worth at least twenty gold coins.”

“I’ll give you thirty.”

The man’s eyes widened in shock.

He tried to get a better look at her, clearly wondering who she was to hand over such a large amount so casually. But her cloak was pulled low over her face, hiding her features.

Juliana placed the gold coins on the counter. She had exchanged them earlier using one of Braeden’s checks.

“But I have one condition.”

The man opened the pouch of gold coins and gave a sly grin.

“As long as you’re not asking me to kill someone, I’ll do it.”

“It’s nothing like that. I just want you to spread a specific rumor.”

“A rumor? That’s easy enough.”

He handed the ruby ring to Juliana without hesitation. After explaining exactly what she wanted the rumor to say, Juliana left the shop.

When she got back into the waiting carriage, Rosie quickly shut the door and asked,
“Did everything go alright?”

Juliana smiled softly and nodded.

“You suddenly said you needed to buy a ring. I was so nervous I thought something was wrong.”

Rosie sighed in relief. She had insisted on coming along today because she hadn’t felt at ease letting Juliana go alone.

Juliana understood why. Ever since the engagement, Rosie had been uneasy. She was quietly afraid Juliana might leave her behind at the count’s estate.

“Rosie, would you like to come with me to the North?”

Rosie had just given the signal for the coachman to depart and was adjusting the folds of Juliana’s dress when she froze.

In her previous life, Juliana had not taken Rosie with her to the marquess’s estate. Her situation had not been good, and she hadn’t wanted Rosie to suffer because of her. So she had made the painful decision to leave her behind.

But that choice had ended badly. Rosie had been mistreated and looked down upon in the count’s household, and Juliana had met an unjust death in the marquess’s.

“Really? You’re really going to take me with you?”

Rosie’s voice trembled.

“But I won’t go easy on you if things get difficult.”

“I’ll be fine. No matter how hard it gets, it can’t be worse than staying here.”

Rosie quickly wiped her reddening eyes. She forced back the tears and smiled, which made Juliana smile too, without even thinking about it.

Maybe this second life wasn’t so bad after all.

Juliana took the ring from her cloak and showed it to Rosie.

“Huh? It just looks like an ordinary ruby ring. You went all the way there just for this?”

Rosie tilted her head, clearly confused.

“It looks like a ruby now, but by morning it’ll turn into an emerald.”

The pawnshop had been dark, so it looked red, but this wasn’t just any ring.

“Really? Are you serious?”

Rosie’s eyes widened.

Juliana had discovered the ring’s existence by accident.

Felix had been looking for a special gem to give Aileen, and one of his men had submitted a report about a valuable stone found in a shabby pawnshop. That document had been left on his study desk, and Juliana had seen it. That was how she learned about a rare gem called chrysoberyl.

A stone that changed color depending on the time of day.

In her previous life, the stone had been given to Aileen. But in this life, it now belonged to Juliana. And she intended to use it well.

Two days later, Juliana attended the salon gathering hosted by Marchioness Cheryl Clemence.

As soon as she entered, the eyes of the noble ladies and young aristocrats already present turned to her.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Juliana said politely, bowing with perfect posture before taking her seat.

Some of them had arrived early on purpose, hoping to make her feel nervous. But when she appeared calm and composed, they hid their disappointment behind forced smiles.

If she had looked flustered or unsure, they would have pointed it out and used it against her. But she gave them no opening at all.

“I’m the one who’s grateful, Lady Barnett. I was worried you might decline the invitation,” Cheryl said smoothly, smiling with practiced grace as the hostess.

While they spoke, the maids moved silently, placing tea and refreshments in front of Juliana.

“Not at all. Marchioness Clemence’s salon is known for bringing together thoughtful and refined guests. I’m truly honored to be included.”

Juliana’s calm reply made Cheryl click her tongue inwardly.

She looks like a fragile young lady, but the way she speaks and behaves reminds me of a seasoned noblewoman who’s spent years navigating high society.

Belial, I see now that your judgment is trustworthy. But I’m sorry. I don’t plan to protect her.

Cheryl smiled faintly to herself.

She was Mammon, the demon of wealth and greed. She was not someone who cared for others or tried to protect them. She thrived on feeding human vanity and ambition, and she enjoyed the rewards that came with it.

Right now, the greatest reward was the Tear of the Siren, the prize promised by the Empress. Everything she did was focused on that goal.

Of course, Cheryl would not act directly. She would simply let others do the work for her. Those jealous of Juliana Barnett for capturing the attention of the Grand Duke would handle it themselves.

“Marchioness Clemence’s birthday is coming up very soon. We were just giving her our gifts before you arrived. Oh, I suppose you didn’t know, Lady Barnett. You must have come empty-handed.”

One of the noble ladies let out a high-pitched laugh, as if she found the situation amusing.
The others joined in, chuckling together as if on cue.

A faint, mysterious smile formed at the corner of Juliana’s lips.

This was a classic tactic often used in high society to humiliate someone in front of others. She had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.

“I didn’t know it was your birthday,” Juliana said calmly. “But since you were kind enough to invite me to such a special gathering, I did prepare a small gift to show my gratitude.”

At her signal, a maid stepped forward with a box that had been left at the entrance and set it in front of Cheryl.

The other women leaned forward, clearly curious about what was inside.

“Oh, you didn’t have to bring anything. Just your presence is more than enough,” Cheryl said with a polite smile as she opened the box.

Inside was an emerald ring.

Some of the noble ladies looked disappointed and quietly hid their amused smirks behind their fans. The gift had not lived up to their expectations.

But Cheryl did not smile.

Instead, she narrowed her eyes and quickly ordered the maids.

“Close the curtains. Block out all the light. Hurry.”

The maids moved quickly, drawing the thick curtains until the room became as dark as night. Then they lit the lamps to bring a soft glow into the space.

The noblewomen glanced at each other, unsure why Cheryl had reacted so urgently. One of them finally looked closely at the gemstone and suddenly gasped.

“The color… the color of the gem…!”

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