Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 25

The thirst that had been eating away at Braeden’s nerves only grew worse. Even after he had claimed Juliana’s lips, it didn’t ease.

He was shocked by how out of control he had become. A dark and intense desire poured out of him—something he never even knew existed.

That desire whispered to him like a sly snake, flicking its tongue and saying, If you want her, take her now.

A hollow laugh escaped him. Had God shaped only this woman from sugar at the beginning of time? Everything about her was sweet.

Her soft, pale skin looked like it would release juice if he bit into it. Even her breathing sounded sweet.

“Damn it.”

He cursed as he finally pulled away from her lips, which he had been kissing as if trying to devour them.

Juliana looked up at him, catching her breath. Her green eyes were hazy with heat, and her red lips were full and swollen, like they would burst at the slightest touch.

From her body, which he had pulled tightly into his arms, a sweet scent filled the air. Every time she breathed, her chest rose and fell against his. He couldn’t look away.

This was driving him mad. Not even the fires of Hell had ever made him feel this kind of burning thirst. Juliana Barnett was throwing him into a place even worse than Hell, and he couldn’t escape it.

People said a gentleman should protect his bride’s purity until their wedding night.

What a load of nonsense about being a gentleman…

It was already ridiculous that a demon lord was pretending to be human. Did he really need to follow human manners too?

The morals and conscience he had never cared about now felt like chains around his ankles. No matter how much he cursed, it didn’t make him feel any better.

“Still, you might run a fever by morning, so it’s best not to push yourself,” he said.

Braeden tried to act like a gentleman, though his eyes were still dark with hidden desire. He wasn’t even sure why he said it.

Maybe he just wanted her to see him in a good light. Or maybe he wanted something deeper, her heart.

Whatever the reason, when he told her he would stay by her side until she fell asleep, still pretending to be a gentleman, Juliana nodded quietly.

Braeden gently laid her on the bed. He walked slowly around the large bedroom, turning off the lights.

Only the lamp beside the bed remained on, and the light from the fireplace made the room glow softly. A warm orange hue filled the space, making it feel quiet and safe.

Braeden pulled a chair over and sat beside the bed. He reached out and gently touched Juliana’s forehead. If she wasn’t still nervous because of him, then the light fever must have come from being caught in the rain.

Tsk. Who had she taken after to be this stubborn? He clicked his tongue softly, and Juliana gave a faint smile.

“You’re very kind, Your Grace.”

Braeden’s eyebrow twitched slightly. The word kind didn’t suit him at all.

“Still calling me Your Grace? I thought we agreed you’d use my name.”

She already knew that, but saying his name had never been easy. Now, realizing she couldn’t keep avoiding it, Juliana gave in and spoke softly.

“Braeden, you’re kind.”

He didn’t really agree with that, but since it didn’t sound bad, the corner of his mouth lifted just a little.

“I’m really glad I met you.”

Juliana meant every word. At first, he had only been her way out, a way to avoid marrying Felix. But little by little, he had become a shelter for her. At times, he even felt like a wall that protected her.

She wasn’t weak enough to lean on him completely, but still, she couldn’t help but feel lucky to have met him.

His hand on her forehead felt cool. Maybe that was why she started to feel sleepy. Without realizing it, she pulled his hand down and held onto just one of his fingers as her eyes slowly closed.

Braeden couldn’t move. Even though she was only holding one finger, he felt completely stuck. Like a trapped animal.

“Is it really a good thing that I met you too?”

He muttered in a quiet, low voice.

She was the one meant to bring him peace. Floreseco. A woman he was supposed to awaken into Floreo.

But for the first time, Juliana’s connection to death felt uncomfortable.

The shadow of death, which he had always followed without question, suddenly felt unfamiliar. He didn’t understand why. He just sat there in silence, unmoving.

Outside, the sound of rain tapping on the window mixed with his thoughts and stirred up a quiet storm in his mind.

Aileen had finally left the miserable inn behind. Tristan had arranged a small house for her.

It was a relief to be out of that cramped and filthy place, but her happiness didn’t last long. Aileen was not someone who could be satisfied with just a small house.

“Tristan, there’s something I want…”

“What is it now?”

Even in the middle of an intimate moment, Tristan couldn’t stop the irritation from slipping into his voice.

He was certainly attracted to Aileen’s beauty and sensual figure, but her constant demands were exhausting. She had no wealth, no status, and yet she always acted like a noble lady, chasing only the finest things.

“‘Now’? If someone heard you, they’d think I’m greedy.”

Aileen’s eyes shimmered with tears as she leaned away from him.

Tristan clenched his teeth, staring down at his own body, already burning with desire. He was too far gone to stop now.

“When did I ever say you were greedy? I never said that.”

He tried to calm her down while quietly continuing what he had started. Aileen, pretending to hesitate, soon gave in and returned to his arms.

The pleasure her body gave him was overwhelming, almost dangerous. He couldn’t pull away from it.

As soon as Aileen whispered in a soft, teasing voice, Tristan forgot all about his earlier annoyance. A woman this captivating could have anything she wanted. Her request no longer seemed like a problem.

Looking down at Tristan, who was panting over her, Aileen smiled to herself. She truly seemed to have a gift when it came to using her charms.

Empress Pamela sent Juliana an invitation to join her for tea. When Braeden heard the news, he couldn’t focus on anything else.

“I should go with her.”

Pamela clearly held a grudge against Juliana, though Juliana herself had no idea. If she went to the palace without knowing that, it could end badly.

“Your Grace,” Lachlan spoke up from beside him, “how about escorting Miss Barnett to the appointment with Her Majesty yourself?”

“Yes, that’s a good idea. Let Juliana know ahead of time.”

“Of course. But there’s one more thing you should be aware of.”

“What is it?”

“Her Majesty also asked that Lady Clemence join Miss Barnett.”

Why is Mammon’s name coming up now? Braeden’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

Pamela wanted to find out whether Cheryl’s failure to carry out her instructions had been a mistake or something more deliberate.

The Empress had summoned both Juliana and Cheryl together to observe them side by side. She wanted to see if there was any unknown bond or shared loyalty between them before deciding how to deal with them.

Sensing that the Empress had something planned, Braeden placed a hand on his forehead and muttered to himself, saying he should have gotten rid of that troublesome woman long ago.

The next day, Braeden was helping Juliana down from the carriage in front of the Empress’s palace when a high-pitched voice laced with mock sweetness rang out.

“My, how considerate you are.”

Braeden turned his head and immediately frowned when he saw who it was. The voice belonged to Cheryl.

“I never realized the Duke of Ortis could be so thoughtful with his fiancée,” she added loudly, clearly wanting others to hear.

What does it matter to you? Braeden didn’t respond, but the answer was written all over his face.

Their eyes met, and a crackle of tension sparked between them.

“Good morning, Lady Clemence,” Juliana greeted politely. Her voice was smooth and clear like running water.

“It’s even nicer to see you here at the palace, Lady Barnett. Have you been well?” Cheryl replied with fake warmth.

Braeden didn’t like Cheryl’s overly friendly tone. His frown deepened visibly.

“Well then, shall we head in and see why Her Majesty called us both today?” Cheryl said, linking arms with Juliana.

That snapped Braeden out of his thoughts. This was not the time to stand idle, especially when no one knew what the Empress had planned.

“Lady Clemence, may I speak with you for a moment?”

Braeden nodded toward her, and Cheryl, with a slight smirk, gathered her skirts and followed him with a playful look.

He stopped once they had put enough distance between themselves and Juliana so she couldn’t hear. Then he turned to Cheryl and spoke in a low voice.

“We don’t know what the Empress might try. I need your help.”

“Hmm?” Cheryl gave a light hum and narrowed her eyes. “Is that how someone asks for help?”

“What?”

Braeden looked at her, visibly taken aback.

Among the high demons, Mammon was considered one of the weaker ones, and she almost never defied Belial. But right now, she was nothing like the Mammon he knew. She looked like someone who had made up her mind to completely ruin Belial’s plans.

“That’s not how you ask a favor,” she said. “If you want my help, say it properly. Repeat after me: ‘Please help me, big sister. Just this once.’”

Cheryl let out a mischievous laugh, clearly enjoying herself.

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