Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 30

Juliana’s face turned bright red in an instant.
Stopped midway? What was I even trying to do?

Clearly flustered, she tried to pull her wrist out of his grasp. But it was impossible to break free from Braeden’s hand.

Braeden gently guided her hand to his hair, placing it over his bangs. His red eyes, filled with curiosity, shimmered with a dangerous light.

“I was just trying to lift your bangs a little…”

As Juliana lightly touched his hair, their eyes met. She froze on the spot.
His direct gaze made her feel like she was staring into something forbidden, something she shouldn’t be allowed to see.

“Do you dislike it when I cover my eyes?” he asked.

“What? N-no, it’s not that…”

How could I possibly tell him the truth? That when I look into your eyes, it feels like I’m being consumed by fire. That I just wanted to see how you look at me.

While Juliana hesitated, struggling to find the right words, Rosie appeared.

“My lady, I was just coming to get you.”

“Oh, thanks. I thought it was about time, so I came ahead.”

As she spoke, Juliana gently slipped her wrist out of Braeden’s grasp.

“Ah, I see His Grace the Grand Duke is here as well,” Rosie added politely, giving a respectful bow.

But for some reason, Braeden’s expression did not look pleased.

Rosie, sensing the tension, started to grow pale with fear.

“I’m really hungry. I wonder what’s for breakfast,” Juliana said, forcing a cheerful tone as she tugged lightly on Braeden’s arm.

At her touch, Braeden’s expression softened, and he began to walk.

Rosie followed behind them, tilting her head slightly in confusion.
Why is His Grace acting like this?

After breakfast, Juliana met with Lochlan.

“This catalog is for wedding dresses. This one is for reception gowns. And these are for accessories and shoes that match.”

The large desk was completely covered with catalogs. Juliana’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I have to look through all of these?”

“Just skim through them, and let me know if anything catches your eye.”

How could I possibly skim through something like this?

As Juliana looked troubled, Lochlan asked gently, “If it’s too hard to choose, would you like me to help?”

“Yes, I’d really appreciate that,” Juliana replied.

Hearing her response, Lochlan’s eyes lit up with a spark of delight.

“I will select a few samples for you as soon as possible.”

Juliana found it strange that Lochlan looked genuinely pleased as he said this, but she didn’t ask why.

“Are these also difficult to understand?”
Lochlan pointed to a book on imperial wedding customs and another describing northern traditions.

“No, I’ll read those myself.”
Learning something new was much better than choosing dresses or jewelry.

As Juliana began flipping through the pages, Lochlan spoke again.
“Please don’t hesitate to ask if anything is difficult or if there’s something you need. Since you are soon to become the Grand Duchess, you may also speak informally with me.”

“Oh…”
Juliana let out a quiet breath without meaning to.

She wasn’t truly going to be the Grand Duchess, just a fake wife for two years. It was hard to explain that to Lochlan, and she didn’t know how to respond.

“I’m already aware of your contract with His Grace,” Lochlan added, quickly picking up on what she was struggling with. He explained that he was the only one who knew.

“And you still treat me as the Grand Duchess?”

“That contract is none of my concern. As a retainer, I am simply fulfilling my duty.”

He placed one hand over his chest and bowed respectfully.
Juliana let out a deep sigh, trying to calm her mixed emotions.

Still, having Lochlan on her side wasn’t a bad thing.

After a moment of thought, she decided to ask something that had been on her mind.
“May I ask what His Grace likes?”

“His Grace?”
Just moments ago, Lochlan had been acting calm and composed, but now he suddenly seemed off.

Juliana noticed his eyebrows twitch in an awkward way and wondered if she had asked something she shouldn’t have.

Lochlan tried to think of something Braeden liked.
Merciless punishment, insults, threats… Nothing came to mind that he could say out loud. Braeden wasn’t interested in worldly power or wealth either.

If anything, the only things he seemed to enjoy were slaying monsters or marching across battlefields to strike fear into enemy nations. There was a reason the other races who bordered the North never dared to invade.

The warlike tribes coveted the empire’s vast lands. When they saw an opportunity, they made full preparations and launched an invasion into the North.

However, no one could ever stand against Braeden. It was during that time that he earned the nickname “Black Reaper.”

Those who saw him racing on horseback, his black hair flowing and barely any armor on his body, trembled in fear and began calling him the Black Reaper.

Since no one who had faced him in person ever came back alive, the name “Reaper” truly suited him.

Lochlan struggled to come up with a better way to describe Braeden. In just a few seconds, thousands of thoughts swirled around in his mind, tangled and untangled again and again.

“His Grace… likes swords the most.”

Lochlan couldn’t think of a better answer and forced a smile as he said it.

“I see. That makes sense. He is known as the Protector of the North, after all, so it’s only natural that he would like swords,” Juliana said thoughtfully.

Lochlan’s smile twitched slightly in discomfort.

The nickname “Protector of the North” had been created to balance out the fearsome image of the “Black Reaper.” Lochlan was the one who had started spreading it.

Both Braeden and Lochlan disliked that overly grand title. Just hearing it made their skin crawl. The fact that Juliana had said it so casually made the moment even more awkward.

Of course, Lochlan couldn’t correct her, so he just smiled quietly, doing his best to hide the discomfort.

At that time, Atlante had just finished eating a pile of fruit and was walking around the townhouse to help with digestion.

Unlike the Barnett estate, this place had many tall trees in the garden, making it a peaceful place to relax.

After making a full round of the mansion, something unfamiliar caught her attention. It was a training ground, something that didn’t exist at the Barnett estate.

So he does train. I guess he wants to keep up his strength. Typical of a man, she thought to herself with a smirk.

She strolled through the training ground, but suddenly stopped when she felt a sharp, threatening presence.

A cold, piercing sound sliced through the air, and the blade of a shining sword pointed straight at her.

“Huh? That’s strange. I just felt something really unpleasant.”

Braeden narrowed his eyes as he held the sword up.

What, are you going to stare me down? Atlante didn’t flinch. She met his gaze firmly.

Neither of them spoke.

They stood there, silently observing each other. Both of them felt something strange about the other, but they couldn’t tell exactly what it was. So, they kept watching, neither willing to look away.

“Are you… Juliana’s bird?” Braeden finally asked.

Braeden was the first to speak.

“So what are you going to do about it?”

Atlante didn’t respond out loud. For some reason, she didn’t want him to hear her voice.

She didn’t feel confident in how she sounded. If he mocked her for it, she knew it would only make her angrier.

“Hmm? Or maybe not? There are so many black birds flying around anyway.”

Braeden’s casual muttering made Atlante freeze in disbelief.

What did he just say? Did he actually call her, the sacred and divine Tear of the Gods, a bird brat?

Who do you think you’re calling names? And what about you? Are you even a proper human?

Fuming, she screamed in protest. But to Braeden, it only sounded like a crow cawing loudly.

He looked at the angry bird in front of him and raised an eyebrow.

“What is this? Is it a crazy bird or something?”

That only made Atlante more furious. She stomped her feet in frustration, or so she thought. To anyone else, it just looked like a small bird hopping around in a tantrum.

Braeden tilted his head and looked at her closely.

“Bird brat,” he said again, as if confirming it.

Atlante let out a shriek so sharp it sounded like a phoenix breathing fire.

“Hmm. You are not a normal bird, are you?”

His red eyes locked onto hers, and Atlante flinched.

How did he notice something was off?

She quickly closed her beak and stayed quiet, trying to gauge his mood.

Silence fell between them again as they stared at each other. Both of them felt something unusual about the other, but neither could figure out exactly what it was.

Atlante realized she could not stay there any longer. She took off into the sky in one powerful flap.

“Damn it.”

Braeden cursed under his breath as he noticed where she was heading.

He could not use teleportation with so many people around in broad daylight. So, he ran at full speed, muttering harsh words as he went.

It almost looked like a race to see who could reach Juliana first.

Both arrived at nearly the same time.

Atlante landed on the windowsill and shouted.

Emergency. This is an emergency.

Just then, Braeden burst through the door and yelled.

“Your bird just…!”

Juliana stood in the middle, looking back and forth between them with a completely confused expression.

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