Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 47

Juliana blinked several times as she woke up and looked around.

The room was dim, with thick curtains drawn, but the sunlight slipping through the cracks was bright. It was probably close to noon.

As the memories of the previous night returned, Juliana’s cheeks turned red. Her toes curled again as she recalled the heated sighs and overwhelming sensations.

Every time he kissed the mark he had branded onto her, a wave of pleasure shot through her body. Eventually, she couldn’t hold back her tears. He had even licked those away before pressing into her more deeply.

When she tried to get out of bed, a soft groan escaped through her teeth. The soreness in her muscles was more intense than she expected.

Still, she wanted to get up and wash, so she pushed herself to rise. But as the blanket slipped down, she froze with a sharp intake of breath.

Red marks stood out like blooming flowers across her pale skin. These were usually seen as a sign that a couple had properly consummated their marriage. For a noblewoman, such marks were something to be proud of. Even so, this was excessive.

Juliana, who rarely let herself be flustered, sighed deeply. She didn’t know how she would face the maids.

“Your Grace, are you awake?”

Rosie called from outside, having sensed movement in the room.

Juliana pulled the blanket up to her neck and answered, “Yes, you can come in.”

Rosie entered quietly. She had likely been waiting nearby to help with Juliana’s bath, especially since they had agreed to keep the marks on Juliana’s body hidden until they left for the Northern Duchy.

“I’ve prepared your bathwater. Would you like to wash now?”

“Yes, I will. By the way, where is His Grace?”

“His Grace went to meet the Emperor. There was something urgent he needed to take care of. Before he left, he told me to make sure you were feeling well when you woke up.”

“I see.”

Juliana nodded. Since the wedding celebrations were still going on at the palace, someone had to remain attentive.

“Rosie, could you bring me my robe?”

“Of course, Your Grace.”

Rosie handed her the robe. Juliana felt shy about exposing her body to someone younger.

When Rosie saw the red marks on Juliana’s skin, her eyes wavered and her ears turned red. She tried to act calm as she spoke.

“I’ll take you to the bath. Please follow me, my lady.”

Neither of them noticed that Rosie had momentarily slipped back into using Juliana’s old title.

That evening, Juliana had dinner with Braeden.

The dining hall in the detached palace was large, and the long table felt even more spacious with only two people sitting at it. They sat across from each other near one end, where the food had been arranged.

“If you’re not feeling well, you could have eaten in the bedchamber,” Braeden said as he observed her expression.

After last night, he had realized just how delicate her body was. He remembered the moment she had dozed off in the middle of it, and the memory made him let out a quiet chuckle.

“I’m not feeling that bad,” Juliana replied.

But when he saw her wearing a high-necked dress that looked stiff and uncomfortable, a wave of guilt came over him.

He had seen her skin before they left the bedchamber and hadn’t expected it to bruise so easily.

Braeden cleared his throat and said, “I spoke with the Emperor today. He gave us permission to use the portal when we return to the North.”

The portal installed at the Imperial Palace was connected to important locations across the Empire.

Since magic had been fading in recent years, portals could only be placed in a limited number of areas. Currently, only about twenty places in the Empire had one. These locations were naturally the domains of powerful noble families. One of them was the Northern Ducal Castle.

Originally, portal use was allowed only for official purposes. But Braeden didn’t want to force Juliana to endure a month-long carriage journey, especially with her fragile health.

So, when he met with Emperor David, he subtly brought up his concerns. He mentioned that someone might have planted a spy near the bridal chamber. Although he didn’t openly say he knew who was behind it, the Emperor quickly picked up on the implication.

Feeling nervous, David fully supported Braeden’s request to return to the North quickly.

“That’s good news,” Juliana said.

She hadn’t expected to go to the Ducal Castle this soon. Since marrying Braeden, her experiences were already changing rapidly. In her previous life, she had never even visited the North, let alone used a portal.

“Life at the Ducal Castle might take some getting used to,” Braeden said. “No one will force you to do anything, so please don’t feel pressured.”

Hearing his words made her heart feel warm. Was he worried about her?

Juliana looked quietly into his red eyes and gave a small smile.

Having someone care for her was unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.

She had always been pushed to meet expectations and forced herself to keep going. His concern was something new, something she had never received before.

Even as the Marchioness in name only, she had been left to handle all the responsibilities of a household.

She had been given none of the authority but all of the burden.

“Thank you for caring,” she said softly.

At Juliana’s words, Braeden’s hand, which had been serving food, paused for a moment.

At some point, thinking about her had become as natural as breathing. Realizing this left him with a complicated mix of emotions.

“We won’t be able to move all the luggage through the portal, so just pack the things you’ll need immediately,” Braeden said, brushing aside his thoughts and putting on a calm expression.

It was time for bed.

Juliana finished preparing and entered the bridal chamber.

Thanks to the Emperor’s arrangement, they were allowed to stay at the detached palace until their departure for the North.

Braeden knew it was just an excuse to keep them under surveillance, despite the Emperor pretending to be generous. He found it irritating, though Juliana didn’t feel particularly bothered.

Perhaps she was too distracted by Braeden himself to worry about anything else.

This wasn’t good.

Juliana let out a quiet sigh. She should have been focused entirely on her revenge, but other thoughts kept creeping in.

Even now, all she could think about was whether the same thing as last night might happen again.

The door clicked open and Braeden entered. His loosely buttoned shirt and tousled hair immediately drew her attention.

He looked completely different from his polished appearance during the day, where not a single detail was out of place.

Juliana always found that contrast striking and unexpectedly refreshing.

Braeden walked over to the sofa where she was sitting and looked her over, then let out a soft groan.

“Are you hurting a lot?” he asked.

Juliana noticed where his eyes were focused and laughed lightly.

“The marks are dramatic, but I’m not in pain,” she replied.

Now that she was in her nightdress, her condition was obvious. Dark red bruises were scattered across her skin.

If he had known it would look like this, he would have erased some of them last night. He had left them, thinking they were meaningful, but now he regretted it. If he had realized the bruises would darken like this, he would have taken care of them.

“We should wait until the marks fade before doing anything again,” he said under his breath, guilt creeping into his voice.

But Juliana didn’t respond.

Braeden’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Juliana, if you stay that quiet, I might take it the wrong way,” he said as he leaned in close.

Startled, Juliana scooted back and asked, “The wrong way?”

“That you want me,” he said.

His gaze darkened with intensity. Seeing the heat in his eyes made Juliana feel like she had walked into a trap.

“I just meant that the marks might take a while to fade, so until then…”

She had been about to say that he didn’t have to wait that long, but before she could finish, he suddenly kissed her.

His warm breath pressed against her as if trying to melt her.

“Hm… yes…”

A soft sound slipped from her lips, and Braeden felt his throat go dry again.

Trying to quench that thirst, he kissed her deeply, biting and drinking in her lips.

“Braeden…”

Juliana gasped, placing her hands on his chest to gently push him back.

“Still, maybe not tonight…”

Braeden understood what she meant. He hadn’t planned to go further tonight anyway.

But the moment he saw the heat in her eyes, he realized just how little self-control he truly had.

“Yes, I know. Even I have some sense of restraint,” he said.

Maybe not much, but at least enough to stop.

Seeing his disappointed expression, Juliana let out a laugh.

When Braeden saw her smiling face, he sighed with an even heavier heart.

The week-long wedding celebrations finally came to an end.

Juliana and Braeden attended the receptions in between their duties, staying busy as they wrapped up preparations before their journey to the North.

The day of departure arrived.

The portal at the Imperial Palace was installed inside a dedicated building under special security. A large group had gathered there.

“Yuli, take care of yourself, and be sure to write often, alright?”

Countess Barnett dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. It was the first time she had ever used a nickname for Juliana, and it made Juliana’s lips stiffen briefly before relaxing.

“If you ever need anything, just say the word. I’ll find a way to get it to you no matter what,” said Count Barnett, speaking with the confidence of a dependable father.

Watching them, Juliana thought to herself that they might have been better suited as stage actors.

“I’m not a child anymore, so don’t worry. I’ll write soon,” Juliana replied with a calm smile.

She meant it. The thought of leaving them behind brought a sincere smile to her lips.

With many people seeing them off, Juliana stepped onto the portal platform.

Together with Rosie, Atlante, and about twenty members of the Ducal household, she departed for the North.

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