Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 48

The region where the Northern Ducal Castle was located was called Torsham.

It was the most developed city in the North, and aside from the snow-covered Kankantier Mountains that bordered the lands of other races, the territory was nearly as large as the imperial capital.

The Ducal Castle itself was an ancient and historic fortress, widely regarded as a symbol of the North.

Juliana could hardly believe she had arrived at the castle in an instant through the portal.

Unlike the luxurious architecture of the imperial palace, the heavy structure of the fortress, built from dark stone, gave off a solemn and powerful presence that felt entirely different.

“Your Grace, welcome. We have been waiting for you.”

A man at the entrance of the portal building bowed his head.

The servants gathered behind him followed suit, all bowing together.

“Has everything remained quiet?”

Braeden asked calmly.

The steward of the castle, Albert, raised one eyebrow before replying.

“Yes, of course.”

Albert still found it strange to hear Braeden speak with such authority and responsibility. In the past, his lord had seemed indifferent to most things and rarely showed any interest in governing.

“Everyone must be curious. Make sure the lady of the castle is well cared for and lacks nothing.”

At Braeden’s words, every gaze turned to Juliana.

“This is my first time in the North. I know many things will feel unfamiliar, so I ask for your patience and support as I adjust.”

Juliana met each of their eyes as she spoke.

Her beauty was more striking than they had expected. For a moment, many of the servants stared at her in awe before quickly lowering their heads again.

“Your Grace, welcome to the Ducal Castle. I am Albert Brooks, the steward.”

Albert bowed respectfully. A woman beside him then stepped forward.

“I am Anita Noel, head of the maids. Welcome to the castle.”

The rest of the staff followed with a unified greeting.

“Welcome to the Ducal Castle.”

Their voices echoed through the large stone halls, resonating off the high ceilings. The sound was much louder than Juliana had expected, and her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Braeden glanced at her and smiled, something rare for him.

Lochlan, standing nearby, looked slightly embarrassed and rubbed his cheek.

“Are you feeling dizzy? Some people get lightheaded the first time they use a portal,” Braeden asked.

“I feel fine. I guess I handled it better than expected.”

When the servants saw Braeden checking on Juliana, they hesitated for a moment, then quickly looked down again.

“Let’s head to the inner castle. I’ll show you to your rooms.”

Braeden extended his arm to her.

As Juliana took it, the servants stepped aside like a receding tide, creating a clear path for them.

Feeling a little dazed, she followed his lead through the corridor.

Like the imperial palace, the portal building within the Ducal Castle was separately located and heavily guarded.

It stood between the outer and inner sections of the castle, surrounded by knights who appeared to be stationed there at all times.

Once outside, the first thing that caught Juliana’s eyes was the vivid blue sky, completely clear of clouds.

“It’s so beautiful.”

She stopped walking and looked around at the castle grounds.

The old fortress, full of age and character, stood beneath the endless blue sky. Behind it, the snow-covered Kankantier Mountains towered like a painted backdrop.

The thick stone walls separating the inner and outer castles were lined with countless towers and watch posts. Flags bearing the ducal crest fluttered in the wind.

Just looking at it, one could sense the power and authority of the ducal household.

“There is some distance to the inner castle, so we’ve prepared a carriage,” Albert said as he approached again and pointed to a waiting vehicle.

“Thank you,” Juliana said sincerely.

“It is truly my honor, Your Grace.”

Albert’s voice trembled with emotion. He stepped back quickly when Braeden gave him a sharp look.

Even after centuries of loyal service, he had never heard such warm words from his lord. Hearing them from the lady of the castle stirred something deeply personal.

The carriage carrying Braeden and Juliana set off.

The rest of their attendants quickly boarded the other carriages and followed behind.

“Lochlan, tell me something. Are human women always so…”

Anita trailed off, unsure of the right word.

“You mean soft and beautiful?” Lochlan replied, clicking his tongue.

“Yes, that’s what I meant,” Anita nodded.

She was the last to join the retinue of servants to the archdemon Belial.

Having served for only about four hundred years, she still retained more demonic traits compared to Albert and Lochlan. Her face rarely showed emotion, and she often struggled to express herself like the others.

“Is it just me, or did His Grace actually seem sincere?”

Albert spoke up again, clearly curious.

“I think so too. But whether he realizes it or not is a different question,” Lochlan said.

A brief silence followed Lochlan’s words.

All three of them were well aware that their lord wished for his own end. And they also knew that his will was in direct conflict with their own purpose in serving him.

“Thanks to Her Grace, he might change his mind. So for now, we just focus on what we’re meant to do,” Lochlan said.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Anita replied softly, and Albert nodded slowly in agreement.

The carriage carrying Braeden and Juliana moved at a slower pace than the others.

The attendants’ carriages needed to arrive first to prepare for their arrival. Because of that, Juliana opened the window and leisurely looked outside.

“Is there no summer in the North?” she asked.

Braeden knew exactly why she was asking.

The capital had already entered summer, and the midday heat had become stifling. But Torsham remained pleasantly cool, without a trace of summer’s heat.

“We have this kind of weather for a few months, then it suddenly starts to snow,” he explained.

“I see,” she said, nodding.

Juliana wasn’t entirely sure what it would be like to never experience a hot summer, but she preferred winter anyway. The coolness of the North suited her.

“By the way, are there always so many attendants following you around the castle?” she asked.

She recalled how the servants earlier had parted like the tide and then formed a long line behind them, like an endless train.

She had never walked with so many people in tow before, and it had made her feel awkward and out of place.

“You can keep as many or as few as you like,” Braeden said with a short laugh.

He had worried she might be disappointed by the age and appearance of the fortress. But here she was, only concerned about the number of servants following her. He found it endearing.

Strictly speaking, the North was not Braeden’s original homeland.

But he had chosen the dangerous Kankantier Mountains, which reached the sky, as his cradle. After taking on a human identity, he settled in the North and made it his home.

Now, the Ducal Castle truly felt like his own.

He hoped she wouldn’t dislike the North. More than that, he wanted her to love it.

He didn’t know why, but the thought came to him naturally.

Not long after, the carriage arrived at the gates of the inner castle.

Albert, who had arrived earlier, opened the door for them.

The inner castle looked more polished than the outer castle, as if it had recently been renovated.

Juliana paused for a moment, staring in awe at the massive entrance doors.

She wondered if it was even possible for a human to open something that large and heavy.

If those doors were bolted shut, not even a siege weapon would easily break through.

“Your Grace, I will guide you from here,” Anita Noel said politely, bowing before Juliana.

“I’ll see you later. Let’s have dinner together this evening,” Braeden said, giving Juliana a small nod.

“Yes, I’ll see you then,” she replied with a smile, before following Anita into the inner castle.

The layout was divided into several wings.

“The East Wing will be where His Grace and Your Grace stay. The main wing is used for meetings and administrative matters. The West Wing houses the greenhouse, the gardens, and the ballroom, meant for leisure and gatherings,” Anita explained.

“What about the South and North Wings?” Juliana asked, noticing she had not mentioned them.

“The South Wing has guest rooms for visitors. The North Wing is used primarily by the knights and guards,” Anita replied.

It seemed those parts of the castle had specific purposes, but were rarely used in practice.

“Do you know when the last banquet was held here?” Juliana asked.

Anita thought for a moment before answering.

“As far as I know, there has never been one.”

“Not even once?”

“No, Your Grace.”

Juliana was unsure how to feel about that.

Anita’s behavior was respectful, but her even-toned voice made everything feel distant and oddly cold.

While Juliana was still processing her thoughts, Anita opened the door to her new chambers.

“This is the sunniest room in the East Wing,” she said.

Juliana stepped inside.

It was clear the room had been carefully prepared with her in mind.

Though the furnishings were different from those in the capital, they were beautiful and elegant. Many of the items looked like they had been crafted by skilled artisans, likely very expensive.

“I wasn’t sure about Your Grace’s taste, so I decorated the room as best I could. If there is anything you dislike, I’ll have it changed right away,” Anita said.

“No, I love it. You must have worked hard. Thank you,” Juliana replied warmly.

Anita flinched slightly at the praise.

Like Albert, she had never once been complimented by her lord in all her years of service.

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