Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 49

“That’s too kind. I was only doing what’s expected of me.”

Anita admired the room inwardly, but unfortunately her face remained expressionless.

Since Juliana couldn’t read any change in Anita’s expression, she casually changed the topic.

“This girl came with me. I’d appreciate it if you could teach her well as head maid.”

Juliana introduced Rosie, who had followed quietly behind her.

“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Rosie,” she said, stiff with nerves.

Anita’s gaze moved from Rosie’s face to the birdcage she was holding. Inside, Atlante turned his head sharply to the side like a shy child.

“He’s my pet bird,” Juliana explained.

“I see,” Anita replied with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

Juliana had seen that reaction before. People often found it surprising that she kept a bird as a pet, but she didn’t think much of it.

“I’ll take Rosie and give her the proper instructions. I’ll also prepare a list of suitable handmaids for Your Grace’s service and have it sent up shortly.”

“Thank you. Leave Atlante here with me.”

“Of course. Please call if you need anything.”

After Anita and Rosie left, Juliana was finally alone.

She hadn’t realized until now how tense she had been in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her shoulders felt stiff.

She opened the birdcage, and Atlante stepped out slowly, surveying his new space.

“This is your new home. What do you think?” Juliana asked with a hint of humor.

It’s not perfect, but it’s acceptable, Atlante replied in his usual cheeky tone.

Juliana let out a dry laugh.

“This is your first time in the North too, isn’t it?”

She opened the window that led to the terrace. One of the most striking differences between the capital and the North was the sky.

Under the crystal-clear sky, the lush green forest and the towering stone castle created a breathtaking scene.

From this new angle, the view felt even more picturesque.

I get the feeling you keep forgetting what I really am just because of how I look. But I’ll remind you, I am the Tear of the Divine. I can exist anywhere, or nowhere at all.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Atlante puffed himself up, expecting a reaction, but Juliana’s plain response made him sigh in disappointment.

Anyway, just don’t forget I’m the Tear of the Divine.

Juliana wanted to tell him that he was the one who kept forgetting it more often than anyone else, but she held her tongue.

“This is unfamiliar territory, so stay alert for a while.”

Of course. Naturally. I am the Tear of the Divine, after all.

Atlante strutted around, throwing out his usual grandiose title.

Juliana had heard it many times, but she still couldn’t quite grasp what it meant. Because of that, she never gave him the reaction he seemed to want.

Noticing that, Atlante began to grumble.

That’s enough. If you want me to do things for you, you better start treating me accordingly. Got it?

In other words, he wanted a steady offering of fruit now that she was in a position to provide it.

But the way he said it sounded more like a low-level threat. Surely a divine being wouldn’t stoop to such tactics.

Juliana gave a vague smile and nodded in agreement.

“Of course. I’ll make sure you have enough fruit so you won’t need to eat bugs anymore.”

Atlante shuddered as if she had struck a nerve, like she had somehow discovered his past insect-based diet.

He might call himself the Tear of the Divine, but in moments like this, he looked like nothing more than a crow.

No wonder it’s so easy to forget what you are, Juliana thought with a quiet laugh.

As darkness fell over the Ducal Castle, a chilly and eerie atmosphere settled in.

The flickering light on the rough stone walls stretched into long shadows, giving the feeling that something might leap out at any moment.

Juliana was having dinner with Braeden in the East Wing’s first-floor dining room.

For a duke’s private dining room, it felt stark and unadorned, almost cold.

However, the meal itself had been prepared with great care. The dishes were beautifully arranged, with precise presentation and color.

“The food must taste different from what you’re used to in the capital,” Braeden said, watching her closely.

He had been observing her from the start of the meal, noting what she ate with ease and what she might avoid. So far, he hadn’t noticed any strong preferences.

“Everything is delicious. With this much care put into it, there’s no way the food wouldn’t taste good,” Juliana said with a soft smile.

Even though she spoke sincerely, the truth was that she didn’t have any strong preferences when it came to food. At Count Barnett’s estate, she had always kept her meals minimal under the excuse of maintaining her figure.

“I’m glad to hear it,” Braeden replied, nodding.

After glancing around to make sure no one else was nearby, Juliana lowered her voice slightly.

“Earlier, the head maid said she would bring me a list of the handmaids. Does she know about my mark?”

“She does. It’s something she needed to know in order to properly serve you.”

“I see,” Juliana said, thoughtful.

She then looked at him again and asked, “Do you plan to inform the temple?”

The Floreseco mark was rare and significant. Those who bore it had the potential to awaken as saints, and the temple kept strict control over those individuals.

Usually, the mark appeared in childhood, and those chosen were taken in by the temple and raised under its care and guidance.

Juliana had always hoped the Barnetts didn’t view her mark as a means to profit from her. Now that she was married, their influence no longer reached her. She had no particular objection to informing the temple, but she also didn’t feel strongly about it.

The temple wouldn’t be able to interfere with her now that she was the Duchess of the North.

“There’s no reason to tell them. Unless you want them to know?”

“No, not really. I haven’t thought much about it…”

“Then let’s keep it between us.”

Braeden had dealt with the temple before. He knew how relentless and obsessive they could be. He had no intention of letting them pull Juliana into their world.

“Anita is discreet and reliable. The handmaids she chooses won’t go around spreading secrets. You can trust that.”

Hearing him say that with confidence made Juliana feel more at ease.

After dinner, she returned to her room. Anita arrived shortly after with a sheet of parchment listing names and brief background information.

“You can’t judge someone entirely by a piece of paper, but sometimes this tells you more than meeting them face to face,” Anita said as she handed over the list.

Juliana understood exactly what she meant.

Whether among nobles or commoners, society often cared more about someone’s origins and background than their personality or manner.

“I don’t like being surrounded by too many people. Including Rosie, I think three or four handmaids will be enough.”

Without even glancing at the paper, Juliana handed it back. Anita blinked, her eyebrows twitching slightly in surprise.

“Choose women who are calm, kind, and not prone to jealousy. I trust your judgment.”

Anita had always taken pride in her ability to understand people.

She had seen how easily humans could become cruel and power-hungry, trampling over others to protect their position. Some were even more brutal than demons.

She had expected the new duchess to test her strength, to engage in power plays, as others often did.

But Juliana’s unexpected trust left her momentarily caught off guard. Not that she let it show on her face.

“Understood, Your Grace. I will bring in suitable attendants shortly and help you prepare for your bath.”

Soon after, Rosie returned with three other handmaids.

They appeared to be around Rosie’s age and introduced themselves as Lily, Joanne, and Amber. The four of them already seemed to have formed a bond.

Juliana was pleased to see that Rosie was fitting in well. She had worried about the girl being left out or mistreated, but it seemed Anita had understood her concerns perfectly.

After bathing and changing into a chemise, Juliana dismissed the handmaids.

It had been a long day. So much had happened that it felt unusually stretched.

Braeden must be sleeping alone tonight. He looked just as busy as she had been.

He had been away from the castle for quite a while, and there were likely many matters that needed his attention now.

As Juliana prepared for bed, she took off her robe. But when she looked at the chemise she was wearing, she frowned slightly.

While staying in the imperial palace after her wedding, she had worn elegant but modest sleepwear, careful not to draw attention.

But this one was completely different. She wasn’t sure who had chosen it, but it was far more sheer and revealing than she preferred.

Since only small items and people could travel through the portal, her belongings were being brought by carriage. She hadn’t thought to pack her own nightwear, assuming the castle would provide something suitable.

She hadn’t expected something like this.

Still, she told herself it didn’t matter. She was sleeping alone tonight.

Just as she was convincing herself of that, there was a knock at the door.

Assuming it was Rosie or one of the other maids bringing tea or something she might need for the night, Juliana called out calmly.

“Come in.”

But the door that opened wasn’t the one that led to the hallway.

It was the inner door that connected to the next room.

Braeden stepped in without hesitation. When he saw her, his eyes widened and he let out a soft but unmistakable sound of surprise.

“Oh.”

It was a short reaction, but the meaning behind it was clear.

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