Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 62

“I’ve clearly underestimated how capable our steward is.”

It truly was impressive to have access to such detailed information, even down to the smallest things.

Juliana spoke with admiration, and Albert gave a modest smile, bowing his head slightly.

“Oh, it’s really nothing special.”

Watching from the side, Braeden let out a quiet breath of disbelief. Albert’s attitude now was completely different from when he handled the tasks Braeden gave him.

“Oh, and a letter has arrived from the Imperial Palace for Her Highness.”

“From the palace?”

Juliana looked at him curiously. She couldn’t think of any reason the palace would send her a letter. Albert quickly clarified the sender.

“It is from Her Majesty the Empress.”

“What? Why would the Empress…?”

Before Juliana could respond, Braeden interrupted with a voice full of irritation.

He didn’t like that suspicious woman acting so friendly toward Juliana. If she weren’t the Empress, he would have made sure she disappeared from sight long ago.

Braeden narrowed his eyes as Juliana opened the letter and read its contents.

“She says she would like to drink the tea I made. She’s asking me to stop by the palace when His Grace travels to the capital.”

Braeden twisted his lips and muttered something under his breath. It sounded very much like a curse.

He had already planned to visit the capital to look into the appearance of the Mountain Devil and see for himself how much damage Tristan and Aileen had done. This just gave him another reason.

Juliana was glad she now had an excuse to go to the capital without having to come up with one herself.

“I would be glad to have you join me. Make sure everything is prepared so nothing is lacking on the journey.”

Braeden gave the order to Albert, who bowed and left to carry it out.

Meanwhile, Juliana’s eyes drifted to a glass on the table filled with a golden liquid. It was honey wine, a strong traditional Northern drink.

“You look like you want a taste.”

Braeden narrowed his eyes at her, and Juliana nodded.

“I think I should know how it tastes so I can describe it to those who ask.”

She already knew honey wine was strong. There was a look of determination in her eyes, which Braeden found amusing. He chuckled and handed her the glass.

“Then you should drink it.”

“Thank you.”

Juliana accepted the glass and took a cautious sip. The strong alcohol burned her throat as it went down, spreading heat through her stomach like fire.

“Whoa…”

Startled by the intensity, she widened her eyes and exhaled a hot breath. It was so strong she felt every part of its path as it went down.

“Would you like another?”

Braeden asked teasingly as he watched the blush rise on her cheeks from just that one sip.

“No, I don’t think I can handle more.”

Juliana shook her head. Her stomach felt like it was churning, and she wobbled slightly.

“In that case, you should return to your room.”

Braeden leaned in and whispered near her ear as he wrapped his arm gently around her waist. Juliana felt a little disappointed, but with the alcohol setting in, she agreed.

Braeden escorted her out of the dining hall. The moment they left, everyone around let out the breaths they had been holding.

Several people had bitten their tongues to keep themselves from making a sound as they watched their lord treat Her Highness like she was a fragile glass.

“That gave me chills. I’m completely sober now,” someone muttered.

“Uh, yeah, his eyes were just melting…”

At that comment, a few people looked at one another and shivered as they remembered Braeden’s smile.

Alright, enough of that terrifying image.

“The night is still young. Let’s drink more!”

“Exactly! If we’ve sobered up, we just need more alcohol!”

Just like that, the knights returned to their usual loud and cheerful selves.

The Grand Duchy was in a state of constant motion as everyone prepared to deliver the monster byproducts to the Imperial Palace.

They were scheduled to leave through the portal in five days, so preparations were well underway.

Juliana had stepped outside the inner fortress to take care of a few items she planned to bring when she unexpectedly ran into Braeden on horseback.

As soon as he saw her, he dismounted smoothly and approached with the reins in hand.

“You look busy.”

“Not really. I just finished and was about to head back.”

Even as she replied, Juliana’s eyes were drawn to the black horse. It matched Braeden’s dark hair perfectly.

The horse was much larger than most, and even its mane was jet black. It suited Braeden’s title, the Black Reaper, remarkably well.

“His name is Raphael.”

“That’s a beautiful name. Raphael… May I call him Rael?”

Juliana reached her hand out toward the horse as if asking for permission. Braeden clicked his tongue at the sight.

His horse had a reputation for being difficult. If anyone tried to call him by a nickname, he wouldn’t hesitate to kick.

Braeden gripped the reins tightly, just in case the horse tried to act out toward Juliana.

“He’s usually very temperamental, so don’t be disappointed!”

“Sorry? What did you say?”

Juliana had been focused on Raphael, who was now rubbing his nose against her hand, and didn’t hear the last part.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Braeden let out a short sigh as he looked at the horse behaving like a well-trained pet in front of Juliana.

Raphael was descended from wild Northern horses. Long ago, Braeden had tamed one and raised it, and that line had remained his loyal steed ever since.

Still, the wildness never quite left. The horse had even dared to choose its own rider. While it obeyed Braeden, it often showed irritation.

Yet now, the same horse was acting completely differently toward Juliana. It was almost ridiculous.

Whether beast or man, it seemed they all had the same taste. Braeden muttered to himself with a faint smirk, then looked at her and asked,

“Would you like to ride with me?”

“Really? Are you sure?”

Juliana’s reaction was so honest that Braeden chuckled. He lifted her easily onto the saddle, then mounted behind her.

The sudden height made her feel unsteady. She looked back nervously.

Braeden wrapped an arm firmly around her waist and leaned in, stealing a brief kiss on her lips.

“Braeden!”

Juliana quickly looked around in surprise.

Everyone around them pretended not to notice, keeping their eyes lowered or turning their heads away quickly. Luckily, no one made eye contact. Still, the tips of her ears turned red from embarrassment.

“Oh, I thought you were asking me to kiss you.”

Braeden replied shamelessly, then pulled the reins and set Raphael into motion.

“I didn’t say anything like that,” Juliana muttered, flustered.

Braeden laughed softly.

They rode along the path that led north of the Grand Duchy toward the outer walls. That area was surrounded by dense forest and a beautiful lake.

A warm breeze stirred their hair, and the fresh scent of the woods mixed with the soft aroma of wildflowers. It tickled at their senses.

Juliana was soon completely absorbed in the beauty of the scenery.

“I thought I had seen everything around the Grand Duchy, but from here, it feels different.”

She wasn’t sure if the view truly looked new from horseback or if it just felt that way because she was wrapped in Braeden’s arms.

Juliana was too focused on Raphael nuzzling her hand to hear what Braeden had just said.

“Sorry? What was that?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Braeden let out a quiet sigh as he watched his proud and temperamental horse act like a docile lamb in front of Juliana.

Raphael was descended from Northern wild horses. Long ago, Braeden had tamed one of those wild beasts, and its bloodline had served as his steed ever since.

But the wildness never truly faded. The horse had the arrogance to choose his rider and often showed irritation, even toward Braeden himself.

Yet here he was, acting completely differently with Juliana. Braeden could hardly believe it.

Beasts or people, it seemed they all had the same taste. He muttered bitterly to himself, then turned to her and asked,

“Would you like to ride together?”

“Really? I can?”

Juliana responded with honest excitement. Braeden gave a short laugh, lifted her gently into the saddle, and then mounted behind her with practiced ease.

Suddenly being so high up startled her, and she looked back anxiously.

Braeden wrapped one strong arm around her waist, pulled her close, and stole a quick kiss on her lips.

“Braeden!”

Juliana turned her head, flustered, scanning the area.

Thankfully, everyone around them politely looked down or turned their heads, avoiding eye contact. Still, her ears flushed bright red from embarrassment.

“Oh? I thought you were asking me to kiss you.”

Braeden replied shamelessly and tugged lightly on the reins to set Raphael into motion.

“I never said that,” Juliana muttered, her voice a little sulky.

Braeden chuckled low in his chest.

They rode northward, following the road that led toward the outer walls of the Grand Duchy. There, thick forests and a sparkling lake made the scenery breathtaking.

A warm breeze stirred their hair, and the cool scent of the woods mixed with sweet hints of blooming flowers, gently tickling their senses.

Juliana quickly became lost in the beauty around her.

“I thought I had seen everything around the Grand Duchy, but seeing it like this makes it feel completely different.”

She wasn’t sure if it was the view from horseback or the fact that she was in Braeden’s arms that made it feel so new.

Either way, the soft flower-scented wind and peaceful ride lifted her spirits. Being surrounded by calmness felt unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.

“If this makes you happy, then we should go on walks like this more often.”

Braeden slowed the horse’s pace. The gentle rhythm of the hooves and the slight sway of the saddle made everything feel quiet and steady.

The firm support of his body behind her felt reassuring.

“Hmm… Why do I feel so sleepy?”

As she leaned further into him, Braeden wrapped his arm more securely around her waist, speaking with quiet satisfaction.

“It’s no surprise. I kept you up until dawn, after all.”

“Oh, right. That’s why…”

Agreeing with him, Juliana slowly began to doze off, unable to resist her fatigue.

Braeden had disturbed her sleep the night before, and she had risen early to prepare items for the palace. It was no wonder she was exhausted.

As she dozed in his arms, Braeden carefully adjusted her so her head rested comfortably against his chest.

He guided the horse even more gently as they exited the forest. A clear lake shimmered before them.

Just as the sun broke through the trees, casting a sharp beam of light across Juliana’s face, Braeden raised his hand to shade her from the glare.

At that moment, something strange happened.

Power surged from his fingertips, completely unintentional.

A crackle of energy escaped him, like an electric charge, and struck the air. A black vortex began to twist and spiral before them.

Braeden’s expression hardened.

Never before had his power acted on its own, separate from his will.

The swirling darkness suddenly spat out red flames, flickering at its center. Braeden narrowed his eyes.

Could it be… had he opened a gate to the underworld?

As his brow furrowed with suspicion, someone appeared within the swirling mass.

A pale face, almost ghostly white. Long silver hair. Pitch-black eyes.

An infuriatingly familiar expression curved into a smile as the figure raised a hand in greeting.

“Belial,” he said with a smirk. “Word reached Hell that you’ve been enjoying a rather pleasant little human game. It seems the rumors were true.”

Braeden’s eyes immediately locked onto the figure’s gaze as it drifted toward Juliana. He tensed, his voice sharp and biting.

“Get out, Lucifer.”

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