Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 68

When Count and Countess Barnett heard that Juliana was staying in the capital, they were far from pleased. They assumed that once her palace duties were done, she would head straight to their estate to greet them.

What an absurd expectation.

Tristan didn’t say it out loud, but he was inwardly scoffing at his parents.

Juliana wasn’t some grateful, well-mannered girl. Behind that composed face was a sharp and calculating woman.

After realizing her true nature, Tristan had worked hard to kill whatever lingering feelings he had for her. Now that she was the Archduchess, there was nothing holding her back.

Honestly, his parents were more naive than Juliana. Surely they didn’t still believe she viewed the Barnetts as her saviors.

He left the house after enduring a long list of their complaints. His head was throbbing.

“I have something to tell you,”

Aileen said with a sweet, almost playful voice.

Tristan had come to her place to get away from his parents and to rest. He wanted peace and quiet.

“What is it? Just tell me,”

he said, trying not to show how annoyed he felt.

“I’m pregnant.”

“You… you what?”

Tristan blinked, stunned. He had expected her to ramble about someone she saw or something she wanted. But this?

“I’m carrying your child. Our baby is growing inside me,”

Aileen said proudly, her hand resting gently on her stomach.

She knew very well that her position wasn’t secure.

As time passed, she saw more and more flaws in Tristan, but it didn’t matter. The rumors about her being his lover or mistress were already everywhere in society.

She was the daughter of a ruined baron. People smiled at her in public but whispered behind her back. They treated her like a courtesan.

She had made a vow. She would succeed. She would climb up and crush everyone who had mocked her.

To do that, she needed Tristan.

He was always careful during their affairs, pulling away at the last moment to avoid getting her pregnant. That alone told her he didn’t plan to take responsibility.

But Aileen had expected that. She had studied his patterns. She had waited and chosen the right moment.

She pushed him past the point of control. She worked hard to drive him into pleasure so intense that he wouldn’t be able to stop himself.

Eventually, it worked. She was pregnant.

“Aren’t you happy?”

she asked, gazing into his eyes. Tristan waved his hands, clearly flustered.

“It’s not that. It just caught me off guard.”

Off guard? Or was it just something he didn’t want?

Aileen hid her cold gaze behind a soft smile.

“We should hold the ceremony before the pregnancy shows. And to do that, I think it’s time we met your parents.”

She already knew he had only made vague promises about marriage. She also knew that once she lost her usefulness, he would walk away as if none of it mattered.

But so what? As long as he kept his promise, that was enough.

She had her own plans, and both Tristan and the baby were part of them.

“You want to meet my parents?”

“Of course. We can’t get married without greeting them properly. Don’t you agree?”

She gently patted her belly, pretending it was already beginning to show.

Tristan was a little foolish and a little cowardly, but not cruel enough to deny his own child.

Seeing her gesture, he couldn’t bring himself to speak. He opened and closed his mouth, and his face turned pale.

Aileen saw him sigh and twisted her lips into a quiet smile.

Even though everyone knew Juliana’s stay in the capital would be brief, noble families rushed to send invitations to the townhouse.

Juliana looked at the growing pile of letters and frowned.

Before their marriage, Braeden had ignored all of these invitations. But now that she was the Archduchess, things were different.

If they turned down every invitation, the blame would fall on her.

“I suppose we should attend at least one,”

she murmured, sorting through the stack.

Neither of them enjoyed parties, so attending several events was out of the question. Going to just one should be enough to avoid unnecessary gossip.

The challenge was deciding which one.

She narrowed it down to three invitations when Braeden walked into the sitting room.

“Perfect timing. I need your help,”

Juliana said with a smile as she looked up at him.

Braeden’s expression softened slightly at her bright greeting.

“I think we should attend one event before returning to the North.”

The moment she said “event,” his face twisted in clear displeasure, and Juliana burst out laughing.

“What kind of face is that? You’re not going to help me?”

she teased.

With a sigh, Braeden dropped into the seat across from her. He didn’t even try to sit properly, slouching like he couldn’t care less.

His body language said it all. He had absolutely no interest in attending a party.

“Are these the finalists?”

he asked, nodding toward the three envelopes in her hand.

“Yes, I think we just need to choose one of these.”

Juliana handed the envelopes to Braeden. He looked over the names written on them.

“Count Blackwell. His eyes are so oily I don’t want to look at him for even a second.”

He tossed that envelope aside without hesitation.

“Count McLaughlin. His wife and daughter keep dropping handkerchiefs whenever I’m near. If I picked up every one, I’d have a whole drawer full by now.”

He threw that envelope too. Now, only one invitation remained.

This one was noticeably more luxurious than the others. It was sealed in an ornate envelope made of fine purple silk and decorated with tiny gemstones. It was extravagant.

“Whoever this is, they certainly put in the effort. I guess if you’re inviting the Archduke and Archduchess, this is the kind of presentation you need.”

Braeden’s words came to an abrupt stop when he saw the name written on it.

Cheryl Clemence.

Damn it. Why is her name showing up here?

His brow twitched sharply, clearly unsettled. But Juliana, unaware of his reaction, simply smiled and said, “Thanks for helping me decide. I’ll send our reply to Marchioness Clemence and let her know we’ll attend.”

Braeden, unable to say anything else, forced a small, awkward smile in return.

Three days later, just before evening, they set off for the Clemence estate.

The rhythmic sound of hooves filled the space between them in the carriage. Neither of them spoke for a while. It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, but Juliana noticed something different in Braeden’s expression. His gaze was quieter than usual, more subdued.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“Because you’re beautiful.”

The words came out easily, without a pause, and he didn’t look away.

Juliana turned her eyes down, gently fidgeting with her fingers.

“You shouldn’t say things like that so seriously. It makes it hard to tell if you’re joking.”

Sometimes, when he spoke that way, it made her heart race for all the wrong reasons.

Today, his eyes held a different kind of emotion. They weren’t teasing or filled with desire, but deep and unreadable, like he was searching for something inside her.

Then, just as she feared, he brought up the one topic they had both avoided.

“What do you plan to do after our two-year agreement ends?”

Juliana hadn’t expected him to ask that. She paused to collect herself before answering.

“I just want a peaceful life. A small, comfortable house where I can tend a garden and dry tea leaves. I want to spend my days doing the things I love, quietly and simply.”

Braeden didn’t speak right away, but his brow furrowed slightly.

“Are you planning to go to the Razdelus estate the Barnett Count gave you?”

“I haven’t really decided. That could be a nice place, though.”

Their conversation faded into silence again.

Just then, the carriage arrived at the Clemence estate and came to a stop.

Braeden stepped out first and held out his hand to help Juliana down. She looked at his face, trying to read him, but his expression was calm and composed. She tilted her head slightly but didn’t press further.

“Presenting His Grace the Archduke of Ortis and Her Grace the Archduchess.”

At the footman’s loud announcement, they entered the grand hall. All eyes turned toward them at once.

The feeling of being completely exposed under the gaze of high society hadn’t changed, no matter how much time had passed.

Without letting her nerves show, Juliana walked gracefully with her hand in Braeden’s.

“Welcome. I was a little disappointed that you didn’t summon me while you were in the capital. I almost paid a visit to the palace myself.”

Cheryl, adorned in elegant attire, greeted them with a carefully crafted smile.

Braeden stared at her with clear contempt. He knew her words were meant only for Juliana.

Juliana responded smoothly with a polite smile.

“I knew how much you wanted to see us. That’s why we came to your party tonight.”

Her reply instantly softened the atmosphere.

Across the room, Count and Countess Barnett watched the interaction with clear disdain.

“She’s completely ungrateful,” Count Barnett muttered under his breath.

He motioned to a passing servant and downed a strong drink in one gulp, followed by another.

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