Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 73

After that, the conversation flowed naturally across a variety of topics.

Juliana maintained her flawless smile, and the countesses of the noble houses remained polite and graceful to the end.

When enough time had passed, it was time to bring the gathering to a close.

“Your Grace, please visit our Gilliam estate next time,” one said eagerly.

“No, please come to the Blenchard house first,” another added, just as quickly.

Juliana responded to their competitive invitations with calm dignity.

“I am planning to hold a banquet at the Grand Duke’s estate before the Harvest Festival. You will all be invited. I hope to see you there.”

“A banquet? At the Grand Duke’s estate?” one of them echoed in surprise.

As soon as the words left Juliana’s mouth, their previous attempts to invite her faded away, and their eyes sparkled with anticipation. The atmosphere changed in an instant.

It would not take long for word to spread throughout the northern social circles about the upcoming banquet.

Juliana allowed herself a faint smile. Spreading this kind of high-status rumor was far more effective than any newspaper advertisement or telegram.

The countesses and young ladies, itching to rush home and share the news, stood to say their goodbyes.

“We will look forward to that day, Your Grace.”

“I am already so excited. I might find myself counting the days.”

Juliana then turned to them and spoke calmly.

“I would like to have a longer conversation with Miss Aynard. Would you mind staying a bit longer?”

The Countess of Aynard immediately lit up with joy.

“Of course. If Your Grace wishes to speak with Melanie, that just proves how wise and discerning you truly are.”

She began to sit back down, but Juliana lifted a hand gently to stop her.

“I mean that I would like to speak with Miss Aynard alone.”

“Pardon?”

For a moment, the Countess of Aynard blinked in confusion. Juliana’s refined tone had made it difficult to grasp that she was being politely dismissed. It took her a moment to realize she had just been excluded.

“Do not worry. Once we finish our conversation, I will have the Grand Duke’s carriage escort her home safely.”

Juliana’s voice remained soft and calm, but there was an unmistakable authority in it that left no room for refusal.

The Countess of Aynard had no choice but to accept.

“If that is what Your Grace wishes, then I understand.”

She stood reluctantly and left, her expression stiff with displeasure. The other young ladies glanced back with envy, and the countess’s irritation was plain on her face.

“Please give us a moment,” Juliana said to Anita.

Anita gave a slight nod, signaling the servants to step out. Then she quietly left the conservatory herself.

Now alone with Juliana, Melanie tried to maintain a composed expression, though her unease was obvious.

But the moment Juliana spoke again, the fragile balance she had clung to shattered completely.

“Melanie, would you roll up your sleeve for me?”

“Y… Your Grace? Why would you ask that?”

Melanie’s mind went blank. She tried to think of a clever excuse or a way out of the situation, but nothing came to her.

“Would you prefer to lift your skirt instead?”

Juliana’s voice held no aggression, but it left no room for escape. Melanie knew in that instant there was no use in resisting.

How did she find out?

Melanie could not hide the tremble in her eyes as she slowly rolled up her sleeve.

She kept her eyes tightly shut, unable to bring herself to look at her own arm.

Juliana stared at the bruises clearly visible on Melanie’s skin and silently swallowed her anger.

Some were older, faded with time, while others were darker and fresh. The damage was obvious.

Juliana didn’t need to ask how they got there. She knew all too well.

Punishment disguised as discipline never left marks in obvious places. She could already guess what Melanie’s legs might look like without even seeing them.

It had struck her as strange when the Countess had boasted that Melanie was fluent in three languages and had mastered world history and the law.

A child that gifted would usually be sent to the capital to receive proper education.

The Kamina Empire was not a place where women were restricted from becoming scholars or legal professionals. Unless the goal was to use her for a political marriage, there would be no reason to keep someone so capable locked away in the North.

That meant the Aynard family’s intention was clear. They were raising Melanie for an arranged marriage to benefit the family name.

Juliana, who had endured a similar fate in her youth, understood this more deeply than anyone.

“She’s not your biological daughter, is she?”

“She’s illegitimate.”

Melanie was the daughter of the Count of Aynard and a maid.

The Countess had raised her under the pretense of being her own daughter, not out of affection, but as a means to use her.

Inside the mansion, she treated Melanie with cold resentment. Outside, she acted like a proud and loving mother.

Living under that constant lie, Melanie’s spirit had been worn down beyond repair.

Now exposed, her shame turned into an odd sense of relief. Her shoulders trembled lightly as if releasing a long-held breath.

No one had ever seen through the Countess of Aynard’s act until now.

No one except Juliana Ortis, the Grand Duchess.

Perhaps this was for the best. Maybe it was time to finally remove this suffocating mask.

If it became known that she was illegitimate, she would no longer be welcomed into high society.

The Countess of Aynard would certainly lose her mind over that. But Melanie was fine with it.

If it meant she could finally stop living this insane charade, it would be worth the cost.

Even if she were punished for daring to stand before the Grand Duchess as an illegitimate child, she would accept it.

Melanie was bracing herself for what might come next when Juliana spoke again.

“Melanie, I’m not forcing you. Take your time. Think carefully, and give me your answer.”

Melanie swallowed dryly, unsure of what the Grand Duchess might say next.

“Would you like to become my lady-in-waiting?”

The words that followed were nothing like what she had expected.

“What? A lady-in-waiting?”

She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. The position that the Countess of Aynard had wanted so desperately was now being offered to her?

Melanie wondered if she had misheard. Her ears almost refused to believe it.

“If you become my lady-in-waiting, you won’t have to return to the Aynard estate.”

A thunderous realization struck her.

So that was it. If she became the Grand Duchess’s attendant, she would be free from the Countess. Tears began to well up in Melanie’s eyes.

She didn’t know if what she was feeling was relief or disbelief. For so long, she had played the role of a perfect noble daughter under the Countess’s strict watch.

Never before had she shown anyone her true emotions like this.

But the tears that gathered in her eyes could not be stopped. They slid down her cheeks before she had a chance to hide them. The idea that she no longer had to return to that house felt like a deep comfort.

No more beatings. No more layers of false smiles and empty perfection.

Those simple words from the Grand Duchess felt like someone telling her she no longer had to live in pain.

“I will. I want to. Please let me serve you.”

For the first time in her life, Melanie said something with complete sincerity.

“Good. Then from this moment on, you will be my lady-in-waiting. The head maid will show you to your new room. I’ll inform the Aynard estate myself, so you don’t need to worry.”

As Juliana watched the tears falling from Melanie’s eyes, her expression tightened slightly.

It was as if she were looking at her younger self, holding on to old wounds and pretending everything was fine.

Juliana let out a quiet sigh and asked gently, “Do you want to return to the Count’s house at all?”

“No. Not at all.”

Melanie shook her head without hesitation. She was more decisive than expected.

“You don’t need to begin your duties right away. For now, take some time to rest.”

Juliana rang the bell to call Anita.

When Anita entered the conservatory and saw Melanie crying, one of her eyebrows rose slightly. But she didn’t ask why.

“She will be staying here as my lady-in-waiting. Prepare a room for her. She will not be returning to the Aynard estate.”

“Yes, Your Grace. I will see to it right away.”

After Anita led Melanie out of the conservatory, Juliana leaned back deeply in her chair and closed her eyes.

She needed a moment to calm the surge of dark memories and emotions flooding her mind.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when she heard footsteps approaching. She opened her eyes.

“Would you like to have tea with me? Or have you already had too much?”

Brayden walked in with his usual teasing smile.

Just being in the same room with him made it easier to breathe, and Juliana’s face relaxed noticeably.

One of the maids followed behind him and quietly placed a teapot on the table. Juliana signaled that she would pour the tea herself.

After the maid left, Juliana carefully poured the tea into the cups. The soft, fragrant scent of bergamot quickly filled the space.

“I heard you’ve taken on a lady-in-waiting.”

“That news traveled fast, didn’t it?”

The speed of the rumor reaching Brayden was proof that the Grand Duke’s household was operating just as it should. Juliana knew that, but she still put on a playful pout.

“I also heard you made her cry. Did you hit her?”

Juliana burst into laughter at the ridiculous guess.

“Wait, seriously? That’s what they’re saying?”

“Of course not. I know better.”

Brayden had just been trying to lighten the mood, sensing how heavy her thoughts had become.

But once the laughter faded, his expression turned more serious.

“Did it happen to you too? Did you also carry bruises on your body, like that girl?”

He was remembering the scar he had seen on the corner of her mouth back when they had first met.

That memory came back with sudden clarity. The thought of it made his chest tighten as if someone were choking him, his heart burning with anger.

“Then maybe I should just kill him right now.”

Brayden muttered the words with barely restrained rage, his tone sharp and dark.

Juliana answered in a quiet, steady voice.

“I will. I plan to kill him.”

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