Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 78

“You, brother?”

Emperor David raised an eyebrow at first, but then seemed to remember something and nodded.

“Ah, right. I heard the jousting rider who tried to harm you confessed he was hired by the young marquis of House Everett?”

That piece of information wasn’t publicly known, so the people around them reacted with surprise.

“Yes. I can’t overlook someone who tried to make a fool of House Ortis.”

Braeden smiled slightly, his tone cold.

The mercenary who had tried to take his life had been spending a meaningful sentence in the dungeons beneath the Grand Duke’s estate. Now, he had become an important witness in the investigation against House Everett.

“I’ll allow it. With you involved, there’s nothing to fear.”

From David’s point of view, this was advantageous. Even if the young marquis escaped again, Braeden could take the blame instead of the imperial knights.

“Thank you. I won’t be long.”

Braeden answered calmly, as if heading out for an errand, and gave a look to Lochlan.

Lochlan understood right away. He assigned knights to stay behind and protect Juliana, while the rest would accompany Braeden.

“Eden, what’s going on?” Juliana asked with worry in her voice.

None of the intelligence reports had mentioned anything involving the Grand Duke. Of course, she had suspected Felix was behind Braeden’s injury, but she didn’t know the emperor had been informed.

“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you. I’m sorry about that. But I’m not the type to let something like this slide.”

He gently stroked her cheek as he spoke.

To someone like Braeden, Felix Everett was hardly worth his time. Men like him were bound to fall into ruin without intervention. But Felix’s involvement with Juliana made this personal.

Someone as principled as she wouldn’t target House Everett without a reason. And even if she never explained everything, Braeden wasn’t sure he wanted her to.

If he knew too much, he might lose control and strike down Felix without hesitation.

Sometimes, not knowing every detail was a mercy.

Still, now that Felix had made the first move, Braeden had a perfect excuse to strike back.

This way, he could exact justice and still wear the face of a nobleman.

“I’m not upset that you didn’t tell me. I’m just afraid you might get hurt,” Juliana said gently.

Braeden was moved by the concern in her eyes. There was no accusation in her gaze, only worry.

“I won’t get hurt. But even if I do, we can just hide away in the bedroom again like last time.”

His fingers, still resting on her cheek, brushed against her skin with a different kind of meaning.

Juliana suddenly found herself picturing completely inappropriate scenes, given the situation, and she quickly shook the thoughts away.

“This isn’t the time for that kind of joke,” she muttered, flustered.

Braeden chuckled and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

“I’ll be back soon. He won’t escape.”

He accepted the sword Lochlan handed him and walked away with confidence.

Juliana didn’t take her eyes off his back, watching until he completely disappeared from view.

It was you.

You were the one who influenced the judge. Now everything made sense, and Juliana found herself overwhelmed by feelings she couldn’t quite name.

Why are you doing all this for me? Why?

He had never said it outright, but everything he did seemed like it was for her. That realization gave her comfort, but also pierced her heart.

How selfish people are.

She used to think that anything would be better than life with the Barnetts. But now, she was beginning to want more.

A long sigh escaped her lips, carried off by the ocean breeze.

The colorful flags hanging on the Katrina, whipped by the strong wind from the open sea, fluttered wildly and made a loud clattering sound.

Felix still could not believe how far things had fallen apart.

When he first captured the butler, Martin, he thought torturing him would be enough to extract useful information. And it worked. Martin confessed everything he knew without much resistance. Based on that information, Felix began tracking down the man who had taken the secret ledger.

That was where everything began to go wrong.

No matter how hard he searched, he could not find the man. Wasting time on that led to delays in handling other matters.

Murder, conspiracy, kidnapping, blackmail, fraud, embezzlement, illegal speculation.

And then one more charge was added.

The murder of a royal.

He had let his guard down during the jousting tournament, thinking things were finally quiet. That was his biggest mistake. He didn’t know that the mercenary he had paid had disappeared without a trace.

Even if he had known, he would have brushed it off. Mercenaries were wanderers by nature.

But now that mercenary was in the hands of Grand Duke Ortis. And worse, he had confessed that Felix was the one who hired him.

The mercenary had been hired by Baron Karl Woodward, who had no idea that Felix was the one pulling the strings.

And yet, the mercenary had clearly pointed to House Everett. That meant there had been some kind of plot behind the scenes.

“Braeden Ortis…”

Even while running for his life, Felix clenched his teeth at the thought of Braeden’s face.

He regretted not killing him when he had the chance.

Felix had trained seriously in swordsmanship and was skilled enough to match most knights. That was how he managed to escape when the knights escorting him let their guard down.

He knew that if he was caught again, it would be the end.

Felix was hiding near the harbor, planning to escape on a smuggler’s ship.

House Everett was beyond saving now. He intended to flee the country and live under a different name.

Just in case, he had deposited money in the Eastern Continent. With that, even if he could not live like royalty as he had in the Kamina Empire, he could still enjoy the life of a nobleman somewhere else.

He crouched in a hidden alley, watching carefully. A group of knights passed by.

If he could make it until sunset without getting caught, he might still have a chance.

His eyes were bloodshot, but he moved quickly and quietly through the narrow alley, keeping his presence hidden.

Then someone suddenly stepped out and blocked his path.

Felix flinched, but when he saw the figure was wearing a robe, he let out a small sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t a knight sent to arrest him.

“What is this? Get out of my way.”

The alley was only wide enough for two people, so he could not move forward.

That was when he should have realized something was wrong.

The way the stranger stood, not giving an inch of space, felt unnatural.

“Idiot. If I was going to move, I wouldn’t be standing here.”

The deep voice sounded strangely familiar.

A sense of unease crept over Felix. He glanced around, checking for an escape route. If needed, he planned to run in the other direction.

But another man appeared behind him.

This one wasn’t even trying to hide. He wore a full uniform and carried a sword.

With light brown hair and violet eyes, Felix recognized him instantly.

Every time they crossed paths, this man stared at him with that same arrogant look, just like his master. There was no mistaking who it was.

“You… how are you here…?”

Felix frowned as if he had a headache, muttering as he looked at the man in the robe.

The man gave a small laugh and pushed his hood back.

“Why else would I be here? I came to catch you.”

His fiery red eyes burned like the flames of hell. The sight sent chills down Felix’s spine.

“Grand Duke Ortis…”

Felix ground his teeth and drew his sword.

He knew full well the terrifying reputation of the Grand Duke, known as the Black Reaper. But the anger that had been building inside him clouded his judgment.

It was almost laughable. He truly believed that Braeden had stolen Juliana from him and destroyed his life. Rage filled his chest.

“You really have lost your mind.”

Braeden still did not draw his sword. Even with Felix aiming a blade at him, he just stood there, calm and confident.

He looked more amused than threatened, like he was watching a child play. That smug expression only made Felix’s anger worse.

“My lord.”

Sensing Felix’s killing intent, Lochlan took a step forward and called out to Braeden.

“Do not interfere.”

Braeden raised his hand slightly to stop Lochlan’s movement.

“You want to kill me? Then go ahead. Try it.”

Felix’s eyes filled with determination.

Arrogant bastard. I’ll make you regret underestimating me.

He believed that if Braeden was not holding a sword, he still had a chance.

And so, without thinking, Felix charged straight at him.

“Aaaaargh!”

Startled by his fierce battle cry, a flock of birds took off into the sky with a flurry of wings.

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