Even the Devil Regrets it - Chapter 79

Felix sneered when he saw Braeden remain completely still, even as he charged at him with a sword.

I did nothing wrong. You just stood there. This is your fault.

With that thought, Felix tried to drive the blade straight into Braeden’s heart.

But the moment he struck, his vision flickered and blurred.

Braeden had grabbed Felix’s head with one hand and slammed it into the wall.

A harsh impact rang out, and blood began to stream down from Felix’s scalp.

“So weak. Pathetically weak.”

Braeden spoke lazily, almost as if he was disappointed.

Felix gasped, trying to respond, but no words came out. It made no sense. How could there be such a difference in strength?

Braeden felt like something beyond human, like a being from another world. Felix began to tremble uncontrollably.

Still, he refused to give up. If he could not escape now, he would just be handed over to the imperial knights.

It made no difference whether he died here or later.

Blood from his head clouded one of his eyes, but he clenched his teeth and swung his sword with all his might.

The strike was clumsy and off-balance.

“Yes, fight harder. That makes it more entertaining.”

Braeden tilted his mouth into a crooked smile and moved without warning.

Even with limited vision, Felix should have seen something, but Braeden was too fast. He could not track him at all.

A sudden punch landed in his stomach, followed by a crushing blow to his face.

The power behind each hit felt strong enough to rupture his organs.

Felix coughed blood and stumbled backward. He managed to stay on his feet only because his back hit the wall behind him.

His legs shook beneath him. A sharp ringing filled his ears.

“My lord, if you continue, he will die.”

Lochlan, who had been watching, finally stepped in, worried that Braeden might go too far.

“Humans are so weak. Yet they keep crawling forward without knowing their place.”

Braeden walked toward Felix, releasing a wave of deadly pressure.

Felix felt danger in his very bones. He panicked and shouted in fear.

“Stay back. Do not come any closer.”

Braeden’s mouth twisted into a cruel smile at the sight of him trembling.

Lochlan immediately sensed something was wrong.

Braeden’s eyes had lost all light. It was as if he had forgotten every ounce of humanity he had gained from centuries of living among mortals.

What stood before him now was a true demon.

If Braeden lost control, it would lead to catastrophe.

Dark energy began to gather in his hand. If that hand touched a human, the body would be torn apart.

“My lord, please, come back to your senses.”

Lochlan rushed forward, ignoring the risk to himself.

A sharp sound cut through the air.

A long wound opened along Lochlan’s cheek.

Only after injuring his own loyal retainer did Braeden return to himself.

“My lord, are you all right?”

Lochlan asked, his face filled with concern after confirming that Braeden’s energy had returned to normal. But Braeden did not answer.

He silently stared down at the hand that had hurt Lochlan.

There had been moments before when his power had spun out of control. But now, he had almost lost his entire sense of reason.

Why now, of all times?

Braeden’s brow tightened with frustration.

When he looked up, Felix had already fainted. The fear had overwhelmed him beyond his limit.

“My lord, what is happening to you…”

Lochlan understood clearly. Something was wrong.

“Treat your wound first. We will talk about the rest later.”

Braeden ran a hand over his pale face and began walking forward.

Lochlan secured Felix’s unconscious body and followed behind.

A heavy shadow hung over Braeden’s face.

Felix, bruised and bloodied, was handed over to the Imperial Court.

A formal trial would soon be held, and the sentence would be death.

The aging Marquis Everett had collapsed from the shock and remained bedridden, unable to rise.

With that, there was nothing left but for the name of House Everett to be erased from the noble registry.

When Juliana returned to the townhouse, she immediately sensed something was off about Braeden.

He had gone into the bathroom to wash up, but he didn’t come out for a long time, and a sense of unease settled over her.

Images flashed through her mind. The sight of Felix being dragged in, barely alive, and Braeden’s hardened expression wouldn’t leave her.

She didn’t even have the strength to feel relief that Felix was finally being brought to justice.

All she could think about was Braeden, the man who had thrown himself into filth and blood for her sake. She just wanted him to be okay.

“Eden, it’s me. May I come in?”

Unable to wait any longer, Juliana knocked on the bathroom door. But there was no answer.

Her anxiety rising, she opened the door and stepped inside.

“You are bold. What if I had been doing something inappropriate?”

Braeden’s voice came low and deep. He was soaking in the bathtub, his head tilted slightly.

“What do you mean, inappropriate? Obviously, you’re just taking a bath…”

“Don’t be so innocent. Come here, Rian.”

Braeden extended a wet hand from the water. Droplets slid from his fingers and hit the floor with soft splashes.

For some reason, Juliana thought he looked sad. Slowly, she walked over and sat on the edge of the tub.

“My wife doesn’t even blush, I see.”

Braeden murmured with a faint smile, brushing her lips gently with his damp fingertips.

“It’s not that I’m not embarrassed. I’m just too worried about you to care.”

Only then did she notice that his body was fully exposed.

Unlike her, who always used all sorts of bath oils and salts, Braeden had used nothing. The water was clear.

Which meant she could see everything.

Juliana tried hard not to look into the tub.

Braeden saw the way her eyes wavered and felt a little better.

“I didn’t ask you to come in. You did that on your own.”

“That’s true but…”

She faltered, noticing how calmly he was untying the ribbon of her dress.

“Good. Since you’re already here, you can join me.”

She had no idea what was supposed to be good about this.

And the way he said “join me” didn’t exactly sound like he meant only a bath.

“Eden, I’m not here for that. I’m asking because I’m worried. If something’s wrong with you…”

“I’m fine. As long as you are here.”

Braeden moved the fabric aside and pressed his lips to her mark.

The dark energy that had been swirling inside him seemed to settle as soon as he touched it.

“As long as you stay by my side, I will be fine.”

He murmured as if speaking a wish aloud, then kissed her mark again.

His gaze darkened as he looked at the mark, now bloomed far more than before.

There had been a time when he wished it would disappear.

Now that felt like a distant memory, like a different life.

The thought made him want to laugh.

What am I doing? What is going to happen to me?

The fact that he couldn’t picture a future with her was more painful than he expected.

“Eden, if something is going on, please tell me. I don’t know if I can help, but even just talking about it can make the burden lighter.”

Juliana turned her head and looked him in the eye, her voice serious.

Her dress had slipped nearly off her shoulders, leaving little to the imagination, yet she met his gaze with complete sincerity.

It was just like her.

If I told you the truth about who I really am, would you still accept me?
If you found out I tried to use you, would you still want to stay with me?

The question appeared in Braeden’s mind without warning and began to spread, dark and heavy like mold in a sealed room.

I need to fix whatever is happening to me first. I can tell her everything after that. It is not too late.

What scared him the most was the thought that he might hurt Juliana with his own hands one day.

A great demon feeling fear. That alone was almost absurd.

“Maybe I just wanted you to hold me.”

Before she could answer, Braeden leaned in and pulled her into his arms. He kissed her lips, breathing in her soft, familiar scent.

His thoughts were tangled and restless, but he was desperate not to let go of the warmth in her breath.

Even as he stole every breath from her lips and left marks on her tender skin, it still felt like it was not enough.

“Is that really all it is?”

Juliana asked, catching her breath.

Braeden nodded without much thought.

“Yes. That is all.”

She hesitated for a moment, then quietly said,

“I know you have been fighting for me. I’m thankful.”

Her words made Braeden feel as if he could both laugh and cry at the same time.

She did not belong in the same world as someone like him. Her kindness struck him deeply. It was painful and overwhelming.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

He gave a light smile and kissed her again.

He acted as if her gratitude was unnecessary, but this time his kiss was different.

There was no teasing in it.

Only longing.

The kiss was soft, aching, and full of emotion.

It lingered for a very long time, quiet and reverent, like a prayer.

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