“What?”
At Croa’s retort, Yulian let out a small groan, leaning back in the stiff chair.
“I’ve lived my whole life for one goal. Honestly, I’m a bit tired now. I want to cling to even a sliver of hope. I don’t fully trust Rebecca, but when I thought it over, there’s no reason not to. If she’s using us, we’ll use her too. At least while we’re married, no innocent women will suffer, right?”
“…”
Croa, still displeased, pressed his lips shut and said nothing.
Yulian leisurely crossed his legs.
“I don’t get what you’re so worried about. Have you forgotten? I’m Duke Johannes—young, handsome, and rich. Even the emperor can’t touch me. Even if she plays me for years, do you think it’ll ruin me? It’s just a fleeting amusement. And…”
Yulian stared intently at Croa.
“You won’t sit idly by while I’m being fooled. I trust you’ll find a way to break the curse while I’m distracted with her. Right?”
His gaze, brimming with unwavering trust, fixed on Croa.
Croa recalled the moment Yulian first extended his hand to him.
At his mother’s funeral, Yulian hadn’t shed a tear.
But when his nanny was buried, a single large tear rolled down his cheek.
Wiping it roughly, the boy had reached out to Croa.
“You’re all I have left, Croa Chenister.”
Until then, Croa served Yulian out of familial duty.
But grasping that small, resolute hand, Croa swore true loyalty.
He vowed to make Yulian’s short life as happy as possible.
Struggling for words, Croa could only nod.
Knock knock—
Rebecca opened the door.
“You’re already here. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, it wasn’t long.”
Yulian greeted her, eyeing her attire.
Plainly dressed, she looked unfamiliar but radiated vitality. He stared, momentarily captivated.
Rebecca’s gaze froze as it landed on Croa, who was scrutinizing her.
Reddish-brown hair, vibrant green eyes, and round glasses.
Younger, but unmistakably the Croa she knew.
Overwhelmed, she stared, forgetting Yulian’s presence.
Her blatant gaze flustered Croa, who’d meant to intimidate her.
Sensing the tension, Yulian asked,
“Do you two know each other? Croa, you didn’t leak ducal secrets to her, did you?”
Croa jumped.
“No! I swear, I’ve never met her before today!”
Rebecca snapped out of it, averting her eyes.
She couldn’t let emotions derail this crucial day.
Composing herself, she smiled faintly.
“Of course not. I was just looking because he had cookie crumbs on his face.”
Croa’s face flushed red.
He brushed his mouth frantically and shot Rebecca a glare.
What an insufferable woman.
Yulian relaxed his frown and laughed.
“Croa, I told you to eat less. Now that Rebecca’s here, you can leave.”
“What?”
“I said you could come, not join the contract.”
“But, Duke!”
“It’s an order. We have an important deal to discuss, so step out.”
When Croa resisted, Yulian’s eyes narrowed, glinting gold.
Reluctantly, Croa shuffled out, feeling like a scolded child.
Tears of frustration welled up.
“‘We’? Duke, you only used ‘we’ for me!”
…
Yulian shut the door firmly.
Croa’s muttering echoed outside, but he ignored it and sat.
Croa had spent the entire trip nitpicking Rebecca.
Yulian regretted bringing him.
Leaving him here would mean constant interruptions.
The thought alone was exhausting. Kicking him out was easier.
Yulian surveyed the simple but tidy parlor.
“I didn’t know a place like this existed. Owned by the Devonshire estate?”
“Yes. I founded it, but it belongs to Zeppelin.”
Rebecca gave a bittersweet smile, then brightened.
“But I plan to take it back soon.”
“Good idea. How?”
Rebecca smiled and produced a sheet of paper.
“We’ll get to the details later. For now, here’s the draft contract.”
Yulian took it silently.
The elegant yet rigid handwriting suited her. He smiled briefly.
<1. Duke Yulian Johannes will actively assist Rebecca Devonshire’s divorce.
2. Duke Yulian Johannes must provide minimal investment in Rebecca Devonshire’s plan to ruin the Devonshire estate.
3. Both parties may engage in free relationships without the other’s consent, provided it remains discreet.
4. The contract lasts until Count Zeppelin Devonshire’s death. If Duke Johannes fulfills all terms, Rebecca Devonshire must break the Johannes family curse.>
Though brief, Yulian studied it carefully.
Rebecca tried not to show her anxiety as he read.
“One question.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“You could just divorce him. Why destroy the Devonshire estate? Why kill Zeppelin?”
“It’s… personal. I’ll explain when the time comes.”
Rebecca subtly avoided his gaze.
Their relationship was transactional.
No need to share intimate details when they were just exchanging what each needed.
Sipping her tea silently, she signaled no further questions.
Yulian propped his chin, studying her.
“She doesn’t seem to have ulterior motives…”
Young as he was, Yulian’s eye for people was sharp.
He’d dealt with schemers and swindlers vying for the Johannes name since childhood.
“Look, Yulian. That man just averted his eyes. He’s hiding something,” his mother would say, teaching him to read people while perched on her knee.
Even after her death, Yulian’s education focused on navigating deceit.
By fifteen, he became duke and had never been duped, though he’d done the duping.
His silence stretched on.
Rebecca cleared her throat softly and continued.
“It won’t harm you. Think of it as an investment. I’ll handle everything—you don’t need to lift a finger.”
“You’re telling me to do nothing?”
“Yes. You won’t dirty your hands. Just provide me with the shield of ‘duchess’ and financial support. I won’t take it for free. Whatever you lend, I’ll repay tenfold. The entire Devonshire fortune, perhaps?”
Outrageous, yet Yulian felt she could pull it off.
No evidence, just instinct.
Amused by his baseless trust, he chuckled.
“Am I crazy? Or is she casting some spell?”
No one had ever asked him to do nothing—only to do things.
That alone piqued his interest.
“Fine. I don’t lose anything. One thing, though.”
“Yes?”
“Clause three. The ‘without consent’ part bothers me. If we’re married, shouldn’t we at least agree before seeing others?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened.
She’d written that clause for Yulian’s sake.
She was a divorcee, but he wasn’t.
From Croa, she’d learned Yulian had avoided romance in her past life, fearing an heir.
But now, with her knowing how to break the curse, he could love freely.
And men, she knew, hated being controlled.
Zeppelin always frowned when she showed jealousy or pressed him.
Pondering Yulian’s intent, she concluded,
“He’s being considerate…?”
She hadn’t told him why she wanted a divorce.
He must assume Zeppelin’s affairs were the reason.
Hellbent wives seeking revenge were common.
Yulian was likely showing empathy.
Misreading his intent, Rebecca smiled brightly.
“You don’t need to worry about me. But if it bothers you, I’ll revise the clause. You’re warmer than I thought.”
The unexpected praise left Yulian bemused.
Even in a formal marriage, he had no intention of seeing other women.
The clause reminded him of his father, prompting his objection.
He rubbed his awkward smile.
Cold-blooded, ice statue, wild beast—he’d heard those.
But warm? That was a first.
Meeting Rebecca brought a lot of firsts.
