Chapter 67
Rebecca carefully examined the figure in the painting.
The family in the picture bore the same jet-black hair and pale complexion as the night sky.
The former duke had golden eyes similar to Julian’s, while his mother, the duchess, had silvery-gray eyes more transparent than glass.
The duke and duchess appeared dignified, yet their eyes seemed vacant, staring off into the void.
Unlike them, however, the young Julian standing between them had eyes flashing with anger.
The boy’s gaze, his hands neatly folded in front of him, was piercing.
From him radiated an ambition that seemed destined to one day ruin the ducal family.
It was a look no child should ever have.
Rebecca deliberately looked away.
It felt as though she had glimpsed something she was not meant to see.
Hiding her unease, she spoke.
“Julian resembles his mother quite a lot.”
“Is that so? Most people say he resembles the late duke, but he would be pleased to hear that,” Croa said with a faint smile. There was a subtle bitterness in it.
Arriving at a certain door, Croa turned the silver handle.
The door opened, revealing a beautiful reception room bathed in the brilliant afternoon sunlight.
“Please wait here for a moment. The duke will be with you shortly. Since he has only recently risen from his sickbed, it may take some time, so please be patient,” Croa explained.
Rebecca flinched.
“Julian has been ill?”
“Oh, it wasn’t serious. He got caught in the rain a few days ago and caught a cold, which is why he couldn’t reply to your letter. I apologize for not informing you sooner. But he is fine now, so there is no need to worry.”
Caught in the rain…
Rebecca realized the day he had been out in the rain. She regretted having resented him for not responding sooner.
She sighed, thinking she should have come to see him a little earlier.
“Was there some part of it that displeased you…?”
Croa’s face immediately darkened at her sigh.
Rebecca shook her head.
Croa’s formality toward her felt oddly unfamiliar.
She wished he would interact with her freely, like he had with her in her previous life or like he did with Julian now.
But perhaps that was too much to ask.
To Croa, she was nothing more than a stranger.
And likely one who seemed shameless enough to exploit a naive young duke.
Aware of her place, Rebecca treated Croa with the same polite demeanor he showed her.
“No, thank you for your hospitality. But before that, I have a favor to ask. Could you fulfill it?”
Croa’s face brightened.
“Anything, please tell me.”
“I wish to see Eustaf McFinn. Isn’t it about time for him to report on his research results?”
“Eh? How did you know…”
“I roughly calculated the timing. Please summon him. He’s the one who knows my condition best.”
“But he is a botanist, isn’t he? If you wish to have your condition checked, I can call the attending physician,”
“No. He’s also a skilled doctor,” Rebecca replied with a smile.
Croa tilted his head, responding, “Understood. I’ve just received word that he’s visiting today, so I’ll have him sent here as soon as he arrives.”
“Thank you, Croa. Truly.”
Her gratitude was sincere.
Had Croa not casually mentioned the duke in her previous life, Rebecca might have continued a dreadful marriage with Zeppelin even after her return.
Croa gazed at Rebecca’s gentle smile for a moment, seemingly lost in thought.
Though her words were likely just polite thanks, he somehow felt she was expressing a deeper gratitude.
But that couldn’t be.
Their first meeting had been at the Libertà Relief Institute.
Although he had done much since then, there was no way Rebecca knew the full extent of his deeds.
Assuming it was merely a formal acknowledgment, Croa smiled lightly.
“I shall excuse myself for now. If you need anything, simply call the maid waiting outside.”
With a bow, Croa left, taking the maid who had brought refreshments with him—a considerate gesture so she could rest comfortably.
“Unlike my master, he’s quite decent,” Kanna remarked as she removed her mask. Julian clearly held a strong grudge against her.
Rebecca removed her veil for a moment and looked around the reception room.
Decorated with summer flowers in full bloom, the room had a warmth that contrasted with the otherwise desolate atmosphere of the duke’s castle.
Perhaps it was the bright sunlight streaming in through the wide windows.
Rebecca approached a window and tapped the glass.
It wavered once and returned to its original state.
She tapped it several times more, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
The glass, made of a rumored magical stone, allowed a view from inside out but not the reverse.
It also insulated against heat and cold, making it extremely expensive.
Even Zeppelin could hardly believe its cost—it could only be installed on the balcony of the study.
“Truly a wealthy man,” Rebecca marveled, admiring the magical glass surrounding the reception room, three times the size of Devonshire’s.
“Money isn’t everything in a man,” Kanna interjected, picking at every word Rebecca spoke as she explored the room.
Usually quiet, Kanna’s tone sharpened whenever Julian was mentioned.
Julian’s reaction was similar. Though it seemed defensive, it was likely because Kanna disliked him.
Rebecca pondered ways to reconcile them.
At that moment, she noticed someone running toward the entrance outside the window.
It was Julian.
Unlike usual, his bangs were down.
Rebecca’s gaze was drawn to his relaxed attire and slightly disheveled appearance.
His peach-colored lips glistening with moisture, neck damp with sweat, and glimpses of his broad chest through the partially unbuttoned shirt made her heart pound fiercely.
Rolling up his sleeves, Julian began issuing instructions to the servants.
The veins on his hands and forearms flexed—a hard, beautiful line.
Rebecca swallowed.
She stared at his constantly moving lips in a daze.
Suddenly remembering that she had touched those sculpted lips, she absentmindedly touched her own.
As she watched him, Julian’s gaze turned toward her.
Startled at their eye contact, Rebecca ducked beneath the window ledge.
“Rebecca!”
Kanna, tea forgotten in hand, sprang toward her.
Rebecca waved her off and sat back in the chair by the window, clutching her pounding chest.
‘I have no reason to hide…’
She had only been looking.
Moreover, the window prevented anyone outside from seeing in, so he could not have noticed her gaze.
Taking a steadying breath, Rebecca looked up again.
Julian laughed heartily at something the servant said.
With his charming crescent-shaped eyes that she loved, he smiled brilliantly.
Rebecca blinked against the brightness.
His youth shone so radiantly.
She suddenly recalled the Julian of her previous life, frail and dying in his sickbed.
Her flushed expression cooled instantly.
At the moment Julian had kissed her, she had felt the heat of his affection.
Rebecca was no fool.
She knew the gaze of someone in love better than anyone.
She had seen countless eyes desperately seeking her love.
Julian’s eyes were no different.
Even if his feelings were not deep love, they were youthful emotions capable of wounding him.
Her fate was not to be with him.
For a moment, she recalled the foolish suitors who had threatened her with suicide if she rejected them.
But she shook her head.
Julian was not the type to commit such vile acts.
He surely would not even consider it, knowing it would hurt her.
He was kind and gentle.
Though he acted as if he had faced the world’s storms, Julian had been raised in a greenhouse as the Duke of Johannes.
Thinking of driving a nail into that heart made her feel like a devil.
But it had to be done.
The moment she lifted the curse, she had to leave him.
Julian might resent her briefly.
Or perhaps long for her more than expected.
But he was young.
In time, he would forget her.
He would remember her only as a bittersweet first love.
And he would find a kind and beautiful partner, building a happy family.
He would have several children who resembled him and be a good father.
Rebecca thought that was enough.
Of course, he might suffer for a while after her departure.
But that would be temporary. Ultimately, he would live happily.
He deserved it.
In contrast, her own fate had been determined from the moment she was reborn.
It was she who dragged Julian into her vengeance.
So she needed only to focus on her revenge, dedicating herself fully to breaking Julian’s curse.
‘But can I do it?’
Could she hide the nervous flutter in her chest whenever she saw him, like a misbehaving child?
‘No, I must.’
She could not give him any leeway.
Only then could he recover from heartbreak more quickly.
Yet the more she thought, the more uncertain she became.
Rebecca clenched her fist quietly, as if making a vow.
Though he must have known she had arrived, Julian did not appear for some reason.
Anxiously waiting, Rebecca jumped at a soft knock.
The door opened, and Croa entered with a smile.
“Rebecca, Mr. McFinn has arrived.”
“Ah…”
Disappointment briefly flickered across Rebecca’s face.
She composed herself.
“You came sooner than expected.”
She turned her gaze to Eustaf, observing her through his sharp spectacles.
Eustaf quickly greeted her.
