Chapter 76
“Then, I’ll be off now.”
“Alright. Be careful.”
Danae looked at Rebecca with eyes full of worry.
Theo, instead of saying goodbye, merely shot Julian a glare filled with a clear warning.
It was a look that said, “If you even think about laying a hand on my daughter, I’ll kill you.”
Julian wiped a bead of cold sweat from his temple, avoiding Theo’s sharp gaze.
Normally, he would have brushed off Theo’s behavior with a confident laugh, insisting he had no such intentions.
But today… today, that might not be such a safe bet.
As Rebecca waved goodbye to her family, Julian stole a glance at her side profile.
When their eyes met, he quickly looked away.
“Here we go again.”
His habit of sneaking glances at Rebecca had become almost a yearly ritual by now.
Even in the wide, spacious carriage, Julian sat with his legs neatly together, fidgeting as if unsure where to put his eyes.
Rebecca couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
He actually looked… kind of cute.
“Ahem. Well then, let’s get going!”
At Julian’s command, the carriage began to move.
His unnecessarily loud voice made Kanna and Croa, who were riding with him, exchange puzzled looks.
Julian hurriedly opened the window.
The cool evening air helped calm the heat of his flustered face.
It was the first time in his life that a ball he didn’t want to attend… actually made him feel excited.
“Count, look! So many guests have arrived!”
Alicia’s face brightened as she watched the endless line of nobles entering the ballroom.
Just moments ago, she had been sulking.
Three days earlier, she had proudly shown Octavio and Zeppelin the ballroom she’d spent days decorating with great effort.
But when Octavio saw the explosion of rainbow colors filling the hall, he pressed a hand to his forehead.
It was a sight so chaotic that one could only thank the heavens no unicorns were prancing through it.
“M-My dear, it’s lovely in its own way, but perhaps we should try something… different this time?”
Zeppelin had tried, with a strained smile, to persuade her.
He knew that if they hosted a ball in a hall like this, they would be the laughingstock of the nobility.
And on top of that, Zeppelin was already tense—he had to host a grand event while still suffering from memory loss.
But Alicia was not one to give in easily.
“No! You promised I could do things my way this time!”
Her whining and stubbornness finally broke Zeppelin’s patience.
“Alicia Devonshire! This ball must be perfect, do you understand? Tonight, the hall will be filled with vile people gossiping about my sanity, and I refuse to give them more fuel! So keep your mouth shut and stay in your room!”
For a brief moment, silence filled the air as Zeppelin shouted at her like in the old days.
Octavio narrowed his eyes.
Grace almost cheered in joy—until Zeppelin’s next move made her groan in despair.
“Ah, Alicia! What have I done…? My nerves must have gotten the better of me. Forgive me, please. I beg you—don’t cry.”
As Alicia’s eyes welled with tears, Zeppelin immediately knelt before her.
His memory hadn’t returned yet.
Alicia thought his outburst was just a fleeting relapse into his old temper and felt relieved.
But she also feared that if she pushed him any further, it might trigger his memories.
So she decided to back down.
Under Grace’s direction, the ballroom was swiftly restored to its elegant form.
As if she’d anticipated all this, Grace promptly brought out the beautiful decorations she’d prepared in advance.
Still, Alicia remained sulky until the very start of the ball, making no effort to hide her displeasure toward Zeppelin.
Zeppelin had thought her anger would last at least a week—but just like that, her mood had lifted.
Her delighted, childlike expression made him smile softly.
“You’ve attended countless balls before, yet you still look so happy. You truly are someone who finds joy in the simplest things.”
Though his words were sincere, Alicia’s shoulders stiffened slightly.
“P-Parties are always fun, after all. I just hope everyone here enjoys themselves tonight.”
“My wife is not only beautiful, but kind as well.”
Zeppelin leaned in and kissed her forehead lightly.
“Oh, Count—people are watching.”
Alicia blushed, lowering her gaze shyly.
But as Zeppelin looked at her, his expression gradually hardened.
There it was again—that strange, unnerving déjà vu.
Everyone, including Octavio and the others, had told him that Alicia was indeed the woman he loved.
That she must be the one from his dreams.
And yet… every time he held her or touched her, it felt wrong.
The woman in his fragmented memories—the one whose face he could never recall—didn’t feel like this.
That woman had been more elegant… and more intoxicating.
Alicia was lovely, yes, but he didn’t feel love for her.
The man in his memories had been madly, uncontrollably in love—but this… this was different.
It’s probably just in my head.
Still, his memories refused to return.
He had tried everything—remedies, rituals, tonics. Nothing worked.
It was as if his past had been wiped clean.
His childhood, his parents… and the woman who visited him every night in his dreams—all gone.
And when he tried to recall her, a stabbing pain would pierce his skull.
“Ugh…”
“Count! Are you alright? Is your head hurting again?”
“No… I’m fine. I just need some air.”
Holding his aching head, Zeppelin stepped out onto the balcony.
Alicia watched him with concern for a moment before turning back to the ballroom.
Her fingers brushed over the silver-thread embroidery of her exquisite gown.
It had cost as much as an entire carriage, but it was worth it.
Even if her belly was now slightly round, the dress was perfect—Sandra’s craftsmanship truly was the best.
Yes… from now on, I’ll only eat the finest food and wear the most expensive clothes. After all, I’m a Countess now.
No one in this room was more beautiful than she.
Not even the famed Princess Catherine herself.
She pricked up her ears, catching the whispers around her.
“My goodness, for a moment I thought she was Lady Rebecca. Count Devonshire’s tastes really haven’t changed.”
“Well, he’s known for choosing only the best. His second wife is just as dazzling.”
“She’s heavily pregnant, yet only her belly shows. Look at those delicate arms!”
“She’s so graceful. It’s hard to believe she was ever a commoner.”
Alicia straightened proudly, basking in their admiration.
Her back ached from the weight of her belly, but her movements—honed through endless practice—were flawless.
Once, she couldn’t even dream of standing among nobles like these. Now, they looked at her in awe.
You’ve done well, Alicia.
Tonight’s ball was also the formal announcement of her position as the Countess of Devonshire.
Zeppelin still believed that Rebecca had been the cruel, wicked first wife.
“To think of the humiliation that woman inflicted on me and this child… it still makes me tremble.”
Alicia’s teary performance had fully convinced him.
But after Zeppelin’s sudden outburst days ago, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
So she had sent letters to all the guests, politely requesting that no one mention Rebecca for the sake of the Count’s fragile health—accompanied, of course, by expensive gifts.
Technically, it wasn’t a complete lie.
After all, Alicia had suffered sleepless nights and humiliation because of Rebecca.
If things continued smoothly, her soon-to-be-born child would inherit the Devonshire title without issue.
Everything was going perfectly.
Soaking in the admiring gazes of the crowd, Alicia felt certain—tonight, she was the true star.
“There you are.”
Zeppelin, having taken some medicine, returned and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Alicia turned with a sweet smile.
“Count! Please, introduce me to everyone.”
“Of course.”
His voice was flat, but he obliged.
The silver gown Alicia wore shimmered as they made their way through the ballroom.
Zeppelin worried that he might forget people’s names, but to his surprise, the faces around him brought back fragments of recognition.
“This is Baron Trubet. Baron, my wife—Alicia Devonshire.”
“You are truly stunning, my lady.”
The chorus of praise was dizzying—intoxicatingly sweet.
Alicia felt almost drunk on happiness.
It was everything she had ever dreamed of.
“Good evening, Count. I heard you lost your memory, yet you seem quite well.”
At the sharp, low voice, Zeppelin turned his head.
“Ah. Duke Latranis.”
Alicia’s eyes widened as she looked up at him.
Even behind the mask, his striking looks were unmistakable.
Though it was a masquerade ball, most masks were ornamental—no one truly hid their identity.
The tall and imposing Karim Latranis, with his dark hair tinted blue and deep red eyes, was a rare and breathtaking sight.
As their gazes met, he let out a quiet, amused chuckle.
Alicia froze.
Did he just… laugh at me?
Zeppelin didn’t seem to notice, greeting him warmly.
Karim, known as the “Master of the North,” had grown so powerful that people now called him a Grand Duke.
For generations, the Devonshire and Latranis families had stood side by side, both pillars supporting Emperor Zahidra’s rule.
“The Duke likely hasn’t met my wife before. This is Alicia Devonshire.”
“I heard your memory has returned somewhat… yet I see it hasn’t completely.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
As Zeppelin looked at him in confusion, Alicia hastily stepped in.
“A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. I am Alicia Devonshire. I’ve long admired your illustrious reputation.”
But a faint, irritated crease appeared on the bridge of her nose.
