Chapter 88
Zeppelin opened his eyes.
It was certain — Rebecca’s love for him had been blind and absolute.
She was a woman who had begged to be cast aside herself, all because she feared her husband might suffer because of her.
So even if Julian now held Rebecca in his grasp, he would never, ever win her love.
That was why he must have brainwashed her into believing that Zeppelin Devonshire was her mortal enemy.
Her love for him had been that deep.
Zeppelin’s eyes hardened with resolve.
How lonely and miserable she must have been, trapped in that awful, prison-like place.
He imagined Rebecca locked away in the highest tower of that fortress-like ducal mansion.
His heart began to pound violently.
“I have to… get her back.”
Zeppelin pictured himself defeating Julian and rescuing Rebecca.
He could almost see her, eyes brimming with tears of joy, throwing herself into his arms.
“Ah… Rebecca.”
He cupped his cheek with his hand.
He could still vividly feel the sting of the slap she had given him.
Even though his cheek was swollen and sore, somehow he didn’t mind it.
Seeing her alive and fiery again, instead of the lifeless doll she’d become, had strangely excited him.
In the blaze of her eyes when she glared at him, he had glimpsed the Rebecca he had fallen for at first sight — the girl who once delightedly built snowmen.
Now that he thought of it, his so-called fiancée resembled Rebecca.
Her figure, her eye color — it was strange he hadn’t noticed sooner.
Zeppelin clenched his fist so tightly it trembled.
“To think he made her play the role of my fiancée… filthy bastard.”
But soon, he loosened his grip.
She had come back. Returned to the perfect, original form he adored.
That was enough.
The fact that Rebecca wasn’t by his side at this very moment didn’t matter.
She was destined to belong to Zeppelin Devonshire.
He had known it from the moment they first met.
All he had to do was bring her back to where she truly belonged.
For now, she might hate him under Julian’s brainwashing — but someday, Rebecca would remember.
She would realize that the happiest time of her life had been when she was Rebecca Devonshire.
Zeppelin rose to his feet.
A strange new light flickered in his eyes. There was no longer any reason to remain powerless.
Rebecca had reappeared in his life.
The kingdom of dreams he had once built — frozen for a while — began to move again.
At the foot of the hill leading to Obelia’s mansion, Julian stopped the carriage.
“Let’s walk from here.”
“Walk? All of a sudden?”
Rebecca looked at him in confusion.
Without answering, Julian took her hand and gently pulled her along.
Realizing his intention, Rebecca blinked, bewildered.
“You want me to walk with you?”
Julian nodded and cleared his throat awkwardly.
At the sound, Croa quickly pushed Rebecca lightly on the back.
“I believe that would be best, my lady. The night sky is quite beautiful tonight. After all that’s happened, a short walk might help calm your mind.”
“I suppose so…”
Rebecca still looked puzzled, but then she smiled faintly.
Come to think of it, a walk under the moonlight didn’t sound bad.
And Croa was right — the moon was especially lovely tonight.
“Then, Kanna and Croa will come too—”
“No. Just the two of us.”
“Just… the two of us?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened as she glanced between Croa and Kanna.
Croa nodded eagerly, while Kanna, unusually quiet, neither agreed nor objected.
“Let’s go, Rebecca.”
Julian opened the carriage door, letting the crisp night breeze flow in.
“It’s chilly. Please take this.”
Kanna placed a thick shawl around Rebecca’s shoulders.
Rebecca pulled it tighter and glanced at Kanna. She seemed… different tonight.
Meanwhile, Julian had already stepped down and extended his hand toward her.
Rebecca hesitated for a moment, staring at Kanna, but eventually placed her hand in Julian’s and stepped out.
“All right. Kanna, I’ll see you back at the mansion. And Croa, thank you — really.”
“Think nothing of it, my lady. Now, go on. His Grace has something he wishes to tell you.”
“Croa!”
Julian’s face flushed red as he barked his name.
Croa pretended to cover his mouth, ushering the two of them away.
“I misspoke! Now, please, for the sake of these tired servants, disappear quickly and let us rest!”
He shut the carriage door firmly, grinning ear to ear.
From beyond the door came the muffled sound of Julian grumbling, but Croa’s smile only widened.
Soon, the sound of Julian and Rebecca’s footsteps faded into the distance.
Croa turned to Kanna, who still sat silently with her head bowed.
“So, why’d you let them go so easily tonight?”
Kanna replied curtly, “Let them? My lady doesn’t need anyone’s permission to go where she pleases. Who am I to stand in her way?”
“That’s not what I meant. You’ve been acting strange tonight. Usually, you growl the moment you see the Duke — but now you’re calm. What happened?”
“Nothing special. I’ve just realized something.”
Kanna lifted her head. Through the carriage window, she watched Rebecca and Julian’s silhouettes beneath the starlit sky.
The cool blue hill, the sea of stars overhead — and beneath it, the shining figures of a man and woman.
The sight was so breathtaking that Kanna momentarily forgot to breathe.
“What did you realize?”
“The Duke can give Lady Rebecca something I never can.”
“What do you mean — something you can’t give?”
“A smile.”
Croa stared blankly at her, not quite understanding.
“And complete happiness,” she added softly.
Silence fell.
The sad, distant chirping of night insects filled the space between them.
“You know,” Kanna said quietly, “Lady Rebecca always smiles when she’s with the Duke. I might be able to keep her safe — but I can’t make her smile like that. In fact, even safety… he might provide that better than I ever could.”
“But she cherishes you. She looks happy when she’s with you too.”
Kanna slowly shook her head.
“No. It’s not enough. She deserves more than just that kind of happiness.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lady Rebecca deserves every happiness the world can offer. And only your master can give her that.”
Croa had a dozen questions but said none of them.
Kanna’s face, half-lit by moonlight, looked both sorrowful and strangely at peace.
Croa turned his gaze back out the window.
The Duke’s figure — once no taller than his waist — now stood straight and strong like an ancient tree.
That boy he once thought was a lonely, barren tree in the wasteland was now beginning to let flowers bloom at his feet.
Croa’s lips curved into a faint, wistful smile.
For some reason, he felt he was beginning to understand what Kanna meant.
A cool breeze stirred, tousling Rebecca’s hair. She breathed deeply, tilting her head to the sky.
The bright moonlight poured down upon the open hill, and the silver stream of the Milky Way glittered across the dark heavens.
“It’s beautiful!”
The words slipped out between her teeth in awe. Julian had been right — it was good they’d decided to walk.
She’d still felt dirty and unsettled after meeting Zeppelin earlier.
“You’ve gained weight.”
He still saw her as nothing more than a doll — neither human nor real.
He had lived his entire life that way, so perhaps she shouldn’t be surprised.
Still, what had she been expecting?
There had never been anything to expect from him.
Rebecca’s expression darkened.
Julian, noticing, suddenly leaned close until his face filled her vision.
His cool eyes curved toward her, catching the moonlight like glass.
For a moment, Rebecca thought they looked like stars.
“You’re thinking about something awful again, aren’t you? Whenever that happens, look at my face. It’s good for your mental health.”
“Someone’s confidence is sky-high these days, huh?”
“You said it yourself. You said I was handsome. And beauty lifts the spirit — when life feels ugly, look at me.”
It was a teasing joke.
And yet, before she knew it, Rebecca found herself gazing at him — tracing his broad forehead, the sharp bridge of his nose, the mischievous gleam in his golden eyes.
That dazzling light held her captive.
“…”
As she quietly followed his suggestion, Julian was the first to break away.
A faint flush crept over his cheekbones.
The color was so lovely that Rebecca nearly reached out to touch him.
“E-enough staring,” he stammered, covering his mouth with the back of his hand and straightening up.
He lifted his chin — and since he was so much taller, Rebecca could no longer see his face clearly.
But the pink tips of his ears gave him away.
Rebecca burst out laughing.
“You told me to look.”
“I did. But not that long.”
“It’s not like you’ll wear out if I stare.”
“I will. Every time you look at me, I wear down a little more. So from now on, five seconds max.”
Rebecca grinned mischievously.
“Why? Because you like it too much? Can’t handle it?”
“…What?”
Julian, who had turned away to hide his fluster, froze mid-step.
Heat shot up the back of his neck.
He turned slightly and asked, “Why would you think that?”
“Because you…”
Because you look at me like I’m someone precious. Because you make me feel as if you could love me just as I am.
But Rebecca couldn’t say it.
There was an expectant spark in his eyes — and she knew that whatever she said next might one day hurt him.
So she forced a small, bitter smile and said,
“I’m joking. You’d never see me that way. It’s probably just camaraderie between comrades.”
Julian’s heart, swollen a moment ago with hope, deflated like a balloon letting out air.
