Chapter 91
“When do we start preparing for the wedding?”
Yulian asked eagerly, his voice brimming with excitement.
“We’ll begin today,” Rebecca replied. “I thought it’d be best to show you the existing garden first.”
“Really? Then you should take a look at this design I came up with.”
“I’d love to.”
Yulian took out a folded sheet of paper from his inner pocket. The edges were frayed from being opened and closed too many times.
Rebecca glanced at the paper—it was filled with a series of detailed sketches neatly compiled together.
“This is…”
Margaret’s eyes widened as she carefully studied the design.
Rolling up his sleeves, Yulian began pointing to the paper, explaining as he went.
“The detail of the vase on the table is really important here.”
“You’re right. This is truly impressive.”
Margaret, who had initially been just watching, now listened with full attention, her expression serious.
The sparkle in her eyes made it clear that she was genuinely impressed by Yulian’s ideas.
Rebecca, seeing her reaction, felt an unexpected sense of pride—almost as if she herself were being praised.
She turned to look at Yulian’s eyes—bright, full of enthusiasm. He seemed genuinely happy, wearing a smile she rarely saw on him.
Hmm…
Rebecca fell into thought for a moment.
It felt like a waste to let such talent go unused. After all, didn’t he once say that what he had the most of was time?
“Yulian. Would you like to work?”
“Huh?”
Yulian lifted his head from the paper, blinking in surprise.
“I think you have a real gift for design. Margaret, didn’t you say your mother has been struggling to find someone to handle the salon’s interior design?”
“Yes, that’s right,” Margaret replied, eyeing Rebecca curiously.
Rebecca smiled lightly. “Then how about Yulian becoming that designer?”
“Me? Do that kind of work?”
“Yes.”
Yulian looked flustered, his mouth slightly open.
It felt humiliating—like his secret taste had just been exposed.
In the Empire, such hobbies weren’t considered appropriate for men. A proper man was supposed to train in combat and show off his muscles, not sit at a tiny desk drawing delicate sketches.
Even someone as refined as Zeppelin had been mocked behind his back for having such “elegant” interests.
Seeing Yulian frown deeply, Rebecca spoke gently.
“There’s no need to look so horrified. It’s not strange at all. You’d just be doing something you’re good at. But if you’re worried, I can keep it a secret. It’s only because you’re someone I really need.”
Yulian’s eyes trembled.
“Let’s see… how can I convince you? You’ll get to fill dozens of rooms here with your imagination.”
“…”
“Money probably means little to you, so I’m offering you something else—a sense of accomplishment. You’ll never be bored again.”
Those words struck deep.
Truth be told, since meeting Rebecca, he hadn’t really felt bored.
But accomplishment—that word resonated within him.
He realized, faintly, what kind of emptiness he’d been living with all along.
Rebecca placed a hand gently on his shoulder.
“Not as Duke Johannes, but as Yulian—a sense of fulfillment you earned yourself. But if you still refuse to help…”
She withdrew her hand from his shoulder and extended it toward him instead.
“…then I’ll have to invoke your promise—that you’d grant any favor I asked. Please, Yulian. I need you.”
“…Fine. I’ll do it.”
Looking at her outstretched hand, Yulian sighed and gave in.
It was an unfair move—Rebecca knew he couldn’t refuse her when she said she needed him.
But that wasn’t the only reason he accepted.
He looked down at the sketch still in his hand.
He hadn’t even noticed how much time had passed while drawing it—it had been that fun.
And when Rebecca praised him, when Margaret approved, his heart had swelled with something he hadn’t felt in years.
It was as if someone had poured cool water over a thirst that had burned within him his whole life.
“My arm’s getting tired,” Rebecca said with a playful smile, still holding her hand out.
Yulian chuckled and took her hand, shaking it firmly.
“Then I’ll be in your care, Designer.”
At her teasing words, Yulian finally laughed aloud.
Margaret, who had been silently observing the exchange, found her lips parting in surprise.
Not only was it astonishing to see Rebecca effortlessly handle the duke, but her entire demeanor had changed.
The old Rebecca—cold, sharp—had always reminded her eerily of Zeppelin.
But now, she was full of warmth and life, like a flower finally beginning to bloom.
It was hard to find any trace of Zeppelin in her now.
Margaret glanced at Yulian. His gaze toward Rebecca was gentle, almost tender.
Was he the one who changed her? Melted her frozen heart?
When Margaret first heard that Rebecca had divorced Zeppelin, she had been so shocked that she dropped the dish she was holding.
Though she’d helped Rebecca with doubt and caution, she hadn’t truly believed the woman would ever break free of Zeppelin’s grip.
Just imagining how hard she must have fought to escape that hell made Margaret’s chest ache.
And now… perhaps Rebecca was holding a blade pointed in the same direction she once had.
Margaret felt a pang of guilt for having once scolded her so harshly.
When she’d seen Rebecca again, she couldn’t even look her in the eye from the shame of it.
But Rebecca had grown—radiantly so.
And Margaret wanted to help her grow even more. To cheer for her.
Perhaps that was why…
A soft smile spread across Margaret’s face.
“Then I’ll inform Lady Danae right away,” she said kindly.
Rebecca blinked in surprise and turned toward her.
The warm, open smile that greeted her was something she’d longed for—even in her past life.
Her eyes welled up instantly.
“Margaret…”
Overcome with emotion, Rebecca suddenly embraced her.
“I’ll do my best. I promise. But please, stay by my side. If you’re with me, I can do anything.”
It was such a childlike vow.
Margaret looked at Yulian, unsure how to react.
Yulian simply watched Rebecca quietly, his expression thoughtful, almost tender.
“I believe you will,” Margaret said softly, patting Rebecca’s back. She smelled faintly of butter.
Rebecca lifted her face from Margaret’s shoulder, smiling shyly as she wiped her tears.
“Sorry… that must’ve been such a sight.”
“Not at all. When you take on great responsibilities, you sometimes end up suppressing your feelings without realizing it. But it’s better to let them out like this. If you don’t, those emotions can fester and make you ill.”
“Margaret… do you ever cry?”
Margaret blinked, startled by the question.
Then, after a pause, she smiled faintly and brushed her neck.
“I’m only human, Lady Rebecca. Before I came to the Liberta Shelter, I cried myself to sleep every night. Even now, when I think of my late father, the tears still come. Silly of me, isn’t it?”
Rebecca gasped softly.
In her previous life, she’d never once seen Margaret falter. No matter what happened, the woman always faced it with calm composure.
Rebecca had sometimes wondered if she were made of iron.
To imagine her crying—it was unthinkable.
Rebecca looked at her again, meeting those kind, gentle eyes.
And suddenly she realized—she’d been idolizing Margaret so much that she’d stopped seeing her as a person.
And she had been forcing herself to live up to that impossible ideal.
“Is something wrong?” Margaret asked when Rebecca fell silent.
Rebecca shook her head.
“No. Anyway, if we want to finish touring the salon today, we’re short on time. Let’s go.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Yulian, sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s go check out the reception desserts. Margaret made them, so they’ll definitely be good.”
“Alright.”
Yulian smiled as Rebecca’s cheerful energy returned.
Still… something didn’t add up.
From what he knew, Rebecca and Margaret had only met a few months ago.
How had they grown so close that Rebecca would cry in her arms?
He couldn’t make sense of it—but decided not to ask.
Whatever had lingered between them seemed to have been resolved, and that was all that mattered.
As long as Rebecca was happy, that was enough.
The reception desserts turned out to be delightful—so much so that Rebecca felt well-fueled for the rest of the day.
But the salon was far larger than she’d imagined.
By the time they’d toured every facility and convenience, she was utterly exhausted.
After receiving the warm farewells of the staff, Rebecca trudged wearily toward her waiting carriage.
“Lady Rebecca!”
Kanna waved enthusiastically from beside the carriage.
“Kanna! That took longer than I expected. Are you tired?”
“I’m fine, my lady. I was delayed a bit—there seemed to be someone tailing Susan, and I had to shake them off.”
“I see. And what about Susan herself?”
Kanna glanced around and lowered her voice.
“The Knights of God have taken Zeppelin into custody.”
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed. “Did he go quietly?”
“Of course not. They said he resisted so fiercely the whole mansion nearly came down. But…”
“There’s more, isn’t there?”
“He was released in less than three days. Apparently, after paying a massive compensation.”
“Compensation, huh…”
The Knights of God were notorious for their ruthlessness.
The temple selected orphans with strong bodies from their affiliated orphanages and trained them as soldiers.
Through years of harsh military drills and religious indoctrination, they became a fanatical force of holy warriors devoted to the goddess Depria.
They punished heretics and blasphemers without mercy—status made no difference.
Once taken by them, most either died… or went mad.
In the previous emperor’s reign, even a prince had once been dragged away by them.
Though their power had waned somewhat in recent years, the Knights of God still stood as the temple’s strongest weapon—guardians of Depria’s divine authority.
And yet, Zeppelin—who had dared display a painting mocking the temple before the nobility—had been released unharmed?
Rebecca’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
