TRACR 75

Chapter 75

Rebecca smiled brightly.

“I’m saying you can have it. The Zeppelin and Octavio estate—I’m giving that mansion to you. You’ve always wanted to make it your own, haven’t you?”

“How could that even be possible!”

“Does it seem impossible to you?”

Rebecca straightened the back she had been bowing toward Grace.

The sun had already set, and the only light in the room came from flickering candles struggling to stay lit.

Shadows fell across Rebecca’s face.

She lifted her chin and looked down at Grace. A mocking smile played on her lips.

“Did I ever say I was powerless? Then how do you think I escaped from Zeppelin’s grasp? Do you think my illness and divorce were all just coincidences?”

“T-Then…”

“I happened to gain a very powerful patron.”

“What?”

“Let’s just say that from now on, fortune will always be on my side.”

“You keep saying these strange things, but I can’t make sense of—”

Rebecca tapped her temple lightly.

“There’s no need for that tiny brain of yours to understand. As I said before, even if you died, you’d never understand me. Just as you still don’t understand Layla.”

“My daughter died of illness.”

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that. It’ll be good for your mental health. But Grace… try imagining it for a moment.”

Rebecca stepped behind her and whispered sweetly into her ear.

“Imagine yourself reigning over that beautiful mansion. You could even fill it with girls like Layla. The Devonshire Estate of Countess Grace Duncan. How does that sound? Don’t you want it?”

Her voice dripped like honey, thick and irresistible.

Under Rebecca’s relentless coaxing, Grace found herself imagining it before she could stop.

As if a vision unfolded before her eyes, her fantasy became vividly real.

In it, she sat in the garden of the count’s mansion, having tea with a satisfied smile on her face.

Maids with faces resembling Layla’s smiled beautifully at her.

“I… want it…”

The words slipped unconsciously from Grace’s mouth. Rebecca straightened up with a small smile.

She slipped a folded note into Grace’s pocket.

“Here’s what you need to do. If you really want what you just saw, you’d better follow my instructions.”

Grace, pupils dilated and unfocused, nodded vacantly.

Now, the seed of burning desire had taken root in her mind.

Rebecca turned away and gave a subtle nod.

Kanna silently approached and pulled a sack over Grace’s head.

Still lost in her illusion, Grace offered no resistance.

Kanna easily chopped her neck with the side of her hand, knocking her unconscious.

Then she slung Grace over her shoulder and kicked the door open, vanishing into the night.

Once Kanna was gone, Rebecca quickly stepped outside.

The moment the cool air hit her, she gagged.

“Ugh…”

She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and glanced through the door crack at the red incense candle burning inside.

A while ago, she had secretly ordered Kanna to steal one of Octavio’s candles from his room.

She had thought it merely had a calming effect.

That’s why she lit it—to soothe Grace’s temper and have a proper conversation.

But now she realized it had another effect: showing vivid hallucinations.

She had planned to shake Grace’s heart by appearing as Layla.

Yet Grace had called her “Layla” far sooner and more easily than expected—thanks to that candle.

After several deep breaths, Rebecca felt the dizziness subside.

She pinched her nose with her handkerchief, picked up the candle, and hurried outside.

Then she threw it to the ground and crushed it with her heel until it turned to powder.

“A dangerous thing…”

It was true the candle had made things easier—Grace had willingly fallen into her own desire.

But Rebecca never wanted to use something like that again.

It was a tool that could harm not only herself but anyone nearby.

To live lost in illusion was a temptation strong enough to make anyone abandon reality.

Rebecca looked up at the landscape around her.

The moon had risen.

She was at an abandoned farmhouse some distance from the Obelia mansion—perfectly secluded for secret dealings.

Rebecca went behind the barn and gathered dry twigs, lighting a fire over them.

Crackle, crackle—

The peaceful sound of burning wood filled the night.

She took off her brown dress and tossed it into the flames.

The fire slowly consumed it, the flames licking up the waistline and devouring the fabric.

Rebecca stared blankly into the blaze and murmured,

“I’m sorry, Layla. I’ll never wear that dress again.”

As if in response, the fire flared high into the air twice before settling.

Back at the Obelia mansion, Julian was checking the final details of their plan while waiting for Rebecca.

A satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Tonight’s autumn ball would be more delightful than ever before.

Rebecca had even prepared five separate backup plans in case anything went wrong.

Julian could only shake his head in admiration at her meticulousness.

“You look especially dashing tonight, my lord!”

Livia blushed shyly as she ran up beside him.

In his well-tailored formal suit, Julian was striking enough to turn heads as he passed.

“I wish I could go to the ball too…”

Helena, who followed behind, pouted and plopped down onto the sofa beside him.

Soon, the twins began chattering away, unable to be outdone by the other.

Julian listened to their cheerful banter with a smile before speaking.

“I promise you’ll both have the grandest debutante ball next year.”

“Really? You promise!”

Helena squealed in joy, already imagining what dress she might wear.

“I’m so glad we have such a capable brother-in-law!”

Livia beamed.

Julian blinked.

“Brother-in-law…?”

“Oh, come on, did you think we wouldn’t notice? The way you look at Sister Becky isn’t exactly subtle!”

“Yeah, and it’s not like she dislikes it, either.”

“She doesn’t?”

Julian’s lips twitched into a grin he couldn’t quite hide.

Livia nodded, then said with a teasing air,

“So, when are you going to propose?”

“Ah, well…”

“As I’ve said many times before, don’t even think of skipping it! If you try to just get married without proposing, we won’t accept you as our brother-in-law!”

Helena chimed in.

“Exactly! Do you think we’d let our sister marry without a proper proposal?”

Julian chuckled.

“Then tell me, my dear sisters-in-law, what kind of proposal would earn your approval?”

“Hmm… Honestly, as long as it’s sincere, that’s fine,” said Livia.

“What are you talking about? There has to be a big diamond ring! He has to show effort, at least,” Helena scolded.

Livia nodded in agreement.

Julian muttered with mock seriousness,

“How big is ‘big,’ exactly…?”

“This big should do.”

Helena held up a round chocolate from the plate in front of them.

Julian measured it with his eyes and nodded in relief.

“That size is quite manageable.”

Livia suddenly widened her eyes.

“And there’s something even more important than the ring size!”

Intrigued, Julian leaned in.

The twins shouted in unison,

“Public proposals are absolutely forbidden!”

Their fierce gazes burned with conviction.

Julian flinched, then asked,

“Why on earth not—”

Just then, a maid burst in, face flushed with excitement.

“Lady Rebecca asked me to inform you—she’s ready!”

Bowing quickly, the maid disappeared again.

Julian and the twins exchanged glances and left the sitting room together.

“Ah, Julian. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Standing at the top of the stairs was Rebecca. Julian froze in place.

His wide eyes glimmered, turning gold in an instant.

“My God…”

Everyone gathered at the base of the staircase—members of House Obelia—let out gasps of admiration as they looked up.

Rebecca’s dress was made of ivory silk overlaid with delicate lace of gold thread.

Beads sewn at the ends of the lace shimmered with a prismatic glow.

Though the design was the pinnacle of opulence, it didn’t look excessive on her—it fit perfectly.

She held a white-and-gold mask lightly in one hand.

As she moved, her golden hair cascaded over her bare collarbones, shining like liquid sunlight.

Descending the stairs, Rebecca lifted her gloved hand toward Julian.

He had seen her dressed elegantly before, but never had his heart raced so wildly, as if it were broken.

“Ahem… ahem!”

Livia and Helena coughed pointedly, nudging Julian to take her hand.

He snapped back to his senses and took Rebecca’s hand, escorting her properly.

With a faint laugh, she whispered,

“Why do you look so dazed, Julian?”

“Because I’ve just seen something incredible.”

“What do you mean?”

She must have known, but she asked with those clear, innocent eyes.

Julian, cheeks flushed, glanced at her and burst into quiet laughter.

The title “the most beautiful woman in the Empire” did her no justice.

In that moment, he was certain—there wasn’t anyone in the entire world more radiant or lovely than Rebecca.

That this woman was standing beside him felt like a dream.

Nervously, Julian touched his inner jacket pocket.

Feeling the weight there, he finally exhaled in relief, then helped Rebecca up into the carriage.