Chapter 7

The young and beautiful Princess Catherine was the most sought-after bride across neighboring nations.

But Julian sat arrogantly in his chair, blatantly ignoring her greeting. It was a rude gesture, yet Emperor Zahid did not mind. Julian had been raised to never worry about the gaze of others. Except for the emperor himself, Julian was the undisputed most powerful man in the empire.

The House of Johannes had once threatened imperial authority by aligning with the temple. Compared to his predecessors, Julian’s manner of speech and behavior were rougher, but politically, he was considered more refined. Zahid was willing to forgive his arrogance.

Besides, Zahid cared more about benefit than appearances. Whatever Julian’s manners, the profit he would bring was worth enduring his insolence a thousand times over.

It was no secret that Julian frequented brothels and had a notorious reputation with women. On occasion, he even proclaimed his disdain for noble ladies without hesitation. If Princess Catherine were to marry him, it was obvious how she would be treated.

Though Zahid pitied his daughter, Julian was a card he could not discard.

Julian detested social gatherings, so Zahid had gone so far as to fabricate a false rebellion just to force him to attend this ball. It was the perfect chance to introduce Catherine to him. Letting things fall apart now was not an option.

With a sly smile, Zahid took Catherine’s hand and presented it to Julian.

“How about a dance with the beautiful princess?”

Julian stared blankly at Catherine’s pale, delicate hand, offered by the emperor himself. He glanced around for help, but Croa was nowhere in sight.

‘Out sneaking a smoke again, no doubt.’

Grinding his teeth, Julian wavered. His heart told him to push the hand away and escape this suffocating place. But Zahid was the only one who dared to stand against the temple. Julian despised the emperor—but he hated the temple even more.

Every year, the House of Johannes was obliged to attend temple ceremonies. And every year, Zahid conveniently created incidents to excuse Julian from appearing. Perhaps it was self-serving, but Julian had benefitted nonetheless.

‘If I marry the princess, the temple won’t be able to pressure me into taking a concubine so easily.’

As Julian’s gaze lingered, Catherine’s cheeks dimpled with a shy smile. At first, she had hesitated when told she was to wed him. His scandals were sordid and many. But standing face-to-face with him now, she felt she could follow him into fire if need be. He was that breathtaking.

After a moment’s calculation, Julian reached out his hand.

“Then, will you honor me with the first dance?”

Zahid smiled in satisfaction. Of course—it was only natural. They looked like a perfect pair.

Julian wrinkled his nose at the heavy scent of Catherine’s rose perfume. As the pounding of her heart reached his ears, his mother’s dying words suddenly surfaced.

Julian, you must never fall in love.

Even on her deathbed, she had left him a curse more than a blessing.

‘For a moment, I must have gone mad.’

Catherine had done nothing wrong. But Julian could not give her love. He could never share the secrets of the dukedom with someone of the imperial family. She would be left to yearn for her husband’s affection without knowing why—until she lost her mind.

His face hardened. The music announcing the first dance began.

‘Is he in a foul mood today?’

Dancing with Zeppelin, Rebecca glanced at Julian as he passed. Though holding the princess’s hand, he looked as though he were being dragged to the slaughterhouse.

Noticing Rebecca’s sideways glance, Zeppelin caught her chin and turned her face back to him.

“Look at me, Rebecca.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I felt a little dizzy.”

“In places like this, you must conduct yourself carefully. Everyone is watching you. Show them you see only me.”

Zeppelin smiled pleasantly. The glamorous Count and Countess of Devonshire drew attention wherever they went. Dresses Rebecca wore often set the season’s fashion trends. Tonight was no exception—greedy eyes roved over her attire.

Disgusting.

At last, the first song ended. Rebecca marveled at her own patience for not spitting in her husband’s face during their dance.

“Stay here quietly.”

Once again, she was pushed into a corner. From the second song onward, she might have danced with other partners—but such a thing was unthinkable. Somewhere, one of Zeppelin’s watchful hounds would be lurking, making sure no man dared approach her.

But that suited her fine tonight. She leaned against a thick column, choosing the spot most hidden from view, and checked that Zeppelin was absorbed in conversation with the nobles.

Then she glanced sideways at the man standing on the other side of the pillar.

Duke Julian Johannes.

With an expression of sheer boredom, he drained his wine. Every woman present was stealing glances at him, though none dared show it openly.

Black hair, dark eyes, skin like melted milk chocolate. Even his tailcoat was black. The towering man looked like a noble black lion. His filthy reputation was infamous, but his face alone was enough to capture attention.

Rebecca, too, found herself drawn to him—but for different reasons than the others.

She drew a deep breath.

“I don’t see your cats tonight.”

Julian froze mid-sip. He thought he had brushed off the advances of meddlesome women—but one had pursued him even here. Irritation flared. He made to leave without reply, but Rebecca quickly pressed on.

“Leo. That’s the cat you share a soul with, isn’t it? The others are only decoys, to hide where Leo truly is.”

Julian’s eyes widened.

It was known that the House of Johannes revered Leo, the divine messenger. But almost no one knew of the soul-bond.

He turned toward her, needing to see the face of the woman who dared know his secret.

“Don’t—don’t let anyone see us talking. I’m being watched,” she whispered.

Julian narrowed his eyes and scanned the hall. Indeed, a servant carrying trays of hors d’oeuvres was observing closely. He leaned back against the pillar.

“Who are you?”

“To be direct, I know how to break your curse.”

“What?”

He nearly raised his voice. Containing himself, he asked again in a low tone.

“A curse? How dare you call it that, when my house is blessed by the goddess?”

“I know everything. If the cat bound to your soul dies, you die too. The curse has been passed down for generations. And you’ve been gathering storytellers in an attempt to break it.”

Julian scoffed. “I’ve never heard such nonsense.”

The truth was known to only a handful, but whispers could leak. Still, no sane person would speak of it openly. To say the House of Johannes was cursed was blasphemy enough to warrant execution.

This strange woman must have picked up dangerous rumors and come here on purpose. Who had sent her? The emperor? Or Duke Latranis playing some trick?

“Then what about this,” she said coolly. “The notorious libertine duke is, in fact, a virgin.”

Julian nearly spat out his wine. She had spoken the most humiliating truth without so much as a tremor in her voice.

“Though surrounded by scandal, you are purer than anyone. Of course, it makes sense—you never intended to leave behind an heir.”

He could not ignore her now. That rumor had been his own invention, carefully crafted to deflect marriage proposals. Yet despite his efforts, far too many mad parents had still tried to force their daughters on him.

Only Croa knew the truth. No one else.

Even Duke Latranis, who suspected something, had never had it confirmed.

“At this point, you must be curious who I am,” she said. “I wish to make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“Yes. If you dance with me, I’ll tell you everything. But it must be in front of the emperor, where all can see.”

“And if I refuse?”

“Then you will lose your first and last chance to be freed of your curse.”

Julian studied her. “Fine. Then tell me—your name?”

“My name is Rebecca Devonshire. First wife of Count Zeppelin.”

Julian stiffened, startled. That name—

“Rebecca, I kept you waiting,” came Zeppelin’s voice. “Latranis wouldn’t stop badgering me.”

Julian could not avoid turning his head. Rebecca stood there, smiling serenely, her deep blue eyes fixed on him.

When he stared at her too long, Zeppelin frowned.

“How rude. To gaze at another man’s wife like that.”

Julian finally pulled his eyes away.

“Ah, forgive me, Count. Your presence is so faint I hardly noticed you were there.”

You insolent brat!

Zeppelin clenched his teeth, glaring. From the very first meeting, things had gone poorly between them.

Get lost, you ugly thing!

Those had been Julian’s first words to him, spoken as a child barely able to form sentences. Zeppelin had never once in his life been called ugly—until then. The words of that innocent-eyed boy had scarred him, haunting him even in dreams.

And that was not the only reason Zeppelin despised him. Julian was insolent to everyone, young or old, man or woman. Yet no one dared criticize his manners. Even the emperor faltered before him.

Zeppelin loathed that arrogance—as though Julian were king of the world. And he hated most of all that Julian stood above him.