Chapter 78
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79.
As Rebecca remained silent, Karim spoke up.
"Julian, does your fiancée not know how to speak? And what is that suffocating mask she's wearing? Are you hiding her identity from me as well, right now?"
As Karim approached Rebecca without hesitation, Julian stepped in front of him.
Behind Julian's black mask that covered his eyes, his dark gaze folded sharply with intensity.
"Karim, I apologize. As I mentioned earlier, there are circumstances. I'll tell you everything soon, so please stop being angry."
Soon after, the bell announcing the start of the dance rang out.
Julian spoke to Karim, whose jaw was clenched.
"It seems the first dance is about to begin. You should find a partner quickly. Then I'll take my leave."
With a nod to him, Julian took Rebecca's hand and headed toward the center of the Ballroom where the dance would commence.
Karim, his face deeply furrowed, drained the wine he held in one gulp.
* * *
"Doesn't this feel familiar?"
Julian asked as he held Rebecca's waist and spun her in a graceful dance.
Now that he mentioned it, I felt the same entranced gazes upon us as at the victory celebration where we first danced together.
"I suppose so. Back then I was so overwhelmed, I didn't even realize you danced this well."
Rebecca smiled at Julian's skillful dancing, his light movements guiding her effortlessly.
"There's nothing I can't do."
"I saw otherwise last time."
"What do you mean?"
"Shooting? You didn't hit a single target."
"That had its reasons...."
Julian's face filled with bewilderment as he fell into thought for a moment.
"But how did you know about that?"
"Do you think there's something I wouldn't know?"
"What, what did you say?"
As the first piece ended, Rebecca gathered her skirt and bowed to him.
Just as she tried to slip away, Julian caught her arm and pulled her back into his embrace.
Julian held Rebecca firmly, as if refusing to let her go.
As a result, they were pressed completely against each other. Soon their quickened breaths mingled.
Julian's eyes gleamed golden as he spoke in a trembling voice.
"Tell me straight. Rebecca, surely you didn't plant a spy in my estate because you don't trust me?"
In that instant, Rebecca realized her mistake. It seemed she had misspoken.
Caught off guard by his unexpected reaction, Rebecca stiffened momentarily and looked at him.
Julian's eyes twisted in anguish.
He gazed down at her as if he would shatter into pieces and crumble if she confirmed it.
In that moment, Rebecca's heart trembled.
His desperate plea for her trust gently stirred her heart.
"Answer me. Rebecca."
Rebecca gazed into his burning eyes and finally spoke quietly.
"Leo told me."
"Leo...?"
"Yes. That day when we went to your estate, we had dinner and took a walk, remember? I disappeared for a bit then? Leo took me to the Shooting Range. One of the servants there was tidying up and explained the whole situation."
"I see...? So that's how it happened..."
Julian finally relaxed, his expression softening into a comfortable smile.
He felt a twinge of guilt for adding a touch of deception to his words, but he couldn't reveal the truth here. Time was still needed.
Rebecca gazed intently at Julian's smile.
What did she mean to him? Though she sensed she might know the answer, Rebecca didn't want to know it.
Yet she hated seeing those beautiful eyes of his tremble with anxiety.
Rebecca spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Julian. There's no one in this world I trust more than you."
Julian's eyes widened considerably.
"I trust you more than my own parents. So please stop misunderstanding that I wouldn't trust you."
It was sincere. He was her benefactor, and now he was also a companion who would walk this treacherous path beside her.
Rebecca trusted him as much as she needed him.
Rebecca gazed at Julian with eyes that held not a shred of falsehood.
Julian's lips trembled slightly.
All the light in the Ballroom seemed to converge upon Rebecca. She shone with an almost absurd brilliance.
"So the Duke of Johannes truly does have a fiancée. Judging by how you're already clinging to each other so shamelessly, your relationship must be quite intimate."
Julian and Rebecca slowly turned their heads toward the source of that sharp tone.
Zahidra stood before them, his expression hardened.
And behind him, Catherine, adorned in all her finery, trembled as though she might shatter the mask clutched in her hands.
'This is troublesome.'
It was common knowledge that Zahidra had marked Julian as a suitable match for Catherine.
Yet despite knowing this, Julian had announced his engagement without giving Zahidra any prior warning.
No matter how generous Zahidra was toward Julian, he would not easily forgive such a betrayal of his own daughter.
Julian exhaled softly and released the arm he had been keeping around Rebecca.
"Your Imperial Majesty, the dignity of the world. I offer my respects."
Julian bowed. Rebecca followed suit, quietly grasping her skirts and lowering her head.
"So who exactly is this fiancée who has captured such a remarkable man?"
Zahidra spoke with his lips twisted into a sneer.
His question was laden with indignation—a demand to see just who this woman was, bold enough to reject his daughter.
Julian's laugh came out somewhat strained.
Zahidra arriving at the ball this early had not been part of his calculations.
There had been word that Zahidra would arrive late to the Ballroom because the Empress was unwell.
Since the information had been reliable, he had planned to avoid meeting the Emperor as much as possible, dance once, and then slip away.
Once today's matter was resolved, Zahidra would surely forget all about the engagement and continue to support him.
But if he encountered Zahidra now, the Emperor would certainly take a keen interest in Rebecca, and that would complicate everything.
That was why he had given the Emperor no special advance notice.
Zahidra asked again, his voice rising.
"Can't you hear me, Duke? Do I need to issue a command for you to remove that mask and answer?"
Just as Julian was scheming for a way out, Rebecca opened her mouth.
Her voice was lower than usual.
"As expected, Your Majesty's keen intellect is beyond my ability to match."
Rebecca straightened her posture.
Julian's eyes widened as he stared at Rebecca.
Rebecca placed her hand on his shoulder and met his gaze.
'You trust me, don't you?'
It was as if she were saying exactly that, and Julian weakly stepped back.
Rebecca respectfully clasped her hands before her and looked toward Zahidra.
"The Duke of Johannes and I made a wager. The subject was whether anyone could remove my mask before the ball ended. But it seems I must lose. Once Your Majesty commands it, I have no choice but to remove my mask."
Julian watched Rebecca, unable to grasp what she was planning.
Was she about to reveal her identity here?
But if that happened, everything would fall apart...
Rebecca paused for a moment before continuing.
"However..."
"However?"
"I would reveal myself only to Your Majesty. It was my mistake not to include a clause excluding everyone but Your Majesty, but isn't this wager terribly unfair? Who in this Empire could refuse Your Majesty's command?"
"You would tell only me?"
"Yes. That way, the Duke of Johannes and I can continue our wager. I've wagered something far too valuable to abandon. I simply cannot give it up. What do you say, Your Majesty? Will you grant me a private audience? What do you think? Surely you wouldn't mind changing the rules of the wager?"
At Rebecca's question, Julian nodded as if enchanted.
Zahidra regarded Rebecca with a sharp gaze. The mask obscured her true intentions, making them impossible to discern.
A guard captain who noticed Zahidra stroking his lips with interest in amusement quickly intervened with displeasure.
"Your Majesty! This cannot be! You cannot have a private audience with someone of unknown identity."
At the guard captain's words, Julian immediately spoke with a menacing expression.
"Unknown identity? Mind your tongue. The lady standing here is my fiancée."
"But, sire..."
Zahidra laughed heartily.
"It's fine. Yes, I like this boldness. My, my. I've ruined the atmosphere of the ball with my presence—what a shame. Everyone, pay us no mind and enjoy yourselves freely!"
The moment Zahidra's command fell, the musicians began playing lively music.
The servants who had been standing still began presenting trays laden with delicacies to the guests.
Zahidra spoke while regarding Rebecca.
"I grant you a private audience."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. That balcony appears quiet and suitable."
Rebecca pointed to the balcony on the second floor of the ballroom.
I had seen the Devonshire Estate's ballroom countless times before.
Because of that, I knew well which places were most difficult to spy upon.
Zahidra readily accepted her suggestion and accompanied Rebecca.
Rebecca passed by Julian and gave him a glance.
It was a look that said: don't worry.
Julian, who had been about to follow Rebecca, froze in place the moment he saw the look in her eyes.
Concern flickered across his face, but he did not pursue her.
If Rebecca wished it, then so it would be.
* * *
Rebecca approached the balcony and drew the curtains closed.
Since the Hounds might attach themselves to her, she had positioned the Emperor's personal guard in front of the balcony.
Zahidra leaned against the railing at an angle, regarding Rebecca with keen interest.
While Zahidra could not be called conventionally handsome, his imposing frame and sharp features possessed a rather compelling magnetism.
In his youth, he must have earned a reputation for severity.
Yet as the years had passed and experience etched itself upon his visage, his keen gaze was tempered by an almost boundless gentleness.
"What remarkable identity compels you to summon me in such a manner?"
Rather than answer, Rebecca slowly removed her mask.
Even through the thick darkness that blanketed the balcony, her face seemed to radiate light.
Zahidra straightened from his languid position against the railing.
Surprise and delight bloomed simultaneously at the corners of his mouth.
"Rebecca! I confess I have been most curious about your whereabouts. Your features seemed vaguely familiar, and I harbored suspicions, but I never imagined it would truly be you."
Having revealed her identity, Rebecca replaced her mask.
"You suspected as much, then."
"I never dreamed you would appear as Julian's betrothed, yet you hardly struck me as one destined for a quiet divorce."
"Then you understand what I intend to accomplish."
Zahidra's eyes narrowed.
"Revenge, then."
"Had I known Your Majesty possessed such keen insight, I would have sought your aid long ago."
"You've grown quite bold. Has Julian's influence rubbed off on you?"
Though his tone carried a note of reproach, Zahidra's eyes gleamed with curiosity more intense than ever before.
The Runaway Countess Returns
E-book Publication
January 12, 2022
Author
Long night sky
Publisher
Desert fox
Published by
Woongjin ThinkBig Co., Ltd.
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