Chapter 3
After returning to a year before her marriage, Juliana didn’t have time to reflect on her situation.
She was too busy being dragged from one etiquette lesson to another, attending endless social events that left her drained.
Around this time, Count Barnett and the Countess were already parading her through society like prey, watching to see which eligible bachelor would take the bait.
Still, compared to what came later, this was a slightly better period.
Worried that any damage might reduce her value, they had at least stopped disguising abuse as etiquette training.
With no physical pain to endure, the mental stress was something she could manage—for now.
Late at night, after returning home from a party, Juliana let out a bitter laugh as she slowly lifted herself out of the bath.
Her maid, Rosie, approached and began gently drying her off with a towel.
Rosie was the only servant assigned to Juliana to help her appear like a proper noble lady.
And though she was chosen by the count’s household, she had become the one person Juliana truly trusted.
“My lady, did you get a tattoo without telling me?”
Rosie tilted her head, clearly puzzled.
“A tattoo?”
“Yes, right here. There’s a strange mark. You didn’t notice it?”
She pointed just below Juliana’s shoulder blade—an area Juliana couldn’t normally see on her own.
Juliana quickly stepped in front of the mirror.
The moment she saw it, she gasped in surprise.
Just below her shoulder blade was a clear red flower bud, etched like a delicate mark into her skin.
It was the sacred mark known in the Kamina Empire as Floreseco—a rare symbol that appeared only on those chosen as future Saints.
When divine power awakened, this flower-shaped mark would bloom as a sign.
It had been a long time since a Floreseco had appeared in the empire.
People had begun to whisper that the gods had turned away from Kamina, or that the corrupted temple needed reform and rumors spread like wildfire.
“Rosie, you must never tell anyone about this mark. Do you understand?”
“W-what? Yes, my lady.”
Rosie still looked confused, but the seriousness in Juliana’s eyes made her realize just how dangerous this could be.
Something in her expression told Rosie that this wasn’t just a mark—it was something that could threaten Juliana’s safety.
After sending Rosie back to her room, Juliana sat alone, lost in thought.
The red flower bud—why had it appeared on her?
This had never happened in her previous life.
What if Count Barnett and the Countess found out about the mark?
The thought of them celebrating the chance to sell her at an even higher price made her blood run cold.
Then, a face came to mind.
Braeden Ortis, the Grand Duke.
She remembered hearing at a social gathering in her past life that he had been looking for someone with the Floreseco mark.
She never found out why.
But she knew one thing: in just two days, she would meet Felix for the first time.
Her heart grew restless.
This was her second chance at life. Maybe taking a risk wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
The event in two days was the birthday celebration of Duchess Diane Fraser, sister of the late emperor.
Many members of the royal family would be attending.
Braeden Ortis was currently staying at his townhouse in the capital for the occasion.
Once he returned to the North, she didn’t know if another opportunity would come.
Juliana made her decision.
She would use this chance.
After sending Rosie back to her room, Juliana sat alone, deep in thought.
The red flower bud—why had it appeared on her?
It was something that had never happened in her previous life.
What would happen if Count Barnett and the Countess found out about the mark?
Just imagining how they would rejoice at the chance to sell her for a higher price made her feel cold all over.
Then, a face came to mind.
Braeden Ortis, the Grand Duke.
In her previous life, she had once overheard at a gathering that he was looking for someone with the Floreseco mark.
She never knew why.
But now, knowing that she was supposed to meet Felix for the first time at a party in two days, Juliana began to feel anxious.
This is my second life. Maybe taking a risk wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
The party in two days was a birthday banquet for Duchess Diane Fraser, the late emperor’s sister.
Many members of the royal family would be in attendance.
Grand Duke Ortis was staying at his townhouse in the capital for the event.
If he returned to the North afterward, there was no telling when she might have another chance.
Juliana made up her mind.
She would use this opportunity.
The next day, Juliana and Rosie carefully planned an alibi.
Count Barnett and Tristan were out for the day, and the Countess often took afternoon naps, so sneaking out of the estate wouldn’t be too difficult.
“If anyone asks, just say I’m in the prayer room, copying scripture.”
Her etiquette teacher insisted that a noble lady should always appear pious and graceful, often assigning her scripture-copying exercises several times a week.
So no one would find that suspicious.
“Are you sure you’ll be alright on your own?” Rosie asked with a worried look. She clearly wasn’t comfortable letting Juliana go alone.
“I’ll be fine. Just act like nothing’s unusual.”
Realizing that Juliana wouldn’t change her mind, Rosie gave a firm nod.
“Understood, my lady. Please be careful.”
Juliana pulled on a black cloak and slipped out through the back door.
The carriage she had arranged in advance was already waiting for her.
As it carried her toward Grand Duke Ortis’s townhouse, Juliana took a deep breath, steadying her nerves.
“I’m Juliana Barnett. Please tell His Grace the Grand Duke that I wish to speak with him.”
“I’m sorry, but you cannot meet with His Grace without an appointment.”
She ran into trouble sooner than expected, right at the entrance. But Juliana didn’t let it shake her. She couldn’t turn back now.
“I know the Grand Duke is searching for the Floreseco. I have something important to tell him about it. If he still refuses to see me after hearing that, I’ll leave without complaint.”
The guard standing at the door looked visibly caught off guard.
But the word “Floreseco” wasn’t something he could easily ignore, so he nodded and went inside to deliver the message.
When he returned, he opened the door and gestured for her to come in.
Relieved, Juliana stepped slowly into the Grand Duke’s townhouse.
The townhouse in the capital was just as grand and elegant as the Barnett estate.
Passing through a beautifully kept garden and stepping up to the portico, she was greeted by a man waiting for her.
“I am Lochlan, aide to His Grace the Grand Duke.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Juliana Barnett.”
The man had sharp eyes. Every time Juliana’s gaze met his, she felt as if he could see straight through her. It made her uneasy, her nerves tightening without reason.
“Please wait here. His Grace will be with you shortly.”
“Thank you.”
Lochlan led her into a sitting room that had a refined, old-world elegance.
A painted ceiling stretched overhead, and the heavy, richly crafted furniture gave the room a grand and imposing atmosphere.
A maid brought in tea, and by the time it had cooled enough to drink, the door opened.
The Grand Duke stepped inside.
He had hair as dark as midnight and deep red eyes.
He was the man known as the Guardian of the North or the Black Reaper. A man admired by countless women across the empire, he walked in with calm, unhurried steps.
Even though his pace was relaxed, he didn’t leave the slightest opening.
His gaze was proud and commanding, the kind that made it seem like he had been born above the world, as if it all belonged to him.
His eyes landed on Juliana.
She had thought Lochlan’s stare was intense, but compared to this, it was nothing.
Braeden Ortis’s presence was overwhelming.
Juliana momentarily forgot to breathe.
Only when she felt her lungs tighten did, she realize it and let her breath out slowly, in quiet, measured exhales.
“You’re the young lady of House Barnett?”
His voice was deep and steady, with a rich tone that was unexpectedly pleasant to hear.
“Yes, Your Grace,” Juliana replied, offering a graceful curtsy.
Her movements were smooth and polished, almost flawless refined enough to rival those of imperial noblewomen.
For a brief moment, something flickered in Braeden’s eyes, as if he had noticed more than he expected.
“Sit.”
He gestured with a slight nod and took his seat first.
Juliana straightened her posture as she sat, carefully following every rule of etiquette.
It was the only way she had learned to protect herself in high society—one of the few defenses she had.
“I heard something interesting. You said you have information about the Floreseco?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I see…”
Braeden drew out the words slowly, his eyes sharp and assessing.
“I wonder, is it the truth? or just another trick to get close to me?”
At his musing words, spoken almost like a whisper to himself, Juliana’s cheeks flushed slightly.
It made sense. Countless women across the empire admired him, and many had likely used all kinds of tricks to get close.
Her own reason for coming wasn’t pure either, even if her goal was different from theirs.
She couldn’t claim she was any better.
“Both,” she said honestly.
Braeden blinked, clearly not expecting such a direct answer. He let out a short breath, almost amused.
“Very well, Lady Barnett. You’ve piqued my interest. I’m willing to listen.”
He leaned back into the sofa, settling in as a sign he would hear her out.
“I heard that Your Grace is searching for the Floreseco. I believe I may have some useful information about that.”
“Are you saying you know where the Floreseco is or who it might be?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”
Braeden’s eyes narrowed slightly.
He had been searching for the Floreseco for quite some time.
The Floreo—those whose divine powers had fully awakened had long disappeared from the empire.
And even the Floreseco, saint candidates who once appeared from time to time, had stopped showing signs altogether.
And now, out of nowhere, a woman appeared at his townhouse claiming she knew where to find one.
“Where is it?”
The question came out more quickly than Braeden intended. Juliana answered calmly.
“I can’t tell you just yet. I need a guarantee that the Floreseco will not be harmed.”
It had been a long time since Braeden had met someone who could speak so confidently in front of him. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“So, Lady Barnett, you intend to use that as a bargaining chip.”
“You understand quickly. Yes, I do.”
The tense air between them loosened slightly.
“Very well. That’s reasonable.”
“I want it in writing.”
Braeden let out a short, amused breath at Juliana’s unyielding tone. He reached for the bell and rang it.
Lochlan entered promptly, waiting for instructions.
“Bring paper and a pen. Also, the family seal.”
Lochlan’s brows drew together for a brief moment, but he said nothing and silently carried out Braeden’s orders.
The official document was prepared quickly and without issue.
Braeden stamped it with the seal of his house and handed it to Juliana.
“Now then, where is the Floreseco?”
Juliana carefully read over the agreement. Once she had confirmed every detail, she lifted her gaze, her long lashes rising as she met his eyes.
“It’s me.”
“What? What did you just say?”
For the first time, Braeden’s eyebrows rose high in clear shock.
