IDIBC Chapter 91

Julian and Sabrina

When a heavy silence descends between a man and woman, there’s no turning back from that point.

The smile disappeared from Sabrina’s face as well.

“Let go of my hand and then we’ll talk.”

“I refuse.”

She was furious at the man’s brazen face, which she was seeing after so long. The rule that whoever loses their composure first is defeated had long since vanished from her mind.

“Are you suggesting we have this conversation here?”

“Why, is there a problem?”

Julian had become emotional too. Sabrina flinched at his sharply twisted tone, which she was hearing from him for the first time.

‘Right, this is actually more natural.’

When she let out a self-deprecating laugh, Julian’s face hardened slightly.

Although many people had already left the fighting arena, a considerable number still remained around the carriage.

It was only natural that their gazes were focused on Julian and her. For a moment, Sabrina wanted to hide somewhere, but she also thought that since she’d be leaving soon anyway, what did it matter?

“There’s no reason why not. If you have something to say, say it.”

“Do you… have nothing to say to me?”

“I have nothing to say, but there is something I’m curious about.”

Julian took a deep breath and raised one eyebrow. His expression said, go ahead and speak.

“Just what kind of bet was it worth for the noble young master of a ducal house to come running so breathlessly?”

“…….”

“Well, is that all?”

Julian took another step toward Sabrina, who was being fully sarcastic. At the sense of intimidation she’d never felt from him before, Sabrina stepped back hesitantly.

“What did you talk about with Robert?”

At the unfamiliar name she heard, Sabrina furrowed her brow, but soon the face of the repulsive man with that name came to mind.

“Is that what’s important right now?”

“What on earth did you say to make that bastard’s face turn so red? Are you acting this way because you don’t know what kind of lowlife scum he is?”

She was so dumbfounded she couldn’t even sneer.

“Sabrina. Tell me right now. My patience has limits too.”

It seemed that what had passed between her and Julian during that time wasn’t just fake smiles after all. Well, of course he’d be upset that the prey he’d been carefully pursuing was about to fall somewhere else.

“Is that why you’re interrogating the poorest noble lady in the empire like this?”

Julian tensed his jaw and then pulled her straight into the carriage. Bang—the door closed and the two sat facing each other. For a moment, only the sound of the man and woman catching their breath filled the silent interior.

“So you did hear everything from the beginning.”

“I thought you would have assumed as much.”

“So what did you say to Robert?”

At the unbelievable question, Sabrina’s eyes widened.

“Shouldn’t an apology come first?”

She, who had been trying to maintain her composure until now, finally couldn’t hold back and shouted. There were limits to suppressing the emotions that had been rising since the moment she saw him.

I should have slapped him the moment I saw him.

She was the one who should be burning with anger, yet it was Julian who closed his eyes tightly and bit his lips as if swallowing something down.

“I’ll give you that damn apology later, so tell me right now. What did you say to that bastard? What kind of words would make that worn-out bastard make such an expression?”

“I told him if he was curious about how savage a woman from the Eastern Kingdom could be in bed, he should contact me separately. Satisfied?”

“Sabrina!”

“What!”

Though he called out loudly, Sabrina responded just as strongly.

“Weren’t you acting like an uncharacteristic gentleman all this time because you were curious about the same thing?”

Without a word, Julian spread his hands wide and pressed firmly on both temples.

“Isn’t that what you’ve been doing all along—just to get under my skirt once?”

“You’re right, everything you say is right, but……”

He lowered his hands and looked directly at Sabrina. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest as she met his eyes. Various emotions were tangled in the eyes of the man who had revealed the depths he’d thoroughly hidden.

“Wasn’t that an implicit rule between us? I thought you were quite enjoying it too……”

This time it was Sabrina’s mouth that closed. Just as Julian said, there was definitely a line drawn between him and her.

It wasn’t a promise made aloud, but it was no different from willingly choosing to follow him. Noticing her hesitation, Julian leaned toward her.

“Since I’ve already heard everything, I won’t speak at length.”

“…….”

“Let’s get engaged, with me.”

“Ha.”

She let out a big sigh in disbelief. There were more than one or two things she didn’t understand, but there was one thing she had to ask.

“You’re saying you’ll go as far as getting engaged just to roll around in bed with me once? Was this even necessary in the first place?”

“There’s sufficient reason for it.”

“Instead of that, why don’t you just make a private contract with me? I’ll sleep with you once, and you give me half the money you won from the bet. Wouldn’t that be more reasonable? That way it would be resolved cleanly without any blemish on your name.”

Julian shook his head and answered quietly. His voice saying “No, that’s not it” revealed his complicated feelings.

“Ah, if you’re doing this because you’d miss half the money, then I guess there’s nothing I can do. I’m the type who avoids unfair transactions.”

Sabrina reached for the door to make him leave, but Julian was faster. He grabbed her arm and pulled her sharply toward him. Their agitated breaths mingled at close range.

“I won’t make excuses about the bet since you believe it’s because of that. Anyway, it’s not like I’m asking to get engaged because I’ve fallen for you with pure intentions, so nothing would change.”

She wanted to push him away immediately, but Sabrina’s body stiffened and she couldn’t resist much. It wasn’t because of emotions like fear.

If I had to name it… it would be lingering attachment.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“I can’t explain properly right now. But what’s certain is that there are less than ten days left. Until the time you have to leave.”

“So?”

“Get engaged to me. Tomorrow if possible.”

Sabrina squeezed her eyes shut. She couldn’t handle this confusing feeling otherwise. Julian didn’t leave her alone.

“I’m not asking for a real engagement. I’m saying let’s start with a set deadline.”

“A deadline?”

She couldn’t understand his intention. His manner of speaking as if there was some other meaning also felt like hypocrisy.

“I don’t understand what kind of amazing bet would make you go this far with me.”

“Sabrina.”

A voice so sweet it was hard to believe it came from the person who had been pressing her so hard just moments ago called her name.

“It’s not because of that trivial bet. If you want, I can give you not half but all the money I win from the bet.”

Rather, his suddenly changed attitude made Sabrina even more anxious. He reached out his arm but only hovered around her face without actually touching her. Following the movement of his hand in the air, all her senses stood on edge at once.

“I could make you forget everything you heard in Lethon. The reason I don’t do that is……”

His eyes, which had always felt hot, took on a cool gleam. Julian slowly withdrew from Sabrina and gently released her wrist as well.

Straightening his posture, he tugged at his wrinkled clothes and showed that perfect fake smile he seemed to always carry in his pocket and pull out whenever needed.

“Because I still respect you. Though I can’t guarantee how long even that will last, of course.”

Respect? At a word so unsuited to the relationship between him and her, Sabrina sneered and moved completely away from him.

“I’ll give you three days. In the meantime, if I contact you, do reply.”

Without permission, he suddenly pulled Sabrina’s hand and gently kissed it. Even at the insincere action, her heart sank with a thud, and though she hated herself for it, there was nothing she could do.

“Don’t even think about meeting Robert.”

Julian stared persistently at her stubbornly closed mouth for a moment, then opened the carriage door and stepped lightly outside.

Only after the door closed again did Sabrina gasp for breath and clutch her chest.

‘What on earth have I gotten myself into with that man?’

Julian’s true face, which she was experiencing for the first time, was beyond anything she’d imagined. Realizing that he’d been thoroughly wearing a mask all along made her heart race frantically. He was completely different from the men she’d dealt with before.

‘As expected, a ducal house of the Empire is different in every way.’

Sabrina glared helplessly at the door Julian had left through.

‘Could there really be another reason besides the bet?’

Without realizing it, she was mulling over his words, then shook her head. Wasn’t he truly remarkable? To be able to confuse her this much with just a few words.

Fortunately, the maid who had stepped away briefly returned, and though no orders were given, the coachman perceptively started the carriage.

Sabrina let out a long breath as she looked out at the rapidly passing scenery.

‘I’d better pack my things properly.’