When That Door Opens - Chapter 78
“She’s pretty.”
A footman, watching her, made a casual remark, only to be elbowed by the maid beside him.
“What? Can’t I say someone is pretty when they are?”
“It doesn’t matter how pretty she is. She couldn’t be prettier than the Duchess of Davier… Oh, she is pretty.”
The maid also acknowledged the fact. The newly arrived guest was objectively beautiful. Her slender height and figure couldn’t be hidden by her plain clothes, and her flawless, translucent skin complemented her well-maintained blonde hair. Her sparkling red eyes and the well-balanced features on her small face made her look charmingly innocent.
Yet, she confidently called for a servant, drawing everyone’s attention.
“What are you mumbling about while staring like that?”
“Eek! Young master!”
The figure who had approached silently from behind the staircase was none other than Verne, the heir of the Duke of Davier.
“It’s nothing.”
“You must have a lot of free time if you’re chatting away. The dining hall seems busy, why don’t you head there?”
“Yes, understood.”
The servant and maid disappeared in the blink of an eye. Verne shifted his gaze to where they had been looking.
Julieta was smiling brightly, following a servant who was showing her to her room.
‘Is she here for research? Or is she well-off enough to travel? Whatever she’s doing, it’s no concern of mine anymore.’
It was no concern of his, yet he felt a sudden surge of anger seeing the servant eyeing her as if appraising her. He couldn’t resist stepping in and breaking up the conversation.
“Damn it.”
Verne muttered as he entered his room. He couldn’t forget the disdainful look Julieta had given him. It was a look he never wanted to see again. Verne resolved to stay holed up in his room for the time being.
* * *
The Duke of Davier’s household not only provided rooms but also meals.
‘There are truly such kind people in the world.’
Julieta silently thanked them and picked up some bread. As she tore it into small pieces, she kept hearing a familiar name.
“Isn’t Duke Verne so handsome?”
“I’m more excited about meeting Duke Verne than the festival.”
“What did he do abroad? Did you notice he became even more attractive after returning from abroad? If he seemed like a refined nobleman before, now he exudes a wild charm. Ah, I wish I could at least have tea with the duke.”
“Tea? You mean you don’t want to climb into his bed?”
“Oh, you!”
A group of young women who looked just barely out of their teens caught Julieta’s attention. Holding her soup bowl, Julieta approached them.
“Hello.”
The women eyed Julieta warily at her sudden intrusion.
“Oh, I’m the author of these novels.”
Julieta pulled out a copy of her own book, which she had brought to read when bored, and showed it to them. From their brief conversation, she had a good sense of their interests. She was confident that at least two of them would be fans of her work.
Sure enough, one woman recognized the novel and blushed.
“Are you really the author of ‘What Happens in Bed’?”
The fact that she immediately addressed Julieta as ‘author’ indicated that she believed her. Julieta smiled and nodded.
“My goodness! I bought ten of your books!”
The woman who had expressed a desire to be in Verne’s bed responded enthusiastically.
“Thank you. Would you like me to sign one for you?”
The woman looked disappointed.
“But I didn’t bring one with me today.”
“I can sign one for you right here.”
Julieta offered to sign her own copy and handed it over. The woman’s face lit up with gratitude. Just as she reached out to take the book, Julieta pulled it back slightly.
“…?”
“I have something I want to ask you.”
Julieta’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
The Will to Do, The Will to Write
Late at night, when everyone was asleep, Julieta tiptoed through the corridors like a thief. With so many guests, security in the mansion had tightened, making it difficult to sneak around.
Along the way, Julieta encountered a knight on guard duty and made an excuse about getting water to head to the bas*m*nt dining area. After several trips up and down the bas*m*nt, she learned how to move around unnoticed and eventually reached the door of the innermost room on the 5th floor of the mansion.
‘They said this is Verne’s room.’
During dinner, Julieta had given a fan her book and autograph in exchange for information about Verne.
She considered the possibility of it being someone else with the same name, but after piecing together scattered bits of information, it could only be Verne.
Verne was beyond this door. Julieta grabbed the doorknob without hesitation but couldn’t bring herself to open it. The thought of Verne being just beyond the door made her heart race.
What if he ignored her?
What if he’s horrified that she followed him here?
What if their memories together are something he wants to forget?
Her mind spiraled with worries, none of which had a positive answer.
Still, she’d come this far, and she couldn’t just turn back now.
Julieta took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. Finally, she opened the door.
