Chapter 19

After dancing, Juliana hid from Evan.

Her intended purpose was achieved as she showed herself in a public place. Therefore, she didn’t want to be with her husband anymore.

Ignoring Evan’s seemingly glaring gaze, Juliana hurried to the terrace.

The nobles were gathered near the terrace, perhaps because they suddenly moved there.

‘Of all things……’

Juliana unfolded her fan awkwardly and covered her face.

In the old days, she would have ignored and avoided them but this time she couldn’t have done that. Because she had to be ‘Juliana Auburn’, a completely different person.

So Juliana approached and greeted them with a smile.

“Countess Elkelli. Nice to see you again.”

The old ladies and their daughters, led by Countess Elkelli, the organizer of the ball, were in a group.

All of them coughed openly at the sight of Juliana.

It wasn’t that she didn’t know the intent of Countess Elkelli to send an invitation to Juliana Auburn, who was not interested in decent party culture.

She was certain that the Countess Elkelli had been curious about Juliana’s strange behavior of going in and out of the temple recently, ignoring the fan club that followed her.

Even so, you wouldn’t have dreamed that Juliana would attend your ball. Moreover, with her husband, whom she had ignored completely for a long time.

Juliana smiled at the gaze of Countess Elkelli, staring at her.

‘Hurry up and answer me. I’ll either run to another seat or I’ll do something about it….’

Fortunately, not long after, an answer came back from Countess Elkelli.

“Nice to see you too, Duchess. It’s been a while. I saw the Duchess at the Imperial Ball the other day, and I’m sure you had a different partner.”

“Oh, you’re talking about the old days.”

Juliana busily fanned herself. She didn’t expect the countess would bring up such a great old thing, but it seemed the countess was also interested in Juliana.

“It’s not the old days. Was it three months ago? At that time, everyone knew that the Duchess was less faithful.”

Countess Elkelli said coldly. The other aristocrats wrapped around her as if they were escorting her laughed silently. Even the youngest lady, who might have just made her debut in society, was blushing and smiling.

It wouldn’t have been difficult to hear the endless rumors about Juliana Auburn even before the young lady made her social debut. Juliana sighed deeply in her heart.

‘You’re being called a tutor in the social world.’

Countess Elkelli paid keen attention to her children’s education and did not forgive them to slack off. She was an educator-like parent who put a priority on living as a nobleman.

The reason why she has been suffering from heartburn recently was because of her second son, who was chasing after Juliana Auburn.

‘Well, I wouldn’t want my son to follow a married woman around either because he likes her and sends her gifts all the time.’

Juliana looked and said, still not avoiding Countess Elkelli’s cold gaze.

“I’ve been negligent in praying to God lately. That’s why I visit the temple often.”

“You should pray to God every time. Well, I’m glad you’re doing it now. You have dispelled the intentions of some impure men following the Duchess.”

‘Hmm. I didn’t expect it to come out this far.’

Juliana frowned as she heard the laughter of those around her.

In the end, she had no choice but to pull herself together and take up the courage.

“The impure ones. Are you talking about Young-sik, the second son of the Countess?”

“….what, I beg your pardon?”

Countess Elkelli was bewildered as expected.

Looking at her astonishment, Juliana swallowed saliva stuck in tension. And she tried deliberately to speak casually.

“As the Countess knows, there were some people who followed me. But that doesn’t mean I remember everyone. It should have been a little popular. Um…… I shouldn’t have come here anyway. Your son’s behavior must have hurt your feelings. A son who follows the Duchess for unclear reasons.”

“What, what! Duchess Juliana. You’re not saying these words.”

“Didn’t you call me out because you knew what kind of person I am? If you didn’t say too much, you wouldn’t be in much trouble now.”

Juliana opened her eyes.

It was true that she was trying to correct herself after becoming aware of her previous life, but there was no reason to tolerate insults. What’s more, in front of someone who shows contempt for her.

Countess Elkelli’s eyes began to tremble. People around them, watching the war of nerves between the two, began to avoid their seats.

It was literally a mud bath. Before the mud splashed, Countess Elkelli looked around at the fleeing cowards.

“Gahh, where are you all going?”

“Please tell your son to take care of himself before the ball gets any less fun. I’ve been trying to sort out people around me lately.”

As soon as Juliana thought she had the chance to win, she rose in high spirits and folded her arms. Then, the eyes of the aristocrats, who were running away, were fierce.

Countess Elkelli straightened her back as if she would not lose. And she raised her voice out of place.

“If the Duchess hadn’t played a joke on my son, Rick Young-sik wouldn’t have done this. Why would the Duchess come to my ball?”

“That’s a funny thing to say.”

Juliana gritted her lips. She couldn’t understand. Who sent the invitations first?

“Then why did you send me an invitation? Unless you’re making fun of me-.”

“Do you think I sent it because I wanted to invite you?”

As soon as the words were over, Countess Elkelli was self-aware of the fact that she had spoken nonsense.

Juliana frowned her brows.

Wait a minute, you had no choice but to send it? Then, who?

“By any chance…”

Juliana’s mouth was distorted.

Then Countess Elkelli lowered her voice, conscious of the people’s gaze.

“It’s not a good thing for either of us, so let’s stop here.”

“The Countess didn’t send the invitation. Then…”

“I apologize for saying too much. Now, I’m going to step down. Have a nice party.”

Countess Elkelli turned to those who had left her.

Juliana looked at the back of her head, the countess seemed to be running away with her tail tucked between her legs, and then tapped the tip of her chin with her folded fan.

‘There’s only one person here who could steal the Countess’s handwriting and sent it to me.’

Juliana frowned at the sight of a passionate little boy who had not disappeared even after dancing with her husband.

‘Well, that means there are more people than I remember. Even if it is not on the record.… As far as I remember, I was just playing, eating, drinking, and throwing parties. There were so many people who got caught in that trick?’

Juliana organized her thoughts.

No matter how much she thought about it, the life before she realized her previous life was a life full of impulsive days and joy without worries.

The number of those who had come to admire her, different from the conservative aristocracy, was hard for her to guess, and Juliana doubled her followers, enjoying their gaze and throwing dissipated parties.

The more she thought about it, the more extras she couldn’t remember.

The Countess Elkelli’s youngest son was really just a passerby, who came out of the boat so quickly that he stole his mother’s handwriting and sent her an official invitation.

So, in the future, how the extras that came out of the boat would disturb Juliana Auburn’s tranquil life….. the more she thought about it, the faster her heart was beating.

After thinking about it, Juliana folded up her tapping fan. Then she caught the eye of Countess Elkelli’s son, who looked at her with glaring eyes.

Obviously, even though it wasn’t a favorable gaze, Young-sik, the dim-named guy, didn’t avoid looking.

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