Romantic Psycho
Jonathan
로맨틱 사이코 Jun 16, 2026 12 views
Chapter 6
Julian formed a polite smile and bowed his head to her.
“Lady Clemens. It’s been a long time.”
Julian Harber was the illegitimate son born when the Clemens Marquis had seduced a maid.
His hazel eyes came from the marquis, while his beautiful features and dark golden hair came from his mother. Naturally, he did not resemble the marchioness at all.
His life had begun in disgrace.
His existence greatly damaged the reputation of the Clemens family.
He was a target of contempt both inside and outside the household.
Julian knew better than anyone that he was a living humiliation and disgrace to her.
“I never thought I would see you again.”
That was why this summons after ten years felt even more strange.
“Neither did I.”
“…I was surprised that I might still be related to the inheritance issue of the marquis family.”
“So am I.”
The dry, indifferent replies continued, and Julian was briefly at a loss for words.
This was uncomfortable for both sides. Julian decided to get to the point quickly.
“I don’t know why the inheritance issue is still unresolved, but I am not a Clemens. I came here to make that clear.”
“Yes. You are not a Clemens.”
“Yes, you already expelled me ten years ago.”
The marquis had never truly taken responsibility for him.
But when the marchioness failed to produce an heir, Julian had been adopted into the Clemens household when he was twelve.
The problem began five years later, when the marchioness finally gave birth to a son.
Overnight, Julian became a useless presence in the Clemens family and was soon forcibly sent to the Royal Naval Academy. When public attention faded, he was formally disowned and returned to his mother’s surname—Julian Harber.
He had been abandoned twice by his father.
“Did you forget that you personally sent me to the academy?”
The Clemens family had hoped he would fail.
But the result was the opposite.
Julian succeeded beyond their expectations.
He became a naval commander, known as one of the most handsome men in Rosene, constantly surrounded by admirers and scandals.
And every time that happened, the Clemens family was summoned again.
Public affection, scandals, disgrace to the family.
Julian eventually learned to enjoy it—but the Clemens family did not.
A faint crack appeared in the marchioness’s calm expression, though her voice remained steady.
“Don’t be insolent with me. I merely deliver my husband’s wishes.”
Julian let out a silent laugh.
With a small sigh, the marchioness flipped over a small paper placed beside her teacup and held it out.
“Lady Vanessa Hartnett.”
It was a photograph of a young lady. Its meaning was obvious.
“Your proposed marriage partner. A healthy young woman of good lineage. You remember—you once helped her grandfather.”
A fortunate incident from his academy days.
Julian had once saved Sir Hartnett, a diplomat of Midros. It had changed his life. He could not forget that moment.
But he did not understand this.
“…Lady Clemens, I don’t understand why the Clemens family is deciding my marriage.”
“It’s simple. You will become Julian Clemens again.”
She said it as if it were obvious.
Adoption, enlistment, disownment—just like before.
Julian was momentarily speechless.
Then the marchioness continued.
“It will be beneficial for your military career if you return to the Clemens name. And Lady Hartnett is the ideal match…”
Julian understood.
“You want the Hartnett family. And you don’t consider her suitable for the real heir.”
“……”
The marchioness did not respond. She simply continued.
“She is too good for you, normally. But she wants you.”
“Ah.”
“If you marry her as Clemens, you will also regain inheritance rights.”
“I refuse.”
A trace of irritation appeared on the marchioness’s face. She then pushed another envelope forward.
“Your biological mother also wants you to return. Read this letter.”
Julian stood up.
“Good heavens, Lady Clemens. This is not ten years ago.”
“Then choose. Your pride, or your future.”
The silence between them sharpened.
The marchioness said quietly,
“I have never wanted you. Not then. Not now.”
Julian suppressed his emotions with difficulty.
“Excuse me, Lady Clemens.”
“…You should leave now.”
Julian bowed.
“Yes. I will disappear.”
As he turned away, she spoke again.
“Pride is not a wise choice. If you wish to remain in the navy.”
Julian gave a dry laugh. It was not a choice—it was a threat.
Julian did not take the carriage prepared by the mansion. He walked back to the hotel instead.
Ten years.
He had done everything he could in that time.
He endured being called a bastard, graduated top of the academy, and rose through the ranks faster than anyone.
He had believed he had changed.
That he was no longer the same as before.
But it seemed it was all an illusion.
Ten years of effort suddenly felt meaningless.
Without realizing it, his steps became aimless as the city noise grew louder.
Spring was everywhere in the capital. Despite the serial murders, the social season of Britt had begun in full.
The weather was bright, as if welcoming it all.
Diane had been plagued by the same nightmare since the death of her father, William Rockwood.
In the dream, she lived lonely and depressed days.
Then, before her twenty-first birthday, she married Louis Boden.
The honeymoon was in Windbury, as Louis wanted a grand old estate in Rosene.
So the wedding night became the first night of marriage.
After the reception, Diane waited in the candlelit bedroom.
Later, Louis arrived, seemingly drunk. There was an argument. A struggle. Everything became chaotic.
At some point, she lost consciousness.
Then, suddenly, her throat was being strangled.
Everything went black.
And then—she opened her eyes again.
At her father’s corpse.
Diane suddenly opened her eyes.
She stared at the ceiling for a long time.
Only after confirming repeatedly that the ceiling was unfamiliar did she manage to breathe again.
Her body was still stiff with tension.
The nightmare was not gone.
Staying at Lady Selden’s mansion was only temporary.
Lady Selden was kind, kinder than she remembered, but Diane could not tell her the truth.
She was extremely careful.
If she was called insane again… if she was locked away again… she felt she would truly lose herself completely.
