I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 108
The nobles around Luciana fell into the same confusion as she spoke.
‘Three?’
‘Could the rumor about a young Duke entering the Duchess’s womb actually be true?’
‘I thought that was just an old rumor that circulated for a while.’
Seeing the bewildered faces, Luciana gave a small shrug.
‘If we’re being technical about it, it’s not entirely wrong.’
The two of them had been quite active—active enough that a child wouldn’t be out of the question.
Even if not now, eventually when a child does come, there will be three of them anyway.
At the same moment, Edward, catching the drift of her words, tightened his grip on her hand slightly.
As if propelled by that subtle gesture, Luciana continued on smoothly.
“In any case, I’m grateful that all of you welcomed us so warmly.”
“…Ha ha. You’re too kind. The Duke of Teseron is indeed a most distinguished gentleman, so of course the welcome is only….”
“Oh my, oh my! I agree entirely. Our Duke is such an absolutely wonderful man.”
The nobles, who prided themselves on knowing proper etiquette and how to deflect compliments gracefully, found themselves at a loss for words at Luciana’s ready agreement.
In that moment, Luciana blinked her eyes innocently and struck first.
“Now that I think about it, I believe you and I share something in common.”
“Oh?”
“You all love the Duke, and so do I.”
“Ahem, ah—well, love might be putting it a bit….”
“So that’s why you sent an attack—I mean, an emissary to welcome us before we even arrived in the Capital, isn’t it?”
“……!”
When Luciana directly brought up the matter of the attackers, several of the nobles’ faces hardened visibly.
They hadn’t expected the seemingly innocent Duchess to point that out so bluntly.
Still, having spent years moving through the Capital’s social circles, they remained every bit as shameless in their words as Luciana was.
“Ah, yes. The Duke is indeed remarkable. The way he so brilliantly handled—I mean, received those emissaries….”
“We heard those emissaries were quite rude, but we had no idea they were such people.”
“Indeed, we couldn’t possibly send the Duke off having been treated by such individuals.”
And then, finally, their true purpose emerged.
“Since things have come to this… what would you say to a banquet before you meet with the Emperor?”
“A banquet?”
“It’s a grand feast that Sepina herself has personally prepared!”
Hmm.
‘There it is.’
As Luciana’s eyes narrowed with understanding of their true aim, the nobles turned toward Edward within the carriage with contemptible smiles.
“What an exquisite banquet it will be—hearty enough to fortify you for even such a grueling trial.”
“Indeed. The trial ahead will surely tax you greatly.”
The way they kept mentioning the trial made it sound as though they were offering a condemned man his final meal.
Meanwhile, Sepina, who had once again become the center of attention, was….
“That’s right, Your Grace. It’s a banquet I’ve prepared with great care for you.”
She fluttered her lashes delicately, the picture of devotion and gentle grace, like a saintly maiden.
Edward, who had remained silent all this while, smiled in response.
It was an arrogant, insufferable smile—the kind that said, ‘You? Really?’
“That does sound impressive.”
“…….”
“I do hope you’ll dress properly for this grand banquet.”
At his remark, both the nobles and Luciana wore puzzled expressions.
“Pardon, Your Grace? But the Saint is already dressed quite beautifully….”
Sepina, however, alone understood the implication and stiffened.
She bit back her complaint.
‘…Look at this arrogant Divine Incarnation. Beneath that polished exterior, there’s definitely a mean streak.’
Because she’d understood perfectly what he was referring to.
Among the rumors she had once spread in secret, there was one in particular.
The rumor that Edward had come to one of her banquets, stripped off her clothes, arranged food on her naked body, and eaten while enjoying himself.
Edward continued calmly.
“As it happens, I prefer ordinary plates.”
“…….”
“I also find it distasteful to eat in an unsanitary manner.”
Treated in an instant as an unsanitary plate, Sepina pressed hard against her twitching lips.
‘…I have to endure this for now.’
Because I haven’t truly become a saint yet.
Sepina soon collected herself and continued smoothly.
“Of course. I’ll prepare it with fine dishes. Though I’m not sure if it will rival the banquets of Teseron….”
Then, as if remembering belatedly, she opened her mouth with an “Oh.”
“The most recent banquet held in Teseron was prepared by the Duke’s wife, wasn’t it.”
…….
“Naturally, it will be compared to that one.”
Luciana’s eyebrows rose sharply.
‘In other words, it will be compared unfavorably.’
As if to prove the thought, the nobles chuckled knowingly.
Luciana had no trouble predicting what would come next from their lips.
‘Something like, “A banquet where Monsters appear is truly rare,” I suppose.’
And they would surely bring up the Monster attack that had occurred in Teseron.
“Well, mon—”
“You’re right. It will be compared.”
Luciana cut them off before they could finish their anticipated remarks.
“Mon… pardon?”
“Teseron’s banquet will certainly be grander and more beautiful.”
…….
The nobles fell silent at her words.
Sepina answered with her fists clenched tight.
“Your Grace, why would you say such a thing? My banquet may lack certain refinements, but….”
“It naturally will lack them.”
Gasp.
At Luciana’s response, someone audibly caught their breath.
Luciana, pretending not to hear, answered with genuine sympathy in her tone.
“Oh my. I didn’t mean it as criticism. It’s simply natural, isn’t it?”
“…Natural, you say?”
“Because you’re holding a banquet as a remarkable Saint belonging to the Temple—the most noble, virtuous, and incorruptible institution in the Empire, are you not?”
Luciana naturally wove flattery into the image the Temple publicly emphasized, shaking her head.
“I’ve heard that the Temple’s values include serving the Emperor the same meals as the poor. The Duke wouldn’t be an exception either, would he?”
…….
“There’s little meat, and since extravagance and indulgence must be restrained, you wouldn’t be able to hold a ball either.”
Though these were values the Temple no longer truly upheld, they were nonetheless fundamental to its doctrine, and no one could refute them.
Luciana tilted her head in a final, wedge-driving gesture.
“Surely a Saint who sacrifices for all and leads by example wouldn’t have prepared such an extravagant and wasteful banquet.”
…….
Of course, the banquet Sepina had prepared was extremely lavish and resplendent.
But Sepina found herself in a position where she could neither confirm nor deny Luciana’s words to her advantage.
If she admitted it, she would be acknowledging a dull and meager feast; if she denied it, she would be admitting that the Saint of the virtuous and noble Temple had prepared a luxurious and extravagant banquet.
The gazes of the assembled nobles grew peculiar.
Feeling their eyes upon her, Sepina pressed her hand harder against her chest.
‘Experiment subject or not, she’s still just that!’
After ruining the banquet in Teseron, here she was, suggesting that the Temple’s feast was somehow lacking.
‘A pauper who’s never had a decent meal in her life….’
Sepina clenched her teeth.
“…Saint?”
Seeing the people around her grow concerned at her darkening expression, she forced her facial muscles to relax.
‘I’m still the winner.’
It wasn’t over yet.
‘I can make excuses however I need.’
Right now, there were so many nobles willing to help her draw the Duke to her own home….
With that thought, she was composing herself when—
Luciana burst out with a radiant smile.
“Still, I’m truly grateful for your kindness.”
“That is….”
“Coming all the way here to provide a feast! You all truly love the Duke so much!”
The assembled nobles wore reluctant expressions, but Luciana continued undeterred.
“I agree with you all. The Duke is someone incomparable and unique, worthy of all the world’s treasures, and….”
“Ahem! Yes, well, that is certainly true.”
“You are truly beautiful and remarkable….”
“Ahem! Y-yes, that is also true….”
“A radiant light shining across the Empire, none other than the Sun of the Empire….”
“Eek!”
The courtiers, who had been gamely echoing his praise with blank expressions, went pale.
Luciana felt a silent bingo rise in her chest.
‘In ordinary novels like this, “Sun of the Empire” usually refers to the Emperor, doesn’t it?’
That had been exactly what she intended.
If she’d read the room correctly, their shock at words that seemed to elevate the Duke above the throne was perfectly natural.
“In the rural village where I grew up, the Duke was nicknamed the Golden Sun—because, as you can see, he has such beautiful blond hair. I’m delighted you all share the same thought….”
The nobility, caught on the brink of treason for having agreed with a common-born duchess who knew nothing of court politics, scrambled to recover.
“Oh my! I’ve just remembered unfinished business—excuse me!”
“I, too. Come to think of it, there’s a crisis at home!”
In a blink, they began beating a hasty retreat.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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