I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 110

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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 110
* * *
While Luciana and Edward savored their private moment together….
“…….”
Sepina stood frozen, unable to respond to what had unfolded in an instant, only now feeling the shock crash over her.
‘…that wretched Experimental Subject!’
Heat bloomed in her chest, white-hot rage that threatened to incinerate her mind.
‘How dare she!’
To provoke me—I who once stood beside Edward—in such a manner!
I became an Experimental Subject of the Temple because he needed me, and through that I met him.
Without me, he would never have had me at his side!
Yet there was no time for retaliation.
…Clip-clop-clip-clop-clip-clop!
The moment the carriage window shut, the carriage carrying Luciana and Edward shot past Sepina at tremendous speed, racing through the Capital’s gate.
The other carriages of the Duke’s entourage followed, speeding through the gate in the wake of the lead carriage like arrows loosed from a bow.
“…….”
Sepina’s bewildered gaze trailed the lead carriage until it dwindled to a vanishing point.
‘…I couldn’t catch him.’
She had let the Duke of Teseron slip away without managing proper conversation, without even showing him what she had prepared.
She had meant to lure him away under the pretense of a banquet, separate the Divine Incarnation from the Experimental Subject, and seduce him…!
This was Sepina’s first such experience.
Or rather, if one counted carefully, the shock of this second defeat—following Edward’s wedding—struck hard indeed.
The fury that had burned toward Luciana now began to kindle toward Edward as well.
‘A Divine Incarnation who bows and submits to a Saint, no less!’
How dare he take such an Experimental Subject as his wife, and reject me so openly?
‘…I cannot forgive this!’
“Aaaahhhhh!”
It was then that Sepina let out a furious wail.
Thud!
A shadow tumbled from the floor of the last carriage to pass through the gate.
And it crept slowly toward Sepina and her attendants.
In her rage, Sepina had forgotten to maintain her saintly image entirely, thrashing about and fuming without restraint.
“Your Holiness!”
“Good heavens! Please, compose yourself! Your Holiness! Compose yourself!”
“Let go! All of you! Let go!”
Sepina was shouting at the attendants who had seized her.
“We—we’re not holding you, Your Holiness!”
The attendants cried out in equal confusion.
The servants, having suffered Sepina’s fits of temper countless times before, now only attempted to soothe her with words.
More than once, someone had been struck or had a temper tantrum hurled at them for the mistake of laying a hand on her.
‘Wait.’
At those words, a chill ran down Sepina’s spine.
‘…Then who’s holding my leg?’
Her furious scream was about to transform into one of terror.
“Wait, wait, please, j—”
The grimy mass that had fallen from the carriage and now gripped Sepina’s ankle ground its teeth nervously as it spoke.
“Are you truly the Saint who came from the Temple? Listen to me, listen—”
“Let go this instant!”
Sepina shrieked and recoiled as if she’d seen an insect, horrified at the wretched thing before her.
“I know the way!”
The grimy, panting mass hauled itself upright, its torso rising.
A Magic Artifact adorned with feathers glowed upon its chest.
“I know how to bring the accursed Duke of Teseron to his knees!”
* * *
“Has all the luggage been settled?”
“Shh. The Duke and Duchess are still sleeping. Do be quiet….”
Several days later, in the Imperial Capital. The Teseron Townhouse.
Those who always remained at the townhouse to attend to the Duke in the Capital moved about busily with warm smiles on their faces.
They too had been quite startled to hear that the Duke had married, and even more so to learn his bride was a commoner—and the True Mate of the Divine Incarnation who had finally appeared.
That the woman he had married should now come to the Capital alongside him during his unjust Trial was a burden even upon the household staff.
‘What sort of person could she be?’
‘A commoner, no less. I wonder if she doesn’t feel intimidated in the Duke’s presence.’
‘But will we at least see an heir….’
In an instant, she eased the hearts of those who had fretted despite knowing she was his True Mate.
“Good morning, everyone!”
The Duchess emerged from the room with cheerful greeting and lively steps.
“Hello! You’re not children of darkness, so why are the curtains drawn like this?”
“We thought you were still resting….”
“Oh, you’re children of the angels, not darkness! Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness.”
“You’re too kind.”
“Are Sophie and Clara settling in well?”
“Please don’t worry yourself.”
The Duchess, who had descended from the carriage shyly holding the Duke’s hand, proved far more spirited and bright than her delicate appearance suggested.
The Duke himself treated her as though she were fine porcelain, handling her with utmost care and even gracing her with tender smiles.
After that, things improved considerably.
The mere presence of the small, lively woman bustling through the dim, austere townhouse shifted the entire atmosphere of the place.
She had no pretense about her, yet she knew how to look after the servants’ circumstances.
But most of all….
“Shall I prepare breakfast for you?”
“No. I’m going to see the Duke.”
“This early in the morning?”
“The Trial needs preparing!”
With such devotion toward the Duke, the servants could only feel warmth in their hearts.
‘That’s right. Though it’s an unjust Trial, he has such a stalwart ally.’
‘Though she lacks noble birth and may have no connections to bring before the court….’
The servants nodded at Luciana with encouragement.
Luciana waved back to them warmly, rolling up her sleeves as they saw her off.
She had her own objective, after all.
‘I need to finish this as quickly as possible and get back to Teseron!’
It felt somewhat unfair to the Capital servants who were so pleased to have the Duke and Duchess, but there was no help for it.
‘The longer I stay in the Capital, the more I dread what the Temple might do.’
They were the sort who wouldn’t hesitate to experiment on people and summon Monsters—who knew what worse things they might attempt.
It seemed best to hurry through the Trial and return before that could happen.
And….
‘While I’m at it, I’ll give them a thorough humbling, get what’s owed, and disappear!’
In short, Luciana’s goal was to swiftly teach them a lesson, seize compensation, and vanish.
She wanted to ensure Edward received proper recompense for his suffering thus far.
‘If I win the Trial decisively and demand a Holy Stone as settlement, wouldn’t that work perfectly?’
Holy Stones were absurdly expensive and could only be obtained from the Temple, so by demanding one, she would accomplish both vengeance and reward in a single stroke.
If that succeeded, she could then perform the Awakening Ceremony for Edward once more.
The other materials could be gathered easily enough with the Duke’s wealth.
Luciana’s resolve surged with excitement.
If she could finally make Edward a complete Divine Incarnation, there would be nothing left to fear or worry over.
‘Then we’d truly be approaching a happy ending.’
These past few days she’d wasted hours sleeping longer than expected, exhausted from the long journey.
Now that she’d regained her strength, she wanted to consult with Edward urgently.
It was at that moment, brimming with determination, that Luciana rushed toward the study of the townhouse.
“Duke… oh!”
Bang.
Before she could open it, the study door swung outward and Edward emerged.
While she had rested well, he had finished all the business backlog from the Capital, leaving a neat stack of documents in his wake.
“Have you finished your work?”
“Yes. Though I pushed myself a bit to complete it.”
“Oh, hearing that makes me feel rather sorry. But I still need to consult you on one more thing….”
“Don’t worry. I was actually about to consult you as well.”
“Really? As expected of our T—”
She had been about to discuss the Trial.
“Yes. The Trial must be retried.”
“A retrial?”
At his next words, Luciana’s expression turned to bewilderment.
A retry? You mean retrying the Awakening Ceremony?
I was about to say that if that was the case, there was a way to do it, and we should find a lawyer first.
Edward tilted his chin up and answered with confidence.
“A retry of our date.”
“…A date?”
“Yes. We’ve come all this way.”
And toward Luciana, whose words had caught in her throat, he flashed a radiant smile.
“Aren’t you going to come?”

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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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