I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 111

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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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Chapter 111
Luciana, who had been momentarily dazed, gathered her wits a beat too late.
“A date, you mean? Well, I….”
Spending time with Edward was pleasant.
But they had a larger purpose at hand right now….
Edward’s eyes narrowed as if he’d sensed her hesitation with uncanny precision.
“Now that we’re here, we should see the sights.”
“See the sights? But you’ve been to the Capital countless times before, haven’t you?”
“That’s true.”
“Then why would you….”
“That’s what I came here intending to do.”
Only then did Luciana recall her own words.
“It’s not as if we’re going underground anyway, so it’s fine. I’ve never seen anything beyond the Capital’s gates before.”
“I’ll admit I was curious. I thought I’d make the most of this opportunity and do some sightseeing.”
‘Ah.’
She’d said it, but she hadn’t truly meant it.
In reality, Luciana had no idea what the Capital’s streets even looked like, and she’d only just seen the gates for the first time today.
But she hadn’t had a moment to marvel at any of it.
Her mind had been consumed with thoughts of the trial and the failed ritual, and with Sepina bringing the nobles, there simply wasn’t room to think of anything else.
Yet Edward had been thinking of her all the while.
The moment Luciana’s gaze had softened with quiet wonder, Edward had smoothly taken her hand and interlaced their fingers.
“This is the first time you’ll see the Capital properly.”
“That may be, but….”
But there’s the trial, and there are things we need to obtain.
Before she could stammer out more objections, Edward’s calm reply silenced her.
“I’m afraid things won’t go according to your plan.”
“…What plan of mine?”
“Easy enough to guess—you were thinking we should wrap up the trial quickly and head to Teseron. You’re probably hoping we can attempt the ritual again while we’re at it.”
As Luciana pouted slightly at her husband, who had come to know her far too well, Edward lifted his thumb and pressed her lower lip gently inward, murmuring against her ear.
“The trial will convene late. Their objective is simply to waste time.”
…….
“So we have time to kill, and that happens to be exactly what I want.”
Edward fondled her small hand, amused.
“I want to have all of your firsts. Whether it’s sightseeing in the Capital or anything else.”
…….
“Actually, I want to have all of your lasts too.”
The possessiveness in his words sent a tremor through her body.
‘Come to think of it, we never did date properly in Teseron….’
The few chances they’d had were consumed by her search for ritual materials.
They’d even fought over it, of all things.
The memory that she’d actually wanted to spend time like this with Edward made her heart flutter without her intending it.
“I’d like that too.”
Her heart was racing and stirring, and she wanted to match his rhythm, truly she did, but….
“…Still, you should prepare for the trial. Even if it takes time, we have to win, don’t we?”
Edward’s brow furrowed slightly at that.
Luciana compromised by sticking her tongue out playfully and laughing.
“So let’s do this instead.”
“How?”
“We’ll go to the Capital’s most famous law firm first, and then we’ll go on a date!”
I’ll spend whatever it takes to hire the best lawyer possible!
Edward gave a slight smile at Luciana’s eyes shining with enthusiasm.
* * *
Not long after, in the heart of the Imperial Capital.
“Wow….”
Sunlight poured through the glass ceiling, scattering like a rainbow and reflecting off every surface.
The walls, made of colored glass, caught the reflected light and bounced it back, glimmering brilliantly.
The entire building resembled an expensive stained-glass work of art.
Yet Edward, who had entered the building alongside Luciana, looked thoroughly unmoved.
Still, whenever his gaze turned toward Luciana, a faint smile crossed his face.
“Is it really that entertaining?”
“No, it’s just… it’s pretty to look at, isn’t it?”
“…Those dusty old exhibits?”
Edward reached out casually.
At the tips of his fingers, various displays gleamed and showed off their grandeur.
Massive scales of a golden dragon—whether real or fake, no one could say—tapestries depicting scenes of dragons leaving gifts for humanity, enormous genealogy charts marking the marriages between dragons and humans.
And scenes of Divine Incarnations slaughtering monsters crawling up from the depths of the Demon Realm….
“There’s nothing here but dragon-related nonsense.”
There was a reason this building looked so ornate and expensive from the outside.
“It’s the Dragon History Exhibition Hall, so naturally.”
It was the only dragon exhibition in the entire Empire—located only in the Capital.
An exhibition hall that glorified the dragons’ history and deeds, deliberately displaying their relationship with humanity for all to see.
Edward shook his head as though he regretted being here at all.
“There would have been better places for a date.”
But the two of them had no choice in the matter.
“My goodness! It’s the Duke of Teseron!”
“What? Where! Where!”
“Your Grace! We love you!”
Despite the monster attack that had occurred in Teseron, Edward remained immensely popular with the Empire’s people.
It was hardly surprising, given that he’d spent the entire journey here clearing out monsters as well.
Wherever they went, someone inevitably recognized Edward.
The crowds that had pressed against the walls of inns to catch a glimpse of him had reappeared here in the Capital, blocking streets and creating traffic jams until they became a spectacle everywhere they turned.
The two of them had ultimately sought refuge here.
“Honestly. No matter what, I don’t understand how they all know to swarm his movements. His face was even covered.”
“Right.”
“Did someone spread word? We couldn’t even stop by the law office because of the crowds.”
Luciana grumbled softly, but Edward—who had secretly leaked his own movements to the public—smiled alone.
‘Why would I rush to finish work early if not for this?’
It was all so he could spend pleasant time with Luciana in the Capital.
The trial would certainly be postponed anyway, and it was obvious he wouldn’t be able to hire lawyers properly anytime soon, what with the Temple and the Imperial Family’s interference.
In such circumstances, he’d chosen to do this rather than let his time with Luciana be wasted on trivial matters….
Though the result—being limited to this as their date location—was regrettably unavoidable.
Luciana, her eyes shining as she looked around, soon whispered.
“But it’s true… if something this precious exists, ordinary people wouldn’t be allowed in, would they?”
“No, they wouldn’t.”
Entry to this place was permitted only under three circumstances.
The Imperial Family, those who had received the Imperial Family’s permission, or the Divine Incarnation and her family.
High priests could technically enter as well, but since the Temple and the Dragon Avatar had recently been in a state of mutual wariness, priests almost never came here.
The Imperial Family members themselves rarely came unless there was an event.
Thanks to that, the surroundings were quiet, but….
“It’s a dull place.”
“Mm.”
“Boring, too.”
Edward paused, clearly troubled.
He’d really wanted to take her somewhere better and more impressive.
Somewhere other than this stuffy exhibition hall—there were plenty of fine museums elsewhere.
This time too, Edward had badgered Tepe into revealing the Capital’s attractions.
Tepe had protested, saying ‘I’m not from the Capital—how would I know its sights!’….
“Your loyalty leaves much to be desired, Tepe.”
“…!”
At a single word, he immediately began pouring out all the places he’d taken women on dates while staying in the Capital.
Of course, Edward had then added another comment.
“You meet that many women not just in Teseron but in the Capital too? Now I see you’re quite the scoundrel.”
“No, well, when you think about it, I was more of a novelty for the Capital ladies!”
“A novelty?”
“Unlike the Capital gentlemen, there’s a certain ruggedness to a northern man that appeals to them!”
Tepe looked thoroughly aggrieved.
Of course, that too was none of Edward’s concern.
“So, did you actually treat the ladies roughly?”
“How could I! They just approached me with prejudices….”
“Shameless.”
“No, it isn’t!”
Either way, it was only natural that he found himself constantly preoccupied with someone like that hovering around Luciana.
Edward rationalized the jealousy he occasionally felt toward Tepe, then turned his attention back to her.
He’d thought that all the dragon genealogies and histories he’d been forced to memorize by rote, those tedious exhibition pieces—how could any of it possibly be interesting?
Yet Luciana was scrutinizing the displays with far more diligence than he’d expected, moving from piece to piece with evident engagement.
In front of some exhibits she exclaimed with genuine fascination, and before others she furrowed her brow in rapt concentration.
“What is this?”
What Luciana pointed to was….
A tapestry embroidered with a village that held a well.

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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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