I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 118

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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 118
‘The real reason I came here is different, but….’
I figured it was best to accomplish everything I needed to while I was at it.
After all, I had no way of knowing when I’d see these people again.
If I could secure ventures like these ahead of time, they might prove useful when a Monster Wave struck.
‘I hope Teseron prospers.’
It was already thriving, but I wanted it to flourish even more.
With more wealth flowing into the territory, we could cultivate more knights to fight monsters, which meant Edward would have less to shoulder.
The fruits of moving about diligently with such thoughts were modest in appearance but substantial in reality.
So I felt satisfied, but….
Edward, still appearing jealous, weighed on my mind.
Luciana gently tugged at Edward’s collar.
“I thought you considered this a good idea too.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
Otherwise it wouldn’t make sense….
“That crop processing looks like a sound venture. Why not accept our patronage?”
“Ah? Well, you see, our crops don’t generate that much profit….”
“The lady is making a proposal, and you refuse?”
Luciana must have interjected and applied pressure every time she discussed business with the nobles.
But that wasn’t all.
“That mining venture also looks promising.”
“W-we’ll accept it!”
“Who asked for petty handouts? Or are you trying to make Teseron look like a bandit gang that steals others’ enterprises?”
“I, I, well….”
“Seek investment in your own ventures.”
“I’ll have an investment contract drawn up at once!”
“The ratio will be five….”
“S-seven to three… no, even eight to two—we’ll accept any terms!”
Edward beat Luciana to it, stepping in before she could even speak and securing business deals from the other nobles nearby.
Some of the nobles even drafted contracts on the spot.
‘Thinking back, the results were excellent.’
Though it was largely thanks to the pressure Edward exerted rather than my own efforts.
In any case, since he’d cooperated to that extent, I thought he must have an interest in gathering business opportunities too.
“So why did you intimidate those people like that?”
Edward shrugged as if it were the simplest question.
“I wanted you to finish talking with other people quickly and play with only me.”
“Really, it’s fortunate you’re jealous in such an endearing way.”
“That’s right. When you came out to enjoy yourself with me but then talked with others, it’d be strange if I didn’t feel jealous.”
It was a hint delivered with subtle insistence.
Luciana pouted her lip with a sense of grievance.
“But I didn’t only talk to those gentlemen. I discussed business with the ladies too….”
Edward responded without hesitation.
“I’m jealous of everyone near you—men and women, young and old, it doesn’t matter.”
He spoke with such honesty that Luciana’s face flushed slightly under his steady gaze.
Seeing him express jealousy so openly like that….
“Did you dislike it that much? Then don’t come now with this petty complaint….”
You should have said so beforehand.
But the words were cut off before she could finish.
“No, I’m glad.”
…….
“I’m glad I came out with you.”
And with that, Edward pressed his lips softly against Luciana’s shoulder.
Edward closed his eyes, breathing in the faint scent of Luciana that brushed his nose.
It wasn’t mere flattery—it was sincere.
In truth, at first he’d wanted to convince Luciana to stay until the end.
Right before they left the Townhouse, he’d told her it was safer to remain, since Sepina and other nobles would be coming.
Tepe and Gorgo had backed him up, noting that the Capital’s people were cunning.
But Sepina, ironically, was no help in this situation.
She’d declared her absence three hours before the gathering began, citing urgent duties as a saint.
Thanks to that, there was no longer any grounds to stop Luciana.
Edward had come this far while concealing his true reluctance.
It seemed Luciana was curious about the Capital’s soirée, after all.
‘I’d thought I’d just manage my expression well and focus on watching over Luciana.’
Yet wandering about and chatting with her proved unexpectedly delightful.
Especially after he realized he’d become quite a useful accessory to her.
To others, they likely appeared as some couple who extorted businesses on a whim—but he couldn’t have cared less.
With Sepina absent, the nobles had lost their focal point of attack and didn’t dare speak freely to them.
Though it wasn’t that they hadn’t tried to broach the subject.
“Ahem, now that I think of it, the Saint…”
“I do hope she’s not unwell and that’s why she couldn’t attend. I’m quite worried.”
“Who knows? Perhaps with those distinguished guests suddenly deciding to attend, she graciously stepped aside to make room.”
They spoke as though talking amongst themselves, yet their whispers were plainly meant for Luciana’s ears.
For most noble ladies, letting such insults pass in silence would be considered refined.
But Luciana was different.
“Goodness! I heard every word! Are you trying to paint the Saint as some lovesick adulteress clinging to a married man?”
“N-no, that’s not—we meant nothing of the sort!”
“Really? She’d be so heartbroken if she found out!”
She strode directly toward them with brazen confidence, cutting off their roundabout speech.
Consequently, the nobles hostile to her fell silent.
They’d grasped that pressing further would only tangle matters worse.
Edward, rather than intervening with violence, simply watched in appreciation.
And found himself smiling without realizing it.
‘More enjoyable than I expected.’
It was always like this when he was with Luciana.
At the soirée in Teseron, he’d been so focused on her he hadn’t even noticed his annoyance.
And here, watching her dart about with gleaming eyes, playing pranks on everyone, was pure pleasure.
Though Luciana herself wore the eyes of a hyena spotting prey rather than one marveling at the spectacle.
Edward matched her rhythm and swept through the hall alongside her.
Without needing to mock the gazes of those measuring him, without needing to mind the eyes of the previous Duke and Duchess as they watched and judged his conduct.
He’d even managed to play pranks on the Emperor himself—someone he’d normally have sneered at and dismissed—alongside Luciana.
He hadn’t touched a drop, yet felt intoxicated.
‘…I’d resolved to bury my dark memories beneath memories of you.’
But it seemed Luciana was burying his memories instead.
Edward gazed down at her quietly, then removed his cloak and draped it across her shoulders.
Surrounded by the soft fur of the cloak, Luciana’s eyes widened as she looked up at him.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Do I look cold to you?”
“No. You have so much… heat in you.”
“Right, you did call me a cold-blooded creature earlier.”
“That was…”
“Actually, I think I am cold.”
So hold me.
At his soft whisper, Luciana turned in his embrace and wrapped her arms around him gently.
……
This small embrace alone filled him with a sense of completeness, as though the whole world had gathered him in.
Edward sighed languidly, bringing his chin to rest atop Luciana’s head, when—
Bang!
A brilliant golden burst of light streaked across the sky, illuminating everything in radiant splendor.
Bang, boom, burst!
A prime location indeed—the perfect vantage point for the fireworks display.
‘If we’re already here, I wish she’d enjoy this.’
As Edward held Luciana closer, she squirmed in his arms, and he was about to speak when—
“…It’s fireworks.”
“It is.”
“So it’s midnight now?”
“It is.”
“And the sun has set?”
“It has.”
Just as Edward was answering these oddly self-evident questions, an unexpected remark came his way.
“Congratulate me, won’t you?”
Edward’s brow furrowed slightly.
“What have I forgotten? What is there to celebrate?”
“Well…”
“…Don’t tell me.”
At those words, his eyes alight with hopeful expectation as he gazed down at her lower abdomen, Luciana felt her face burn crimson without warning.
“Not that! There’s no news on that front yet!”
“…How disappointing.”
Seeing his genuine regret, Luciana shook her head vigorously.
And as she fanned her flushed face, she continued.
“In any case! Congratulate me.”
“You’re not going to tell me why?”
At that, Luciana met Edward’s gaze tentatively.
Those crimson eyes that held only her.
Eyes she had once been too afraid and unsettled to look at directly.
Luciana spoke softly, carefully.
“Today is my birthday.”

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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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