I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 131

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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 131
* * *
Some time later.
The plaza before the Imperial Courtroom churned with a crowded throng of onlookers.
“Is the verdict really coming down today?”
“No, I doubt it. There’ll probably be several more trials.”
“To be exact, three. We have to go all the way to the Final Appeal.”
“The day the Temple’s misdeeds are finally exposed to the world.”
“Well now, can we really be sure of that yet?”
Today was the first trial of the Temple, hastily scheduled by the Imperial Court.
A trial to expose the Temple’s heinous crime: abducting people for experimentation.
Since before dawn, crowds had gathered to witness the proceedings, flooding the streets with a sea of bodies.
Though the Temple’s earnest plea had regrettably kept the trial closed to the public, those camped before the courtroom could at least catch a glimpse of those entering the chamber.
Just then, the carriage everyone had been waiting for came rolling down the avenue and pulled up to the courtroom entrance.
“They’re here!”
“It’s the Teseron carriage!”
Those who had been anticipating the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Teseron more than anyone leapt to their feet.
“Get your quills ready! Do you have your questions prepared?”
“Your Grace! This is the Capital News! We’d like to ask you something!”
“We’re from the Kingdom Alliance News! Regarding this trial—!”
These were the press agencies that had already secured handsome profits from extra editions on the trial.
“Your Grace, just one word—!”
Before the carriage door had even opened, they surged forward like a tide.
“Eek!”
Of course, they retreated before they could draw close, cowed by the glacial glare of the knights escorting the carriage.
Both Gorgo and even Tepe, usually light-hearted, maintained a solemn bearing as they guarded the carriage.
They swept the surroundings with eyes full of gravitas.
“Show proper respect!”
A stern voice rang out through the air with commanding force.
“Has the name of Teseron, which has long protected the Empire from Monsters, become so trivial?”
At the reproachful tone, people instinctively fell silent.
Some among them felt shame, belatedly.
“…You’re right. This is the Duke of Teseron, after all.”
“He’s had a point. They’ve protected us for a long time.”
As the atmosphere grew calm, the murmuring crowd lowered their voices.
Creak.
The carriage door opened in the silence.
Soon Edward stepped out first, today unusually without armor.
His banquet attire had been torn, so he wore different formal dress hastily prepared instead.
…….
Yet no one thought to wonder if the garments had been hastily obtained.
Edward was the sort who could make even rags into fashion; today’s formal wear he had rendered utterly, perfectly his own.
Though he possessed such enormous, solid frame, his descent from the carriage was nimble, deft, graceful, and valiant.
It was a beautiful sight that silenced even those who had meant to cry out that he was a monster.
He then extended his hand in a gesture of perfect discipline and measured elegance.
At the same moment, the smile that played at the Duke’s lips caused the crowd to swallow involuntarily, held in thrall by the quiet.
Rustle.
The Duchess’s shoe tip then appeared at the carriage entrance.
In that instant, journalists from fashion news outlets tensed, their pens still poised over their notepads.
‘Wasn’t the Duchess supposed to have white hair? And such a slight frame.’
‘Perhaps for this trial she’ll opt for a pitiful, sympathetic look.’
The Duchess was currently the center of attention in the Capital’s society circles in multiple ways, and her fashion choices could well set the next trend.
Whether she received harsh or glowing reviews, all eyes followed her.
‘Which boutique has the most white fabric in stock?’
‘Madame Hobergoma specializes in innocence. Next season’s trend is already decided.’
It was the moment the journalists were sharpening their senses, watching the carriage intently.
Snap!
A small hand, having deliberately kept them waiting, extended forth with confidence and settled upon the Duke’s outstretched hand.
‘What?’
The journalists tilted their heads in confusion at the Black Mesh Gloves that adorned that hand.
Click, click.
Sharp heels struck the pavement as Luciana emerged from the carriage.
Not in meek, pitiful garments designed to appear helpless….
“What—?”
…….
The Duchess wore a black silk gown cut provocatively low, topped with a Silk Hat with Veil, her makeup bold and striking.
Bare shoulders and calves on full display, strands of Pearl Necklaces draped ostentatiously—it was a shocking departure from what one would expect of someone entering a courtroom.
The daring dress skirted so close to courtroom regulations that the assembled crowd gasped in disbelief.
The pitiful, helpless experimental subject they’d anticipated was nowhere to be found.
What remained was the Duchess with her head held high, a declaration of vengeance against the Temple written plainly across her bearing.
Her small frame and delicate build seemed to vanish beneath the sheer intensity of her presence.
Among the stunned silence, Luciana swallowed hard, taking in their dazed expressions.
‘The impact landed well enough, I’d say.’
Drawing on memories of her past life, she’d donned the Dress of Revenge, famous in that world—a statement of intent.
‘The original was meant as vengeance against an unfaithful husband.’
But she too sought vengeance against those who had abused and exploited her, so borrowing the concept seemed fair enough.
Luciana gazed down at the dress with satisfaction, its design inspired by the original.
‘The Teseron designers really do exceptional work.’
The timeline had been impossibly tight….
Yet the costume designers of Teseron hadn’t missed the opportunity for spectacular content.
“We heard the news, Duchess!”
“These fools dare insult our lady!”
“Trust us. We’ll make this as flawless as last time!”
The committed designers had outdone themselves.
The Emperor, guilt-stricken enough to lend a Supreme-Grade Magical Courier Tool, had ensured the dress was completed in a flash and delivered to the Teseron Townhouse in the Capital by morning.
Edward had desperately wanted to drape his own cloak over those bare shoulders, though.
‘Still.’
Luciana’s eyes gleamed as she regarded the crowd, mouths still agape.
She’d told Edward they could flee if things went sideways, but she had no intention of backing down now.
Not when Edward was willing to endure unpleasantness for her sake.
So she had to win the court of public opinion first.
‘Strike first, strike hard.’
Luciana smiled brilliantly at the gathering crowd and offered a greeting.
As though she hadn’t just descended from the carriage with lofty indifference.
As though to say: You are not my enemy; my vengeance is directed elsewhere.
“My, you’ve all come to show your support?”
……!
“I’m truly grateful you’re here.”
Speaking thus with a warm, infectious laugh, the Duchess addressed even the commoners with genuine warmth—and despite the bold makeup, she appeared fresh and vivacious.
And to this Duchess….
“W-we wish victory to the wife of a hero!”
“Safe travels, Duchess!”
“Long live Duke Teseron!”
Swept up in the moment, the crowd began to rally behind her.
“H-he must explain himself! The Duke of Teseron—!”
“The transformation into a Monster, he must… aaaaah!”
The voices of the hostile whispers were swallowed instantly by the growing chorus of cheers.
Luciana clasped Edward’s hand and laughed playfully.
Edward gazed at her in return, a helpless smile tugging at his lips.
“Shall we go, then?”
Behind Luciana, Tepe and Gorgo followed, each carrying an armful of documents that methodically itemized the Temple’s transgressions, pulled from the carriage.
The first trial, unsurprisingly, ended in a decisive victory for the Duke’s side.
* * *
“How did this happen?!”
Bang!
A furious shout echoed through the dim conference chamber of the Temple.
High Priests and clergy huddled together exchanged anxious glances.
One of the senior priests was seething.
“We filed the suit first—so how did we end up as the defendants?!”

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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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