I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 43

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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 43
Lucy felt reassured as she gazed at the people she’d brought along as insurance.
‘Safety comes first, no matter what.’
After all, her physical abilities were the weakest link.
“But Clara, wait a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Still, I’m supposed to be the prospective duchess, so shouldn’t I have at least one escort when we go anywhere?”
“Ah, yes! You’re absolutely right.”
Just as they stepped out of the room, Gorgo happened to be passing by, so Lucy promptly detained him.
Tepe had apparently gone off with Edward to hunt monsters, but luck was with them—Gorgo remained behind.
As they walked along, they encountered another maid, and…
“Clara? Since we’re going anyway, couldn’t we bring another maid along? I’m the Duchess of Tesaron, after all—it’d be strange if you were my only attendant.”
“Of, of course, madam.”
“You there, come along. Join us.”
And so the current party was complete.
She’d spoken as though she were sitting in the duchess’s seat and letting her true vulgar nature show, but the truth was she had no idea what might happen if it were just the two of them.
If anything, she was fortunate.
Clara was somewhat reluctant about Lucy bringing more people along, but she didn’t stop her.
Stopping her would have looked odd, so she was practically unable to do so.
‘If there are eyes watching… I won’t be able to do anything rash, at least.’
Lucy turned to look at the maid she’d just brought and asked her a question.
“What’s your name?”
“It’s Sophie, madam.”
Sophie was also a young maid, and her discomfort and nervousness in Lucy’s presence were plain to see.
Lucy deliberately smiled brightly and gently touched Sophie’s shoulder.
“Good. I’m counting on you today, Sophie.”
“Ah…”
“I’m still unfamiliar with how things work in the Ducal House, so teach me about them, will you?”
“Teach you? I wouldn’t presume.”
“Well, the servants of the Ducal House would naturally know its affairs better than anyone.”
Sophie flushed at Lucy’s courtesy and nodded in agreement.
Lucy turned her attention and this time addressed Gorgo.
“Gorgo. Have you been to the West Annex often?”
Gorgo paused as if considering the question, then replied.
“I’ve never been there before, madam.”
“Never?”
For a moment she was puzzled, but soon it made sense.
Come to think of it, Edward had been raised in the West Annex only until he was ten years old.
If she’d met Tepe and Gorgo after that, it made sense that they’d never been to the West Annex.
Since they were Edward’s guards rather than the Grand Duchess’s, they would have moved only within the sphere of Edward’s life.
‘The relationship between the Grand Duchess and Edward is poor, so they’d have had no reason to come here.’
In the original work, they weren’t a particularly close mother and son anyway.
Though it seemed they’d spent time together when he was younger.
As she thought about this, curiosity stirred again.
‘What was Edward like when he was ten?’
A man who seemed to have been born an adult—yet he had a childhood.
In Lucy’s mind, a newborn Edward springing to his feet and demanding, ‘Raise me,’ to the duchess naturally flickered into view.
With his brilliant golden hair gleaming as it did now, and those crimson eyes moving with the same seductive grace.
‘…Even if he is a deity, that couldn’t have actually happened.’
Lucy waved the image away with a sweep of her hand.
But once she’d started thinking about it, the curiosity only grew.
Not the cruel, debauched scoundrel who lifted people up and set them down with a single kiss as he did now, but a small, young Edward with soft, round cheeks and no idea how to kiss—a harmless Edward.
‘…He must have been truly adorable.’
This was what Lucy was honestly thinking to herself.
“We’ve arrived, madam!”
With Clara’s cry, a grand and magnificent building came into view.
It was the West Annex of the Ducal Castle, granted to the Duchess of Tesaron through generations.
“Wow.”
As Lucy stepped inside, she let out a genuine exclamation of wonder.
The annex was resplendent both outside and within.
The sprawling lobby, the endless succession of grand corridors, the doors set so thickly into the walls—all of it spoke to the place’s magnificence.
“I’ll take you directly to the Jewelry Vault on the second floor.”
“Mm.”
Lucy nodded and followed Clara, but her eyes gleamed with covert interest.
Her gaze drifted slyly across the surroundings.
‘Let’s see.’
Which room among all these would hold the combs and jewelry of the duchess consorts?
‘Hair. Hair. Hair….’
Even after they reached the second-floor jewelry gallery, Lucy’s mind was consumed with only one thing.
Clara appeared confused by Lucy’s complete lack of focus.
“My lady, perhaps… you’re not pleased?”
Only then did Lucy turn her attention to the jewels displayed before her.
If she kept her mind elsewhere for too long, it might seem suspicious.
So she tried to muster as much genuine enthusiasm as possible—but….
“No, no! They’re beautiful!”
What emerged was a rather lukewarm response.
It couldn’t be helped.
‘I’ve already seen all of this.’
The jewels here were splendid enough, but the collection Edward had gathered during the wedding preparations was overwhelming.
As a result, no matter how dazzling a jewel was, it felt like something she’d seen before, and her eyes didn’t light up as they should.
Even among the heirlooms of this venerable ducal house, several pieces seemed to pale in comparison to what Edward had procured for Lucy.
‘…I’ve truly spoiled my own taste.’
Though she grumbled inwardly, the realization that Edward’s gifts really were extraordinary sent a small thrill through her fingertips.
Lucy hid such feelings and replied carefully.
“Well, they’re so beautiful that it’s hard to choose just one. I couldn’t even pick a dress!”
At her vague deflection, Clara studied her expression and whispered softly.
“Would it help if I offered a recommendation?”
Clara then led the group to the center of the second-floor gallery, stopping before an enormous glass case.
It held only the finest jewels—far grander and more intricate than those in the other displays.
There was a sapphire the size of an adult’s fist, meticulously cut diamonds, and a ruby tiara that had once belonged to a princess of some royal house.
Clara’s gaze found Lucy’s as she continued her explanation.
“By tradition, the new duchess consort typically inherits jewels chosen to match her eye color.”
“Then I suppose I should receive black ones.”
“How about this?”
Clara, as if considering for a moment, pointed to a jewelry set positioned at the center of the display case.
It was an elegant Black Pearl Jewelry Set with a lustrous sheen.
“It’s lovely.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Yes. I could easily choose that one and….”
“Do try it on!”
“Wait, Clara—”
Lucy tried to stop her, but she was too late.
Click.
Clara opened the glass case and withdrew the jewelry set.
At such an overstepping action from a mere servant, Lucy felt Gorgo and Sophie stiffen behind her.
“Is that even allowed?”
Lucy pointed it out directly, but Clara shook her head unconcernedly.
“Of course, my lady. This is for someone who will soon become the duchess consort—no one less.”
Of course, the Grand Duchess must have ordered it, so it wasn’t an entirely reckless act, but it still seemed excessive.
“I think it will suit you beautifully.”
Still, Clara paid no mind to the reactions around her and plucked a piece from the set.
It was a brooch shaped like a rose, studded with black pearls.
It was certainly beautiful, but something puzzled Lucy.
‘Wouldn’t a necklace or ring be easier to try on?’
The thought had just occurred to her.
“Come this way, my lady.”
Clara approached her without hesitation, brooch in hand.
“There’s really no need to try it on….”
Lucy raised her hand in protest, but….
“Oh!”
Click!
Clara’s hand, which had been reaching for Lucy’s chest, glanced off the hand Lucy had raised and slipped past.
The sharp point of the ornate brooch’s pin grazed Lucy’s collarbone.
The faces of Gorgo and Sophie, standing behind, turned ashen.
“…My lady!”
Screech!
Gorgo drew his sword in haste and rushed toward the two of them.

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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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