I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 44

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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 44
“Gasp…!”
Clara’s breath caught in surprise, and she clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Gorgo! Stop!”
Lucy quickly raised her hand to block the blade heading toward Clara’s throat.
At her command, Gorgo’s hand twitched, and he froze.
“But madam, that maid just tried to hurt you….”
“It’s all right. Fortunately, she didn’t.”
…….
Lucy, too, had been startled by Clara’s clumsiness.
‘But killing her outright is rather much.’
Lucy stifled a sigh, her eyes sweeping quietly over Clara.
“Oh, what should I do! Madam! I’m so, so sorry!”
Clara’s face had gone pale as paper, and she continued to apologize profusely.
As if it hadn’t been intentional at all.
Watching the wounded hand tremble, Lucy didn’t bother with reassurances. Instead, she touched her collarbone with a composed expression.
At least what she’d told Gorgo was true.
‘I’m not hurt.’
Had she been wearing the threadbare robes from the Temple, the needle’s point would certainly have pierced her skin—
But Lucy was currently dressed in the fine one-piece that Edward had given her.
It was a temporary gift, to be worn until a proper Duchess’s gown could be prepared.
‘…I thought he was just giving it to me carelessly.’
The moment the brooch’s sharp pin touched the dress—
a strange resistance deflected the pin.
Just as Edward’s large hand had cradled her lower belly before the priest.
A thin, solid barrier of golden light had blocked the pin.
It seemed he’d placed Protective Magic directly on the garment.
‘…So he’d prepared for everything already.’
Those dresses he’d told her to buy would probably arrive with similar magical treatments applied.
‘I’m honestly a bit touched.’
Of course, she was a precious Purifier who had to be protected—
But this kind of care took considerable effort.
Edward was busy with so many things; it must have been inconvenient for him to do it himself, and yet he’d placed Protective Magic even on simple everyday clothes, thinking of her.
‘And yet he always speaks so frighteningly….’
Edward was definitely the type to look after those who entered his circle with absolute certainty.
She recalled his image—how he’d made her bury her head in his chest for fear of the void, and how he’d drawn her close with tenderness before the priest.
Lucy felt that feather-light tickle again.
‘…In any case, that’s separate.’
This is this.
Lucy quieted the hammering of her heart for a moment and fixed Clara with a steady gaze.
Under that attention, Clara bounced nervously on her feet, not knowing what to do.
“I’m truly sorry! What if you’re bleeding? Let me tend to your wound!”
With that, she took Lucy’s hand and guided her down the Corridor to one of the rooms that lined it.
Lucy had meant to refuse, but she fell silent at the sight of the open door.
‘Is this the Duchess’s room?’
She’d been wondering if she might find a chance to look inside such a place.
The room, decorated unmistakably as a noblewoman’s private quarters, had a large sofa and an elegant vanity arranged in harmonious fashion.
Combs and furnishings—still in use until recently—were arranged neatly, bearing the marks of constant handling.
‘…Actually, I’m pleased.’
Lucy’s eyes flashed sharply for an instant.
Unaware of this, Clara simply led Lucy to the sofa and sat her down.
Gorgo, who had been following them in, was then blocked by Clara.
“I’ll be removing madam’s garments to tend to her wound. You don’t intend to watch while she undresses, do you?”
…….
Click.
At Clara’s sharp retort, Gorgo froze and stopped at the threshold.
Though his hand still gripped the hilt of his sword and his gaze remained fixed on Clara, he judged that he couldn’t see Lucy while she was undressed, and he took a step back.
Sophie, who had been about to follow, was then stopped for a different reason.
“What are you standing there for? Go fetch bandages and treatment supplies!”
Click, thump.
Before Sophie could answer, Clara shut the door.
Lucy kept her gaze on the vanity while her thoughts settled into calm order.
‘So it’s just the two of us now.’
She’d expected to feel terrified in such a situation.
That’s why she’d asked Gorgo and Sophie to come along.
But it was strange.
Once she realized that Edward was watching over her no matter where she was, the fear didn’t feel as sharp as she’d imagined.
Even in his absence, the things he’d given her stood guard.
And now she understood how to handle Clara in a moment like this.
“Are you all right, my lady?”
While Lucy composed herself, Clara approached hesitantly, searching her face for any sign of displeasure.
At least her bearing showed genuine remorse.
“I’m truly sorry, my lady.”
“…….”
“No matter what, I was careless. I’ll accept whatever punishment you—”
“Clara.”
Lucy reached out quietly and caught Clara’s hand as she moved to remove her dress.
She lowered her voice, speaking softly.
“I’m truly all right. It doesn’t hurt.”
“But still—”
“You said you wanted to become my personal maid. Do you still?”
“Yes? Of course I—”
“Then if you just follow what I’m about to say, I’ll take you on as my personal maid, Clara.”
“What is it? I’ll keep it, I promise. Please tell me—”
Lucy met Clara’s eager eyes and spoke with steady composure.
“Don’t ever hurt anyone.”
“…….”
“The way you hurt me just now.”
“My lady?”
“There won’t be a next time.”
At those firm words, Clara’s fingertips trembled with shock.
Even though she was receiving the offer of a personal maid position she’d wanted, the words felt like a warning.
Even her gentle, timid dark eyes seemed cold and unyielding now.
‘Have I seen this before…?’
Hadn’t there been another occasion?
When she’d tried to sow discord between the Duke’s servants and Lucy, that sharp, composed side of her had surfaced unexpectedly—the memory flickered across Clara’s mind.
Clara flinched but shook her head inwardly.
‘No.’
Even so, this woman wasn’t more frightening than the Duchess.
Her heart seemed far softer than the Duchess’s.
‘…just look at how she treated Sophie a moment ago.’
Where would you find a Duchess taking instruction from a servant?
She’d even lavished praise on Clara for making good sandwiches without reservation.
The future Duchess was far more unpretentious than other noblewomen.
That she’d appeared cold for just a moment was…
‘Just my imagination.’
Perhaps she’d simply been too nervous from the start.
‘Yes. Things nearly went wrong from the beginning.’
The sudden announcement of the marriage had tightened security considerably.
It had even happened today.
Originally, a servant sent by the Duchess was supposed to spirit Rosendale away, then bring Lucy here immediately.
But the Duke’s unexpected escort had appeared and brought up the matter of dinner with him.
Having to read the situation had cost them time.
In the end, her plan to buy time and wait for an opening had fallen through, leaving her no choice but to force the Brooch pin on Lucy.
It was the only way to separate her from the group.
‘I’m sorry, but I’m desperate too.’
If not her, then who would pay for her family’s medicine?
Clara pushed down the guilt gnawing at her chest and withdrew her hand from Lucy’s.
Of all places, this happened to be the room the Duchess had used before being cast out.
Breathing in the Duchess’s lingering perfume from every corner, Clara felt as though she were being watched.
Clara wiped the sweat pooled in her palm onto her apron, then bowed respectfully to Lucy.
“I… I think I’ve upset you terribly. I didn’t mean to hurt you on purpose.”
“Didn’t you?”
“I’m truly sorry. Whatever misunderstanding you have, it wasn’t intentional, I promise you.”
Even as Clara offered her apology, Lucy’s dark eyes remained calm and distant.
Lucy sighed and shook her head slowly.
Then she spoke, her gaze piercing straight through to Clara’s innermost thoughts.
“If you’re truly sorry, then take what I just said seriously.”
……
“I mean it too.”
There was nothing more.
Lucy’s words lingered in Clara’s mind, echoing with their weight.
Gulp.
Clara swallowed without meaning to.

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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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