I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 68

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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 68
* * *
“Sigh.”
A deep breath echoed through the Duke’s Residence office.
It was Rozendale’s sigh — he’d returned to his desk after hearing the decree from Edward, and was now reviewing documents.
Tepe, who had come back with him to prepare a report, lifted her brow slightly.
“What troubles you, sir?”
She glanced at the papers he was holding and shrugged her shoulders.
“Surely drafting the Duchess’s annual budget shouldn’t be that difficult.”
“…It seems the Duke allocated rather more than is practical.”
“But there’s nothing to be done about it, is there? It’s his will.”
Rozendale caught the meaning behind her words and narrowed his brow slightly, but Tepe remained composed.
“Though I confess, even I was a touch shocked a moment ago.”
She wasn’t speaking merely of the documents — she meant Edward’s decision to let only Luciana enter his chambers.
“Yet she seems perfectly well, by all accounts. If it had been serious, surely he would have called for us.”
…….
“The Duke doubtless has his reasons for the budget as well. So we should simply follow his lead….”
“It would serve you not to question my loyalty, Tepe.”
Rozendale’s expression grew stern at once.
“Of course, I would follow the Duke even if he ordered the extinction of an entire village in his domain without explanation — but this is different.”
“Different how? In any case, the Duke does seem to be in good spirits these days.”
Tepe spoke with genuine conviction.
Edward had certainly grown somewhat gentler of late.
It was largely thanks to the steady Purification he’d been receiving from a Purifier with Holy Power.
Though he had made Luciana his True Mate without consulting them, that too was surely nothing more than Edward’s trademark adaptability.
‘It’s only a shame she isn’t a true True Mate.’
Had she been, she would have been of even greater help to the Duke.
Tepe felt a touch of regret that he’d only called Luciana to his chambers, though if it was for Purification, of course they couldn’t be present.
Physical contact required their absence.
That she was fulfilling her obligations through Purification alone was reason enough to consider her duty discharged.
So granting her such a budget was only proper.
“I understand you still don’t fully trust the lady….”
“Trust, you say. It’s somewhat different.”
What came from his lips next was far harsher than she’d anticipated.
“Trust only applies when the other party is worth placing such trust in.”
“…I beg your pardon?”
That Edward, who had chosen Luciana himself, would trust her so little.
That was when Tepe’s brow furrowed.
“…Allow me to explain properly. Would you ask a dog you’re raising to bear responsibility or obligation, Tepe?”
“…No, I wouldn’t.”
“That is why the Duke asks us to bear responsibility and obligation. We are more than his faithful hounds.”
…….
“So when we fail, he disciplines us harshly, and he holds us accountable.”
“Yes.”
“But looking at how he treats the Duchess….”
Rozendale trailed off.
“To be honest, I don’t know the Duke as well as you do, though I’ve only been with him a few years.”
Rozendale had become butler only a few years prior.
When the previous Duke died in a carriage accident, the previous butler perished with him, leaving the position vacant.
Edward, newly made Duke, had hastily filled the role with Rozendale.
Yet in that brief time, he had observed Edward’s nature.
In all things, Edward was subtly meticulous; when bringing people into his service, he calculated profit and loss with cold precision.
He seemed to live as he pleased, but in truth, most of his actions came after he had already weighed their consequences for his domain.
‘He is truly like a painting — a perfectly crafted Duke, as if someone had sculpted him.’
Though he showed care once trust was earned, even that had its boundaries.
He moved by conviction rather than affection, by certain contracts rather than kindness.
But the Duchess….
He knew for certain that she had been brought in by contract, merely to make use of her Holy Power.
Yet Edward was showing her considerable forbearance.
Such behavior clashed with his previous patterns, and struck Rozendale as surprisingly impulsive.
The mere act of making Luciana his True Mate was theatrical enough.
‘He didn’t even consult us before deciding.’
What’s more, judging by the Duchess’s reaction, he’d made this crucial decision without so much as discussing it with the woman involved.
‘…And when the Priest came the other day, he didn’t even give the Duchess a hint beforehand.’
As if she bore no responsibility at all.
As if he would manage and take responsibility for everything concerning her.
That attitude was….
“…Honestly, in the current situation, the Duke’s behavior only brings one thing to mind.”
“What would that be?”
Rozendale paused before answering.
“How one treats a pet.”
Tepe was momentarily at a loss for words, but Rozendale was sincere.
‘He often calls her his little mouse.’
The way he’d affectionately compare her to his favorite animal spoke volumes.
“At the very least, if the Duke truly regarded the Lady as an equal partner….”
“Though one would think marrying a pet is rather odd as well.”
Creak.
At the sound of the door opening, Rozendale flinched.
Tepe’s eyes widened in surprise as well.
“…My lady?”
“I’ve come for my allowance.”
Luciana strode in and met Rozendale’s gaze with an unmoved expression.
‘I wondered why he didn’t trust me to the end.’
So this was what he’d been thinking all along.
To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie.
But given that the original work was a nineteen-plus degradation fantasy….
‘Stories like this are usually what the pitiful, regretful heroines hear.’
Since she’d stepped into the heroine’s role, it was only natural she’d hear such things.
She’d simply forgotten the genre for a while, occupied with Edward and various other matters.
Rozendale seemed momentarily flustered, but after taking a deep breath, he spoke calmly.
“My lady. Regarding your allowance….”
“Before that, there’s something you need to say to me, Rozendale.”
Even so, there was no need to suffer in silence like some heroine from a degradation fantasy.
What she’d endured in the shelter was more than enough.
At her blunt words, Rozendale lowered his head without resistance.
“…I’ve made a grave misstep.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.”
“My sincerest apologies, my lady. I shall accept whatever punishment you see fit to impose.”
“The punishment should come from the Duke, not me. After all, you’re his retainer, not mine.”
……
“And another thing.”
Luciana continued calmly.
“I consider such words an insult not only to me, but to the Duke as well.”
……
“If you speak that way, what does it make of the Duke who elevated a pet to the rank of Duchess?”
At those words, Rozendale bowed his head even lower.
The mention of Edward had brought forth genuine contrition.
“I am truly sorry. I shall confess the full particulars of what occurred directly to the Duke and accept whatever punishment he deems appropriate.”
“And my allowance?”
“I shall see to its execution immediately.”
“Very well.”
Luciana withdrew cleanly.
Rozendale was not a man to speak such words out of jealousy or spite.
And if she knew him at all, he would make good on his promise to confess his fault directly to Edward.
Edward would mete out a punishment befitting her judgment as well.
‘Though it’s rather shocking that he genuinely meant what he said….’
Her feelings were hurt, but she supposed she should be grateful that at least she’d avoided a drawn-out quarrel with Rozendale over the allowance.
“Oh, and one more thing.”
Luciana had been about to leave when she stopped herself.
Since Rozendale was in such a deferential state, a few requests had just occurred to her.
“There are a few more things I need….”
* * *
A few days later, at Teseron Market.
“Four Silver.”
“That’s expensive.”
“Four Silver.”
“No, never mind. It’s way too much.”
“…But what am I supposed to do if you actually leave, miss!”
The magic shop merchant shook his head in exasperation.
“All right, all right! Two and a half Silver!”
“Okay!”
Luciana turned to go, then hummed as she spun back around and took the merchant’s pouch.
She was disguised, a thick hood that Rozendale had procured pulled low over her hair.
The merchant scratched his chin and muttered under his breath.
“There. Five spoonfuls of Mandrake Powder. That’s genuinely cheap, trust me.”
“I don’t know, doesn’t seem like it.”
“Miss. Magical supplies are expensive across the board….”
“Mandrake isn’t magical. Don’t overcharge outsiders.”
……
“For the sake of Teseron Market’s reputation, if nothing else.”
The merchant, who had been planning to swindle her without a second thought, flinched and darted his eyes about.
Then, defeated, he shrugged his shoulders.
“Fair enough. Truth is, nobody’s looking for the stuff—it’s just dead inventory.”
“See?”
“You drive a hard bargain for such a small lady.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“Even so, we barely break even on a deal like this.”
“Break even on what? That’s adorable.”
“What’s adorable about—Huff!”
The merchant stopped mid-sentence and clamped his mouth shut.
The towering man standing beside Luciana had begun radiating an aura of barely contained menace.

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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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