I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 77

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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 77
Of course, intellectually he knew the Peddler was spouting nonsense.
He didn’t particularly trust someone who’d been harassing Luciana, either.
And besides, from Edward’s perspective… Luciana cared for him far too much for a single conversation to break her heart.
Didn’t her face light up the moment she saw him, hadn’t she said she wouldn’t marry anyone but him?
Yet when he recalled her glistening eyes, his heart wavered in a way that didn’t suit him.
Especially after hearing what Rozendale had said.
“Your Grace, in truth, I’ve committed a grave offense against your wife….”
Remembering Rozendale’s confession, Edward exhaled slowly.
‘Of all times.’
He’d only learned of the incident between Rozendale and Luciana after he’d quarreled with Luciana and returned.
Rozendale, who had been consumed with duties all this while, had only lately confessed her wrongdoing to him.
He’d imposed a salary reduction and six months’ suspension from important duties—but.
What she’d supposedly said to Luciana still gnawed at him.
A companion animal, she’d called her.
Hadn’t that amounted to openly declaring Luciana unworthy of trust?
‘…That’s why she was so devastated.’
Understanding why Luciana had reacted that way left a bitter taste in his mouth.
In the end, Edward found himself unable to cancel the banquet unilaterally, despite his misgivings.
If he did such a thing now, one-sidedly….
It would only prove Rozendale’s words true.
That he saw her not as a partner, but as a companion animal.
That he wanted her to bear no responsibility, to keep her entirely under his control.
‘Luciana really would come to believe it then.’
…He simply could not do that.
And so, letting matters drift unresolved, the day had come at last.
The day of the banquet in Teseron—Luciana’s first as the Duchess.
Watching the rehearsal fireworks, Edward found himself torn between conflicting emotions.
‘Remarkably so.’
He’d heard that Luciana had rejected the Grand Lady’s offer to assist directly, overseeing the banquet herself.
Though admittedly, most of the help came from people Edward had quietly positioned behind the scenes.
‘So the banquet itself isn’t particularly worrying.’
The real concern remained Luciana’s safety.
Observing Edward, Gorgo ventured carefully to speak.
“Will you be all right, Your Grace?”
“…….”
“We could still reduce the scale of the banquet, if you wish. Or postpone—”
“The Duchess’s escort?”
“…As you commanded, we’ve reinforced it substantially. Most of the knight order is positioned to watch over the Duchess, and I’ve distributed several Magical Items to the attendants.”
“…….”
“Ah, and I’ve also had additional enchantments woven into the Banquet Dress she’ll wear tonight—”
A slight flinch.
Gorgo’s words faltered abruptly mid-sentence.
Edward’s eyes narrowed.
“Is something lacking?”
Anxiety descended sharply upon Edward.
Because of their ongoing Cold War, he hadn’t been able to examine Luciana’s dress or jewelry himself.
If there were any shortcomings in her protection….
Before Edward could press further with his sharp tone—
“No, sir. It’s merely a foolish thought that occurred to me….”
At Gorgo’s denial, Edward’s eyes grew even narrower.
“What foolish thought.”
“Simply that… Your Grace will be seeing this Banquet Dress for the first time tonight.”
Indeed, for someone as consistently composed as Gorgo, it was quite a trivial observation.
Yet the fact that it was true irritated him somewhat.
‘That Gorgo knows the dress.’
And he does not.
Naturally so—they’ve barely spoken, scarcely seen each other’s faces. Yet suddenly, everything began to chafe.
‘Cursed banquet.’
Perhaps he should simply intimidate those guests into submission.
Edward kept his thoughts to himself as he irritably flicked the dust from his sword and sheathed it.
“Go on then. I need to prepare for the banquet as well.”
“…Have you made preparations, sir?”
“Well, it’s my wife’s first banquet as hostess.”
…….
“She had a new dress tailored, didn’t she? Am I supposed to stand beside my beautifully dressed wife looking like a pauper while we receive guests?”
It was reasonable enough, though Gorgo swallowed a sigh.
‘If only he’d just say he wants to look good…’
In truth, the old Edward would have done far worse than stand like a beggar—he’d have overturned the entire table and prevented the banquet from happening in the first place.
Yet even now, while locked in a cold war with Luciana, he’d done no such thing. He’d even had new banquet attire tailored.
All because he didn’t want to ruin her event.
And, perhaps, because he wanted to show her his finest self.
Gorgo, dimly sensing these true motives, attended to Edward without complaint.
“I shall see to it, sir. The lady will be brought by Tepe.”
“…I’ll need to hire a new bodyguard soon.”
“I beg your pardon? Is something wrong with Tepe…?”
“The idiot went to my wife on the pretext of reconciliation and asked her, ‘Want me to touch your chest?’ Does that sound like someone operating on all cylinders?”
“Well, he’s already being punished by being temporarily removed from your detail, so he is atoning for it.”
“And what nonsense will he spout to Luciana next? I’ve seen how he throws himself at her without a shred of sense….”
Edward was busy reinterpreting the spectacle of Tepe taking a one-sided beating to suit his own narrative.
Boom.
Another firework burst overhead.
Edward set his jaw with evident displeasure, but he turned toward his chambers to change clothes.
…And not long after, he encountered something rather shocking.
* * *
“My lady! The cutlery is all prepared!”
“The hall decorations too! The gardener chose the flowers so beautifully!”
“And your dress today… it suits you wonderfully!”
While the maids called out busily, Sophie’s final words came with a slight tremor.
Luciana thought it was understandable as she gazed into the mirror.
“…Sophie?”
“Yes, my lady!”
“Did I ask for a dress like this?”
And she asked in a voice that was herself trembling slightly.
Her gaze drifted slowly downward.
To the Banquet Dress that clung to her form—the one she would wear today.
…The neckline and back dipped just slightly, and the brilliant scarlet fabric blazed like living flame, commanding every eye and demanding presence.
The exposure here and there was strategic enough to avoid looking cheap or frivolous, and the designers had achieved genuine elegance….
Yet it was quite different—no, vastly different—from the modest, sweet style of dress Luciana normally preferred.
In a word….
‘…If I wear something like this, won’t people just take it as some kind of bold seduction move?’
That was the impression it gave—a daring, provocative concept.
As if to confirm this, Sophie, both hands clasped tightly, cried out in that still-trembling voice:
“Yes, of course! You asked for something with a more mature feel!”
So Luciana had indeed requested a dress with a “mature” aesthetic.
“Sophie. Should we have another Banquet Dress made after all?”
“Yes, ma’am. We should. Is there something specific you’d like?”
“If possible, something with a more mature quality would be nice.”
Luciana had her reasons.
‘I can’t have the allies coming today look down on me.’
The situation between her and Edward was poor, true enough.
But since she had committed to holding this banquet, she had to fulfill her duty as the duchess.
There was a mountain of things yet to learn, but her most glaring weakness was immediately obvious to the eye.
‘Small, weak, and easy to dismiss!’
No wonder Edward treated her like a pet.
The thought stung afresh.
To soothe that sting, Luciana forced her mind elsewhere.
‘I need to establish authority with the allies at this banquet and gather the materials they bring.’
So that once the banquet ends, I can immediately enter the Divine Ascension Ritual.
To be honest, after the quarrel with Edward, she’d spent about three seconds entertaining the thought of just packing her things and leaving.
He doesn’t expect it himself—why would I perform the ritual for him?
But if I didn’t, Edward’s Rampage could end the world.
‘Even if I run away and try to live this life well, the world has to stay intact.’
Living and struggling in a ruined world was all I endured in my past life—I wouldn’t accept that again.
Still, that decision had driven a wedge between Edward and me.
Even though I’d told him outright why I was hosting the banquet, Edward often watched Luciana from a distance, his eyes narrowed and cold.
Luciana pretended not to notice and threw herself into the preparations.
Ordering the dress in such a mature style was part of that effort.
‘I need to look stronger.’
Something like war paint, in a way.
“Yes, madam! Don’t worry!”
Sophie had answered with a ringing voice back then.
After that assurance, the banquet preparations became so hectic that she’d forgotten all about the dress.
It had been so busy that she’d only tried on a mock-up fitting in the middle of all the chaos.
If I’d known it would be like this, I should have checked properly.
Even as she regretted it, the sexy dress wouldn’t have gone anywhere—she was committed to facing this head-on, after all.

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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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