I Thought It Was the Monster Duke's Fake Sedative - Chapter 99

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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 99
Luciana’s mood shifted in an instant.
It was the way Edward’s eyes looked as he spoke — as though he were genuinely concerned for her.
Even as her chest tingled and fizz like carbonation, Edward slowly traced his hand across her back.
“There’s more besides that, but he claimed that releasing just that one piece alone would be enough to topple the Temple.”
“I’m sure it would.”
“But I told him I wouldn’t release it. Instead, we’d find other research materials to use against them.”
“Why?”
“Because you might not want it known.”
……
“And if I revealed it, you might be attacked because you were an Experimental Subject of the Temple….”
……
“…as a Fake Companion created by the Temple to deceive me.”
What startled Luciana was her own lack of surprise.
She realized she had expected Edward to say exactly this.
She had known that Edward would never do anything to harm her.
That he would protect her instead.
As if to prove it, Edward drew her close with his large hands, holding her shoulders firmly.
“In any case, even if we don’t expose it, it will be threat enough for the Temple to know we have these materials. So I suggested we go to the Capital first and secure the Records.”
……
“It’s only a precaution, of course, but if we find other materials beyond that, we could accuse the Temple. Decisive proof, for instance, that the Temple sponsored the rituals summoning demons.”
“Then….”
“Then you’ll be safe.”
There was certainty in the reassurance his hand gave her.
‘With this man…’
He could protect her and overcome the Temple somehow.
After her recollection ended, Luciana clenched her fists.
‘Then I can’t just sit idle either.’
Edward had said it was only a precaution….
But Luciana resolved to do what she could to help him prepare for that possibility.
Soon her gaze turned quietly backward.
Toward the one who had been standing silently behind Gemini all this while, staring only at the ground.
“Clara.”
……
“It’s alright. Raise your head.”
Clara looked up with a gaunt face, her eyes trembling.
“…Madam, I will accept whatever punishment you decide. But my family… my family…”
“Clara.”
Luciana shook her head lightly and approached Clara, taking her hand.
Only then did Clara meet Luciana’s eyes.
“I’m not going to punish you right now.”
“…Pardon?”
“I don’t mean I won’t punish you at all. There are things in this world that are crimes even if you didn’t know what you were doing.”
Targeting the lives of the Territory’s people was certainly a Capital Crime.
Even if Clara had been manipulated without knowledge, she couldn’t have missed the signs that something grave would occur.
But….
“Still, I thought I’d give you a chance.”
……
“Come with me as my personal attendant on this trip to the Capital.”
“Madam, how could you possibly…!”
Luciana quietly steadied Clara’s shoulders as she cried out in surprise.
“That way the Temple won’t grow suspicious.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“They won’t even think to question why I’m bringing you as a maid instead of transporting a prisoner in chains.”
“But what do you mean….”
“If by any chance we end up accusing the Temple once we reach the Capital, I’d like you to add your testimony. You’ll be going in disguised as my maid — as a witness under protection.”
It was a kind of Witness Protection Program, you might say.
Clara’s expression became uncertain.
“An accusation, you say…?”
“Yes. Until then, your family will remain in custody at the Duke’s Castle.”
Luciana watched Clara’s face drain of color and hardened her expression, eyes narrowing with intent.
“Whether you want to eat three meals a day or not, you’re going to eat them. You know what happens if you starve for too long and then eat too much at once, right? It’s absolutely brutal.”
“I… what?”
“And once you can eat, I’m putting you through the Training Ground until you’re begging for mercy. Squats after a full meal—that’s the very definition of torture.”
“Squ… what?”
“Of course, to make sure you’re healthy enough to endure all that punishment, I’ll assign you a physician as well.”
Clara didn’t grasp every word, but she understood the intent well enough—her eyes widened.
“Why…”
Her eyes welled with tears in an instant.
“Why would you go so far…”
for me?
Watching her lips tremble as she struggled to ask, Luciana smiled gently.
“Do you remember what I told you?”
“Which… which words, ma’am?”
“That you shouldn’t hurt anyone.”
……
“And that if you didn’t, I’d employ you as my full-time attendant.”
“But that…”
“It seems you’ve finally taken those words to heart.”
Luciana said this as she patted Clara’s shoulder gently.
‘Yes. Of course she nearly did hurt others.’
If the plan had succeeded, many people might have been wounded or killed.
But the moment Clara was certain things would come to that, she’d rushed to Luciana and warned her of the danger.
And it hadn’t ended there.
Knowing full well what severe punishment awaited her, she’d stepped forward to testify.
‘A capital crime, participating in a threat to the Territory—she could have been executed for it.’
Luciana valued that deeply.
‘There are so many people who make mistakes and then run away without facing the consequences.’
The supervisors at the Shelter where Luciana had stayed had irresponsibly sent the Vigilante Group out and then feigned ignorance.
When someone died and came back, they’d simply shake their heads and say it wasn’t their fault.
But Clara, at least, hadn’t run from her own mistakes.
‘She came back to face responsibility instead.’
Having participated in the scheme, Clara couldn’t escape punishment entirely, but Luciana was determined to acknowledge that part of her character.
“If you testify well, when we return to Teseron, the severity of your punishment will be reduced.”
……
“I can’t prevent you from being punished, but you won’t face the ultimate sentence. Your family will also receive a new home and medical care as the price of your testimony.”
At this, Clara’s eyes began to glisten—such kindness seemed almost overwhelming.
Luciana leaned close and whispered to her.
“Can you do it?”
“…Yes.”
Clara made a sniffling sound and nodded firmly.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do well. I’ll do my very best.”
“Don’t try too hard, though. It’s too much pressure.”
“…Ma’am. Then we’ll go prepare the rest of our things.”
Sophie appeared just then and gently took Clara’s arm, and the two of them left together.
As they receded into the distance, it looked as though Sophie was comforting the tearful Clara.
She stood watching their retreating figures warmly.
Then, without warning—
“About that, I, no, ma’am.”
“Ah!”
Luciana jumped at the soundless approach and swatted the figure that had appeared beside her.
Gemini, the one actually struck, just grinned as though it didn’t hurt at all.
“Ouch. Your hands are quite sharp. How is it such a small fist can pack such force?”
“Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
“Ah, come now, surely we needn’t be so formal with each other…”
Luciana stared directly at Gemini’s neck.
“That necklace—you know it can be triggered with just an Explosion Spell, even without speaking the command.”
“My, how terrifying. You threaten so smoothly too. Wherever did you learn that? I’m genuinely moved.”
“I don’t need your admiration.”
“Oh, don’t say that. There’s something important I need to tell you before we depart.”
Gemini caught the sharp, alert gazes of Tepe and Gorgo fixed on her, so she drew close and whispered into Edward’s ear.
“The last carriage in the procession.”
“…….”
“As you wish.”
Luciana nodded with solemn resolve.
There was, in fact, another preparation she’d made for Edward besides Clara.
‘Good.’
Now all that remained was reaching the Capital safely.
That was when it happened.
A large hand gently enclosed Luciana’s fist, which she’d clenched with determination.
“Why are you gripping so hard?”
“…….”
“You’ll leave nail marks on your palm.”
Edward had drawn close to Luciana’s side without her noticing.
He opened her hand gently and examined her palm carefully.
Then, naturally, he interlaced his fingers with hers.
“Hmm, ah yes. I just remembered something I hadn’t done.”
“I should visit the Training Ground before we depart.”
“Now that I think about it, there are ledgers I’ve neglected… I’ll offer my respects before you go. Please have a safe journey. Your Grace, my lady.”
“No, wait. Why are you dragging me— Ow!”
His attendants, seeing this, took Gemini and hurried away, clearing the space entirely.

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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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