The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 12

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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 12
The journalists arrived slightly ahead of schedule. Calvin showed them to the Reception Room. Those with cameras positioned themselves before the long chairs near the sunlit windows, bustling about as they confirmed details among themselves. Calvin brought tea, but they seemed too preoccupied to notice.
The Duke and Duchess, who had become the talk of society, appeared precisely at the appointed hour. The journalists rose from their seats to greet them. Aster Veil Lilywood, whose name frequently graced the newspapers as a war hero, was a celebrity well-known even to the press.
Yet they had never seen him like this. The man who always wore a furrowed brow and possessed eyes as fierce as if he might draw a sword at any moment now escorted his wife with meticulous courtesy. His expression remained impassive, but his gaze no longer seemed capable of killing.
Moreover, his neatly bound hair and well-tailored formal attire in dark tones suited him remarkably well. It was impossible to imagine this as the sharp “murderer” who had appeared at official functions with disheveled clothing and golden hair carelessly unbound.
Who on earth had transformed him so? It was only natural that the journalists’ gazes turned toward Lauren, seated beside him. The reporters let out soft exclamations of admiration. Her black hair was elegantly pinned up with a lustrous sheen, and the dress she wore to match the Duke’s was not flashy but rather composed and graceful. The beautiful Duchess, whose eyes met theirs, smiled sweetly, her pale violet eyes crinkling at the corners.
The journalists hurriedly offered their business cards bearing the Newspaper Company name before Aster. As he regarded them with an indifferent gaze, Lauren reached out and collected them, then examined the journalists’ faces while confirming their names.
“Thank you for making the journey here. I imagine you have many questions. Please, sit.”
A fresh tea service was arranged on the low table. The journalists exchanged glances before carefully lifting their cups. Aster, regarding them with a faintly furrowed brow as always, leaned back against the long chair, while Lauren took a sip of tea and set her cup down.
“I don’t particularly enjoy wasting time, so let’s proceed directly to the matter at hand. I’m certain you’ve all seen the article that appeared on Gossip Bridge. I wish to issue a correction regarding that piece.”
“You mean to say you’ll be issuing a correction through us?”
One of the journalists raised his hand and asked. Lauren’s lips curved slightly upward.
“I thought our representative had already conveyed this to you.”
“Ah, yes, we were merely seeking confirmation.”
Letti Torres, the capable adjutant of Duke Lilywood, would never have failed to communicate properly. Did it seem foolish that Lauren was taking the lead in the conversation? Aster’s eyes narrowed as he regarded the journalists. Lauren had told him to simply remain silent, but if necessary, he would have to resort to intimidation. It would be better for Lauren, whose reputation was already poor, to take the lead in such matters. Of course, for now, he intended to remain obedient as she had requested. Though he wondered how long he could actually endure it.
“Then, shall I introduce myself first?”
The journalists opened their notebooks. Lauren made eye contact with each of the three journalists and smiled. Fearing that her usual demeanor might seem too approachable, she had carefully practiced the smile she had seen Aster use—one where one corner of her mouth was pulled slightly higher than the other. It had looked quite good when she practiced before the mirror, though she wasn’t entirely certain how it appeared now.
“My name before marriage was Lauren Siaz. I am the daughter of Baron Emel Siaz, an administrator of the Imperial City.”
The cold-blooded administrator. Someone murmured quietly. Lauren smiled with satisfaction. Her father’s fame stemmed from the fact that bribes held no sway over him. He was known as a cold-blooded man—one who could not be swayed by money, intimidated by displays of power, or threatened into compliance.
Yet among the common people and subjects of his territory, he was renowned as one who ensured no injustice befell them. The Emperor himself held Emel Siaz in high regard and appointed him to important positions. To her, such a father was always a source of pride. Thus, even the title of “cold-blooded administrator” was something Lauren wore gladly.
“How wonderful to meet someone who remembers my father.”
“One cannot easily forget such a man. The loss of Baron Siaz was a great loss to the Empire.”
The journalist bowed respectfully and posed another question to Lauren.
“If I may ask, how did you come to meet Duke Lilywood?”
Lauren had anticipated such a question and prepared accordingly. She explained, as she and Aster had rehearsed, that she had once treated him for wounds he sustained while suppressing bandits in the Southern Territory. Since she had not participated in society, neither had known who the other was, but she learned his identity when his adjutant came seeking him afterward.
The journalists continued with their questions—how they had continued their acquaintance, what she felt when Aster went to war. Some questions she had anticipated, others she had not. Yet Lauren answered them all without hesitation, her lies flowing seamlessly.
With arms crossed, Aster listened to her unwavering voice and felt a measure of admiration. This was a woman of considerable nerve and audacity. The way she disseminated information and constructed narratives was truly excellent. He had made the right decision in assigning her the role of filling in the gaps. She seemed capable not only in administration but also in information warfare. He was genuinely grateful that Lauren was on his side.
“Why did you forgo a wedding ceremony?”
“My parents passed away not long ago.”
“Ah, I am deeply sorry.”
Lauren’s gaze fell. Her thick lashes trembled slightly. Without thinking, Aster placed his hand over hers and patted it gently. The journalist who had asked the question bowed in apology, but the other journalists’ pens moved frantically across their notebooks. How fortunate—not that it was intentional, but it seemed to work out well. Lauren squeezed his hand in return. At this rate, they seemed to be quite well-coordinated.
“When I was struggling and felt lonely, Aster—oh, forgive me, I misspoke. The Duke was a great source of support for me.”
She deliberately let his name slip, not forgetting this detail. Aster’s eyebrows furrowed as he smiled. In truth, he was smiling wryly at Lauren’s audacity, but judging by how the journalists’ pens accelerated across the paper, they seemed to interpret it differently. Articles would surely emerge about how the “murderer” Duke possessed a human side after all. It was predictable. Even as he suppressed his internal amusement, questions and answers continued to fly back and forth.
“You mentioned you would sue the newspaper and the information provider who published the false article. Have you identified who they are?”
“Of course.”
Lauren laughed aloud as if stating the obvious. She then lifted her teacup and took a sip. The journalists’ faces grew slightly tense in the intentional pause she created. Her pacing was exquisite.
“There was someone who spoke carelessly before me, claiming I had not held a wedding ceremony. This much should be enough for them to recognize themselves. If they come to apologize in person within a week of the article’s publication, I’m inclined to forgive them.”
Such a thing had happened? An incident had occurred in his own residence of which he, the master, was unaware. This was not something he could simply overlook. Even if Lauren forgave them, he could not. Irritation welled up within him. Aster, reclining against the long chair, crossed his legs. Lauren’s pale violet eyes rolled toward him. She was clearly signaling him to restrain himself. Truthfully, sitting so obediently went against his nature, yet Lauren asked so much of him.
“Thank you for allowing us to conduct this interview, madam. We will hold a meeting based on what you’ve told us and prepare the article accordingly.”
Lauren nodded. When mention was made of taking photographs, one person rose and began operating the camera. As Lauren watched with curious eyes, she suddenly recalled something important. There was something she needed to mention before she forgot.
“Once the article is complete, please send it to the Duke’s Mansion. I need to publish it in other newspapers as well.”
“I thought you were giving us an exclusive story.”
“My goodness, I explained this from the beginning. Surely you accepted knowing that?”
“Ah, well, we couldn’t pass up the story…”
The newspaper editor’s displeasure was written plainly across his face, his eyes narrowing. How bold, to show such defiance before a killer. Aster Veil Lilywood’s lips curved into a smirk, and with a soft chuckle, he uncrossed his legs and kicked the table. With a sharp crack, the teacup atop it shattered against the floor.
A sharp intake of breath reached his ears. And Lauren’s voice, reproaching him by name. His mood was already foul, and now Lauren wouldn’t even let him vent his frustration. These people needed to be shown their place before they’d listen. Aster Veil Lilywood grumbled inwardly with irritation.
“I believe we’ve paid quite handsomely for your cooperation and expedited publication. Is the compensation insufficient?”
A chilling voice cut through the air toward the journalists. The words spoke of cooperation, but the tone suggested otherwise. Though he carried no blade, his gaze alone seemed capable of taking a life. The nickname “killer” was hardly undeserved. The broken cup was merely the beginning—next time, it might be their heads. The editor’s face paled as he felt the threat of death in those narrow, verdant eyes.
“N-no, not at all. We’ll handle it exactly as you’ve instructed.”
“I do hope the article proves satisfactory.”
The air in the Reception Room froze. A bloodstained smile etched itself across Aster Veil Lilywood’s lips as he tilted his chin upward. The photographer, trembling, announced that preparations were complete. Lauren shook her head slightly. Intimidation like this would only make things worse. She’d explicitly told him to behave, yet Aster Veil Lilywood had caused a scene anyway.
Though, if she were honest, it felt rather satisfying. No matter how hard Lauren tried to command the situation, something always seemed to slip from her grasp. Perhaps it was because she was a woman. Lauren swallowed a sigh. Even with Aster Veil Lilywood’s support, she remained shackled by that single fact.
“Lauren.”
Aster Veil Lilywood called her name in a low voice. It seemed her discouragement was showing. Lauren offered him a smile, hoping it conveyed reassurance, though she wasn’t certain it did.
The photographer took his position behind the camera. Aster Veil Lilywood straightened his posture and directed his gaze toward the lens. Lauren drew a deep breath, relaxed her rigid expression, and curved her lips into a gentle smile.
“Trust me.”
Aster Veil Lilywood whispered to her. For a moment, her mind went blank, unable to comprehend his words. Lauren turned to look at him. His narrow, verdant eyes gazed back at her.
“Aster?”
“Trust in me.”
It wasn’t a difficult request, but she couldn’t fathom why he was saying it. Was he trying to play the role of a devoted husband? If so, she could manage that. Lauren carefully rested her head against his shoulder. Would they look like an affectionate couple this way? For some reason, smiling felt easier now than it had moments before.
From behind the camera, the photographer began counting down before the shutter clicked. Three seconds in, something soft touched her head. It was only after the photograph was taken that Lauren realized Aster Veil Lilywood had leaned his head against hers as well.

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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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