The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 24

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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 24
Dancing was exhausting—both mentally and physically. I sank into the long chair positioned in the outer room, desperate to sprawl across it entirely, though my dress made such indulgence impossible. Aster Veil Lilywood, seated across from me, lifted one corner of his mouth in a smile so infuriatingly composed that it made my blood boil.
“If you’re going to attempt anything in the future, you’ll need to build your stamina first, Lauren.”
“This is normal stamina for an ordinary person.”
I grumbled between ragged breaths. Two hours of relentless step verification and synchronizing with the music—anyone with reasonable fitness would protest this ordeal. When I voiced this observation, Aster lowered his head and his shoulders trembled with barely suppressed laughter.
“Just laugh openly.”
I sighed and chided him. He continued chuckling for quite some time.
“I’m an ordinary person, but you were a soldier. You must have better stamina than most.”
“Fair enough.”
It had been absolute chaos at first—I’d stepped on his feet countless times. Though once I’d properly memorized the steps, things improved gradually.
“For a first attempt, you did remarkably well.”
I hadn’t expected praise from him. I couldn’t hide the way my gaze shifted toward him. As always, he reclined comfortably in the long chair, watching me with those narrowed eyes where a faint light seemed to shimmer.
Did I imagine that? I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again. It must have been an illusion. The calm green eyes reflected in my vision were no different from usual.
I opened my mouth without knowing what I wanted to say, but at that moment, someone knocked on the door. At Aster’s response, the door opened to reveal Calvin Stewart holding a tray.
“I’ve prepared something refreshing for you.”
“Oh! Thank you, Calvin.”
Calvin set down the tray with a bright smile. Somehow he’d prepared it in advance—tall glasses filled with ice held a beautifully arranged carbonated drink mixed with candied fruit. For my exhausted state, it was the most welcome gift imaginable.
The cold, sweet beverage drenched my parched throat. I drained it in one go and set the glass down with a long exhale. Calvin refilled it for me immediately.
“Now I feel alive again. Aster really doesn’t consider people’s circumstances, does he?”
“When you need to improve your skills immediately, there’s no better training method.”
I narrowed my eyes and glared at Aster. He folded his arms and let out a quiet laugh. The seemingly affectionate couple that the Butler observed simply smiled without comment.
“I’m beginning to think I have no talent for dancing.”
I lamented, pressing the cold glass against my cheek. After merely two hours of dancing, I’d already stepped on Aster’s feet multiple times, nearly fallen, and lost my rhythm entirely when the tempo increased.
“That will improve with consistent practice.”
“Do you think so…?”
Honestly, once my body had grown accustomed to the slower tempo, I’d thought my coordination wasn’t entirely hopeless—perhaps I’d dance gracefully within a day. But everything fell apart once the music accelerated.
Perhaps the problem wasn’t my coordination but my sense of rhythm. I leaned back heavily into the chair and released a long sigh.
“Drink more.”
Somehow I’d already emptied it. Aster switched his untouched glass with mine, which now held only ice. His glass still brimmed with the beautifully colored beverage.
“You were thirsty.”
His voice was soft and pleasant, tinged with faint amusement. Holding the glass with both hands, I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze and looked down instead. Water droplets clinging to the outside of the glass dampened my hands.
* * *
Between dance practice and paperwork, time flew swiftly. Before I knew it, the day of the Imperial Ball had arrived. Anna and Lise prepared me with even more care than they had on the day Delania Siaz visited—perhaps even more so. An Imperial Ball, no less. This time, I couldn’t possibly complain that they were overdoing it.
Preparations began early. I had no time to venture to the Dining Room, so I’d planned to skip lunch. I was someone who lost her appetite when nervous, and Aster, having learned this from recent events, sent word that I should eat something, along with sandwiches he’d had made small enough to eat by hand.
He pretended indifference while being so considerate. I murmured this to myself.
There was still much preparation ahead. No one would fault me for letting my mind wander. Submerged in the Bath with Anna and Lise attending to me, I became lost in thought. My thoughts centered on my husband, Aster Veil Lilywood.
I couldn’t fathom why he’d earned the epithet “Murderer.” Was it because he’d distinguished himself in several consecutive wars? If that nickname stemmed from warfare, then it should belong to the Emperor, not Aster. He was merely a soldier loyal to the Emperor, guilty of nothing but following imperial orders in battle.
Yet that nickname had been attached to him long before he ever went to war. A seventeen-year-old ducal heir, not yet of age. The rumors claimed he’d killed his own parents and more than half the Estate’s servants before ascending to his dukedom. If those rumors were true, the servants should have feared him.
But they didn’t. Not Letti Torres, his aide. Not Calvin Stewart, the Butler. Not even Anna and Lise. No servant in this Estate feared him.
My scented bath with flower petals concluded. Dressed in a muslin chemise dress over my drawers and camisole, I sat before the Vanity. Anna applied fragrant oil to my still-damp dark hair and combed it through. Her careful brushstrokes felt pleasant. Watching Anna’s concentrated expression in the mirror, I found my thoughts returning once more to Aster Veil Lilywood.
It was only natural that she thought of House of Lilywood as a place to escape to. She had met Aster before—and he had been the only person kind to her that day.
Unfortunately, it seemed Aster didn’t remember her at all.
Lauren bit her lip softly. The Imperial Ball. The words conjured memories of the Imperial Court’s grand ball celebrating debutantes entering society. Though the occasion was different now, her mind drifted unbidden to her own first social gathering a decade ago.
She hated dwelling on it, but among the bleak memories of her time in society, there was one gleaming exception: Aster Veil Lilywood.
* * *
Children of the empire’s noble families entered society at a tender age, beginning their social rounds around thirteen or fourteen. As the Marquess’s Daughter of House of Siaz, Lauren had naturally received her invitation.
Though it was called a gathering of children, it differed little from the affairs of adults. Those from families of high rank conducted themselves with ease, while others lingered at the periphery, acutely aware of the hierarchy. All because of something called power.
House of Siaz, modest in means if generous in spirit, lacked the “strength” that came from power. Even at fourteen, Lauren—who feared facing others—understood this much. She wanted to flee, but she couldn’t. A first invitation was not something one could refuse; it mattered as much as a formal debut before the Imperial family upon reaching adulthood.
Those attending their first gathering were required to wear plain white dresses without ornamentation. Lauren had prepared her gown according to this rule precisely. But the dress code these girls had agreed upon among themselves far exceeded the official standard. In her simple white cotton dress—no lace, no frills, no pearl embellishments—Lauren heard their mocking laughter.
Those assessing the newcomer to their established circle whispered among themselves. Among them was Delania Siaz.
Lauren couldn’t understand. Why was Delania here? She was the only young lady of House of Siaz. Yet Delania, who was older, had seamlessly integrated herself into the circle of her seniors, whispering something into the ear of the Marquess’s Daughter—the girl with the finest family among them.
“Leave here, liar. We don’t need thieves in our circle.”
The Marquess’s Daughter, whose name Lauren couldn’t even remember, declared this in a cold, haughty voice. Lauren felt the injustice keenly. She was the sole young lady of House of Siaz, and she was no liar. But beside the Marquess’s Daughter stood Delania, her brown eyes gleaming as she nodded in agreement.
Lauren couldn’t even defend herself. No one would believe her anyway. Whatever Delania had said, cold stares and mockery rained down on her all day. But that wasn’t all.
The malice of many was terrifying—nothing compared to Delania’s alone. Grape juice meant to replace wine spilled down her skirts. Breadcrumbs were hurled in her direction. The mocking caw of crows echoed in her ears.
Frozen, Lauren couldn’t even cry. She sank alone into the malice she hadn’t felt since her uncle’s family left the estate. When the children began their chorus of “caw, caw” to the taunt of “the thieving crow who can’t even caw,” she tried to steel herself, but her legs gave way beneath her.
It was he who caught her as she was about to collapse.
Aster Veil Lilywood, the only son of the Duke of Lilywood.
Lauren looked up quietly at the one holding her arm. With neatly trimmed blonde hair and dressed in a white uniform, he held her steady while his eyes narrowed as he glared at the children.
“This isn’t funny. Not at all.”
Aster spoke in a cold voice. The noisy gathering fell silent as if doused with cold water. He would be welcome in this circle too, Lauren thought even then. The heir of a ducal house whom no one dared treat carelessly was angry because of her.
Lauren lowered her head. She wanted to disappear from this place immediately. She wanted to melt away so no one could find her. Or rather, she wished she could go back to morning and find any excuse not to come here at all.
What if she fell out of favor with the heir of the ducal house? That’s what she must have been thinking.
“Let’s go.”
But Aster smiled at her. His brilliant green eyes softened as they curved gently, and he took her hand lightly, leading her away from the gathering. Lauren closed her mouth and followed, guided by his hand.
The gathering place fell silent. The sound of crows no longer echoed in Lauren’s ears.

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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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