The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 27

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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 27
At the attendant’s command to raise their heads, those who had bowed deeply straightened themselves. Countless eyes turned toward the Imperial family seated upon the Dais. Lauren’s gaze followed suit. But Aster Veil Lilywood was different from the others. He closed his eyes tightly, then opened them and exhaled a small sigh.
I couldn’t whisper a question asking if he was alright. Even Lauren, who had never ventured into high society, knew the protocol for addressing the Imperial family at a banquet. It was a principle that no one could speak before the Emperor made his opening declaration.
Instead, I tightened my grip on Aster Veil Lilywood’s arm. Then I returned my gaze to the Dais. Beside the Emperor and Empress sat the Crown Prince and the young Imperial Princess. Whether it was my imagination or not, the Emperor seemed to be looking in our direction.
“I am delighted that so many have responded to this sudden invitation. I hope you will all enjoy yourselves with ease today.”
At the Emperor’s brief greeting, applause erupted from various corners. As the Imperial family took their seats in the thrones upon the Dais, the string ensemble positioned to one side began to produce melodies. Those performing before the Emperor surely boasted considerable skill, but such nuances escaped my ears. I carefully tugged at Aster Veil Lilywood’s arm.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
It was a brief answer. I studied his face carefully. His brow was deeply furrowed, and his lips, curved in a faint smile, trembled slightly. No matter how I looked at it, he couldn’t possibly be described as fine, but he seemed desperate to appear so regardless. I closed my mouth. He exhaled a long breath and straightened his posture as if releasing tension from his rigid frame.
“I’m fine.”
Aster Veil Lilywood murmured once more, his voice as though speaking to himself. I gripped his arm firmly and nodded. Yes, there would be nothing to worry about. He had said he was fine.
Instead, I glanced subtly around us. Aster Veil Lilywood was someone who drew attention. Whether favorable or fearful. Those who viewed his existence with displeasure surely watched him as well. So if his condition appeared poor, it would be far from ideal.
“Shall we rest for a moment?”
“Right after arriving? Everyone would laugh at us.”
Aster Veil Lilywood laughed softly. His complexion, which had been ashen moments before, had regained some color. That was something, at least. The man he had been before never concerned himself with others’ gazes, yet now he seemed to care what people thought. But since he insisted, there was nothing to be done. We simply had to endure.
“Soon the music will change to a waltz. Once the Emperor and Empress dance, the Ball will officially begin.”
Leaning slightly against me, Aster Veil Lilywood whispered in a low voice. He seemed intent on informing me, who lacked experience in high society.
I nodded slightly. Yet my gaze remained fixed on others whispering while watching the two of them. What were they saying? The atmosphere didn’t seem favorable.
“It seems amusing that I’m managing to look presentable.”
My eyes widened, and without thinking, I looked at Aster Veil Lilywood. With his gaze fixed forward, he let out a soft laugh. People flinched in surprise and averted their eyes.
“Aster Veil Lilywood….”
I called his name, but he didn’t turn to look at me. A fierce light scattered from his green eyes. His mouth curved upward in a smile, but it wasn’t the expression I knew.
I carefully tugged at his sleeve. Only then did he turn to face me. I worried what it would be like to meet those fierce eyes, but fortunately, his gaze directed toward me remained gentle. For some reason, I felt reassured. Because to me, Aster Veil Lilywood was unchanged.
While this side seemed ready to explode at any moment, the people on the other side began to murmur. As the music changed to a three-beat waltz, it appeared the Emperor and Empress had descended alone. Everyone turned to face that direction. Lauren and Aster Veil Lilywood also moved toward the Grand Hall.
In the center of the Grand Hall, the Emperor and Empress stood facing each other, hand in hand, stepping in time with the music. The music wasn’t particularly fast, perhaps in consideration of the Empress’s delicate constitution.
The Emperor, whose hair had once been platinum but was now streaked with silver, led the Empress with practiced ease, as if to prove the years they had spent together. They were a magnificent sight. One might imagine that the prince and princess from fairy tales who lived happily ever after would look like this as time passed.
The seemingly endless waltz came to an end, and the Emperor and Empress bowed to each other with grace. Even that gesture was elegant and beautiful. The Emperor waited for the Empress to take his arm, then turned to face the assembled guests. His smile was warm and gentle.
“Thank you for waiting so patiently for such a simple dance. Now, please all enjoy yourselves.”
With a brief greeting, the Emperor returned to his throne upon the Dais. The waltz, which had paused momentarily, resumed. Couples began to appear on the empty floor, dancing. Some gathered with close acquaintances to converse. But no one approached Lauren and Aster Veil Lilywood. That was rather fortunate. I felt relieved inwardly. I had no confidence in engaging in meaningless conversation.
“Shall we dance?”
Aster Veil Lilywood asked me in a soft voice.
“Pardon?”
“You practiced so hard. It would be a shame not to dance at least once.”
To my surprised expression, Aster Veil Lilywood smiled with his eyes slightly narrowed. Though the Emperor and Empress’s dance had somewhat eased the tension, the gazes directed at us remained. Curiosity. And a hint of fear. The Lilywood Ducal Couple, who loved each other so deeply they married in secret without telling anyone. Even the infamous “murderer” of the Empire couldn’t escape their interest.
I raised my eyes and met the gaze of those watching Aster Veil Lilywood and me. As our eyes met, they flinched in surprise, covering their faces with fans or clearing their throats, forcibly turning their attention away. Yet they continued to glance at us furtively, and it didn’t sit well with me.
No, honestly, it irritated me. If even a brief glance bothered me this much, how had this man endured it for so long?
My hand slipped from Aster Veil Lilywood’s arm to his hand. And I gripped it firmly. His hand was large and warm.
‘That’s right.’
I pressed my lips together. Long ago, when this man had hidden me from others’ eyes, his hand had been this warm. So dancing with him once, as he wished, would be easy enough.
The Lilywood Ducal Couple, who loved each other so deeply they married in secret.
Lauren recalled the love story she had fabricated for the Newspaper Company. It wasn’t entirely false. Among the words she had spoken while thinking of him, some carried genuine feeling—she couldn’t say how many. She had tried to suppress her heart by presenting it as established fact, but that proved far easier said than done.
No one in this gathering could have imagined it: the “murderer” was actually sincere, meticulous, and tender-hearted. When they studied together, the way his long lashes caught the sunlight as he lowered his gaze in deep contemplation was utterly captivating. The consideration he showed—sending snacks separately because he couldn’t eat when anxious—these were facets only she knew existed.
Lauren withdrew her gaze from the murmuring crowd and looked up at Aster Veil Lilywood. Even as she told herself to forget, even as she tried to erase him from her mind, his image kept surfacing.
She wanted to be of use to him—not merely as an administrator, but as his wife. Lauren took his hand and stepped away alone. This man, whose eyes blazed with undisguised hostility toward those people, probably had no idea what she felt. Though he had suggested dancing first, Aster Veil Lilywood followed her lead without resistance.
“Let’s show them how well we get along.”
Lauren smiled brightly at Aster Veil Lilywood standing before her. His crimson lips parted slightly. His subdued green eyes kindled with light, gleaming brilliantly. She found that luminescence beautiful.
* * *
She hadn’t expected it to be this enjoyable. Lauren steadied her breathing and looked up at him. His brows were furrowed, yet an unmistakable smile played at the corners of his mouth—twisted though it remained. It seemed he too had found pleasure in this.
Perhaps because the music was faster than anticipated, she couldn’t afford to mind others’ gazes or her own tangled emotions. While holding his hand and moving frantically through the steps, there was no room for anxiety to creep in. That was fortunate, actually.
“Shall we rest a moment?”
“Yes, let’s.”
The music that had paused briefly resumed. But the two of them, still hand in hand, slipped out of the Grand Hall. The stares and whispers directed at the Lilywood Ducal Couple didn’t cease, but whether from exhaustion or simple indifference, Lauren thought: let them talk. She was too weary to care.
“Oh…”
A fading sunset unfurled before Lauren’s eyes. Aster Veil Lilywood had led her to an empty terrace. While she was captivated by the golden world, he closed the terrace doors and drew the curtains.
Lauren, who had been leaning against the balcony railing, turned to face him. The thick curtains completely separated this space from the ballroom. Now she was finally free from the weight of their scrutiny. She exhaled quietly.
“It feels like a different world here.”
“Doesn’t it? I don’t dislike the sunset visible from here.”
Aster Veil Lilywood smiled with narrowed eyes. In childhood, she had found it remarkable—even enviable—how easily he could dismiss others. But now she understood: his life too had been far from simple. As for herself, she lacked his effortless composure.
Aster Veil Lilywood reclined against a long chair left carelessly in place. With legs crossed and arms folded, he gazed toward the Garden where the sunset deepened. Lauren quietly approached and sat beside him.
“Um, may I ask you something?”
Lauren asked softly. Though uncertain what she meant to ask, Aster Veil Lilywood nodded.
“Earlier, you said ‘human form,’ didn’t you?”
“I did.”
She had worried he might take offense, but Aster Veil Lilywood simply gazed at the sunset in silence. Beyond the doors, the string ensemble’s harmony drifted through faintly. Lauren pressed her lips together, then spoke again.
“…May I ask what you meant by that?”
The corner of Aster Veil Lilywood’s mouth twisted. His gaze turned toward her. Whether illusion or truth, his pupils seemed to gleam with unusual brilliance in the sunlight. The emotion contained in those eyes eluded her comprehension.
“Exactly as I said.”
He lowered his gaze to his own sleeve. The luxurious jacket, deep green embroidered with golden thread, suited him perfectly—complementing his golden hair and green eyes.
Letti Torres had said something similar once: that it would be nice if he dressed well, given how striking his appearance was. At the time, she had wondered why he would say such a thing, but now, seeing him like this, Lauren found she could understand.

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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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