The Murderous Duke's Domestic Affairs - Chapter 28

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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 28
What would her reaction be if I told her what happened to me?
Aster Veil Lilywood tilted his head slightly, gazing down at Lauren beside him. When their eyes met—hers filled with contempt as she looked down at him—he froze. Yet in that moment, the warmth of her hand gripping his arm pulled him back to awareness. Without thinking, he looked up to find the source of that warmth. In Lauren’s violet eyes, he saw unmistakable concern. Concern he couldn’t remember the last time receiving.
But that wasn’t the end of it. While she directed fierce worry toward him and burning hostility toward those who treated him as a spectacle, she couldn’t hide her agitation when he asked her to dance. And as she moved frantically to the quick tempo, she gradually began to smile.
Honestly, even someone like him—who was rarely surprised by anything—found himself somewhat taken aback. He’d investigated her thoroughly and spent enough time with her to think he understood her to some degree, yet he’d never seen her smile like this. A radiant smile, like a flower bud blooming.
‘Let’s show them we’re a happily married couple,’ she’d said. Aster found himself smiling without realizing it. Dancing with Lauren was more enjoyable than he’d expected. So much so that he didn’t care about others’ gazes. Perhaps it was because he noticed that the contempt and fear that always directed themselves toward him had shifted—ever so slightly—into admiration. Dancing alone with her to the accordion’s melody was wonderful too, of course.
“I always dress like this, even at events like these.”
He wanted to keep his mouth shut, but he couldn’t avoid answering. Aster met Lauren’s violet gaze directly. With just those words, she seemed to have grasped his full meaning. Her pupils wavered, and her delicate brows furrowed.
Was she worried, or was she angry on his behalf instead? He couldn’t tell anymore. Since that day, no one had ever made such an expression for him. He couldn’t stop his lips from twisting.
Aster forced his gaze away from Lauren, directing it toward the sky where the sunset was deepening. He hadn’t liked the Glass Conservatory where the ball was held, but what he’d told Lauren about not disliking this place was sincere.
When he escaped from the eyes pressing down on him and faced this sunset sky, it felt as though the breath that had been suffocating him finally opened up a little.
He didn’t know why he’d thought of this place when she’d suggested they rest. Perhaps because he thought he could let her rest comfortably here. Lauren had always struggled to meet others’ eyes directly, as if it were an old habit, instead facing them with an angry expression.
Aster knew Lauren’s ‘usual’ self well. Or so he’d thought.
Lauren, who smiled warmly even to the castle’s servants and those doing menial work, asking after them kindly and praising them in a gentle voice. Lauren, who sometimes showed weakness but then became stronger than anyone else. Lauren, who was small and delicate but possessed a strong core.
When Lauren’s violet eyes, which always held a gentle smile, gleamed fiercely as she glared at others, Aster found himself wishing she wouldn’t make such an expression.
Even though he knew that fierce gaze was for his sake.
She was fundamentally a warm person. The sight of her bearing hostility somehow lodged itself in his chest and wouldn’t leave. During the dance, he couldn’t express how gladly he welcomed the familiar smile returning to her eyes. Because that was the Lauren he knew.
He should thank her for trying to protect him. What should he say? But before the words could leave his lips, the Attendant’s voice reached him from beyond the terrace.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor summons you. The Duke of Lilywood shall obey the command.”
Of all times. Aster clicked his tongue. He couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s command, especially since he knew the Emperor favored him. He didn’t want to leave Lauren here. He gripped her hand tightly.
“I’ll go with the Duchess.”
He didn’t know why he’d given such an answer. A strained sound escaped his throat. Lauren was looking at him with an unreadable expression. Aster turned his head away from her gaze as if hiding.
“The Duchess is to meet with His Majesty privately, he says.”
Without meaning to, his grip tightened. Perhaps too much, because Lauren let out a small whimper. Aster was startled and released her hand immediately. How foolish. Such small, delicate hands. He hoped they weren’t hurt. But he couldn’t even ask if she was alright.
“Go ahead, Aster.”
Lauren took his hand again. Aster could only stare at her. He didn’t want to leave her alone here. He knew she feared others, especially high society. But Lauren didn’t stop smiling at him. As if to say she was fine. Indeed, she was a strong person.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Aster bit his lips hard and murmured quietly. Then he stood and forced himself to walk away. He needed to hurry so nothing would happen to her.
* * *
Lauren sighed softly. The sun descended westward, casting long golden shadows. The eastern sky, untouched by the sun’s hem, had shifted from pink to blue. And the ballroom beyond the terrace doors had grown correspondingly brighter. The transparent glass building would look like it was burning beneath the night sky.
Quite some time had passed since Aster left. He’d said he’d be back soon, yet there was still no word from him. Lauren remained motionless on the terrace. She didn’t want to return to the ballroom without him.
She settled deeply into the long chair, just as he had. Should she fold her arms too? If she waited in exactly his pose, what would Aster say? Might he smile a little?
“The Duchess of Lilywood, an esteemed person wishes to meet with you.”
The Attendant’s voice came from beyond the curtain. So he’d said she would meet privately too. Lauren stood, waiting for the Attendant to guide her.
But the Attendant didn’t tell her to follow as he had with Aster. Instead, the curtain opened. She hadn’t thought the Emperor would come all the way here to meet her. It would be simpler just to summon her. A crease formed between Lauren’s brows.
Then who was behind that curtain?
The moment she wondered, the ‘esteemed person’ revealed himself. It was someone she’d seen at the ball. The man in a black uniform ornately decorated with gold trim, who had stood one step behind the Emperor—the Crown Prince, Abarid Bestes. The smell of alcohol already clung heavily to him, and the ball had only just begun.
“I greet the Dawn of the Empire.”
Lauren bowed respectfully to Abarid. It was the prescribed greeting for the Crown Prince, yet something about it felt wrong. She didn’t know why.
“Lift your head, madam.”
Lauren straightened her posture at the man’s words, yet she still refused to meet his gaze. He bore the same rank as Aster Veil Lilywood, so why did his presence fill her with such revulsion?
The Crown Prince, his hand resting at his waist, signaled to his Attendant. The Attendant entered the terrace and arranged drinks and appetizers on the table before the long chair. What on earth was he planning? Lauren watched as the Attendant withdrew, leaving behind an impeccably arranged spread.
“Grant me the honor of sitting across from you.”
Lauren barely suppressed an involuntary laugh. What manner of arrogance did one require to call sitting across from her an “honor”?
“I am grateful for your words, Your Highness.”
Lauren fought to erase the hollow smile threatening to surface. The Crown Prince was said to be violent and fond of women. A conversation with her Father from long ago suddenly resurfaced in her mind.
He had lusted after women so much that he’d passed his prime marriageable years without taking a wife. She remembered the expression on her Father’s face as he recounted it. Now, facing this reality, it felt all too real. Disgust crawled down her spine. She could not remain in the same space as the Crown Prince.
“I hope you will understand that I cannot reciprocate the kindness Your Highness has shown. Please forgive me for taking my leave.”
The Ballroom was unpleasant, but it might be preferable to facing Abarid. Lauren decided to slip past him quickly. She bowed respectfully once more in his direction, then moved to pass him with swift steps—until the Crown Prince seized her wrist.
“Release me, Your Highness.”
It was best not to provoke him. Lauren tried to avoid meeting the Crown Prince’s eyes.
But the Crown Prince was far stronger than she and a considerably larger man. When he pulled her wrist, she could not resist and was dragged forward. He bent down and thrust his face before hers. His sticky gaze licked across her features like something obscene.
She had not meant for it to happen, but their eyes met. The smell of alcohol was no mistake. The pale platinum hair that had been neatly combed back at the start of the gathering now hung disheveled around his face. His golden eyes were flushed red with drink, and the smile twisting one corner of his mouth was repugnant.
“Well, well—they said you were the wife of Lilywood, and I didn’t expect much, but you’re quite beautiful, aren’t you?”
Lauren squeezed her eyes shut. Trapped as she was, escape was impossible. Pleased by her reaction, the Crown Prince laughed—a chilling, high-pitched sound that made the fine hairs on her neck stand on end.
“What, are you trying to run away? Do you think I’m going to hurt you?”
The Crown Prince pulled Lauren’s hand. She had no choice but to be dragged along. He was perhaps slightly smaller than Aster Veil Lilywood, but he was undeniably a powerfully built man. She could not struggle. And if she sustained even a scratch from him—this man who held little affection for House of Lilywood might blame the injury on her family. She now bore the Lilywood name, not Siaz.
Could it be that Abarid Bestes was deliberately provoking her with all this in mind? If so, how could she escape this situation? Lauren’s mind raced desperately, but no matter how hard she thought, no proper solution came to her.
“How about we share a drink?”
Abarid, who had dragged her all the way to the long chair, held up an empty wine bottle and then thrust Lauren onto the long chair where she had been sitting with Aster Veil Lilywood. She fell onto it with a gasp. She had thought this place pleasant just moments ago, but now she was beginning to hate it.
“Then I’ll let you go peacefully. How about it? Not a bad deal, right?”
Lauren’s lips trembled. The Crown Prince smiled at her, seemingly pleased. Abarid appeared to have taken a liking to the expression that had bloomed across her face.
“I keep my promises.”
He poured the liquid from the bottle into a wine glass with a splash. The quantity was no less generous than when Aster Veil Lilywood had poured for her. A full glass, the dark golden liquid rippling gently.

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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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