The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 100.1

Chapter 100.1
The friendly atmosphere instantly died down, as if everyone around had been doused with cold water. Everyone remembered what the Viscount had done at the last banquet, and they understood perfectly well that the mistake he had made had been fatal.

No one dared to speak first, only looking with fear and condemnation at the man who appeared. And Judith was one of those who could not remain calm now. She still remembered Derrick’s words about the reason for the spread of these terrible rumors. The demon’s phrase echoed in her ears.

The source of all the absurdity was the Viscount. And now he shamelessly showed up at the ball.

– You two look very happy.

The already frozen atmosphere gave way to a new crack. The Viscount, standing with a glass of wine, spoke. The dazzling gleam in his eyes expressed his determination to ruin everyone’s good mood.

“How can you be like that?” There was envy in his voice as he looked at the couple’s intertwined fingers. “The Duke may not know, but you should not be with that lady. My daughter died because of her.” His bold words were dangerous enough to reignite old rumors that had barely died down.

Judith tried her best to understand the Viscount. He must have been in a terrible situation, like a lightning strike – his only daughter had died. Because of the pain of losing the demon, the Duchess understood these terrible and painful feelings very well. However, there was a limit to every patience.

Of course, his anger was directed at Judith. But ultimately, the Imperial court found her innocent. Sure, the Duchess had never loved either Silvia or the Viscount, but what had happened was Hannibal’s fault. But even now, when everything had been decided, the man acted as if Judith were the most terrible person in this Empire and a traitor.

However, even the deepest sadness did not give him the right to attack the Duchess mercilessly. The demon’s eyebrows twitched. It was clear: the Viscount was trying to plunge Judith into the swamp of rumors again. And at the moment when he was about to move, something stopped him. His wife’s hand held him gently but firmly. The Duchess took a deep breath and looked straight at the Viscount.

– Be moderate, Viscount, and do not spread false rumors. If I reveal the truth, you will have to worry, not me.

The silence around them disappeared. The nobility, who loved new gossip, could not remain silent: each of them whispered to each other.

— The truth?

The man snorted as if he had heard something absurd.

– It is I who must reveal the truth to everyone! How you killed my daughter and the Duke!

The Viscount was ready to stake everything on this battle. His cold eyes bored into Judith. But the Duchess remained cool. And her words were clear:

— Why did Sylvia suddenly come to the villa belonging to the Duke?

“I know the unmistakable truth,” the Viscount’s eyes sparkled.

Of course, it was Hannibal in his daughter’s body. And what’s more: Derrick never had a real romance with a girl. It was just a trick of the demon. But only Judith and Derrick himself knew about it. The others were not privy to the details, like the Viscount himself.

Everyone around was amazed by the sudden and bloody battle.

“How dare you mourn my precious daughter?” the Viscount’s cry echoed as he threw his glass towards the girl.