The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 100.2

In an instant, Derrick stood before her, blood staining her dress. The glass hit his forehead. Judith felt anger boiling inside her as she saw the bleeding wound. Biting her lip, the Duchess prepared to reveal the whole truth. A horrible lump of details burst forth from within:

– Of course you don’t know. It’s all because your precious daughter had an affair with my ex-husband.

The noisy atmosphere died down in an instant. Only a rare murmur could be heard from those around. And the Duchess herself wiped her husband’s forehead with a handkerchief brought by a servant.

– I’m sorry, what?

The Viscount looked embarrassed, as he did not expect the truth to be revealed at such a moment.

The white cloth was now covered in blood. And Judith could no longer contain herself, completely losing her temper:

– Do you want to deny this fact? You, relying on their relationship, squandered my ex-husband’s investment money.

– What?

“I have many memories of working hard. And my life was destroyed in an instant because of your daughter who desired my husband!” The words coming out of her mouth were not big news, because the Empire had already discussed these rumors in the past.

The crowd’s excitement grew, but Judith looked only at the Viscount.

– Nevertheless, you lost your only daughter. So I tried to understand you. But nothing more.

“It’s a lie!” he shouted insistently.

But no one listened to his excuses. This happened precisely because these rumors had already been circulating in society, but now – after Judith’s confession – everyone was convinced of their truth.

“But today is the end of my patience. And you can just wait,” the Duchess said through gritted teeth, after which she immediately left the ballroom in the company of Derrick. “Are you okay?” Judith looked at her husband’s forehead, speaking in a voice full of concern.

She lifted the handkerchief and saw the scar and bit her lip.

– Where is the blood?

Her eyes were wet, as if the Duchess was about to cry.

Derrick chuckled, the wound now completely gone. Realizing the strangeness of her question, Judith remembered the demon’s abilities.

“Are you okay?” he asked, calmly taking her hand.

Knowing that the Duke was referring to a confrontation with the Viscount, Judith smiled weakly. Noticing Derrick’s arms were wide open, asking for a hug, she followed the advice, burying her face in his strong shoulder.

– Hannibal took advantage of Sylvia, so I didn’t want to say it…

As if understanding and sharing his wife’s sadness, Derrick stroked her head. But the Duchess, although she said all this in a fit of anger, did not regret what she had done. Sylvia, who had watched Judith during her failed marriage, the Viscount, who had stuck to her like a fly after the divorce, his mockery, shouts and rumors, surrounding her like a fog. That was why the Duchess did not feel guilty.

Casting aside all doubts and thoughts, Judith carefully raised her head.

– I want to ask you something.

This was the first question worth asking him after the meeting.

– Why did you come back to me? Why did you give up the throne and become a man?

Derrick’s gaze was fixed. He did not dare to answer. Judith still remembered his words when he left her alone in the villa. And even if it was only a lie, it left a deep scar in her heart. The Duchess never missed out on what she wanted – since she was born.

But, strangely enough, Judith had never experienced true and sincere love before. Her heart was always empty, as if she had lost the last piece of a puzzle. Once, her nanny said that material goods will never replace spiritual ones. And it turned out to be true.

Suddenly Judith felt warmth on her cheek.

– Because I love you.

Judith’s pupils flickered in the darkness, and Derrick’s words echoed in her ears.