The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 43.1

The ceremony was already close. Judith at this time conducted an investigation into Sylvia’s background. Even before this, she collected information about the “lover”, but never noted many details, because now they need details. That is why Judith decided to carefully study everything again.

However, the duchess did not find anything new. Sylvia is the only daughter in the family, who has now moved to the capital, and their influence is small. Derrick first met her at the Emperor’s birthday party. At the same time, the girl’s debut came of age. The Duke fell in love with Sylvia at first sight, as soon as she appeared in the banquet hall in a luxurious dress. At this time, Judith was unwell and she was resting in the common living room, and just being next to Derrick was a very tiring task for her. But the Duchess would never have thought that on this very day her husband would fall in love with another.

What if Derrick then faced not Sylvie, but Hannibal? And maybe it was not love at all, but just an obsession?

“It’s possible that Sylvia is actually Hannibal,” with a sigh, Derrick put aside the papers provided by his wife and went to the window. The room was stuffy .

It was still not obvious who exactly was the demon among these three, but each time Judith only became more suspicious of Sylvia. And now the Duchess was worried – what could happen the next time they met? After all, Derrick, Vincent, the Emperor and Sylvia will meet in one place during the ceremony. Although Judith was still not sure about the last one.

In total, the ceremony lasts four days, and the ranks are carefully selected. So, the Dukes spend time with people of their status, and Sylvia will most likely be present only on the third or fourth day. And then she won’t be able to see the people from the first day.

Judith, until Derrick said that God does not exist, hoped for one thing: the sacred power would work on Hannibal. It might hurt her husband a little, but they would know for sure which body the enemy was in. But now this hope has melted like ice on the sun.

“I can’t afford to suspect only her.”

– Yes, but the Emperor has a limitation on searching for information.

Apart from them, only one person remained – Judith’s brother. Suddenly the Duchess remembered a recent event. The day Vincent visited the mansion after Derrick was revived. And this seemed extremely strange to her, because her brother was not the kind of person who would want to see the Duke often. He came only on certain days, once or several times a month. And for each visit, Vincent had a good reason.

This time Judith was not the first to contact him; his arrival was his own initiative. That is why Vincent, like Sylvia, came under suspicion when she circled around the mansion on the day of the funeral. However, the brother had a somewhat awkward expression on his face during dinner together. And what’s more, his face after Derrick’s words about the child was also surprising.

“You can feel Hannibal and his energy if you try?”

The question hung in the air as someone knocked on the door. The butler appeared in the doorway.

“Madam, you must get ready,” after the man’s short words, the maids entered the room to help the Duchess.

Judith checked her pocket watch and realized that there was not much time left before going to the temple. She walked slowly to the dressing table, carefully picked up her loose silver hair, applied colored makeup to make her face look bright, and put on a white dress.

Having finished her preparations, Judith calmly examined herself in the mirror. Dressed like this, it felt like it was their wedding day. It was on that day that the Duchess wore the same white dress and bright makeup.

“Like a bride,” Judith looked up, hearing a voice as she selected accessories.

Through the mirror she saw Derrick leaning against the door. He was wearing a white suit, not the black one he usually wore. The gold leaf with which the entire tuxedo was trimmed emphasized the originality and elegant atmosphere of the nobility.