The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 44.1

Count Doton, a man with a long beard, approached Derrick to shake his hand. However, the Duke instead only looked down at him. The expression on his face seemed very distant and cold.

Judith retreated from the huge crowd and psychological pressure from all sides, but she did it so poorly that she sprained her leg. At this moment, no one was standing by to help her. Her small, thin body flew down, but never made contact with the floor. Derrick, like a stone wall, stood next to him and without hesitation abandoned the entire crowd that was eager to talk to him.

– Are you okay?

There was excitement in his voice.

– Yes…

Now the couple’s bodies were in close proximity, which is why Judith could even hear Derrick’s heartbeat, despite the murmur around them.

And only at that moment the Duchess realized how this picture looks from the outside: she is in the arms of her husband, who asks her about her well-being. Recently – especially after the tea party – the social world has been divided into two camps. The first believed in the love and friendship of the couple, while others denied it.

Soon, when Judith came to her senses, people “flocked” to the spouses, like sparrows asking for bread. They talked and talked about something, each about his own. Looking at Derrick, who was still holding her in his arms, Duchess noticed irritation. It seemed as if his violet eyes were about to turn red.

The demon could not hide his identity in only two cases: when there was a strong impulse to use magical energy, but Judith did not think that was the case, or Derrick felt an impulse of power.

But whatever the reason, now the Duchess could only come to terms and pull herself together. Now, looking at this place, she saw that this was not a holy place at all. And nothing more connected with it can be perceived as a good sign.

The girl pulled Derrick’s hand, after which he looked at her with a gloomy look.

– Judith? – the familiar voice of Vincent, who arrived in a blue robe over his uniform, was heard.

The brother immediately noticed the embarrassing atmosphere and, of course, addressed the crowd to defuse the situation. Only now he was acting friendly – shaking everyone’s hand, unlike Derrick. Saying that the consecration ceremony was about to begin, Vincent dispersed everyone.

Judith couldn’t even think: her own brother was so skilled in such matters. Previously, of course, he helped her in many ways in high circles, but the Duchess could not think that this would continue after marriage. In fact, she was a little disappointed.

Suddenly the temple bell rang, signaling the opening of the ceremony. After some time, the second one rang, after which all three went straight to the baptistery, surrounded by columns. The emperor stood face to face with the high priest who was in charge of the temple.

At each of the events, the Emperor appeared at the very end – officially entering the hall when everyone had already gathered. However, the consecration ceremony was completely different. The first blessing, which has the greatest power, must be received by the most revered person in the country. That is why the Emperor was the first, and only after him could other nobles approach the priest.

The Emperor, having received the blessing from the priestess, turned his head and looked at the spouses, after which he immediately headed towards them. Vincent was also located nearby – and one of them could be Hannibal. Judith felt every part of her body trembling with excitement, and her fingertips seemed to be electrified.

– Duke, are you here? I had no idea that you would be present today.

The High Priest, standing behind the Emperor, looked agitated, as if he had seen death itself. It was he who arranged Derrick’s funeral and could not come to terms with his miraculous revival. The Duke greeted everyone as Judith had taught him, which made Judith calm down a little.