The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 44.2

However, Derrick’s face showed disgust. And the Duchess did not understand why? Was it from the realization that this man could be Hannibal? Or just the stench he mentioned earlier?

But be that as it may, Derrick must communicate with the Emperor with respect.

– Greetings, Your Majesty, the Sun of our Empire, we are glad that you attended this gracious event.

– How are you, Duchess?

A slight smile appeared on the Emperor’s face, and he looked Judith up and down.

It seemed to her as if the Emperor was a snake, touching her skin with poisonous fangs. But the man’s gaze was riveted on the ruby ​​necklace hanging around the Duchess’s neck.

“I hope it looks good,” she noticed the look.

And the jewelry was truly magnificent, but it looked too provocative, which is why Judith rarely wore it. The Emperor also knew this very well: the Duchess preferred blue colors. Delicate and soft. Judith’s fingertips were frozen with the awkwardness of what was happening.

– Your Majesty the Emperor, long time no see…

When the man turned away, Judith was able to exhale as if she had not breathed at all before. The Duchess always felt it when the Emperor looked at her. Without understanding why, she felt danger: it seemed that something too mysterious and strange was hidden in him.

And now Judith was tormented by doubts: was this the nature of the Emperor? Or the demon Hannibal? The Duchess looked at Vincent and the Emperor, who were talking among themselves. Judith held Derrick tightly by the sleeve all this time.

– Derrick, do you feel anything? – she whispered.

The demon looked at the two, leaning towards his wife in order to clearly hear her every word.

– Not yet.

Apparently, it is impossible to distinguish a demon just by looking at it. This is understandable: Hannibal will not hide in the human world without additional measures.

“What about the smell you were talking about earlier?”

Judith asked again hopefully.

“My stomach hurts and I think I’m going to throw up,” she added.

This whole crowd put incredible pressure on her, along with thoughts of who Hannibal was. Judith rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to calm herself down.

“I smell my wife’s despair,” said the Duke with a serious expression on his face.

“Be patient,” Judith said softly.

“When we get home, you’ll have to take responsibility,” he chuckled.

However, Judith noticed the light, which fell as if Derrick’s head had been cut off. She shuddered, but at that moment the Emperor’s voice was heard:

“Have you two always been this close?” – there was amazement in his eyes.

The couple, who had kept a safe distance from each other in the past, suddenly became so friendly that it even made others feel a little awkward. But not only the Emperor looked surprised, but also Vincent.

“There have been rumors about your relationship lately… I think it’s true,” the Emperor rubbed his chin and couldn’t take his eyes off the spouses. The only time Judith and Derrick showed love in public was at a tea party a week ago, and this rumor has already spread throughout the country. And, in fact, it was scary.

Derrick gently put his arm around Judith’s waist, feeling how tense her body was. To such a direct and obvious answer, the Emperor opened his eyes even wider, after which he suddenly said:

– Hah!

“You never know when you’re going to die,” Derrick said calmly, hugging Judith tighter.

The people who stood nearby listening to the conversation held their breath. Everyone seemed terribly surprised by this explanation. Of course, no one knew that Derrick was actually a demon.

“It’s true, you’ve been married for a long time.”

Judith’s gaze turned to Vincent, who was smiling. The slight emotions from their last meeting still seemed stupid and inappropriate. But was it really a brother? Maybe Hannibal?

However, the conversation had just begun and was interrupted by the high priest. Although the bell had already rung to signal the start of the ceremony, there was no sign of the conversation stopping, so he plucked up his courage and intervened.