The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 46.1

Understanding a brother’s intentions is very difficult. However, one thing is clear – his attitude towards his spouses has changed a lot recently. Judith blinked slowly, and all those days when Vincent began to behave strangely flashed before her like a kaleidoscope. From the sudden visit to her and Duke, although practically nothing like this had happened before, to the moment when his brother asked about Derrick’s memory loss.

Certain facts made Vincent more and more suspicious in Judith’s eyes. At first he talks absolutely normally with the Duke and even asks about the gift, but now he doubts him. And all the oddities are connected in one way or another with Derrick. Perhaps there is something connecting them? If yes, then what? Why is Vincent so interested in the Duke? Is it possible that he is Hannibal?

And now there was only one thought in my head: if this was true, Judith had to verify this statement by any means.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking about right now, but yes.” It’s true, my husband has lost his memory. He cannot remember anything about what happened before – there was not a note of falsehood in the smooth voice, because Judith tried to speak as naturally as possible.

After all, if it was Hannibal, it was necessary to hide any fact that Judith was aware of what was happening. Vincent looked at his sister, who, like two peas in a pod, looked like her dead father. His brother’s eyes glowed, as if he wanted to discern whether she was telling the truth?

A sharp gaze, like a knife blade, pierced right through Judith.

“Okay,” after a long silence, he straightened up as if nothing had happened. However, there was some dissatisfaction in his head, as if he did not believe her words.

Judith looked at her brother coldly and distantly. She felt the same way when she heard about Sylvia at the tea party: at first, confusion, anxiety and uncertainty about her own thoughts; then calm came. The Duchess tried to push her feelings into the background, clinging to every clue, but they had no clarity.

And now she wanted to understand only one thing: is her brother a demon?

But she couldn’t just ask him this, although she wanted to. For the first time in her life, she felt awkward and uncomfortable being around Vincent.

***

Fortunately, the protracted and disturbing ceremony ended safely. However, some tension still remained deep in her heart – Judith was worried about Derrick and whether he had endured the consecration well. But the Duke’s good health indicated only one thing: Divine power is useless against the devil.

Ultimately, the last fragments of faith were shattered. Despite the fact that after their conversation Judith had already doubted the existence of God, now the situation only worsened, and her heart ached from the realization of helplessness.

She always believed in the devil’s power pretending to be Divine. This made my soul feel very bad and sad. But throwing all extraneous thoughts away, Judith got into the carriage with Derrick.

“Finally,” the girl leaned her back against the wall to calm down.

However, at that moment Derrick pressed her to him, his breath burning her neck. Now the couple was surrounded by excitement. They were the only ones in the carriage.