The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 51.2

A curse is not a force that can be overcome so easily. And even this power itself gradually leads to death. And although Derrick spoke honestly, and Judith never maintained a very warm relationship with her brother, for some reason my soul felt heavy. After all, be that as it may, he is part of the family.

The terrible, even oppressive feeling did not go away.

-What are you afraid of?

– If… If Hannibal is in my brother…

The hand holding the cup was shaking.

It was at this moment that Derrick felt very sorry for her. For a moment, he forgot that Vincent was his wife’s relative.

“Judith, we don’t yet know which of them is Hannibal.”

The demon wanted to at least somehow support her at this difficult moment. He didn’t want to leave Judith alone with her own despair. And he no longer wanted to expose his wife to danger, as was the case yesterday.

The strangest thing about this is that demons don’t usually behave this way. Seeing people struggle with pain, they rejoice and enjoy. But the changes that took place in consciousness were too natural, imperceptible and mysterious. His decisive voice warmly enveloped Judith, causing her heart to slowly calm down.

It was important for the Duchess not to fall into an endless and useless depression in order to stay on her feet and help her husband in finding Hannibal. Seeing the now more relaxed expression on her face, Derrick calmed down and smiled.

— Do I need to know anything else important in the future?

Judith finally came back to reality after hearing Derrick.

The Duke, spending time at home after the resurrection, practically did not participate in official events, attending only the ceremony, so he could really not know something.

“You used to have a very busy schedule that was recorded,” and although Judith hated the memory of it, she still could not hide such important information from Derrick. — A banquet will be held soon on the occasion of His Majesty’s birthday.

It’s a celebration in Killard’s honor. Remembering this, the Duchess exhaled. The meeting at the ceremony turned out to be too burdensome and tiring. Therefore, she did not want to see either Vincent or the Emperor in the coming days. Moreover, everyone will gather there to know:

— Sylvia will also be at the banquet.

Derrick seemed to notice the grumpiness in Judith’s tone.

— Will all three get together?

In response, the Duchess nodded reluctantly. So, all three suspects will be in the same place during the banquet. Although the day had not yet arrived, Judith was already feeling tired. She will have to plunge into communication with all these people again. As soon as the Duchess imagined this, her head began to hurt.

“And although the consecration ceremony went well, you still have a lot to learn.”

– And why?

Three days before the holiday, Judith taught Derrick the basics of aristocracy and the rules of etiquette. The Duchess wanted to avoid unnecessary attention and suspicion. At this time, Derrick, although he listened carefully to the explanations, every now and then allowed himself vulgar jokes and slaps. Judith tried to rein him in every time:

“Last time you at least pretended to listen!”

Every time Judith could not adapt to his behavior and this angelic appearance, when Derrick looked at her innocently, as if he had done nothing. And when he did not listen to her lessons at all, it caused a strange and mixed feeling.

However, there was no other choice. Judith simply couldn’t go to the banquet herself. But didn’t the demon once say: you need to give as much as you receive?