The Duchess and the Devil - Chapter 56.2

At that moment she was studying the cover of the book, which her husband called “complete absurdity.” Although Judith tried so desperately to gather information about demons bit by bit, all attempts failed one after another. And moreover, for the sake of this specimen she had to withstand the onslaught of the Emperor.

Remembering him, Judith shuddered and put the book on the table.

From this day on, step-by-step preparations for the banquet began. The Duchess called the workshop and atelier, asking one of the tailors to sew a dress and tailcoat, and a jeweler to enlarge the ruby ​​chain, which Derrick had now endowed with protective powers.

For the design, Judith chose a color that has recently been very popular in the capital – a calm dark green. Now, thanks to the skillful work of the master, the necklace did not put so much pressure on the neck.

***

With the preparations completed, the day of the banquet arrived. The couple left the mansion and noticed the sunset-colored sky. The sun was already setting. Most likely, when they arrive at the Palace, the sky will become completely dark and black.

– Wife.

Judith, who had been walking ahead all this time, turned around at the voice calling her. Derrick followed behind her. His black hair fluttered slightly in the wind. Unlike his deceased husband, who always licked them, the demon preferred some carelessness in his image. This did not mean that he looked rude and inelegant, rather the opposite. The atmosphere of a true lion reigned around the demon. And loose hair personified a free spirit.

– Let’s go to?

He quite naturally picked up Judith and led her to the carriage, where the couple greeted the butler and disappeared behind the doors.

The Duchess, as usual, looked out the window of the departing carriage, enjoying the view.

“Never take off the necklace,” Judith nodded slowly, having realized this a few days ago.

She felt the danger coming from the Emperor. Killard kept popping up as echoes of memories in his head. And at the banquet the Duchess must at all costs avoid being alone with him. Every thought about the man pierced my chest like a sharp needle.

“Derrick, do all devils smell the same?”

“There’s definitely no one like me,” Judith was momentarily taken aback by such a shameless statement.

The demon shamelessly crossed his arms over his chest and calmly watched his wife’s reaction. This look made the Duchess even hotter.

– Then… Can Hannibal be in His Majesty? He could feel my excitement…

“In fact, no matter how sweet you smell, he’s unlikely to be aroused.”

– Why?

– I already said – he is a hybrid. And he was born from a mixture of the blood of the devil and man. Therefore it is unlikely.

Judith looked at him blankly, not catching the connection between the above facts.

– He hates people.

“I had no idea that he had such an inferiority complex…

Judith really couldn’t believe that Hannibal now treated everyone like that. After all, he is half human. However, the demons were also not fair, subjecting him to attacks from birth.

The conversation was interrupted by noise and shaking. The carriage entered the gates of the Imperial Palace, which were now open for the banquet. As Judith had expected, there was no sunset visible, only a blue canvas adorned with beautiful lights could be seen in the sky.

The carriages approached the castle one after another. It was only a short distance to the banquet hall.