I Thought I Was the Monster Duke's Fake Tranquilizer - Chapter 9
Edward narrowed his eyes within his helm and tightened his grip on Lucy’s waistâ
“Eek!”
“…”
The small woman let out a squeaky hiccup and rapidly rolled her eyes up at him.
He had just registered the odd glint in those black eyes whenâ
“…Erm, you are Duke Edward, are you not?”
“…”
“The one and only incarnation of the Gold Dragon in the empire. Vanquisher of demonic beasts. Savior…”
“What of it?”
“I’ve come to make you an excellent offer.”
It sounded like the sort of thing a cultist would say, but this was the result of Lucy’s own deliberation.
‘Appeal to his ego and survive.’
If the male lead abandoned her and left, she would be caught by the temple again.
But she couldn’t let the male lead personally dump her back on the temple either!
Which left only one option.
‘Make the first move.’
She had to get the male lead to take her with him, one way or another.
‘I’m not asking for much.’
Just outside the temple, at the very least. If he could get her beyond the capital, even better.
‘The ducal estate is in the north, isn’t it?’
If she could tag along like a piece of luggage on the duke’s journey all the way to the north…
‘I can escape the temple’s reach.’
The moment she realized it.
Her mind, already spinning at full speed, went careening wildly toward survival.
“Lately, you’ve been suffering from headaches and aching all over your body. Have you not?”
“Hm.”
“Whenever you receive a purification, the taint ought to settle, but instead it seems to thrash about even worse, and your mood turns foul. Isn’t that so?”
“Hmm.”
“And that’s why you’ve been acting like a dog toward everyoneâ ahem, why you’ve been so irritable?”
“Hmmm.”
Lucy beamed up at Edward with all her might.
“You’ve come to exactly the right person.”
“Wasn’t it you who came to me?”
“Well, this is fate, isn’t it? Because I happen to know the answer! Hoho!”
The more she talked, the more she felt like a cultish pyramid scheme peddler digging her own grave.
But having already started, backing out now would only make her look more suspicious.
“Parasite. You’re sure you weren’t the one who took the bread?”
“Oh my, I told you it wasn’t me. Where would you find an honest parasite like me?”
“Hmm…”
“You’ve been tired lately, haven’t you? Shall I massage your shoulders?”
Lucy recalled her experiences from the shelter.
If you were going to be shameless, you had to be shameless to the very end.
Because if they caught on that you’d skimmed off the rations, you’d be beaten half to death and thrown out.
“There. I’ve made up a decent excuse, so hurry up and take it and eat.”
“Thanks, big sis…”
“If you’re thankful, pray that my sisters come back soon.”
The memories came flooding back, fresh and vividâhow she’d siphoned off rations and shared them with the children in the same situation.
‘Unnecessary memories right now.’
Shaking her head to dispel thoughts of her past life, Lucy deliberately wore a brazen expression.
And gripping her consciousness, which threatened to give out at any moment, she spoke.
“Now that I look, it seems you haven’t yet found your noble one.”
“Noble one?”
“…A person who kindly looks after you, shielding you from those who oppose Your Grace, and who stays by your side through even the briefest naps. Which is to say, your better half, your otherâ”
“Half?”
“Yeees! Truly, you are so intelligent, you understood at once…”
“You’re just dressing up the fact that I’m a half without a mate in fancy words.”
Had he not been wearing a helm, the words would surely have come with a twisted sneer.
‘Ack, I’m terrified.’
But she couldn’t back down now.
“Hohoho! But worry not! I will make sure your true mate… is…”
“I was under the impression that my mate had already been decided.”
Finally, it came.
‘My lifeline!’
Lucy drew strength from her core and boldly declared,
“Master, that woman is a fake!”
At her resolute words, she felt Edward go still.
Lucy nodded with exaggerated emphasis.
And, as if she understood everything, she patted Edward’s forearm.
“You believe it’s to be Lady Sepina, do you not? Yet even after receiving her purifications, you’ve never felt quite right. Yes. The temple insists and insists that Lady Sepina is your true mate, but in truth…”
“What did you just say?”
“Yes. It’s shocking news, I know. I completely understand. Lady Sepina is a fake…”
“Before that.”
“Pardon?”
At the unexpected question, Lucy rolled her eyes wildly.
Before that. What had she said?
‘So that would be…’
“…Master, that woman is a fake?”
“Master.”
The red eyes visible through the slit of his helm curved, as if pleased.
“Then are you mine now?”
