Contract Marriage with the Devil Duke (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 71

At breakfast with Dimidius, Orentia heard news from the Order.

“They refused again, of course. They used the incident in Belial territory as an excuse, saying the demons could appear in Geranium at any moment.”

Indeed, that possibility was high. Considering Pieta had mentioned that demons were preparing to intervene in the human world, it didn’t seem they were targeting only Belial territory. Belial territory had simply become the first unfortunate sacrifice.

Orentia glanced sideways at the newspaper placed beside Dimidius. The paper was filled with absurd nonsense claiming the horrific incident in Belial territory was entirely due to Dimidius, a half-demon. According to that logic, it made no sense for a demon’s minion—a fiend—to attack Dimidius, whose blood was already half-demonic.

The journalists had clearly been swept up by prejudice and written their speculations recklessly. It was utterly disheartening how reporters could publish articles without verifying facts.

If Orentia was this angry, how heartbroken must Dimidius feel upon reading that newspaper?

Thinking of him made her heart feel as if it were being torn to shreds. Somehow, her feelings for Dimidius had grown so deep that she now felt such pain. Honestly, it frightened her to see her heart expanding like this—after all, she couldn’t stay by Dimidius’s side for long, not with the crazed Crown Prince Regalis Pulpa looming.

It wasn’t right for her heart to grow attached when they were destined to part anyway.

Yet, just this once, she wanted to comfort Dimidius, who must surely be disheartened. How much ridicule and contempt had he endured simply for being half-demon? Even if he pretended otherwise, he must have been deeply shaken.

Midway through breakfast, Orentia turned to Dimidius and said,

“How about a picnic in the northern forest for lunch? Just a short outing.”

She had been curious about the vast forest that now lay behind the sealed northern gate. There would surely be plenty to enjoy in that forest.

At Orentia’s sudden suggestion, Dimidius lifted his head abruptly. Though his face was masked, she could tell he must have widened his eyes in surprise.

In a slightly trembling voice, Dimidius replied,

“It’s been an awfully long time since I last visited the northern forest… It would be even better if I go with you, my lady.”

Read full content of this chapter on r e d c a t t y . c o m