Lady Devil - Chapter 61

#61

06. Walked on Four Legs

“I didn’t expect you would actually accept me. To be honest, I was a bit nervous. Did you know?”

On a day when white spring flowers bloomed frighteningly lush. The one who mumbled in fluent common language, with a hint of admiration, was Henrik. Seated to my left, he slightly leaned his upper body towards me, taking advantage of my husband’s distracted attention. It was a careful and dignified gesture, not enough to draw others’ attention, yet somewhat familiar, and it was an attitude Henrik showed uniquely to me.

What a cunning man.

“Perhaps you were moved. What was it really?”

Henrik, who had lightly drawn close to my shoulder, whispered softly. That tone was not his usual manner of speaking, feigning politeness and ending his words neatly. Moreover, at the time I was merely displeased, but in truth, it must have been the sound of a snake’s tongue licking its lips. Gloomy and filthy.

“Hmm.”

“……”

“If it’s an affirmative silence, I’d be pleased.”

I did not answer him. Aside from the discomfort in my stomach, I was tense, fearing any misunderstanding from my husband. While secretly soothing my startled heart, I glanced to the right, and saw my husband, his face melted like rotten candle wax, surrounded by a group of young poets.

With his thin, skeletal frame hidden by the poets’ wide sleeves, only the edge of the old man’s sleeve was barely visible beyond my field of vision, perched on the table.

I felt relieved. I took a deep breath quietly amidst the chaotic noise created by hundreds of people. My ears rang as if filled with water. The banquet hall felt like a giant tank containing all sorts of sounds.

“My lady.”

At that moment, the maid standing behind me bowed. With a slightly strong accent but fluent in the common language like Henrik, she was the woman who waited at every meal to explain the dishes to me.

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