LUCIA

Chapter 78 Meeting People

The carriage arrived at the Ducal residence. A servant opened the door from outside but Hugo could not get up. His wife was in deep sleep on top of his legs.

She was fine when they were going to the palace but on the way back, not too long after they entered into the carriage, she began to nod off. And when he moved to seat next to her, she leaned on him and quickly fell asleep.

'She must have been very nervous. And tired too.'

She was admirable. She handled herself purposefully on that big stage without making a single mistake. Since he had stuck to her today like he was showing her off, no one would dare try to touch her.

He could not gather people together and warn them like he did in the north. So today, he warned people using his actions: If you want to touch the Duchess, remember that the Duke of Taran is behind her.

Her hair was pinned well at the party but as she lay on his lap on the way home, a part of it got loose. Hugo enjoyed the feeling of running his fingers through her soft flowing hair. His expression as he looked at his wife was undeniably gentle. The moment was so peaceful that he wished it could last forever.

In order not to wake her up, he carefully wrapped his arm around her back and weaved his arm under her leg then he lifted her into his embrace. He entered the mansion with her in his arms and climbed up the stairs to the bedroom. As he placed her on the bed, Lucia who was in deep sleep a moment ago, blinked her eyes.

"Hugh."

Hugo took her outstretched hand and pressed his lips to her palm.

"We're home."

She blinked a few more times, staring at him vacantly and gradually, her sight became clearer.

"...I unknowingly fell asleep."

Thanks to the short sleep, her mind felt more refreshed. She began to sit up and Hugo took her hand, helping her up.

"Could I have made a mistake I didn't know about today?"

"Not at all."

"Phew...thank goodness."

Lucia grabbed the rope at the bedside to call for the maid, then she came down from the bed. She wanted to take off her weighty dress. As soon as the maid came in, she asked the couple about dinner.

"I'm not in the mood. What about you?" (Lucia)

"I'm not in the mood either."(Hugo)

The maid bowed and withdrew from the bedroom.

"Earlier...at the banquet hall. Sir. Ramis tried to give me a letter. I refused."

Lucia rejected the letter but rumors in the social circle were unpredictable. Before her husband chanced upon some distorted rumor somewhere, she told him in passing as if it was a trivial matter.

"What?"

Hugo's face distorted in a frown. That bastard dared to ignore his warning.

'What exactly is Fabian doing?'

How long had it been since he asked him to investigate and find out everything?! The innocent Fabian who worked hard day and night was caught in the crossfire.

"Nothing happened so don't be upset with Duke Ramis." (Lucia)

The Duke of Ramis and the Duke of Taran were both supporting and assisting the King. Lucia didn't know a lot about politics but she knew that much. It would be problematic if these two powerful men became estranged because of a minor emotional issue.