Count Doton, a man with a long beard, came up to shake Derrick’s hand. However, the Duke only looked down at him instead. His expression seemed very distant and cold.
Judith retreated from the huge crowd and psychological pressure from all sides, but she did it so unsuccessfully that she dislocated her leg. At that moment, no one was standing by to help her. Her small, thin body flew down, but did not touch the floor. Derrick, like a stone wall, stood next to him and without hesitation abandoned the whole crowd that was eager to talk to him.
«Are you okay?»
There was excitement in his voice.
«Yes…»
Now the couple’s bodies were in close proximity, which made Judith even hear Derrick’s heartbeat, despite the murmur around.
It was only at this moment that the Duchess realized how this picture looks from the outside: she is in the arms of her husband, who asks her how she feels. Recently – especially after the tea party – the social world has been divided into two camps. The former believed in the couple’s love and friendship, while the others denied it.
Soon, when Judith regained consciousness, people «flocked» to the spouses, like sparrows asking for bread. They talked and talked, each about his own. Glancing at Derrick, who was still holding her in his arms, the Duchess noticed irritation. It seemed that his purple eyes were about to turn red.
The demon could not hide his identity only in two cases: when there is a strong rush of using magical energy, but Judith did not think that this was the case, or Derrick felt an impulse of forces.
But whatever the reason, now the Duchess could only accept and pull herself together. Now, looking at this place, she saw that it was not a holy place at all. And nothing else connected with it can be perceived as a good sign.
The girl pulled Derrick by the hand, after which he looked at her with a gloomy look.
«Judith?» The familiar voice of Vincent, who arrived in a blue robe over a uniform, was heard.
The brother immediately noticed the embarrassing atmosphere and, of course, to defuse the situation, addressed the crowd. Only now he was being friendly–shaking everyone’s hand, unlike Derrick. Saying that the consecration ceremony was about to begin, Vincent dispersed everyone.
Judith could not even think: her own brother was so good at such things. Earlier, of course, he helped her in many ways in high circles, but the Duchess could not think that this would continue after marriage. In fact, she was a little disappointed.
Suddenly the bell of the temple rang, announcing the opening of the ceremony. After a while, the second one rang, after which all three went straight to the baptistery, surrounded by columns. The emperor stood face to face with the high priest who was in charge of the temple.
At each of the events, the Emperor appeared at the very end – officially entering the hall when everyone had already gathered. However, the consecration ceremony was completely different. The first blessing, which has the greatest power, should be received by the most revered person in the country. That is why the Emperor was the first, and only after him other nobles could approach the priest.
The emperor, having received the blessing from the priestess, turned his head and found the spouses with his gaze, after which he immediately went to them. Vincent was also nearby–and one of them could be Hannibal. Judith felt every part of her body tremble with excitement, and her fingertips felt as if a current was beating.
«Duke, are you here? I didn’t know you would be present today.»
The High Priest standing behind the Emperor looked agitated, as if he had seen death itself. It was he who arranged Derrick’s funeral and could not accept his miraculous rebirth. The Duke greeted everyone, as Judith had taught him, which calmed her down a little.
However, there was disgust on Derrick’s face. And the Duchess didn’t understand why? Was it from the realization that this man could be Hannibal? Or just the stink he mentioned earlier?
But whatever it was, Derrick must communicate with the Emperor respectfully.
«Greetings, Your Majesty, the Sun of our Empire, we are glad that you have attended this gracious event.»
«How are you, Duchess?»
A slight smile played on the Emperor’s face, and he looked Judith up and down.
It seemed to her that the Emperor was a snake, touching the skin with poisonous fangs. But the man’s gaze was riveted on the ruby necklace hanging around the Duchess’ neck.
«I hope it looks good,» she noticed that look.
And the jewelry was really gorgeous, but it looked too provocative, which is why Judith rarely wore it. The Emperor also knew this very well: the Duchess preferred blue colors. Gentle and soft. Judith’s fingertips froze with the awkwardness of what was happening.
«Your Majesty the Emperor, it’s been a long time…»
When the man turned away, Judith was able to exhale, as if she hadn’t breathed at all before. The Duchess always felt it when the Emperor looked at her. Without knowing why, she sensed danger: it seemed that there was something too mysterious and strange hidden in him.
And now Judith was tormented by doubts: was this the nature of the Emperor? Or the demon Hannibal? The Duchess glanced at Vincent and the Emperor, who were talking among themselves. Judith had been holding Derrick’s sleeve tightly the whole time.
«Derrick, do you feel anything?» she whispered.
The demon looked at the two, leaning towards his wife so that he could clearly hear her every word.
«Not yet.»
Apparently, it is impossible to distinguish a demon by just looking at it. It is understandable: Hannibal will not hide in the human world without additional measures.
«What about the smell you mentioned earlier?»
Judith asked hopefully again.
«My stomach hurts and I think I’m going to throw up,» she added.
All this crowd was incredibly pressing on her along with thoughts about who Hannibal was. Judith rubbed the bridge of her nose, trying to calm down.
«I can smell my wife’s despair,» the Duke said with a serious expression on his face.
«Be patient,» Judith said softly.
«When we get home, you’ll have to take responsibility,» he chuckled.
However, Judith noticed a light that fell as if Derrick’s head had been cut off. She shuddered, but at that moment the Emperor’s voice was heard:
«Have you two always been this close?» there was amazement in his eyes.
The couple, who had kept a safe distance from each other in the past, suddenly became so friendly, which even made others a little uncomfortable. But not only the Emperor looked surprised, but also Vincent.
«There have been rumors about your relationship lately… I think it’s true,» the Emperor rubbed his chin and could not take his eyes off the couple. The only time Judith and Derrick showed love in public was at a tea party a week ago, and this rumor has already spread all over the country. And, in fact, it was scary.
Derrick gently put his arm around Judith’s waist, feeling how tense her body was. To such a direct and obvious answer, the Emperor opened his eyes even wider, after which he suddenly said:
«Hah!»
«You never know when you’re going to die,» Derrick said calmly, hugging Judith tighter.
The people who were standing nearby, listening to the conversation, held their breath. Everyone seemed terribly surprised by this explanation. Of course, because no one knew that Derrick was actually a demon.
«It’s true, you’ve been married for a long time.»
Judith’s gaze turned to Vincent, who was smiling. Light emotions from their last meeting still seemed silly and inappropriate. But was it really a brother? Maybe Hannibal?
However, the conversation that had just begun was interrupted by the high priest. Although the bell had already rung announcing the start of the ceremony, there were no signs of the conversation stopping, so he plucked up the courage and intervened.