ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 105

Chapter 105

Ruan’s Wedding(04)

Ever since she was very young, Lucianne had a habit: whenever she devised a plan and thought it had succeeded, she would unconsciously touch her left ear.

It was a quirk only Ruan, who had endured Lucianne’s schemes countless times, truly knew.

As Ruan stood there to receive the wedding gifts, she noticed Lucianne smiling at her while touching her left ear—and instantly sensed that something was about to happen.

The moment the maid carrying the gifts suddenly drew a knife and lunged at Marican, Ruan’s body instinctively moved in front of him.

A dull thud rang out as an intense pain shot through her stomach, and she collapsed to the ground. Her whole body grew heavy, and she could hear Marican’s voice calling her from somewhere far away.

Before losing consciousness, Ruan whispered a few words into Marican’s ear, a desperate warning about what had occurred.

The nobles froze, all eyes on Viseluke and Marican, stunned by the sudden chaos.

“Has this garden been cursed? Why has no wedding here ever gone smoothly?” they murmured.

Antwatte, who had stabbed Ruan, was immediately overpowered by the rushing guards. Even as they restrained him, he glared at Marican with a deranged grin.

“I’ve avenged my father! I’ve avenged my son! Hahaha! Now you, Duke, will know the pain of losing someone you love! Hahaha!”

Marican ignored his shouting and cradled Ruan in his arms.

“What are you doing? Lock that lunatic up and take the Duchess to the guest room. And summon the imperial physician at once!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

The guards dragged the struggling Antwatte away from the garden. Meanwhile, Patricia barked orders to the attendants:

“Fetch the finest imperial physician immediately. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Then, turning her gaze to Lucianne, she commanded, “And apprehend Lucianne Beanomann, the daughter of the Marquis!”

“What? Me?” Lucianne’s mind raced in panic as the knights quickly seized her.

“What’s going on? The Empress Dowager stabbed Ruan—why am I being treated like this?” Lucianne cried.

Cassel, looking perplexed, answered, “Young lady, how did you know the maid who was just apprehended was actually the Empress Dowager?”

“W-what?” The nobles in the garden exchanged shocked glances.

The maid’s transformation into the Empress Dowager was convincing enough to fool almost everyone, yet Lucianne had seen through it.

Cassel continued, “Even I didn’t realize that the woman who stabbed the Duchess was the Empress Dowager. But you, a mere young noble, recognized it immediately. Impressive.”

Lucianne stammered, “I… I just… she mentioned avenging her son and father. Who else could harbor such a grudge against the Duke?”

“Young lady, this situation may very well involve you as well. Bring her along!”

“No! I-I’m innocent! Please, mother, save me!”

Penelope, kneeling before Viseluke, pleaded, “Your Majesty, my daughter is blameless.”

But Viseluke’s icy gaze pierced through her words.

“Madam, you seem to be mistaken. Today’s wedding is not for your daughter. The Duchess marrying Marican today is no mere young lady or commoner of the Empire—it is the royal sister of the Crown Princess of the Allomande Kingdom.”

Penelope’s face went pale. If Lucianne’s involvement were revealed, it would tie her to a regicide attempt. Her family could be wiped out.

Lucianne… What have you done?

Before Penelope could react further, Viseluke’s guards escorted her out of the garden.

“End today’s ceremony here. Everyone else may leave,” Viseluke ordered. The nobles bowed and quietly departed, leaving only him, Fiona, and Harmon behind.

“Harmon, check on the Duchess,” Viseluke instructed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

In the guest room, Olivia watched Marican pacing anxiously, muttering to himself.

“Stay calm, Marican. You’re making me anxious too.”

“I should have noticed something was off. I was far too complacent, thinking this was just a normal wedding. When she drew the gift, I should’ve—”

He remembered Ruan whispering into his ear just before she collapsed: Lucianne Beanomann is involved. Arrest her.

If what Ruan said was true, he would ensure Lucianne paid for this.

When the imperial physician finally arrived, Marican rushed to meet him.

“How is she? Is the Duchess alright?”

“Duke… fortunately…” the physician began.

“Is she… okay? She’s the most skilled in the Empire. She’ll save her, right? Nothing’s wrong with my wife?” Marican demanded, panic clawing at his voice.

The physician nodded nervously.

“Luckily, the stab wound was shallow. She did get poisoned, but the antidote has been administered. She’s stable now and resting. In a few days, she’ll recover fully.”

Zelda squeezed Olivia’s hand in relief.

“Thank heavens, Auntie. I was so worried.”

“She’s a good girl. The gods must be watching over her,” Olivia said softly.

Marican leaned close to Ruan, who slept with her dress stained in blood and bandages around her stomach. Her skin, already pale, seemed even paler in the dim light. He recalled her last words and pressed a brief, protective kiss to her forehead, gently tucking her in before stepping away.

“Please, Auntie, watch over her. I’ll return by evening,” Marican said.

“Understood,” Olivia nodded, sensing the determination in his expression.

Meanwhile, Lucianne sat in the dark, grim cell, trembling.

How could she have been discovered? She replayed the moment when Ruan had locked eyes with her while standing to receive the wedding gifts.

No… it couldn’t have been noticed by that foolish girl.

The faint creak of a door snapped her out of her thoughts. Someone was descending the stairs.

Her blood ran cold. The aura emanating from him was so deadly, so overwhelming, that she felt paralyzed with fear.

“D-Duke, why have you locked me here? What wrong have I done?”

Lucianne pressed herself against the wall, voice shaking, as Marican approached like a predator stalking its prey.

“Tell me… you had the audacity to try and harm my wife?”