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Chapter 12
In the original story, at the royal banquet she was about to attend, Edwin could no longer tolerate Lucy’s scandalous behavior and coldly rejected her. Yet, unable to forget him, Lucy clung desperately to him even after becoming the duke’s mistress.
Eventually, Lucy, pushing aside even the Duchess, became the legitimate wife of Duke Baron and wielded immense influence among the nobility, reigning as the queen of society.
She tormented Edwin’s new fiancée, Joanna, at every turn, even planning to kill her.
However, the story would inevitably follow the cliché: Edwin, now heir to the throne, would save Joanna and have Lucy executed.
“So I’m really just a minor villainous extra who’s here for a brief cameo in this world?”
Even thinking about it again, Lucy sighed deeply and looked down at her bandaged hand.
I haven’t even received proper treatment… What if my fingers end up unable to bend or some other permanent damage occurs?
She recalled Anna sobbing while bandaging her hand that day.
If any lasting disability shows up in the future, they might sell you off somewhere terrible instead of keeping you in the duke’s household… sniff…
Lucy shivered involuntarily.
“This escape plan has to succeed no matter what!”
And finally, the day came.
On the morning of the royal banquet, the maids busied themselves washing, dressing, and adorning Lucy.
“Miss, it wouldn’t look good if you attend the banquet with bandages. You should remove them today.”
One maid began unwrapping the bandages from Lucy’s hands to prepare her nails. The swelling had gone down, and her hands looked fine, but when touched for the pink manicure, a sharp pain shot through her fingers.
“Ouch!”
Lucy frowned and let out a small groan.
“Can’t you be more gentle? She’s in pain!”
Anna, seeing Lucy struggle, stomped her feet angrily.
But the maids paid no mind and continued their work silently.
“Anna, I’d like a sip of water at least.”
“Please wait a moment, Miss!”
As Lucy tried to step outside, another maid scolded Anna.
“Anna, are you going to disobey the Baron’s orders? He said you must not let her eat or drink anything until the banquet!”
To keep her waist looking slim, Lucy couldn’t even drink a single drop of water that day.
Even a miserable household would at least feed you. This is just too much!
The Baron had explicitly ordered that she not eat or drink anything until the banquet, and Lucy cursed inwardly.
The morning preparations dragged on until the sunset.
Only then did Lucy realize the banquet she was attending started in the evening. She still hadn’t had a sip of water.
She had insisted on wearing a black dress to create a funeral-like mood, but in the mirror, the dress sparkled dazzlingly every time she moved.
At the appointed time, the butler knocked on her door to announce the arrival of Duke Baron.
Before leaving, Lucy exchanged a silent glance with Anna. While Lucy attended the banquet, Anna would stay behind to complete preparations and have a carriage ready to wait for her.
Anna nodded solemnly.
In the lobby, Duke Baron spotted Lucy and approached with a delighted expression.
“Oh, Lucy! You seem to grow more beautiful every time I see you!”
He lifted her hand, kissed the back of it, and caressed it. Lucy shuddered, relieved it wasn’t her injured hand.
Once the carriage departed, Jessica, sitting beside Lucy, chattered endlessly with the Duke.
They really suit each other, like a pair of cockroaches…
Lucy regretted that Jessica, not her, was the Duke’s partner for the evening. She quietly gazed out the window, tuning out their conversation.
At the entrance of the banquet hall, Lucy heard the doorman announce their names and took a deep breath.
The moment for the villainous Lucy had arrived.
As they entered, the hall fell silent.
The socialite everyone’s talking about has arrived. No wonder.
Lucy sneered inwardly and looked around.
“So Lucy Diallo has become Duke Baron’s mistress. The rumor is true. No wonder she’s been absent from society lately.”
Some young nobles nearby whispered, and men began adding comments.
“She proposed to the Diallo family before but was rejected. No wonder the Baron refused her.”
“You too? I sent multiple proposals, but nothing worked.”
From their words, Lucy realized how much the Baron had bargained over her in the past.
Duke Baron, hearing the conversation, smugly caressed Lucy’s hand in his arm.
Many eyes were on them, but fortunately, Edwin was nowhere in sight.
I must not meet him today!
Determined not to let the story unfold as in the original, Lucy clenched her fists.
Soon, the doorman announced the emperor’s entrance in a booming voice.
The emperor? I didn’t hear he would attend…
Lucy hadn’t anticipated the emperor might be present at the royal banquet. Nervously, she bowed along with the other nobles.
The emperor entered with several men and women, likely his children and their partners.
He ascended the stage and delivered a long speech. Lucy simply kept her head bowed, focused on not meeting Edwin.
“And now… I will introduce today’s stars, the Fourth Prince Edwin and his fiancée, Miss Joanna Becki. Edwin, congratulations again on your engagement!”
Applause erupted as the emperor finished speaking. Lucy finally realized the banquet was to celebrate Edwin and Joanna’s engagement.
What the…! So I’ve been attending a banquet to congratulate Edwin’s engagement?
In disbelief, Lucy let out a bitter laugh.
This was outrageous.
The author is insane! In the novel, they blamed me for scandalous behavior, yet Edwin was the one having an affair. What kind of nonsense is this?!
Whether from shock or from having gone all day without water, Lucy felt dizzy and staggered.
“Lucy! Are you okay?”
Duke Baron, beside her, called out loudly and supported her.
“Lucy, where does it hurt?”
You useless fool! Just shut up!
Lucy squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head, pushing his hand away. Yet all eyes were now on them.
Worried Edwin might have heard, she cautiously looked up—and locked eyes with him.
Edwin’s eyes widened, then darted around in shock, clearly startled.
But just as quickly, he looked away deliberately. A blatant avoidance.
Lucy clenched her teeth in anger at his deliberate snub.
Edwin then turned to speak with his fiancée Joanna. She smiled brightly in response.
Ha! They really suit each other…
Lucy’s fist tightened, but her injured right hand hurt, making her wince.
If they are the perfect pair, then what am I with this Duke? Some kind of beauty and pig scenario, I guess.
The stark contrast made her feel pitifully small. Anger and frustration welled up, and her eyes grew hot with unshed tears.
