LUCIA

Chapter 99 Ever After

The honored guest box was an enclosed chamber that no one in the audience could enter except for the two of them. Due to that, Lucia didn't need to be conscious of people's gazes and laughed to her heart's content.

Despite coming to watch a play, Hugo had more fun watching Lucia laugh, and he actually spent more time watching his wife than watching the play.

The play was quite long. During the intermission, Lucia decided to stop by the break room. As soon as she entered the break room, she heard the loud laughter of women. Upon seeing Lucia, the group of women that were laughing together greeted her from a few steps away.

"Duchess, you came out on a date with your husband, didn't you?"

"A husband who goes to see a comedy together with you! How wonderful is that?"

Despite the noblewomen's envious greetings, the group gathered at the side erupted with laughter.

"Everyone seems to have enjoyed the play." (Lucia)

"Ah...actually, we're laughing for another reason. By any chance, has Duchess ever read the book called, 'Love Under the Moonlight'?"

"I don't believe so."

Someone at the side began to explain for Lucia who wasn't quite knowledgeable on the subject. 'Love Under the Moonlight' was a romance novel that was popular among noblewomen recently. It portrayed the comedic story of a noblewoman who prided herself as the most beautiful in the world despite having an unattractive appearance and fell in love with her guard knight.

But something similar to the novel's plot had actually happened in reality. The main characters were Countess Wickson, who was a single woman after losing her husband several years ago, and her guard knight. Countess Wickson had a strange appearance in addition to being advanced in age, while the guard knight was a rarely seen handsome young man.

When the two of them turned up at the theater today, the noblewomen gathered around and gossiped about them while laughing.

"Ah...I see."

Lucia replied, forcing a smile on her face. The fact that these noblewomen were enjoying themselves from ridiculing someone else, showed that their conduct wasn't very good.

Lucia stopped by the restroom and quickly left the break room. On the way to the theater stands, she encountered the topic of discussion, Countess Wickson.

Lucia had ever only exchanged greetings with Countess Wickson and it was a long time ago, but she was unable to forget the Countess because her appearance was so unique. Lucia planned to lightly greet the Countess and pass by, but upon seeing the guard following behind the Countess, she was surprised and came to a halt.

'Hanson...?'

Oh my goodness. It was the swindler who preyed on Lucia in her dream. There was no doubt he was the man she once believed herself to be in love with. Lucia quickly walked away to avoid revealing her stiff expression. And as she walked, she burst into laughter in spite of herself. Since today's play was a comedy, the maid following behind her didn't give her an odd look for the sudden laughter.

'To think he was a dishonorably discharged knight. Was it because of a scandal with the Countess?'

Hanson was a man with a pretty appearance. He smiled softly with his blue eyes and whispered sweet words in the ear. In the dream, Lucia fell headfirst for the man's affectionate words.

Lucia didn't know whether Hanson really shared his heart with the Countess, or whether he did what he did to her to the Countess, and the Countess held him in contempt, making him lose his knight's honor. But she didn't care to know.