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ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 58

Judith understands the intention to extinguish such rumors. Knowing the intention, she also felt grateful. But why on earth did you choose to draw even more attention than you already have? Although Judith put on a shameless face due to her many years of social experience, honestly, Judith was embarrassed.

Derrick continued the conversation casually, but whenever something related to her came up, he reacted sweetly, as if he had dipped it in honey and drained it. Others will think that he is a husband who truly loves his wife.

The reactions of those watching him were varied, but largely divided into two. Some people looked suspicious as to whether the scandal that had stuck with him was really a lie, while others were busy covering their lips with admiration over and over again at the unexpected kindness. The latter were mostly women whose spouses were husbands who could not even act like men.

She was probably the only one who felt dizzy in this situation that felt like a drama.

‘…’

Yet Judith perceived that today was approaching quite differently from usual.

For her, the banquet was a space where she felt alone and lonely, and surrounded by enemies, even though she was with her husband, Derrick. She felt stuffy and uncomfortable, like she was wearing clothes that didn’t fit her. So, she checked her pocket watch more than a dozen times, waiting for the banquet to conclude each time.

But she wasn’t lonely today. Judith didn’t feel lonely, and it didn’t feel like everyone was an enemy targeting her. It felt like she had gained a reliable ally simply by having Derrick by her side.

The man standing diagonally out of the way, as if shielding her from others, looked like a large shield. Although Judith was a little embarrassed, she felt much better than feeling humiliated.

Judith hated that the frame she was trapped in was overflowing with pretense and conceit, but she could not easily escape from it. It was like a responsibility given to her as the Duchess and daughter of the Marquis from the moment she was born.

However, the devil used the old-fashioned practices he had followed his entire life to suit her own taste. He is cunning like a fox, but thanks to his actions, the framework that has always oppressed Judith changes for the first time. Her space, which had always bothered her by standing up sharply like a triangle or a square, embraced her smoothly like an oval.

Maybe that’s why the attention of others, which always seemed to pierce her heart, only contained a bit of curiosity and envy, and Judith didn’t feel the blatant ridicule and contempt like before. A lot of time has passed since she entered, and she hasn’t even taken out her pocket watch even once.

It was something that had a significant impact on Judith. It frees up your tight breathing and makes you not afraid of anything. It makes her think of herself as a human being, when she is like a doll who has to hide my emotions at all costs.

Neither the people approaching nor Judith have changed. The only thing that changed was the man standing next to her. Because he was by her side.

Judith’s heart pounded loudly at the unexpected realization.

It was the first time in her life that her heart, which was always moving but whose existence was doubtful, responded so passionately.

Derrick, who was looking down at the person who was struggling with an indifferent gaze, suddenly stopped at the warmth of her hand. Even without looking away, he could tell who was holding his hand.