99th Actress Chapter 26

Chapter 26. A Victory Party

Pale Hudson, who had touched Lian, was killed on the spot. And the rest of the nobles who caught sight of the disheveled Lian became blind and crippled and had no choice but to live a life worse than death.

“But isn’t he the only child of Marquis Hudson? I heard that there are many families who have turned a blind eye, but losing their only child… must be very heartbroken, right?”

“Not only the Marquis Hudson but also the heirs of several families have been affected… There are rumors that the Marquis is so determined that he is filing an appeal to His Majesty the Emperor.”

The rumor was spreading quickly.

***

Lian opened her eyes. Her mind felt a little clearer and her arms were dripping with fluid. Her head was aching, and her entire body was in tremendous muscle pain. She forced her body that wouldn’t get up.

The memories that remained in Lian’s mind like a film with parts cut out. During the victory party, she felt unwell and was kidnapped. She was surrounded by several noble men and she almost got into trouble. If it weren’t for the Duke who appeared at that time… it was truly terrifying to even imagine. Then, she had a beastly affair with the Duke for a few days… 

In her mind, bits and pieces of swallowing Lepierre’s genitals in her mouth and riding on top of him came to mind. Lian buried her face, not knowing what to do with her body because of her shame.

‘That… such a shameful thing…’ 

When she raised her head, Lian’s face was as red as a tomato. Soon the door opened and Lepierre came in. Immediately a maid came in pushing her food cart and placed it near Lian.

Lepierre saw her red face and touched her cheeks and forehead. Then, he picked up a plate full of button mushroom soup, scooped up a spoonful, and put it into Lian’s mouth.

“Listen. You haven’t eaten anything in days.” 

Despite her embarrassment, Lian took the food and ate it well. She couldn’t help it because she was very hungry.

“Duke, what happened…?”

“It looks like you were poisoned. We are trying to trace the path.”

“Huh? Why me…….”

No matter how much she thought about it, she found it strange that someone was using poison on herself. She is just a maid.

“Well, we’re investigating, so don’t worry and get some rest. It must be tiring.”

He now sat down next to the bed and started feeding her food, but Lian was reluctant even if she said she would eat it herself, much to her embarrassment.

Lepierre continued to watch as she gnawed, chewed, and swallowed her food, and only after she emptied one bowl and finished another did he disappear.

***

After checking on Lian’s condition, Lepierre came into his study. Then he sat down at his desk and started thinking.

A hard-to-find poison of unknown origin, spilled wine, and even Lucas Wesley’s broken-down carriage… 

It was definitely someone’s doing. They’re smart.

“Come in.”

The person who came in was Knight Commander Derek.

“As a result of interrogating the leaders of the five families, they said the same thing. A woman wearing a black hood came to them and proposed to play a fun game. Since they are very open-minded, it seems like they agreed without thinking much. It didn’t look like they lied.”

“Really? Keep investigating.”

“Yes, Duke. But Marquess Hudson’s reaction is unusual.”

Lepierre laughed.

“Really? In fact, it’s even better. Do enough to keep that old man out of the picture.”

His eyes were shining solemnly.

***

After Lepierre left, Lian was conflicted. She didn’t know who those people were, why they tried to attack her. She felt so uneasy that they even tried to use poison on her, when she was nothing more than just entertainment.

Her stomach felt bloated, perhaps because she had just eaten a lot to please the Duke. She went out, even if it was just for a walk. Walking down the hallway lost in her thoughts, she could hear conversation in the workers’ room.  Lian quietly put her ear to the door and began to listen.

“Ugh… I guess some of the maids who cleaned that room at that time have quit… The room was full of blood, so they retched while cleaning it up… They pledged not to reveal secrets. It seemed like they signed something and quit yesterday.”

“No, what on earth did they do to deserve that?”

“According to eyewitnesses, there’s a new maid, right? Lian Roshart. They were trying to mess with her.”

“Of course… No, but that doesn’t mean one kills people… Well, it’s his nature to be cruel. Even in the past…”

“Shh! Are you crazy? Quiet! Anyway! I guess that family is in trouble right now. It is said that the Marquis family, which lost its heir, is fighting hard.”

Lian rushed into Lepierre’s study. Derek seemed to be reporting to the duke. 

“Duke! Is that true?” 

Lepierre motioned for Derek to leave. After Derek left, he got up and came to her side, grabbed Lian’s shoulders and made her sit on the sofa. 

“I told you to get some rest. Why are you running around like this?”

The voice was quite stern, but Lian continued speaking without giving in.

“That… that lord died… and the others became crippled…”

Lepierre spoke without a change in his countenance. As if it was natural.

“What’s wrong? They touched what was mine. Of course they deserve to die.”

“So, why! Why did the Duke do something like that… I heard they belong to a fairly prominent family… but because of me, who is nothing…”

“The Arden will not collapse even if a thousand of those guys come. If you’re really worried, just stand by me and cheer me on.”

Lian cried and spoke to Lepierre, who responded with a calm expression.

“No… Honestly, those guys deserve it… But, it’s hard to bear the fact that the Duke is suffering because of me… Why are you getting your hands dirty? That’s right. It’s okay if you just ignore them… I’ll leave this mansion someday… I’m just a hassle…”

Lepierre spoke, touching the wound on the side of the Lian’s mouth with his thumb.

“I was going to kill all those bastards, but I held back…. This is a bit of mercy….”

“But… that!”

“And Lian.”

Lepierre was tending the cut around Lian’s mouth when he pressed his thumb to her lower lip. Then he spoke coldly in a warning voice.

“Don’t ever say again that you are leaving the duchy.”

Lian’s head automatically nodded at his firm voice that instantly gave her chills.

Upon seeing this, Lepierre’s expression softened slightly.

“Good. If you understand, go back to your room. Your body still has a long way to go to recover, so make sure you get plenty of rest.”

“Yes…….”

Her steps back were heavy.