The Duchess and the Devil

That day, many people contacted and talked with Derrick, but only these three were secluded in a place hidden from other eyes. And it was too embarrassing to think of any of them so badly, because all three names are familiar to Judith very well. If these three were strangers, it would make the situation easier.

In addition, all three were involved in Derrick’s daily life, so it can’t be said that this or that meeting happened unexpectedly and strangely.

The Duke spent at least three days a week with the Emperor, regularly visiting the Palace for personal or business reasons. Derrick was a strong support for the Emperor. The will of the Imperial family is the will of her husband, and so far his opinion has not been disputed by anyone, because the Emperor is his old childhood friend. Many even considered their relationship fraternal and family.

Therefore, the night meeting of two people can not be considered strange.

It was Sylvia who was most under suspicion, who expressed a desperate affection for Derrick. However, there was also nothing strange about their nocturnal and secret meetings. The couple saw each other almost every day, right after the Duke finished work.

Judith stared at the name Vincent for a moment. It was the most unwanted on the list and pricked like a sharp thorn. The girl could not understand why her brother secretly met with Derrick that day. Of course, they could talk about business or even about something personal to strengthen the relationship, but why hold a meeting in this way?

Judith’s head ached from everything that was happening, because she could not exclude any of the candidates. The girl immediately decided to share with her husband all the information she received. What seemed even more strange: just a few days ago, Derrick randomly met each of them.

Perhaps he was able to sense some strange energy or something similar?

After studying the papers again, Judith went to her husband’s office, where he usually spent his free time. After knocking on the door and entering, the girl met the red eyes of Carmen, who was sitting on the windowsill. Derrick was facing the guy, so Judith could only see his back.

The atmosphere in the office was calmer than she expected, but it felt that some serious conversation was going on between the two. Derrick, hearing someone enter, turned sleepily.

«I’m sorry, am I interrupting?» the girl carefully clarified.

«No, it’s fine,» the Duke said, turning his whole body already.

Derrick motioned the girl to come in, she immediately came up to him and looked at Carmen again, noticing something strange: the horns that were visible just a couple of hours ago were no longer visible. Most likely, the devil hid them from prying eyes, because it could become something very dangerous.

«Anyway, take care of yourself, Carmen,» Derrick continued the conversation.

«How can I stop them? If they catch me, they will immediately try to find out where the commander is!»

«Yes, the devil system has become so disgusting.»

«They just need a new King, and my job is to find a commander…» – Carmen bit his lip. He took one more look at Judith and jumped out of the window.

The girl, realizing that this is the second floor, rushed to the place to make sure that the boy was safe. But he had already managed to turn back into a raven, which flew away further and further, flapping its wings.

«Hah…» – Judith looked at this enthusiastically, then turned back to Derrick, thinking about what she had said earlier: the commander, the staff, the king… all this was very difficult for Judith.

All she knew was that Derrick was a high-ranking devil. Now Judith understood why Hannibal felt inferior next to this devil. In addition to his rank, Derrick had a good and very kind nature. And this inferiority turned into ordinary envy.

The Duke had a very thoughtful and serious expression on his face, as if he was thinking about something important. But as soon as the devil looked at Judith, his gaze softened.

«Is something wrong?»

«I found out who Derrick met and with whom he was alone that day,» the girl gave the documents for each of the candidates.

Unexpectedly, Judith noticed that the devil did not look agitated or tense.

«Do you remember what you said to me in the carriage that day?»

The girl was hinting at a disgusting smell from the Emperor.

«I remember,» Derrick easily understood what his wife meant.

Frowning, he grimaced at the memory of that disgusting smell, as if he had smelled it again. It was obvious that Derrick really hated him.

«Also that day we met Sylvia Wirrell and my brother. Didn’t you feel anything? After all, the Emperor smelled terrible… Can this smell be associated with Hannibal?»

Judith had just noticed Derrick’s excellent sense of smell, so she thought it might be a clue.

«The smell comes from the person himself, regardless of whether he is now the devil,» he replied shortly, hardening his face. «For us, the smell of a person’s skin is remembered as well as a face or figure. Some smell like you or the Emperor-too good or too bad. But I didn’t pay attention to the smell of that woman and your brother – they are insignificant.»

Now it became clear: the devils classify people by smell, not by sight. However, this has nothing to do with the devilish essence inside, so Judith’s plan was ruined.

«Then we need to observe them for a while.»

«Yes, sooner or later Hannibal will act,» Derrick said, sitting down at the office desk. «In the meantime, I need to regain my strength to strike back,» with these words, the man dragged his wife after him, patting her on the stomach and smiling playfully.

Only

«Is it worth joking with this? Hannibal is somewhere nearby, » Judith said seriously, realizing that Derrick was not taking this seriously.

«What can I do?»

The devil behaved as casually as possible, as if it was something ordinary.

«I still don’t know who he is or where he is.»