The Monster Duke Mistook Me for His Wife Chapter 116

As Dillan and I stepped into the banquet hall, the once noisy room fell completely silent.

Dozens of eyes scanned me from head to toe.

‘I feel like an animal trapped in a cage.’

I expected some attention, but I hadn’t thought everyone would be staring at me.

The soft music playing in the background kept the silence from being too heavy, but it didn’t make their stares any less overwhelming.

“They’re all looking at you, Ria.”

“I know.”

Their eyes were filled with curiosity, eager to see the woman the Duke of Sinise had chosen.

“They must be unable to look away because you’re so beautiful.”

“No, they’re judging me.”

As soon as I finished speaking, my eyes met Dillan’s. I let out a small laugh and shook my head.

“No, they’re trying to see if I match you.”

I whispered so only Dillan could hear, and he sighed before murmuring back.

“You’re too naive. That worries me.”

Naive? Me? I blinked in shock, but before I could protest, Dillan wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

“Look at those shameless eyes scanning you.”

What shameless looks? If anything, they seemed more curious than anything else.

“And most of them are women.”

“What does that matter? There’s no rule saying women can’t have impure thoughts about you.”

Since when was Dillan this open-minded?

‘Then again, this is the same man who was jealous of Nathan, an owl.’

For all I knew, he’d probably get jealous of a passing dog, too.

The ridiculous thought made me chuckle.

“Feeling less nervous now?”

“Thanks to you.”

Because of Dillan, my tense shoulders finally relaxed. Holding my head high, I walked confidently through the hall, unfazed by the stares.

When we approached Therze, the star of the banquet, he grinned widely and welcomed us.

“Grandfather, happy birthday.”

“Thank you, child.”

Seeing us standing close together with our arms linked, Therze smiled warmly.

“I heard you two made up, but seeing it with my own eyes makes me happy.”

“Sorry for making you worry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.”

He gently patted my back before turning to Dillan with a sharp glare.

“You, take good care of Ria. Don’t make her upset.”

“I already do, Grandfather. You don’t need to tell me.”

“Oh, really? And yet, you were the one who caused all that trouble.”

Tsk tsk. Therze clicked his tongue and scolded Dillan.

If anyone saw us, they’d probably mistake me for his grandchild instead of Dillan, considering how different his tone was for each of us.

“My dear, come with me for a moment. I’ve been bragging about you all night.”

Before I could react, Therze took my hand and whisked me away from Dillan, leading me toward a group of noblemen.

“This is my future granddaughter-in-law.”

Therze proudly introduced me, and I took the opportunity to place a hand over my chest and give a graceful curtsy.

“I am Ria Delice. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Seeing my proper greeting, Therze’s smile stretched so wide it looked like his face might split.

“The future duchess is just as stunning as the rumors say.”

“Not only that, but her eyes shine with intelligence. She must be very clever.”

Flattery poured in from all directions.

I smiled politely but felt incredibly awkward.

Having noblemen old enough to be my grandfather bowing to me was beyond uncomfortable.

But that was my problem. Therze, on the other hand, looked like a fish in water, completely in his element as he proudly boasted about me.

“This child saved my life. A bear attacked me while hunting, and she didn’t even blink—”

Therze had clearly made up his mind to tell every story about me, from how I took down a bear to how I treated his wounds.

The problem was… he was adding way too much exaggeration.

Hearing the overly dramatic retelling, I bit my lip.

‘That’s not exactly how it happened…’

If someone only listened to Therze, they’d think I was some legendary warrior, even stronger than Dillan.

Just as I grew tired of the exaggerated tales and tried to slip away, a familiar voice called from behind me.

“Tsk, so you finally admitted it.”

“Lady Bianca.”

Seeing a familiar face, I greeted her with a smile. She took my hands and asked,

“Ria, I heard you had an argument with His Highness. Did you two make up?”

“Yes.”

At my answer, her eager expression deflated like a balloon losing air.

“That’s too bad. I was hoping to make you my daughter-in-law.”

“…What?”

“How about it, Ria? It’s not too late. Want to be my daughter-in-law? I’ll treat you well.”

Wait, what?! Daughter-in-law?!

I was still trying to process her words when a shadow loomed over me.

A chilling aura filled the space.

Dillan.

“Countess. Your son is only fifteen, is he not?”

Fifteen? That’s a kid!

“Lady Bianca! I’ll end up in prison if I agree to this!”

“Oh, Ria, you won’t go to jail just because of a small age gap. In noble society, girls can marry at fourteen, and boys at fifteen.”

I knew that. In this world, those were the legal ages for marriage.

“And love has no age limit. My husband and I have a seven-year difference, too.”

She casually added that she was the older one, winking at me.

‘Oh, dear lord…’

My head spun. I leaned back against Dillan’s chest, pressing my fingers against my temple.

Bianca continued to argue that her son might be young now, but in three years, he’d grow into a fine man.

“…Lady Bianca, for your son’s safety, please withdraw your proposal.”

Could she really not see the murderous aura Dillan was radiating? It was as if he was ready to hunt down a boy who wasn’t even here.

“Sigh, what a shame.”

Clicking her tongue, Bianca tried one last time.

“If you ever change your mind—”

“Bianca.”

Dillan’s voice was low, carrying a clear warning.

It seemed even she realized she had gone too far, as her expression stiffened before she backed away.

“Alright, alright. I get it.”

Even as she backed away, Bianca couldn’t completely let go of her lingering regrets and kept sneaking glances at me.

“Lady Bianca, enjoy the banquet.”

Worried that this celebration might turn into a bloodbath, I quickly grabbed Dillan’s arm and pulled him away.

With each step we took, unfamiliar nobles kept approaching, eager to introduce themselves and make an impression.

At first, I handled it fine, but as more and more people crowded around us, I started feeling exhausted.

Then, at the edge of my vision, I saw someone.

It was none other than Crown Prince Cassis.

‘If I stay next to him, people will probably stop approaching me.’

Clinging onto Dillan, I hurried toward Cassis.

“Your Highness.”

“Lady Ria. Duke. I heard you two made up. Congratulations.”

“Thank you…?”

Wait, we only reconciled yesterday. How fast did this news spread?

And… is this really something to be congratulated on?

I forced a smile despite my confusion, but suddenly, Cassis cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Ahem… Lady Ria.”

“Yes?”

This was surprising. He usually only spoke to Dillan. Why was he calling me?

Cassis hesitated for a long moment.

And the longer he hesitated, the more Dillan’s expression darkened. He was already irritated because of Bianca, and now the crown prince was giving me a strange look?

Dillan’s patience snapped. He swiftly pulled me into his arms and glared coldly.

“What exactly are you staring at?”

“W-Wait, Duke. It’s not what you think.”

Cassis waved his hands in a fluster.

“If it’s not, then what is it? Your eyes look rather impure.”

“No, that’s not it… I just lost contact with Aina. I was wondering if she reached out to you.”

Cassis’s face flushed slightly, as if he was embarrassed to be asking about his lover’s whereabouts.

I wanted to help him, but the truth was, I hadn’t even known that Aina had left to track the darkness.

“I don’t know, but Dillan might.”

After all, he had been working with the temple from the start and was exchanging messages with them until just a few days ago.

But Dillan firmly shook his head.

“I don’t exchange personal messages with the Saintess, so I wouldn’t know.”

“I see. That’s unfortunate.”

Cassis looked a little relieved.

It would’ve been odd if Aina had contacted Dillan behind his back.

“I suppose I’ll have to visit the Arest estate myself.”

Cassis stroked his chin, his face filled with concern.

“Duke, I appreciate you inviting me, but I may have to leave early once the banquet ends.”

“In that case, why don’t you join us? We were planning to go to Arest as well.”

Even though Rexter had unexpectedly appeared at the Grand Duke’s estate, our plan to visit Arest hadn’t changed.

Besides, I had other reasons to go there—not just because of the darkness or Rexter.

‘Arest estate… that’s where he is.’

“He?”

“The last divine beast, Arest. He protects that place.”

Back then, my memories hadn’t fully returned, so I hadn’t realized it.

But thinking back, Arest’s behavior was suspicious.

He was usually lazy and didn’t care much for humans—but he had always adored me.

So why hadn’t he come to see me?

‘Something must’ve happened.’

If Arest was in trouble, the more people we had to help him, the better.

“If we travel together, it’ll be less lonely and much safer,” I suggested.

As soon as I extended the invitation, Dillan’s face darkened.

“That’s a good idea. It’ll be better with company,” Cassis agreed immediately.

He even ignored Dillan’s terrifying expression as he spoke.

“I don’t think this is a good choice,” Dillan muttered.

“Sorry for interfering with your time together, but I’m in a hurry.”

Cassis was bold, I had to give him that.

Even after all this time, he wasn’t afraid of Dillan.

“Hah. Do whatever you want. I’m only taking care of Ria. Keep up if you can.”

“It would be odd for me to rely on the Duke for protection.”

And just like that, our little unexpected expedition team was formed.

Just then, the entrance to the banquet hall erupted into murmurs.

“He actually came?”

“What’s going to happen now?”

“But wouldn’t the Duke of Sinise support His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“Not necessarily. Count Blent has already sided with the third prince.”

Whispers spread quickly.

The person at the center of all the attention—Manus—stepped into the hall.

His eyes met mine, and he smirked.

The arm around my shoulders tightened.

“I’m fine,” I murmured, patting Dillan’s hand reassuringly.

But the moment I saw who was walking behind Manus—following closely alongside Rexter—I froze.

It was Giselle.