Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20 marks a significant turning point for Edele as she begins to assert herself against the oppressive environment at the estate. The chapter starts with a kitchen conflict where Edele refuses to accept blame for a mistake she didn’t make, confronting Lola’s attempt to shift responsibility onto her. This marks Edele’s growth, as she challenges the harsh hierarchy of the kitchen and refuses to be a passive victim.
As Edele continues her work, she overhears a conversation that piques her curiosity—something isn’t right with the estate’s finances. Sneaking into Count Laslo Krissus’ office, Edele uncovers a receipt revealing that the head housekeeper is overcharging for produce and pocketing the difference. This discovery opens a door to potential exposure of corruption within the household.
In a tense moment, Edele is caught by Lynnia but quickly lies about her reasons for being in the office, which unexpectedly softens Lynnia. Later, Lynnia hints at her own political ambitions with Viscountess Emerson, which adds another layer of intrigue. The chapter concludes with the promise of more twists, as Camille’s cryptic remark and Lynnia’s questions about her relationships suggest further complexity.
What’s next? Will Edele expose the corruption? Will Lynnia’s involvement with Viscountess Emerson lead to more danger? The story continues to build toward exciting developments in Chapter 21!
