Duchess in Ruins has been an emotional rollercoaster, with Edele fighting against unfair treatment while uncovering secrets within the estate. Over the past few chapters, we’ve seen her struggle in the laundry room, navigate the treacherous world of nobles, and now, face new challenges in the kitchen. But Edele isn’t just surviving—she’s slowly learning how to push back against the people who seek to take advantage of her. In Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20, tensions rise as Edele faces accusations from fellow servants, but instead of backing down, she asserts herself. Meanwhile, a chance eavesdropping session leads her to a shocking discovery about the estate’s finances. Could this be the key to exposing the corrupt household staff? And how will this newfound confidence change the way others perceive her?
Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20: The Beginning of Edele’s Resolve
Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20 opens with a kitchen dispute—one of the maids, frustrated from the previous day’s work, blames Edele for neglecting her duties. Specifically, she accuses Edele of not keeping an eye on the cauldron. Edele, however, stands her ground, stating that it wasn’t her task in the first place. The confrontation escalates when another kitchen worker, Lola, admits that she was the one who forgot, excusing herself by mentioning how exhausted she was.
Lola then tries to shift the blame onto Edele, claiming that she should have taken more responsibility as the newest kitchen member. But this time, Edele doesn’t let it slide. She sharply reminds Lola that she is always preaching about diligence and that if she holds others accountable, she should do the same for herself. This moment is significant—it marks Edele’s growing confidence and her refusal to be a passive victim of the kitchen’s harsh hierarchy.
Later, as Edele continues her gruelling work—preparing ingredients, cooking meals, and cleaning—she reflects on how exhausting her tasks are. Despite the hardships, she’s grateful to have met Salia and Layla in the laundry room. They made her life easier in the past, but now, she’s mostly on her own in the kitchen.
She overhears a conversation between the head housekeeper and the vegetable supplier as she works. The supplier sounds hesitant, admitting that he has a bad feeling about something. The housekeeper dismisses his worries and reassures him that he’s making plenty of money. This vague exchange piques Edele’s curiosity. Why is the supplier nervous? And what exactly is the housekeeper brushing off?
Sneaking into Count’s Office
Determined to find answers, Edele sneaks into Count Laslo Krissus’ office later that night. Among the documents, she finds a receipt from a supplier called Bobax Store. The paper details large payments for premium produce, yet the vegetables delivered to the kitchen are of noticeably poor quality. Putting the pieces together, Edele realizes that the head housekeeper is overcharging the estate and pocketing the difference.
Before she can fully process this revelation, Lynnia suddenly appears, questioning what she’s doing upstairs. Thinking quickly, Edele fabricates an excuse, expressing concern over Lynnia’s health after her recent punishment. Her words unexpectedly strike a chord with Lynnia, who softens and thanks her. Lynnia then brings up Viscountess Emerson, revealing that she has been invited to another gathering.
Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20 ends on an intriguing note—at the party venue, Camille smirks, hinting that Lynnia’s presence will make things very interesting. Meanwhile, Lynnia turns to Edele with an earnest question: Do you think I can really befriend Viscountess Emerson?
What Happened So Far?
In Duchess in Ruins Chapter 19, Count Laslo Krissus confronts Edele after a difficult situation in the estate, questioning what more she could have done. Surprisingly, he acknowledged that the genuine fault lay with the head housekeeper and Lynnia rather than Edele. He even admitted his own shortcomings as a leader, feeling guilty for failing his sister and the servants under his care.
Edele’s defence of Lynnia took him by surprise, and for the first time, Laslo showed genuine self-reflection. Instead of punishing Edele, he offered her a new position in the kitchen, believing the laundry room workload had been too much for her. However, when Edele hesitated, he asked if she was unhappy. Her response shocked him—she explained how, in noble households, even innocent maids are punished for appearances. This was a foreign concept to Laslo, who, despite being a noble himself, was utterly unaware of these harsh realities.
Meanwhile, Lynnia was dealing with her own emotional turmoil. After failing to support Edele when she needed it most, she cried, feeling like everything had fallen apart. Her relationship with Edele had been complex—sometimes adversarial, sometimes affectionate—but this failure left her feeling lost.
Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20: What’s Next?
Duchess in Ruins Chapter 20 was a fantastic blend of character growth, subtle intrigue, and new developments in the overarching plot. Edele’s growing assertiveness is a refreshing change—she’s no longer just enduring mistreatment but actively standing up for herself. The dynamic between her and Lynnia also continues to evolve, leaving us wondering whether they will eventually find true understanding or drift apart.
The corruption within the estate is becoming more evident, and Edele now has crucial information that could change everything. But with the head housekeeper being as cunning as she is, will Edele be able to act without getting caught?
And then there’s Lynnia’s mysterious connection with Viscountess Emerson—what role will she play in the grander scheme of things? Camille’s cryptic remark at the end of the chapter suggests that Lynnia’s presence at the upcoming party will be far from simple.
What do you think will happen in Duchess in Ruins Chapter 21? Will Edele expose the corruption? Will Lynnia’s involvement with the viscountess lead to something dangerous? Drop your predictions in the comments and subscribe to Animemangatoon for more updates and analysis!
