# WebtoonLib — The Monstrous Duke's Adopted Daughter #70

## Series
- title: The Monstrous Duke's Adopted Daughter
- slug: the-monstrous-dukes-adopted-daughter-cc9902

## Chapter
- number: 70
- release_date: 2025-03-08

### Summary
Following the previous chapter's intimate focus on Leslie and Conrad's budding romance, the narrative shifts dramatically to a high-stakes political confrontation centered on a new primary antagonist: the Empress Dowager. Reader commentary reveals intense animosity towards the Empress and her associated priestess, who are perceived as the story's most frustrating villains. A prominent fan theory has emerged suggesting the Empress Dowager was the "friend" who betrayed Duke Salvator in the past, leaving her with a distinctive scar and adding a layer of personal vengeance to the conflict. The plot also ensnares Conrad more deeply, with readers speculating that the Empress is using his mother's mysterious illness as leverage to control his father, Duke Aithera. While Conrad's affection for Leslie is subtly confirmed, this new political danger has transformed his open support from a romantic gesture into a potential liability for her. This development has drawn mixed reactions, with some readers expressing frustration at the perceived slow pacing and the continued presence of former antagonists like Ellie, while others are engrossed by the escalating threat posed by the Empress Dowager's immense and seemingly unchecked power.
- summary_source: graph_aggregator
- summary_verification: unverified

## Spoiler
- level: auto

### Safe teaser
Following the previous chapter's intimate focus on Leslie and Conrad's budding romance, the narrative shifts dramatically to a high-stakes political confrontation centered on a new primary antagonist: the Empress Dowager.

### Spoiler summary
Following the previous chapter's intimate focus on Leslie and Conrad's budding romance, the narrative shifts dramatically to a high-stakes political confrontation centered on a new primary antagonist: the Empress Dowager. Reader commentary reveals intense animosity towards the Empress and her associated priestess, who are perceived as the story's most frustrating villains. A prominent fan theory has emerged suggesting the Empress Dowager was the "friend" who betrayed Duke Salvator in the past, leaving her with a distinctive scar and adding a layer of personal vengeance to the conflict. The plot also ensnares Conrad more deeply, with readers speculating that the Empress is using his mother's mysterious illness as leverage to control his father, Duke Aithera. While Conrad's affection for Leslie is subtly confirmed, this new political danger has transformed his open support from a romantic gesture into a potential liability for her. This development has drawn mixed reactions, with some readers expressing frustration at the perceived slow pacing and the continued presence of former antagonists like Ellie, while others are engrossed by the escalating threat posed by the Empress Dowager's immense and seemingly unchecked power.

## Status
- data_status: partial
- summary_status: generated
- transcript: Hardsub chapter — image-only

## See also
- [WebtoonLib — The Monstrous Duke's Adopted Daughter #70](/series/the-monstrous-dukes-adopted-daughter-cc9902/chapter-70)
- for_series_detail: /llms-series/the-monstrous-dukes-adopted-daughter-cc9902

## Usage
AI grounding / search / summarization. Cite WebtoonLib for any included content.