Semua Bab Duke Damian, The Duchess Wants a Divorce!: Bab 21 - Bab 30

"The second most powerful woman in the Empire," Selene stated firmly. "It is only fitting. The title of Duke stands directly beneath the Emperor. He is a blood relative of the imperial family, and since the Empress passed away a few months ago, I am effectively the highest-ranking woman in the land. You may see me as trash, but to the Empire, I am essential—especially as Damian's wife. Even the Emperor knows me well.""You—" Vivian sputtered, her face turning ashen."Enough. We are family," Robert interrupted, attempting to mediate.Selene shifted her gaze toward the horizon. Family? They didn't even deserve the title."I only scolded her because, regardless of everything, I am her mother," Dorothy added in a freezing tone."My mother is dead," Selene answered without a hint of hesitation.Both Robert and Dorothy fell silent, visibly shaken by her bluntness."Selene, you cannot act this way. We are family. Regardless of your title, we speak because we are worried about you. You

Vivian strode through the castle as if she were already the mistress of the house. Ivan followed closely behind, his face a mask of indifference, though his eyes remained sharply vigilant. Eventually, they reached the art collection room—a sanctuary where Damian kept his most prized sculptures, ancient swords, and priceless paintings."Ah, so this is the Duke's taste," Vivian remarked, her steps light and airy. She stopped before a rack of ornate blades, then glanced back at Ivan. "Do you enjoy art, Ivan?""I am not a man qualified to judge such things," Ivan replied curtly.Vivian shrugged, continuing her inspection of the room's treasures. "Does Selene come here often?""No, my lady," Ivan said firmly. "Her Highness does not claim to understand art, so she prefers not to disturb anything—even with a mere glance."Vivian let out a cynical scoff. "She's so cautious, as if she's terrified of disappointing the Duke. And yet the Duke... he is a wild man."Ivan took a long, steadying

That day, inside the command tent, Damian had arrived long before anyone else. Ever since he had left the castle, his heart had been restless. There was a nagging sensation of something being wrong—something he couldn't quite name. Selene's face haunted his mind. It was a sharp contrast to the irritation her presence usually provoked.Marquess Grant was currently presenting the battlefield situation, but Damian's ears were deaf to the strategy."Do you understand, Duke?" the Marquess's voice shattered his reverie.Damian looked at him with eyes as cold as flint. "It's taking too long."The generals exchanged bewildered glances. "What do you mean?" the Marquess asked cautiously.Damian pointed to the enemy lines on the map. "Attack them first. Do not give them time to breathe."The room fell into a heavy silence. The strategy was logical, but the risk was immense. Everyone knew Damian's way: fast, ruthless, and effective. But this time, his gaze was different—as if his mind were

"I am a soldier of His Grace, the Duke," the man replied, revealing the Leventis crest emblazoned on his chest.Selene swallowed hard, her heart hammering against her ribs. She studied him closely—yes, this was the man she had spotted among the trees yesterday while testing the new car. It turned out he belonged to Damian, her own husband."Follow me… quietly," he commanded again, his voice stern. "If you refuse, I will drag you."Selene took a long, shaky breath, trying to steady her nerves. Behind the man, several more figures dressed in similar attire appeared—highly trained soldiers who looked more like assassins than guards, standing ready to monitor her every move."She will not be boarding," the man stated firmly, snatching the identification papers from the stunned official's hand.Selene remained silent, lowering her head. Monica and Daisy stayed by her side, loyal shadows who followed without a word.The attention of everyone on the platform shifted toward her. Whispers

The hall instantly erupted into a low roar of whispers. Nobles leaned toward one another, some covering their mouths, stunned by Selene's razor-sharp words.Selene stepped forward slowly toward Dorothy and stopped right in front of her. "Do you know," she said quietly but firmly, "that screaming in the presence of a Duchess can be considered an act of treasonous insult?""Duchess."Another voice broke the tension. Count Esmer—a close associate of Robert Moreau—stepped forward with a pacifying expression.Selene shifted her gaze to him."We have not come here to make an enemy of you," Count Esmer said with a diplomatic tone. "But as the mistress of the Duke's castle, you must surely resolve this matter with wisdom."Selene took a long, steady breath. "Have you asked Lady Moreau," she said calmly, "exactly what transpired that led to her injury?"Dorothy interjected quickly, "She came to visit you! Because she knew you were lonely after the Duke left for the battlefield."Selene'