Semua Bab No Longer Your Puppet, Duke : Bab 31 - Bab 40

The heavy iron gates of the Valthorne stronghold ground open slowly. A small, tightly enclosed carriage passed through under strict escort. Inside was Roselyn’s father. The old man was being sent back to the capital ahead of schedule due to his failing health. Vogard departed without a single word. There were no parting curses, nor any words of apology left for his daughter. The carriage simply rolled away, as though he had never truly set foot in the North to begin with.Even though Kaelus loathed the man for his past cruelty toward his wife, the Grand Duke had still provided a proper transport and ordered a few of his own guards to accompany him."Today's Derrick's turn to leave," Roselyn murmured."Indeed, my love. Finally, I won't have to see that irritating bastard in my castle anymore."They stood by the edge of the window, waiting for the other uninvited guest to be cast out.Down in the courtyard

The cold wind outside Castle Valthorne howled even louder. Inside the room, a heavy silence fell after Aira’s web of lies was stripped away.Aira knelt on the stone floor, her fingers clutching the edge of a letter that was now soaked with her tears. Her beautiful face had turned deathly pale. She could not begin to imagine what kind of punishment awaited her."R-Rosie... how could you be so cruel?" she whimpered.Kaelus stepped out from the corner of the room. He did not utter a single word, but the murderous aura emanating from his crimson eyes was more than enough to crush whatever spirit Aira had left.His large hand moved slowly toward the hilt of the dagger at his waist. Fortunately, Roselyn gave a subtle sh

When Roselyn opened her eyes, the view outside the window was still a hazy, bluish-grey. Snow fell gently, drifting down like pale dust from the heavens.She blinked a few times, trying to dispel the lingering dizziness. Her eyes felt incredibly swollen, yet her chest felt a strange mixture of relief and emptiness.As her fingers moved, Roselyn realized she was wrapped in dry, loose silk pajamas.Instantly, her consciousness snapped awake. Her brown eyes darted around the dimly lit room, searching for her husband."How are you feeling, Rose?"The deep, gravelly voice broke the silence. Kaelus was sitting in a chair at the corner of the room, waiting quietly beside a cup of black coffee that had already gone cold.

Cigar smoke filled the room. All the windows were tightly shut, making the air inside suffocatingly heavy.Derrick leaned back against the velvet sofa, one leg stretched out toward the floor. One hand hung loosely over the armrest, while the other gripped an empty wine goblet.All around him, the scene was pure chaos. Two women in disheveled silk gowns slept soundly on the fur carpet, their backs turned to each other.A blonde girl lay asleep on the bed, wearing almost nothing.Every single one of them was beautiful. Yet, he felt absolutely hollow."Rose…," Derrick whispered, his voice barely coherent."Did you call me, Duke?"Brown ha

‘To my beloved Father,I pray your health remains eternal upon receiving this letter. Father, ten years ago you sent me to the North with tears, promising you would always support me. Today, I write not as the widow of the late eldest son of the former Grand Duke. I write as a woman whose entire world has just been plundered by a wild rose from the Capital.Kaelus is married. The seat that rightfully belonged to me is now occupied by Roselyn Sirius. My influence in this castle is being eroded in a matter of weeks. I fear my soul will leave you, but if Father is willing to help get rid of—’