All Chapters of No Longer Your Puppet, Duke : Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Roselyn sprinted toward the small side gate in the back garden. She could feel a piercing, stinging cold as her bare feet pressed against the grass, which was heavily drenched in night dew.The brunette woman truly believed that she had finally found her window to escape. She had been waiting for this exact opportunity from the very beginning.By outsmarting the middle-aged maid earlier, she had successfully swiped the key and unlocked the shackles that held her bound.Yet, with fewer than ten paces remaining before her fingers could grasp the wooden gate, a muscular arm abruptly yanked her shoulder from behind.Roselyn's body was violently pulled backward. Faced a familiar, unwanted person."And here I was wondering why you had suddenly grown so compliant. It turns out you were planning to flee."Derrick’s blue eyes locked onto her gaze. With a single sharp wrench, the man spun Roselyn around and pinned her against a massive willow tree near the gate."Release me!""NEVER!""Derrick—

A sword blade swung directly for Kaelus’s neck before his boots could even firmly plant themselves on the D'Arest grounds.He ducked in a fraction of a second, feeling the sharp gust of wind whistle right over his silver hair. Seizing his attacker's wrist, he twisted it brutally and slammed the man onto the dirt.The hearts of the remaining guards shattered instantly."Don't let them step a foot inside!" the captain bellowed, his voice straining against the clash of steel that had already erupted.Three D'Arest knights charged at once. Kaelus drew his blade just as a spearhead tore through his cloak.His blade spun in a tight arc, parrying two consecutive strikes, before slamming hard against his opponent's hilt to send the weapon flying.Behind him, the Odiley and Valthorne knights surged forward, blades locking in a frenzy. Shouts and the frantic neighing of horses tangled into a chaotic roar, heavy with dust and ragged breathing."Hold your ground!" Kaelus kicked the last opponent w

The first snow of the season began to blanket Lancaster just as Derrick’s carriage was getting ready to push toward Raipherze.Roselyn watched the scene unfold through a tiny parting in the curtains. Delicate white flakes drifted lazily from the sky, dusting the cobblestone road they were traveling on."The snow always hits this place earlier than the Capital," Derrick murmured, gently adjusting the hood of Roselyn’s cloak to keep the chill away. "My mother used to say the first snow is a good omen. A clean slate."Roselyn didn't say a word. The lingering numbness from the afternoon's drug still had her tongue tied. She could only stare blankly at every passing landmark she caught a glimpse of, desperately tracing a mental map for an escape route in her mind."How... much longer until we arrive at Raipherze?" Her voice came out clearer than she expected, catching her off guard.Derrick snapped his head around, pulling her a little closer into his embrace. "You're finally talking to m

Within Derrick’s completely broken mind, there was no sight more breathtaking than looking at Roselyn lying submissively upon the bed.His delusional psyche truly believed that forcing a paralyzing drug down his beloved's throat wasn't an act of coercion, but rather a manifestation of pure love. As long as they were together, the man had absolutely no issue with carrying Roselyn wherever they needed to go."Are you awake, Rose?"The soft whisper brushed against Roselyn’s temple, followed by the warm touch of his fingers gently combing through her loose hair with the utmost care.Roselyn opened her eyes slowly. Before her, Derrick was already kneeling at the edge of the bed. He reached for a cup containing tea laced with the sedative, blowing on it gently before offering it to the Vogard princess."The snow is getting heavier outside," Derrick said, a soft smile gracing his lips. "Drink a little of this, alright? Your headac

The silence felt like a blade held directly against Cedric’s neck. He stared at Kaelus for a long time, searching for a single flicker of doubt on that flat face.However, all he found was the chilling aura of someone who had long since carried the truth. Or more accurately, someone who refused to let that truth fuel a self-destructive hatred."Who told you?" Cedric’s voice finally trembled, coming out softer than he intended."That doesn't matter.""I thought the late Emperor had wiped out all of your father's loyalists. Even the records detailing the traits of the true imperial bloodline were burned.""A crime always leaves a trace, Cedric."The gold-eyed man fell si