All Chapters of No Longer Your Puppet, Duke : Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

The clang of bells rang out harshly beyond the walls, shattering the quiet of the corridor. Several Valthorne knights hurried toward the tower to investigate the source of the commotion.Meanwhile, Kaelus stood rigid before the archive room. His fingers tapped against his forearm in a steady rhythm, waiting on the answer Rieta's late sister had left behind."I hope you have a reason that makes sense, Lexcan," Kaelus said flatly. His gaze was fixed, cold, demanding.Rieta faltered for a moment. She drew a long breath to steady herself before finally gathering her courage. "Your Grace, I found this note tucked inside my sister's diary.""I have no interest in reading a dead woman's private notes. Just tell me what it says.""Vi

Brak!The heavy impact shook the silence of the room. Kaelus slammed his palm onto the table, causing the teacup on top to rattle violently. A flash of rage was clearly visible in his eyes."What else does Count Sirius want from my wife?!" Kaelus growled.The lady-in-waiting holding the letter flinched. Both of her knees trembled violently, and her head dropped so low that her chin nearly touched her chest. The silver tray in her hands shook. She looked utterly terrified, as if the oppressive aura of the war god could claim her life at any second.Seeing the servant on the verge of tears, pity welled up in Roselyn’s heart. 

The next morning, the carriage bearing the Valthorne crest stood ready outside the inn before the sun had fully risen.Rieta stood straight beside the carriage door, greeting Roselyn as she stepped out, her movements still a touch careful."How are you feeling, Grand Duchess?""Much better than yesterday, Rieta.""Still have the headache?""No. This morning's air helped clear what was left of it."Roselyn gave a faint smile, stepping into the carriage compartment. Kaelus walked just behind her, making sure her heavy gown didn't catch on the carriage steps. He settled beside his wife, drawing his fur cloak closer to share its warmth."D

The massive door shut with a soft thud, locking out all the noise from the corridor.Only the slow ticking of an old wall clock filled the silence, mingling with Vogard’s short, heavy breaths. Meanwhile, the candlelight on the small table flickered in the draft, casting long shadows across the man's pale face.Roselyn stood quietly by the bedside, looking down at her father. The figure who used to beat her until she blacked out was now reduced to lying there, completely frail."What is it that you want to talk about, Father, that makes you want to send everyone away?"Vogard did not answer right away. Instead, he moved his trembling fingers toward the chair near the bed. "Sit, Rose."Roselyn took slow steps forward and sat down, her eyes fixed on the gaunt face now being consumed by the aura of death.Vogard’s gaze seemed unfocused as it locked onto his daughter's face."You look so much like your mother.""I don't even remember her face.""Yes, you two are alike." Vogard forced a bit

The rain grew heavier just as Roselyn’s eyes widened, staring at the hooded figure gripping her arm—Derrick.There was no one else around. Even when her former lover finally released his hand from her mouth, Roselyn had already forgotten how to scream."You... how did you end up like this?" She glared at him, her voice a tangled mix of fear and hesitation.Roselyn’s heart was still pounding wildly, far louder than the rhythm of the rain hammering against the garden stones. For a fleeting second, she had expected to see the imperial guards, or perhaps Carl, who always seemed to appear at the most unpredictable times—not the man she had long tried to bury from her memory.The duke remained still for a moment. His face was far too gaunt for a young nobleman who had once been hailed as the most handsome man in the empire.Looking closer, Roselyn realized just how wretched the man before her truly looked. His cheeks were deeply hollowed, his skin as deathly pale as a freshly unearthed cor