All Chapters of No Longer Your Puppet, Duke : Chapter 141 - Chapter 150

The Sirius residence had been filled with distant relatives since late afternoon, long before Kaelus and Roselyn arrived. The main meeting hall was crowded with dark-robed nobles.Their faces were rarely seen unless there was an interest worth squabbling over. And today was an opportunity to mine a mound of gold."I received a notice to hold an emergency meeting this morning, so let us begin." The Countess sat in the chair at the far end of the long table. Her body appeared frail and pale, yet her eyes remained sharp as she observed every corner of the room."We cannot leave this family leaderless any longer," said Elder Rowan, a white-bearded man sitting closest to the Countess. "Carl can no longer be relied upon. Roselyn is the next legitimate heir.""I refuse," Roselyn answered without hesitation."Lady Roselyn, this is not merely an obligation for someone carrying Sirius blood.""Obligation does not require me to abandon the North." Roselyn stood tall, looking at every single face

Silence still hung over the Sirius estate that morning. The servants went about their usual duties, but beneath the quiet bustle, hushed whispers echoed through the halls."I heard Master Carl was actually imprisoned," one of the kitchen maidservants murmured to her companion, her hands never stopping as she wiped down a plate. "And to think he had the strongest claim to the inheritance.""Shh. Not so loud." The other glanced nervously toward the door. "No matter how strong a claim someone has, if they go so far as to harm their own family... that's a different story.""How could he be so cold-hearted?""I know, I can't wrap my head around it either. Wasn't the Count so fond of him? Yet Master Carl went and poisoned him.""That's why I've always said the nobles are utterly rotten on the inside."In a dim corner of the kitchen, the head servant stood tall, arms folded tightly across his chest. He observed the exchange in silence until the two maids finally noticed his presence. Terrifi

Aira pleaded once more, tears pooling in her alluring eyes. "Rosie is in danger. You need to know something, Duke."It felt as though lightning had struck Derrick's chest. Hearing the name of the woman he had once thoroughly shunned like a disease now made his heart race uncontrollably. "What happened to her?""Do you really want to hear it?""Tell me, hurry!""It’s not that simple, Duke." Aira offered a faint smile, gently wiping her tears away with a soft motion. She smiled, thinking she had successfully enticed the vulnerable man with a bait impossible to refuse. "Before Count Sirius passed away, I overheard that someone was planning to kill Rose upon her return home.""Who?" Derrick gripped his chest tightly."What will you give me if I tell you?"Without a second thought, the duke grabbed Aira’s chin, forcing her to look up and meet his eyes, which were filled with burning impatience."I could break your neck. Do you think you can make me your puppet?""Du–Duke, it's not like tha

Derrick forced himself to stay calm and offered a faint smile in front of the venomous snake nesting inside his room. He surrendered all his feelings of inferiority and self-loathing, as long as the woman he loved remained safe from harm.When Derrick stepped out of the bathroom, Aira was already sitting gracefully at the table near the window.Her hands deftly poured reddish hibiscus tea into two porcelain cups. Unprompted, she even added a splash of milk and a spoonful of honey to one of them.It was an old habit carried over from the days when she served as Roselyn’s personal maid."This used to be Rosie's favorite.""I like it too.""Really, Duke? Since when?""A long time ago."Derrick accepted the cup without another word, then slowly sipped the warm liquid.The sweet aroma drifting up brought back memories of Roselyn, while simultaneously reminding him of the looming threat.Behind her calm facade, Aira hid a satisfied smile behind her cup. She felt certain that her charm was s

The carriage moved slowly, its wheels creaking faintly as they traversed the ascending dirt road. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, resting upon the lap of Roselyn, who leaned gently against Kaelus's shoulder."Once we reach the North, what do you wish to do first?" Roselyn asked softly."Ensure you rest comfortably before I inspect the territory.""And after that?""Take you around to see the preparations for the festival. I heard there is a stall selling snow confections.""I also want to see the fireworks.""Of course. We can watch them from the tower.""You mean the tower from our wedding night?""Indeed. There is no higher vantage point in the North.""I wonder... my belly feels as though it is growing larger by the day.""You have nothing to worry about, Madam. I shall carry you."Roselyn let out a soft laugh, resting her head deeper into Kaelus's shoulder. She parted the curtain slightly, allowing the light filtering through the pine forest to stream in more f