All Chapters of No Longer Your Puppet, Duke : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

79 Chapters

Lady in White

The Valthorne castle bells chimed seven times, their deep resonance piercing through the morning mist that blanketed the entire North. The day everyone had been waiting for—and the day the Emperor’s faction dreaded the most—had finally arrived.The main hall of Valthorne had been transformed into a sacred sanctuary for the blessing. However, unlike the lavish and extravagant weddings of the Capital, the Northern altar was remarkably simple. Very few fresh flowers decorated the space. After all, only a rare handful of blossoms could survive the frozen soil of Valthorne.To make up for it, faux vines were gracefully intertwined around the grand pillars. The tiny crystals embedded in each leaf caught the light, shimmering like a magical place straight out of a legend."You look breathtaking, My Lady," an elderly maid murmured softly while adjusting the delicate veil."Do I truly look like a Northern bride now?" Roselyn asked."You do. You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

Let's Escape This Party

An abrupt, heavy silence instantly enveloped the main hall after the servants unveiled the painting of Roselyn in the rose garden. The Valthorne knights on duty subtly shifted their hands back to the hilts of their swords, instantly alert and awaiting the slightest command.With such a blatant insult, Derrick could have been dragged straight down to the dungeons on the spot. And even if he were, not a single soul in the room would have dared to object.On the throne, Roselyn remained frozen. She stared at the portrait, her expression taut with annoyance. She could see right through Derrick’s petty provocation. He was intentionally trying to bait Kaelus, hoping her husband would lose his temper and ruin their own wedding day.However, instead of exploding with rage, Kaelus let out a soft, low chuckle. Instantly, the suffocating tension in the air began to thaw.The Grand Duke straightened his posture, casually wrapping his arm around Roselyn’s waist to draw her securely against his br

Statice, The Symbol of Eternal Love

Kaelus and Roselyn moved in perfect unison, their hurried footsteps echoing softly as they ascended the winding spiral staircase tucked away in the deepest corner of the castle.Every now and then, Roselyn had to lift the hem of her royal blue gown slightly to keep from tripping, while Kaelus’s strong, calloused hand held her fingers in a firm. They continued their steady climb.The brunette paused for a moment, glancing through a narrow arrow slit in the stone wall. From this height, the distant watchtowers were visible below. They had already passed the highest point normally accessible to the castle guards."Kael, is it still much further?""Are you tired, Rose? Would you like me to carry you?""N-No need." The Grand Duchess quickly averted her gaze, but her husband could clearly see the deep crimson flush creeping up the tips of her ears.This particular tower rose far higher than anything else in the fortress. It was a sacred, hidden sanctuary. For centuries, a strict ancestral

The Cold Northern Bars

Thud!Duke Derrick D'Arest and Count Vogard Sirius were thrown callously onto the damp stone floor. The sharp, heavy clanking of the iron chains binding their wrists shattered the suffocating silence of the Valthorne castle dungeons."Watch your manners! You are incredibly fortunate that the Grand Duchess didn't have your heads taken right there in the main hall," one of the Valthorne knights spat with venom before pulling the heavy iron bar door shut with a resounding slam.Clang!The cell door locked tight. The two powerful nobles from the Capital were now thoroughly trapped in a place they had never, in their wildest dreams, imagined they would ever inhabit.Vogard, whose aging body was entirely unprepared for such rough handling, coughed violently while clutching his aching lower back. His lavish ceremonial robes were now stained with dust and wet earth."Dammit! How dare they treat me in this manner!" Vogard barked in a raspy, shaking v

Haunted by 'What If'

As dawn broke, Kaelus’s breathing gradually returned to normal. His body temperature dropped steadily, and his faint, pained groans gave way to a soft, comforting snore. The physician's medicine had worked wonders.Roselyn let out a long sigh of relief. She placed the damp cloth back into the basin, stood up, and neatly adjusted her nightgown. The exhaustion of staying awake all night did absolutely nothing to dampen the fire burning within her. Now that her husband’s condition had stabilized, it was time for the Grand Duchess to settle some unfinished business.She stepped out of the bedroom, where Eden was already standing, greeting her with a deep, respectful bow."Grand Duchess," Eden greeted. "How is the Grand Duke's condition?""He is recovering well, Sir Eden," Roselyn replied, her tone sharp and focused. "How are the prisoners?""They are undoubtedly shivering in the dark, Your Grace. Per your instructions, no food

Stabbing a Friend's Back

Aira paced frantically back and forth inside her quarters, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Her heart hammered so violently against her ribs that it felt as though it might leap right out of her chest.The abrupt arrest of Derrick and Vogard had completely unraveled her plans. Sent from the Capital as mere political bait, Aira now found her own position perched precariously on a knife's edge. If the Emperor’s faction that backed her collapsed, she would be left with absolutely nowhere to run.Moreover, having witnessed firsthand how ruthless and perceptive the current Roselyn had become, Aira knew it was only a matter of time before her own head was mounted as an ornament upon the castle fortress."No, I won't die in this barbaric wasteland," Aira whispered, her hands trembling uncontrollably.Driven by sheer desperation, she slipped out of her chambers in the dead of night, intending to seek out Vivianne in the wester

The Poison is Waiting

As the first rays of dawn filtered through the magical barrier high above the tower sky, Roselyn slowly opened her eyes. The warm touch of the morning sun felt incredibly gentle against her skin.A sudden, dull ache around her waist instantly reminded her of the sweet madness they had shared beneath the blanket of stars the night before. With a faint smile gracing her lips, Roselyn reached out, brushing her hand against the side of the bed next to her.It was empty. The mattress on that side had already grown cold.The young woman bolted upright, a sudden flicker of disappointment clouding her eyes. For a split second, a chilling thought crossed her mind—that she had been left alone after an intimate night, just like in her past life.Rustle.Roselyn snapped her head toward the sound. A single, perfectly bloomed red rose greeted her, its petals still glistening with fresh morning dew."Good morning, my wife."Kaelus was standing

Bathe My Wife

Roselyn’s footsteps felt heavy as she walked down the corridor toward her chambers. A maid immediately greeted her. As soon as she stepped inside, Roselyn began taking off the tiara and jewelry she had worn all day."We have prepared the bath for you, Your Grace," the maid said with a polite bow."Thank you. And please have dinner sent to my room. I am incredibly exhausted."The maid nodded, adding that she would fetch the shampoo before leaving.Roselyn stepped into the bathroom. Her fingers moved slowly, unfastening the fur cloak and the blue gown that had felt suffocating since midday. Ahead of her, dozens of flower petals floated atop the water in the bathtub. She dipped the tip of her toe in, checking if the temperature was right before stepping in.'Why is everything so complicated?' she thought, staring at the ripples on the surface. 'I've only just put Derrick behind me, yet another obstacle aris

Story of Every Scars

Roselyn knitted her brows, her fingers carefully tracing her husband’s back.Kaelus’s pale skin felt rough underneath her touch. She took a sharp breath before her eyes followed the path her hand had mapped out.A massive burn scar tore diagonally across his back. It was thick, jagged, and stretched all the way up over his shoulder.Roselyn froze."You don't need to look at it, Rose. I don't want your beautiful eyes to be subjected to something like this.""Does it... still hurt?""No. It’s an old wound. Unfortunately, it left a mark."Roselyn closed her eyes tightly, a sharp pang of sorrow striking her heart.As if one massive scar wasn't enough, she realized Kaelus’s entire body was mapped with other remnants of violence. There was a jagged sword gash along his flank, and countless smaller, faded lacerations scattered across his skin. Everything was carved clearly against the Grand Duke's

People Change

A thin plume of steam rose from the cooling Earl Grey tea, drifting over the table. The main boardroom of the Valthorne Grand Duchy was in use once again this morning. At the far end of the long table, Kaelus sat perfectly upright, cloaked in his black-furred Grand Ducal robe. His crimson eyes stared unblinkingly at the stamped scroll unfurled in the center of the table."So, the Emperor wants me to release the Duke?"The old advisor present in the room cleared his throat, his hands trembling slightly as he lifted the parchment. "The Emperor and the central nobility are demanding the release of Duke D’Arest. Not only because of his contributions to past wars, but also due to his immense influence in the capital.""He is still guilty," Kaelus repeated flatly."Grand Duke, the Emperor has reiterated his offer to grant us the mines and a tax exemption. Furthermore..." The old man adjusted his spectacles."What else does

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