No Longer Your Puppet, Duke のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 51 - チャプター 60

Bringing the crown of another kingdom was nothing short of a declaration of war.Cedric’s statement instantly stripped away whatever remaining warmth lingered in the banquet hall. As an independent kingdom renowned for its military dictatorship, Odiley would never willingly bow beneath the boots of the Hera Empire.Sending Kaelus there with such an absurd demand was tantamount to throwing him straight into a wolf's den. The Grand Duke would almost certainly be captured on the spot or executed on charges of bringing insult to the new king."Your Majesty, the winter in Valthorne is not yet fully over," Kaelus interjected smoothly, his deep, low voice undercutting the storm brewing in the room. "Aftershock bliz

The carriage of the Grand Duchy of Valthorne had only just left the Capital and entered the dense forest when the horses at the front suddenly neighed violently and ground to a halt.Roselyn parted the curtains. In the middle of the cobblestone road that cut through the capital's pine forest, dozens of masked men had surrounded them from all directions. Some held torches. The rest gripped longswords, their edges catching the fading afternoon light."Grand Duchess, do not step out!"The thirty Valthorne knights escorting the carriage dismounted instantly. Swords drawn, they formed a combat perimeter within seconds. The ten additional guards Cedric had sent moved as well—and for a split second, Roselyn remaine

“Get lost, you bastard!”Roselyn kicked Derrick straight between his legs. She delivered it with such force that the man collapsed onto the floor beneath the bed.Yet, even through a surge of pain that eclipsed the sting of a piercing arrow, the Duke reined in his fury. His fingers dug hard into the edge of the bedsheet to anchor himself.He pushed himself up, grimacing as he forced a smile toward the woman whose arms were bound in chains.“Do you truly intend to kill me, Rose?” Derrick gritted out, his steps uneven as he dragged his remaining strength to crawl back onto the bed.“That is nothing compared to what you deserve.”“We have to

“Release him.”King Odiley’s command shattered the silence of the hall, making the captain of the guard hesitate for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. The bindings around Kaelus’s wrists were promptly undone.The dark-skinned ruler leaned forward, his face a mask of indifference. In truth, however, he was rapidly calculating the immense profit this newfound alliance could bring him.“Prepare the finest guest quarters for Grand Duke Valthorne, and permit his entire vanguard to pass through the palace gates.”“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the silver-haired man replied, placing his right palm over his chest in a formal salute.“Let us resume this conversation over

The box remained on Roselyn’s lap. She merely let out a long, heavy breath, then quietly closed the lid.There were no tears, nor were there any bitter curses. She did not even fling the cursed box across the room, as Derrick had wildly envisioned she would.Involuntarily, Derrick’s brow furrowed. "Rose—""How many more people do you intend to slaughter for my sake?"Her voice carried a flat, deadpan cadence. It was not a question that demanded an answer; it sounded more like someone who was utterly exhausted by a repetitive game.Derrick fell silent. For the first time since Roselyn had been brought to this chamber, the man found himself without a rehearsed line.