No Longer Your Puppet, Duke

Kaelus Valthorne

Three days of confinement were enough for the bruises on Roselyn’s body to fade from a deep purple to a dull yellow. Thanks to the Elysium from her uncle, the wound on her forehead had dwindled to a thin red line.

Vogard personally ensured that the mark was buried under layers of powder before dragging his daughter to the Imperial ball. He polished Roselyn until she was once again the perfect 'Holy Rose.'

"Be grateful the Duke hasn't called off the wedding. Seduce him tonight and secure that position as Duchess," Vogard commanded. He squeezed Roselyn’s hand with bruising force just before the ballroom doors swung open. "It should be easy for you, shouldn't it, Rose? Don’t make your father have to strike you again."

"I understand."

As the name of House Sirius echoed and the doors parted, every eye in the room was drawn to them. Behind feathered fans, noblewomen hid their sneers, waiting to see what flaw the center of high society might reveal tonight.

The moment she escaped her father’s shadow, Roselyn snatched a glass of champagne and retreated to a corner. To her, every man who approached looked like a replica of Derrick—different faces, but the same hungry glint in their eyes; wanting to taste something sweet before eventually discarding it.

Roselyn refused every invitation to dance, citing her fragile health, until she grew sick of the air and slipped away to the farthest balcony. She drew the heavy velvet curtains shut, blocking the view from the gala inside.

The waltz music continued to flow from the ballroom. She didn't even hear footsteps, yet suddenly, a shadow fell beside her. When she turned, Derrick was standing far too close.

"I closed the curtains because I wanted to be alone."

"I know," the Duke replied, twining a strand of Roselyn’s hair around his finger. "That is why I followed, Rose. I didn't want you to be lonely."

"The Duke should be dancing with the ladies inside."

"I only wish to dance with what is mine... you."

"I belong to no one! We agreed to call off the engagement."

"Since when? I merely gave you time to reflect, but it seems my bride-to-be has misunderstood."

Roselyn’s eyes widened as she struggled to break free from his hold. "I am no longer your bride."

"If not me, to whose arms will you run, Rose? Even if I let you go, your father will simply sell you off."

"I don't care. Even if I must go to hell, I hope we never meet again!"

"Stop talking nonsense. Let us finish what we started the other night."

Derrick tightened his grip. Ignoring her struggling frame, he crushed his lips against hers with brutal force. One hand pinned both of Roselyn’s wrists above her head, while the other shoved her shoulder back against the cold stone railing. Roselyn gasped to scream, but Derrick moved faster, silencing her with a deeper, searing kiss.

The blue-eyed man let out a low chuckle before pulling her back into his embrace. His hands grew wilder, pawing at her chest until finally—

SLAP!

The first strike landed hard on Derrick’s cheek. Roselyn trembled from her head to her toes.

"You ... are disgusting."

Derrick wiped the blood from the corner of his lip. He wasn't angry; he looked amused.

"You are full of surprises, Rose."

"Leave me before I scream!"

"Then scream."

Derrick became increasingly brutal, leaving Roselyn no room to turn away or even draw breath. With overwhelming strength, he locked her body in place once more, ignoring the violent tremors racking her shoulders.

His rough hand gripped her jaw, making her wince in pain. He forced her face up, ensuring his dark blue eyes looked directly into the fear radiating from her.

"Please don't, Duke..."

"Don't cry, Rose. I’ll marry you after this."

Roselyn’s breath hitched; her chest felt as though it were being crushed by a heavy stone. Her dignity was being trampled mercilessly beneath his feet. In the midst of that sickening siege, Roselyn’s hand fumbled along the balcony edge with the last of her strength. She found a crystal glass. With a desperate, furious jerk, she hurled it toward the door.

CRASH!

Just as Roselyn felt her strength completely drain away, a long shadow fell over them. The balcony door, which had been only slightly ajar, swung wide.

A man leaned against the threshold, hands buried in his pockets. His silver hair shimmered pale under the moonlight, like a mountain peak blanketed in snow.

"The Duke of D'Arest’s tastes are lower than I thought. Not only are you skilled at seducing married women, but you even stoop so low as to defile your own fiancée."

Derrick flinched, turning with ragged breath and a flushed face. "Grand Duke Valthorne, this is a private matter."

"Oh, I didn't realize you were deaf. The Lady clearly rejected you, didn't she?"

"Be gone before you regret it."

"Regret, is it?" Kaelus repeated the word. A small dagger flicked from his sleeve, grazing Derrick’s cheek before thudding into the pillar behind him. "I haven't known that word for a long time."

"You bastard!"

But before Derrick’s fist could fly, Roselyn threw herself forward, slipping between the two men. "Stop it!"

She looked at them both with a gaze full of hurt and restrained fury. "Even if you are enemies, do not drag me into your ridiculous feud! And you, Duke D'Arest—leave. Now!"

Derrick froze, his clenched fist slowly going limp. He stared at Roselyn for a long time, and only then did he truly 'see' her condition. Red marks stained her neck. Anyone could see what had happened to her by her disheveled gown. Above all, her eyes—which usually looked at him with such affection—were now brimming with tears.

"Lady, I only—"

Kaelus gently pulled the woman behind him. "Do you intend to harass her again, Duke?"

Without another word of defense, Derrick retreated into the ballroom.

Silence reclaimed the balcony, leaving only the sound of the night wind biting at her skin. The moment Derrick’s shadow vanished, the strength that had been holding Roselyn up vanished with it. Her knees went weak, and her shoulders shook violently as her pale fingers tried to pull up the torn sleeve of her gown.

"Calm yourself, Lady," the Grand Duke said, covering her small frame with his cloak.

"Yes."

"I will leave some guards for you."

He turned to leave, but his steps halted. Roselyn’s trembling fingers had caught the edge of his clothes.

"Wait, Grand Duke …." Roselyn looked up, her eyes swollen. "Please stay here. Just for a moment ...."