ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 20: Spirit beast?

As Valerie opened her eyes, the cold morning air brushed against her skin.The sun had not fully risen, but a faint light seeped through the thin fabric of the temporary tent.She turned to the other side of the bed, empty.

No Demian.

Even the black cloak he had wrapped around her the night before was gone.Only a light crease on the bedding remained, the quiet proof that he had risen long before dawn.

Valerie let out a soft breath, remembering Demian’s last words before she drifted to sleep.

"We will prepare a counterattack. I will not let the enemy run wild again."

That voice still echoed in her mind, cold, certain, laced with fury.It told her clearly that Demian would not return until everything was over.

She pulled a thin cloth around her body and stepped quietly outside as the tent flap opened.

"Lady, you’re awake?"Sera approached with her usual gentle smile."Would you like a bath and breakfast? Or... something else first?"

Valerie shook her head lightly."I’ll bathe first, Sera. Then I’ll eat."

"Of course. I’ll prepare the warm water," Sera said with a polite bow.

Lira entered with a small basket."I’ll prepare breakfast once Lady finishes bathing."

Valerie nodded with a faint smile.Even though this emergency tent lacked the comfort of Demian’s previous one, the attention of her two maids made everything feel a little less heavy.

After bathing in warm water and putting on the simple dress Sera had chosen, Valerie sat down for breakfast.The scent of hot soup filled the tent, soothing her empty stomach.

She had just taken her first spoonful when hurried footsteps came from outside.

Noel entered, his expression as serious as ever.

"Lady Valerie," he greeted with a stiff bow.

Valerie looked at him."Has the Duke and the rest of the troops already left?"

Noel nodded."Yes, my Lady. The main forces departed before dawn."

Valerie went silent for a moment, a strange emptiness spreading in her chest."Then... am I not allowed to leave the tent today?"

"No."His answer was quick and firm."Starting today, until the Duke returns, you may not go anywhere without my permission."

Valerie blinked."To that extent?"

"Yes, my Lady."Noel’s tone remained cold, but his eyes held unwavering resolve."With everything that has happened recently, I cannot take even the slightest risk regarding your safety."

Valerie set down her spoon, raising a brow at him."I just want to look around a little. I’ve never been given the chance. Besides, many of the soldiers are out. This place feels... quiet."

Noel didn’t respond right away.He straightened his posture, his gaze sharp yet cautious.

"A few meters only," he finally said."No more."

Valerie sighed."Noel..."

"Lady," he cut in, voice low."There are many dangerous people who can disguise themselves and blend in among us. Not everyone knows you are the Duke’s woman... but that only makes you more vulnerable. In a forest like this, a kidnapping could happen at any moment."

His words left Valerie silent.

He wasn’t trying to scare her.

She had seen it herself, the enemy’s sudden attack, the way fire consumed tents in minutes... how her life nearly ended if not for that water barrel.

At last, Valerie nodded slowly."Alright. I’ll walk... but not far."

Noel bowed."Understood. I will remain close by."

Valerie offered a faint smile."You always do."

He didn’t reply, but his expression softened just slightly.

Valerie continued her breakfast while Noel stood nearby, watching, guarding, ensuring no threat came even within reach.

The day had just begun.

And for some reason... Valerie knew it would feel very, very long without Demian by her side.

When Valerie stepped out of the tent, the morning breeze brushed against her skin, cold, sharp, yet somehow refreshing after the suffocating smell of smoke the night before. The sun hadn’t fully risen, but a faint light filtered through the trees, casting a pale glow across the ruined camp.

She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when her chest tightened.

The sight before her was... devastating.

What used to be rows of orderly tents was now nothing but scorched metal frames and piles of ash. The ground was cracked and blackened, covered in soot. In some places, thin wisps of smoke still rose from debris that hadn’t quite cooled.

Valerie’s throat tightened.She had known the fire caused damage, yet seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.

"So much destruction..." she whispered.

Walking a few steps behind her, Noel spoke in his calm, steady tone."Twenty-three tents were burned, Lady. Most belonged to the outer units. Fortunately, casualties were minimal."

Valerie nodded and continued forward.

This kind of devastation... she never imagined she would witness it herself.

Puffs of ash rose with every step she took. Some soldiers bowed as she passed, while others were busy clearing debris, dragging away charred wood, or checking that no embers remained.

"Lady, careful."Noel moved swiftly, stopping her from stepping on a still-hot shard of metal.

Valerie let out a small breath. "Thank you..."

No matter how strict he was, Noel always appeared exactly when she needed him.

They moved past the main camp and approached the outer forest, the part that had been hit hardest by the fire. The trees stood like blackened skeletons, their leaves brown and brittle. The air carried the scent of damp soil mixed with burned wood.

Then suddenly,

Something moved.

Barely noticeable, just a flicker of motion among the burnt bushes.

Valerie froze. "Noel... did you see that?"

Immediately alert, Noel stepped in front of her. "Stay behind me, Lady."

But Valerie had already leaned slightly to the side, her eyes fixed on the source of the movement.

A fox.

But not an ordinary one.

Its fur was a shimmering silver-white, glowing faintly even in the dim morning light. Its body was small and elegant, its tail fluffy like winter snow.

And its eyes,

Its right eye was gold, bright and warm like morning sunlight.Its left eye was blue, cold and clear like frozen lake water.

The fox stared at Valerie without fear, ears perked and tail swaying gently.

"Oh... you’re beautiful..." Valerie breathed, almost in awe.

She knelt slightly, extending a hand toward it. "Come here... it’s okay."

The fox tilted its head and stepped forward.

But before Valerie could touch it,

"Lady. Step back."Noel moved sharply, blocking her view of the creature.

Valerie frowned. "Noel! I’m not going to hurt it. Look it’s harmless."

"That," Noel said firmly, "is exactly what concerns me."

"What do you mean?"

"No ordinary animal has fur like that," he answered, eyes locked on the fox. "And its eyes... those colors aren’t natural. Not that vivid."

Valerie blinked. "Hetero... what?"

"Heterochromia," Noel repeated. "Different colored eyes. But even then, they should not be glowing."

Valerie peeked from behind him and indeed, both eyes seemed to glow faintly.

"It could be a spirit beast," Noel continued. "Or a forest demon in disguise."