ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 200: A stronger reason than you

The name hung in the air like something alive.

Demian didn’t realize that the hand resting on the table had slowly clenched into a fist.

For months there had only been failure.

Rituals that revealed nothing.

Sorcerers claiming Valerie’s trail was too well hidden.

Demian had even begun to believe that perhaps he truly had lost her forever.

But now,

"Are you certain?" His voice was low.

Vedseel chuckled softly.

"I didn’t come here in the middle of the night just to joke with you, Duke."

He walked toward the tall window of the room, gazing out into the dark night sky.

"The rituals we performed before failed for one reason," he said casually. "Valerie was outside this territory. Far from land we could easily reach."

Demian remembered those words. Vedseel had indeed said something similar before.

But even then, the sorcerer hadn’t known where exactly she was.

"And now?" Demian asked.

Vedseel glanced back over his shoulder.

"Something appeared."

Demian stared at him sharply.

Vedseel shrugged.

"A new trace."

He stepped back toward the center of the room, stopping a few steps from Demian.

"Morvex blood," he said quietly.

Demian went still.

Vedseel continued, his voice almost like a curious murmur.

"The blood of that family has always been... strange. Too powerful to remain hidden forever."

He tilted his head slightly.

"And tonight, that blood surfaced again."

Demian felt his heart beat once harder.

"Not from you," Vedseel added.

Silence fell between them again.

Demian stared at the sorcerer without blinking.

Slowly, a possibility began forming in his mind.

Vedseel noticed the subtle change in Demian’s expression and smiled faintly.

"Yes," he said softly. "You’re thinking it too."

He leaned casually against the desk.

"Someone was just born."

The fire in the hearth crackled.

Vedseel looked straight at Demian.

"A Morvex child."

Demian did not move.

But something inside him seemed to stop for a moment.

A child.

The word echoed in his mind.

And with it came the strange sensation he had felt earlier the sudden wave of heat that had run through his blood without reason.

Vedseel continued lightly,

"Because Morvex blood cannot truly be hidden at birth, I was finally able to capture the trace."

He pointed toward the northwest, toward a direction invisible beyond the dark window.

"Far from here. Across the sea."

At last, Demian moved.

He took his black coat from the back of the chair.

His movements were swift and without hesitation.

Vedseel watched him with raised brows.

"You didn’t even ask if I was certain."

Demian put on the coat and walked toward the door.

His steps halted just before leaving.

He turned slightly.

His gaze was cold as ice.

"If you’re wrong," he said quietly, "I will kill you."

Vedseel only smiled.

"A very reasonable threat."

Demian gave no further reply.

He opened the door and stepped out of the room.

But before the door fully closed, Vedseel spoke once more from behind him.

"By the way, Duke."

Demian stopped.

Vedseel smiled faintly in the firelight.

"Valerie now has a far stronger reason to stay away from you."

Demian did not ask what he meant.

He already knew the answer.

Somewhere far across the sea Valerie was no longer alone.

"Where."

Vedseel exhaled slowly.

He had expected that question.

Even so, he did not answer immediately.

"Far," he said at last. "Farther than you imagine. They hid her with old magic. Many ancient sorcerers were involved. That’s why it took so long to find her trace."

Demian did not blink.

"Where," he repeated.

His voice remained low.

Too low.

Vedseel studied him for a moment before replying quietly,

"The northern border. An old forest that even most sorcerers rarely visit. That place is thick with magical fog—an excellent place to hide."

The room fell silent again.

The fire in the hearth crackled softly.

Demian stepped closer.

"Prepare the horses."

Vedseel immediately raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"I’m leaving now."

This time Vedseel truly sighed.

"Demian."

His voice became firmer.

"You don’t even know the situation there. Those sorcerers might be protecting her. We need a plan. We need—"

"I don’t need a plan."

Demian cut him off.

His words were not loud.

If anything, they were too calm.

He looked at Vedseel with gray eyes that seemed darker than usual.

"I only need the path that leads to her."

Vedseel crossed his arms.

"Do you think it will be that easy? If the old sorcerers are truly protecting her, they won’t just let you walk in."

Demian didn’t answer.

He walked to the weapon rack in the corner of the room.

His hand took a thick traveling cloak.

Then his sword.

His movements were not rushed.

If anything, they were too certain.

Vedseel watched him for a long moment.

"Demian."

This time his voice was lower.

"She may not want to be found."

Demian stopped.

For the first time since the conversation began.

But only for a moment.

Then he moved again.

The sword was fastened at his waist.

His black cloak settled over his shoulders.

Only then did he say,

"That’s not her choice."

Vedseel narrowed his eyes.

"So you’re going to drag her back? Even if she refuses?"

Demian finally turned.

And something in his gaze made the air in the room feel colder.

"If necessary."

He stepped closer again.

"Vedseel."

His voice had changed now.

Lower.

Deeper.

"She’s carrying my child."

Vedseel fell silent.

Demian continued, his voice almost a growl.

"A Morvex child."

The fire in the hearth cracked louder, as if the room itself recognized the weight of those words.

"And now you come to me," Demian continued quietly, "telling me you know where she is."

He stopped directly in front of Vedseel.

"And you expect me to sit here."

Silence.

"Waiting."

Another silence.

Demian looked straight at him.

"No."

That single word fell like a stone.

Vedseel rubbed his face slowly.

He had known Demian long enough to understand one thing.

Once this man had made a decision...

nothing could stop him.

"I only found the trace today," Vedseel said finally. "We haven’t even confirmed the safe route yet. The journey there could take weeks."

"Then we leave now."

Vedseel sighed deeply.

"Demian—"

But Demian had already walked toward the door.

His hand grasped the handle without hesitation.

Before stepping out, he said without turning,

"If you don’t come, I’ll go alone."

The sentence was simple.

But the threat was unmistakable.

Vedseel cursed quietly under his breath.

"Of course you’ll go alone," he muttered irritably.

Demian didn’t respond.

He had already stepped into the cold castle corridor.

Vedseel stared at his back for a few seconds.

Then he finally growled softly.

"Damn it."

He grabbed his robe quickly.

"Fine!" he shouted while hurrying after him. "Wait a moment, you stubborn fool! If you die in that forest because of ancient magic, I refuse to be blamed!"