ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 22: Coincidence or trap?

A few soldiers swore under their breath.

But another countered, "How could they plant anything there? The forest was burned during yesterday’s battle. There was nowhere to hide."

The captain shook his head. "Which means if it wasn’t the enemy... then something much older, much more dangerous is involved."

"A forest entity? A long-sealed spirit? Something awakened by the fire?" another soldier ventured, voice trembling.

Noel’s reply was low and heavy. "Every possibility must be considered. We can afford to ignore none."

For a moment, no one spoke. The night wind brushed against the tents, making them sway.

"We must prepare for anything," Noel said, looking each soldier in the eye. "Strengthen the perimeter. No one enters or leaves without my approval."

The group nodded.

Then the captain asked quietly, "Noel... if Lady Valerie’s condition worsens... will you still refuse to notify the Duke?"

Noel’s expression darkened, but his resolve did not waver. "If she reaches a critical point, I will personally send a message to His Grace. But until then... we handle everything here."

"For her safety?"

"And for the Duke’s," Noel answered in a voice barely above a whisper. "Losing focus in the midst of battle... is a death sentence."

Their discussion continued, exploring theories about forest spirits, cursed encounters, enemy ploys, and darker possibilities none of them wished to face. But one truth settled heavily among them:

That night, for the first time since the war began...

The soldiers felt fear. Not of the enemy. Not of the battlefield.

But of the unseen force clawing its way into Lady Valerie.

And if it was truly something beyond their understanding, the consequences could shake the entire kingdom.

Two days passed.Two long, unbearable days in which Lady Valerie remained unmoving, lost in a deep, unnatural sleep that no one could wake her from.

She breathed.Her heart beat.But it was as if her soul had drifted somewhere far beyond their reach.

Her body stayed warm, sometimes too warm, sometimes suddenly cold enough to make Sera and Lira panic and wrap her in blankets. Yet she never opened her eyes, never spoke, never stirred, not even once.

By the second night, the atmosphere in the camp had completely changed. Whispers followed every step. Soldiers looked restless, glancing toward the tent where Valerie lay as if expecting something terrible to emerge from within.

Noel barely slept. He spent most of the hours standing beside her bed or pacing outside the tent, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword each time Valerie’s breathing faltered.

The physician remained inside the tent constantly, refusing to leave even for food or rest."One mistake," he kept muttering, exhausted yet alert, "one mistake could endanger her life. A woman under the Duke’s protection must not be lost, never."

This fear spread among the soldiers like a storm.Everyone knew how much the Duke treasured Valerie.Losing her was not an option. Not for them. Not for Noel.

And because Noel was the one responsible for her safety, the pressure on him became unbearable.

"Noel," the captain urged on the second night, "we cannot keep this from the Duke any longer."

"Yes," another soldier added, "If Lady Valerie does not wake soon, His Grace must be informed. If something happens under our watch, "

Noel clenched his jaw, eyes dark with suppressed frustration."I will not disrupt the Duke while he leads the front line. Not without certainty."

"But what greater certainty do you need?" Sera cried desperately. "She hasn’t woken in two days!"

Still, Noel held his ground.

But when the third dawn arrived, cold, gray, and far too quiet, Noel walked into Valerie’s tent and felt something inside him finally break.

Lady Valerie was still asleep.Exactly the same.Exactly unmoving.Like a porcelain doll lying peacefully, untouched by the world.

Her face was calm, but too calm, unnaturally serene, as though whatever held her in sleep had no intention of letting her go.

"No change?" Noel asked, though he already knew the answer.

The physician looked up with hollow eyes. "None, Noel. She may look peaceful, but this is not rest. This is something else entirely."

Noel’s breath left him in a slow exhale.

Around him, the air seemed to grow heavier. Everyone watched him, Sera, Lira, the guards at the entrance. They waited for him to make a decision.

"My Lady cannot remain like this," the captain said quietly from behind. "You have delayed long enough."

"Tell the Duke," another whispered. "Let him decide."

Noel closed his eyes.Responsibility pressed down on him like a weight of stone.

He had promised to protect Lady Valerie.He had sworn loyalty to the Duke.And now, not even all his effort could wake her from this cursed slumber.

At last, Noel opened his eyes, filled with resignation and dread.

"...Prepare a messenger hawk," he said. "I will send word to His Grace immediately."

Sera gasped in relief. Lira wiped tears from her eyes. The soldiers straightened, as if bracing for a storm.

Because informing the Duke meant only one thing:

If he returned...if something happened to Valerie...blood would fall.

Noel stepped outside, the cold air biting at his skin. He lifted his gaze toward the direction of the battlefield where the Duke fought.

"Your Lady needs you..." he murmured. "Forgive me for disturbing your war, but I can no longer protect her alone."

And with that, he composed the message with trembling hands.

By the time the hawk flew into the sky, disappearing into the clouds, every soldier in the camp held their breath, knowing that the Duke’s wrath... or grief... could soon descend upon them.

Demian unfolded the letter Noel had sent, and the moment his eyes skimmed the first lines, his expression darkened. The calm in his gaze was instantly replaced by a cold, rising fury. Every detail about Valerie’s condition made his jaw clench tighter, as if he were forcing himself not to explode on the spot.

"Something happened?" Crown Prince Kaiser asked when he noticed the shift on Demian’s face.

"An intruder," Demian replied curtly, his voice sharp like a drawn blade.

Kaiser frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"They’re trying to break my focus," Demian answered, tone flat but heavy with danger.

"I’m no fortune-teller, Demian. Speak clearly," Kaiser snapped, irritated by the vagueness.

Demian turned his gaze toward the battlefield ahead. "Look at them. Not even trained soldiers. We could wipe them out with ease."

The Emperor who was also present listened quietly from the line beside them.

He nodded slowly, understanding the direction of Demian’s thoughts.

"The real enemy is inside our camp," Demian continued, his voice low and steady. "And of course, they’re targeting something."

"Or someone," the Emperor interjected sharply. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Kaiser turned to him, startled. "You mean... this has something to do with your woman?"

"Your Highness," Marquess Anshen spoke up from his position on horseback, a row behind the Emperor. "The main attack isn’t here. The actual strike is happening inside the camp."

Kaiser’s eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on him. "They’re trying to shake Father’s focus... through the Duke’s woman."

Demian exhaled slowly, as if holding back a storm. "I’m returning."

He pulled at his horse’s reins, ready to pivot and charge back toward the camp immediately.

"Wait!" Kaiser shouted.

Demian halted. He turned his head sharply, his stare cutting like steel, warning the crown prince to choose his next words wisely.

"What if this is just a trap?" Kaiser said, his voice softer now, cautious. "What if the enemy created this situation to lure you away from the front line?"