ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 26: A Curse

"This isn’t over yet," the Emperor said to the man who had just mounted his horse.

"There is nothing left for you to fear," Demian replied, his voice calm yet unwavering. "Even that kingdom... it belongs to you now."

The Emperor had no room to argue. Not because Demian had already made his decision, but because it was simply the truth. There was no enemy left to claim that land.No king. No soldiers. No resistance.

The battlefield had been wiped clean by the Duke of Morvex.

The land was, undeniably, the Empire’s new territory.

Demian tightened his grip on the reins. The tension in his jaw, something that appeared only when it concerned Valerie, was unmistakable as he cast one last glance toward the distant camp.

Then he kicked his horse forward.

Demian shot off at full speed, the wind tearing at his cloak, his heartbeat thundering with a single thought, to get back to the camp as fast as possible.

No victory mattered to him. Not land. Not titles. Not glory.

Only the woman waiting for him in that camp, unconscious, vulnerable, and hunted, could make the Demon Wolf ride like a man chased by death itself.

Demian arrived at the camp just as the sun began to creep over the horizon, painting the sky with pale orange light. The stench of dried blood, churned soil, and lingering smoke still clung to the air. Soldiers moved quickly—clearing debris, removing fallen enemies, restoring tents that had nearly collapsed.

The moment his horse stopped, every gaze turned to him.But Demian ignored them all.

His eyes searched for only one thing.

Valerie.

Noel and Kaiser stood near the main tent. Noel’s face was pale and strained, while Kaiser looked exhausted, dark shadows under his eyes—evidence of the night’s battle.

Demian dismounted without a word.

"Your Grace—" Noel began, but Demian had already walked past him.

Kaiser raised an eyebrow. "You’re not even going to ask about the state of the camp?"

Demian paused briefly at the tent’s entrance and gave the crown prince a sideways glance.

"You’re both alive. That’s enough."

Without waiting for a response, he stepped inside.

The interior was thick with tension. The royal physician sat beside the bed, while Sera and Lira stood watch, worry etched on their faces. Valerie lay motionless, her skin pale, a sheen of cold sweat glistening at her temples.

"How is she?" Demian’s voice was low, but sharp enough to cut the air.

The doctor rose and bowed. "Medically speaking, Your Grace, Lady Valerie’s body is... healthy. No injuries, no poison, no signs of any illness. All her vital signs are normal."

Demian’s stare hardened. "But she’s not waking up."

"That is the problem," the doctor admitted, swallowing. "This is not a sickness. It is more like, "

"A magical influence," Kaiser finished as he entered the tent.

Demian turned sharply. "You interrogated the witch?"

"We captured him, bound him, and blocked all his senses," Kaiser said, far too casually for someone still simmering with anger. "But the creature refuses to speak."

Noel stepped inside as well, standing stiffly. "Your Grace... the fox sorcerer appeared right before the attack on the camp. He headed straight for Lady Valerie’s tent, as if he was targeting her specifically."

Kaiser nodded. "He mentioned something about... ’awakening a power’ inside Valerie. We don’t know what he meant."

Demian looked at Valerie again, long, tense, a fear he barely managed to hide tightening around him.

"So," he murmured, "you’re saying this isn’t something that can be treated medically."

The doctor bowed his head. "Correct, Your Grace. If this is high-level magic, we... do not have the knowledge to counter it."

Kaiser crossed his arms, eyes flicking to Demian. "Fortunately, we have the sorcerer himself."

Demian straightened. "Where is the creature now?"

"In the emergency mana-cell at the edge of the camp," Kaiser answered. "Bound from head to toe. He can’t shift forms, can’t speak, can’t see. But he’s still breathing."

Noel added, voice trembling, "If Lady Valerie doesn’t wake up today, we fear... the sorcerer may have done something more than a simple sleeping curse."

Demian clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "I’ll speak to him."

Kaiser lifted an eyebrow, cautious. "Demian... that thing isn’t a regular soldier. He’s a high-level caster. If he provokes you-"

Demian cut him off. "I don’t care."

His gaze returned to Valerie, soft and furious all at once.

"I will make him talk," he said coldly."Even if I have to break every bone in his body."

No one responded.

Only a heavy silence remained as Demian turned and strode out of the tent, ready to face the fox sorcerer who had nearly taken the woman he guarded most.

Demian didn’t waste a single second after speaking with the doctor.Without looking back, he strode out of the medical tent and headed straight for the heavily guarded holding tent. The morning air was still cold, yet Demian’s anger made every step feel like a trembling storm.

The moment the tent flap opened, the pungent scent of magic hit him.

In the center of the tent, the fox sorcerer knelt, his wrists and ankles bound with enchanted leather restraints, his mouth sealed by an iron gag, his eyes covered with a dark cloth to block all visual curses. His body trembled, whether from fury or fear, no one could tell.

Kaiser was already inside, with Noel standing guard, face tense.

Demian entered without a sound, but the entire tent felt as if it were suffocating under the weight of his dark presence.

"Remove the gag," Demian ordered quietly.

Kaiser lifted a brow. "Demian-"

"Now."

With a gesture, a guard unbuckled the gag.The moment it came off, the sorcerer snarled, baring his teeth.

"You-"A spell began forming on his tongue, syllables twisting into a curse,

But the instant his attention latched onto Demian, the words died in his throat.

Demian’s aura slammed into him like an iron wall.

"You can’t curse me," Demian said coldly. "Try again."

The sorcerer stiffened. He could feel it an ancient, feral force coiling around Demian like a beast ready to rip him apart.

"A... demon wolf... bloodline..." the sorcerer whispered, terrified."He’s... resistant... to spirit curses..."

Demian leaned down, looking at him like one would look at a carcass.

"Good. Then I don’t have to be gentle."

He grabbed the sorcerer by the collar and yanked him forward, his voice low and lethal.

"Tell me how to wake Valerie."

The sorcerer gave a thin smile, though his face had gone pale."Why would I? She is the vessel-"

CRACK!

Demian punched him so hard his body slammed into the ground. Blood splattered from his lips. Noel flinched. Even the guards stepped back.

Kaiser frowned. "Demian-"

But Demian didn’t care.He seized the sorcerer by the hair and forced his head up despite the blindfold over his eyes.

"Tell me how to wake her," Demian hissed."Or I’ll make you wish you died last night."

The sorcerer coughed, then smiled again."Kill me... and the girl will sleep forever..."