ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 33: Castle rules

Chief butler Edward walked a few steps ahead of Valerie, his pace calm and dignified. Along the long castle corridor, the soft echo of their footsteps filled the air. Towering stone walls lined their path, adorned with old tapestries and the fading crest of House Morvex.

"Since Lady Valerie will be residing here... it is my duty to ensure you understand every part of this castle," Edward said, stopping before a large window overlooking the back courtyard.

Valerie gave a small nod. Her heart pounded, not out of fear, but because everything was becoming real. She was living in Demian’s castle. Truly living here.

"From the public halls, the Duke’s private rooms, the training grounds, and even the restricted areas, you should be aware of them all," Edward continued formally.

"Restricted?" Valerie turned quickly.

Edward gave a faint smile. "Correct. There are places even knights and servants may not enter without the Duke’s permission. For example... the Morvex family’s artifact chamber. Touching anything inside without authorization may awaken an old curse."

A shiver crawled down Valerie’s spine.

"But do not worry," Edward added lightly. "As long as you follow the rules, everything will be perfectly fine."

They continued walking. Valerie observed every corner carefully, the vast library, the knights’ training hall, the inner courtyard filled with rare herbs.

"I want to ask you something," Valerie said eventually. Her voice was soft, yet clear in the empty hallway. "The Duke... has he been living alone all this time?"

Edward paused for a moment before answering.

"Since the death of his parents, the Duke has lived alone in this castle." His expression softened. "He is the last descendant of House Morvex. No siblings. No relatives. Only him."

For some reason, Valerie felt her chest tighten.

"Alone... for that long?" she murmured.

Edward nodded. "Yes. And that is why, even though he may appear cold to others... the Duke carries many things unseen by the eye."

They stopped before a large door carved with the image of a winged wolf the Morvex emblem.

"He has borne all those burdens by himself," Edward continued quietly. "So when you arrived... we could all tell something changed. The Duke has never allowed anyone to stay in his main chamber. Not even an honored guest."

Valerie’s cheeks warmed.

She didn’t know how to respond.

"We servants will, of course, continue treating you properly," Edward said again. "But... I hope you do not dwell too much on the whispers of others. What matters is how the Duke sees you."

Valerie swallowed, caught off guard, unsure what to say.

Edward then opened the door and guided her into Demian’s study.

"This is the last place for today," he said. "From now on, if you need anything anything at all you may call for me."

Valerie bowed her head politely. "Thank you, Edward."

"My pleasure, Lady Valerie."

When Edward left, Valerie stood alone in the room scented faintly of old wood. She touched the books, glanced over Demian’s scattered papers, and found herself smiling without realizing it.

Living here... it suddenly felt very serious.

Even if the world mocked her as the Duke’s mistress...Even if she was nothing in the eyes of the nobles...

Demian’s steps, his protection, the way he looked at her, everything he did... made Valerie feel that, for the first time in her life, she was no longer truly alone.

Edward guided Valerie down the long corridor lit by pale blue torches. Each of her footsteps echoed softly, as if the castle itself were breathing, watching her, listening to her.

"This is the Morvex family library," Edward said as he pushed open two large doors made of blackwood.

The moment the doors opened, Valerie’s eyes widened.

Hundreds no, perhaps thousands of books lined the shelves from the floor all the way up to the high domed ceiling. The scent of old paper and dried leaves filled the air, warm and comforting, like a gentle embrace.

"It’s beautiful..." Valerie whispered without realizing it. Her eyes sparkled truly like a child discovering a new world.

Edward glanced at her and gave a small smile. "You enjoy reading, Lady Valerie?"

"Yes," Valerie answered softly. "Since I was little, books have always been the place I ran to. The safest place I knew."

"In that case, this library may become your second home," Edward said with a gentle pride, as if he himself had tended this place for a lifetime.

Valerie hesitated before asking, "Can I... read here?"

"Of course," Edward replied without even a second’s thought. "As long as the Duke gives no special instructions, you are free to use any room in the castle. Until the day of the Duke’s wedding... you may do as you wish."

The warmth in Valerie’s chest flickere then twisted into something sharp and painful.

’Until the wedding day...’

The words echoed in her mind.

Demian would marry another woman. And everyone here knew it.

She was just the woman the Duke had brought home the woman he cared for, gave shelter, fed, protected... but never promised anything to. Not even Valerie herself knew what would happen afterward. Would she be cast aside? Sent away? Or simply forgotten?

Valerie tried to smile, though it curved bitterly. "I understand... thank you, Edward."

The chief butler bowed his head politely. "This castle is your residence for now. If you need anything anything at all please let me know."

Valerie nodded, but her gaze drifted back to the endless rows of books before her. Strange... In this unfamiliar place, in a grand castle that wasn’t hers, she felt a little... acknowledged. A little accepted.

Yet that feeling split her in two.

One half full of fragile hope. The other half trembling with fear for the day it would all end.

She stepped forward and touched the spine of an old book. "If only..." she murmured softly, "if only our worlds weren’t this complicated..."

But the library answered her only with silence warm, comforting, yet painfully empty.

Valerie’s small footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor of the library. The room was so quiet that every breath felt amplified. The scent of aged paper blended with warm wood, creating an atmosphere unlike anywhere she had ever known another world, a safe one, a place that asked nothing of her.

She settled on a long sofa near the wide window, absorbed in a thick book she had just discovered. The golden glow of the late afternoon fell across her face, making her hair shimmer softly. For the first time since arriving at the castle... her heart felt just a little at peace.

But that peace shattered the moment a deep, familiar, warm voice filled the room.

"You’re here."