ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 36: Concubine or prostitute

Winter truly made the world feel as though it had stopped.

In the northern lands, snowstorms came more often than sunlight. The wind bit into bone, roads lay buried beneath ice, and almost no one stepped outside unless absolutely necessary. Castle Morvex felt like a lonely island in a sea of white, silent, cold, and cut off from the rest of the world.

It was during those days that Valerie and Demian spent most of their time together.

The fireplace was always lit. Books lay open on the tables. Small conversations, fleeting touches, and comfortable silence became their daily rhythm. As if the outside world did not exist. As if war, blood, and a complicated future were not waiting just beyond the castle doors.

But winter was never eternal.

The signs of change came slowly storms grew less frequent, the sky was no longer perpetually gray, and life beyond the castle walls began to stir once more. Today was one of the first mornings when the air felt just a little lighter.

Valerie woke to find the other side of the bed empty.

She stared at the pillow for a moment, then let out a quiet breath.Demian must have gone to morning training.

She rose, prepared herself alone, and went down to the dining hall. Yet even as breakfast was nearly finished, Demian did not appear. Unease finally drove Valerie to look toward Edward, the castle’s head butler, standing not far from her.

"Edward," Valerie asked softly, "has the Duke not returned yet?"

"His Grace stepped out to inspect the territory," Edward replied politely. "Winter ended a few days ago, so he is making use of the time."

Valerie nodded. It was the same answer as yesterday. And somehow, the emptiness crept back into her chest.

After breakfast, Edward straightened slightly, as though preparing to deliver something important.

"Miss Valerie," he said carefully, "today two senior noblewomen from the northern regions will be arriving at the castle."

Valerie froze. "For... what purpose?"

"To be your instructors."

"I–instructors?" Valerie echoed, clearly startled.

Edward nodded. "There are many things you have yet to learn about etiquette, social conduct, and noble life. If you are to remain in this castle especially at the Duke’s sid you will need such knowledge."

Valerie frowned. "But... I am not the Duke’s wife."

The words slipped out naturally, honest and unadorned.

Edward studied her for a few seconds before replying. "That is true. However, your position... is still considered special."

"I don’t intend to become anything," Valerie said quickly. "And I have no intention of becoming a mistress."

Edward paused, then spoke more gently yet far more realistically."Miss Valerie... this world does not operate on intention. When the Duke eventually marries, there will be a Lady of the Castle. And you regardless will remain within that circle."

Valerie clenched her hands. "That’s too far ahead. I’m not thinking about that." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"That is precisely why I am concerned," Edward answered. "Without status, it will be difficult for you to stand beside the Duke. In the eyes of other nobles, there are only two possibilities a kept woman... or something far crueler to name."

Valerie’s face drained of color.

"I am neither," she whispered, almost as if convincing herself.

Edward bowed his head. "Then learn. At the very least... so you are not destroyed by a world that knows no mercy."

Valerie said nothing. She only stared at the cold marble floor, her chest tightening with the reality she had long avoided.

That was when footsteps sounded from the entrance.

Heavy. Steady. Unmistakable among a thousand others.

Demian.

Valerie lifted her head, and for a moment every anxiety was eclipsed by his presence. Demian strode inside, his black coat still carrying the chill of the outside air, his gaze immediately finding Valerie within the room.

He approached her without regard for anyone else present.

"Why do you look like that?" Demian asked quietly.

Valerie wanted to answer. Wanted to say so many things about status, about the future, about her fears. But all those words dissolved when Demian lifted his hand and brushed her cheek with his thumb.

"Are you all right?" he asked again, softer this time.

Valerie simply nodded.

That was not enough for Demian.

He pulled her close and pressed a brief, firm kiss to her forehead, unashamed, unapologetic, in front of everyone. An unspoken declaration.

Edward lowered his head and quietly stepped away, granting them space.

Yet beneath that warmth, Valerie knew one thing with certainty. Winter had ended. And with the melting snow, a harsher reality was waiting for them both.

Edward did step back politely, as though granting space to the Duke and the woman before him.But he did not truly leave.

His steps halted behind a stone pillar in the corridor, far enough to remain unseen, yet close enough to hear every word spoken.

"Why are you silent?" Demian asked at last. His voice was low, controlled, yet carried a pressure that made the air between them feel unbearably heavy. "What is it?"

Valerie clenched her fingers at the side of her gown. Her chest rose and fell before she finally spoke, her voice striving to sound firm.

"I already told you... I don’t want to be your mistress."

The word fell between them like a blade.

Demian’s gaze sharpened. "Is this because of the two noblewomen I summoned to teach you?" he asked. "Do you think I’m preparing something you don’t want?"

Valerie turned her eyes away, staring at the tall window clouded with cold mist. She did not answer, and the silence itself was answer enough.

"I am not your lawful wife," Valerie said at last, more softly. "And I don’t want to do the things a Duke’s wife is meant to do... when I am nothing at all."

Demian stepped closer. "Then who do you think will be my wife?" he asked.

Valerie turned back. Their gazes met dark and cold colliding with wounds long buried.

"You will marry," Valerie said simply.

Demian let out a quiet chuckle, but there was no humor in it."I’ve told you, I will not marry another woman," he said, his voice hardening. "How amusing that you bring this up now after all the times you moaned and begged beneath me."

Valerie’s face went pale not from shame, but from the bitter truth spoken so cruelly.

"Everyone knows you will marry Lady Kosler," Valerie replied, her voice trembling but unyielding. "That engagement existed even before you were born."

Demian stared at her for a long moment.

"Do you think I don’t understand how difficult it is to break that marriage?" Valerie continued, her eyes glistening. "This isn’t just your desire, Demian. There is politics. Noble bloodlines. An empire."

"Then what?" Demian asked coldly. "If you know all that, then what?"

Valerie drew a deep breath, as if gathering every fragment of courage she had left.

"After you marry her," she said softly but clearly, "let me go."