ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 67: Be the duke’s choice

Ivanka let out a small laugh, this time without any smile in her eyes. "You are naïve if you think the Duke will always take your side."

Valerie nodded faintly.

"Perhaps," she said. "Or perhaps not."

She drew a long breath, then released it slowly.

"But I never asked to be chosen," she said honestly. "I never begged to be here."

She looked Ivanka straight in the eye.

"So if one day I must leave," she said, "I will leave with my head held high."

Silence fell between them heavy, charged with unspoken emotion.

Ivanka stared at Valerie for a long moment, as if only now truly seeing her.

Not as a kept woman. Not as an interloper. But as someone who somehow had not broken despite being pressed down again and again.

Valerie turned her face back toward the door.

"A threat only holds meaning," she said softly without looking back, "if the one who hears it still has something left to fear."

Then she walked away.

And this time, her steps were not hurried. Not uncertain. Not trembling.

She left not because she had lost but because she chose no longer to stand in a place determined to diminish her.

That night, the door to Valerie’s room flew open with a hard bang.

Valerie, who had just finished brushing her hair, startled and turned around. Demian stood in the doorway, his expression dark not tired, not distant, but angry.

An anger held back for far too long.

"What did you say to Ivanka?"

Demian’s voice was low, sharp. There was no greeting. No courtesy.

Valerie rose slowly. Her heart was pounding, yet her face remained calm.

"I didn’t say anything that should be a problem," she replied.

Demian stepped inside and shut the door behind him. The sound echoed through the room.

"She cried," Demian said flatly. "And it happened after she met you."

Valerie frowned."And that’s my fault?"

Demian turned sharply, his gaze hardening.

"You live in this castle," he said, his voice pressing down on her."You know who she is. You know her position. You should have been able to get along."

Valerie let out a short, humorless laugh.

"Get along?" she repeated. "In what way?"

Demian took a step closer.

"You both have your own places," he said firmly."There’s nothing to fight over. Nothing that needs to be provoked."

Valerie met his gaze.

"Then tell me," she said quietly,"why am I the only one expected to understand?"

Demian fell silent for a moment.

"I’m not asking you to give in," he said."I’m only asking you not to hurt someone you never needed to touch."

Valerie clenched her hands.

"I didn’t touch her," she said firmly. "I didn’t insult her. I didn’t provoke her. I didn’t even raise my voice."

She drew a breath; her voice trembled slightly, though still controlled.

"She was the one who spoke," Valerie continued. "She was the one who came with words about who I am and what my worth is."

Demian let out a harsh breath.

"She was hurt," he said. "And you should know when to stay silent."

The words cut deep.

Valerie fell quiet for a few seconds, then smiled faintly a bitter smile.

"So that’s how it is," she murmured. "As long as I stay silent, everything is fine." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Demian did not respond.

"As long as I lower my head, smile, and pretend not to hear," Valerie went on, "I’m considered to know my place."

She looked at Demian, no longer trying to hide the hurt in her eyes.

"But the moment I speak," she said, "I’m accused of causing trouble."

"Valerie—"

"I didn’t make Ivanka cry," Valerie cut in. "If she cried, it’s because she heard something she didn’t want to hear."

Demian frowned.

"And you think that was justified?"

Valerie shrugged.

"I was just standing in my place," she said. "Just like you told me to."

Silence pressed down between them.

"You’re forgetting one thing," Demian said at last, his tone cold. "I don’t want conflict inside my castle."

Valerie nodded slowly.

"Neither do I," she replied. "But peace cannot be built by silencing only one side."

Demian stared at her for a long moment, as if only now truly seeing her.

"You’ve changed," he said.

Valerie smiled bitterly."Or maybe," she replied softly, "I’ve just stopped pretending."

Demian looked away.

"From now on," he said firmly, "keep your distance from Ivanka."

Valerie nodded.

"Don’t worry," she said quietly. "I never intended to get close."

She turned toward the window, her voice almost a whisper.

"I already know," she added, "where I’m supposed to stand."

Demian let out a sharp breath, then turned back before truly leaving the room.

"From now on," he said, his tone hard and leaving no room for argument,"you are not to say anything to Ivanka."

Valerie lifted her face.

"Anything," Demian repeated."If you meet her. If she comes to the castle. If the two of you are in the same room."

He stepped one pace closer.

"You keep your distance," he went on."No reasons. No looks. No words."

Valerie looked at him in silence.

"And if there is a situation," Demian continued, his jaw tightening,"that forces you to face her—"

His voice dropped, cold and sharp.

"—you are not to act boldly in front of her."

Silence fell.

Valerie let out a small laugh, barely audible.

"So...," she said quietly, "is all of this just a game now?"

Demian frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Valerie met his gaze, this time without a smile.

"What you’re saying," she replied calmly,"doesn’t make sense."

Demian narrowed his eyes."Are you challenging my decision?"

"I’m questioning the logic of it," Valerie answered, her voice still low."You want me to stay away, stay silent, not react, and not defend myself."

She took a deep breath.

"But at the same time," she continued,"I still have to be present. Still be seen. Still accept everything directed at me."

Demian fell silent for a moment.

"Valerie—"

"If I stay silent, I’m wrong because I’m seen as cold," Valerie cut in."If I speak, I’m wrong because I’m considered insolent."

She gave a faint shrug.

"Then what is my role?" she asked."A piece to be moved whenever it’s convenient?"

Demian clenched his fist.

"You live in this castle because of me," he said sharply."And as long as you are under my roof, you will follow my rules."

Valerie nodded slowly.

"I know," she said softly."That’s why I’m asking... is all of this just a game?"

Demian snapped, his voice rising.

"Don’t twist my words!"

Valerie did not step back.She did not raise her voice.If anything, her calm only fueled Demian’s anger.

"Do you know what’s strangest of all?" Valerie said slowly."You’re angry at me because Ivanka cried."

She looked deeply into Demian’s eyes.

"But you never once asked," she continued,"what she said to me."

Demian fell silent.

"Not once," Valerie repeated."You never asked. You never listened to my side."

She smiled bitterly.

"As if my feelings were never relevant."

"That’s not—"

"Then what is it?" Valerie interrupted."A one-sided decision?"

Demian dragged a hand roughly over his face.

"I’m tired," he said coldly."I don’t want drama. I don’t want conflict."

Valerie nodded.

"And your way of avoiding conflict," she said,"is to make me disappear."

The words hung in the air.

"I’m not asking for anything," Valerie continued quietly."I’m not demanding a position. I’m not demanding recognition."

She glanced down at the floor for a moment, then lifted her face again.

"I just want to be treated as a human being," she said."Not a pawn."

Demian stared at her for a long moment, his breathing heavy.

"My decision stands," he said at last, his voice cold and final."You stay away from Ivanka. Period."

Valerie nodded once.

"Fine," she said briefly.

She stepped back, creating distance.

"But remember one thing, Demian," she added calmly."Silence doesn’t mean the absence of pain."