ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 73: Whatever happens nothing will change

Without waiting for a reply, Demian strode off, leaving Kaiser alone in the long castle corridor surrounded by unanswered questions and a growing sense that he had just been pulled into something far more complicated than a simple party.

And far down another corridor, Valerie paused.

Her hands clenched beneath the folds of her skirt.

She heard Demian’s footsteps retreating. Felt the tension he carried, even without turning back.

But this time... she did not return. Did not explain. Did not try to clarify anything at all.

Because for the first time, she was tired of being the only one who had to justify her own existence.

Valerie had just been about to pass through the side door when Demian’s hand closed around her wrist.

Not rough but firm enough to stop her.

"Leave," Demian ordered curtly, without looking at anyone but Valerie.

Sera and Lira startled. They exchanged uneasy glances.

"Now," Demian repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

They stepped back slowly, bowing in respect before retreating, leaving the corridor empty too empty for the conversation that was about to unfold.

As soon as their footsteps faded, Demian drew Valerie slightly closer. Not violently, but with a pressure that made her chest feel tight.

"So," Demian said in a low voice, his eyes fixed on her face, "the man who was with you that night... was Kaiser."

Valerie did not pull her hand away. Did not resist.

She simply nodded.

"Yes."

One word. Enough to make Demian’s jaw harden.

"Why?" Demian asked, his voice rising half an octave not a shout, but clearly holding back anger. "Why didn’t you answer me honestly back then?"

Valerie let out a quiet breath. Her gaze dropped briefly to Demian’s hand still gripping her wrist then lifted again, meeting his eyes with a calm that felt almost painful.

"Would it," she asked softly, "have changed anything... if I had been honest?"

The question made Demian fall silent for a moment.

"What do you mean?" he pressed.

Valerie slowly drew her hand back. Demian released her, though it was clear he did not want to.

"You were already angry before you knew who he was," Valerie continued. "And even after you knew... you were still angry."

Her tone was not accusing. That was what made it sharper.

"If I had told you it was Kaiser from the beginning," she went on, "would you have listened to me?"

Demian opened his mouth then closed it again.

Valerie smiled faintly, bitterly.

"Or would you still have seen me as a woman who embarrassed you in front of others?"

"Valerie—"

"I didn’t do anything," Valerie cut in gently but firmly. "I went alone. I came home quietly. I wasn’t drunk. I didn’t behave improperly."

She looked at Demian, her eyes clear but tired.

"Only one thing changed," she said softly. "You saw me... with someone else."

Demian’s face tightened.

"That’s not the problem."

"Then what is?" Valerie asked. "Your attitude didn’t change when I stayed silent. It didn’t change when I was honest. It didn’t change when I obeyed."

She paused, drawing in a breath that felt heavy in her chest.

"So I asked myself," she continued, "what is honesty for... if the result is always the same?"

Silence enveloped them.

Demian stared at Valerie for a long time too long. Something in his eyes shifted. It was no longer pure anger, but shock at realizing that Valerie was not defending herself... she was giving up on explaining.

"You made Ivanka cry," he said at last, his voice lower.

Valerie frowned faintly.

"I didn’t touch her," she answered honestly. "I didn’t insult her. I didn’t threaten her."

She lifted her shoulders slightly."I simply didn’t react the way she wanted me to."

Demian looked at her sharply.

"And you think that doesn’t hurt?"

Valerie met his gaze, this time without a smile.

"And you think everything that’s happened to me hasn’t hurt?"

The question hung in the air.

There was no shouting.No raised voices.

Just two people standing far too close with a distance between them that felt greater than ever.

Valerie lowered her gaze slightly, her voice softening.

"I didn’t stay silent out of fear, Demian," she said. "I stayed silent... because I’m tired."

Demian did not answer right away.

His hand clenched at his side.

And for the first time, he realized something he had long failed to see Valerie was not resisting him. She was building distance.

The silence stretched on for too long.

Demian said nothing he only looked at Valerie, his gaze transformed. The anger had faded, replaced by something far more dangerous: regret.

Valerie had just taken a step away when Demian’s hand reached for her arm again this time not to stop her, but to pull her into his embrace.

Her body halted abruptly.

Demian held her tightly. Too tightly. As if he feared that if he loosened his grip even a little, Valerie would disappear for good.

"I’m sorry," he murmured, his voice sinking into her hair. "I’m sorry... Valerie."

Valerie did not return the embrace. Her arms hung at her sides, her back straight, her breathing steady.

She was silent, not out of anger, but because she no longer knew what she was supposed to feel.

"I was angry," Demian continued, his voice trembling faintly. "I was jealous. And I... couldn’t control it."

Those words should have felt warm. They should have brought relief.

But in Valerie’s chest, only one question surfaced quiet, yet sharp, Am I the only one... who feels this way?

She remained silent.

Demian tightened his hold for a moment, then loosened it, as if realizing she was not responding.

"Next time," he said more softly, "just tell me. Tell me everything."

He bent slightly, as though trying to catch her eyes.

"So I don’t misunderstand."

Valerie finally spoke. Just one word.

"Yes."

No emphasis. No emotion.

Only an answer that fulfilled an obligation.

She then gently freed herself from Demian’s arms no force, no haste yet clearly enough to show she did not wish to stay there any longer.

Demian looked at her as if he wanted to say more, but stopped himself.

"I’ll come find you later," he said at last. "I have matters to settle with Kaiser."

Valerie gave a small nod.

"Alright."

Demian lowered his head, then without warning kissed Valerie.

The kiss was brief. Not deep. Not demanding. More like an apology that did not know how else to be expressed.

Valerie did not refuse. But she did not return it either.

After that, Demian turned and walked away.

His steps were fast too fast for someone who had just asked for forgiveness.

Once his figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Valerie released a long breath a breath she seemed to have been holding since morning.

Her chest felt empty. Not painful. Empty.

Sera and Lira, who had been keeping their distance, finally approached with cautious steps.

"My lady..." Lira said softly, "would you like to go to the garden now?"

Valerie looked at them, then nodded.

"Yes."

They walked together, passing through the grand corridors of the castle magnificent, yet cold.

Meanwhile,

Demian strode away, his jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists beneath his cloak.

"Idiot," he muttered to himself. "Such an idiot."