ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 96: Herbal concoction

The words slipped out unfiltered.

And because of that, Asher went still.

He stared at Demian as if he had just heard something impossible. In all his years of service, he had known Duke Zarkiel as a man who never abandoned his duties not for a banquet, not for family, certainly not for a woman.

And yet now...

Demian was leaving his study because he couldn’t rest easy.

"Very well, Your Grace," Asher said at last, though surprise still lingered in his voice. He bowed respectfully, but his eyes followed Demian with an expression he could not fully hide.

As the door nearly closed, Sean who had been standing quietly in the corner spoke softly, almost as if to himself. "It seems... His Grace has truly fallen in love with Lady Valerie."

Asher shot him a sharp look. "Sean."

But Sean continued, his voice calm, certain. "And yet he cannot let go of Lady Ivanka."

The words hung in the air heavy and honest.

Asher did not deny it. He only let out a long breath, staring at the door that had now closed completely. Beyond that thick wood stood a man who had always controlled everything, now caught between two things he could not reconcile duty and desire, a carefully planned future and a love that had grown without permission.

Meanwhile, far from that study, Valerie lay in silence, unaware that for the first time

Demian Zarkiel had abandoned his work not for politics, not for power, but for a woman he was beginning to love yet still did not dare to choose.

Demian remained seated in that chair far longer than he had planned.

Time moved slowly, as if the room itself refused to go forward. The curtains stirred faintly in the night breeze, the candle on the small table flickered softly, and amid it all lay Valerie fragile, still, far too quiet for someone who usually forced herself to smile even through exhaustion.

Demian stared at her face without blinking.

Only now did he realize how thin Valerie had become. The faint lines beneath her eyes, the faded color of her lips, the slight crease between her brows even in sleep each detail felt like an unspoken accusation. One directed at him.

Last night, he had asked her to stay with him.

No he had demanded it.

And Valerie, as always, had not refused.

Demian let out a long breath. His hand finally moved, touching the back of his own hand as if restraining an impulse that should not exist. He was afraid afraid that if he touched Valerie now, he might wake her, or worse, discover just how cold her skin had become.

Valerie shifted slightly in her sleep, letting out a faint groan.

"Valerie..." Demian murmured without thinking.

Her name left his lips more softly than he believed himself capable of. He leaned closer, his eyes tracing her face with a worry he no longer bothered to hide.

The memory of that morning struck him again.

Valerie sitting on the edge of the bed, her body trembling, one hand covering her mouth as she vomited again and again. Valerie refusing a doctor with a weak smile, saying, "Maybe I just ate late... don’t worry." Valerie who, even in illness, still thought of his time, his work, his responsibilities.

As if he Demian had always mattered more than her own body.

His jaw tightened.

"Fool," he whispered quietly whether meant for Valerie... or for himself.

He stood, poured warm water into a cup, then sat back down. He waited without calling a servant, without returning to his study, without thinking of Ivanka, meetings, or any other concern.

He simply waited.

Some time later, Valerie’s eyelashes fluttered. Her breathing changed, growing heavier, and then her eyes slowly opened. Her gaze was empty for a moment before it focused and stopped squarely on Demian.

Surprise crossed her face.

"Demian...?" Her voice was hoarse, barely audible. "You... came back?"

Demian rose at once. "Are you awake?" he asked softly. His tone was far from cold, far from commanding.

Valerie tried to sit up, but her body faltered. Instinctively, Demian supported her one hand bracing her back, the other steadying her shoulder. Valerie froze neither pulling away nor fully leaning into him. Like someone unsure whether she was allowed to rely on him.

Demian felt it. And the tightness in his chest returned.

"Don’t move," he said more gently. He took a pillow and placed it behind her back. "Drink."

He held out the cup. Valerie accepted it with both hands, her fingers trembling. She took a small sip, then stopped.

"I’m fine," she said quickly, as if afraid he might be angry. "I just—"

"Valerie," Demian interrupted.

The tone made her fall silent. She lowered her gaze, waiting.

Demian drew a breath. "Don’t make decisions on your own when you’re sick."

Valerie gave a small, fragile smile. "I didn’t want to trouble you."

The words struck harder than any accusation.

Demian looked at her for a long moment. "I should be the one saying that," he finally said, his voice low and heavy. "I shouldn’t have asked you last night."

Valerie looked startled. Her eyes widened slightly. "I didn’t mind—"

"I know," Demian said quickly. "That’s the problem."

Silence settled between them, thick and awkward. Valerie gripped the cup more tightly, as if it were her only anchor.

"I will call a doctor," Demian continued.

Valerie shook her head faintly. "There’s no need... truly."

Demian stared at her sharply, but not with anger with something far more dangerous: concern. "If you refuse again," he said quietly, "I will call a doctor without your consent."

Valerie let out a weak, breathless laugh. "You always force your will." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Not in this," Demian replied.

For a moment, Valerie only looked at him. Then her gaze fell to the blanket. "If I were pregnant," she said suddenly, very softly, almost like a murmur, "would you still speak to me like this?"

Demian froze.

The question was simple, yet its weight was immense. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. For the first time, he had no immediate answer.

Valerie smiled bitterly, as if she had expected that. "I was only asking."

Demian finally said, "Rest."

He pulled the blanket up, tucking it more neatly around Valerie’s body. She did not resist. Her eyes slowly closed again as exhaustion took hold.

But just before she drifted off, she whispered, "Don’t leave me... at least today."

Demian stood rigid.

Then, slowly, he sat back down in the chair.

"I’m not going anywhere," he said quietly, though he didn’t know if Valerie could still hear him.