Chapter 3: The Misunderstood Duke
Duke Devland, clad in a tailored black suit, stood near the edge of the ballroom, a sense of weariness in his stoic expression.
His reluctance for social gatherings was a well-known fact among his peers, yet the imperial order from the Emperor compelled his presence on this occasion. As the Heartless Duke, his fearsome reputation as an untouchable war god and the Emperor's loyal guard dog struck fear into the hearts of many, while his devilishly good looks ignited sinful fantasies in the minds of countless noble ladies.
The prospect of becoming Duchess Devland was a covetous desire for many noble women, despite knowing the Duke's lack of tenderness towards the fairer sex. Only the unwavering adoration and obsession of the vengeful and petty Princess Valerie managed to keep most admirers at bay.
If Duke Devland was the most eligible bachelor in the Salian Empire, Princess Valerie was the most suitable wife candidate. It was an unspoken truth that she was in the hearts of countless men.
She resembled her mother, the Empress Dowager, very closely, a woman that was once known as the most beautiful lady of the Empire back in her prime.
Her most notable feature, her vibrant red hair, cascaded down her back in soft gentle waves. It somewhat resembled the dancing flames of a warm, crackling fire. Her brows were arched and her eyes an intense shade of green, mirroring the lushness of a dense forest. Complimenting her sharp gaze and fiery red hair was her smooth olive skin that seemed to carry a touch of warmth, as if the sun only ever loved her.
Princess Valerie was seen as the perfect woman. Not only was her status high but her looks were unparalleled. Most men wanted to thrash the Duke for rejecting such a perfect woman but they didn't dare to do so in reality.
The Duke's reputation for aloofness towards women was so pervasive that rumors suggesting his lack of interest in them circulated widely. There was even an incident at last year's ball where Princess Valerie made a show of falling into him and he smoothly moved out of the way, sending her face first into a dessert table. He seemed immune to feminine charms, causing many to question his preferences.
The assumption didn't seem too far-fetched for most. Constantly rejecting such a perfect woman, it was clear he did not know how to treat a woman at all!
This was why the scene in front of them was so shocking!
The Heartless Duke of the North, the infamous War God of the Salian Empire…was he really holding another woman in his arms like this? And in front of his long-time admirer, Princess Valerie at that!
In fact, the Duke was really being misunderstood here.
He had just been enjoying some peace and quiet after chasing away some nobles who wanted to use him to social climb. When he noticed that Princess Valerie was making her way to bug him once again, he immediately wanted to escape the oncoming headache of her presence and made a beeline for the balcony.
Who knew that he would accidentally bump into Princess Dione, who was rushing through the crowded ballroom to escape her perspective fiancé?
Reacting instinctually, the Duke reached out, his strong arms encircling her delicate frame, preventing her from an embarrassing fall.
For a man known for his impenetrable walls, this moment of vulnerability was inexplicable even to him. Instead of pushing her away, as he had done countless times with others, he found himself drawn to her, a magnetic force he couldn't resist.
Their actions looked quite intimate. To Princess Valerie though, it looked nothing short of absolutely repulsive.
"Azriel." The Princess didn't speak loudly but everyone could hear her clearly. If one listened closely, they could hear the slight tremble of fury hidden in her voice but she carried on as if nothing was out of place.
The Duke's expression remained impassive but a flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes at the too-familiar address of his name. "Your Highness, Princess Valerie." The way he addressed her instantly put some distance between them.
Princess Valerie smiled without mirth, casting a chilly sidelong glance at the woman in his arms. "My, my, what a cozy scene. If I didn't know any better, Princess Dione, I'd think you the common whore, attempting to seduce another man when your hand in marriage is already accounted for. I suppose a half-breed can only ever be a half-breed."
If the relationship Princess Dione had with William was sour, the one she fostered with Valerie was even worse. The two girls were like oil and water, completely incompatible.
Valerie's sentiments about her father's illegitimate child were the same as her brother's. She disliked the very sight of the woman, even more so when she was in the arms of the man she loved.
Around them, the ballroom erupted into an endless stream of chatter. None of them dared to be too loud, for fear of offending the people in front of them.
On one hand, one was the Emperor's beloved little sister whose flaring temper was very well known, on the other hand, it was the very man proclaimed as their empire's war god.
Even Princess Dione, though no longer favored due to the Late Emperor's demise, used to be someone they could only hope to curry favor with.
Neither party were people they could offend without losing their necks.
Princess Dione, however, was not one to back down easily. Despite the hurtful words directed at her, she squared her shoulders and met Valerie's intense gaze with unwavering determination. "Princess Valerie, your words are uncalled for and disrespectful. I am not here to steal anyone's affection. This was an accident, and the Duke merely prevented me from falling."
Valerie's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer, her voice dripping with venom. "Oh please, spare me your innocent act. Though you may share my father's blood, you clearly take after that whore mother of yours."
Dione's blood boiled.
Insult her murky origins? So be it, it wasn't uncommon knowledge that her mother was a mysterious foreign woman. But to insult her mother directly was going a step too far.
Hadn't taking her life been enough?
She wanted to retort but she hadn't expected Duke Devland's patience to snap first.
"Enough," his voice was stern and heavy, leaving no room for discussion. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her even closer into his embrace. "Princess Valerie, if you wish to make yourself a spectacle then please leave me out of it. Her Highness and I only bumped into each other and she injured her foot. I'm merely steadying her."
Princess Dione frowned. Since when had she injured her foot? Why didn't she, the victim, know about it?
"Now, if you'll excuse us, I'll be accompanying Her Highness to a resting chamber." To everyone's shock, Duke Devland swooped Princess Dione into his arms in a bridal carry in one fluid motion.
"Azriel!"
Princess Valerie's infuriated screech did nothing to stop the tall man's long, steady strides. It was as if the Duke never even felt the scorching glare on his back.
Some of the noble ladies that Princess Valerie offended before took this as an opportunity to belittle her.
"Pfft, did you see that? The Duke completely ignored her! He even carried away another woman in his arms!"
"Serves her right!"
"Ah, but that wasn't just any woman though? Who knew the Duke would be such a gentleman to Princess Dione…"
"Hah, when has the Duke ever been a gentleman? If anything, he was tricked by her pretty face. Seducing a man when she has a fiancé. Daughters truly take after their mothers."
"The Duke has always avoided Princess Valerie like the plague so I took it to mean he did not care for women at all. Who knew that it was just her he found repulsive!"
Princess Valerie's hands clenched into fists at her side as she stared in the direction that they left. When had she, a noble princess of the Salian Empire, ever been on the receiving end of such blatant humiliation?
It was infuriating!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone