ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 183: Whatever the price

Ethan didn’t react right away. He simply waited.

"I’m just thinking," Valerie continued softly, "about what my life will be like from now on. Where I’ll live. How I’ll raise my child. Simple things."

She smiled faintly a smile shaped more by resolve than happiness. "I want a life where I don’t have to keep being afraid."

Ethan looked at her for a long moment, then gave a small nod. "That isn’t too much to ask."

Valerie stood slowly. She adjusted the blanket around her shoulders, then turned back once more. "Don’t sit out in the cold for too long," she said.

Ethan smiled faintly. "I’ll follow soon."

Valerie stepped into the tent. The canvas closed again, leaving Ethan alone with the night.

He stared at the nearly extinguished embers, his thoughts crowded with things left unsaid about Valerie, about the danger that loomed, and about a duke who might even now be moving closer.

Inside the tent, Valerie lay awake, her eyes open.

She said she wasn’t thinking about Demian.

Yet her heart beat as if it were listening for footsteps coming from far away footsteps she knew too well to ever truly forget.

The underground chamber of Morvex Castle was lit by tall torches. Firelight rippled across the ancient stone walls, casting slow-moving shadows as if the room itself were breathing.

Vedseel had arrived.

The sorcerer stood at the center of the chamber, spine straight, his dark robe falling without a single courteous fold. There was no greeting. No bow. His gaze was sharp and assessing, as though Demian were not a duke at all merely another man bringing trouble to his door.

Demian stood several steps away. He did not sit upon the throne. Nor did he lean. He stood with a calm that was dangerous, like a sword still sheathed yet ready to be drawn at any moment.

"Valerie left with the witches," Demian said plainly, without preamble."That is why I can no longer smell her."

Vedseel raised a single brow, a faint smile forming one closer to subtle mockery than amusement. "You are remarkably blunt, Duke of Morvex," he said lightly. "Nobles usually pretend to hide their desperation."

The air in the chamber tightened.

But Demian did not react. He did not bristle. He did not rise to the provocation.

"Only a fool wastes time on pride when what he seeks is slipping away," he replied coldly. "Help me find her."

Vedseel fell silent for a moment, then began to circle the room slowly. His fingers brushed the air, as if tracing something unseen.

"I can try," he said at last. "Old bonds leave traces. Even when concealed by caravan magic, there is always... an echo."

Demian gave a short nod. "Good."

Vedseel stopped. He turned and looked straight at Demian. This time, his smile changed sharper, more dangerous.

"But," he said slowly, "there is always a price for every desire."

Silence fell, heavy and oppressive.

The torches hissed. From afar came the sound of guards’ footsteps yet none dared approach.

Demian met Vedseel’s gaze without blinking.

"Whatever the price," he said flatly.

Vedseel chuckled softly. Not a loud laugh rather, a low one filled with meaning.

"Are you certain? Sorcerers do not ask for gold like nobles do. We ask for things that... cling."

"I have no interest in riddles," Demian replied. "Speak."

Vedseel stepped closer, close enough that only a few strides separated them now."I may need blood," he said quietly."Or memory.""Or something bound to her... and to you."

Demian’s gaze hardened, but his voice remained steady."Take whatever you must," he said. "As long as it leads me to her."

Vedseel studied him for a long moment longer than courtesy allowed. For the first time, the arrogance on the sorcerer’s face cracked, replaced by cautious intrigue.

"Interesting," he murmured. "You do not bargain. You do not hesitate."

"I have nothing left to wager," Demian answered softly. "Except her."

Vedseel smiled thinly. "Then, Duke of Morvex... prepare yourself."

He turned away, his robe whispering as it moved. "For whatever took her will not allow you to find her without cost."

Demian remained where he stood, eyes dark and unwavering.

If the price was pain he would accept it. If the price was ruin he would endure it.

Because one thing was now certain Demian was no longer asking fate to be kind. He was forcing it.

Booted footsteps struck the marble floor of Morvex’s great hall as Crown Prince Kaiser descended the upper staircase. His cloak had not yet been removed a clear sign he had not come for pleasantries, but because something demanded immediate attention.

Demian did not turn. His jaw tightened.

"Is it true that Valerie has gone missing?" Kaiser asked, his voice flat yet keen, as though each word had been carefully weighed.

Demian turned slowly. His gaze was cold, piercing."And what concern is that of yours?"

Kaiser stopped several paces away. He cast a brief glance toward Vedseel long enough to show that the sorcerer’s presence had not escaped his notice then returned his attention to Demian.

"Because when it comes to Valerie," he said quietly, "you are never capable of being calm."

The words landed like a thin blade.

Vedseel curved a small, nearly imperceptible smile. "Ah," he murmured, "even the future ruler understands your weakness, Duke."

Demian ignored him. "I do not need calm," he said coldly. "I need her back."

Kaiser exhaled, then stepped closer. "And that is precisely the problem. The more you pursue her this way, the farther she will run."

"I am not pursuing her," Demian shot back. "I am reclaiming what is mine."

"People are not dominions," Kaiser replied sharply. "Not land. Not fortresses. And least of all Valerie."

The silence thickened. Torch flames crackled, as though the hall itself had tensed.

Vedseel finally spoke, his voice smooth yet venomous. "The price has been agreed upon. I will seek her. But remember this, Duke paths of magic rarely return anything intact."

Demian met his gaze without fear. "Do it."

Kaiser shook his head slightly. "If you truly wish for her return," he said, more softly now, "then prepare yourself for the possibility that what comes back... will no longer be the Valerie you once knew."