CHAPTER 8 Part 1

To Alena’s satisfaction, she finally witnessed a reaction from the duke. His lips parted ever so slightly. It seemed that just like her, the duke didn’t expect that she could actually do something this bold!

Though his reaction might be just a very small change, for Alena, it was already more than enough for her, at least… for now.

She was actually so tempted to keep going and ride the momentum just because she desired to elicit more reaction from this stone-faced duke, but General Elkhart’s presence inside the room held her back. She knew it was too dangerous to proceed at the moment!

So, with a victorious, satisfied smile on her face, Alena pulled back when...

The Duke's hand was suddenly at the back of her head, preventing her from retreating.

His action instantly wiped the smile off her face.

“Don’t stop… keep going…” came his soft murmur, and Alena finally noticed a growing bulge right in front of her face.

Her lips parted in disbelief. And when she tore her eyes from the massive bulge and looked up at him, she saw eyes so intense they seemed promising both heaven and hell at once.

“What’s wrong? I told you to continue… and finish what you started…” he whispered. His voice was low and velvety and dangerously compelling it made her throat ran dry.

Really… she loathed the universe for giving this monster of a man such a destructive allure. He was literally a tempting sin made of flesh. Something she knew she hate to the deepest pit of her bones yet still managed to somehow creep past her defenses like a plague before she even realized it. Why him? How could he, of all men, be the very embodiment of a man poets and storytellers had long been writing about? And how was it possible that even ghosts like her, who was determined to kill him, were not spared?!

She had no idea that a man's charm or allure or whatever this was could actually be this powerful.

Biting her lower lip as hard as she could to escape the sorcery of his intense gaze, General Elkhart's voice boomed through the room. “Who in the world are you talking to right there, my lord?”

The general’s words were like a lightning strike that shook Alena’s entire being in a heartbeat.

"Don’t tell me… oh, bloody hell, there’s really a woman under your desk right now!? Good lord! The sheer audacity to betray the princess so soon after your vows! I am beyond words, your grace... How could you stoop so low?"

“Watch your tongue, Elkhart,” the duke interjected when Alena desperately tugged at his shirt. And the moment he looked down at her, she shook her heat at him, pleading as she motioned for him not to reveal that the woman under his desk was no other than her!

“Seriously, my lord… I never took you for such a heartless scoundrel!” Elkhart's voice was still filled with disbelief.

When the duke just stared at her despite her pleas and despite Elkhart’s lamenting his accusations against him, Alena felt a growing sense of panic. She knew General Elkhart, with his upright character, wouldn’t force his way into uncovering the identity of the hidden woman. So as long as the duke chose not to reveal her, she would remain unseen.

She had to convince the duke not to reveal her, whatever the cost! And so she could only mouth a silent promise to the duke. “I’ll do anything you want, so please…”

To her utter relief, the duke moved at last. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Are you really sure?”

She nodded so fast and with that, the duke straightened. He turned his attention back to Elkhart, who was still reeling from the duke's perceived betrayal.

“Wait for me outside, Elkhart,” the duke instructed firmly.

Elkhart, however, was not easily dissuaded. “Please send the woman out this instant, my lord, and never do this again,” he implored. “I can’t ever face the princess again if I just leave without doing anything to—”

“I’m not going to repeat myself, Aurion,” the duke cut him off, his tone brooking no further discussion.

There was a long pause. Then after a sigh of frustration, Elkhart gave his parting shot. “Oh, our poor duchess.”

The click of the door shutting behind General Elkhart was like the sound of salvation to Alena. She sagged beneath the desk.

Oh lord! That had frightened her to her bones! She was really glad that the general never once considered that it could be her who was under the duke’s desk and not another woman!

"I've done my part... Now it's your turn to take responsibility, Duchess."