Saved By The Mad Duke
Chapter 25: Like A Criminal

Chapter 25: Like A Criminal

Euris furrowed his eyebrows; the bitter aftertaste of such a deal still lingered inside his mouth as he found himself attempting to justify his decision in one way or another. However, the more he gazed at Tillian’s calm, almost annoyingly composed face, the more restlessness stirred within him.

Desiring to bring the matter to a close, Euris decided it was time to leave.

Lowering his fatigued eyes, the king prepared to rise from his seat and depart the table. Yet, his intention was thwarted as the duke interjected, his voice now colder, filling the Meeting Room once more,

"Your Majesty..."

Euris paused for a second, then slumped heavily into his chair, arching his bushy eyebrows.

"Is there something else you wish to discuss, Your Grace?" he inquired.

Tillian nodded solemnly.

"Unfortunately, yes. Although it is not really something that should be open for discussion."

The king’s curiosity now bordered on plain irritation.

"Is that so? Well, do tell me what it is then."

The duke’s confidence swiftly gave way to a darkened expression of pure discontent as he continued,

"I would like to request a duel with Count Constantine Crueder."

"What? Did I hear you correctly, Your Grace? A duel with the Count?"

Another nod.

"Yes, your hearing did not fail you, Your Majesty. I formally request a duel of honor."

A long, heavy sigh escaped Euris’s lips. He pressed two fingers against the deep wrinkle that formed between his eyebrows, as if in an attempt to smooth it away, and closed his eyes. A sickening headache began to make its way inside his forehead.

The silent atmosphere of the room forced him to succumb to the painful pulsations in his temples. Therefore, with a deep breath to help him regain his composure, the man opened his eyes and finally asked,

"The duel of honor? And whose honor is on the line here?"

"The honor of my future wife," Tillian declared with unwavering resolve.

"Pray tell, Your Grace, how exactly was the honor of the royal princess damaged?"

Tillian’s glaring red eyes could have killed the king, turned him into ashes, if only they possessed such power, and Euris keenly felt it. In a tone colder than ice, the duke answered,

"The Count has been physically abusing Her Highness, and she has numerous scars to prove it."

Though he had never personally inflicted harm upon her, the king knew that Aideen had suffered abuse from many, including Count Crueder. However, he chose to ignore it, especially since it had never caused him any trouble or inconvenience. More importantly, the princess had never complained or sought help, leaving the matter concealed behind the tall walls of both the Royal Palace and the Count’s mansion.

And he could never have imagined that there would be someone who desired to avenge the princess’s damaged body and pride.

At least not someone like Duke Tillian Valentine.

However, continuing to acquiesce to his outrageous requests was not an option Euris could entertain. His response was clear.

"I deny your formal request, Your Grace. There will be no duel of honor between you and Count Constantine. End of discussion."

The duke couldn’t help but scoff as he looked at the king from under his carefully shaped eyebrows.

"The pest will die anyway, whether during the duel or in some other way. You know it yourself, Your Majesty. I will kill him. Regardless of the law, I can make it work in my favor. I am still a Duke, after all. I am a Prince in name. So, make another wise decision. Choose a path that will work in your favor too."

***

The quiet crackling of the fireplace filled the small and cozy reading room of the duke’s castle with its comforting melody.

Aideen was slowly rocking back and forth in the rocking chair positioned next to the fireplace, a warm knitted blanket on top of her knees – yet another gift received from Bella, whose prominent talent in knitting knew no rivals inside the castle.

Preoccupied with yet another knitting task, Bella was sitting in the rocking chair next to the princess. Safie, Bella’s dear friend and Aideen’s new acquaintance, whom she perceived as a younger and less reserved version of Bella, was sitting on the soft white fur spread before them, reading a book out loud.

The story was chosen by the maid – a somewhat childish fairytale about a lonely cursed princess stuck in a high tower, guarded by a formidable, fire-spitting dragon who challenged everyone daring to approach the tower.

The lady didn’t really mind the story, even though she did feel quite sad as her heart resonated with the pain and loneliness the other princess had to go through while waiting to be rescued.

The soft crackling of the fire, combined with Safie’s measured, pleasant tone, made Aideen feel comfortable and relaxed.

She had noticed it already – ever since she started eating and sleeping properly, her health improved drastically, which naturally had a very positive influence on her mood as well.

’It is so quiet and slow here, unlike in the Royal Palace or even at Count Crueder’s place... Finally, I feel like I am able to rest. Everyone treats me with affection and respect. Is this what it feels like to be at peace?’

While the princess appreciated her new lifestyle, which provided her with everything she lacked before, she still couldn’t help but feel a little bit greedy.

’I wish I could go out more often. I know it’s cold outside, but the fresh winter air always feels so... invigorating. Whenever it fills my lungs, I feel like I’m learning to breathe again, like what I’ve done before was not breathing but suffocating instead.’

Aideen struggled to muster the courage to ask about going outside the castle the whole time they spent in the reading room. When Safie finally stopped reading to appreciate a detailed illustration in the middle of the book, the princess decided to use that opportunity and said somewhat timidly,

"Say, Bella... Can we go for a walk outside today? You said that the snowstorm will not return for a few more days. Isn’t it a chance for us to go outside more often?"

The maid set her knitting needles aside and offered the lady a sad look as she replied,

"I’m afraid that cannot be done, Your Highness. His Grace Duke Tillian ordered us to stay inside the castle until he came back. It is not safe without him here."

Aideen arched her eyebrows, unable to comprehend such great concern, especially since the castle was still guarded by Sir Stanis and the Raven Knights.

"Not safe? May I ask why you think so?"

This time, her question received a reply uttered by a male voice that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere,

"Why? Because right now, Your Highness, you are wanted like a criminal. Ironic, isn’t it?"