For the Dreadfully Terrifying Grand Duke Valenstein C10

Chapter 10

3. Cold Treatment (1)

The young man, gasping for breath, knitted his brows.

“…This is completely different.”

His body jolted violently with every rough movement. Mirane writhed helplessly, soft moans slipping through parted lips as he struggled to suppress his bewilderment.

“Why… does it feel good?”

His short, light brown hair, barely long enough to cover the nape of his neck, was drenched in sweat and clung messily to his pale forehead. His gentle features were flushed as red as a crimson rose.

A shadow engulfed him.

The Grand Duke’s long, silky black hair draped over him like a curtain.

Once again, the thing splitting him open beneath forced Mirane’s waist to twist.

“Ah…!”

With a trembling cry, he desperately clutched the pristine white sheets, wringing them in his fists. Tears shimmered on his thick brown lashes, and his face was a complete mess.

“My head… is spinning.”

As the man above him leaned closer, their sweat-soaked chests pressing together, another muffled moan escaped between Mirane’s parted lips.

“Hng!”

His searching hands wandered over the man’s shoulders, fingernails scraping against hard muscle that refused to yield. His breathing came in ragged pants.

Panting heavily, Mirane tightened his grip around the broad body above him.

Pale moonlight scattered across the man’s back, revealing countless fresh scratches. Thin crimson lines marred his white skin.

Beneath the mask, the Grand Duke’s lips parted slightly, a low groan escaping.

“It… hurts.”

The man whispered,

“Wrap your arms around my neck.”

Mirane obediently complied.

“Lean your weight on me.”

Resting the bridge of his nose against Mirane’s damp hair, the Grand Duke murmured softly,

“Mirane.”

He didn’t know why.

But the moment he heard his own name spoken by those lips, he smiled without realizing it.

Looking up at the Grand Duke above him, a faint smile curved the corners of his mouth.

“Your Grace…”

The Grand Duke’s face beneath the mask froze.

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

The noisy songs of birds echoed outside.

Warm sunlight slipped through the half-open curtains, falling across the naked body sprawled upon the bed. A single blanket barely concealed Mirane, a band of white light stretching over him.

His thick light-brown lashes slowly fluttered open.

“Mmm…”

A sleepy groan escaped him.

As the haze of sleep lifted, warm emerald eyes—clear as lush forests—came into view.

He let out another faint groan.

His vision remained foggy. Even after waking, Mirane lay motionless for quite some time, blinking at the ceiling.

The lingering aftertaste of the previous night clung to his heart, making it difficult to gather his thoughts.

Only when fragments of last night’s events surfaced through the haze did clarity finally return.

Silence hung over him.

Then his face gradually reddened until it resembled a ripe apple.

“Ah…”

His voice was hoarse.

Mirane Laster squeezed his eyes shut and curled into himself like a shrimp.

“…Damn it.”

Only after quite some time did he finally regain his composure.

Letting out a long sigh, he rubbed his face with both hands before sitting up.

Swallowing his embarrassment, he repeated to himself,

“What’s done is done.”

Yet somehow…

The bitterness refused to fade.

A troubled expression crossed his face.

He was remembering last night.

“What’s done is done…”

Another sigh escaped his lips.

Burying the difficult memories deep inside, he began searching for the man who had left him with such an overwhelming shock.

Looking around the room, Mirane quickly realized that the Grand Duke had already left.

The place where he had slept had long since gone cold. Even the sheets had been neatly straightened, leaving almost no trace that anyone had occupied them.

After pondering for a moment, Mirane climbed out of bed and walked to the window.

He pulled the curtains open, squinting against the brilliant sunlight as he judged the time.

“I thought it was morning…”

But judging by the sun’s position…

It was already close to noon.

“I overslept.”

He muttered quietly.

Scanning the room, he noticed that before leaving, the Grand Duke had tidied everything.

The scattered clothes…

The towels…

Everything had disappeared.

The room was immaculate.

After another brief hesitation, Mirane dressed himself and stepped outside.

“I should see the Grand Duke.”

Instinctively, he found himself searching for him.

When he opened the bedroom door and stepped into the corridor, the servants no longer stopped him as they had before the wedding.

Their changed attitude made him realize…

He had finally been acknowledged, if only in the smallest way, as one of Wicker Castle’s new masters.

The emphasis was on the smallest way.

He realized that the moment he arrived outside the Grand Duke’s office.

He wasn’t allowed in.

“No one is permitted to enter.”

“…Hm?”

“You cannot go inside. His Grace has ordered that no one be admitted.”

Mirane stared silently at the servant’s impassive face.

Then he glanced toward the solid oak door before speaking.

“…Am I included in ‘no one’?”

Whatever the circumstances, he had come to Wicker as the Grand Duke’s lawful spouse.

He had sacrificed countless things to do so.

It was true that the Grand Duke had treated him coldly upon his arrival—but that had been before the wedding.

After last night…

Mirane believed he had finally become the true master of Wicker Castle.

Yet…

The door remained shut.

The servant frowned ever so slightly.

“This puts me in a difficult position.”

Still…

The golden doorknob never so much as twitched.

After waiting in silence, Mirane finally spoke in a quiet voice.

“I am your spouse, Your Grace.”

“Just when one mountain is crossed, another appears.”

Unable to hide his exhaustion, Mirane pressed firmly against his temples.

After overcoming the enormous hurdle that had been their wedding night…

Now he was being met with cold indifference from the Grand Duke.

He had intended to ask about changing rooms that morning.

Instead, he felt as though someone had struck him from behind.

His spirits had sunk to rock bottom.

He had been relieved after seeing how unexpectedly gentle the Grand Duke had been.

Never had he imagined he would be blindsided like this.

“So… I really am just the son of his political enemy.”

Remaining silent for a long while with a darkened expression, Mirane finally began eating once the table had been filled with food.

It was a meal serving as both a late breakfast and lunch.

“I’ve heard that dishes from the capital use a great deal of spices,” Laisa explained kindly. “Here in Wicker, however, we prefer to preserve the natural flavor of the ingredients.”

She continued with practiced grace.

“The Kyrgyz Mountains are harsh, making trade difficult, so spices are scarce. Instead, we’re famous for our fruit wines, which is why many of our dishes are simmered with wine.”

Listening quietly to the gentle explanation, Mirane suddenly let out a faint, self-deprecating laugh.

“For some reason… I can’t bring myself to dislike this old woman.”

Laisa’s elegant warmth had earned his affection.

Even though this was hardly a situation where he should grow attached to anyone, he often found himself lowering his guard around her without understanding why.

After choosing his words carefully, Mirane asked calmly,

“I wonder… if I’ll ever be able to use that crest.”

His gaze rested on the Chimera emblem displayed by the window.

“…Pardon?”

“It seems His Grace doesn’t think very highly of me.”

His expression was clouded with complicated emotions.

Surprise flashed across Laisa’s face.

Speaking in a weary voice, Mirane continued,

“I know we were never likely to have a good relationship…

But…

Even so…

This is still rather shocking.

I truly thought things would be all right.”

Laisa released a quiet sigh.

“His Grace is a man carrying many wounds.”

Mirane glanced at her.

There was an immeasurable depth of sorrow in her words.

“I have lived a long life and once traveled throughout the continent. Of all the countless nobles I’ve met… His Grace is among the finest of them.”

Her voice softened.

“I only hope… that you, my lord, might someday heal those deep wounds.”

The elderly woman sighed once more before murmuring,

“It was the irreparable mistake of an impatient witch.”

A strange light flickered in Mirane’s pale green eyes.

He studied her thoughtfully.

She seemed lost in memories, her face cast in shadow.

At that moment, he understood.

The woman who oversaw this entire estate…

Knew the hidden story of the former Grand Duke and Duchess.

She knew the truth behind the rumors that had spread across the continent.

“She’s even more important than I first thought.”

Calmly, Mirane replied,

“Thank you for your advice.

But pity beyond that point would only trouble both His Grace… and me.”

His tone was firm.

Despite the bluntness of his words, Laisa immediately bowed her head in acceptance.

“I’ve spoken foolishly in my old age.”

“I also said something I shouldn’t have.

Let’s both forget today’s conversation.”

“Of course.”

Laisa added,

“You are naturally entitled to use the Grand Ducal family’s crest. You are undeniably a member of the Grand Duke’s household. No one would dare question your right to bear the Chimera Slayer’s emblem.”

At those words, Mirane looked toward the banner hanging on the wall.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

“That is quite an honor.

To bear the most glorious crest a knight could hope for…”

He wasn’t merely being polite.

After all…

Slaying the Chimera was the Grand Duke’s greatest achievement.

Winning the Grand Duke’s favor was a matter of survival.

Right now…

Mirane felt genuinely threatened by the Grand Duke’s cold treatment.

Silence once again settled over the meal.

Like the vast northern lands surrounding it, Wicker Castle was enormous and magnificent.

Yet surprisingly few people lived within its walls.

The servants lined up along the dining hall stood perfectly still, making neither unnecessary sounds nor even audible breaths.

“It feels just like Teratium, the capital’s cemetery.”

The thought crossed Mirane’s mind.

Truthfully…

The North’s austere atmosphere didn’t suit him very well.

Although Wicker’s wine-braised chicken perfectly matched his taste, he found himself unable to appreciate its rich flavor.

His thoughts remained occupied by the servant who had barred him from entering the Grand Duke’s office.

After finishing his meal in silence, Mirane washed his hands and left the dining hall.

“My confinement has been lifted, and I’ve been allowed to use the family crest. That means he acknowledges my status.”

That realization offered him a measure of relief.

“Public opinion in Wicker is poor enough that he didn’t even send knights to escort me. Given everything involving the former Grand Duke, it’s only natural that he remains cautious.”

“I’m hardly an ideal marriage partner. Our difference in status is enormous. The fact that he acknowledged me as his spouse at all is already something I should be grateful for.”

“Considering all the rumors and political circumstances… it’s only natural for him to be wary. Don’t panic. The fact that he isn’t the violent monster the rumors claimed is already fortunate. Eventually, there will be opportunities to meet him properly. When that time comes, I’ll get to know him little by little…”

“Yes… don’t rush.”

However…

It didn’t take long before Mirane realized how mistaken he had been.

The Grand Duke had begun restricting his freedom of movement.