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Home / Fantasy / Duke Of Darkness / CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
Author: Imouni29
last update2024-11-14 00:11:12

Since that rejection the previous night, Rafael's mind had been clouded, filled with relentless noise and confusion about what to do to keep Annette from avoiding him. A sliver of morning light touched Rafael's face as he stood at the bustling market dock. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants hawking their goods, the scent of spices, and fish mingling in the gentle breeze. Rafael took a deep breath, trying to shift his thoughts away from the chill that lingered in the Hurbret household. Annette had grown colder, and it haunted every corner of his mind. He wanted so badly to get close, to help her through the early days of her pregnancy, but Annette seemed to build higher walls every time Rafael tried to approach.

“Sir.” Caesar’s voice cut through Rafael’s reverie. Caesar, his loyal right-hand man, stood with arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes scanning the commotion around them.

Rafael turned, pulling himself back to the present. He looked at Caesar with a questioni
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  • CHALTER 22

    Rafael stood tall before the massive mirror adorning the wall of his lavish chamber. His broad shoulders were cloaked in an outfit tailored to perfection, befitting his new title as crown prince. A sleek black suit with modern cuts hugged his frame, paired with a long crimson mantle that shimmered subtly under the golden light. The royal crest of Carlies, a gleaming gold emblem, adorned his chest, a symbol of the authority now officially his.Servants moved swiftly around him, adjusting the folds of his suit, slipping white gloves over his hands, and ensuring every detail was immaculate. Rafael, however, remained calm, unfazed by the flurry of activity.His gaze in the mirror reflected the bearing of a leader, though beneath his composed exterior lay a flicker of satisfaction he couldn’t entirely mask. It wasn’t just the restoration of his rightful title that pleased him—it was also the ruin of those who had once dismissed him."Frederick," Rafael murmured softly, his voice laced with

  • CHAPTER 21

    Three days had passed, and the devastation in Hurbret was undeniable. Small villages lay in ashes, fields were barren, and refugees filled the main roads with despair etched into their faces. The air reeked of smoke, blood, and death. Frederick stood on the balcony of his now-disheveled estate, his sharp eyes scanning the empty fields below, his jaw clenched tight.Inside the house, the chaos mirrored the destruction outside. His trusted secretary stood with his head bowed, clutching a stack of official documents. His voice trembled as he spoke, trying to deliver the news delicately.“Baron,” the secretary began softly but firmly, “I’ve just received a report from the royal envoy. The kingdom is planning a welcoming feast for the new crown prince.”Frederick froze for a moment, then slowly turned with eyes as sharp as daggers. “What?” he asked, his voice low and filled with menace.“A welcoming feast, sir,” the secretary repeated, swallowing hard before continuing. “The new crown prin

  • CHAPTER 20

    In the vast silver-toned chamber, Rafael sat in an armchair, holding a glass of red wine in his hand. The room felt warm, but Rafael’s mood burned hotter. A brief report from Caesar had just been delivered, and every word in it brought a wide smile to his face.He read the letter again, letting his eyes dance over the words describing the downfall of the Hurbret family. The collapse of trade guilds, attacks from wild beasts, and the growing number of refugees—all these details seemed like personal entertainment to Rafael. But the highlight was the description of Frederick, the once-arrogant baron who had now become a desperate man groveling for help to survive.“That coward truly is like a dog,” Rafael muttered disdainfully.He couldn’t hold back. A booming laugh erupted from his lips, echoing through the chamber like a victory bell. Tossing the letter onto the table, he swirled the wine in his glass lazily. “Utterly hilarious,” he murmured, his smile curling into a sneer.Rising from

  • CHAPTER 19

    A week had passed since Rafael left the Hurbret territory, and chaos had begun to unfold. The once-thriving trade guilds collapsed one after another. Goods failed to arrive on time, and trading partners gradually withdrew their support. Meanwhile, wild beasts from the forests, which had previously kept their distance, began attacking nearby villages. Farmers lost their fields, and residents started abandoning their homes in search of safety elsewhere.In the grand but now hollow Hurbret manor, Baron Frederick paced back and forth in his study. The once-confident man now bore a somber expression, deep lines of worry etched across his forehead. Reports piled up on his cluttered desk, none of them bearing good news."Why is this happening?" Frederick muttered in despair, staring blankly at the scattered papers.In the corner of the room, Marquess Greyson Yrewich sat with a tense expression. His fingers massaged his temples, his tired eyes reflecting his growing frustration. As a landlord

  • CHAPTER 18

    The banquet hall that night was filled with the aroma of exquisite cuisine, the clinking of wine glasses, and the lively chatter of knights. The majestic pillars of the royal dining room stood tall, adorned with golden carvings reflecting the shimmering light from the crystal chandelier above. However, the jovial atmosphere abruptly shifted when King Tremos rose from his seat, raising a hand to command silence."Brothers!" Tremos' voice boomed with authority, echoing throughout the hall. "Tonight, I wish to introduce someone many of you thought lost to us. He is my blood, a son who has proven himself far beyond these palace walls. My own son—Rafael De Carlies."Sitting calmly beside the king, Rafael raised his wine glass slightly, a faint, unreadable smile gracing his lips. Some of the knights looked puzzled, while others immediately rose from their seats, bowing respectfully."Greetings to the Grand Prince of Carlies," one knight proclaimed with reverence."Isn't he Duke Rafael, the

  • CHAPTER 17

    The luxurious chamber fell silent after the heated exchange. King Tremos stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his emerald eyes locked sharply on Rafael as if trying to decipher every detail of his son’s expression. Finally, Tremos took a deep breath, his voice lowering from its usual commanding tone.“So, what is it that you want?” Tremos asked, at last, his voice calm but still cold. “Do you wish to be king?”Rafael, who had been standing nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets, raised an eyebrow, as though surprised by the question. Slowly, a thin, meaningful smile curled on his lips. He didn’t answer right away, letting an awkward silence stretch between them. Finally, with a casual motion, he stepped away from the sofa, standing tall in front of his father.“Yes,” he answered firmly. “Restore my status. I am still your son, am I not? Isn’t it time I replaced you? Though times are changing, the title of king might not hold the same significance in the future. Even so, I’l

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