?


    "Wee to my humble abode, young master. I hope you haven''t forgotten about this ce," ire''s voice dripped with mockery. She regarded him with an icy gaze, as if he were a stranger. Well, leaving after causing a mess and returning a year and a halfter wasn''t exactly the nicest thing to do, after all.


    "How could I ever forget about you, mydy?" Damien replied with a hint of amusement. "I was caught up in some serious mess."


    "Of course, ''some mess''," ire scoffed, eyeing him up and down. It was clear that his appearance had changed significantly since theirst encounter.


    Damien and Luther had arrived at the duchy in the evening, riding like madmen to reach their destination. They were immediately weed into the castle without any formalities or protocols, given Damien''s status as a hero in these parts.


    He had expected ire to be overjoyed to see him, but instead, he was met with a cold reception and mockery. It seemed like aplete stranger stood before him, despite the fact that they had shared a connection once.


    "After such a long ride, you must be famished, my lord," ire addressed him, her tone formal. "Erin, please prepare a meal and rooms for our guests."


    "Yes, mydy," the maid, Erin, nodded and left the room to carry out her instructions.


    "I was hoping we could talk, mydy," Damien spoke up, feeling a pang of disappointment. ire felt like a different person altogether. The year and a half had taken its toll on her, transforming her beauty into an icy facade. It was understandable, given the weight of the entire duchy resting on her shoulders.


    "We can talkter. For now, rest. I have a feast nned for tonight," ire replied dismissively.


    Damien considered her words. He genuinely missed her and was eager to reconnect, but her coldness made him hesitate.


    "Very well, I''ll rest for today then. I''ll see you in the morning," he conceded before leaving the room.


    Luther walked beside him, a puzzled expression on his face. "What''s happened to her?"


    "I don''t know. I''ll ask herter," Damien replied, his own confusion mirroring Luther''s.


    ·?θm Erin guided them to their respective rooms. "You''ll be staying here, sir," she said, indicating Damien''s room. "And your room is next door, sir," she informed Luther.


    "Thank you," Luther nodded, entering his own room.


    Erin had also prepared a meal for them – a delectable roasted turkey apanied by refreshing grape juice. Damien savored the vors, appreciating the effort put into the meal.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    After cleaning himself up, heid on the bed, thoughts of ire upying his mind. He contemted his feelings for her – were they purely driven by lust, or was there something deeper? Their initial encounter had been a brief and passionate affair, driven by their respective needs at the time – ire seeking sce from her husband, and Damien giving in to his own desires.


    In the morning, Damien rose from his slumber and prepared himself for the day ahead. He couldn''t shake off the unsettling encounter with ire the previous night, but he was determined to make things right between them. As he made his way through the corridors of the castle, he heard voices emanating from ire''s study.


    Curiosity piqued, Damien approached the room and peeked inside. ire was engaged in an animated discussion with her trustedmander, Sir Allister. Their voices were hushed, but Damien managed to catch snippets of their conversation.


    "...reports of a group of suspicious men gathering at the foot of the mountain near our duchy''s border," Sir Allister was saying, his brows furrowed in concern.


    ire leaned against her desk, her expression thoughtful. "Suspicious, you say? Any idea of their intentions?"


    Sir Allister shook his head. "None yet, mydy. But it''s unusual for such a group to gather in that location. We should investigate and ensure our duchy''s security."


    Just as Damien was about to step forward and join the conversation, he hesitated. This could be an opportunity to prove himself, to demonstrate his loyalty and worth to ire. After all, he was the second son of a powerful duchy in a neighbouring kingdom, skilled in matters of strategy andbat. Perhaps this was the chance to show his capabilities.


    With newfound determination, Damien pushed open the study door and entered with a confident stride. ire and Sir Allister turned their attention towards him, their surprise evident.


    "Good morning, mydy, Sir Allister," Damien greeted them with a charming smile. "I couldn''t help but overhear your discussion about the suspicious men near our border. It sounds like an intriguing situation."


    ire regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and scepticism. "And what concern is it of yours, Lord Damien? You are a guest in my duchy."


    Damien chuckled lightly, feigning nonchnce. "Ah, but you see, mydy, I am not just any guest. I am the second son of a powerful duchy from a neighbouring kingdom. Strategy and security are my forte. If these men pose a threat, it would be in both our interests to investigate."


    Sir Allister, raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Damien''s boldness. ire, however, remained guarded. "You may be skilled, Lord Damien, but I am responsible for the safety of my duchy. I cannot allow just anyone to meddle in our affairs."


    Damien leaned against a nearby bookshelf, his eyes fixed on ire. "I understand your concern, mydy, but consider this: my experience and expertise can only enhance our chances of sess. By working together, we can ensure the security of your duchy and protect our shared interests."


    ire crossed her arms, still skeptical. "And what assurance do I have that you won''t use this as an opportunity to further your own agenda?"


    Damien''s smile widened as he stepped closer to her. "Mydy, I may have left you once, but I assure you, my intentions are genuine. I seek redemption, a chance to prove my loyalty and worth. By helping you, I hope to rebuild the trust we once shared."