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Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 11
Rafael sat in the dimly lit corner of the bar, the flickering candlelight dancing on the scratched wooden table. The glass of wine in his hand was nearly empty, but he wasn’t in a rush to refill it. His dark, piercing eyes stared blankly at the crimson liquid, searching for answers he knew he would never find. The revelation that the child Annette carried wasn’t his felt like a dagger stabbing into his chest. He was shattered, but the cold anger coursing through his veins kept him grounded. The betrayal felt like a poison slowly spreading, burning every corner of his mind.Caesar, ever loyal, sat across from him. He wanted desperately to ask why his master looked so broken, but he didn’t dare disturb the silence. Instead, he cautiously broke it with a soft question. “Sir, have you considered returning to the capital?”Rafael lifted his gaze slightly, his dark eyes meeting Caesar’s. He didn’t respond immediately, allowing the question to hang in the air. Finally, after a long pause, Ra
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 1
Amid the fog of war that continued to shroud the border, a figure in a black cloak moved silently among the ruins. Rafael De Carlies, known as the Shadow Sword Master, moved as tracelessly as the wind. His eyes were sharp and calculating, and the weapon in his grasp glimmered dimly red under the moonlight.The man was never clearly seen by anyone, preferring to wrap himself in a veil of mystery. Only a few knew that he was the illegitimate son of King Tremos De Carlies. Those who did know about Rafael's connection chose to remain silent.To most of the kingdom's people, Rafael's name was merely a faint whisper amid the chaos of the battlefield. Yet, among the kingdom's elite, he was more than just a soldier known as the sword master. Behind his masked face, Rafael possessed magical powers inherited from the De Carlies bloodline—extraordinary and dangerous powers that, if known, could make him a target in the kingdom's political games. However, Rafael sought no power; he was uninterest
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 2
The battle cries echoed once more at the border. It was as if the field itself thirsted for the blood of soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives. Rafael stood at the front line, examining his worn shield. His sharp eyes scrutinized the approaching shadows of the feral creatures. He muttered under his breath, seeing how savagely the beasts tore through his men. There was no time to retreat or hesitate in eliminating these menacing creatures that had long terrorized the northern border of the kingdom. This time, the attack was more brutal, larger in number, and more organized than the previous onslaught. The scent of fresh flesh and blood pierced Rafael's senses. The battlefield and the soldiers' resting ground had transformed into pools of blood and scattered human entrails. Rafael felt frustration and anger at his inability to protect the many soldiers who had fallen to the beasts' onslaught. As Rafael prepared to advance, a familiar voice called out to him from behind. "Rafael..
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 3
The wedding took place in the capital on a cloudy afternoon. Dark clouds hung low in the sky, as if signaling the secrets and burdens that surrounded the ceremony. Yet, for those who knew the Hurbret family present, the wedding of Rafael De Carlies and Annette Hurbret still appeared grand, though wrapped in an enforced simplicity. White lilies adorned the main aisle, but the fragrance of the flowers was overpowered by the scent of iron, sweat, and the worry clinging to the skin of everyone there.Rafael stood before the altar, dressed in formal robes embroidered with golden threads, though the dark circles under his eyes revealed sleepless nights. Annette, by his side, looked like a newly blossomed flower. Her ivory silk gown and blonde hair that cascaded gently over her shoulders gave her an air of grace, despite the unease that she could not fully hide on her face. When their eyes met, something warm and light passed between them—a flicker of hope amidst the fog of uncertainty.“Fro
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 4
Annette had accepted Rafael as her husband. However, her uncle had not. Rafael’s life in the Hurbret family home was never as simple as the moments of laughter he shared with Annette. Behind the warmth that was slowly growing between them, there was another figure who constantly loomed, exerting an invisible but palpable pressure. Frederick Hurbret, Annette’s uncle, was a man brimming with pride for his family name, never missing an opportunity to remind Rafael of his lowly status.It all started on a crisp autumn day when the wind carried the scent of dried leaves. Frederick walked with steps that always sounded like a statement. The sound of his boots echoed across the marble floor of the main hall, where Rafael stood, examining a strategy map spread out on the long table. Rafael sensed Frederick’s presence even before the older man spoke—the air in the room seemed to tense.“Ah, my esteemed son-in-law.” Frederick’s voice cut through the silence, laden with sarcasm. His face, framed
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 5
Rafael stood in the middle of the vibrant flower garden, though his eyes were fixed on the ground with a vacant stare. His hands, more accustomed to holding a sword, now gripped a small trowel that felt oddly light in his grasp. It was strange to him. The flowers around him thrived, the result of long mornings spent there, a distraction from the inner turmoil and the raging battles at the border.His reverie was interrupted by Frederick's deep voice cutting through the air. "I’m tired of seeing your face. How long do you intend to stay in our house?" The derisive tone was sharp, piercing.Rafael straightened, not responding. His face remained emotionless, only showing the cold gaze he often used against the beasts on the battlefield. But Frederick's next words made his blood run cold.“Did you know? Annette regrets marrying a low-status soldier like you!” Frederick’s words seeped in, slicing deeper than the claws of any beast Rafael had faced.Rafael’s hand clenched at his side, the t
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 6
Rafael sat in the dimly lit study, accompanied only by a half-empty cup of wine and the dancing shadows of candlelight on the walls. His eyes were fixed on the piece of paper before him, but his thoughts wandered far, drifting to times when his life had been different. He remembered the early days when he secretly worked to help the Hurbret family recover from the brink of economic collapse. Back then, despite being a noble family, their wealth was almost just a name if Rafael hadn’t intervened.Using his influence and connections without the Hurbret family’s knowledge, Rafael infiltrated the kingdom’s trade routes, ensuring that every Hurbret venture yielded unexpected profits. He disguised himself as a mysterious broker, facilitating lucrative trade contracts and transactions. When gold began to flow back into the family coffers, Frederick claimed it as the result of his strategies and cunning. Annette, on the other hand, welcomed the news with a genuine smile that warmed Rafael’s h
Duke Of Darkness CHAPTER 7
The air felt heavy, like a dark cloak enveloping the entire Hurbret mansion. The moonlight shone dimly, casting faint shadows as Rafael walked briskly down the long corridor, his reflection flickering on the cold stone walls. Tension followed every step, tightening his chest. He stopped in front of Annette’s bedroom door, taking a deep breath before knocking firmly.Without waiting for an answer, Rafael pushed open the door and entered. Annette stood by the window, her white silk nightgown catching the moon’s glow as it seeped through. Her slightly blonde black hair cascaded down her back, adding an elegance that had once left Rafael awestruck. But now, that image was replaced by something that pierced his heart—cold and unreachable.“Why did you call me the gardener? Are you ashamed of having me as your husband?” Rafael asked outright. His dark, sharp eyes locked onto Annette’s. “I need an explanation, Annette. I am your husband!”Annette turned slowly, her movements weighted, as if