ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 165: Goodbye, I hope we don’t meet again.

Her words were light. Her voice was calm. There was no tremor.

And that was exactly what sent a chill through Sera and Lira.

Lira swallowed. "Lady—"

But Valerie did not continue. She kept her eyes on the view outside, letting the carriage move on, letting the wheels carry her farther away from the city, from the temple, from the blue-gemmed ring, from vows that had never truly been meant for her.

Behind the calmness of her expression, something was being locked away tightly. Anger. Hurt. Grief. All of it stored with a discipline that bordered on cruelty because she knew that if even one thing slipped free, she would collapse.

Her hand moved slowly, unconsciously resting over her stomach.

Hold on, she whispered in her heart not to the world, but to herself. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The carriage continued forward, leaving the shadows of the afternoon behind.

And inside it, Valerie sat upright calm, composed, and broken in the quietest way possible.

The room was silent.

Silent in a cruel way like a space that had once been filled with laughter and promises, then abandoned without ever being put back in order. Valerie stood at its center, gazing at walls that held far too many memories. This was where Demian had once spoken in a low voice, eyes steady with certainty. This was where Valerie had believed words that now felt like the most carefully crafted lie.

The betrayal had not come with shouting.It came with a blue-gemmed ring, with a smile never meant for her, with a ceremony held while her name was deliberately left out.

Valerie drew in a long breath.

She had to leave. Quietly. Without a sound. Without leaving behind anything that would make someone turn around and ask questions.

But when she opened the wardrobe and looked at the neatly hung clothes, she found herself unable to decide what to take. Everything felt heavy not because of its weight, but because of the memories clinging to it. The dress Demian had once praised. The shawl she had worn during walks at his side. Even the simplest pair of shoes seemed to whisper, you were happy here.

A knock at the door shattered the stillness.

Valerie turned.

The door opened, and Bianca stood in the doorway wearing a faint smile that was far too practiced to be sincere.

"You’re back already?" Valerie asked flatly. "Did Father allow you to come here again?"

Bianca stepped inside without being invited. "Father allowed it," she replied lightly. "Besides, he seems to be making quite a lot of money from the duke now."

Something in her tone made Valerie’s stomach tighten. "What do you mean?"

Bianca crossed her arms, savoring the attention. "Father, Mother, and the jester are moving away. Me too probably. But since Father is so... well-off now, he’s decided to ignore me. So I came back here. To work again. Like before."

Valerie looked at her. "Where is Father moving to?"

Bianca’s smile widened. "To a much larger mansion. Our old house was sold for a high price." She paused, then added casually, with deliberate intent, "Bought by your childhood friend."

Valerie’s heart skipped. "Ethan?"

Bianca nodded. "Mm." Then she tilted her head slightly. "By the way, you attended the wedding, didn’t you? I saw you. You and Ethan."

For a moment, Valerie wanted to laugh.

Laugh at the irony. At the fact that among everyone in the city, she was the only one left foolish enough to believe. But the laughter never came. All that remained was silence, silence that swallowed everything.

Bianca let out a soft scoff. "You’ll always be nothing more than the duke’s kept woman."

Valerie did not answer.

"And you know what?" Bianca continued, stepping closer. "Lady Ivanka was never ill. She’s healthy. Very healthy."

It was not a confession—it was a display.

Valerie closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, her voice was cold and firm. "I know. Now leave."

Bianca chuckled. "Still stubborn." Her smile sharpened. "You should give up. Lady Ivanka said they’re going on a honeymoon. Of course the duke will forget about you."

Valerie pointed toward the door. Her hand did not tremble. "Get out. I don’t care."

Bianca stared at her for a few seconds searching for a crack, for tears but found none. At last, she turned and walked away, leaving a mocking smile hanging in the air.

The door closed.

And Valerie was alone again.

She stood there without moving. Then slowly, her hand rose to her stomach a reflexive, protective gesture. There was something still alive there. Something the world had not yet betrayed.

"I will leave," she whispered. Not to the room. Not to anyone beyond it. "I will leave."

She began to choose only what was necessary. No more. No less. Every folded piece of cloth was a farewell. Every step was a decision.

In that silent room, Valerie did not cry.

She prepared.

And this time, there would be no promise she trusted except her own.

Night fell without warning.

The castle drowned in the noise of celebration. Servants’ laughter mingled with the knights’ songs, wine flowed without restraint, and music thundered from the great hall to the barracks. Everyone was celebrating the duke’s wedding. Everyone was lost in euphoria.

Everyone except Valerie.

She moved like a shadow, opening her chamber door slowly, making sure the hinges did not betray her with a sound. She wore a simple dress, her hair hidden beneath a dark hood. No jewelry. No sign that she had ever belonged to this castle.

The corridors welcomed her in emptiness. Torchlight dimmed, its flicker trembling against the stone walls. Each step was measured, careful not from fear of being caught, but from a desire to leave without being remembered.

They thought she knew nothing.

But Valerie knew everything.

She passed the back staircase, the side door, then the dark inner courtyard. The music sounded distant, muffled, as if it came from another world entirely. When she reached the main gate, the sight before her drew a bitter smile to her lips.

The guards were drunk. Some slept while leaning against their spears, others laughed aimlessly to themselves. The gate stood half open just wide enough for one person to slip through without drawing attention.

Valerie’s steps were almost beyond the threshold,

"Valerie."

The sound of her name froze her in place.

She turned slowly.

The man stood not far away, half of his face swallowed by the night’s shadow. But Valerie would have known him even without the light.

"Ethan?" Her breath caught.

Ethan took one step closer, his eyes filled with things he could not hide anxiety, guilt, and a decision born of long unrest.

"I couldn’t stop thinking about you," he said honestly, almost desperately. "I don’t know why my feet brought me here. I didn’t expect to find you... like this."

Valerie tightened her grip on her cloak.

"There’s no time to talk," she said quickly. "I’m leaving."

"You can’t leave alone."

"I have to."

Ethan let out a short breath. "Then... I’m coming with you."

Valerie looked at him sharply. For a moment, Ethan saw something in her eyes not sorrow, not anger, but a cold determination that could not be shaken.

"We’ll talk later," Valerie said at last, her voice low. "For now, don’t ask me anything."

Ethan fell silent. Then he nodded.

They walked through the gate together, leaving behind a castle still in celebration, as if nothing at all had been lost.

After a few steps, Valerie stopped. She turned back, casting one last look at the grand structure the place where she had once hoped, once loved, and finally learned to let go.

In a voice that was barely a whisper, she murmured,

"Goodbye." Then, even more softly, meant only for herself. "And may we... never meet again."