ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 219: I’ve finally found you

The small bustle in the market suddenly turned chaotic.

The moment Demian gave his order, several guards standing not far away immediately moved.

"Catch him!"

Vedseel hadn’t even had time to ask anything when Demian had already started walking quickly down the snowy street.

At the far end of the market, the man carrying the basket of fish Ethan was still walking, unaware of anything.

But someone in the market noticed the group of unfamiliar men suddenly moving fast.

The heavy sound of their footsteps made several people turn their heads.

"Hey!"

One of the merchants exclaimed in surprise when several men ran past his stall.

Ethan finally glanced back.

Only for a moment.

But it was enough to make his heart pound violently.

He recognized that face.

A face he could never forget.

Demian.

Ethan’s body immediately stiffened.

Without thinking, he turned into a narrow alley between two wooden houses.

By the time Demian and his guards reached the end of the market

Ethan had disappeared.

"Where did he go?!"

One of the guards shouted while looking left and right.

Several narrow paths branched off from the market.

All of them covered in snow.

Vedseel let out a sharp sigh.

He looked toward the dark, narrow streets.

"Wonderful."

he said in an annoyed tone.

"We lost him in less than a minute."

Demian stood in the middle of the snowy street.

His eyes scanned every corner.

But Ethan had truly vanished among the villagers’ houses.

The night wind swept through the empty road again.

Vedseel finally turned toward Demian.

"Now explain this to me."

He crossed his arms over his chest.

"Who was that?"

"Why did you order everyone to chase him like we’re hunting a criminal?"

Demian answered without hesitation.

"That was Ethan."

Vedseel frowned.

"Ethan?"

Demian nodded.

"He’s always been near Valerie."

His voice grew lower.

"If he’s here—"

"Then Valerie is also on this island."

Vedseel stared at him for a few seconds.

Then he tilted his head up toward the sky that was beginning to darken.

And let out another long sigh.

"Valerie again..."

he muttered irritably.

"I swear, ever since we left the south, I’ve heard only one name."

Vedseel then looked at Demian with a half-annoyed expression.

"You know something?"

Demian didn’t answer.

Vedseel shook his head.

"Forget it."

he finally said while turning away.

"Instead of running around like fools in this market..."

He pointed toward the northern part of the town.

"I already told you from the beginning that I know where to go."

Demian looked at him sharply.

Vedseel continued,

"Ancient witches are very good at hiding."

"But they can’t completely hide their aura from other witches."

He gave a faint grin.

"I’ve been sensing it ever since we approached this island."

Vedseel began walking out of the market.

"If you truly want to find Valerie..."

He glanced slightly over his shoulder.

"Then stop chasing a man who ran away in fear."

"And follow me."

The night wind blew snow across the empty street.

Demian stood still for a few seconds.

Snow fell slowly outside the wooden house, piling up on the roof and windows until the world outside looked endlessly white.

Inside the house, the fireplace burned warmly.

The dry logs crackled softly, filling the room with a comforting sound.

Valerie was standing near the wooden table when hurried footsteps were heard outside.

A few seconds later the door opened.

A rush of cold wind entered with someone carrying a basket.

"Ah—"

The man quickly closed the door before the cold air could linger too long inside the house.

It was Ethan.

Snow still clung to his shoulders as he placed the basket on the table.

Valerie immediately turned toward him.

Her eyes fell on the basket.

"Did you find any fresh fruit?"

Ethan let out a small breath as he removed his gloves.

"Yes... but not much."

He lifted the cloth covering the contents of the basket.

Several red apples could be seen inside, along with fish and a few dried vegetables.

"Only a few apples."

Valerie stepped a little closer.

On a northern island like this, fresh fruit was almost like a rare luxury.

From near the fireplace, Lena looked over.

She had been sitting while preparing something in a clay bowl.

The moment she saw the apples, her eyebrows rose.

"Apples?"

She stood up and walked closer.

"In a place like this?"

She picked one up and turned it in her hand.

"They must be expensive."

Her tone was half teasing.

Ethan smiled faintly.

"You’re right."

He leaned slightly against the table.

"That merchant bargained as if he were selling gold."

Lena chuckled softly.

"Not surprising."

She placed the apple back.

"On this island, even fresh vegetables are rare."

She looked at Ethan with mild curiosity.

"Was the market busy?"

Ethan fell silent for a moment.

His mind suddenly returned to what had happened a few minutes earlier.

That face.

Those cold red eyes.

Demian.

Ethan swallowed quietly.

But he said nothing.

He simply replied shortly,

"Somewhat."

Lena nodded without suspicion.

Meanwhile, Valerie began moving some of the items from the basket onto the table.

Inside the room, everything seemed calm.

Night always comes faster on the northern island.

The sky had already turned dark even though it was not very late. Snow fell slowly thin, but never truly stopping.

Inside the wooden house, the fireplace still burned warmly.

After the simple dinner was finished, Valerie picked up a small bucket filled with kitchen scraps.

She opened the wooden door quietly.

Cold wind immediately brushed against her face.

Valerie pulled her wool coat tighter before stepping outside.

The snow crunched softly beneath her feet.

In the small yard behind the house, several tall pine trees stood silently like unmoving guardians.

Valerie walked toward a small disposal spot near the wooden fence.

She did not realize that not far from there, behind the thick trunk of a large pine tree two figures stood hidden in the shadows of the night.

Demian.

And Vedseel.

The moment Valerie had opened the door earlier, Demian had almost stepped out from his hiding place.

But Vedseel’s hand immediately caught his arm.

"Don’t."

he whispered quietly.

Demian turned sharply toward him.

Vedseel looked at him seriously.

"Don’t be reckless."

He glanced toward the house.

"There are other people inside."

"And we don’t even know the full situation yet."

Demian said nothing.

His body had gone rigid.

His eyes never left the figure standing in the yard.

Valerie stood beneath the faint light spilling from the house window.

Her long hair moved slightly in the night wind.

She looked much thinner than Demian remembered.

But that face there was no way he could mistake it.

Demian felt as if something heavy had struck his chest.

Months of searching.

The frozen sea.

The long journey.

And now she was standing here.

Only a few dozen steps away from the woman he had been searching for.

Vedseel was still holding his arm.

"Calm down,"

he whispered again.

"If you suddenly appear now, you might ruin everything."

But Demian barely heard the words.

His eyes were fixed only on Valerie.

The woman finished emptying the bucket and stood there for a moment, looking up at the snow-filled sky.

As if enjoying the quiet of the night.

Demian watched her for a long time.

A very long time.

Until finally he murmured softly his voice almost lost in the cold wind.

"At last..." His eyes dimmed with something complicated. "...I found you."