ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 94: Unusual reality

The words struck deep, even though they were spoken sweetly.

"She isn’t alone," Ivanka continued, her gaze flicking toward Sera and Lira. "Those servants are here. If it’s truly important, they will follow her. It wouldn’t be proper for you to cause a scene in a place like this."

Demian fell silent.

His eyes returned to the narrow street where Valerie had disappeared. A restlessness he did not fully recognize throbbed in his chest a mixture of anger, worry, and something deeper, something he refused to name.

The crowd swallowed the moment again. The city’s noise resumed, as though nothing had happened.

But in the distance, Valerie kept running after the frail figure, unaware that behind her, a small decision made by others was quietly widening the distance between them and that the night was already moving toward a direction that could no longer be undone.

Ivanka drew a quiet breath, then put her practiced smile back in place. "Demian," she said softly, almost like a gentle reminder, "we also promised to have dinner together."

The words were spoken calmly, as if it were a minor arrangement not worth disputing. Yet the meaning was clear a restraint, a tether meant to keep Demian where he stood.

Demian did not answer at once.

He remained motionless, his gaze still fixed on the narrow street where Valerie had disappeared. Around them, people returned to their own affairs, but for Demian, the world seemed to narrow to two opposing choices before him.

Sera and Lira stood a few steps away, heads lowered, hands clasped in front of them. They did not dare speak. Each passing second stretched long, filled with a tension that made breathing feel heavy.

Ivanka studied Demian’s face carefully, trying to read the direction of his thoughts. "Lady Valerie can wait," she continued gently. "This dinner is important too."

At last, Demian let out a long breath.

The decision formed slowly, yet with certainty.

"We’ll eat later," he said shortly. His tone did not rise, but it was firm enough to end the discussion. He glanced briefly at Sera and Lira. "Return to the inn. Make sure everything is safe."

Ivanka froze. "Demian—"

"I’ll look for her first," Demian continued without turning back. The words sounded like a statement, not a request for permission.

He freed his arm from Ivanka’s grip and walked away just like that, his long coat flaring in the night wind. There was no further explanation, no promise, not even a parting glance.

Ivanka was left standing where she was, her smile slowly fading. Beneath the lantern light, her face tightened not with sadness, but with something colder and far more dangerous.

Sera and Lira exchanged a brief glance, then lowered their heads even further. They could feel the shift in the air around Ivanka, yet they did not dare say a word.

Meanwhile, Demian was already striding down the narrow street, his heart filled with a restlessness he refused to acknowledge.

Valerie reached for the old woman’s hand just before her figure disappeared completely into the shadows of the alley.

The skin was wrinkled and cold, yet undeniably real.

The old woman stopped and turned slowly. Her dull eyes looked at Valerie in confusion. "I’m sorry?" she said, her hoarse voice nearly swallowed by the noise of the city.

Valerie was still catching her breath. "Grandmother... do you remember me?" she asked quickly, her gaze filled with hope.

The woman’s brow furrowed. She tilted her head, as if searching for something buried deep within her memory. Her lips moved faintly, but no answer came right away.

Valerie grew impatient. Her chest felt too tight. "The last time we met, you gave me a potion," she said hastily. "You said it would change my life."

The old woman’s eyes widened.

She studied Valerie more closely from her face to her posture as if she were only now truly seeing her. "Good heavens..." she murmured. "Are you... that poor girl?"

Valerie nodded quickly. A small, almost childish smile appeared on her face. "Thank goodness you remember, Grandma."

The old woman chuckled softly, then said in a startlingly flat tone, "I thought you were already dead."

Valerie let out a small laugh, though a chill crept up the back of her neck. "That’s not funny," she said. "I’m still alive. And... doing quite well."

She guided the old woman to a wooden bench at the edge of the alley. They sat side by side. Valerie watched her carefully, as if making sure the figure beside her was truly real.

The woman rested her cane and turned to her. "So," she said lightly, "how is it? Did you find love in your life?"

The question almost made Valerie laugh a laugh that never came.

Love?

Her chest felt hollow.

She looked away, staring at the stone-paved road ahead, then let out a long breath. "Love in my life..." she murmured softly. "I don’t think so."

The old woman gave a small nod, as if she had expected that answer. "So you didn’t find it."

Valerie turned back, her gaze hardening. "What did you truly expect from me, Grandma?" she asked. "When you gave me that potion. You told me to drink it, and it was terribly bitter."

The old woman laughed softly. "Of course it was bitter," she said. "But that bitterness is what made you sweet as honey. It made you... alluring."

Valerie snorted. "You’re making things up."

"I’m serious," the woman replied, her tone suddenly changing. "Not only humans will be drawn to you."

She leaned in slightly, her eyes locking onto Valerie’s.

"Even demons."

Thud.

Valerie’s heart pounded for reasons she couldn’t understand. A sudden chill rushed through her, drying her throat.

The old woman continued in a lower voice, "But the potion is still imperfect. Because if you were truly possessed by your love... no one else would ever be able to possess you."

Valerie quickly turned her face away, trying to shake off the discomfort rising within her. "Enough of that," she said hastily. "How are you now? Have you eaten?"

She reached into her dress and found a small pouch. She handed it to the old woman. "It’s not much. Tell me where you live. I’ll visit often."

The old woman chuckled, staring at the pouch for a long moment before pushing it back. "You really are still a poor girl with no sense," she said lightly. "I don’t want your money."

Valerie laughed softly with her. "It’ll still be useful, even if it’s little," she said gently. "So... tell me where you live."

The old woman smiled. "Go to the end of this alley," she said, pointing. "You’ll find a pink door."

Valerie followed the direction with her gaze and nodded slowly. She was about to say something more when,

"Valerie."

The voice came from behind her.

Valerie turned quickly.

Demian stood a few steps away, slightly out of breath, his face tense. He walked closer, his eyes scanning their surroundings. "What are you doing here?"