To Alena’s satisfaction, she finally witnessed a reaction from the duke - his eyes widened and his lips parted ever so slightly. That was a clear indication for her that her bold move, one that she never would have considered in life, had at the very least taken him by surprise. It seemed that, just like her, the duke didn’t expect that she could actually do something this bold!

Though his reaction might be just a small change in his usually impassive demeanor, for Alena, it was a significant victory. And it was already more than enough for her, at least… for now.

She was actually so tempted to keep going and ride the momentum just because she desired to elicit more reaction from this stone-faced duke, but General Elkhart’s presence inside the room held her back. She knew it was too dangerous to proceed at the moment!

So, with a victorious, satisfied smile on her face, Alena pulled back.

But the Duke's hand was suddenly at the back of her head, preventing her from retreating. The unexpected restraint instantly wiped the smile off her face.

“Don’t stop… keep going…” came his soft murmur, and Alena, who was still processing what just happened, finally noticed a certain growing bulge right in front of her face.

Her lips parted in disbelief. And when she tore her eyes from the massive bulge and looked up at him, that molten gold gaze of his seemed to have done its magic on her once again.

And just like that, she felt as if she was staring back into an ethereal and hauntingly beautiful abyss. Eyes that seemed to promise both heaven and hell all at once.

“What’s wrong? I told you to continue… and finish what you started…” he whispered. His voice was low yet commanding and dangerously compelling, making her throat dry.

Really… she hated the universe for giving every woman’s utter weakness to this monster of a man. Why him, of all men? He seemed to embody a one-of-a kind allure, the kind that poets and storytellers had long described as the downfall of many strong-willed individuals. And infuriatingly, even ghosts like her, who was determined to kill him, were not spared!

Biting her lower lip as hard as she could to escape the sorcery of his intense gaze, Alena was jolted back to reality when General Elkhart's voice boomed through the room. “Who in the world are you talking to right there, my lord?”

The general’s words were like a lightning strike that shook Alena’s entire being in a heartbeat.

"Don’t tell me… oh, bloody hell, there’s really a woman under your desk right now!? Good lord! The sheer audacity to betray the princess so soon after your vows!” General Elkhart's voice was filled with shock and disbelief. “I am beyond words, your grace... How could you stoop so low?"

“Watch your tongue, Elkhart,” the duke interjected sharply. He opened his lips again to continue speaking when Alena desperately tugged at his shirt. And the moment he looked down at her, she pleaded, motioning for him not to reveal her.

She shook her head at him, her eyes wide. In that moment, all she could think about was not being seen and discovered by the general.

“Seriously, my lord… I never took you for such a heartless scoundrel!” Elkhart's voice was still filled with disbelief.

When the duke just stared at her despite her pleas and despite Elkhart’s lamenting his accusations against him, Alena felt a growing sense of panic. She knew General Elkhart, with his upright character, wouldn’t force his way into uncovering the identity of the hidden woman. So as long as the duke chose not to reveal her, she would remain unseen.

She had to convince the duke not to reveal her, whatever the cost! And so she could only mouth a silent promise to the duke. “I’ll do anything you want, so please…”

To her utter relief, the duke moved at last. Leaning closer, he whispered, “Are you really sure?”

She nodded resolutely, and with that, the duke straightened, turning his attention back to Elkhart, who was still reeling from the duke's perceived betrayal.

The duke's calm and authoritative voice cut through Elkhart’s words. “Wait for me outside, Elkhart,” he instructed firmly.

Elkhart, however, was not easily dissuaded. “Please send the woman out this instant, my lord, and never do this again,” he implored. “I can’t ever face the princess again if I just leave without doing anything to—”

“I’m not going to repeat myself, Aurion,” the duke cut him off, his tone brooking no further discussion.

With a loud sigh of frustration, Elkhart gave his parting shot. “Karma will definitely come at you for this, your grace! Oh, our poor duchess.”

The click of the door shutting behind General Elkhart was like the sound of salvation to Alena. She sagged beneath the desk.

Oh lord! That had frightened her to her bones! She was really glad that the general never once considered that it could be her who was under the duke’s desk and not another woman!

"I've done my part... Now it's your turn to take responsibility, Duchess." The duke’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.