The Duke's Flower is Precarious (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 12
The Grand Duke’s wedding date had been finalized. It was just a week before the Grand Duchess’s enrollment at the Imperial University. With barely over a month left to prepare, the staff at the Grand Duke’s residence grew anxious.
The ceremony was to be held in the manor’s chapel, followed by a celebratory banquet. Since the Emperor himself, along with the Empire’s most prominent noble families, would be attending, everyone poured their utmost effort into the preparations.
Especially because this was the momentous occasion in the life of the Grand Duke—their deeply revered lord—no carelessness would be tolerated. Marline handled the interior decorations and event planning, while Gregory took charge of receiving external guests and overseeing protocol.
“Lady Aidel, here is the budget breakdown related to official and private matters.”
“We’ve also prepared the guest list for the wedding and the draft of the invitation. Ah, and this is the expense report submitted from the Grand Duchy.”
“Yes, thank you for your hard work. Please leave it there.”
Aidel, Marline, and Gregory, gathered in the Grand Duchess’s office, were jointly managing various affairs of the ducal household, centering on the wedding preparations.
Externally, Marline and Gregory had long shouldered the domestic and administrative duties in place of the perpetually busy Grand Duke—but now the future Grand Duchess had stepped in to share that role.
“It’s such a relief that Lady Aidel has arrived.”
Gregory’s eyes sparkled with joy as he watched Aidel carefully reviewing the documents on the desk.
Normally, obtaining the Grand Duke’s approval on paperwork took forever, so Gregory was immensely grateful for the future Grand Duchess, who processed documents swiftly and thoroughly.
Marline, too, was marveling at the future Grand Duchess’s broad knowledge and sharp intellect. Having already mastered the manual for duchesses perfectly, she was now seamlessly handling even the administrative tasks Gregory had previously managed alone.
“A telegram just arrived—the Grand Duke says his meeting today will run long, so he’ll be returning home late.”
Gregory relayed the news received from the Grand Duke. At the mention of Kaeron, Aidel’s hands, which had been organizing documents, briefly stilled.
“Then we’ll have to start dinner tonight without His Grace.”
Marline’s expression turned regretful as she recalled how the Grand Duke had left early that morning and thus hadn’t been seen all day. Normally, mealtimes were the only moments the perpetually occupied Grand Duke and his fiancée could see each other.
At first, the staff had been surprised by how tenderly the Grand Duke cared for his fiancée—but now, they secretly looked forward to serving them during meals.
“It can’t be helped. It’s fine.”
Aidel offered a gentle smile, trying to comfort Marline, whose face was clouded with concern.
“We have plenty of work ourselves, so a simple meal will suffice. No need for elaborate preparations—just bring something suitable to the office, would you?”
“Yes, understood. Please wait a moment.”
After Marline left to arrange dinner, Aidel resumed moving the hand that had been holding the documents. Though her eyes were fixed on the papers, her gaze drifted past the printed words.
‘What exactly is this feeling?’
It was strange. She thought it fortunate they wouldn’t see each other today, yet… for some reason, she felt oddly displeased.
Ever since the banquet hosted at the Emperor’s invitation, Aidel had felt uncomfortable being near Kaeron—and had deliberately avoided encounters with him whenever possible.
It wasn’t due to the same vague unease she’d once felt from his inscrutable manner. Rather, it was his increasingly clear display of emotion that plunged her into an unfamiliar anxiety.
‘Why… even though this is just a contract…’
They were destined to part ways after three years. With such a temporary relationship, maintaining a proper distance should have been acceptable. Besides, given the Grand Duke’s nature, she’d certainly expected him to behave accordingly.
But then—
—I’ve fallen for her. At first sight. My Grand Duchess.
Recalling his words from that banquet, Aidel’s eyelashes trembled faintly.
—I’m still… thoroughly enchanted by her.
She couldn’t forget the warmth of his fingers threading through hers. Remembering the heat of his touch against her inner wrist, she unconsciously pressed her fingers firmly against the spot where his lips had brushed.
Her earlobes flushed crimson, and she quickly shook her head slightly.
‘Don’t waver… like a fool.’
His behavior before the Emperor and Rozeline… must surely have been the same courteous treatment he’d shown the Grand Duchess in front of the household staff—nothing more than a considerate gesture to conceal their contractual arrangement, and nothing beyond that.
Biting her lip softly, she tried to refocus on her work.
‘Pull yourself together. Concentrate on the Grand Duchess’s duties.’
But her mind was already completely filled—
With thoughts of him, helplessly sinking in….
[A new timeline begins]A thin sliver of lamplight seeped through the crack under the Grand Duchess’s office door. Worried that the future Grand Duchess was still working late into the night, Marline hovered nervously outside the door.
Concerned that she might fall ill due to the large day-night temperature swings, Marline had brought a blanket and was just reaching for the doorknob when she heard approaching footsteps and turned her head.
“Your Grace!”
Marline brightened upon seeing Kaeron walking down the corridor. Dressed in formal outerwear with a frock coat, the Grand Duke appeared to have come straight to this room upon arriving home.
Kaeron glanced between the still-lit office and the blanket in Marline’s hands. Seeing his frown of disapproval, Marline wore an awkward expression.
“I was just about to suggest Lady Aidel retire for the night.”
But as his expression remained unsoftened, Marline quickly added,
“She’s been adapting to her duties so quickly lately—it’s astonishing! Of course, she’s always been brilliant, but working this late into the night like this… well, no wonder she’s progressing so fast.”
“…So she’s working alone again. After everyone else has already left.”
“Well…”
Marline hesitated, then fell silent. Even if she explained how Aidel had stubbornly insisted everyone leave and practically chased them out of the office, it didn’t seem likely to ease the Grand Duke’s displeasure.
“Tell Gregory to come to my office first thing tomorrow morning.”
“…Understood.”
Marline quietly prayed for Gregory’s wellbeing.
“Hand that here. And you should rest as well.”
Kaeron reached out and took the blanket from Marline.
Watching his retreating back as he entered the Grand Duchess’s office, Marline let out a quiet sigh, resolving never again to leave the office before the future Grand Duchess from the next day onward.
[A new timeline begins]As he opened the office door, her fragrance flooded his senses. His grip on the blanket tightened instinctively.
The room’s light gently swayed, following the quiet dance of the oil lamp’s flame. The shadow of a man draping a blanket over a woman asleep at her desk stretched across the wall.
Bathed in the soft amber glow, her sleeping face looked peaceful. Kaeron watched her for a long while.
He, too, knew that lately, whenever she saw him, she’d flinch like a startled deer and avert her wary eyes. He couldn’t possibly miss such a subtle shift in her demeanor.
‘It was intentional.’
She wasn’t cunning like the other women he’d known—she didn’t know how to play tricks or schemes. If only, being his half-sister, she’d taken after his real sister even a little, things wouldn’t have become so complicated.
‘Perhaps then it would’ve been easier.’
It would’ve been better if she’d simply opened her heart to his kindness… but every time he showed affection, she became flustered and ultimately avoided his gaze.
As if she’d never once received love in her life.
‘The flower of Fleur, born without fragrance…’
It was unbelievable—that this scent, so vivid to him, went entirely unnoticed by others.
At the same time, it infuriated him—each time he saw her face clouded by inner darkness. Despite having left the Count’s household, that ancient abyss still seemed to cling to her.
His initial reason for bringing her to his side had been clear.
‘I want to hold her. I want to possess her.’
To suppress this unfamiliar, uncontrollable yearning.
Perhaps, he’d thought, this burning thirst would fade once he’d indulged himself fully with her. Yet, she never willingly offered herself to him.
Winning a woman’s heart had never been difficult for him. Countless women, like moths drawn to a flame, had rushed toward his gaze—proof enough of that truth.
Yet only this woman kept fleeing from him—from their very first meeting, all the way to now, when he’d lured her into the ducal house with a contract.
To capture her, he’d shown a level of attention toward another person he’d never expressed before—even to his own surprise.
Whether this change stemmed from his original purpose, or arose after glimpsing the abyss within her, he couldn’t say.
“Mm…”
A faint sigh escaped from her slightly parted lips. With all her defenses lowered, her face looked utterly vulnerable.
Kaeron slowly lowered his head. The distance between his lips and hers, as she slept, steadily shrank. The urge to steal her fragrant breath swept over his entire body.
But just before their lips could meet, he stopped.
A contradictory desire—to blindly possess her, yet also to cradle her gently so she wouldn’t break—created a hesitant space between them.
“Your Grace…?”
In that fleeting instant born of hesitation, Aidel softly opened her eyes.
Still drowsy and dreamy, her gaze landed on the Grand Duke’s face right before her. She assumed he must be part of a dream.
‘So you appear even in my dreams now.’
She’d thrown herself into work all day, trying to erase thoughts of him—yet here she was, dreaming of him again. Feeling foolish, she gave a small, self-deprecating smile.
If this was a dream, she could stare as much as she liked. With hazy eyes, she slowly traced the image of him that had haunted her mind—his firm jawline, finely drawn lips, sharp nose, and deep-set eyes….
As her gaze slowly climbed upward, Kaeron’s eyes grew hotter, as though catching fire. His blue irises deepened, rippling with intensity.
When their eyes met, her pupils dilated and quivered faintly.
It was precisely that look—the one she’d been so desperately trying to avoid. Her eyelashes fluttered as she whispered in a pitiful voice,
“Please don’t…”
It was a plea, earnest and desperate.
“Please don’t make me waver…”
Because I’m afraid I’ll fall for you….
Swallowing the last words, she closed her eyes again as if seeking sleep once more—knowing all too well that even the sweetest dream must inevitably end.
Male lead fell into her trap — and shattered when she walked away
This is also on my reread list!
This one is a slow burn, but when it burns, it burns hard.
Definitely worth a read, y’all!
The story follows a thousand-year-old seductive spirit who, on a bet, sets out to charm the male lead—a once-promising but unfortunate cultivator.
But just when she succeeds in making him fall for her, she heartlessly leaves, driving him to madness.
Determined to find her at all costs, he captures her, keeping her by his side no matter what, even if she hates him.
I love this kind of trope—I enjoy watching the male lead suffer in agony.
The ending drags a bit with unnecessary filler, but that’s fine.
As long as I enjoy the beginning, I’m good.
Intro
As an enchantress, Su Heng possesses captivating eyes and charming beauty, easily manipulating the joys and sorrows of living beings at her fingertips.
But to enchant a god, making him taste the bitterness of love’s separation, long-lasting resentment, unattainable desires, and inability to let go…
Do you dare?
Su Heng assists a divine lord in his cultivation, aiming to make him experience all the sufferings of love, so that he can attain the Great Dao.
Only after being chased down from the heavens by the divine lord, confined and completely possessed by him, does she realize how successful she has been.
The once gentle and polite youth has transformed into someone she no longer recognizes.
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Can’t wait for second prince to die . How dare he touch grand Duchess with his filthy hand.
I hope Kareon kills first prince . But maybe that’s not going to happen because of diplomatic relations between kingdoms. If at that moment aidel would have remained unconscious ,second prince definitely would have died .It’s unfortunate , that bastard should have died on spot.
I am blushing even though I don’t know what withdrawal symptoms is.