Valentina stood in the early morning in front of the window of her chamber and watched the drizzle cover the gray walls of Dusktown. She hadn't slept too much. Last night seemed like a dream to her – the intimate, pleasant evening with the duke, the wine, the food, the subtle touches, the suggestive conversation.

"And you're still dead-set on confronting him directly?" Vyxara sounded amused.

"I'm tired of guessing." Valentina turned away from the window. "If he wants me, he should tell me so."

"Oh, he wants you," purred the demon. "The only question really is whether you want to."

Jenny knocked and entered, her arms full of fresh towels. "Good morning, my lady! I've prepared the new lavender grey dress for you, the-"

"No." Valentina shook her head. "The dark red one." It was one of the new dresses the duke had bought her yesterday – elegant and of the best quality, but not too seductive. She wanted to appear dignified for this conversation, not provocative. And she wouldn't wear his favorite color – she didn't want to anticipate a decision, not even in such a minor detail.

While Jenny helped her get dressed, Valentina mentally went through her plan. "You should be careful," Vyxara warned. "The duke is an experienced man. He'll try to control the conversation."

"Then I'll have to surprise him." Valentina looked at her reflection in the mirror. The dark red dress emphasized her slim figure without appearing suggestive. Her hair was pinned up in an elegant knot, her face serious and focused.

She sent Jenny to the Chamberlain with a message – a formal request for a private audience with the duke. Proper protocol was important now, she did not want anyone at court to accuse her of inappropriate behavior.

"Well, well, well," Vyxara murmured appreciatively, "you're a quick learner. The formal way shows respect and at the same time gives you a certain dignity."

The answer came promptly: the duke would see her in his private study in an hour. Valentina used the time to gather herself. She went through various scenarios in her mind, thought about wording, tried to anticipate possible reactions.

"Remember," said Vyxara, "he is a man of power. He respects strength – but also intelligence. Be direct, but not rude. Show him that you know what you want."

When the time came, Morris led them through the quiet corridors of the palace to the duke's study. He was not sitting behind the desk, but in a cozy seating area near the fireplace. He wore an elegant but comfortable and casual robe and rose politely when Valentina entered.

"Ah, my dear!" His voice was warm and inviting. "What a pleasant surprise in the early morning. Please, come and sit with me."

Valentina sat down in one of the high-backed armchairs. The duke had positioned himself so that they were sitting opposite each other at an intimate angle, but not too close. A servant quietly brought a mug of hot herbal tea and then discreetly withdrew.

"I hope you have recovered from our evening last night?" The duke smiled warmly as he poured them both tea. "Perhaps we had a little too much wine..."

"The evening was very... enlightening, Your Grace." Valentina took a sip of tea to buy herself some time. The spicy taste helped her to focus.

"Oh, how diplomatic," Vyxara scoffed. "Come on, you didn't come here to exchange pleasantries."

"Enlightening?" The duke leaned back in his chair, his eyes resting intently on her. "In what way?"

Valentina put her teacup down. Now was the moment. "Your Grace, I appreciate your... attentions of the last few days. The clothes, the gifts, your company, your precious time. But I would like to know what exactly you expect of me. If you will allow me to ask you directly – are you seducing me, Your Grace?"

A brief silence followed her words. The duke raised his eyebrows in surprise, then an appreciative expression spread across his face.

"Direct and courageous," he finally said. "That's what I like about you. Most young ladies would shy away from this conversation."

"I am no ordinary young lady, Your Grace."

"No, you are indeed not." He leaned forward, his posture becoming more serious. "Very well. If you wish to be direct, I find you extremely attractive, Valentina. Not only because of your obvious beauty, but also because of your sharp mind and your talent."

Valentina felt her heart beat faster. His direct manner was both unsettling and strangely arousing. "You wish me to be your mistress."

"That sounds so... vulgar." The duke grimaced slightly. "I would prefer to speak of a connection. A partnership, if you will."

"How elegantly he phrases it," Vyxara commented with amusement. "A 'partnership' sounds so much classier than 'mistress'."

"And what would this... partnership involve?" Valentina was proud of how calm her voice sounded.

"Well." The duke rose and went to the window. The rain had subsided and a few rays of sunlight were breaking through the clouds. "You would have a special place in my court and in my heart. Access to the best teachers, to the library, to the hospital. The opportunity to continue your studies and develop your skills. What I can give you, you shall have." He turned to face her. "And of course, I would expect you to keep me company. In my artistic pleasures, in the theater, in concert, at private dinners, in bed."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"And the Duchess?" The question came over Valentina's lips faster than she had intended. "I don't want to hurt her."

The duke paused in surprise. A thoughtful expression came into his eyes. "You know, over the years I've had many... companions. Some didn't even want to mention the duchess, others asked anxiously if they had to expect retribution. But no one has ever said they didn't want to hurt her." He smiled warmly. "You really are a remarkable young woman."

He returned to his armchair. "The duchess is a pragmatic woman. She accepts the realities of living with a man like me as long as certain boundaries are respected. Discretion is essential, of course."

"You see?" whispered Vyxara. "Everything is arranged. They all know how the game is played."

"And if I refuse?" Valentina forced herself to hold his gaze.

"Then of course you will remain a valued student at the hospital over the course of this summer." His voice was gentle but firm. "You would be treated appropriately, even generously, though perhaps not quite as generously as before. The court would assume we were having an affair anyway – so why not enjoy the benefits?"

Valentina watched him closely. Despite his considerable weight, he moved with natural elegance. His hands were well-groomed, his eyes intelligent and lively. He was no longer a young man, but there was something undeniably attractive about his sheer presence.

"Oh, do you like what you see?" teased Vyxara. "He may be older and chubby, but he definitely has... something, don't you think?"

"You don't have to decide right away," the duke said gently. "Think about it."

He stood up and approached her. His hand gently stroked her shoulder, a fleeting but meaningful touch. "You have extraordinary potential, Valentina. I could help you realize it fully." His voice softened. "And I promise you, the arrangement would be...very satisfying for both of us."

The subliminally sensual tone in his voice sent a shiver down Valentina's spine. She stood up as well, consciously making sure to keep a respectful distance.

"I thank you for your candor, Your Grace," she said quietly. "I will consider your... your offer."

"A perfect answer," praised Vyxara. "Dignified, but not dismissive. You're doing well, little Weaver."

The duke bowed slightly. "I admire your courage in calling a spade a spade. That is a rare virtue." He smiled warmly. "Go now. I'm sure you have much to think about."

As Valentina left the study, she felt his gaze burning into her back. Her heart was beating wildly, but she held her head high.

~

Valentina wandered aimlessly through the corridors of the palace, too restless to retreat to her chambers.

"Well?" Vyxara's voice sounded amused. "Are you satisfied? That was quite interesting."

"Interesting is not the word I would choose," Valentina murmured under her breath. She nodded politely to a group of ladies-in-waiting who breezed past her and immediately put their heads together as she passed.

"Oh, and what word would you choose?" The demon seemed to find the situation extremely entertaining. "Terrifying? Enticing? Arousing?"

Valentina stepped out onto one of the balconies. The cool morning air helped her to think more clearly. Below her stretched the manicured gardens of the palace, where gardeners were busy uprighting some of the plants that had been bent by the rain.

"He was... very direct," she finally said.

"He was." Vyxara sounded appreciative. "No games, no veiled insinuations. Just like you wanted. A clear offer – his protection and promotion in exchange for... well."

"Company," Valentina muttered bitterly.

"Oh, don't be such a prude." Vyxara laughed softly. "The man wants you in his bed, yes. But he also offers you real opportunities, real access."

"To his network of contacts," Valentina added. "To the powerful of the realm."

"Exactly!" Vyxara sounded satisfied. "And don't forget – he's no Professor Horne. The duke is a worldly man, charming, educated. I'm sure his company wouldn't be unpleasant."

Valentina felt her cheeks turn red. "That's not the point."

"No?" The demon chuckled. "Come on, I've seen the way you look at him. Yes, he's not the youngest and he's got quite a belly. But there's something about him, isn't there? That presence. This absolute self-assurance."

"Stop it," Valentina hissed, although no one could hear their mental conversation.

She left the balcony and walked on through the palace. She thought she could now see the knowing looks between the older courtiers everywhere.

Lady Celestine came towards her on the grand staircase, elegant as ever in a light blue silk dress. The beautiful young widow smiled warmly at Valentina.

"I understand you had a private audience with the duke?" Her voice was friendly, without any mockery. "He can be very... persuasive, can't he?"

Before Valentina could answer, Lady Celestine had already moved on, her perfume hanging in the air for a moment.

"See?" commented Vyxara. "She knows exactly what she's talking about. Was once his favorite herself. And look at her – respected, wealthy, influential."

"And now he's found a new one," murmured Valentina.

"It's the way of the world, little Weaver." Vyxara's voice softened. "But look at it this way – you have something Lady Celestine didn't have: real talent. Your Essence Weaving skills make you valuable beyond your physical charms and your wits."

Valentina reached the ducal library, nodded politely to Master Ashworth and retreated to a quiet corner. The smell of old books and the dim light calmed her troubled thoughts.

"What about my family?" she asked quietly. "What would they think? My mother explicitly warned me about something like this."

"They won't think anything. They will gratefully accept the generous remittances from their successful daughter later on," Vyxara replied pragmatically. "Do you think your father will later wonder where the money for his debts came from?"

"That's not fair."

"No, but it's true. The world isn't fair, Valentina. You can complain about it – or you can use the rules of the game to your advantage."

A soft clearing of the throat startled her. Master Lucian was standing between the shelves, his narrow face hard to read as always.

"Sorry to disturb you," he said politely. "But I did not find you in your chambers. I thought you might like to know that the duchess wishes to see you after lunch."

Valentina felt her heart skip a beat. "The duchess?"

"In her private chambers." Master Lucian inclined his head slightly. "I would consider that... significant."

When he had gone, Valentina leaned back in her chair. Her head was buzzing.

"This is going to be an interesting conversation," Vyxara murmured. "The duchess is a clever woman. I'm sure she'll give you some... insightful perspectives."

"If she doesn't send me packing."

"Oh please." Vyxara sounded almost offended. "The duchess is far too pragmatic for such melodrama. She will discuss the situation with you soberly – one rational woman to another."

"I should probably change," she finally said. "Something appropriate for an audience with the duchess."

"A wise decision." Vyxara sounded satisfied. "Show her that you understand how the court works. That you respect the rules."

When Valentina left the library, her thoughts were still revolving around her conversation with the duke. His direct manner, his skillful balance between respect and desire, his immoral but tempting offer...

"You still have time," whispered Vyxara. "But not indefinitely. Sooner or later you'll have to make a decision."

"I know," thought Valentina. "Let's hear what the duchess has to say first."

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