The Duke and His Prince
Chapter 1: The Ice Duke’s Only Exception
you have entered in the chatroom.*imperial palace wispred *
Princess_Rosalind
I am utterly humiliated. 😭Has anyone ever seen Duke Kaelen smile? Just once?!
Marquess_Gossip:
My Lady! What happened? Did you try to ask him for a dance at the Imperial Gala?
Princess_Rosalind
I wore my finest Western silks and diamonds.I gave him my best royal smile.Do you know what he said to me?!
count _sidekick
:Let me guess... "Get out of my way"? 😂
Princess_Rosalind
Worse!He looked straight past me and said: "My hand is meant for holding a sword on the battlefield, not for holding yours on a dance floor.
Princess_Rosalind
Find someone else."Then he just walked away! 💔
Marquess_Gossip:
Ouch. That is the fourth foreign princess he has rejected this month.
Marquess_Gossip:
The Emperor is going to have a massive diplomatic migraine.
lady society
They don't call him the "Ice Demon of the North" for nothing.
lady society
He treats every noble lady like a piece of unwanted furniture.
lady society
I swear he doesn't have a single warm emotion in his entire body.[
[Image: A blurry photo of Duke Kaelen walking away from a crying princess]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen. My friend. My brother in arms.Care to explain why Princess Rosalind is currently sobbing into her wine glass? 🤨
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
She was blocking my path to the balcony.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
:She asked you to dance! 🤦♂️She is the daughter of a powerful emperor, Kaelen!
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Would it have killed you to hold her hand for three minutes?
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
My father is going to lecture me for hours about the diplomatic fallout tomorrow.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
:Let him lecture.I have no interest in her. Or any of them
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You have no interest in anyone! People are starting to think you are a literal block of ice.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You need to get married eventually, you know.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Who is going to take care of the Northern Duchy?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I am perfectly capable of managing my territory alone.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Besides, my priority is here.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
At the gala?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
With you.Where are you standing right now?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
With you.Where are you standing right now?
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
By the grand marble pillars near the terrace. Why?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
:Look up.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Oh, I see you.😁
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Stop walking so fast, your armor is intimidating the guests.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
They are parting like the Red Sea.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
.......
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I don't care about the guests. I only care that you are standing alone in a crowded room.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Haha, always looking out for my safety.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Your loyalty is the only thing keeping me sane in this palace. I’m so glad I can always count on you.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen, what would I do without my best friend?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
:...Best friend.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
The absolute best! Come over here, let's grab a drink and hide from the matchmakers together.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
........
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Yes, Your Highness. I am on my way to you.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
💭(I will always be the shield that protects you. Even if you never see anything more than a friend.)
author
I hope u like the it 🥹
Chapter 2: The Green-Eyed Monster
[System Notice: You have entered the chatroom "Imperial Palace Whispers"]
lady society
Did everyone see the Imperial Decree this morning?! 😱 The Emperor is throwing a mandatory Matchmaking Ball next week.
count _sidekick
Mandatory? Even for the Ice Demon?
Marquess_Gossip:
ESPECIALLY for the Ice Demon.
Marquess_Gossip:
Rumour has it the Emperor threatened to strip Kaelen of his northern supply lines if he doesn't pick a fiancée. The diplomatic fallout from Princess Rosalind was the final straw.
lady society
Every eligible noble lady is ordering new gowns. But let’s be real, he’ll probably just glare at the dance floor until it freezes over. 🥶
[System Notice: Private Chat unlocked between "Prince_Rowan" and "Duke_Kaelen"]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen! Please tell me you saw the decree.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
My father is actually going through with it.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You have to choose someone this time.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I will not be paraded around like a prize stallion.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I have no intention of choosing anyone.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You don't understand, he’s making me play host! I have to personally introduce you to the top candidates.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Lady Beatrice of the Western March is coming. She’s beautiful, Kaelen.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Smart, too. I think you two would actually get along.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
......
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
You want me to marry her?
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
I just want you to be happy! And maybe stop causing international incidents.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Come on, do it for me? Just dance with her. One dance.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
...Fine. One dance. Only because you asked.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
[System Notice: Time skip -> The Night of the Matchmaking Ball]
[Image: A photo of the grand ballroom floor, featuring Lady Beatrice laughing while holding a glass of champagne]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
She looks stunning tonight, Kaelen. She’s waiting by the chocolate fountain.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Go make your move!
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I am walking over now.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Great! I’ll just stand back and watch my best friend finally find love.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen. Why are you staring at me?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I am dancing. As requested.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Yes, your body is moving with Lady Beatrice, but your eyes are burning a hole straight through my skull! It’s terrifying! Look at her, not me! 😭
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I cannot.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Why?! Is something wrong with her dress? Is there food in her teeth?
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Because she is holding my hand, but she is looking at you.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
And you are looking at her.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Well, yeah, I’m cheering you on! Wait... why does that matter?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
It matters.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
💭*(Because every second I spend pretending to court these women is a second I waste not telling you that the only hand I ever want to hold is yours.)*
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
.....
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
The song is ending. I am leaving the floor.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Wait, don't leave! Lady Beatrice looks so confused. Where are you going?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
To the terrace. Alone. Do not follow me, Rowan.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
....
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
....
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Like hell I won't. I'm coming out there.
chapter : 3 stars and steel
[System Notice: Private Chat between "Prince_Rowan" and "Duke_Kaelen"]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen, stop walking! I am right behind you on the terrace.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I told you not to follow me, Rowan. Go back to Lady Beatrice
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
I don't care about Lady Beatrice right now! Why are you acting like this?
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You looked like you wanted to execute everyone in that ballroom just for breathing your air.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Because I cannot stand it anymore.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Stand what?!
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Watching you try to give me away!
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
.....
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen... what do you mean?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Every princess, every noble lady, every single matchmaker—you push them toward me.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
You smile while they hold my hand.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Do you truly feel nothing watching another person stand by my side?
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Because it is killing me.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
I... I just wanted you to have a family.I...
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
To have someone who loves you...
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
The only person I want to love me is currently standing in front of me,
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
...?
[System Notice: EMERGENCY ALERT - PALACE PERIMETER BREACH]
Duke_Kaelen:Get behind me. Now.
[System Notice: You have entered the chatroom "Imperial Palace Whispers"]
Marquess_Gossip:
OH MY GOD. The lights just went out in the grand ballroom! 😱
lady society
There are men in black cloaks crashing through the glass windows! Assassins! Someone save us! 😭
count _sidekick
Where is the Imperial Guard?!
count _sidekick
Where is Duke Kaelen?!
[System Notice: Private Chat between "Prince_Rowan" and "Duke_Kaelen"]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen, three assassins just jumped onto the terrace from the roof! They have poison daggers!
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Stay exactly where you are.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Do not move from my shadow.
[Image: A dark, fast-motion photo of Duke Kaelen’s silver sword slicing through the air, moonlight reflecting off the steel]
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Kaelen, look out! On your left!
Prince_Rowan:You just blocked a dagger with your bare gauntlet!
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
Are you insane?! You’re bleeding!
Duke_Kaelen:It is a scratch.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Focus on breathing, Rowan.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
I told you before: I am your shield.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Nobody touches you while I draw breath.
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
.....
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
.....
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
You idiot... your life matters to me more than the throne. Please don't die.
❄️ Duke Kaelen Vane
Then watch me closely.(And realize that I fight this hard only because a world without you in it is a world I refuse to live in.)
☀️ Prince Rowan von Elsemore
......
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