I Seducing the Black-Hearted Duke Wasn't Me - Chapter 23

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 23
Eclipse — a high-end gentleman’s club in the heart of the Capital District.
Beneath dim lamplight, dark blue velvet curtains hung low, wrapping the space in secrecy.
Inside gathered men of every age, from dignified aging nobles to Young Nobles freshly arrived at the social scene.
Elegant on the surface, but beneath it roiled an underworld of liquor and gambling — a sanctuary for men alone.
“Did you hear? They say Jerold of Valentine received a proposal from the Marquess of Zaherete?”
“What? Didn’t that fall through? The Marquess is with the Grand Duke now, isn’t she?”
Men seated around a poker table exhaled cigar smoke, voices low.
“I hear he’s been wearing the House Master Ring of the Zaherete family lately.”
“If he did an interview about it, he’s clearly not giving up on the Marquess. Or maybe he’s trying to squeeze out a fat settlement while he’s at it.”
The men clicked their tongues in disapproval.
“Still, is it really true the Marquess gave him the House Master Ring and proposed to him? I don’t trust anything the Valentine lot says.”
“True enough. And from what I hear, the youngest of that house is a complete scoundrel. Bad reputation and all… Ah, speak of the devil — there’s the man himself.”
The gentlemen all turned to look in the same direction.
In the distance, a cluster of young nobles had gathered around a table.
And at the center of them stood one man.
“No, seriously, I’m telling you? Erna Zaherete handed me this ring and said, bam! Like that. You should’ve seen it!”
“No way, you’re serious? That’s definitely a Zaherete Seal Ring!”
“When have I ever lied? I’m telling you straight. I’ve been fooled enough in my life!”
Jerold stood surrounded by his peers, basking in their attention.
On his finger sat a ring crowned with a ruby no larger than a thumbnail, its deep crimson glow catching the light — its surface intricately carved with a family crest.
A heirloom of the House of Zaherete itself.
“See those eighteen-year-old whiskies on display over there? Bring them all out. I’m in a generous mood tonight — drinks are on me!”
“Now that’s what I call style. Well, with the Marquess’s fortune, this is nothing.”
Flattery from acquaintances, curious attention from strangers.
Jerold, intoxicated by attention he’d never known in his life, laughed and overdid every gesture.
Some clicked their tongues and wrinkled their noses at the spectacle, but what could they do about it?
‘Heh. Once I’m part of the Marquess’s household, these dogs will all come crawling.’
Jerold already carried his head high as if he’d become someone of importance.
It was precisely when he sat drowning in this fantasy.
“Hey, wait. Look over there. Why is that person here…?”
The entrance suddenly stirred, and as someone arrived, a hush fell over the club.
Every eye turned toward one point.
Before them stood a man of beautiful countenance, utterly at odds with the nocturnal revelers around him.
Even in the darkness, his brilliance was unmistakable — golden hair that seemed to hold sunlight itself, every strand perfectly in place.
The most incongruous presence in this place.
A man like a living statue!
“The Grand Duke of Bernstein? Why would he come here?”
“Good heavens!”
At the arrival of such a figure, whispers rippled through the crowd.
Though the men gathered here were all nobles of considerable standing, Bernstein was on another plane entirely.
The aura radiating from him left people uncertain, circling him warily.
All except one.
‘Well, well. Fancy meeting you here.’
Jerold grinned and rose from his seat.
“Well, isn’t this something. Running into our esteemed Captain of the Holy Knights in a place like this. How times have changed.”
“…….”
“Ah, but then again, you’re no longer a priest, are you? My apologies. I do tend to be forgetful about such things.”
Jerold approached Leon, dripping with sarcasm, and even pulled up a chair directly across from him.
The party atmosphere of the club evaporated instantly, replaced by tension.
“A Young Noble of Valentine, I presume. I’ve heard much about you.”
“Is that so? Ha. I’m honored the Grand Duke knows of me. I do hope it was flattering, though.”
“Well, one can usually judge by observing a person’s character and conduct.”
“…….”
The easy smile drained from Jerold’s face at Leon’s words.
‘What? Why is he so confident? Could it be he hasn’t heard the rumors?’
Jerold laughed awkwardly.
“Perhaps my reputation precedes me in ways I’d prefer it didn’t. I confess, I’m something of an idealist — I can’t abide injustice. Which is why I often find myself caught up in unnecessary quarrels.”
He spoke brazenly, as if offering an excuse.
“Still, that’s better than spreading sordid gossip about another man’s woman, wouldn’t you say?”
And with that, he deliberately placed his hand flat on the table, drawing attention to it.
Leon’s gaze naturally fell to the crimson ring adorning the man’s finger.
Silence followed.
‘He’s recognized it. Of course. What can even a Grand Duke do when the evidence sits right before his eyes?’
Jerold, flushed with excitement, flared his nostrils and began bouncing one leg restlessly.
It was a rather undignified display, though he seemed utterly oblivious to it.
The smugness stemmed from the certainty that the woman the Grand Duke desired belonged to him instead.
Jerold was thoroughly intoxicated by the sensation of standing above the Grand Duke himself.
“Ha.”
Of course, this state would not last.
Just now—had he laughed?
Not a simple laugh, but an outright sneer, and Jerold’s brows pinched together.
“Ah yes, I’ve heard that recently Your Highness has taken quite an interest in my fiancée.”
“…….”
“I must ask you to desist. Regardless of your station, coveting a woman already betrothed is unbecoming. I fear it may damage the Imperial household’s reputation.”
“…….”
“Still, I do hope you’re not too disheartened. Are you not called the finest beauty in all of Orden? Surely you can find a woman even lovelier than Erna. Ha!”
Jerold spoke with exaggerated encouragement, puffing himself up.
Yet the Grand Duke’s face remained unmoved.
Those blue eyes regarded him as though observing some curious creature, and Jerold bit his lip.
What is this? The Grand Duke should be the one losing his composure. There’s no reason I should be faltering…….
He felt strangely uneasy.
“Jerold Valentine.”
“Wh—what is it?”
“Are you claiming that the ring I wear on my hand is a heirloom of House Zaherete?”
“Ah yes. Precisely that. My, how perceptive of you to notice so quickly.”
Jerold answered swiftly with another smirk, fed by Leon’s interest.
So that’s it. He’s been acting indifferent, but deep down he’s been rattled all along!
“Erna gave me this ring while making her proposal. She even pressed her lips to my hand. The affection in her gaze was simply exquisite…….”
“…….”
“I in turn vowed with a kiss that we would spend our lives together. Of course, it was merely a pledge between ourselves, with no official witnesses or documentation.”
“If what you say is true…… then this has become rather troublesome.”
Excellent!
Leon drew a shallow breath, then spoke gravely beneath his breath.
Jerold’s lips curved upward once more.
Yes. Just concede it.
Hand Erna Zaherete over to me.
‘Then I’ll marry that woman and consume the marquessate, and I’ll spend years spreading this tale far and wide.’
The future stretched before him so brilliantly he thought he might burst with anticipation.
Lost in reverie and grinning to himself…….
“Pardon us.”
The club door swung open, and uniformed figures streamed inside in orderly formation.
They were knights of the Security Corps.
“What’s the Security Corps doing here? This isn’t an illegal establishment!”
“We’re not here for an inspection, so rest assured. We received a report that Jerold Valentine was on these premises. Ah, there he is.”
“Wh—what? Why are the Security Corps looking for me?”
The club erupted into chaos at the sudden turn of events.
The patrons fell silent, their breath held, eagerly awaiting how this unfolding story would develop…….
“Jerold Valentine, you are under arrest on suspicion of Theft.”
“Wh—what? Theft? That’s absurd. I’ve never stolen anything!”
“Seize him at once!”
At the Security Corps captain’s command, the officers subdued Jerold in an instant.
“You bastards have lost your minds! Release me this instant! To arrest a man of standing so carelessly! And what—Theft? Am I insane?!”
“That’s right. What would a man like him lack to resort to stealing someone else’s property? Something doesn’t add up here.”
“Nevertheless, a report has been filed. As documented here in the complaint form—”
The Security Corps captain thrust the arrest warrant toward his face.
“A report was received that a Seal Ring, a heirloom of House Zaherete, had been lost. Upon investigation, the Young Noble was found to possess the item. Therefore, the Young Noble is being arrested on suspicion of stealing the heirloom of House Zaherete.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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