Duke for a Day (Or Forever?)

Chapter 3

Kazuki had barely settled into the enormous drawing room of Valeria Manor when his butler, Sebastian, returned with what looked like a personal agenda — a hefty leather-bound book that he handed over with almost reverent care.

"This is your itinerary for the coming days, Your Grace," Sebastian intoned, his face grave. "There's much preparation to be done for your role at court. I trust you're aware of your... duties?"

Kazuki nodded cautiously, feeling a pang of dread. "Sure, of course."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Then you know about your meeting with the Guild of Mages this evening?"

Kazuki's face went blank. "The... Guild of Mages?" He'd only skimmed through that part in the book! He tried to keep his expression calm, though he was painfully aware that his knowledge of magic was nonexistent.

Sebastian cleared his throat, evidently interpreting Kazuki's confusion as something entirely different. "Understandable, Your Grace. You're often... brooding before such events. Shall I have a glass of Valerian wine prepared for the nerves?"

Kazuki almost choked. "No! I mean, thank you, but... I'll be fine."

Sebastian inclined his head. "As you wish, sir." He paused, his eyes flicking briefly toward Kazuki with what looked suspiciously like sympathy. "And... may I commend you for your dedication to His Holiness, even at great personal cost."

Kazuki's brows knitted in confusion. "Personal... cost?"

The butler sighed, clearly taking Kazuki's bewildered expression as a sign of his deep, silent suffering. "Of course. To be one of His Holiness's admirers, yet so composed, so willing to endure."

Kazuki opened his mouth to protest but stopped. As far as Sebastian was concerned, he was Alaric Valentine — a dignified duke admired by many for his brooding demeanor and loyalty to the Saint. He realized that everything he did would be seen through this lens. No matter what he said or did, people would assume he was tortured by unspoken feelings for the Saint.

"Thank you, Sebastian," he replied, deciding to play along. "It... hasn't been easy."

Sebastian's expression softened even more, his sympathy bordering on admiration. "You are most noble, my lord. Many in the court would falter under such unrequited affection."

Kazuki managed a strained smile. Right. Just a tortured duke, hopelessly in love with the Saint, he thought, rolling his eyes inwardly. If only Sebastian knew how wildly unprepared he felt.

That evening, Kazuki arrived at the Guild of Mages' grand hall, his nerves jangling. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with books and glowing artifacts, and every few seconds, some mysterious contraption would spark or emit a strange noise. He was grateful he didn't have to explain his purpose here because he barely understood it himself.

He hadn't even fully stepped into the room when Liana Whitlock, one of the most respected mages and another major character from the book, approached him with a smile as dazzling as her robes, which shimmered with enchantments.

"Duke Valentine," she greeted warmly, her eyes gleaming with what looked like respect — and perhaps a little admiration. "It's an honor to have you here. I must say, it's refreshing to see someone so loyal to the Saint."

Kazuki stammered out a greeting, feeling increasingly bewildered. The moment he'd arrived, it was as if everyone could somehow sense his "devotion" to the Saint. He forced a polite smile. "Thank you, Lady Whitlock. I, um... just want what's best for him."

Liana's smile grew, and she leaned in as if sharing a secret. "Indeed, my lord. We all understand how noble you are for keeping your distance, considering your feelings." She cast him a sidelong glance, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I do hope His Holiness sees what he's missing."

Kazuki coughed awkwardly, almost wishing he could disappear into one of the mysterious portals flickering in the mage hall. "I... uh, appreciate the sentiment, Lady Whitlock."

Her face took on an expression of heartfelt empathy. "Ah, love is such a tragic thing, isn't it, Duke? Especially when one must watch from afar." She sighed dramatically, her gaze briefly faraway. "You're quite brave."

Kazuki's mind raced. If only I could tell you how wrong you are. But he could already tell that trying to convince them otherwise would just add fuel to the rumor fire.

"Thank you," he murmured, hoping to avoid more pity by accepting it. "But let's focus on the Saint's well-being, yes?"

Liana's admiration only deepened, her gaze almost sparkling. "Oh, absolutely, Your Grace! You're truly as selfless as they say."

Kazuki felt his relief fade as soon as he left the Guild of Mages and was intercepted in the palace hallway by Prince Adrien, one of the Saint's childhood friends and the brash, fiercely competitive heir to a neighboring kingdom. Prince Adrien leaned against the wall, giving Kazuki a look that was half-smirk, half-suspicion.

"Valentine," Adrien greeted, his tone mocking. "I heard you've been particularly attentive to His Holiness as of late. Some might call it... devotion."

Kazuki tensed, preparing for what he was certain would be a pointed interrogation. "I wouldn't say that."

"Oh, I think everyone would," Adrien shot back, a gleam of challenge in his eye. "In fact, I've heard the entire Guild of Mages is talking about it."

Kazuki bit back a groan. The rumor mill here was faster than he'd imagined. "Look, I'm just here to offer my support to the Saint like everyone else."

Adrien's grin widened. "Oh, come on, Valentine. Everyone knows you've got a thing for him. All this talk about 'support' — I almost believe it myself." His expression turned calculating. "But don't get any ideas. The Saint and I have a long history."

Of course, Kazuki thought with exasperation. The prince, like many others, was destined to be infatuated with the Saint. And apparently, Kazuki's presence was already stirring up rivalry. How had he ended up at the center of a fictional love pentagon?

"Listen, Prince Adrien," he replied, trying to stay composed. "I'm not trying to interfere. The Saint is... important, yes, but my intentions are only honorable."

Adrien chuckled, patting Kazuki on the shoulder with surprising force. "That's the problem, Valentine. We're all vying for the Saint's attention, and you... you look like you're winning without even trying." He smirked. "I might actually admire you for it — if I wasn't already your rival."

Kazuki opened his mouth to deny it again but realized it was pointless. Adrien, and probably everyone else, would only see him as the tortured, noble admirer. He was trapped by his new reputation, one that seemed to grow with each passing moment.

As he walked back to his chambers, he ran into yet another familiar face: Sir Rowan, who seemed to be waiting outside his door.

"Your Grace," Rowan greeted, arms crossed, his voice low. "I couldn't help but notice the Saint's... fondness for you today."

Kazuki resisted the urge to scream. "It's not like that, I swear!"

Rowan's brow raised slightly. "Oh? I'm sure you think that, but... let me offer you some advice, as someone who cares for His Holiness." He leaned in, his gaze sharp. "I'm watching you, Valentine. Don't think your charm will sway the Saint's loyal guardians."

Kazuki sank back against his door as Rowan walked away. Somehow, in less than a day, he had gone from ordinary office worker to the center of an unwanted love storm, complete with pitying looks, rivals, and admirers convinced of his tragic, unspoken devotion.

Kazuki sighed, slumping against the door. "One day," he muttered. "I just wanted one day."

But deep down, he had a sinking feeling this "day" was far from over.

To be continued...