Chapter 20: The Duke’s Gift

Nina began to sing, her captivating eyes mesmerizing the audience as her luscious hair flowed around her.

‘Viole Revue.’

This private theater, whose name means “Symphony of Violets,” was exclusively owned by the Ophilenz family. It was a secret haven reserved solely for those chosen by Mikhail himself.

Typically, this sanctuary welcomed royalty or high-ranking nobles and officials with connections to Duke Ophilenz. It served as their private retreat, a place where unspoken deals and discreet futures unfolded. One could even argue that every major economic, financial, and export decision in Verrenna was orchestrated from this very place.

Nina, in that sense, was extraordinarily fortunate.

By performing a brief show for just a handful of nobles, she could earn enough income to live comfortably for a year. Of course, absolute discretion about the events that transpired within these walls was paramount.

To even set foot in this theater, one had to endure an arduous vetting process. Yet Nina not only passed but had maintained her place as the leading star, the premium actress, for the longest period.

This spoke volumes about her finesse—she could charm men with her light, easy laughter while maintaining an unshakable discretion and an air of sophistication.

But that did not mean life here was easy.

…The secrecy extended to the private nights spent with men. All of it, bound by strict confidentiality.

These men were individuals whose names carried immense weight, and their power and authority were equally formidable. Naturally, that power also came with its share of dirty and vile deeds.

Many actresses had left this place in tears, abandoning the vast rewards in exchange for their dignity. The stories of those who couldn’t endure and fled were endless.

The sole reason Nina Loren managed to persist in this relentless theater, like a swan gracefully gliding over turbulent waters, was simple:

To meet Mikhail de Ophilenz, the Duke himself.

On rare occasions, the performances were staged exclusively for the Duke’s personal enjoyment—just like today.

On such nights, Nina felt as though her entire existence was for him and him alone.

The Duke was, to say the least, a rare breed—a ‘true noble.’

The kind of man who could not tolerate any dishonor associated with his name and who would risk everything for the glory of his family.

Thus, he was among the rare nobles who treated the actresses here as ladies, a rarity among aristocrats.

But Nina knew better.

The Duke’s meticulous politeness was merely a reflection of his own unyielding principles.

He did not genuinely view them as ladies.

His unwavering formality, which bordered on coldness, was proof enough of his intentions. He would not grant them even a sliver of intimacy.

In truth, those close to Duke Ophilenz often found themselves in awe of his relentless self-discipline.

The myriad rumors about the Duke that constantly graced Bonchons’ tabloids were, as anyone in the know would attest, entirely fabricated by the women involved.

The fact that the latest rumor had been concocted by none other than the princess made the situation a bit noisier than usual.

Despite her adoration for Mikhail, Nina couldn’t help but feel despondent at the realization that she was merely one of “those women” in his life.

And yet, on nights like tonight, that despondency seemed to vanish, as though it had never existed.

The biggest problem was that she found herself absurdly happy simply harboring the faint hope that, someday, the Duke, uncharacteristically shaken, might reach out and take her.

Soon, the women standing beside her began to sing. Nina lifted her voice even higher, more crystalline than ever, while letting her garments slip off her shoulders.

It was as if the wind had playfully snatched them away by accident.

Nina’s fatal, breathtakingly beautiful body was revealed without hesitation.

It was so graceful and alluring that no man could possibly resist.

However, her eyes flickered with a slight hint of dismay.

…Because the Duke of Ophilenz wasn’t looking at her.

It was then that she followed his gaze to the other ‘man’ who had captured his attention.

So, he had brought along a relative from the Ophilenz family after all.

Her brief moment of disappointment toward the Duke was quickly replaced by a rare spark of curiosity in her emerald-green eyes.

If Duke Ophilenz was like a golden eagle, dazzling and meticulously crafted, then the figure sitting beside him felt like an oris flower—a delicate sculpture of pure blue crystal.

The women around Nina also seemed captivated by the new guest. Their cheeks flushed pink as they stole glances at him.

…What’s more, the Duke had never once brought a companion with him when visiting this place.

The fact that he had personally escorted someone here was a clear indication of their closeness.

Which, in turn, meant this person likely held considerable influence.

…And he was beautiful.

Unlike the greasy, middle-aged men they were used to seeing, this young man was fresh, radiant, and captivating. His mere presence filled the room with an air of expectation.

It was as if everyone was ready to give him anything he desired, even without him asking.

Yet Nina’s heart instinctively turned back toward the Duke.

No matter how luminous a new star might shine, could it ever dare to compare to ‘him’?

Please, just for today…

The desperate hope that he might lay a single hand upon her lingered once more in Nina’s emerald gaze, growing deeper with every passing moment.

* * *

While everyone scrambled to outshine each other in front of the two men from the Ophilenz family, Mikhail’s attention was fixed solely on Charles.

He was practically dying of curiosity to see the boy’s reaction.

Until now, no man had ever resisted Nina Loren.

Not a single one.

Except, of course, for Mikhail himself.

But Charles was a naïve soul, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he fell into Nina’s charms, the very same charms that had ensnared all of Bonchons’ men.

With a face full of anticipation, Mikhail turned to Charles and asked,

“So? What do you think of our Venus goddess?”

Charles, who had been staring at the stage for a long time, slowly parted his lips, flushed as though kissed by roses.

“…She’s beautiful.”
“What?”
“Truly beautiful.”

Emma answered with nothing but sincerity, and Mikhail, uncharacteristically, found himself a little flustered by the response.

Of course, outwardly, no one could tell that he was startled. But nonetheless, he was.

This reaction was quite different from what he had been expecting.

“Beautiful?”

Mikhail asked again, his voice tinged with disbelief.

“Yes. The graceful curve from her long neck to her shoulders is particularly beautiful. So is the line that connects her waist to her hips.”

Mikhail stared in astonishment at Emma’s clear blue eyes as they gazed at the naked woman before her, as though admiring a piece of art.

But Emma, oblivious to Mikhail’s incredulous look, continued to gaze at Nina in wonder, as if she were a living goddess.

The woman’s firm yet graceful curves struck Emma as nothing short of breathtaking.

Deep inside, Emma felt an unexpected pang of envy for such beauty, for such a body.

It was only natural. Emma had never once looked at her own body properly since living in Bonchons.

Her body was covered in scars from years of hard labor, and the visible marks were just the beginning—she didn’t even want to imagine the hidden ones.

Though she knew the lives of actresses like Nina weren’t easy, Emma couldn’t help but admire how they embraced their femininity, cared for their bodies, and displayed themselves with such confidence.

…It was, perhaps, a dream Emma herself could never hope to attain.

“That’s all you have to say?”

Mikhail, meanwhile, continued to study Charles with his usual golden eyes, sharp yet now tinged with faint confusion.

At that age, most young men wouldn’t be able to resist.

They’d be ready to pounce or bury their faces in Nina’s chest without a second thought.

Mikhail had paraded Nina before plenty of such fools, all of whom had answered with dazed, idiotic expressions.

But this… this was entirely different.

Finally, Emma noticed Mikhail’s gold-flecked gaze, now laced with a subtle hint of puzzlement, and blinked slowly.

“What is it?”
“….”
“Did I… say something wrong?”

At that moment, as Charles spoke with guileless eyes devoid of even a shred of lust, Mikhail burst into laughter.

His sudden outburst caused the performance to come to an abrupt halt, and Emma froze in utter embarrassment.

“Brother.”
“Ah, Charles.”

Emma wasn’t the only one caught off guard.

Nina, too, seemed stunned.

“Oh my goodness. This is the first time I’ve seen the Duke laugh like that.”

Even the woman playing the goddess of seasons, who had been twirling her fabric toward Nina, whispered in astonishment.

Emma regained her composure only when the Duke, who was still laughing like the radiant sun, gestured toward Nina.

“Nina. Come down here for a moment.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

As the naked woman approached with light, graceful steps, Emma grew increasingly uneasy.

When the rich floral scent of her perfume began to hover dizzyingly close, Emma suddenly found herself forcibly turned around by Mikhail’s firm grip.

Now facing Nina directly, Emma could do nothing but meet her gaze. From behind Emma, Mikhail’s velvety, seductive voice descended like an angel’s decree.

“So, Charles,” he said, his words wrapping around Emma like silk, both sweet and lethal.

“How do you like my gift, prepared just for you?”