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A Sword in Silk

Kartavya_Gupta_3240
In his first life, Kael Draven was no hero. He was a mercenary — a man who sold his blade to the highest bidder, fighting in wars he didn't believe in and shedding blood for coins he barely lived to spend. With no family, no title, and no dreams beyond surviving another day, Kael's life was one of cold steel and colder nights. But fate, or something far more powerful, had other plans. Kael awakens in a body not his own — smaller, softer, and crying in a crib laced with gold. He has been reborn as the infant son of Grand Duke Alaric Vortem of House Vortem, one of the most feared and revered figures in the entire Aetherian Empire. A war hero, a master of both sword and spell, and the Emperor’s equal in all but name — Alaric rules his northern estate of Graveshade Keep, a fortress of magic, marble, and mystery. Now reborn as Kael Vortem, surrounded by luxury, servants, and ancient power, he has a second chance at life — a life where he no longer has to fight just to survive. But will this new world of nobles, secrets, and shadows offer him the peace he never had? Or will the darkness find him once more?
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The Duke’s Bargain

“What did you say?” Félix asked. She repeated, “Name your price.” “What is that supposed to mean?” His voice had tapered off with an unreadable emotion that got her weak in her knees, but she held out her chin. “Didn't you once offer to pay me off? Now, make me an offer I cannot refuse. Otherwise, I will go in there"—she gestured toward the Ball—"and make everyone think you dragged me out here to take advantage of me. I know exactly what that would do to your reputation.” “Say. That. Again,” Félix said through gritted teeth as he inched closer to her. ====================== She hadn’t meant to upset him or, worse, blackmail him. She didn’t even know who he was; she only knew he looked important because of how regally he stood in the moonlit dark. Estella was the baron of Cleverdale’s youngest, born into a hard life and always kept on her toes. Her stepsisters hated her. The baroness loathed her. And her father, the only one she called family, shattered her heart when he sold her to Viscount Alistair Ravensdale to cover up his misdeeds. The night of Lady Agatha’s ball, she seized her chance and ran straight into … Duke Félix of Chateaûbriant. In the dark, he mistook her for Princess Coralie, his fiancée, and kissed her. When the moon revealed her face, something about her stuck with him. He couldn’t shake the image of her running wildly or how she smelled like white lotus with hardcore roots. But when she threatened his reputation, he refused to play along. She returned to her world of cruel sisters and an unwanted engagement. What she hadn’t prepared for was the Duke arriving at her doorstep, making two outrageous claims. One. He was the Duke of Chateaûbriant. And two. She had stolen something valuable from him that night. What had she stolen without knowing it? Or worse, what could he possibly demand as repayment? ✯Like it? Add to Library!
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