His Duchess is a Ghost (Novel) - Chapter 27 (Patreon)

Upon seeing the duke’s wounded hand, Zilal drew his sword and rushed inside the room, surprising Alena.

She could feel his intensity, and the way he looked around with that sword in his hand made Alena unable to help but feel nervous.

Her translucent body froze when he looked her way. The man named Zilal was also wearing a black mask covering his lower face… just like… that assassin who killed her. But the color of his eyes was different. Zilal’s was a forest green, another extremely rare eye color in Claveria. Alena didn’t even remember if she’d seen anyone with those eye colors her entire life until now.

“I’m fine. I wounded myself,” Kaztiel said to Zilal as he signaled the male messenger to enter the room.

But Zilal's expression remained skeptical, his eyes scanning the room as if sensing something amiss. And though the man wasn’t meeting her gaze, he kept his eyes her way, as if he could feel her presence there. Alena realized that moment that this man, Zilal… truly scared her.

Thankfully, the man finally returned his gaze back towards the duke, causing Alena to feel relieved.

Zilal silently approached the duke, and casually took the duke’s hand, checking his wound. Then he took something from his concealed carry—a tiny bottle—and unceremoniously poured it over the duke’s wound.

The duke’s expression didn’t change at all. Not even a slight wince. He simply conversed with the messenger while Zilal was treating his wound in a way that made it seem as though what was happening had been a daily occurrence.

Once Zilal finished wrapping the wound with clean cloth that he also took from his secret pocket, he finally took a step back and stood there in the corner like a shadow.

“Who are the people with him?” Kaztiel asked.

“Actually, he’s pretty much alone, my lord. His companion is a lady attendant,” the man responded.

Alena's concern spiked upon hearing this. Her brother, the second prince, arriving in the enemy’s lair unguarded was highly unusual and potentially dangerous. What in the world was he thinking? What could have prompted such a reckless act?

Kaztiel, seemingly unbothered by this news, gave his instructions with calm authority. “Grant him entry and bring him to the throne hall.”

Alena wanted to rush to her brother. But she couldn’t afford to stray from the duke. Apart from the fact that her dagger was still in his possession, she also needed to be there in case Kaztiel plotted to harm her brother!

She believed that her brother must be here to see her and check on her. She wished she could at least let him know what was going on. She wished she could at least speak with him, but she knew that must be impossible. However, she consoled herself with the belief that her brother Arion, known for his keen observational skills and love for unraveling mysteries, would surely sense that something was amiss.

And so Alena trailed behind the duke as he strode toward his private chambers for a change of attire.

“Stop following me,” the duke said as he paused at the entrance to his dressing chambers, casting a fleeting glance over his shoulder. His eyes met those of Zilal, who had been following him so closely, like a loyal dog who just couldn’t leave his owner alone!

But Zilal ignored the duke and stepped into the dressing chamber, his posture rigid and protective. His eyes, sharp and observant, scanned the room as if searching for any hidden threats.

“I will stay right here, my lord, until the threat I’m currently sensing is gone.” Zilal declared firmly, his voice resonating with a blend of respect and stubbornness.

The duke sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of surrender to Zilal's persistence.

Alena clenched her translucent fists. This Zilal was going to be a pain in the ass, she thought. What should she do to scare him away? But what if he, too, wasn’t even afraid of ghosts?

She shook her head and focused, paying attention to the dagger. She prepared herself to grab it as soon as she saw it. She should be safe since Zilal wasn’t looking. But what if the duke stops her and turns her into flesh form again? Wait…

A thought suddenly came to her the moment the duke took the dagger from his waist and put it on display before him. Was he trying to make her grab it so he could seize her again and turn her into flesh? So that he could show her to her brother?

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CHAPTER 28>>