Page 36 of A Heart Disguised 1

I perked up, intrigued. “Ancient armors, Your Grace?”

The duke’s eyes narrowed at his friend again. “Ignis exaggerates. It’s merely a modest collection of historical battle gear.”

The grand duke’s laughter boomed once more. “Modest? Ha! The last time I checked, it occupied an entire wing of the castle!”

Unable to resist, I quipped, “I do hope none of them come to life at night or require their own battalions to move.”

The table erupted in laughter again, and I felt a warm glow of pride at having contributed to the merriment. The duke’s expression softened slightly, and I could have sworn I saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.

“I assure you, Lady Robin,” he said dryly, “any rumors of animated armors are greatly exaggerated. Though I must admit, there is one particularly cumbersome suit that requires two attendants to assist in donning.”

Grand Duke Ignatius leaned toward me conspiratorially. “You should have seen him at the last Demon Lords’ Council. He wore this massive, spiked pauldron set and kept accidentally impaling the curtains every time he turned!”

The duke shot Ignatius a look that might have withered a lesser demon, but there was a hint of fondness beneath theexasperation. “I’ll have you know that particular armor set has historical significance. It belonged to the great demon general Malachar during the Third Realm War.”

I was genuinely curious. “That sounds fascinating, Your Grace. I’d love to see this collection someday, if you’d allow it.”

The duke’s golden eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—surprise? pleasure?—before his usual composure returned. “Perhaps I could give you a tour sometime,” he offered, his tone casual but his gaze intent.

My heart fluttered at the prospect of spending even more time with the duke. “I’d be honored, Your Grace,” I replied, hoping my voice didn’t betray my excitement.

As the laughter subsided, I began to relax, drawn into their surprisingly jovial dynamic. It was strange to see these powerful demons bantering like old friends, so different from the stern, authoritarian atmosphere of my father’s court.

“I must admit,” I ventured, seizing a moment of relative quiet, “I’m quite curious about the city. I’ve heard so much about the markets and the silver fountains.”

The duke’s expression softened further. “Perhaps we can arrange a tour soon. The city is quite beautiful, especially in the morning light.”

Sir Fenris nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, you must see the Silver Quarter at dawn, my lady. The way the light catches the fountains is truly breathtaking.”

“And the scent of fresh bread from the bakeries!” Sir Thorne added, his eyes glazing over slightly. “There’s nothing quite like it in all of Aethoria.”

Suddenly, the duke’s eyes lit up with an idea. “Speaking of mornings, I recall you mentioned enjoying horseback riding. Would you care to join me for a ride tomorrow morning? The trails around the keep are particularly lovely this time of year.”

My heart skipped a beat at the prospect of spending time alone with the duke. Part of me hesitated, still wary of this powerful demon lord. But another part—a growing part—was intrigued. Besides, I reminded myself, we’re to be husband and wife soon. I need to get used to his company.

“I would be delighted, Your Grace,” I replied, hoping my voice didn’t betray my mix of excitement and nervousness.

The grand duke clapped his hands together. “Splendid! Nothing like a morning ride to get to know one another. Just be sure to return her in one piece, Darius. No impromptu demon lord training sessions, if you please.”

Duke Darius’ gaze turned icy enough to rival Sir Orion’s wintry touch, but Grand Duke Ignatius seemed as unaffected as if he’d been praised. The grand duke’s unabashed grin never wavered, and I couldn’t help but admire his gall.

The dinner continued, a lively affair that seemed to grow more boisterous with each course. The wine, a rich, heady vintage, certainly played its part in loosening my inhibitions. I eased into the conversation, the earlier tightness in my chest giving way to a warm buzz that dulled my usual wariness. Through it all, I could feel Duke Darius’ golden eyes on me, a presence that was becoming disturbingly familiar, and perhaps a little comforting.

As the evening wore on, my curiosity about these powerful beings grew, and with it, my appetite. The food was delectable, each dish more exquisite than the last. I cleaned my plate with abandon, relishing every morsel. It wasn’t until Sir Vex leaned in with a sly grin that I realized I might have overindulged.

“My lady,” he said, “for someone so delicately built, you possess the appetite of a dragon.”

Heat crept up my cheeks as Sir Thorne chimed in, his booming voice carrying across the table. “Indeed, Lady Robin!I dare say you’ve outeaten me this evening, and that’s saying something!”

I regarded the massive demon with a mixture of surprise and bemusement. Had I truly eaten more than this mountain of a demon? It was a revelation. Back at Aldercrest, I had grown accustomed to taking what little I could, often going to bed with a gnawing hunger. Here, in the duke’s grand hall, surrounded by abundance, I found myself finally sating an appetite I hadn’t known I possessed.

Duke Darius, catching the tail end of the conversation, offered a chuckle that rumbled like distant thunder. “It’s good to see a healthy appetite, Lady Robin. It’s a sign of good health and vitality.”

Grand Duke Ignatius, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire. “But surely, my dear, you must fear for your figure? All women do, or so I’ve been told.”

I met his teasing gaze with a shake of my head, lifting my chin defiantly. “Fear not for my figure, Your Grace. My metabolism rivals that of the fae folk. I could feast every night and still remain as slender as a reed.”

The table erupted in laughter once more, and I couldn’t help but join in. It was strange, this camaraderie that seemed to be forming among us. Stranger still was how right it felt, despite the underlying deception that shadowed my every interaction.

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