Saved By The Mad Duke

Tillian’s voice thundered inside the greenhouse and it seemed like the ground itself shook when he rushed inside.

In a single, forceful motion, he hugged Aideen from behind, effortlessly pulling her away from Valon. With a chivalrous gesture, Tillian took her hand, tarnished with dirt from the Prince’s unexpected "gift." From the inner pocket of his uniform jacket, he retrieved a sleek black handkerchief and meticulously wiped every trace of dirt from the lady’s palm, ensuring not even the tiniest speck remained.

Still in shock, the princess instinctively clutched the Duke’s wrists, seeking his unwavering support as her own legs threatened to buckle beneath the weight of consuming fear.

"Wow, how rude! Neither of you seems to grasp the concept of showing basic appreciation for the efforts people make on your behalf. It appears you two truly deserve each other after all."

Valon carelessly lifted the tiny lifeless body that Aideen had dropped just moments ago, taking a nonchalant step closer to the couple. He grinned once more, mockingly waving the small body before her face.

"Who would have thought you’d exhibit such disrespect for the deceased, Aideen? And not just anywhere, but right here in the very place your poor mother was laid to rest. Moreover... You used to like puppies, yet now you toss their bodies around with such disregard? If you were to wed Duke Valentine, does that not imply your offspring would be akin to puppies? After all, he is a Mad Dog."

"I don’t have to endure this undignified yapping."

Tillian swatted Valon’s hand away from Aideen’s face, promptly seizing the handle of his black sword. However, the Prince, expressing disapproval with a click of his tongue, proceeded to snap his fingers, unleashing a tiny silver spark. This spark swiftly traversed the distance to the Duke’s hand, and upon contact with his black leather glove, it ignited the fabric in an instant. Tillian winced, hastily retracting his hand from the sword and shaking off the orange flames from his glove.

"Exercise caution, Your Grace. Had I permitted that hand to advance further, it might have been severed from your wrist the very next day. I doubt you can fight just as well with your other hand."

Caught off guard by the abrupt disturbance and the scent of burning leather, the princess pressed her body even closer against Duke Valentine’s and whispered,

"What is happening? What did you do, Your Grace?"