ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 127: Are you happy?

Valerie nodded faintly. Something inside her slowly loosened. There was no longer a feeling she had to hide, no old hope she needed to protect. What remained was simply a meeting between two adults who had once known each other and now stood in very different places in their lives.

Esme smiled in relief. "In that case," she said brightly, "let’s take a walk. There’s a small place I want to show you both."

They began walking together.

Valerie walked beside Esme, listening to her talk about the simple life she now lived about a small shop, about friendly neighbors, about quiet days. From time to time, she glanced toward Ethan walking on the other side, listening without saying much.

Not awkward. Not overly familiar either.

And for the first time in a long while, Valerie realized something clearly:

she had not come here to escape but to remember who she was before the world demanded that she become too many things at once.

They chose a small café on the corner of the street not too crowded, with large windows that allowed the soft afternoon light to spill gently into the room. The warm aroma of coffee blended with the scent of toasted bread, creating a soothing atmosphere. Valerie sat between Esme and Ethan, her hands wrapped around her teacup, though her fingers were not entirely relaxed.

At first, the conversation flowed lightly about Valerie’s travels, about the unpredictable weather lately. But somehow, inevitably, the topic drifted toward what could not be avoided.

"So..." Esme paused, as if carefully weighing her words. "You really are living with that Duke now."

Valerie lifted her gaze. A faint smile appeared on her face, but it did not reach her eyes. "Yes," she answered briefly. "More or less."

Ethan studied her for a few seconds before speaking carefully, "People talk about it a lot. You know about your position at his side." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

The words made Valerie’s shoulders tense. She lowered her gaze, watching the surface of her tea ripple slightly as she moved the cup. A quiet discomfort crept in not because Esme or Ethan meant any harm, but because the reality itself always felt strange when spoken aloud.

"I..." Valerie took a slow breath, then lifted her face again. Her voice was gentle, but clear. "Could we talk about something else instead?"

There was no anger in her tone. Just a simple request and perhaps a trace of weariness.

Esme immediately nodded. "Of course. I’m sorry, Valerie. I didn’t mean—"

"I understand," Valerie cut in with a small smile. "Truly."

Ethan nodded as well, his expression full of understanding. "Let’s talk about something else."

The brief silence was quickly broken when Esme’s face lit up, as if she had found a more cheerful path forward. "Oh! In that case, I want to tell you something," she said, her tone suddenly bright. "Ronald proposed to me."

Valerie’s eyes widened. "What?"

Esme laughed softly, her cheeks tinged with pink. "Yes. Ronald, you remember him, right? The knight serving in the imperial forces. He said his assignment will be more stable from now on, and... he wants to marry me."

"Oh my goodness, Esme," Valerie said, her smile now genuinely warm. "I’m so happy for you."

There was a glow of happiness in Esme’s eyes as she spoke about their simple plans about the small house they wanted to live in, about a life that might not be luxurious, but would be certain. Valerie listened attentively, and for a moment, her heart felt warmed by someone else’s joy.

Then Ethan spoke.

"My father finally managed to get me into the military," he said in a calmer, almost flat tone. "I’ll start full duty this month. But... within a month, I’ll be transferred out of the region. The assignment is quite far."

Esme turned to him. "You don’t mind?"

Ethan shrugged, then gave a faint smile. "I’ve known for a long time this would happen. It’s my father’s wish and perhaps my path as well."

Valerie looked at him for a moment. There was a maturity in the way he spoke that hadn’t been there before. "I hope you’ll be all right out there," she said sincerely.

"I hope so too," Ethan replied.

The conversation continued with soft laughter, old memories retold without burden, and future plans slowly unfolding across the simple café table. Valerie listened more than she spoke, occasionally smiling, occasionally letting out a quiet laugh.

And within her heart was a feeling she couldn’t quite name a blend of tenderness and relief.

Watching Esme and Ethan live their lives, moving forward with their own choices, made Valerie realize that happiness truly comes in many forms. She felt no envy. No regret either.

Only... a quiet hope that one day, she too would be able to look at her own life with that same sense of calm.

While the conversation was still flowing warmly, Esme suddenly stood up, smoothing her skirt."I’m going to the restroom for a moment," she said lightly, smiling at both of them before walking away.

Valerie and Ethan were left facing each other, separated by the small table and two cups of drink whose steam was beginning to fade. The atmosphere that had been lively with Esme’s voice slowly turned quieter not awkward, but heavy with things left unspoken.

Ethan watched Valerie for a moment. The way she gripped her cup too tightly, the way her gaze occasionally drifted toward the window as if searching for an escape.

"Valerie," he said at last, softly. "Are you all right?"

Valerie turned to him and smiled by reflex a practiced smile, neat and quick."I’m fine," she replied briefly.

But Ethan didn’t answer right away. He had known Valerie for far too long to be fooled by those two words.

"Are you?" he asked again, more carefully. "Or is that just the answer you give so people will stop asking?"

Valerie fell silent. She lowered her gaze, staring at the reflection of her own face on the surface of the tea, now nearly cold. Her fingers moved slowly, turning the handle of the cup without purpose.

Ethan took a breath, then asked in a lower voice, almost hesitant,"Are you happy?"

The question hung in the air, heavier than it should have been. Valerie did not answer at once. She looked at Ethan then shifted her gaze toward the restroom door, as if hoping Esme would return and rescue her from this moment.

A few seconds passed.

"Happiness..." Valerie began, then stopped. She let out a quiet breath. "It isn’t always easy to explain."

Ethan studied her closely. His gaze was gentle, but keen like someone who had already found the answer even before asking.

"I think," he said slowly, without judgment, "you’re not happy."