CHAPTER 720: TEARS

Duke had been careless, truly careless. Desire, as they say, can be a dangerous weapon. The system AI had, in fact, warned him of Jaina’s approach. But in that moment, with Sylvanas in his arms, who paid attention to a sensor’s green data?

Sylvanas, too, had played her part. She undoubtedly knew Jaina had been Duke’s rumored fiancée for a decade. She couldn’t possibly have missed Jaina’s approach, even in her dazed state, her elven senses far sharper than his. It was clear she had deliberately set him up. Her watery, cunning eyes seemed to sparkle with a silent "You said it yourself, I didn’t force you!" Her face, however, was alight with a sly smile, the unmistakable triumph of a successful scheme.

Duke almost wanted to check if she had a demon tail hidden beneath her dress. Hmm! She must be a succubus spy sent by the Burning Legion! Exactly! That had to be it! Duke was so furious his teeth ached.

Damn it! He’d been in this world so long he’d almost forgotten how cunning Sylvanas became in the original timeline, even trying to convince Vereesa to join her in undeath. He was momentarily thrown off balance. And that damned maid, Vanessa. No doubt she’d been with Calia for years, so she wasn’t on Jaina’s side... He’d deal with her later! But first, Sylvanas. You’re trying to outmaneuver me before I’ve even begun? No! This kind of insubordination must be dealt with decisively!

With a look of mock desperation, Duke pulled Sylvanas close by the waist, cupped her chin with his right hand, and leaned in for what appeared to be a forceful kiss. Ordinarily, Sylvanas would have resisted. But the woman outside the door was Jaina—the one who had held the title of Duke’s fiancée for a decade while her elder sisters were absent. Since Duke had made his declaration, Sylvanas was more than willing to give him a "sweet treat" and simultaneously strike a blow against her rival. She wrapped her arms passionately around his neck, arched her snow-white throat, and gazed into his charming eyes, seemingly offering him a fervent kiss. She resolved to make loud, smacking sounds during the kiss, hoping to infuriate the woman outside the door.

But then...

A sharp yelp escaped her. The tip of an elf’s nose was incredibly sensitive. When Duke suddenly bit it, Sylvanas’s eyes snapped open, welling with tears, to meet his vengeful gaze.

"You...!"

Duke released her nose instantly, then pressed his lips firmly against hers. This time, he delivered the kiss she had anticipated moments before. But it was no longer the kiss she’d planned! Sylvanas had intended to bite him back fiercely if he dared to deepen the kiss, but Duke seemed to anticipate her move, gripping her chin tightly with both hands. How could she bite without opening her jaw? It became the purest, most chaste of kisses!

What was this?

Now it was Sylvanas’s turn to seethe with frustration.

After a moment, they broke apart. Duke grinned. "That’s my little repayment for your trickery."

"You...!" Sylvanas was so incensed she could barely speak.

None of the Windrunner sisters were foolish. Sylvanas understood that Duke, the scoundrel, was asserting his dominance. She could fight it, but she knew him well enough to know he wouldn’t be easily swayed by coercion. A living example stood just outside the door. Even the combined will of Kings Daelin and Llane couldn’t force Duke to marry Jaina. Duke was a man who responded to subtlety, not force.

Sylvanas glanced at the silent door, then gave Duke a wistful look. "I won’t make this difficult for you," she whispered, giving him a soft kiss. Then, the Ranger-General, still in her high heels and evening gown, gracefully leaped out the window and vanished into the night.

Duke touched his lips, still somewhat disbelieving. He’d expected Sylvanas to lash out in anger. Collecting himself, Duke called out, "Come in, Jaina."

The door opened, revealing Jaina, her lips pressed into a thin line. Though still in her battle mage attire, it was clear she had taken care with her appearance. A light touch of foundation, carefully drawn brows, and perfectly applied lipstick. Without her cape, her exposed shoulders, delicate collarbones, and fair waist were undeniably alluring. Unfortunately, it seemed all her efforts were in vain.

Seeing Duke alone in the room, Jaina felt a profound sense of relief. At least she wouldn’t have to face that awkward confrontation. If Sylvanas had been there, protesting, Jaina wouldn’t have known how to react. The scene moments before had been equally mortifying. She’d stood at the door, frozen, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Her demeanor remained dignified, her bearing noble, yet an undeniable sadness clouded her eyes. There had never been a spark of love between her and Duke, yet they had been compared since childhood. It was more than just a political arrangement. From the moment she could understand, Jaina knew her destiny as a princess. Years of palace education had taught her to accept her fate early on. Her earlier association with Arthas was merely a minor deviation from her grand, predetermined path.

Yet, fate seemed to delight in cruel jests. Arthas, whom she had once favored, had fallen from Paladin to Death Knight, murdered his father, and destroyed his own kingdom. Kael’thas, once a potential match, had chosen the wrong path, was exiled by his people, and was now destined for the Dark Portal to guard the world’s edge. Even Galen Trollbane, the man she least desired to marry, with his ill reputation and being one of her potential husbands, was now dead, an undead without a soul.

After all these twists, Jaina, compelled by her father and the entire Kul Tiras leadership to marry, was left with only Duke as her sole, only choice! Alright then! After all, Duke was the highly regarded Grand Duke, a great hero, and the Alliance’s commander-in-chief. Marrying him would at least be a respectable match on the surface. A gain in prestige, perhaps, but a loss of personal agency. Such was the fate of most royal children throughout history.

Now Duke had returned, declaring that no one could force him to marry someone he didn’t love? And thinking about it, he was right. Neither the Kingdom of Stormwind nor Kul Tiras had any leverage over a genius like Duke, who transcended national boundaries. It was even more pronounced now. Whether as Antonidas’s Grand Mage or the Alliance’s Commander-in-Chief, neither identity could truly bind him. Not to mention, it seemed a queen and an elf who would soon be queen were now vying for his hand.

What about her, who had waited for Edmund for ten years, despite being his fiancée?

Without a word, two silent tears traced paths down Jaina’s beautiful face.