Lady Celestine led Valentina through a hidden corridor to an elegant salon in the older part of the palace.

"The Duke's more intimate circle," she explained quietly as she led Valentina to a velvet-covered divan. "Here we can let the masks of court slip a little."

The room was ornately furnished, with heavy tapestries and comfortable seating. A small group of musicians played subtle melodies, whose shameless lyrics Valentina listened to with a blush.

Master Gregory Bloomfield greeted her with an elegant bow. "Ah, our charming new friend!" His dark eyes twinkled with amusement. "Welcome!"

Baron Sebastian handed her a goblet of dark red wine. "This vintage is a special rarity," he explained. "From the vineyards of Eastern Clairmontine, made shortly after the Malandrine invasion."

"Let's start with a little game," suggested Lady Celestine and took out a bowl of candied fruit. She took a silken cloth and blindfolded herself. "Master Gregory, would you give me something to taste?"

Master Bloomfield smiled mischievously and selected one of the fruits. With an elegant gesture, he brought it to Lady Celestine's lips. She opened her mouth and took a small bite, her red lips closing around the fruit.

"Mmh..." She tasted thoughtfully. "The sweet note of honey... But something spicier underneath. Ginger?" She tilted her head. "And... ah, this hidden bitterness, like orange peel. That must be one of Baron Sebastian's candied quasumes."

"Impressive," praised Master Bloomfield. "Your sense of taste is as sharp as your tongue, my lady."

"Oh, how clever," Vyxara commented with amusement. "They carefully introduce you to their games."

The duke, who had remained in the background until then, joined them now. "Would you like to try it too, my dear?" He held out another silk scarf to Valentina.

Valentina hesitated briefly, then nodded. The silk was cool on her skin as the duke gently blindfolded her. The darkness heightened her other senses – the scent of the incense became more intense, the music seemed to move closer.

She felt the warm presence of the duke in front of her, heard the soft rustling of his clothes. Then warm fingers gently touched her lips. Something soft and sweet was placed in her mouth. The taste exploded on her tongue – first sweet, then spicy, with a hint of something sinfully expensive.

"That's..." She licked her lips. "A candied rose? With... is that cardamom?"

"Very good." The duke's voice was warm with appreciation. His fingers stroked her cheek tenderly as he removed her blindfold.

The game continued and the participants took turns. Lady Vivienne fed Baron Sebastian figs dipped in honey. Countess Rosamere was surprised by Master Raphael with exotic spices. The mood became increasingly relaxed, the laughter more melodic, the touches lingered longer.

Lady Celestine leaned towards Valentina. "Do you see how relaxed everything is? No oppressive etiquette, just a cultivated pleasure among friends."

The musicians switched to a slower melody. The lyrics were ostensibly about a bee and a rose, but the metaphors were more than ambiguous. Some couples began to dance, their movements more intimate than in the courtly dances.

"Relax," whispered Lady Celestine. "No one expects anything from you. Just observe. Learn."

Then Master Gregory pulled Lady Celestine towards him. His hand rested possessively on her waist as he whispered something in her ear. Lady Celestine blushed slightly and nodded.

What followed was like a carefully choreographed dance. Master Gregory led Lady Celestine to one of the divans. She lay across his lap and Bloomfield pulled her light blue dress over her hips with a practiced movement. Then his hand landed on her bare bottom with a loud slap, first gently, then harder.

Lady Celestine gasped softly with each stroke, her face flushed with excitement. The other guests watched the scene with elegant interest, making witty remarks about technique and timing. Valentina bit her lip at the arousing sight and thought back to her evenings with Professor Horne.

"You see?" whispered Vyxara. "It's just like I told you. You're not the only one who likes it. Nothing to be ashamed of."

The duke stepped behind Valentina and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Do you like what you see?"

Valentina felt the blush rise to her cheeks. "It's... exciting."

"The key is trust," he murmured. "We're among friends here. Everything is by mutual agreement." His lips brushed her ear. "I would never pressure you into anything, my beauty. But if you're curious..."

On the other side of the room, a couple had settled down on one of the divans. The woman – it was Countess Rosamere – was sitting astride the lap of a handsome young man. Their movements were rhythmic, almost like a dance. A second man knelt beside them and whispered something to them, his hand stroking the woman's back.

"These are Baron Slightmaven's twins," explained Lady Celestine, who had rejoined them. Her face was still flushed, her eyes shining. "They like to share... everything."

The atmosphere in the room became increasingly intimate. Couples and small groups had settled on the divans. Intertwined limbs could be seen everywhere, muffled moans and giggles could be heard.

Lady Celestine took Valentina's hand. "Come on, let's get some more wine. You look like you could do with a sip."

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She led Valentina to a small table on which there were carafes of different wines. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to," she said quietly. "But it is important that you understand how this part of the court works. The duke appreciates cultivated pleasures – and he likes to share them with his closest friends."

Valentina sipped her wine and watched the action with a mixture of embarrassment and fascination. It was lewd, yes – but in a strangely elegant way. No one was being vulgar, no one was being pressured into anything. It was like an elaborate parlor game, only with... different rules.

The duke rejoined them and put an arm around Valentina's waist possessively. "Enough for tonight," he murmured. "You've had a busy day at the hospital." He gently kissed her temple. "Let's go back."

As they left the drawing room, Valentina looked back once more. Lady Celestine winked at her while Master Gregory pulled her close again.

~

The duke led Valentina through the quiet corridors of the palace to his chambers. The late hour and the heavy wine made everything seem like a dream. The duke's lavender scent mingled with the incense still lingering in her nose.

"You are very quiet," the duke remarked gently as he opened the door to his chambers.

"I'm still processing the impressions of the evening," Valentina admitted. The warmth of the open fire welcomed her like a hug.

"Oh, be honest," Vyxara teased. "You're aroused by what you've seen."

The duke pulled her gently into his arms. "Did it... disturb you?"

"No." Valentina snuggled up to him. "It was... fascinating. Exciting." She could feel the blush rising in her cheeks. "Lady Celestine and Master Gregory..."

"Ah." The duke smiled knowingly. "So you were particularly interested in that?" His hands stroked her back. "Lady Celestine enjoys such... attention very much."

"Like me," Valentina confessed quietly. The memory of her encounters with Professor Horne made her shiver.

The duke lifted her chin and kissed her gently. "You have nothing to be ashamed of in front of me, my beauty. Everyone has their special inclinations." His hand slid into her hair. "The key is trust."

His kisses became more passionate. The duke led her to the bed, pulling her gently with him. Her clothes fell to the floor until she lay naked in his arms.

"Do you trust me?" he asked quietly.

Valentina nodded. She felt safe with him, despite – or perhaps because of – his dominant presence.

The duke kissed Valentina tenderly while his hands stroked her curves. His touch was gentle and loving, but also demanding, as if he wanted to possess her completely, explore every inch of her skin and lose himself in her. Valentina felt his arousal on her thigh, hard and pulsating. The duke whispered in her ear: "You are so beautiful, my clever one. I want to feel you." His voice was hoarse with desire.

Vyxara giggled in Valentina's thoughts. "He's so romantic tonight, our Duke. Go ahead and let him do it, little Weaver. He'll be able to think more clearly after he's had you."

Valentina blushed at Vyxara's words, and also at the way the duke was looking at her – with a mixture of affection and desire. She knew he desired her, but the way he looked at her, she was almost not sure if it wasn't maybe more than that.

The duke kissed his way from her ear to her breasts, took a hard bud in his mouth and sucked on it. He positioned himself between her thighs, his erection pressing against her opening.

"So beautiful," the duke whispered again as he gently penetrated her. Valentina felt every inch of him, his width and length filling her, stretching her in a way that was both pleasurable and a little unsettling. His eyes held hers captive, dark with passion as he moved slowly inside her.

"Oh, Your Grace," she breathed as the weight of his body sank down on her. It felt at once overwhelming and comforting to be covered by him, surrounded by him. His hands gripped her wrists and held them gently beside her head as he thrust deeper into her.

"Look at him, how much he wants you," Vyxara whispered, giggling. "He's like a man dying of thirst finally finding a well."

Valentina tried to gather her thoughts, but it was hard to concentrate on anything other than the feeling of him inside her and his weight on top of her. His hips moved rhythmically as he slowly filled her and pulled back again.

"You feel so good," the duke murmured, his lips brushing hers, "so tight and warm." He kissed her passionately as he continued to thrust into her again and again.

Valentina felt heat spreading through her body, concentrating in the place where they were connected. It was pleasant and she wanted to come, wanted to reach that moment of fulfillment, but something was holding her back.

"Just let go," whispered Vyxara. "Surrender."

But Valentina couldn't. Perhaps it was the awareness of his eyes on her, the weight of his gaze as he took her.

The duke groaned as he felt his end approaching. "I'm coming," he gasped. "Oh, Valentina."

Valentina felt the heat of his release as she embraced him. His body shook above her and his fingers clawed into her wrists. His eyes held hers as the moment of his climax overwhelmed him and he poured himself into her.

It was too intimate, far too personal. This was a business. A transaction. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last. She knew what she was doing. So why did it feel... different this time? Valentina felt vulnerable and exposed under his penetrating gaze and had to remind herself that this was just a deal, nothing more than the fulfillment of an agreement between them, that the duke didn't love her, that she didn't love him, that for him it was all about sex, and for her... about sex and opportunity. That helped her to relax, to feel safe again.

The duke collapsed heavily on top of her, breathless and covered in sweat. He kissed her gently before rolling off her and pulling her close to him.

They lay exhausted and content in the rumpled sheets. The duke gently stroked a sweaty strand of hair from her face.

"You are a revelation," he murmured. "So innocent and yet so... eager to learn."

"I'm a quick learner," smiled Valentina.

"That you are." He kissed her shoulder. "Lady Celestine has taken you under her wing today, I see."

"She's a good teacher."

"She knows a lot." The duke became thoughtful. "She understands the... subtleties of court life. The balance between public dignity and private passion."

"An important lesson," Vyxara remarked. "You need to hold that balance as well."

"I am grateful for her guidance," Valentina said quietly. "And for yours."

The duke pulled her closer to him. "You will find your way, my beautiful, my clever one. I see great potential in you." His hand stroked her hip. "In many ways."

They simply lay together for a while, content to be near each other. The duke told anecdotes from previous 'private meetings', amusing stories without naming names. Valentina listened with fascination to the insights into this hidden world of lust.

"Look how he's slowly initiating you," Vyxara murmured. "He's making you part of his world."

He took her twice more that night and this time she was able to let herself go and reach climax. As the night drew to a close, the duke helped her get dressed. His touch was tender, almost reverential.

"Sleep well, beautiful," he whispered in farewell and kissed her one last time.

On the way to her chambers, Vyxara analyzed the evening's events: "You did well. The duke is completely smitten by you, and you have gained an insight into the court behind the court."

"It's like a complicated dance," murmured Valentina.

"Exactly. And you'll learn the steps quickly." The demon sounded satisfied. "But never forget – it's a dangerous dance. One wrong step..."

"I know." Valentina quietly opened the door to her chambers. "But I'm starting to enjoy it."

"That's good," purred Vyxara. "Enjoy it. But stay alert."

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