The Vampire Duke's Secret Wife

I hid in shadows for six years while my vampire husband played duke with his mistress.

Lucian kept our marriage secret, called our daughter "the half-blood bastard," and rushed to comfort Seraphina's twisted ankle while five-year-old Vanessa nearly died from silver poisoning.

His precious lover had "gifted" my child deadly perfume. While I held my convulsing daughter, he was cutting cake with his real family.

So I handed him divorce papers during his next dramatic rescue mission. Fool signed without reading—too busy playing hero to notice he just legally abandoned his wife and child.

Now the mighty vampire Duke burns under holy sunlight, chasing us to territories his undead flesh can't survive.

Begging on scorched pavement for a second chance he'll never get.

Valerius

"Lady Valerius, let me confirm this one last time—according to vampire law, you're entitled to at least thirty percent of the territory's crystal mines."

The blood contract officer adjusted his monocle, staring at me like I'd lost my mind.

"I only want custody of Vanessa. I'm giving up everything else."

I pushed the parchment—the Blood Severance and Contract Dissolution Agreement—across the desk toward him.

"But you're only a half-vampire! Without the Duke's estate, you can't even afford pure plasma—"

"He'll sign it." I cut him off, snatching the document back and stuffing it into my bag. "Look, in his eyes, my daughter and I are nothing but stains on his precious bloodline that he can't wash away."

Six years ago, as the old Duchess lay dying, she'd gripped my hand with her last breath: "Vivienne... help me watch over him. Don't let his desires consume him..."

I'd promised that kind woman and bound myself to Lucian through a low-tier "Night Oath."

But to Lucian? It was just another filthy scheme. He was convinced I'd bewitched the dying woman with witchcraft to claw my way into the noble Valerius family.

For six years, vampire high society had no idea Duke Valerius was even married, let alone that he had a five-year-old half-blood daughter.

After all, how could a pure-blood ancestral duke possibly marry a lowly half-blood servant?

Well, this charade was OVER.

I pulled my cloak tight and headed straight for the castle's side entrance.

Through the thick night fog, Lucian stood cloaked, about to board his carriage.

"Lucian, we need to talk—"

He turned, frowning. "Whatever it is, handle it with the steward. I don't have time right now."

I reached for his hand. He jerked away.

"Know your place, Vivienne." He stared down at me, disgusted. "Don't forget the oath's restrictions—in public, you're just a servant here."

My hand stung. Before I could speak, the sharp clatter of bone horses interrupted us. A luxurious carriage carved with silver roses pulled up at the side gate.

The door swung open, and Seraphina burst out in a flowing red gown, throwing her arms around Lucian's neck and pressing against his cheek.

"Luke! Darling, I've been waiting forever and my neck's killing me. You simply cannot miss my midnight debut tonight."

Seraphina—high-ranking vampire countess, famous midnight ballet dancer, and his first love from years past.

The Duke who'd just looked at me with disgust now smoothly wrapped his arm around her waist.

Seraphina raised an eyebrow, glancing at me. "And this is...?"

Lucian didn't even look back. "Just some half-blood who cleans around here."

Seraphina laughed, tightening her grip on his arm. Lucian nodded and helped her into the carriage.

The wheels rumbled away over black stone, leaving me standing in the bitter night wind. I smiled bitterly.

I pulled out my communication crystal and tapped out: Tomorrow at seven—Vanessa has a trial dance performance at Nightfall Academy.

The crystal flickered once, then went dark. Never any reply. Never.

...

The next evening, backstage at the academy.

Vanessa wore an exquisite little white tutu, practicing her pirouettes over and over in front of the crystal mirror, her tiny bat ears twitching with excitement. "Mama! Today's family day! I'm performing The Little Swan trial!"

"Our Vanessa is definitely going to be the brightest star on that stage." I knelt down and tweaked her little nose.

"Mama..." Vanessa fidgeted with her skirt hem, uncertain. "Will Daddy... will he come watch me today?"

In all her young life, she'd never seen her father at any of her events. Even in the castle, she was forbidden from calling him "Daddy."

My throat felt like it had ice lodged in it. "I believe... he'll try his best, sweetheart."

Another lie. But I just couldn't bring myself to shatter a five-year-old's dreams.

At seven PM, the VIP section gradually filled with high-ranking vampire parents, children chattering excitedly around their families. Only the space beside Vanessa remained empty.

Then my crystal finally vibrated with Lucian's cold response: Estate business is running over. I'll try to make it.

Vanessa practically jumped for joy. "Did you see, Mama?! Daddy said he's coming!"

The performance began. First child, second child, third... The ornate chair in the VIP section stayed empty.

Vanessa's turn was coming up. She peeked out from behind the curtain, her bright eyes dimming.

"Mrs. Cross, your child is up next," the instructor announced coldly.

Vanessa pulled her gaze back, voice barely a whisper. "Mama, he's not coming, is he?"

I knelt down and squeezed her cold little hands. "It's okay, baby. Mama's right here in the front row, watching every single move."

Vanessa swallowed back tears and forced a smile. "Yeah! Having Mama is enough!"

She lifted her skirt and stepped onto the stage, spotlight bathing her small figure.

I sat in the audience, heart breaking. Years ago, when he'd returned from campaign and downed that battle blood, that night had given us Vanessa. But when he sobered up, he'd looked at me like I was his enemy, convinced I'd drugged him. Since then, he'd treated Vanessa worse than the hunting hounds in the castle.

My hands shook as I reached for my crystal, wanting to ask him one last time.

But suddenly, vampire social media flashed an update—Seraphina had just posted from some banquet.

At the lavish dinner, Lucian wore an impeccable black ducal formal suit, raising his glass with Seraphina in her flowing red gown.

The caption read: "Perfect midnight, perfect company. ❤️"

No delayed estate business. He'd simply abandoned his daughter for his first love.

On stage, Vanessa completed her entire dance alone. No applause from her father, no blessing from ancestral blood.

When it ended, she ran down like a wounded little bird and threw herself into my arms.

"Mama, did I dance well? Too bad Daddy didn't see it..." She buried her face in my cloak, sniffling quietly, but didn't complain once.

I held my daughter tight, fighting back tears.

Back in the dim side hall, I lit the oil lamp and pulled out that parchment. I signed my name on the final page.

This time, Lucian Valerius, I'm done. You're free.