This story is actually called The Duke is A Dick but I have to keep the title G lol Below is the whole summary and tags I used on AO3. There will be characters from Helluva Boss too.
Charlie is a princess, Husk is a duke, Lilith and Lucifer are bad parents, Arranged Marriage, Escorts, past Chaggie - Freeform, past Angel/Husk, past Valentino/Vox, Gambling, Drinking, Curses, Witches, made up countries, Charlie doesn't take shit ,coupe d'etat, Swords, Deceit ,Falling In Love, First Time, Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Charlie makes friends with anyone, Heart Break, Fairytale elements, Betrayal, Knights - Freeform
Charlie had planned to make things better for her country but her parents shipped her off to a older man who was famous for hiring escorts and unable to produce a heir : Edward Husk the Duke of Prideton.
Charlie doesn't know much about him but he drinks A LOT, he gambles and a secret only he, his advisor and his maid knows he was cursed by an escort he pissed off.
Can Charlie make this marriage work with the Duke while she continues to work in the shadows against her corrupt family or will everything go down in flames before she's able to keep on the promise of the blessing she got the day she was born?
"Do I have to?"
"Well, it'll be good for our two countries to get along dear."
Charlie pouted and looked out the window of the car- she didn't believe that bullshit one bit. She let out a heavy sigh. The Duke they were taking her to did not have a good reputation(just from rumors she had heard) but she didn't know anything about the man for certain other than he was older than her.
Her dreams to travel the world and help others was dashed rather quickly once she earned the money herself to buy a boat and sail the open seas. Her father had been a big believer of her dreams (or so it seemed) until a week ago when she had the money to actually buy the damn boat. Her mother loved how headstrong she was but not enough to let her sneak out in the middle of the night and get her boat.
Charlie knew they would get her at a moment's notice if she started…. Becoming too ambitious. She had tried to hide as well as she could for the longest time.
"You mean for them to get along or because you want their resources?"
Or because you're threatened by me?
Lucifer sighed.
"You have so much sass but I cannot fault you since you really are your mother's daughter."
"Thank you Luci," Lilith said with a big smile.
"Can you tell me about the guy at least?" she asked, glaring out the window.
"His name is Edward but he goes by the name Husk for some reason."
Charlie turned to look at her parents, eyebrows raised.
"That is a depressing nickname."
"We're sure you'll get along with him just fine. They said he's lonely."
"Uh huh."
"Come on angel! You're twenty three already! You can give us grandkids."
She wrinkled up her nose.
"I wanted to help people around the world."
"Well, you can start by helping out your country!" her mother said.
Charlie had wanted to break free from her princess title since she was thirteen. She hated the title and hated being treated the way she did. She had even cooked up a hot affair (well… mostly just kisssing) with one of the female guards for a few years hoping the homosexuality would get kicked out but it did not. Her father looked rather proud that his daughter could charm both men and women.
The whole thing had been half a lie. Charlie had tried to get Vagatha to be her consort to throw her parents off her scent and allow her to sail the oceans when the time was right but the knight turned down her offer not wanting to leave her family behind- among other things. Charlie could respect that.
She tried everything and they considered her getting old already and needed to stop her childish games. Well, the joke was on them because she was going to run out with her money once she wasn't being guarded so heavily. She had no idea why they would want to marry a princess off to a duke in the first place. She didn't follow the politics that dealt with money well but their country couldn't be in that much trouble.
She was damn sure of that.
The one and only time she asked, she got yelled at and grounded. She really wanted to skip town after that and snuck off to the bar with Vagatha. She was frustrated as hell and things weren't getting any better. She always had to be watched like a child….
Well, she always tried to sneak off.
"Look there it is!"
A huge mansion was coming up and it looked nice before Charlie just said profanities under her breath not really caring for where she was going. She was pissed, yea but she planned on skipping town and so she watched how to get there so she could leave.
A nice slender man with glasses, reddish brown hair and dark brown eyes bowed before he opened the car door for Lilith. He went to Charlie's door but she threw it open, almost hitting him. Her dark gray eyes watching him with annoyance on her face.
The man smirked at her.
That was a weird reaction to her being rude.
She slammed the car door shut and walked away from the mansion standing on the other side of the road in the grass. She had planned to be a giant pain in the ass through this whole thing. She didn't give a single damn and the man with glasses actually laughed at her.
Her display of defiance wasn't really intimidating since she had puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms.
Lucifer rubbed his temples tiredly. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. Charlie was a force to be reckoned with.
Charlie went as far as to put on a simple bright blue sundress with flip flops to add salt to the wound. She hoped it would piss the man off because she didn't care about her appearance. She even hacked off her long blond locks that were to her hips up to her shoulder blades. Her mother was nearly in tears trying to fix it.
The princess prided herself in being independent.
She felt like cattle being auctioned off to the first bidder. She was glad it wasn't a prince because that would've been worse. She didn't want to pop out kids for another few years (that was a last resort to her plans)- hell thirty at least but here she was…. Being told more than once she should've done it before she was twenty. She rolled her eyes.
I wonder how much money they're getting out of this.
Her parents always said one thing when they really meant another.
She went to college just for it to be wasted by her sitting on a damn couch looking pretty for some uppity jackass.
"You're quite the charming thing, aren't you?"
Charlie's eyes narrowed.
"Are you being sarcastic?"
"A little but to see such a domineering display already! I'm amused! The Duke will love that."
Charlie deflated. That was the last thing she expected.
"W-what?"
I don't wanna hear that!
She grimaced and whipped around.
"Such spunk! Come on dear. The Duke is waiting."
"I don't care. He can wait until he's thirty for all I care."
"He's already thirty seven darling. You're seven years too late."
This man was loving this. She didn't even know him and he was already giving her lip. Well, she was being a big brat but her point still stood.
But….
She liked it. She was being treated like a person.
"I don't think so!"
She started marching down the road they drove up.
"Charlie-
"Adios!"
She held footsteps behind her so she took off running. Her flip flops went flying and she kept going anyway.
She had a good headstart but it wasn't enough because the man with glasses tried scooping her up. She yelped and grabbed his arm then twisted it. She wasn't going without a fight. Fuck that!
Charlie glared at the man but he grinned, sweeping his leg out, knocking her off her feet and she landed on her ass hard.
"You fucker-
He threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and walked back, grabbing her flip flops along the way. She looked back at her parents seeing the horrified looks on their faces. She could do a lot worse but she wasn't able to be like that. She had considered pinching him but this wasn't his fault and that would be a little mean.
She let out a loud huff and elbowed his back for good measure instead.
"I must say you're quite the fighter! I hadn't had a work out like that in some time!" he said cheerfully.
"You're welcome," she spat.
The man only cackled. He stood before Lilith and Lucifer.
"My name is Alastor. I run the mansion and things such as that. Why don't you come in?"
They nodded and followed Alastor to the mansion while he still carried Charlie. She wouldn't even look at her parents. She didn't give a damn if they were mortified. She hated this royal shit.
"The Duke is in the drawing room at the moment."
"Ah yes. Of course."
"Miss Charlie, would you like to wash off before meeting him?"
"Nope."
"Charlie-
"I said 'nope'! Nada and no thank you!"
"My word! You are so entertaining! This place has been dreadfully boring as of late and you would certainly make it more lively!"
"You seem to be taking my daughter's attitude with stride."
"You see your highness…. I already deal with someone like this so once you meet the Duke, you will see why. I've learned to be more amused than anything else."
"Just throw me off the roof to end my misery," Charlie murmured.
That just sent Alastor into a laughing fit.
"Ah, come now darling! I believe you will find the experience more exciting than you think."
"You can just blow it out of your ass. I should be sailing the seas right now…. Not looking like a pretty doll in the corner."
The man placed her down and smiled as she crossed her arms, still glaring.
"My my! You are certainly more interesting than I heard about! We will have to have coffee some time! I'm from America myself and I traveled on a boat for a few years myself."
Charlie's gray eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Of course! I never sailed a vessel myself but I bet it's a joy."
The princess uncrossed her arms and relaxed more.
"Here… These are yours."
Alastor handed over her flip flops.
"Thanks."
"If you wish to spar, I can fence and I can show you. You have a lot of pent up aggression and that would help a young lady such as yourself. Only if you want to of course."
"Alright. That sounds fun."
The man grinned more and motioned for them to follow him. Charlie jogged a little to stay with Alastor who chatted with her about the fencing area the Duke allowed him to have to practice.
So maybe this isn't so bad. If the Duke is super boring I can just talk and out with Alastor.
"Here we are."
Alastor opened the big brown door and let Charlie go first. The walls were way too white for Charlie. The decor and furniture saved it but still. Her eyes landed on the older man on the couch with a bottle of alcohol in his hand.
Is…. is he drunk? It's not even four in the afternoon-
So…. the guy wasn't bad looking. He had black hair with some gray hairs here and there with a scruffy face like he didn't shave often. His eyes looked gray like her own but a lighter color that they almost looked blue. He wasn't skinny like Alastor but he wasn't fat and his arms looked like they had muscle. He looked rather lax with a button up black shirt and black jeans. He looked like he was wearing old boots too.
So maybe he wasn't an uppity asshole from the way he looked. That made Charlie chill out a little more. If he dressed like that, maybe he didn't expect her to be…. Well like a princess.
Thank god.
"You may have a seat Miss Charlie!"
She glanced at the man and he gave her a smile with a nod. Alright…. She could chill out.
For now.
"Hello," Lucifer said with a grin.
The man just gave him a nod. Lilith didn't say anything as she sat next to her husband.
"This is Husk, since he prefers to be called that. Mr. Husk, this is Princess Charlie, King Lucifer and Queen Lilith."
Husk's gray eyes locked onto hers. Her expression remained neutral and stayed that way even when he arched an eyebrow at her expecting her to say hi. She chewed the inside of cheeks wondering why she was here. She glanced at Alastor who sat down by Husk with a smile still on his face.
"So Duke-
"I don't care. What do you want?" he asked, his voice rough and his tone grouchy.
A smile twitched onto Charlie's lips. Alastor gave her a wink.
"We were hoping to discuss some issues in our country-
"Al, you got that shit don't you? Just fuckin' take notes or some shit."
"Of course milord- Husker! Right this way King Lucifer."
"My wife will join me. She's an equal part in my decisions."
"As she should be."
The three of them left the drawing room, leaving them alone. Charlie avoided looking at the man. She really wanted to be an ass but the older man was nothing like she had thought he would be. His mouth was worse than hers when she was mad.
"So you're the princess huh?"
Charlie's eyes landed back on him as he took a long drink of whatever he had in his hands.
"Yea, that's what I've been told."
"You don't fuckin' look like one."
"Is that going to be an issue for you?"
The man sat up straighter, watching her. If he was checking her out, he wasn't making it obvious. She was doing her best not to stare at him.
"No. I figured for a princess you would be some big, bitter bitch but you aren't."
"You don't know me yet, that's why."
He smirked.
No wonder Alastor said what he did.
"No I don't. Do you even want to be here?"
"Nope."
Husk snorted.
"What, you got a boyfriend at home waitin' for ya?"
"Nope to that."
"I find that unbelievable."
"I haven't been with anyone…. Like that. I made out with one of my knights but that was it."
"I bet your parents were pissed you were making out with the guy who was supposed to protect you."
"No they weren't too mad I made out with her."
Husk arched an eyebrow.
"You're a lesbian?"
"No."
He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees.
"You're an interesting chick ain't cha?"
Charlie shrugged.
"Would you prefer someone boring?"
He chuckled before taking another drink.
"Ain't shit to do around here."
"The road I tried running away on is nice."
"You tried running away?" he asked.
If Charlie didn't know better, she would've thought he sounded insulted.
"Wouldn't you be upset if your parents uprooted your life when you had other plans?"
"What were your other plans?"
"To sail the world and help people. I saved up the money since I was fourteen from my allowance and working to buy my ship."
"You worked?"
"Yup."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I'm not good at escaping apparently."
The man chuckled.
"That's fuckin' funny. A princess trying to run away from responsibility."
"I wanted to make my own choices."
"Don't we all?"
Charlie stared at him. His eyes were still on her. How long was he going to stare at her?
"Sorry to interrupt this riveting conversation but I have the details."
Alastor came walking and handed Husk the papers. The man turned to Charlie.
"I do apologize for manhandling you like that. Is your bottom ok?" Alastor asked.
"I don't know. I didn't look in a mirror."
Husk frowned at Alastor then at Charlie.
"I told you I tried running away."
"Ah! She is feisty! I thought she was going to break my arm!"
The younger man started laughing loudly.
"Quite powerful Miss Charlie! I know how to fight as well though."
"I trained with a few knights to protect myself."
They both looked impressed. She had expected another reaction and she felt her face heating up.
"Dad always said don't take shit from other people so I don't. Or I try not to anyway."
"I can show you the bathroom if you want. I didn't even notice if I ripped your dress."
"I was forced to wear a dress. I like my leggings or pants a lot better."
Husk's lips twitched up into a smile he tried hiding in his papers.
"Do you know why the fuck your parents want to marry you off to some old bastard?" the Duke asked.
"Not really. I got yelled out when I did and grounded so I snuck out to the bar and drank and made out with my favorite knight before she took me home."
Alastor blinked a few times.
"You want to read the papers?" he asked.
"They asked that she not read them."
Husk frowned before looking back at the notes.
"Is it… Is it bad?" Charlie asked quietly.
Both men looked at her.
"Truthfully, not really."
Charlie glared at the floor.
"I'm gonna get my shit out of the car."
"Miss Charlie…. I can get your things later."
"I have thirty million dollars in a suitcase. I want it inside."
Husk's jaw dropped slightly and Alastor stiffened up.
"Is that cool? I assume I'm staying," she said as she got up and left the room.
Husk glanced at Alastor.
"Well, what the fuck do you think?"
"She's lovely."
The Duke rolled his eyes.
"That's not what I meant. Are they gonna fuck us over?"
"I do not see any reason to question them."
"Then sign them."
Husk got up.
"I'll help the princess. Go deal with her tight ass parents then get them the fuck out."
"As you wish."
Husk left the drawing room and headed for the front door. He opened it up to see Charlie sitting on top of the car looking out at the fields of green grass. Truthfully, she was pretty- gorgeous even. She wasn't one of those stick thin women he saw and she was curvy all over. Her sundress didn't hide it at all.
He would just sign the papers and let her go. Why not? She didn't want to be there and she would just grow to resent him. He didn't want a damn marriage like his parents. She was serious about her ship thing so why not be nice and let her go?
"That's not getting your bags."
She glanced down at him. She didn't realize he was so tall.
"The car is locked."
"Ah."
"Yup."
"You're pretty damn compliant about something you didn't want."
Charlie sighed.
"What's the point in arguing? They waited until I had the money to do it then I'm here. I'm sure you don't want to hear my bullshit so I'm fine right here."
"Get down so I can open the car."
"Do you have keys?"
"No but I was a bad kid and did dumb shit. All you need is a bobby pin and a knife."
The princess jumped down and walked to the back of the car. Husk pulled out a pocket knife and a bobby pin. He picked it with ease and it popped open. He arched an eyebrow looking in the trunk to only see a suitcase, a duffle bag and a carry own bag.
"Shouldn't you have more shit?"
Charlie smirked, "My mother stated my 'husband' would buy me things that would suit my needs- well to his tastes. I'm lucky I got this much stuff."
"Oh."
She pulled on the duffle bag, grabbed the suitcase and grabbed her carry on bag. The Duke slammed the trunk shut and they went back inside. Lucifer and Lilith were waiting with Alastor. Charlie looked at her parents for a split second before looking away angrily.
"How did you get the trunk open?" Lucifer asked.
"I punched it and it popped open."
Her father sighed.
"I'm going to miss you darling!" Lilith said, holding out her hands for a hug but Charlie dodged them.
"Where can I put this?" Charlie asked, looking at Alastor.
"I can carry that-
"I got it Al. Just show me the way."
"Yes, of course."
Alastor glanced at the King and Queen then took off with Charlie.
"Up these stairs here."
She didn't say anything as she walked along beside him.
"Are you ok sweetheart?"
"No."
"Is there anything I can get you to make you feel better?"
"Chocolate cake, wine and ice cream with sprinkles."
Alastor chuckled as they made their way on top of the stairs.
"The Duke's room is this way."
Charlie froze in her tracks.
"W-what?"
"Not to worry dear… This is a big place but a lot of the rooms are actually empty. The Duke doesn't sleep in there but we consider it his room."
She looked at him, her body tense.
"I promise you the man hasn't been in there in months. He prefers to pass out wherever."
"He drinks a lot?"
"He does. He was forced in this position in his teens and he hasn't been happy with it but he is very capable I promise you. He just doesn't have people skills is all."
"Ok."
"I find it odd that a young lady isn't excited to be with a powerful man."
Charlie rolled her eyes.
"Wasn't really looking for anyone. If I was looking for it, I was hoping to fall in love, out having adventures. I wanted to do everything I wanted to do."
"I understand Miss Charlie."
They walked the rest of the way in silence before they came upon a set of big white and blue doors.
"Here we are."
Alastor opened the doors and let her in first. The room was huge even for a mansion! It was almost as big as her room at home. Of course this was the Duke's room so it would be big.
"He doesn't keep clothes in here?"
"He does. He would rather wander around drunk than anything else. He does enjoy card games too."
"Oh really?"
"Oh yes! When he's not so sour about losing, Niffty and I play with him a night or so a week."
"Who's Niffty?"
"She's the maid. She's a sweet little thing!"
Charlie smiled.
"So it's just you and her here?"
"Yes darling."
"That sounds lonely. Don't you want a lady friend?"
"Such things don't interest me. I haven't found someone who I find entertaining for my liking."
"Ah."
"Would you like help unpacking?" Alastor asked with his hands behind his back with a smile.
"Where can I stash my money?"
"We do have a safe in here."
"Alrighty. That sounds good. I'm sure I shouldn't see it right?"
Alastor chuckled, "I'll put it up for you. You can use that dark brown dresser there."
"Cool."
Charlie handed her suitcase over to Alastor and went to the dresser. She shoved everything in but she realized she could fill only one drawer with what she had but she separated everything or it would drive her nuts. She glanced around to look at the royal blue walls with two painted pictures. He didn't really have a lot of decor in there.
It really is plain but the walls do it justice. I like the color.
She looked at the bed and saw the sheets were shades of blue too.
"His favorite color is blue?" Charlie asked.
"I suppose? He said he hated it less than other colors."
The princess snorted loudly.
"Does he like anything?"
"Gambling, drinking and the occasional escort."
Charlie stopped looking around as her eyes snapped onto Alastor. His tan cheeks took on a pink color and he coughed awkwardly into his fist.
"S-sorry I shouldn't have said that."
Alright so he was older…. She didn't expect the guy to be a virgin but to hire escorts? Did the man really not have any people skills to at least get a mistress? Did the Duke really expect her to just have sex with him…. Like was he even clean?
"Um…. has he got tested for STDs?"
"Ah, well the ladies and gentlemen from Rosie are thoroughly clean but I can suggest that to him."
"Wait…. He likes men too?"
"He doesn't have too much of a preference in partners as long as they're willing."
"Alright well he better see a doctor. When was the last time he had one?"
"Ah, well the last one was two weeks… The night before the King contacted him."
"Wait…. Dad just came up with this? This wasn't planned?"
Alastor shook his head then shrugged, "Husker tells me everything. Honestly, he was just as surprised as I was. We are a small country but the Duke runs it well. We were surprised that the King of a big country wanted to marry his daughter to such a low powered man."
Charlie frowned. They just told her a week ago when she mentioned the ship. Had they been looking for a way to get rid of her for a while now?
"Would you like chocolate cake and wine now? We have no ice cream."
"Sure….. Thanks Al."
The man left the room and Charlie headed for the bathroom. It was huge too, like it was made for a king. A walk in tiled floor to wall shower. The tiles were in shades of grays and blues. The tub was huge for three people to lay in. The whole thing was elegant.
Charlie went to the mirror and hiked up her dress to stare at her bottom. It was scratched up and a little bruised but it wasn't an issue since it barely hurt. She grabbed a washcloth and soaked it to wash her feet off. She wasn't in the mood for a shower right now. They were kind of dirty when she took off running down the road. She cleaned her feet and then dried them before climbing onto the big. It was big enough to have four to six people.
At least it's comfy!
Alastor returned with a tray with a big piece of chocolate cake as she asked and a bottle of wine with a wine glass. He placed it to the side.
"Come on up Al."
He looked at her shocked.
"Excuse me?"
"Let's watch TV. It works right?"
"Y-Yes-
"I'm not looking to hook up or anything. I think you're funny and you have my respect. I'm sorry for being a bitch."
"I do not like wine or cake."
"Scandalous!"
The man chuckled.
"I will join you but we will leave the doors open. Is that ok?"
"Al, I'm a virgin. Calm down. I'm not looking to be deflowered the moment I walked in here with a man."
Alastor looked a little shocked. He took off his shoes.
"O-of course."
Alastor made sure he was a good bit from Charlie but she moved into his space more. He handed her the remote and she turned the Tv on and there was the porn channel- playing very loudly. Charlie shouldn't have been surprised. Alastor looked bashful as he stared down at his lap.
"Alright then…."
She flipped through the channels until she landed on a cooking show.
"You like cooking?" Alastor asked, looking a little pleased.
"I try but I've burnt more things than actually made them. I can make mac and cheese. It's my favorite."
The man snorted, "Ah I see."
Charlie ate some of the cake and started drinking wine. It was pretty good. She was half way through her glass when Husk came in the room with eyebrows arched.
"What the fuck is going on in here?"
"Watching a cooking show," Charlie answered, "You wanna hang? It's your room after all."
"I don't like cooking shows."
The princess smirked, "Yea, I noticed. Nice porn."
The older man turned red and cleared his throat.
"I got wine. Wanna eat some cake too?"
"No."
Charlie watched as the man turned around.
"I can share some wine with you. Or do you prefer the hard stuff only?"
He grumbled and kicked off his shoes. He climbed up on the bed but stayed on the edge.
"We don't bite," she said, "Get over here."
Husk groaned and got closer.
"Bottle or glass?"
"Bottle is fine."
She poured some of the wine into her glass and handed it over to Husk.
"Enjoy."
So they sat there watching the cooking show in silence.
