The whispers of the public, once quiet and fleeting, began to grow louder, swelling into open slander against the Duke.
"A servant, of all people, had somehow managed to woo the Duchess. If that simpleton can win the Duchess's favor, perhaps I should try my hand at it.
Maybe I should work as a servant in that Mansion—who knows? Perhaps the daughter will find me just as irresistible."
"Looks like the pirate king will be having a rather enjoyable night..."
"HAHA, the rich Duke must be sad for having a small dick."
The harbor had become a breeding ground for rumors, each one more outlandish than the last.
The air was thick with gossip, as traders, sailors, and dock workers whispered in hushed tones.
What had once been a place of lively commerce and hearty conversation now buzzed with mocking laughter and cynical jabs at the Southern Duke.
