...never thought i would say this, but i kind of prefer the earlier version of the duke. I get that the author wants to set up the duke as the love interest, but the whole "little devil" persona really doesn't suit him. It just makes him seem immature, like a naughty teenager rather than a sitting Peer of the Realm with enough military authority and pedigree to threaten the royal succession. And again, the duke is pushing cayena's boundries just to get closer, this time challenging her authority by bribing her palace maids to learn her schedule. If it were anyone else it could be seen as a severe security breach, but because its the handsome duke kedrey (i refuse to call him the male lead at this time) its ok and seen as him 'caring' about her and not being a creepy stalker.
What's worse is that the duke actually did help cayena out by supporting her, which will only condone and encourage his behavior from here on out (btw, its kind of funny how cayena mocks the nobles for having a shouting match, only to slam her hands and yell even louder. Have to start somewhere i suppose)