The Duke's Passion

"What do you think about vampires and the royal family?"

"…"

I remained silent for a long time. 

Now that she asked such a question before I could raise questions, my focus drifted to that. 

"I thought vampires are just blood-thirty monsters who see us, humans, as their livestock. But after meeting Sam and spent some time with the people working in the Duke of Grimsbanne's mansion, my perception changed." 

My eyes softened as my heart warmed up at the thought of Sam and everyone. From Fabian to all the servants in the duke's mansion. Everyone had been kind to me.

Although they relayed their disagreement about our engagement at first, I couldn't really blame them. Sam was a pure-blooded vampire.

A marriage with a mortal — a peasant, to make it worse — was just… ridiculous. Even I had questioned it in the past.

Regardless, they had treated me fairly. And now, I didn't feel any hostility from them anymore.

There's always an exception, though. Sir Knight, Rufus. The way he looked at me never changed, as if whenever he laid his eyes on me, he's judging my entire existence.

That's why I always avoided him. Not because I hated him, but because I thought I sully his mood.

"I figured vampires are not that different from humans. Putting aside their superior strength and long life spans, vampires were just doing what they had to do to survive." I smiled as I raised my gaze.

"We might see their methods unforgivable to mortals, but is there another way to satiate their hunger?"

If the animal's blood was enough, vampires wouldn't even touch humans. That was what I remembered Fabian's words.

To put it simply, it's not the vampires to blame. They were just born to crave for blood instead of water.

"If I see vampires as monster, then I am no different. Animals had life, too. Didn't that mean humans who see them as livestock are just an inferior species of vampires?"

Lara's eyes flickered with amusement. Yet, I didn't feel any satisfaction with the way she looked at me.

What I said just now was not to impress her. I just spoke my mind.

Staying in the duke's mansion and our journey here had made me realize certain things. Everyone was slaves to something and we just do everything to survive.

Just like how vampires sucked human blood; just like how humans hunt animals as food, just like how other animals eat other animals.

It was a natural cycle in this world. And all for survival.

How could I condemn anyone if that's how they survive?

"What an interesting point of view." She awed, nodding approvingly. 

"What about the royal family, then?" 

She asked. Again, I remained silent. The first question was simple to answer, as I only based it on my feelings.

But this question… I didn't even know why she was asking.

"I mean, about the current king, what do you think about him?" She rephrased, which baffled me even more.

"His Majesty, the King…" I trailed off. "I only heard things about him, but I didn't want to judge unless I see it for myself."

I gazed down as my voice lowered. Not that I didn't trust the words of the people mentioning the king, I just… I don't know.

"See for yourself…?" Lara muttered, which caused me to glance up at her.

The side of her lips twisted into a bitter smile. Her emerald eyes are still pretty. But what was this pain behind them?

It was as if she was remembering a memory that was so beautiful and bitter. Did she… like the king?

No, that's not the question. Was she in love with the king? I couldn't think of other reasons of why her eyes looked so sad aside from that.

"Haven't you seen him yourself yet?" She asked, tilting her head a little to the side.

Huh? Was she asking me or reminding me?

"What do you mean, my lady?"

"Lara." She corrected. "You don't have to be polite to me, Lilou. Aren't we friends?"

My immediate reaction was to blush. The thought of being friends with her and she's smiling brightly while saying that, felt nice.

I should collect my thoughts. However, my thoughts and important questions kept slipping through my fingers.

It felt like I was trying to grab water. It was impossible.

Lara titled her head as she fixed her eyes on me. Her naturally curled lashes fluttered beautifully. 

"Lilou, right now, we're inside your mind. The only reason you're talking to me is because you asked for me."

"Ask… asked for you?"

"Even I don't know how, but if you're from Grimsbanne and Hell is marrying you…" Lara suddenly trailed off as she contemplated.

What was she thinking about? No, what was she saying?

Lara smiled brightly. "Aren't you special?"

I furrowed my brows as a frown resurfaced on my lips. Was marrying Sam made me special? Well, perhaps an immortal man fancying a mortal was a compliment in itself?

"Either way, the longer you stay here, Hell will soon start killing my kin." The side of her lips twisted. "That bastard… how dare he lash out at my kin just because I'm dead. I'll hunt him."

My back and shoulders instantly stiffen. Lara, whose beauty and reserved demeanor moments ago was suddenly… on fire?

One could tell she wanted to tear Sam's body apart with her bare hands. Despite that, I noticed that Lara's eyes didn't seem she hated him.

"Uh… my lad — Lara?" 

"Oh!" As quick as a blink of an eye, Lara suddenly snapped. My under eye immediately twitched seeing her quick transition.

I guess not everyone was perfect, huh? Still, I ignored those thoughts for now. Instead, I raised a series of questions before I could forget.

"You said you're a Crawford? Why are we here? What happened to me? What is going on? Also, is this a dream?" Still, I ignored my current thoughts as I inquired.

"A dream? Well, more or less." Lara rubbed her chin as if she wasn't completely certain about the answer.

"More or less?"

"Is it important?" Lara pressed her lips together, blinking. "Your life and my kin's life are in danger. What happened to you is far more dire than you expect, Lilou. And it won't just stop from here."