The Duke's Passion

"Klaus." 

I gazed up at Sam. Huh? Blinking my eyes to see if I saw it correctly.

I did.

The side of Sam's lips curled into a smile — a twisted smile. Suddenly, I jolted back as a figure appeared before us.

But before I could step back further, a hand grabbed my hand. His grip was not too tight, but enough to keep me still.

Slowly, I gazed down. A man was kneeling before me, holding my hand. A pair of bright crimson eyes met mine without shying away.

His features were all in contrast. He had a slender face with a firm jaw. Sharp tufts of deep black hair that looked soft as silk. 

"Allow me to introduce myself, my future sister-in-law. My name is Klaus Norrix La Crox. It's a pleasure to meet you, my sister-in-law." The corner of his lips hooked into a smile.

Klaus leaned in, trying to leave a kiss on the back of my hand as a greeting. However, before he could do so, he halted.

Am I seeing it correctly? I blinked my eyes as many as possible.

Until now, all I could focus on was the color of his hair. Did they say he was the fifth prince? Sam's brother?

Now that I thought about it, the Remingtons had bright red hairs that were as bright as flames. The Crawfords had…

I discreetly glanced at Cameron, who was dumbfounded at the sight of Klaus. I didn't notice it for the past three months as I was busy training. But Cameron, no, the entire Crawford clan didn't have dark hairs.

Instead, the color of their hairs was the darkest shade of green. It was barely noticeable, unless the sun shone upon their hairs directly.

So, if the Remington had red hairs, and the Crawfords had dark lush. Why was Sam's brother had dark hair? Not silver?

I tilted my head to the side, confused. 

"I see you are the jealous type, brother. Since it is your first time to fancy a woman, I'd save my formal greetings later." Klaus uttered as he drew away, letting go of my hand.

Slowly, Klaus rose back to his feet. His powerful gaze immediately landed on me, peering at me from head to toe.

"Klaus, my brother!" Sam clapped once. "I appreciate this unannounced visit. However, this is not the right time to see my bride. As you can see, she's drenched with sweat and I can see her figure perfectly, I can barely hold it in."

"My brother, how can you turn such a fine lady into a man? I don't think her beautiful hands should hold weapons!" Klaus was smiling back.

Yet, despite the gleeful smiles plastered on their faces, the tension thickened. I pursed my lips, darting my eyes from Sam to Klaus. And then to Cameron, who just snapped out of it, then to Rufus's blank expression.

As expected of my instructor. Nothing could move him.

"Oh! Is that it? I thought I was seeing things when my brother tried to kiss my bride's hand! So, I saw it right? How amusing!" Again, Sam clasped his hands together as he took a step forward.

Instinctively, I stepped back. I had tons of questions in my mind; first in my list was the difference in their hair color.

But that wasn't important right now, right? I felt like I had to run back to the castle and have breakfast first.

"I merely want to greet my sister, brother!" Klaus' eyes squinted into a thin line. 

"Oh, is that it?" Sam took another step forward, still bearing that bright smile of his.

"Still, it's only been how many centuries, and yet, my brother still didn't know my feelings whenever others touch what's mine." This time, the smile on Sam's lips slowly faded.

As the two closed their distance, the smile on Klaus' lips also vanished. The latter raised his chin, sneering.

"Forgive me, brother. Your little brother got a bit excited, meeting the lady that had been the talk amongst nobles in the capital."

"And I see you also forgot that a word, forgiveness, didn't exist to me."

Would there be a fight between brothers? As soon as they met? The tension between them continued to build up.

However, I felt strangely calm about it. Therefore, I discreetly took a step back.

Stealthily so they wouldn't notice. I had a lot of surprises just before the sun rose. I didn't want to get involved.

"Brother." Klaus muttered without a trace of emotions.

This was it. I already got a whiff of a sparking, fierce battle.

I took another step back, slowly, carefully, and sneakily.

"Aren't you scaring your bride, brother?" Just as I thought I already distanced myself from them, I froze upon sensing Klaus' gaze.

"Not really." Sam shrugged as he also turned his head in my direction. "She told me if I kill, she'd help me bury the body. Isn't she romantic?"

"Is she?"

He he he… wouldn't they fight? Why were they looking at me like this?

I stared at Sam. His eyes scanning me from head to toe, his finger grazing his button lip. The side of his lips then curled charmingly.

"She is… romantic."

For some reason, I felt my ears burning. Pursing my lips, feeling a little flustered at Sam's remarks. There's nothing to be flustered about, really. But there's just something in his eyes and smile that made my heart pound against my chest.

"My." Klaus chuckled. "Brother, you're really smitten with her — it's a sight to behold! Taking this trip is really worth it!"

"Your — your highness." Suddenly, Cameron finally found his courage to speak. "What — I mean, the sixth prince had already visited Cunningham three months ago. I didn't hear that you…"

"Cameron, this is the reason the Crawfords were a family of losers! A disgrace to all pure-bloods. You're sheltering Hell who was invited by the king! Why would I be in this filthy place of cults if not for that?" 

It was amusing how Klaus said all those remarks so easily. Sam was just as blunt as him, but Sam had his ways to impart his wisdom in his sarcasm. But Klaus… he just purely insulted the entire Cunningham and the Crawfords with a smile.

"Ah. Forgive my ineptness, Your Highness." Yet Cameron hung his head low and replied calmly.

My brows furrowed seeing Cameron concede. Not that I didn't understand his disposition, but it was still frustrating to watch and hear.

Instinctively, I glanced at Sam. As soon as I did, I caught him staring at me. Once our eyes met, he sent me a wink and a smile.

"Since it's been so long since we've chatted, why don't you stay in this place for a bit longer, brother?" Sam clapped his hand as he approached Klaus. 

He then hooked his arms over Klaus' shoulders, smiling. "I'm sure you'll find your brief stay here entertaining since Fabian had been helping out a lot!"

As soon as Fabian's name was mentioned, the arrogant smile on Klaus' face instantly died down.

Huh?