The Duke's Passion

After that, Sam dragged his brother along with Cameron. They headed back to the manor while Rufus and I remained in the training grounds.

"Did I see it correctly?" I muttered, staring mindlessly at where the three left off.

"You didn't, my lady." Rufus answered as he picked up a wooden sword from the ground.

"The Duke might have held back since he knew his head butler, Fabian, is here." 

I faced Rufus' direction. My brows almost reaching each other. I'm confused.

"What do you mean by that, Sir Knight? Was there a bad blood between Mister Fabian and the Fifth prince?"

A subtle smirk resurfaced on his lips. From my perspective, it was more of a proud smile from a brother to his big brother.

Right. Rufus was younger than Fabian. But Fabian preferred to be a butler because of personal reasons. Also, Fabian told me he was weak — I doubt it, though.

"Bad blood? More like a one-sided hate. The fifth prince detests Sir Fabian." Rufus explained.

Still, it made little sense. I tilted my head, staring at Rufus. Waiting for more explanation.

When he glanced up at me, a sigh slipped past his lips. "It was something in the past."

"Aren't you worried about Mister Fabian?" I wondered. They're brothers, after all.

Although I knew Fabian was a reliable butler, I'm not sure about fighting. I asked about it in the past out of curiosity.

Who wouldn't? Rufus was a knight, while Fabian became a butler. But all Fabian said was that fighting was not for him. He'd rather stay clean and tend the household of the duke.

It made sense, though. Fabian loved cleanliness. He's even more neat and well-groomed than Sam.

"Worry?" Rufus cast me a conflicted look. "Why would I?"

"Because it's the fifth prince. Even Marquess Cameron had to swallow his pride despite his snide remarks."

"My lady, ease your worry. I should be more worried about the fifth prince. My brother had a temper." Rufus reassured solemnly.

Fabian had a temper? I looked up and imagined. Yet, no matter how much I expand my imagination, all I could see was Fabian's smiling front.

I couldn't imagine it. Fabian was the kindest and had the longest patience. If not, he'd have lashed out on me during my early days in the duke's manor.

"Really, my lady. You shouldn't worry about Mister Fabian." Rufus sighed, shaking his head lightly before tossing me the wooden sword.

"It's still early. I think you would set off sooner than expected. Therefore, we'll have to train harder."

"Yes!" I nodded enthusiastically, shrugging off the thoughts about the uninvited guest of Cunningham.

If Sam were here, I wouldn't have to worry about Fabian. He wouldn't let anyone hurt Fabian.

****

Meanwhile, inside the Crawford's castle.

Cameron had led the way. Behind him were Samael and Klaus, walking side by side through the long hallway.

Silence enveloped the three as the sound of their footsteps bounced across every corner of the hall. Cameron glanced over his shoulders, sensing the intimidating aura that only the La Crox naturally bore.

"Where's Fabian?" Klaus inquired, looking ahead.

"Oh, ho! Don't get too excited, brother. There's something more important we need to discuss, right?" Unfazed, Sam chuckled gleefully as he glanced at Klaus's side profile.

Slowly, Klaus raised his hand, his fingers cracking as they curled. A sneer turned up on his lips.

"Ahh…"

Seeing the murderous sneer on Klaus' lips made Samael smirk in ridicule. Yet, he said nothing as they kept following Cameron.

"This castle is uselessly huge. How long until we reach the meeting room?" Klaus clicked his tongue after minutes of walking.

"Apologies, Your Highness." Cameron beckoned a slight bow. "We're almost there."

Just as what Cameron said, they soon reached a huge door. Cameron faced them politely, moving his arm, and made a gesture.

"Please, come in."

"Tsk. Useless." Klaus snapped his tongue once again, casting Cameron a glance as he trudged in.

Cameron secretly gritted his teeth and remained silent. As the two walked in, Samael suddenly placed his hand on Cameron's shoulder.

Out of instinct, Cameron raised his head. Samael said nothing, but he winked at him and grinned.

This slight gesture somehow calmed Cameron down. They had mocked Samael the worst. But he's more bearable to be with, unlike his other brothers.

When Samael and Klaus entered the spacious meeting room, Cameron followed in. But when he went in, Klaus stood on the entrance motionlessly.

Cameron followed Klaus' murderous gaze. His eyes landed on the figure inside, dusting off the spiderwebs from the windows with a feather duster. His jaw fell off as he had sensed danger exuding from Klaus.

Yet, Fabian looked too peaceful doing his chore!

"What a nasty sight to behold." Klaus remarked with a sneer, gazing at Fabian's back.

Slowly, Fabian turned around and bowed politely. It didn't seem he cared, meeting Klaus after a long time.

"Lord Cameron, I had heard you had some guests. That's why I personally cleaned this room."

"Ah…" Cameron darted his eyes from Fabian to Klaus awkwardly.

"I had removed all insects lingering in this room. However, only now I realized I probably made a wrong assumption. It seemed the insects here were part of your collections since you brought an exotic insect with you. My apologies."

Cameron nearly choked on his own saliva. Did he hear what he just heard?

Insect? Cameron discreetly shifted his gaze to Klaus. The Crawford had been at the mercy of the La Crox. But, how dare a butler drop an obvious snide remark — with a straight face — in front of the fifth prince?

Even if the rebellious prince Samael was here, it was just too wrong. At least for Cameron, who was too afraid to stand up against the La Crox for his own benefit.

"Fabian, bring us wine. Marquess seem a bit flustered about the fifth prince's sudden visit." Unlike Cameron, Samael remained calm as he trudged towards the settee.

Samael plopped down leisurely, resting his elbow on the armrest. His eyes, though. They remained at Klaus' visage, as the latter had his eyes fixed on Fabian.

"Yes, my lord." Without a care to anyone, Fabian faced Sam, placing his palm across his chest, bowing.

When Fabian strode towards the door where Klaus stood, Cameron took a step to the side. Cameron couldn't sit if Klaus remained standing as a sign of respect to the latter.

"An insect?" Klaus muttered under his breath. "It's been centuries, yet, you still haven't changed, Fabian."

Fabian paused as Klaus blocked his way. He smiled politely.

"I say the same to you, Your Highness. You haven't changed as well."

"Hah…" Klaus' eyes glinted as his fangs revealed themselves.

"I see your fangs had grown back, Your Highness." The smile on Fabian's face slowly faded away. "Shall I extract them again for you?"