The Duke's Passion

[PRESENT TIME]

"Damn it…" Klaus cursed under his breath after recalling what happened last night.

Once Samael left him, Klaus' felt weak, as if he was withdrawing toxins from his fangs. The only thing he could remember was Fabian dragging him by the foot.

His memories were vague. But he could clearly remember Fabian's wicked smile while burying him.

'I know my fangs are not as strong as before. Also, there's always a tang of bitterness in my tongue.' Klaus muttered inwardly.

He touched his side tooth, pressing his thumb against it. It wasn't as sensitive as before, too.

"You should thank her ladyship for saving you from your impending doom." Suddenly, Klaus snapped to his senses upon hearing Rufus's voice from behind him.

He slowly dropped his hand. Slowly, Klaus turned to Rufus. His expression instantly sported a look of disdain.

"Non sense! Why would I be grateful to that insignificant human?!" 

"Please watch your words, your highness." Displeased at Klaus' snide remark, Rufus's eyes glinted with murderous intent.

"I know his highness is aware that the duke is very fond of his bride. Insulting her also means insulting the duke."

"Tch." Annoyed, Klaus clicked his tongue. "Where is Hell? He should come with me to the Capital."

"The duke went out with her ladyship today. He said he'll set off to the capital in three days." Rufus explained calmly.

"What?!"

"The Duke will set off —"

"No, not that. Did you say they went out? Where?" 

Rufus furrowed his brows, squinting his eyes. Klaus had always been the aggressive and pathetic prince. However, Klaus seemed a little alarmed by this information.

"The duke didn't give his destination since he didn't want anyone to interrupt his time with the future duchess." Still, Rufus didn't give the answer Klaus had sought.

Klaus could go off on his own, after all. Rufus wouldn't want that because it was rare for Lilou and Samael to have time for themselves.

"Future duchess…" Klaus snorted, finding the title ridiculous. He walked towards Rufus, stopping to his side.

"You and I and that damn brother of yours know well it won't be just a duchess." 

Klaus added, placing his hand on Rufus' shoulder. A smirk appeared on his lips while Rufus kept his expression in check.

"That woman doesn't deserve to stand beside nor behind my king. She should grovel on his feet." Klaus squeezed Rufus' shoulder lightly before tapping it as he trudged away.

Rufus stayed in his position motionlessly. His eyes glinting as his jaw tightened.

Slowly, Rufus closed his eyes as he took a deep breath. He had been avoiding a confrontation against a royal family member. Rufus even let the nobles go for the goodness of Grimsbanne.

However, the situation before and now had changed. Samael had awoke from his slumber. A confrontation like this was inevitable.

"Your Highness." Rufus reached for his sword as his eyes opened with determination.

Without a second hesitation, Rufus drew his sword. Turning around, leaping towards Klaus. Alas, Klaus was able to grab the blade with his claw-like nails.

"Attacking from behind is very unlike you, Sir Knight." Klaus sneered.

The blade trembled in his grip, moving forth ever so slowly. Before the blade could cut through his fingers, Klaus let it go and leapt a few steps back.

"You Barrett brothers are so annoying." Klaus clicked his tongue.

He knew Rufus held back in his first attempt. It was a warning attack for insulting Lilou. That fact annoyed Klaus even more.

"That is a warning, your highness." Rufus eased his shoulders as he withdrew his sword. "I won't ask you to like her ladyship, knowing your prejudice against mortals. However, I advise you to refrain from openly insulting her."

Rufus stared at Klaus adamantly. Even though he was a knight, Rufus only respected people who were worthy of respect. 

In other words, there were only a few people he respected and wouldn't wield his sword at. Samael, Fabian, and Lilou. The royal family wasn't on his list.

"She really got you all wrap around her fingers, huh?" Klaus scoffed in mockery. "That wench."

Klaus ground his teeth. His fangs grew longer, raising his hand. His fingers curled, cracking sound resonated from it as he stretched his neck in a circular motion.

"It makes my blood boil."

Upon stating so, Klaus disappeared from his spot. In a blink of an eye, he appeared above Rufus.

Thanks to Rufus' fast reflexes, he blocked his attack. He gritted his teeth, swinging his sword, which made Klaus leap back.

"So, this is your answer." Rufus smirked. "I don't mind reducing my lord's enemies."

Rufus didn't waste a second as he thrust his sword towards Klaus. One after another, he attacked Klaus without restraint. Each blow grew more powerful. 

But Klaus blocked all of them. Throwing his own attacks in between.

"You and I knew I'm on Hell's side." Klaus yelled through his gritted teeth upon stopping Rufus' blade.

Rufus hopped back. "But I don't think you share the same ideals."

"Hah…" Klaus chuckled in ridicule. "I may not. Because if I do, I would've told him who came with me in here."

Rufus furrowed his brows as he studied Klaus' sneer.

"Did you think I came alone? I left my nephew in Knotley. He's a bearer of a divine weapon, Auron. If by chance he encountered Hell, do you think that woman would leave unscathed? Hell is always soft to mortals. But he had changed completely. So, it's my duty to make him realize fragile things are best to keep as playthings." 

Rufus froze as he registered everything Klaus said. When he got the good grasp of what Klaus said, Rufus' voice thundered.

"What did you say?!"

"You are right when you say I don't share the same ide…" Suddenly, Klaus paused upon getting a whiff of Claude's power covering the entire Cunningham. Rufus' eyes widened as well. 

Not just the two of them, Cameron who was busy praying in the chapel felt his heart throbbed loudly. He immediately opened his eyes as he set his eyes on the large stained glass.

"What is happening in Knotley?" Cameron murmured under his breath.

Meanwhile, Fabian paused from pouring the tea as he raised his head. His eyes scanned all the servants around him. No one was moving aside from him.

Fabian put the teapot down carefully. Without a word, he walked in a certain direction. As walked through the hallway, he slid his hand inside his suit pocket.

When Fabian took out the small box from his butler uniform, he opened it. Taking out a small skull ring. The soft clip clop of his loafers resonated across the hallway.

"I should've had tea before I went gardening." He muttered, carefully sliding the ring in his forefinger; passing through unmoving servants who were affected by Claude's ability.

Not long after, another familiar and hair-raising aura crawled under his skin.

"They had angered him." Fabian's eyes sharpened.