The Duke's Passion

I was startled back to reality when Silvia suddenly came to my side. "Sister." I gazed up and smiled. "Sivi, why are you here?" I asked and my eyes fell on her armor attire, leaving me in awe.

"I came here to train," she answered with a light chuckle. "I heard you'll be joining the case about the undead, so I thought of visiting you."

"Sivi, is this why you've been busy?" I inquired, a little taken aback as I blinked cluelessly. That was quite surprising. Silvia had a fierce aura, but I didn't think I'd ever see her wearing light armor. She looked great!

Silvia chuckled once again, nodding. "I hope you understand I didn't mean to keep it from you."

"No, it's fine! I understand." My hand raised and shook, gesturing to her it wasn't a big deal. "I know there must be a reason, but Sivi, you look great even in armor!" I'm not lying. Silvia looked sophisticated in anything!

She chuckled before she raised a brow and set her eyes on Rufus. "Do you think so too, Sir Knight?" 

My eyes went wide as my breath hitched. I slowly moved my eyes towards Rufus, but there was nothing in his eyes, the same straight expression as usual.

"Greetings to your royal highness." Rufus beckoned a neck bow, obviously dodging the question, but knowing Silvia, she wouldn't let him off. The memory of my first meeting with Silvia suddenly flashed across my mind, and I shivered.

"Please raise your head, Sir Knight." Silvia chuckled while Rufus raised his head, keeping his face emotionless. "If you want to formally greet me, I can invite you to my bed. I'll happily accept you," she added, teasing him, but to no avail.

"I do not dare, your royal highness. Please, refrain from speaking ambiguous words, people might misunderstand."

"But I don't mind if they misunderstand. Who would go against Sir Rufus, after all?" Silvia's lips stretched from ear to ear, forming into a sly smirk. "Isn't that right?" 

Her teasing even made me a little flustered, but Rufus' face remained expressionless. Just what could faze this man? Rufus didn't answer anymore as he bowed.

"I will have to introduce the duchess to the members of the Order. I'm afraid we will have to excuse ourselves first, your royal highness," He said as he shifted his eyes on me and started walking past Silvia without looking back.

"Oh." I turned to Silvia and noticed the wrinkle of her smirk slightly faded. "Sivi, I'll see you later!" I said, reluctant to leave her, but she faced me and smiled. "See you," she said, and I nodded before jogging my way to catch up to Rufus.

Did I just imagine it? I looked back at Silvia, and she had already turned around. Why did I feel that, for a moment, Silvia looked so sad? It looked familiar… just like how she looked so sad the night of the banquet in the House of Thornhart. I shook my head and set my eyes ahead. I should ask her next time.

*

"Sir Knight, what kind of people are the Bearers of the Divine Order?" I asked as we headed to another training ground for the bearers like me. 

Rufus didn't cast me a glance as he answered, "Each bearer had a unique personality, your grace. Some may like or dislike you, but they won't hurt you."

"I know that, but I just thought of making a good impression." I frowned, sighing faintly. I'm not expecting everyone to like me, but I just thought leaving a good impression would be better.

"You married His lordship, your grace," Rufus said. "By now, after training with Lakresha, you should've understood that the Bearers will have this natural hostility towards His Grace."

I didn't respond anymore, as what he said was the truth. Lakresha had reacted strongly against Sam the first time, and I only tamed it recently. The weapons we carry would always react to individuals who could potentially harm the kingdom. 

"I see." I nodded and let a sharp exhale. "It can't be helped, then. It's not that I'm taking part to make friends, I just want to help Sam, that's all." Also, I didn't want to part with him for too long. 

Rufus glanced at me and smiled faintly. "You're stronger than before, your grace. You'll do just fine."

"Of course!" I confidently answer, but inside was a different story.

****

In the king's office, Samael propped his side against the desk and crossed his arms. "Tell me, Your Majesty." His eyes fixed on Stefan's figure, who stood in front of the window with a silver cup full of wine in his hand.

"Your foresight is failing, isn't it?"

Stefan remained silent momentarily before his lips parted. "What will you gain if I tell you or not?"

"Don't use it if it's useless now." Samael shrugged nonchalantly. Vampire abilities often came in handy for them. However, the repercussions could also be dire. Wielding a failing ability would only put Stefan in danger and be a nuisance.

"Are you concerned?" Stefan snickered as he cocked his head in Samael's direction. The latter chuckled and shrugged.

"Maybe?"

Stefan shook his head and slowly faced him. "If you didn't deny it, it only means you're not." He nodded, walking towards the armchair and plopped down languidly. "So, do you think Alistair lied about Alphonse's death?" he asked, and glanced at Samael only to see him nodding. 

"You can take my words with a grain of salt, but it's not impossible." Samael smacked his lips as he pulled away from the desk. "We all know Alphonse and what he is capable of. Anyway, I had to see my wife. She had probably met the other members of the Order."

Samael trudged towards the door as he already said everything he had to say to Stefan. When he reached the door, he halted upon hearing Stefan.

"I smelled her blood last night..." Slowly, Stefan set his eyes on Samael as the latter turned and faced him. "... will you really forget about her origins and our past?"

"I don't see any reason I shouldn't." Samael shrugged. "Her past doesn't matter to me, brother. And as long as you don't use the power of sire on her, I don't plan on breaking the truce."

"Do you love her?" 

Samael didn't answer, unlike how quickly he replied in the first question. He knew the answer, but somehow, he couldn't say it with confidence. 

"That's none of your concern, my brother." In the end, that's only the reply Samael could give him before leaving.