The Duke's Passion

"Lexx, why would you want to have a vacation in this place when we can go somewhere decent?" Lilou inquired with a furrowed brow as she gazed outside the carriage that was passing the street of Banse. 

"It's because this is where we first met," Stefan answered with a shrug, staring at her who was sitting across from him. "And your place is strangely peaceful, so it's a perfect vacation place."

Lilou glanced at him, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. "You're the one acting strange. I'm starting to doubt your reasons."

Her blunt response made him chuckle. It was still a miracle that she hadn't figured his plans yet, as she had always been perceptive.

"Lexx, you don't plan on leaving me, do you?" she asked without taking her eyes off of him. 

Stefan sported a smile, shaking his head. "I will kill you if you leave me, so why would I do that?" 

"Good." His reply made her smile, satisfied, as she nodded, before shifting her attention to the window. "It's been a while since I've been here. I'm not sure if my shack is still there." 

"Even if it got blown away, we can just rebuild it together."

Lilou once again turned her head in his direction, eyebrows raised. "You?"

"Me and you." Stefan pointed to himself and then to Lilou. "Don't you think building our place together is much more fun than staying in an inn?" 

"Ohh…"

"Our place…" He smiled as he slowly turned his eyes towards the window and murmured, "We will fill it with just our memories together."

She stared at his side profile, narrowing her eyes in suspicion, but said nothing. For the past two years, Stefan wasn't the type to say such things and barely showed his affection for her. So, right now, his words just heightened her doubts about his actual plans.

'Even if I know what he is thinking…' Lilou averted her gaze as the two of them shared a moment of silence. '… as long as he doesn't abandon me, I can forgive him.'

*****

Three weeks had passed ever since Lilou and Stefan arrived in Lilou's shack. As expected, the shack was barely standing on its own, with its roof missing. The two of them exerted an effort to build it, but alas…

"You know what? This won't do!" Lilou snapped her tongue, shaking her head as the two of them stood in front of the shack. "How the hell did you think we can rebuild this if you don't have experience or basic knowledge of how to do it?!" 

Stefan chuckled as he found it ridiculous and hilarious. "But I think we did a good job, though?" 

"Good job?!" she gasped in disbelief with her eyes dilating before pointing a finger towards her place. "You call that a good job? Can't you see the door is crooked?"

"Is it?" he arched a brow, rubbing his chin as he stared at the door. 

"Lexx, you don't have to tilt your head to convince yourself it's not." Lilou let out a defeated sigh as Stefan just tilted his head while staring at the door. "This is not a vacation, it's forced labor."

For the past three weeks, Lilou and Stefan just camped outside during the night and work on it during the day. She couldn't deny that she had fun as she found out a few sides of him, but it was still frustrating that their best was not enough.

"Come here, sweetheart." Stefan chuckled as he sprawled his arms across her shoulder as they faced the shack. "Even if it's crook and lacks in appeal, doesn't it remind you of us?" 

He cocked his head to her, meeting her gaze when she gazed up at him. The corner of his lips curled into a smile while Lilou pouted.

"It does, but I don't understand why we're doing this," she murmured. "It's not like we will live here for a long time since you keep going into many places."

Stefan remained silent as he fixed his eyes on the shack. Although he had been tired and used his hands on something like this, the memories he made with her were all worth it. 

"Are you doing this because I might die once you turn me into a vampire?" Lilou whisked his arm away as she faced him squarely, holding both his hands. "Do you really think I will die?" 

He slowly faced her, staring straight in the eye, and smiled weakly. "I won't let that happen, sweetheart." 

"Lexx, I have no one else but you. So, even if I die, don't blame yourself, alright?" 

His expression slowly turned gloomy while seeing the determination in her eyes. How could he not blame himself if he would push her to her death despite seeing the future?

"Lexx, I think I lov…" Lilou trailed off as she gazed up, seeing the small white flakes falling down on them. "… it's been a while, and this is our second winter together."

"Mhm." Stefan stroked her hair gently, watching her marvel at the snow. 

"I think we will test the shack if it can endure the winter," she whispered with a smile, feeling something heavy in her heart. Her gut feeling told her this winter would be much colder than the previous one.

"Lilou, will you wait for me?" Lilou snapped her eyes and shifted it to Stefan upon his query.

"Pardon?" she cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to clarify his words. Stefan tucked her hair behind her ear with his eyes full of sorrow.

"I don't want to lose you. So, I want to find out another method to turn you into one of us with no risk." Stefan explained before holding her gaze. "Will you wait for me until then?" 

"What… are you saying you will leave me here while you do that?"

His jaw tightened as he nodded. "As long as you stay with me as a human, your life will be in constant danger."

"Even so, I can protect myself," Lilou argued with a low scoff.

"I had enemies, Lilou. A lot of more powerful enemies." Stefan cupped her cheek on both sides. "The people you had met so far were not even worth a glance, unlike the real enemies that had been on my back. Once they knew our relationship, they will use you against me."

"And you think I'd let that happen?" Lilou scoffed. "Aren't you underestimating me so much?" 

"No, sweetheart." Stefan let out a defeated sigh as he rested his forehead against her. "I know you won't let that happen, and you'd rather die than let that happen. But I don't want you to die, and want you to stay by my side forever."

Lilou scoffed as she held his wrist, pushing him away while taking a step back. "If you really want to keep me by your side, why are you abandoning me? It doesn't make sense, Lexx."

"It's because…" Stefan raised his hand to reach her but stopped when Lilou took another step back. 

"It's because, what?"

It's because of his disposition, but he couldn't say that now. "Lilou, love, I, listen —"

Lilou cut him off by raising her hand. "Lexx, I can forgive you for everything and I can believe all of your lies. But, you know my wish. My one and only request from you and that is to not leave me all alone again." 

"It's just for a few years, Lilou." Stefan reached for her hand, squeezing it as he stared into her eyes, hoping she would listen to him just this once. "I will come and get you, I promise."

The two of them stared at each other, pain flickering across their eyes. 

"Is this the best decision you can come up with, Lexx?" Lilou inquired in a ridiculing tone as she chuckled in disbelief. "I'm telling you, Lexx, once you leave me alone here, don't ever show your face to me."

Lilou pulled her hand away from him as she staggered back. More than the sadness of being alone once again, rage slowly filled her heart.

"I will kill you if I ever see your face again." She warned, nodding while taking several steps back. "And I will never forgive you for giving me heaven just to give me hell."

****

The corner of my lips curled into a wicked grin, watching Cassara's pupil dilate. Before she could move, I placed my hand on either side of her head. 

"Thank you for reminding me, your royal highness." I expressed, tightening my grip on her head. "You're right. Anything can happen in this palace... for example, someone finding your body with your head missing."

**A/N: CHECK COMMENT FOR ARTWORK