The Duke's Passion

"You're right. Anything can happen in this palace... for example, someone finding your body with your head missing."

My brow raised as I sensed another presence from a distance. Cassara was lucky, I thought. 

I leaned over to her side and whispered in her ear. "I always wonder why you're always missing in every important gathering. It turns out you're hilariously weak."

Cassara shook under my grip and couldn't move from the shock. Did she think my memories with Stefan were all butterflies and rainbows?

"Your royal highness, can we keep this a secret between us?" I tilted my head back a little, giving her a side-eye while she shifted her shaking eyes to me. 

"How dare you? Do you think I will listen to a mere human like you?" Her voice faltered, but still put up a brave front. 

A sigh slipped past my lips as Cassara was indeed a character. Not only she was useless, but her pride also doesn't match her disposition. 

"Do you have an option, my dear sister-in-law?" I embraced her tightly, smirking as my eyes glinted. "Do you think after pulling this skit, your safety is guaranteed? Lexx is the last person you should be concerned about, my sister. My husband will deliver you to hell… oh no, killing Sam will put you in more misery. Should we do that, instead?"

"Insolent human," Casarra spat in dismay. "Don't think so highly of yourself, human. Hell is not someone who you can kill so easily."

"You're right, but I am his wife and he is mostly defenseless around me."

My smirk stretched wider as soon as her back stiffened, so I stroke it with a hush to calm her down. Cassara loved my husband so much I wanted to snap her neck, but I fought the urge because she still had her uses.

"There, there, it'll be fine, sister." I cajoled, patting her back lightly while resting the side of my head against hers. "Just do what you do, but keep things between us first. Can I trust you with that?" 

Cassara remained quiet while I hear her grinding her teeth. Honestly, she could sink her fangs into me right now and we could fight until one of us was dead. But Cassara might be a coward, but she was not that stupid. She knew her chances of winning, especially now that I had Lakresha.

"I will kill you, the last descendant of Bloodfang." She warned under her breath, but it wasn't worth listening to.

I slowly let her go, taking a step back while holding her shoulders. "You already did, my sister."

We stared at each other for a moment while I squeezed her shoulders lightly. Cassara had already killed Lilou the second she showed me all the missing pieces in my memories… she killed my heart, to be precise.

"I will visit you next time, sister," I uttered, before I heard Silvia's voice from behind us.

"Lilou?" called Silvia, followed by Yul.

"What are you… Cassara?" 

Yul immediately stomped his way towards us, grabbing my arm and pulled me behind him. 

"Cassara, what are you doing with Lilou?" he instigated, while standing protectively before me. 

Cassara scoffed in dismay as she gazed up at Yul. "Brother, this sight of yours is funny; I could die." 

"Cassara." Yul's voice was low and menacing as if he was talking to an enemy instead of his sister. Well, I couldn't blame him. I glanced at his strong side profile before shifting my eyes to Cassara. 

'Poor little thing,' I thought. 'She built her notorious reputation and now reaping what she sows.' 

"Lilou, are you alright?" I flinched when Silvia stood on my side, staring at me worriedly.

The side of my lips curled into a smile. "Yes, Sivi." 

I took a deep breath and tugged Yul's arm. These two had considered me as their family despite their initial motives and were genuinely concerned that I was left alone with Cassara. 

"Yul, don't misunderstand. Cassara accompanied me while I was waiting for you and Sivi." Yul gazed down at me and I offered him a smile. "She means well."

"I don't need you to explain for me, impudent human," Cassara spat as she gazed at the three of us in ridicule. "You two don't know the demon you're sheltering, I pity you." 

After spatting her piece, Cassara stared at me for a moment before she huffed and left. We remained silent for a while before the two of them faced me.

"Are you alright?" Yul asked, making me chuckle. "The king suddenly summoned us. If I know, I would've told you to wait for me so we can go together."

He let out a sigh full of regret while Silvia also voiced out her thoughts. "Don't listen to Cassara, my dear. Did she perhaps hurt you?"

I wanted to tell them it was me who nearly hurt her, but my tongue rolled back. Cassara wouldn't speak about what happened for now, so I had to keep acting like before. Not that I had to fake my affection for these two, as they were the only few people who truly cared for me in this hell.

"You think so badly of Cassara." I shook my head while chuckling, couldn't believe that Silvia would go against her own sister for me. "I'm just happy that you two are here now."

I reached for both their hands, staring at them before I squeezed them lightly. "I'm really glad to have you two with me." 

"Lilou," Yul whispered, a bit taken aback by my sentiments. 

Meanwhile, Silvia also chuckled as she held my hand and stroke my hair lovingly. "Just tell me if Cassara bullied you. I will put her in her place."

I giggled at Silvia's words, as she was truly like a big sister. It made me wonder if Silvia would change once she knew, that the 'Lakresha' they all met during my wedding night was actually just my old self with a little bit of Lakresha's help. I saw Yul's reaction, but Silvia… I'm not sure. 

"Let's not just stand here. I'm exhausted, so I'm really looking forward to teatime!" I exclaimed and dragged the two of them to our special spot. They didn't notice a thing, or at least Silvia didn't, but I'm looking forward to meeting a certain person. 

Fabian.