The Duke's Passion

Samael stood on Dao CC's bedside and gazed at her. She was breaking out in sweats, clutching the sheet tightly.

"Sorry," He muttered as he wiped the child's forehead by the back of his hand. "Lilou will be heartbroken once she knows she is involved in all this."

His eyes softened, knowing Lilou's fondness for children. She might've not known, or rather, Lilou was too blind with her obsession towards Stefan and his manipulation, that she turned a blind eye about where all these experiments would lead.

"CC, is it?" Samael cocked his head to the side when Dao CC weakly opened her eyes and softly called, "milord?"

He offered a weak smile. "Cc, don't die." Samael pricked his fingertip and squeezed a drop on the child's lips. 

Dao CC smacked her lips and winced at the iron taste that lingered in her mouth. It didn't take long when her heart thumped loudly against her chest as her entire body froze. She broke out in sweats almost instantly as a scorching heat coursed through her body.

Her intense screams, while she writhed in pain, made Fabian rush inside. Still, that didn't wake up the other children, as they were in deep slumber.

"Your grace!" Fabian called out in panic, wide-eyed seeing the child almost lose her mind while rolling on her bed, holding her head while quivering.

"Don't worry, Fabian," Samael uttered calmly while gazing down at the suffering child. His hand slowly balled into a fist as his jaw tightened. "I just gave her a year of my life because they will die before Cameron arrives here. My blood will quench the hunger of the vampire's blood that is slowly devouring them inside."

His eyes glinted menacingly as he scanned the other children. "That fucking Stefan and Alphonse… I will kill them, Fabian."

Fabian pressed his lips into a thin line before he bent down on his knees with his palm across his chest. 

"Everyone is ready on our side, your grace," He affirmed. "For the kingdom, for the future of the children just like them… we're prepared for the war."

Samael nodded before the corner of his lips curled into a smirk. "We will all die, Fabian."

"Our deaths will mark the peace of the future generation." 

"You said the same thing as those Bloodfangs." Samael chuckled before he took a deep breath. "And they're all dead now... leaving behind more trouble for this so-called future generation."

****

Meanwhile, in the king's room, Stefan watched the wine as he swirled it gently in his hands. He rested his other leg over the other, sitting comfortably in his seat near the window.

"Hell will start taking action soon," Stefan uttered in a low tone as he lifted his glass of wine to his lips. "How fascinating. Lena, how's my little Lilou?"

"Your Majesty, about Lilou…" Lena, who was kneeling not far away from him, raised her head with eyes full of worry. "She had been in distress about her night… dreams."

"Do you think she will lose her mind again?" 

Lena gazed down at her hands that were on her knees. "I'm just worried about her, Your Majesty."

"What do you think will happen if I had chosen a different path, Lena?" Stefan tilted his head back while his eyes softened with bitterness. "The future I had seen years ago… it already happened."

That scene where Lilou was lying in the coffin he had seen years ago was the same scene when he welcomed Lilou in the Capital. He didn't realize it was for that purpose until he was already standing before the coffin.

"What an unreliable ability." He sneered in ridicule, as he couldn't believe that was what it meant. "I should've listened to her back then, Lena. If only I did, she wouldn't be someone else's wife… and her husband is Hell of all people. Fate surely had its sick humor, don't you think?"

"I think your decision back then is only best for everyone, Your Majesty. You wouldn't find Prince Alphonse if you remain within the country."

"Tsss." Stefan scoffed in disbelief, as he had always done what was in the best interest of the throne and for the La Crox family. However, after years of grief, longing, and sacrifices, he was getting tired of it. 

"I never thought there will be a day I will question all my decisions," He murmured as he gazed down, bitterness flickering across his eyes. "I facilitated the wedding of the woman I yearned with the man I abhor the most and the reason I had to let her go back then. Isn't it silly?"

"Your Majesty…" She pursed her lips in a thin line as she stared at Stefan worriedly. "I'm sure if you explained it to Lilou, she will understand. I watched over her for years. I'm certain she will accept you once she recovers her memories."

Stefan chugged down the entire wine and hissed in satisfaction. "You believe that Lena?" a ridiculing chuckle slipped past his lips while shaking his head and poured himself another glass. "Let me tell you, once Lilou recovers her memories, she'll be a problem and the power of sire will be gone."

Lena studied Stefan's expression and furrowed her brows upon seeing his expression. "If she will be a problem, you seemed pleased about it, Your Majesty."

"That's because she will not only be a problem to me, but to Hell as well." Stefan chuckled softly while picking up the glass of wine. "Neither I nor Hell will own her, and she will have people on her own because she has the right for the throne… those Bloodfangs are annoying in death, as they were in life."

"I highly doubt that will be our concern, for now, Your Majesty. We are prepared with the third prince's plans, so I don't think we have to concern ourselves with Lilou's situation for now."

"No, Lena." He shook his head and set his eyes on her. "You shouldn't be complacent. Keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't awaken all the memories before the founding week. It'll be troublesome if she recovered her memories now, and starts gathering people. Even with a short time, we don't know who were the people who knew the Bloodfang's scheme and were just waiting for that day."

Although Lena still doubted that, she knew Stefan was quite meticulous. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good," He said, nodding before shifting his eyes towards the window. "Should I tease her today?" he murmured as the corner of his lips curled into a smirk before downing the glass of wine.