The Duke's Passion

In the middle of the night, I opened my eyes, only to see it was still dark. My throat felt parched and I dragged myself to sit up straight, looking around at the dim room. 

'Sam didn't return tonight again.' I thought as I rubbed my eyes. I checked the side table, but a glass of water wasn't there. 

Lena hadn't been here, and I dismissed Mildred immediately earlier. A deep sigh slipped past my lips as my urge to drink water increased. 

'I'll just grab one, then.' I told myself, flinging my legs out of the bed, and walked towards the door. The third prince's palace was like a cold palace, as it was almost deserted of servants. I preferred the quietness, though, and the privacy of the lack of servants.

'The last time I fetched some water in the middle of the night, I overheard a conversation I didn't want to hear.' That memory of that night when Cassara snuck here suddenly hovered over my head as my hand reached for the door handle. 'I just wish nothing like that will happen.'

With that thought in mind, I opened the door, hearing its loud creaking noise. As soon as I did, I once again questioned whether God ever listened to my prayers, or it was just my terrible luck. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked and felt a painful scratch in my throat while my eyes panned up to see the person standing in front of my chambers — in the middle of the night.

Stefan.

His fiery crimson eyes met mine, making me flinch at the aura he exuded. "Where are you going?"

My heart suddenly throbbed loudly against my chest. Was he asking me about our plan to run away? Or was he merely asking me where I planned to go in the middle of the night? I would think it was the latter immediately if Sam and I didn't have this secret plan!

"Why are you still awake?" he asked once again, receiving no response from me. 

A light scoff slipped past my lips as I raised my chin. "Your Majesty, I don't think you should be the one asking that question. You are standing in front of my chambers in the middle of the night, so, shouldn't it be more logical for me to know what are you doing in front of my chambers?" 

"I want to talk to you."

As if. I mentally rolled my eyes. "You can always summon me if it's that important, Your Majesty."

Stefan didn't speak anymore and just took a step forward. His action made me step back, but my brows furrowed upon getting a whiff of wine.

"Are you drunk, Your Majesty?" I asked as I sniffed harder and he reeked of alcohol. Just how many barrels of wine did he consume to be drunk and come here? Had he lost his mind?

"Lilou." Stefan placed his palm against the door and the other on the jamb. "Let me in."

"Your Majesty, have you lost your mind?!" I yelled in disbelief, grinding my teeth. "Even if you are the king, how can you request to stay inside a married woman's room? Your brother's wife, of all people."

"My brother's wife… right." A ridiculing chuckle escaped his mouth as he hung his head low, shaking it lightly. "Does it matter, though?" 

My jaw tightened as my hand clenched. 'Just one more day and night, Lilou. Don't let him know you already retrieved your memories.' My mind advised as I fought the urge of calling out Lakresha to slice him in half. 

I took a deep breath and calmed myself. "If you wish to rest in here, then I shall stay in the guest room."

I opened the door wide and stepped aside. Avoiding any confrontation was my top priority… as long as he wouldn't cross the line further.

"Can you join me?" he requested, making me cringe in dismay. "I need some company tonight."

"Your Majesty, I don't want to be rude, but us, talking right now, considering how late it is, can cause a misunderstanding." I breathed out sharply, but couldn't conceal the contempt in my eyes. "Our palace is not as grand as the main palace, but I hope this humble place can still give you some comfort."

I bowed politely before gliding my way to the side discreetly. If he planned to do something to me, he wouldn't just stand outside my chambers. He could've just trudged in, but he didn't.

Just as I walked past him, Stefan suddenly grabbed my wrist and spun me around to face him. "If you go now, I will really lose my mind."

My mouth immediately opened, as I was ready to argue with him. However, I noticed how he looked so wasted and desperate. 

"I don't plan on doing anything to you… I just need some company." Stefan's eyes glimmered with longing as if he was desperate to be heard. "So, stay… will you?"

My pupils constricted as my eyes darkened hearing his last remarks. STAY? I suppressed the hysterical laughter that was tempting to come out from me, as those words were akin to a key to opening a bitter memory I purposely buried.

"Please." I exhaled and gazed down, hiding the evident hatred on my face. "Let me go."

I thought I could be indifferent to him. However, it was hard to ignore everything he had done in the past now that he was right in front of me… now that he was acting so shameless in front of the person who promised to kill him if he ever showed his face once again.

"I don't care if anyone misunderstands us right now. I even prefer it. I think I really lost my mind..." His grip around my wrist tightened as he took a step forward while I gazed up at him. Stefan's eyes were blazing red as they stared into my eyes as if they could even penetrate my soul.

He bent over, inching closed as he stressed each word. "Say… shall we have an affair?"