The Duke's Passion

Meanwhile, in the king's office, the guarding knights outside the office blocked the door with their spear, making a cross sign. Samael cocked his head to one and then to the other, smiling brightly until his eyes squinted into mere slits.

"If I were you, don't do that." Samael shook his head, closed-lipped. "You know I will enter even if there's ten of you here."

The guarding knights quivered under their armor but still didn't budge. Stefan had ordered not to let anyone in, so they were merely following the orders. Now, they just had to hope the defiant third prince, who was daring enough to walk around without a shirt on, wouldn't snap their necks.

"Hmmm…" Samael rubbed his chin as he glanced up the door, having an idea in mind. He placed his hand on the side of his lips and took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, I will kick the door open, alright?!" he yelled while his eyes darted from the two guarding knights standing on either side of the door. "I'll give you ten seconds, bid your love one's farewell."

His smiling expression, by saying such alarming words, sent a chill down the guard's spine. Just like what Samael said, he started counting down, "ten, five, two…" skipping numbers, not giving them time to reconsider.

"… on —" before Samael could finish his messed-up countdown, the door creaked open. He quirked a brow as he shifted his eyes to the person who opened the door.

"Your temper is getting better, Hell." Beatrice smiled sweetly as she closed her hand fan. "You do countdowns now."

"I discovered the joy of suspense and thrill during my long stay in here." Samael grinned as the knights withdrew their spears to make way for Beatrice. "Although, I must say, your taste in men never changes."

"Why? Are you jealous that I never come to you? I might reconsider if you keep walking around half-naked."

"Oh, princess." the corner of his lips curled up devilishly. "My wife is quite the jealous type. I'll be in trouble if you say it like that."

"Now, that's interesting, Your Grace. I never thought there will be a person who will tame someone such as yourself." 

"Tame? I will take that as a compliment. My wife is quite a character, you see." His smile stretched even wider as he was the proudest of Lilou. He doesn't mind shocking everyone for being tamed by his wife.

"I know, Your Grace." Beatrice chuckled softly, hiding her lips behind her hand fan. "It makes me want to see it for myself."

"Well, if you have a chance, but I'll tell you, she is quite busy with her… character development." His grin remained as he took a step to the side, making way for her.

Beatrice chuckled even more at his misplaced gentleman act. "This kingdom never ceased to amaze me every visit," she muttered, stopping in front of Samael as she cast him a mischievous look. "I'm looking forward to what kind of surprise you'd do this time, Your Grace."

"Don't make it sound like my only purpose is your entertainment. I'm hurt!"

"Forgive me if that is how it sounds." Beatrice raised a brow as a cunning glint flickered across her eyes. "But your long slumber had bored me. I nearly died. Things are so uneventful without you in this world."

Beatrice patted one of the knight's chest, batting her eyes coquettishly. "His Majesty approved the Duke's audience."

"You now sound like the mistress of the house, Princess." 

"Is the thought of being your sister-in-law a bad idea, Your Grace?" she smiled sweetly at him, making him smile even more.

"I never said that." Samael stood in front of the door, raising his chin up without looking back at Beatrice. "I hope you find your stay here comfortable."

"Comfort is not a problem, but I hope it'll be an enjoyable one as well."

His smile grew into a smirk as his eyes glinted dangerously. "Then, look forward to it." Samael then moved forth.

"I am looking forward to it," Beatrice whispered before she headed on her way with a cunning smirk on her lips.

'I wonder what sort of surprise you had prepared, Hell. Although… I don't think the sky will clear up so easily because people back home had their eyes on the outside world now.'

****

"Hello, my dear brother! It seems you've been busy playing around with the Princess of Cross Kingdom." Samael greeted gleefully with his arms spread wide while marching his way towards the desk.

Stefan slowly raised his head, sitting behind the desk while his eyes scanned Samael's bare top. "It also seemed you had a busy morning, brother."

"I was busy making a mess with my wife, yes!" Samael grinned as he perched on the edge of the desk, his palm on the surface of the desk. 

"I don't like where you're sitting." Stefan pointed out as he narrowed his eyes.

"But I like the view of here," Samael smirked as he arched a brow playfully. "I enjoy looking down on you. You look quite pitiful, which reminds me of that whore of a mother of yours, back when she pleaded for mercy."

  Stefan's hand balled into a fist as rage flickered across his eyes, but he managed to suppress his anger. "Did you visit just so you can aggravate me?"

"Oh my, of course, not! How can I do something as childish as that?!" He dramatically gasped as he frowned, before chuckling at his own actions. "I came here because I need to think about what I should do with you."

"So, you heard my visit last night?"

"An affair, bearing an heir… yes." Samael nodded languidly. "My wife is very transparent with me, although I sometimes hope she keeps those pieces of information to herself sometimes since it pisses me off."

"But it didn't piss you enough to run rampant? You've built quite the tolerance." Stefan smirked as he leaned back against the chair, resting his arms over the armrest. "I applaud you for that."

"My brother, running amok is what you want from me — why would I give you what you want?"

Stefan let out a low chuckle, smiling that didn't reach his ear. "So, you came here for?"

"I came here to fulfill my duties as your older brother." This time, Samael's eyes sharpened, tapping his sharp fingernails that were akin to a claw against the desk. 

"Stop it, Stefan. Don't follow in your father's footsteps."