The Duke's Passion

"Currently, the undead were still wreaking havoc in the west wing. The royal knights were resisting them from advancing to the inner palace."

"And Hell?" 

The man who was reporting the current situation to Stefan gazed down. "He had entered the inner palace. The tenth prince had confronted him, but the fifth prince appeared."

"Oh, Klaus?" Stefan leaned back, his back against the throne as he propped his jaw on his knuckles. His leg resting over the other. 

"Yes. Shall we add Prince Klaus to our list?"

Stefan's eyes fell on Luther, a middle-aged vampire whose hair had a streak of white and black strands. "Klaus… I don't think he knew anything about this. If he did, everyone would know about it since he has a big mouth."

"Then, what shall we do to the fifth prince, Your Majesty?"

Stefan didn't speak momentarily, with his eyes narrowing into slits. He tapped his fingers against the armrest, pondering what could have happened in a battle between Klaus and Hanz.

"I'm certain Klaus will kill Hanzel; this is an opportunity for him to avenge his beloved Lucia," he uttered calmly, aware of the hidden grudge Klaus had against Hanz and his other brothers. "But Hanz had been honing his skills. Even if Klaus stands victorious, it'll be a losing victory. So, let him be, for now. Klaus still has his uses."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"About Claude…?" Stefan deliberately paused as he cast Luther a look.

"The young prince is in the cold palace tower. He hadn't left since," Luther reported, having eyes around the palace.

Stefan nodded in understanding. "Keep him safe. It'll be hard to tame Klaus if that child dies."

"Yes, Your Majesty." 

"What else?" asked Stefan, and Luther knew what kind of report his king wanted to know.

"The Duchess and Fabian the Butler are heading east. We have yet to confirm if east is their original destination or just what they want us to believe. Nevertheless, it seemed their plan is to run away." Luther immediately relayed the information without leaving a single detail out. "We had deployed elite knights to follow their tracks and drag her back, Your Majesty."

"Running away…?" Stefan smirked evilly, followed by a low chuckle. "Tell the knights who are following them to retreat."

"Your Majesty?"

"We need more men in here to deal with the undead."

"But, Your Majesty, the duchess…"

"She will come back on her own." His pair of crimson eyes glinted, licking his fang as he tapped his fingers against the armrest once again. "She tends to doubt if things are going smoothly and… she is a stubborn one. I'm certain she would rather lose an arm or a leg than run away while Hell is in here."

"Your Majesty... you're not saying this because you pity the duchess?" 

"Pity? Haha. You're hilarious, Luther."

"Please forgive me if I overstepped, Your Majesty."

"Forgiven. I understand your concern, but this is our decision." Stefan explained, leaving no trace of remorse at what he had planned. "Despair, darkness, and woe… that is what we all chose, Luther."

Luther's eyes glinted with worry, but bit his tongue to hold his words back. He merely hung his head low, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"Still, we can't be complacent. Keep an eye on the princess of the Cross Kingdom and His Majesty of the Spade. If they showed any resistance against me or any signs that they sided with Hell…" Stefan smiled as his eyelids drooped menacingly, turning his head back to the person who was standing in the dark.

"I will have their heads," said the man, making Stefan's lips curl up.

"Alistair, don't be like that. Although I don't think they are foolish enough to do anything bold, knowing they are in someone else's territory." Stefan chuckled, shaking his head as everything so far amused him. "By the way, I'm certain you had an arduous journey."

"The north had been unbearably cold, so the heat in the palace is enough to warm me up."

"Well, what do you expect in hell?" Another shadow, clad with a cloak, appeared on the other side of the throne hall. "I bet the flames in here are quite refreshing for you, Alistair."

Stefan's eyes lingered on the man in a cloak, seeing the sinister smirk on his lips. He rocked his head, pleased that regardless of everything, they still had everything under control.

"Indeed, Alphonse." Alistair, who still stood in the dark, revealed his fangs that glinted. "The palace is like a giant bonfire. My people from the north enjoy the heat."

"Should you thank Hell for that?"

"I, thank you, second brother." Alistair was quick to respond in an amused tone. "I'm certain this situation wouldn't be this huge if you didn't let it happen."

"Haha! It's not me, brother. It's His Majesty's plans."

Alistair stared at Alphonse, hiding his emotions in the dark. "Anyway, I shall rest first," Alistair excused calmly. "I need a bit of rest so I can witness Hell's death."

When Stefan nodded in approval, Alistair vanished in the dark, just like that. His eyes then shifted on Alphonse. 

"Hell will be here soon, Your Majesty." Alphonse voice out, using his same cunning tone. "I wish you luck."

"Luck is not what I need." Stefan's hair gradually turned blanch as the side of his lips stretched wider. He had sacrificed everything and already reached this point of no return.

If Lilou had accepted his heart for the second time, or Samael gave her up to him, he could've changed his mind. But alas, they made a choice, painting the last piece of his heart black. Hence, Stefan could only embrace what was already there and live up to what he had lived for.

Power.

Control.

Dominance.

"No mercy for Hell." Stefan dawdled as he set his pair of crimson eyes on the door ahead, waiting for Samael to barge in and settle the score with him. "His death… will mark the beginning of my reign as an emperor."

Alphonse chuckled and bowed before turning around to walk away. As he trudged away, a cunning smirk appeared on his lips as his eyes flickered with mischief.

"Hell's death, my king, will be the birth of the monster born from hatred, ambition, and greed for destruction," he murmured, suppressing his excitement at what was to come. "And you had taken part in nurturing that monster.... if you know what I mean."