The Duke's Passion

Meanwhile, on another side of the palace where the delegation of the princess of the Cross Kingdom stayed, Zarros gazed up. His eyes glinting with murderous intent as soon as he laid his eyes on the person approaching him.

"Zarros," greeted Zero with a smirk, walking languidly without a care in the world.

"Your Highness." Zarros hung his head low, keeping his emotions in check. "You came… just as what her highness said."

"Oh? Beatrice is expecting me?" 

"Yes." 

The side of Zero's lips stretched wide as he rocked his head approvingly. "The princess never ceased to amaze me. Then I shall head inside to humor her. I'm pretty sure she is dying of boredom."

Zarros spoke nothing as he stepped to the side, teeth clenched. His obedience made Zero arch a brow, stopping in front of him.

"It's funny how you, a war hero, is willing to set aside your emotions for the princess." Zero let out a low chuckle, patting Zarros' shoulder lightly. "Even though she indulges in debauchery to get what she wants, she is still your God. If this is not what they call love, I don't know what is."

Zero grinned mischievously, followed by a chuckle, leaving Zarros in a terrible mood. Meanwhile, Zarros only balled his hand into a fist but said nothing — afraid he would cause a problem with whatever Beatrice was planning.

'You will have your time, Quentin.' Zarros glanced at the shut door, eyes glinting with killing intent. 'I will surely bash your head in… one of these days. I hadn't forgotten what you did to the princess.' 

*****

"You've really come to meet me in private." Beatrice turned her head towards the door, setting her eyes on Zero. "You've become bolder and bolder the older you get, Your Majesty."

"Don't make me sound like an old man, princess."

"I didn't mean it like that. My apologies." A soft chuckle escape her mouth while Zero perched comfortably on the seat across from her.

"Would you like some tea? Should I prepare you one myself?" asked Beatrice with a polite smile. 

"You brew tea now?"

"I practiced knowing I will see you one day."

Her response made him chortle. "My, princess. You truly know how to touch my heart!" 

"So? Would you like some?" she smirked, raising a brow and tilted her head to the side.

He smiled until his eyes squinted into slits. "I appreciate the thought, but I only drink tea prepared by yours truly."

"Too bad, my frail heart is hurt."

"Oh, Beatrice… you are so precious." Zero looked at her in amusement, enjoying her company as usual.

Upon his remarks, a weak smirk appeared on Beatrice's lips. "But not as precious as the last descendant of the Bloodfang."

"Oh? Is this jealousy I am hearing?" His brow raised, grinning even wider as he narrowed his eyes.

"Jealousy?" Beatrice could not help but laugh at this ridiculous joke. 

"Of course, it's not." Before she could answer, Zero answered for her with the same smile plastered on his face. "You are, after all, who everyone wants, but no one gets."

"And that is until the man who gets everything he wants by means or foul walks into my life."

"Oh, Beatrice." Zero shook his head, chuckling. "Don't make it sound like that man is someone special."

"But he is, Your Majesty." Her eyes glinted despite the smile on her face and her calm demeanor. "Don't tell me you don't see yourself as someone special?"

"Special? No, apparently." 

"Right… someone who wants to be God will not accept the term special." The smile on her face slowly faded as she fixed her eyes on Zero. 

Zero didn't deny nor did he confirm her last remark. However, it was certain her brief humoring pleased him.

"I think you know the reason I am here, Beatrice," Zero said, changing the subject as they already set the tone between them. "Someone… no, many of the La Crox will die tonight."

Beatrice remained silent, aware of that outcome. "The death of the few La Crox mattered not to me."

"Oh? Does this mean you placed your bets on neither Samael and Stefan?" 

"Why would I bet on someone who doesn't share the same ideals as mine?" she raised a brow, giving him a knowing look. "After all, those two are not the only rulers in this place at the moment."

Her last remarks caused his grin to stretch even wider. Surely, Beatrice was someone wise enough to see the bigger picture.

"I see that you want an alliance, princess. Alas, what can your small kingdom offer? I already planned to wipe your country." Zero leaned forward, eyes narrowed with a smirk of the devil.

"Give me a reason on why I shouldn't do it?" his tone lowered as the temperature of the room gradually dropped.

The crackle of the wood in the fireplace sang in their ear. They stared at each other for a long time, sharing a moment of silence.

"Werewolves." After a moment of silence, Beatrice uttered, and that caught his attention. "You had the undead, Stefan had the turned vampires, Hell has… demons, I guess, and we have werewolves on our side."

"Werewolves… hahaha!" Zero laughed out loud, clapping in amusement as he didn't expect such cards from showing up.

Beatrice smiled, confident that the card she had drawn had changed the flow of the game. "Surprise?"

"Shocked. Did you offer yourself once again to some random leader of a pack to gain such an advantage?"

"It's funny how you always assume my body is the only thing I can offer, but alright." Beatrice, although not pleased by his remarks, set aside her personal feelings for a better cause. "So? What can you say?"

Zero leaned back comfortably while studying the woman across from him. "Werewolves, huh?"

"Considering all the people you had angered, you will need as many allies as possible, don't you think? Having the duchess' blood will help, but it won't be enough."

"Oh, dear. You make it sound like I am simply using my fiance!" Zero exclaimed shamelessly but didn't even try to sound believable. "My feelings for my fiance are true love. I am a sincere man."

"Hearing those words from you makes me want to believe nothing is impossible in this world."

"Haha, very well, it was a pleasant chat." Zero placed his palm on the armrest, assisting himself up. "I am looking forward to spending more time with you."

Beatrice exchanged gazes with him and watched him leave as he hummed a tune. The second the door shut closed behind him, a cunning smirk appeared on her lips as she peeled her eyes away.

'It is true that Hell and Stefan are not the only rulers in this land… you're also not the only one, Quentin.'

"Well, you seem to be in a good mood, Beatrice." She raised a brow as a voice suddenly reached her ear out of the blue. It didn't take long when someone stood behind her chair, bending over as he traced her neck with the apex of his nose.

She turned her head back, smirking. "Have you been here, Alphonse?"

"Surprised?" Alphonse suddenly tugged her hair back, his fangs growing.. "You know I'm always watching, Beatrice," he whispered before his lips parted, sinking his fangs right into her neck.