The Duke's Passion

After Sam's funeral, I didn't get the chance to rest as the founding celebration came right after. Despite the chaos that transpired, everyone still celebrated it by honoring those who had lost their life the other night. Those who had lost a brother, a sister, a child, a spouse, a parent, a friend… wept.

I felt bad for this country. 

We were all being deceived, as the culprit from that night still stood mightily, talking to his people, giving his sincerest condolences. Stefan was portraying himself as everyone's savior, giving them empty promises of protecting them.

It made me sick. I wanted to throw up, watching him from this distance as he made a heartfelt speech that moved these pitiful people. 

"I heard you are setting off today." Zero's voice came to my side.

I cast him a brief glance. "My purpose in this place is over. I don't see any reason to stay idle in here."

"Cold." He chuckled, tilting his body as he looked at me. "That's right. You came here to get the king's blessing, which you got, and married the love of your life. How sad that you are returning to the duchy alone."

My expression didn't change. What I learned from this place was to keep everything in — just like that man, over there, making a speech. Just grit my teeth… because their time would come. 

"Anyway, you, going away from this place, will give us more chances to see each other," he continued in a light tone, peeling his eyes away from me. "It makes me wonder why you don't tell me anything yet. Your fiance is a little heartbroken since you've been playing around with that ninth prince. I even heard you burned the bouquet I sent you."

I remained silent and ignored his warning. Yes, warnings. His words only meant he was keeping a close eye on me, but I wasn't surprised. Ever since Sam died, everyone's eyes were all on me. But since this 'affair' with Yul started spreading in the palace, they shifted half of their attention to him.

'Thanks, Yul.' I expressed in my mind as he was playing the scapegoat role quite perfectly.

"Will you really treat your fiance a cold shoulder?"

"Zero." I slowly set my eyes on him, only to see him raise a brow. "You keep calling me your fiance… but it makes me wonder what can you offer me?"

The corner of his lips curled up. "Are you seriously asking me, what, this sovereign can offer?"

"His Majesty had offered me a tempting deal," I explained, taking my eyes off of him. "Whispering me words of love will not help you, Your Majesty. Lexx needed me, so he offers me things that I need in return."

Again, I cast him a nonchalant look. "How about you? What can you offer me so I keep you by my side?"

"My fiance, you are so tempting." He grinned in delight, eyes glinting in amusement. "What a shame. I was trying to build the foundation of our relationship through love, but it seemed that is out of negotiation anymore."

"How passionate." My response received a soothing chuckle from him.

"I am very passionate, my fiance. However, I like you better now: fierce, cold, dangerous." He leaned into my side, his breaths tickling my ear. "I will write you a letter once you reach Grimsbanne. I will be pleased if I hear from you in return."

Upon saying his piece, Zero didn't stay long and left. He was quite busy as well. He had his own duties, after all. My eyes fell on Stefan as he left the podium.

"I told you letting me leave the Oubliette or keeping me alive will be the biggest and worst mistake you will ever do," I whispered, the side of my lips curling up. "I will take everything from you, Lexx… and Zero. Everything."

After stating those words, I turned around and left the place I was watching him. There would be another gathering after this. A meeting of the representative of the founding clan.

I would never miss it. Especially now that I had this agenda.

******

"Will you be alright?" Yul asked me as we walked through the hallway leading to the gathering.

I cocked my head back, casting him a puzzled look. Yul let out a sigh as he nodded in understanding.

"It's a stupid question, I know." He rolled his eyes, making me chuckle. 

"Yul, I never realize that you're such a worrywart." I humored, shaking my head as I stared ahead.

  "I'm only worried because it's you." He sighed, but his tone was laced with sarcasm. 

"Oh, Yul." I shook my head, smiling cunningly. "People might misunderstand."

"People's minds are so dirty they misunderstand just everything."

"And that gives us an advantage, isn't it?" I trailed off, stopping in my tracks, and faced him. "My lover?"

Yul gritted his teeth as he cringed. I nearly laughed hysterically, as he would never get used to the title he was known for now. Of course, I felt disgusted with how people looked at us, but not surprised. After all, a twisted relationship was not unordinary in this place.

"Anyway, people are watching you." I patted his chest, turning around as I started walking again.

"They don't just watch. They visit me every night." His response was low and weak, but I heard it. Yul had been in constant danger because some annoying bastards kept sending people to kill him.

"You will have a well-deserved rest once this is all over," I reassured without looking back, eyes glinting with resolve as I approached the venue of our meeting. 

When I stood in front of the door, my brow raised. I slowly turned my eyes to someone who was walking from my right.

"Well, what a pleasure to bump into you, Your Grace," she said, holding her fan that was covering her lips. "Greetings."

I squinted my eyes as I recognized this woman. She was the lady we had met in the streets of the capital.

"I knew when I saw you that we will see each other again. Although I didn't expect we'll see each other in here, in this situation." She expressed calmly as she stood in front of me. We locked eyes for a long time, making me smile as I noticed the familiar fire beneath her eyes.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Princess." My smile remained, and her eyes flickered in interest. "It is, indeed, a shame that we met again under such circumstances. However, I hope we can share a cup of tea in the future."

She smiled, pleased at this invitation. "I will look forward to your invitation." And then she faced the door.

"Please, do." A smirk appeared on my lips. Probably, she had experienced the same situation as I did that there was just this instant connection between the two of us. There were no other words that we said, but we already had this mutual understanding with only that brief contact.

'Princess Beatrice… Yul briefed me about the representative of today's gathering. I wonder if her cards would be useful for me.' My eyes sharpened as the door opened. 'But more than that, I am more interested in someone else.'

I walked inside with an intention of winning, and we were welcomed by only a few people inside. The representative of each founding family: Stefan, Zero, Cameron, and that one person… my eyes fell on that sickly-looking man, Heliot Von Stein.

The man who made me look forward to this seance.