The Duke's Passion

Another month had passed in a blink of an eye since Zero left Grimsbanne. Like the past eight months, I spent my days repeating the same schedule: working about the state of affairs, granting audience to those who had important business with me, training, and then yearning for Sam during the night.

"When was the last time someone caused trouble?" I asked, staring at a document while I sat on the chair behind my desk.

"Hmm… a week ago, one of your suitors threatened Your Grace to kill himself if you don't marry him," Yul answered, placing down another document I should review. "He had caused a scene and Klaus nearly beheaded him. He didn't, though, but he warned their house not to make the same mistake again."

My eyes narrowed, leaning back while I tapped my fingers against the desk. "Is that all? Things had been going smoothly, and it's been so quiet. It doesn't feel right."

"That is because one must think of death before coming at you." Yul let out a sigh, hinting me that it was my fault that only those lunatic suitors had the audacity to cause a problem. 

A shallow breath slipped past my lips as I raised my gaze to him. "It's so boring, Yul." 

"If you are that bored, why don't you finish all this?" he gazed at the stack of documents on my desk, making me sigh helplessly.

"This should be your job. What is the point of being my advisor if I do all the work?"

"I already do things I can do without you. So, these documents are already filtered."

"Should I marry you, Yulis?" His expression immediately died. "If you become the Duke, you can do all this and I can focus on other important things."

"Please don't joke like that, sis. It's more scary than funny." 

A frown resurfaced on my face as I leaned back. "The only person I proposed marriage doesn't want to marry me. How sad…"

"Even though the people still know that I am a La Crox, we're still blood-related." He reminded me with disinterest.

"So, what? It's not like marrying your kin is unordinary in this place."

"Even so, marrying me so you can escape one of your duties as the lord of Grimsbanne." Yul shook his head, sighing helplessly before taking a step back. "I've already dealt with enough assassination attempts at being known as your plaything. Have mercy on me."

"Yes… I'm sorry. I know I am a horrible sister for putting you in a crappy ordeal." 

"You don't have to apologize in such a disappointing manner." 

I glanced at him, blowing air through my lips. Only Yul and Silvia could talk to me like they used to. My interaction with Klaus was too formal. Well, not that I was close with Klaus back in the palace. 

"Anyway —" I halted when a knock from outside my office reached my ear. The door creaked open, revealing Mildred, who was pushing a trolley tray with her.

"Just about time, Mildred!" the corner of my lips stretched wider before I noticed the bouquet of flowers being held by another maid. "Mildred, I told you to never bring any gifts from my suitors to my office. Take that flower away."

Mildred stopped, holding her hand before her, and bowed. "Your Grace, I might overstep my bounds. But, you might want to receive these flowers and the letter."

"And who sent them for you to think that Her Grace will want to receive it?" Yul inquired, raising a brow with his chin up.

"It was from Prince Heliot." Mildred bowed, taking me and Yul by surprise.

"From Prince Heliot?" as soon as my inquiry slipped past my lips, Yul set his eyes on me, but I ignored it. "Bring it here."

With that being said, the maid passed the bouquet to Mildred, and the latter handed it to me, along with the letter. Upon seeing the seal, I instantly knew it was indeed from Heliot.

"Thank you, Mildred. You may leave." I smiled at her, and she seemed pleased about her decision. 

"Yes, Your Grace."

Yul waited for Mildred and the maids to leave before facing me. He looked displeased as I cradled the bouquet with my fingers caressing its petals.

"He gave you flowers? Since when did your relationship develop?" he cocked his head, brows creased. "You can barely finish these documents. When did you have the time to flirt with him?"

"Look at you, Yul. You rejected my proposal, and now you're acting as if I cheated on you." I clicked my tongue, shaking my head as I stared at the flowers. I couldn't help but smile as my eyes softened, seeing how nice the flowers were put together.

"Sis… you're smiling," he murmured, having this mix of relief and bafflement in his voice. "Just what did you see in Prince Heliot that you accepted him so soon?"

"He is… cute." I smiled, closed-lipped. "You can say he is quite good with his words, Yul."

A chuckle escaped my mouth seeing him frown. I sprawled my arms towards the letter, opening it to read it. I never read his letters with anyone's presence, but I knew it would be alright now since it arrived directly here.

"I guess you really like receiving his letters if you're smiling like that." I snapped my eyes towards him upon hearing his remarks. "Do you always smile like that whenever you read his letters?"

Smile like what? I wondered, a bit baffled but didn't dwell on it.

"Anyway, tell everyone to prepare."

He quirked a brow as I spoke. "What?"

"Prince Heliot had arrived in the Capital. He said he will visit me once his business in the Capital is finished." I informed him as my smile stretched into a wide grin. It was about time for Heliot and me to meet again. 

"Finally, there is something I will look forward to," I added along with a low chuckle, setting my eyes on the flower the man sent me. Yul gazed at me for a long time before sighing and left to inform everyone.

As soon as he left, my grin turned into a smirk as my eyes glinted. "No wonder it had been peaceful… because things are about to get interesting."