The Duke's Passion

My relationship with Heliot was unlike what everyone thought it was. I liked him, but not as a man. I liked his honesty. He was the type of person who disliked going around in circles. Maybe, that's why we got along easily as we didn't need to hide our hidden agendas and met a middle ground.

I needed his help for building Grimsbanne and he helped me establish the duchy in a brief span of time. Not just that, but his skills in garnering detailed information were a great help for me. 

In exchange for all that, Heliot only wanted one thing from me — my life.

Unlike Stefan and Zero, who wanted to use me, Heliot wanted me dead… for good. He had a connection in the mainland of the vampires, and only then I came to know that my existence as a human who stood above the blood hierarchy was something that shouldn't have existed.

"I don't mind dying," I whispered, standing at the balcony of my chambers. "When I accepted Sam will not return to me… death is the only thing I seek in this life."

But before dying, I wanted to clean this place. If I would die, I would take my enemies with me to hell. I will stop their greatness and he will stop my madness.

"That's right… he is the man I had chosen." I picked up the decanter that was on the railing, pouring wine into the empty cup of wine. "He will end it for me."

I picked up the glass of wine to my lips, hissing in satisfaction as the heat course through my throat. It helped me stay warm in this another cold night. My eyes closed, relishing the night breeze as it blew past me. 

"The privilege of the strong people…" My eyes slowly opened as the corner of my lips curled up into a smile. "… we can choose our deaths."

A ridiculing chuckle slipped past my lips. The thought of being able to choose who will end me and when and where I would die brought this strange satisfaction within me. 

"I will be with you soon, Sam." I shifted my eyes to my side, staring at the illusion of my husband I cooked up in my head. He was sitting on the railing, eyes on me, with the usual smirk plastered on his lips. 

"Just wait for me, hmm? I promised to meet you soon." I smiled with my eyes growing gentle. "I will surely find you and be with you again, Sam."

I already said it. I never recovered from the pain of losing my husband. Even when I tried to seek the meaning of life, I just… couldn't. I could delude and tell myself to live for my people, but standing at the top was lonely.

"The will of the Bloodfang… I will surely fulfill it, Sam." I peeled my eyes at the illusion and cast my eyes ahead. "I will put things back in their rightful place. That's right… back to their rightful place."

Thanks to Heliot, I finally understood the will my clan had left me. It was actually funny because their will was far different from what it seemed. I was stupid not to understand Lara's words.

"My clan… they are only cruel to themselves." A faint smile resurfaced on my lips, knowing their Will salvage my opinion towards them. "But they are smart and loyal people and I commend them for that. They had probably seen things will turn out like this, so they did the sacrifice all for the sake of Amara Cecil Grimsbanne - La Crox."

"Aren't we loyal people?" my mind commented, making me chortle softly.

"They are frustratingly loyal subjects of their Queen." I nodded in agreement. "And people who stick with their words to their precious friend."

It was sometimes entertaining talking to myself. Heliot's presence in the stronghold made me review everything: my clan's will, my purpose, my plans, and even my impending doom. 

I was happy, though. 

"Soon…" I said, twirling the wine cup in my hand. "Everything will go according to my plan."

Time was fleeting, and I believed before I knew it, the day I had been waiting for would come. Until then, I would have to make sure that the people I will leave behind would have a peaceful and happy life without worrying about tomorrow.

"That is my apology gift for keeping this secret," came out a whisper, feeling sorry for everyone who kept giving me support just so I could live. "I hope they can forgive me someday."

******

Meanwhile, in a private estate somewhere near the east border, a man grumbled as he dragged himself up to sit. He was stretching his neck, groping his neck and nape in irritation.

"Fucking…" his coarse voice resonated across the four corners of the lightless underground room. "Ugh…!"

The sound of his bones cracking with his stiff muscles filled the air, along with his grunts. Not long after, light from the lamp came from the corner of the room. His crimson eyes narrowed as he set them on the person near the stairs. 

"My… lord?" the child who came to check jolted as soon as she locked gaze with him. All she could see was that burning pair of crimson eyes.

"Oh, no… I should tell them!" she exclaimed, snapping to her senses as she rushed back to the steep stairs to inform someone of his awakening. 

As the child left saying those, the man scanned around. Even with the absence of light, he could see two empty coffins near him.

'They woke up… great!' he thought, grimacing as he ground his teeth, seething in anger as a certain memory etched in his mind. He took a deep breath before his voice thundered.

"Fabian!!!!!!!" he ground his teeth, his fangs growing. "Get your neck in here! I will fucking kill you this time!" 

Samael grabbed the rims of the coffin, assisting himself up as he strutted to the direction where the child rushed away.. One could tell that he would kill Fabian… for sure.