The Duke's Passion

Upon our arrival, we didn't dwell in that spot, as we had to have a real meeting. Hence, I simply told them to close their mouth and follow us inside the house. As soon as we entered, Noah, who was by the kitchen, dropped the pot he was carrying as soon as he saw the people I entered with. I didn't idle and just told him to follow us to the meeting room.

We waited for them for quite some time before they all rushed inside. A series of questions immediately bombarded the room, but I told them to take a seat and calm down.

Now everyone was seated while I stood in front of them.

I scanned their faces as they darted their eyes from Sam, who sat on one chair around the table, to Rufus, who was standing and leaning on the corner of the room, and Fabian to the opposite corner. I had expected such a reaction from them, but it was still hilarious to see it. At the very least, I wasn't the only one who couldn't believe what was going on. 

"I know you have a lot of questions and...."

"How?" Yul cut me short as he raised a question. "No, I mean, what are you planning on having people to pretend as if they were alive?"

"Lilou, we know your pain, but..." Kristina's breath hitched as she cast her eyes towards Rufus. "... you can't do this. No matter how desperate we are, we shouldn't insult them like this."

"For once, I agree with her." Klaus nodded. I noticed how his shoulder stiffened because of how tight he was clenching his hand.

"Your Grace, are we in trouble for you to come up with such a decision?" asked Noah, shifting his eyes from Sam to Fabian. More question followed their questions until they quiet down.

The side of my lips curled up into a weak smile, scanning their faces and taking notice of the confusion flickering across their eyes. I knew it was hard to believe it; we all mourned and grieve during their funeral. 

"First of all, it's not what you all think." I took a deep breath, clearing my throat as I mustered my courage to explain it without overcomplicating things. "I didn't hire people to pretend as them. I would never do that — not to Fabian, not to Rufus, definitely not to my husband."

"Then, why?"

I bit my lower lip, casting Sam a look. He slowly raised his feet on the table, leaning back comfortably.

"Because, first of all, no one will believe it and second, it's dumb. Who is in their sound mind would want to take the kind of life we have?" Sam cocked his head to the side, catching everyone's attention as all eyes shifted to him. "Even if someone had the ability to copy a person, why the hell would they want to inherit the enormous hate people had on me? That doesn't make sense."

"It doesn't," Fabian chimed in because even a lunatic had to have second thoughts about stealing Fabian's identity.

"We didn't die... I mean, we did, but not really." Rufus delved into the primary subject. He looked at me and I nodded lightly.

"If you want to know the details, I will tell you." As soon as I said those words, everyone turned their head towards me. I sported a smile and took a deep breath before I explained what truly transpired. Sam and Fabian would correct me every so often — which didn't help, as it only highlighted their vicious nature.

Overall, I explained everything, leaving nothing behind. From start to finish.

"They... you didn't die and were in slumber all this time?" Silvia's voice was laced with disbelief, setting her eyes to Rufus, who nodded in response. "Why should we believe you? It sounds so convenient and... too good to be true. How can we make sure we can trust you?"

Rufus pressed his lips into a thin line before cocking his head in my direction. "If Her Grace believes us, isn't that enough?"

Again, silence ensued as I returned their intent gazes. I sighed, only to see them let out heavy sighs.

"I got depressed for nothing then." Klaus pounded the bottom of his fist against the table lightly. "Damn Fabian. I thought I missed the opportunity to kill you myself."

"Oh, I don't think you can easily kill Mister Fabian, though. I think he is the one who stopped my arrow a week ago." Charlotte giggled, cupping her cheek as she smiled brightly at Fabian. "Mister Fabian, can we spar some other time?" 

"Little girl, you will have to train for the next hundred years for that." Klaus scoffed, gazing at Charlotte with ridicule.

"I'm glad to see you again, Your Grace." Ramin, on the other hand, faced Sam and bowed politely. 

"It looks like you've mastered Labyrinth, eh?" Sam offered a smug grin, making Ramin chuckle bashfully. But Sam's peace was disrupted when Noah stormed to his seat.

"My lord! How can you do this to me? To us?! Didn't you trust me...?!" Noah continued to interrogate Sam, almost like he was about to weep while Sam covered his ears in irritation. 

Watching them from this point warmed my heart. I had expected a lot more questions from them and how to convince them I wasn't making all this up. I was mentally prepared to prove that not because I longed for Sam, that I believed these three. However, none of those happened as it seemed they had accepted it already.

"They're your people." I snapped my eyes, turning my head to the side to see Rufus standing next to me. "It's not that they believed it blindly. They just trust you and your judgment. You were an outstanding leader, Your Grace."

"You think too highly of me."

"You underestimate yourself," He argued back, gazing at the people around the table while they make a fuss. "They're not His Grace's people anymore. They're yours. You should credit yourself more, Your Grace."

I pursed my lips. My eyes softened as I smiled. "How can I do that?" came out a whisper as I let everyone absorb the situation first.

Now, this was what we all call peace and relief. It might look like a mess, the misfits, but the atmosphere was light and the hostility from earlier slowly vanished.