The Duke's Passion

Fabian didn't detail how Sam established this lawless land, abandoned by the monarchy. But, he said Sam was a natural ruler and his ruling made this hopeless land flourish into a peaceful land.

The tales of how Grimsbanne stood in the past sounded like a dream. However, my father used to tell me that Grimsbanne was akin to such a dream-like place that was far better than the Capital city.

Everyone was almost equal. There were no nobles who could abuse their power. Although poverty never died, everyone was satisfied.

Hearing it from two different people made me think there was legitimacy in it. After all, the duke went into his slumber. He was the person who balanced this land, and without him, it just went downhill.

"Well, that concluded our lesson today." Fabian smiled as he glanced at the window.

"But it's still early." I tilted my head, glancing outside. The sun hasn't set yet, and we barely tackled anything aside from Sam.

"The duke instructed me not to overwhelm you. We can take it slowly, so you can enjoy some time for yourself, my lady." Fabian explained.

Upon hearing his reasons, I nodded. Sam… he should pay me less attention.

"Can I take this book again? I haven't finished reading it." I said, raising the book Fabian lent me yesterday.

"You can read it as long as you can, my lady. After reading it, just take another one whenever you please." Fabian offered a smile, and I could not help but smile back.

"Do you want some tea and read in the garden before dusk?" He inquired, sounding more like he was suggesting.

Read in the garden? My eyes instantly twinkled at the thought.

"I can take this book and read it in the garden?" Excited, I perked up, which made him let out a chuckle.

"Yes, my lady. The duke's mansion is her ladyship's home as well. You can go anywhere freely and even read in the garden, or spend time alone in your boudoir if you don't want anyone bothering you."

"But that doesn't apply to Sam, I mean, to his lordship?" I muttered, and Fabian only offered a kind smile.

I knew it. 

"Garden is fine." I said. Fabian nodded and offered.

"Then, shall I ask your attendants…" Before he could finish, I interrupted him midway.

"It's fine. I want to have some time alone in the garden. Maybe, to read or think about other things concerning my heart."

I didn't know, but just spending days with Fabian made me trust him more than anyone. Fabian just gave off an aura that I could tell him about everything, like a friend.

Not that I don't trust Samael. It was just that… my heart beats differently to the duke.

"My lady, don't you like the duke?" Fabian sported his kind smile. His tone told me he would understand my answer.

"Uhmm." Still, I hesitated on answering right away. "It's not that I don't like the duke. To be honest, he was the kindest person I have known who treated me more than a peasant deserved."

I gazed down. The side of my lips curled bitterly. 

"It's just that…" I carefully trailed, finding the words to describe it properly.

"It's just that it's too good to be true?" Fabian guessed, and I raised my head.

"My lady, you've grown and lived as a peasant before his lordship. Thus, I can understand, deep down, you are only aware of the brutality of life." He continued, pausing as he moved his gaze towards the window.

"Hence, receiving kindness and respect from someone out of the blue feels like an illusion."

He added. I couldn't disagree with him. He just worded my feelings accurately, and it felt good he understood it.

"The duke had always been like that. I am also a lowborn, living in a lawless land where only the strong survive. Believe me, my lady. I've also had doubts at first, but his dukes had always been sincere and never turned his back on us."

Slowly, Fabian returned his gaze back to me. His smile grew gentler. I could feel his sincerity in his voice.

"You're a lowborn…? But, aren't you a vampire, Sir?" 

"I'm not a vampire, my lady." Fabian chuckled.

I knitted my brows. A bit confused at his recent remarks.

"You were a human before?"

"And still a human, my lady." 

I gasped, leaning back in disbelief. I think we had too much talk that the information in my head was getting mixed up.

"Haha." I shook my head and chuckled. "I think I misheard you. How silly of me."

"No, you didn't, my lady. I am still a human." Fabian chuckled.

This time, I stared at him in stunned silence. I blinked my eyes countless times, trying to make sense of his last remarks.

Fabian… he was still a human? How could a human life last that long?! Also, he wasn't aging? 

Unknowingly, I cocked my head to the side as it slowly leaned deeper. I had so much question, but all my words were stuck in my throat.

I saw him chuckle once again.

"My brother and I had a blood pact with the duke. Hence, we don't age just like vampires. However, we don't inherit the strength of the vampires. Only their long span of life."

Fabian explained. However, my mind had difficulty processing his explanation.

Blood pact?

"To put it simply, when we agreed to a pact, we more or less share the duke's life. If he dies, we would die and age as well. However, if we died, nothing would happen to the duke."

"Huh? Isn't that unfair?" I blurted out, barely grasping the additional information he was feeding me.

"Whether you want it, you had to protect the duke to survive as well. But, he didn't have to protect you?" I added.

"My lady, a blood pact can only happen by mutual agreement. We are aware of that, but we swore to live and die for his lordship." Fabian uttered, still bearing that harmless smile.

"Also, we are strong to protect ourselves. Yet, the duke had protected us even though he shouldn't concern himself." 

"…" I pursed my lips as I studied Fabian's expression.

In my eyes, Fabian had devoted his life to the duke and had trusted Sam without a shadow of doubt. 

"Mister Fabian, you said you had a brother. Did he…" I trailed off. If the duke had in his slumber for hundreds of years, there was a high possibility that Fabian's brother had perished.

I don't see anyone who looked like him, after all. It was quite a news to hear that Fabian has a brother.

"Did he die? Is that what you're asking me, my lady?" Fabian chuckled. 

"He is well and very much alive. It may not look like it, but Sir Rufus is my older brother."