The Duke's Passion

Sam had always had a soft spot for his siblings. He must have had taken the risk of coming to the palace to see Cassara for the last time. 

My eyes softened while I gazed at the floor and slowed down at my pace. I was already on the way back to my chambers to rest; I still had a gathering to attend to later.

'Sam...' I let out a deep exhale as I bit my lower lips.

The expression Sam had earlier etched into my head. It kept flashing across my mind, causing my heart to tighten. I wanted to console him or just be there for him, but I couldn't. It was not like Sam would sulk in the corner and mourn, but I knew this news had saddened him. 

"Why would they kill her first?" A murmur slipped past my lips as I stopped in front of my chambers. My brows furrowed as I recalled Cassara's frightened expression the night before her death.

I placed my palm against the door. 'She said they will kill me. I already know a lot of people were after my head. But why did she look so terrified?'

Cassara and I didn't share a strong bond as we both despised each other's existence. She was not the person to worry about my well-being. If anything, my death would make her happy.

"I shouldn't have let her run off that night," I told myself before grinding my teeth. If I had stopped her before she could run, my head wouldn't throb this painfully right now.

"Whatever." I sighed while pushing the door to open, entering my chambers, and closed it behind. 

Mildred wasn't here, as I gave her a task. I wondered what time she would return? I didn't think it will take her this long.

"My head..." I held my head as I squinted my eyes, balancing myself as I nearly collapsed. My head was throbbing more painful every passing second. It was making me dizzy.

I blinked as my vision shook. My blurring sight fell on the bed as I forced my feet to move whilst keeping my balance. I knew I would faint, but I shouldn't faint just anywhere. 

If someone found me lying unconscious on the floor, it would alarm many people. Who knows what Stefan would do?

'Just a bit more, Lilou...' My hand reached for the bed. I forced my eyes open until the mattress was beyond my reach. "... damn." 

Then nothing. 

******

"Lilou." 

"Can you hear us, child?"

"You will do it, right? Kill every living La Crox..."

I gasped for air as I instinctively sat upright. I ran my fingers through my hair, looking around.

"You're awake?" My eyes snapped, veering at the source of the voice. 

"Yul." I pressed my lips in a thin line as I stabilized my breathing. "What are you doing in my chambers?"

He was sitting on the divan not far away from the bed. Yul had a cup of tea and a book; his leg resting over the other, looking all laid back. 

"I came to check in on you, but I found you lying beside your bed. Are you alright?" he asked calmly.

"Yes." I nodded as I licked my dry lips.

"You don't look like you are." He pointed out, raising his brows. "You don't just faint, Lilou."

"I didn't faint."

"You will lie to me? Of all people?" 

A shallow breath slipped past my lips as I rolled my eyes. "My head hurts so badly."

"A headache that caused you to faint? Do you feel other strange things?" he inquired with a furrowed brow, turning his body to face me directly. 

"Strange things?" I knitted my brows as I pondered about his question. "No. Just a headache. Perhaps I'm still adjusting to this place."

Aside from the indistinct voices in my head, there wasn't any 'strange' thing that I noticed, honestly. I didn't sense an ability causing me to faint. If I did, it would've alarmed Catharsis and Lakresha.

"Is that all?" he queried once again, which made me raise a brow. 

"That's all, Yul," I reassured annoyingly, ruffling my hair. Only then, I noticed that I already had a change of clothes in a nightdress.

"I changed your clothes. Your chamber is like a public spot where everyone comes and goes as they pleased. I'd rather let whoever come in here see you in a nightdress while I'm in my undershirt." Yul explained while I stared at him solemnly. He raised his brow with my intent stare. 

"What?" he asked.

A light chuckle slipped past my lips. "Claiming territory? Are you jealous of Stefan, Yul?"

He didn't answer and stared at me with genuine wonder. A shallow breath slipped escaped my mouth, flinging out my legs out of the bed. I sauntered towards him and perched comfortably beside him.

"Yul, you don't have to do that, you know?" I sighed, smacking my lips. My fingertips played with the tip of his hair.

"Even if someone came in here while we're making out, it's doesn't matter, Yul," I continued while staring deep into his eyes. "Everyone knows about us, and that wouldn't change even though Stefan will bed me soon."

I sported a reassuring smile while he looked at me with the same baffled expression. Another faint exhale escaped my mouth as I withdrew my hand away.

"Things had been difficult for me as well." This time, I held his hand and squeeze it lightly. "But it will be alright soon, hmm?"

Yul pulled his hand away from my grip. "Stop teasing me," he uttered while assisting himself up and walked away.

"Yul," I called, but he didn't look back, trudging away until the door closed behind him. 

As soon as he was out of sight, my eyes sharpened, and immediately ran towards the window.

'Klaus,' I closed my eyes, connecting my mind to Klaus.

'Your Grace.'

'Find Yul as soon as possible,' I ordered as my eyes slowly opened, seeing two different eye colors through my reflection. 'He is next.'

'What...?'

'Just do it, Klaus! You can't fail me this time.' My voice shook in anger. Klaus replied with urgency before I cut the link I had with him.

"Yul wouldn't change my clothes... never." A ridiculing chuckle escaped my mouth, thinking how Yul threw a huge fit when I started changing in front of him months ago. Also, with everything that I had spouted, Yul wouldn't simply keep that same expression. 

He would be disgusted.

Just then, I remembered, Fabian had mentioned seeing two Claude the night they all died, then two Zero. Since he didn't have a sound mind that night, we barely took his words with a grain of salt.

"I won't let anyone touch my brother," I seethed as the voices in my head rang so loud I thought it would deafen me.. "Hah! Ha! Ha! Ahh, goodness… I think I was the one who killed Cassara, after all."