The Duke's Passion

The fear that Samael had instilled in them was enough to last a lifetime. With having an option of death or acknowledging the new emperor, everyone had no choice but to choose the latter willingly. Yes, willingly... if that was even what it was called. 

Samael ascended the throne with no problem after that and even mobilized more nobles to contribute to the empire. Of course, their contribution was all due to fear of the devil breathing down their neck. 

A different approach from the previous king, indeed. But who would dare compare? Stefan was already "dead", and no one would challenge Samael. Even if there were a few capable individuals, they already sided with him. 

The seed of fear and grudge continued to grow over the years. During the first two years, people who didn't fear death had joined hands to stop his tyranny and even got some support from other small kingdoms. But the outcome was already set in stone. 

In the end, even life had terrified those who opposed the emperor. No mercy for those who challenged him. If death doesn't terrify them, then life would. That was the tyrant's golden punishment. 

After setting too many examples, these lessons finally etched deep into their mind, heart, and soul. The subject of the Great Heart Empire soon acknowledged the Emperor's power with all their hearts. 

Obviously, once the fear settled in their hearts, and the fact that the emperor wouldn't budge, peace followed.

The rule of the empire was simple.

As long as they follow the emperor and abide by the imperial law, one would sleep in peace. Only those who bore ill-intention would have to sleep with one eye — or have none at all. 

Moreover, a lot of opportunities opened up, especially for those commoners, women, humans, and inferior vampires. One could say, aside from those dark days of Samael's reign, the empire had reached heights far greater than anyone would have thought. 

From north to west, to east, and some parts of the south had formed a powerful formation that protected the mainland. The people Samael tossed in those areas had also made their name known by many and became the greatest supporters of the empire; the Earldom creating an impregnable wall in the north while producing elite knights, the Duke of Grimsbanne in the west flourished in trades and foreign affairs, and the Marchioness in the east who resolved the drought and even made it into a major source of agriculture.

Rufus, the military general under the king, held the authority of ensuring justice and peace across the empire. With his piling military achievements, kingdoms who heard his name would immediately raise a white flag.

With these people under the emperor and supporting him with all their lives, they had unified the mainlands of the empire. One knew they had to face all those people before the emperor. 

That was how the Heart's Kingdom, which was on the verge of falling, became the Great Heart Empire that lived in its name. Under the reign of the so-called tyrant, who ended up being hailed as the greatest emperor, Samael Vaughnn Caecilius La Crox.

Little did everyone know, the emperor they all hailed and worshiped wasn't even in the capital during all those times. He was in the far south, tending to his bedridden wife and changing his son's diapers. 

"What did you say?" Samael raised a brow, gazing at the window of the carriage where Ramin was riding his steed outside.

"Charlotte sent a letter that Her Majesty, along with the young master and the earl, went out to the downtown," Ramin repeated helplessly, feeling sorry for Charlotte. She probably couldn't stop Lilou and the children from sneaking out. So, she could only shoot an arrow to send her message like usual.

A shallow sigh slipped past Samael's lips before he nodded. "Bring all crates to my estate, I will go pick them up."

"Yes, Your Ma --" Ramin bit his tongue, seeing Samael's knowing look. "Yes, Master. I will tell the coachman about your destination."

"Good."

With that being said, Ramin informed the coachman of the carriage destination. The wagons that were following Samael's carriage soon followed Ramin and headed to the Roux Estate, while Samael's carriage headed to the downtown. 

"She's so mischievous..." he whispered, resting the side of his head against the carriage while staring outside the open window. "No wonder Law never ceases to give me a headache."

A subtle smile resurfaced on his lips, thinking that he was finally going home with a conscious wife. That their family was complete.

"I hope they don't get in trouble," he chuckled softly, thinking that his wife was the type of person who was akin to a magnet of trouble. Last night, for example, he had to expose his identity to Jaime Malum, which he didn't plan on doing for at least the next several months. 

Well, not that it bothered him, since he might also do the same if Law asked him. His son was great friends with the Earl, after all. And it was only a matter of time before Law would do something more silly than attempting to "elope" with the young earl. 

"Right... his birthday is coming up soon. I wonder if I should invite Rufus since my son seemed to like the military general so much." — that had caused Fabian's agony as his little master admired Rufus but see him as a pushover. "Hah... I shouldn't do that or Fabi will cry a river."

Samael indulged himself in these sorts of thoughts, tossing all important affairs of the empire and his small businesses in the south at the back of his head. He pondered over Law's birthday in two months until the carriage stopped as soon as it reached the downtown. 

He informed the coachman to wait for him in its station while going on his own. The downtown of Minowa wasn't that huge. Samael was certain he would find his wife and son soon if he just walked around. 

The downtown was bustling than ever with the upcoming festival. He gazed at the people setting up the banners, some decorating their stalls, children playing around. During this time of the year in the south, people somehow forgot the problems in this place. 

He understood the magic of this festival, though.

A subtle smile resurfaced on his lips, recalling the first time he attended the festival with his three-year-old son. It was both their first time, watching the fireworks and just trying out the street food. That time with Law made him forget about his woes and yearnings of his wife's absence. 

'My son... had saved me that time... no, actually, he had saved me the second he was born,' he thought, thinking that if not for Law's existence, Samael would've lost his mind a long time ago.

Beatrice was correct. Samael had regretted everything he had said before Law was even born.

"I should silence her before she uses that against me," he murmured, stopping in his tracks when he caught sight of Lilou in front of a stall across from him. She was holding the two boys; Law on her right and Adam on her left. 

His eyes softened, watching them from a distance. His son had this bright grin on his face, holding cotton candy. 

"That fool... he never smiles at me even when I told him I will give him an entire storage of sweets," he murmured along with a low chuckle, shoving his hand inside his pockets. "So, he can smile and act like a child, huh?"

He watched them from that vantage point for as long as he could, enjoying every second of it and ignoring the passers-by. His eyes stung as a frustrating tension built up in his throat.

'That's my heart right there,' he whispered in his head while he smiled gently. 'Everything I went through... is worth it seeing them smile without worry.'

After some time, he noticed Charlotte lean towards Lilou. After whispering in her ear, Lilou turned her head in his direction. 

"Sam~!" Lilou waved, making the two boys turn in his direction as well. "My husband~!" 

Seeing that Lilou was waving at him and then the two boys as well, the ice that was surrounding his cold heart all these years melted. In his eyes, everything aside from his wife and son was a blur, and it was a wonderful sight he would never forget forever.

"I don't like sweets," he whispered before jogging towards them to join them.