The Duke's Passion

I rushed outside the mansion and stopped by the entrance when I saw multiple carriages parked outside. The maids were already helping the Earl's people with the large presents he bought. My steps grew slower, controlling my face from distorting at the presents and the wagon of flowers from the north.

Suddenly, the door of the carriage opened. My eyes glistened with excitement until they changed to surprise. The expectation of seeing a child disappeared as the person who was hitching out the carriage was a... man. 

"Claude," came out a whisper, smiling in disbelief as our eyes met. "Goodness."

Claude had grown for sure. He was no longer adorable. He had become a fine young man, and I felt like a proud mother seeing him in a suit. Time seemed to stop as I walked towards him and he strutted in my direction. I glanced at my surrounding, seeing the servants move in slow motion. 

I would have believed this was just from shock if not from Klaus, who was walking at a normal pace. A chuckle slipped past my lips when Claude clicked his tongue and glared at his uncle.

"Uncle, can't you read the air? I am trying to impress Auntie Lilove with the slow-motion effect." Claude complained, making me stop in surprise. Even his voice grew deeper! My god.

"Please, that romance book you've been reading for a month is nonsense! Slow-motion, there's no such thing!" Klaus spat out in irritation before turning his head to me. The irritation on his face was immediately replaced with a grin.

"Lilou, my sister!" he greeted, spreading his arms wide open. But Claude slapped his chest with the back of his hand while glaring at him. 

"Uncle, do you want us to get killed by Uncle?" 

I could not help but chuckle seeing these two. Gosh... I never realized how much I missed everyone until now that I could see them again. 

"Claude, be nice to your uncle. You know he is always the playful type." I smiled, catching their attention.

"Gosh. I really missed your voice, Lilou." Klaus took a step forward, bending over as he offered his hand to me. "May I greet you properly, Your Majesty?"

I glanced around and it seemed Claude's ability was still in effect. "It'll be my pleasure." I placed my hand on Klaus's hand, smiling back at him.

"It's been a while, Your Majesty. But, I am truly thankful to see you well and hear your voice again." Klaus smirked as he bent down, placing a peck on the back of my hand.

"It seemed you've become a gentleman, Your Highness." I humored as he released my hand. My eyes veered at Claude, who handed his hand to me. I chuckled as I clasped his hand using the other.

"I am honored to be with your presence, my empress." Claude kept his eye contact with me as he kissed the back of my hand.

"Claude, please tell me you haven't broken too many maiden's hearts," I humored as he looked like someone who would get anyone's heart with a wink.

"Of course not. How can I break any ladies' heart if Auntie Lilove is a lady?"

"Lilou, the Earl didn't break anyone's heart, but he had broken their legs and arms." Klaus murmured, making me laugh at this 'joke.' "Don't fall for his sweet words."

"Klaus, don't be like that." I scolded in a soft tone, raising my brows before I abruptly pulled my hand away from Claude and hopped back. I gazed down at the thin smoke and dust between us. When it subsided, it revealed an arrow that pierced the concrete.

"Sam." I sighed, turning my head back, and gazed up at the roof. Charlotte was waving at us with her bow as if she didn't just shoot us. 

"I smell a jealous husband," Klaus commented as he picked up the arrow between us. The concrete around it left a hallow crack. If that arrow landed on a person, it was surely a kill.

"Sorry about that."

"It's fine, Lilove." Claude kept his playful smile as he glanced up at me. 

"Auntie," I corrected while he shrugged. "Claude became mischievous now. Your uncle had been angry at the letter you sent me. You shouldn't joke like that."

"Lilou, please break this foolish young man's heart more. He wants us all to get killed." Klaus chimed in while gazing at the unaffected Claude in dismay.

"You too, Klaus. How can you not reply to my letter?" A pout resurfaced on my face, smacking my lips. "I wrote you a long letter, but I didn't hear from you."

"Lilou, blame this brat, alright? He tore the letter into millions of pieces and I had to spend three whole days putting the letter together!" Klaus scoffed as he gazed at Claude once again. As if recalling his hardship made him want to punish Claude.

"Really?" my brows rose, thinking what Sam told me days ago. "Claude? Did you really...?"

"It's an accident. Please believe me."

"Wow... the nerve!"

I darted my eyes from Claude to Klaus and sighed. The maids around us started moving at a normal pace, and we had been outside since they arrived.

"Why don't we all go in?" I suggested with a smile. "Yulis and Silvia already arrived. It will be fun to have a mini tea party!"

"Oh, they arrived already?" Klaus's lips formed an O shape as I led them inside.

I glanced back and nodded. "They raced here."

"So, who came first?" asked Claude while I stare ahead, pondering who came first.

"I think it's Yul."

"Nice." My brows furrowed at Claude's tone. I looked back at them, only to see Claude had his palms open at Klaus. The latter rolled his eyes while removing his brooch and surrendered it to him.

"You also had a bet?" I gasped, waiting for them to look at me. 

Claude smiled and nodded. "Knowing the marchioness and the duke, we already predicted that from happening."

I didn't find it strange for Claude to address Silvia and Yul formally. Although he was their nephew, Claude was still an Earl, a lord in the north. Now, I felt bad for asking him to call me Auntie. But on the second thought, my husband was the emperor.

"Is that so?" I smiled, motioning my hand to follow me. "Come. Let's join Silvia and Yulis."

******

Meanwhile, in Samael's office, Law and Samael stared at each other. The young master was sitting across from his father, sporting a cold, deadly look.

"You summoned me here just to tell me you will leave days after my birthday?" asked Law in a low tone. There wasn't even a trace of sadness in his voice because he didn't really care.

"You have a lot of time to tell me, but you chose to tell it today. Father, drop the pretense. You just don't want me to join Mother in receiving the guest, right?" 

"Correct!" Samael intoned nonchalantly. "Your mother has close bonds with them more than I do. Hence, we have to give her this day so she could enjoy with them."

"Would she not enjoy it if I'm with her?" 

Samael's brow raised, peering at his son in dismay. "My son. When your Uncle Ran embraced your mother, didn't you hate him that instant?"

Law pressed his lips into a thin line, hiding the guilt on his face. He instantly disliked Yulis the second he acted chummy with his mother. He hated it. Not because Yulis embraced his mother, but because of them, Lilou almost forgot about him. 

"My son, I know your pain." Samael smiled, making Law raise a brow when the smile on his father grow into a devilish smirk. "We'll only let them have her today. Tomorrow, your mother will be ours again."

Law studied his father's evil expression, keeping his stony countenance before he smirked. "Ours… no, Father.. Mother is mine."