The Duke's Passion

After receiving the Earl of Monarey, we joined Silvia and Yul in the sitting room. When we arrived, there was this strange air between them, but I ignored it. Klaus and Claude didn't seem to notice — or maybe they chose not to. 

The servants served us tea, and we talked about almost everything that I missed in the five years. They shared their own stories, misadventures, hardships, and everything. I had fun listening, but at the same time, felt a little regretful that I wasn't there to witness it. 

Yulis, Silvia, Klaus, and Claude had matured for sure. They grew as a person in these five years, holding equal power and influence over the empire. 

We didn't notice the time and only we realized it when Fabian told us it was time for dinner. With that being said, we followed him to have dinner. Sam and Law were already there, staring in our direction without saying a word.

'I felt like I sinned with how they look at me,' I thought, but still sported a smile. Sam and Law didn't speak, as our distinguished guests had taken their seats. 

Their silence slowly turned the atmosphere in the dining hall a little... awkward. I glazed over the food and then at our guest. They were keeping their silence under my husband's and son's gaze. 

"Sam," I called under my breath when I couldn't take this silence anymore. We were just happy a moment ago, but now it felt like they would kill us.

His lips stretched into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I'm very glad to see you again, my brothers, sister."

"We can see that Your — my brother," Silvia responded sarcastically. "I am also relieved to see you again."

"I can see that you are over the moon, sister."

A frown dominated my face, as this felt like a dinner in the imperial palace. Most of my memories in that place's dining hall were similar to what was unfolding; stifling and smiles coupled with sneers and snide comments. 

"Big brother, you looked more dashing than ever!" Klaus exclaimed while pointing at the host's seat. "No wonder my nephew is so adorable!" 

"It's nice to meet you too, Uncle Norrix. I heard a lot about you from my father." Law smiled — the same smile his father bore. This sort of unity between my son and my husband felt strange. 

"Right. This is the first time you're meeting Law, right?" I chimed in a light tone, an attempt to salvage the thick atmosphere. 

"Yes, sister." Klaus let out a sigh while gazing at Law and then at Sam. He clicked his tongue, shaking his head before setting his eyes back to me. 

"Their personality is uncannily similar," he whispered at me, but with this silence, everyone heard him clearly.

"He took his personality from his mother."

"I took after my mother, uncle." 

Klaus winced when the father and son duo replied almost at the same time. Sam and Law looked at each other with dissatisfaction in their eyes.

"How adorable." Claude chuckled in a low tone while his hand reached for the glass of wine. "Uncle and my cousin, you shouldn't be too stingy in hogging Lilove all for yourself."

"Lucas, what did you call my wife?" Sam raised a brow, leaning back in amusement.

"Cousin, my father might be a detestable creature. However, I am not looking for another father." Law also voiced out his thoughts, making me wish to evaporate right in this instance. 

"Clau — I mean, Lucas, you haven't given up on your fantasy?" Yulis also joined the conversation, laughing in ridicule at the confident young man. 

"My gosh... the first family dinner and I already lost my appetite," Silvia commented as she rolled her eyes. Claude was, indeed, mischievous. He reminded me of how Sam had fun aggravating everyone. It was as if the more they get annoyed at him, the more it made him happy. 

"Just in case you're forgetting, my sister dislikes this type of air during meals." Klaus, who couldn't care less if Sam and Law strangle Claude, muttered while already eating. "She likes eating, but look at her! So thin as if she'll get blown away by a strong wind."

Klaus pointed at me with pity in his eyes. I rolled my eyes, clicking my tongue. Did he forget that it was only been two months since I woke up from a five-year slumber? If I wasn't a vampire now, I would wake up skin and bones. 

"Right. Let's eat." Sam rocked his head, raising his hand to encourage them to eat. He shrugged when I cast her a dead look. 

With that being said, we ate in silence. Thanks to Klaus, the thick air gradually subsided as he talked and teased everyone to his heart's content. He was always the playful type. Now, I wouldn't be surprised why Claude turned out like this. Klaus practically raised his nephew, and just like Sam, he probably instilled a part of his habits to the young earl.

In the middle of the dinner, Fabian suddenly came and whispered in Sam's ears. Klaus was still teasing Claude while I observed the smile that appeared on my husband's face. Since Sam and Fabian were whispering, I focused my hearing on their conversation.

"Fabian, no bloodshed. Tell Rufus to come in." My eyes widened as soon as I heard Sam's remarks.

"Ruru already arrived?" I blurted out, catching everyone's attention. I covered my lips as I glanced at them, smiling awkwardly, as I didn't expect Rufus to arrive early. He clearly told me he would arrive a day before Law's birthday. 

"My wife, I didn't know you're eavesdropping." Sam smiled in delight. "Ruru came. Fabian, please assist him --"

"I'll do it!" I raised a hand in panic, knowing Fabian could do something evil to his brother. 

"Madam, you are still in the middle of your meal. Please trust your head butler to accommodate your guest." Fabian smiled politely, but I could sense the malice from that smile! I trusted my head butler, but not in this!

"Fabian is right, my wife. That is his --"

"Why don't you let Silvia receive the guest?" Yul suddenly suggested, looking at me as if he understood my worry. But Silvia didn't seem pleased at his suggestion as her eyes sharpened at him.

"It's not like you don't know each other. Also, for my sister's peace of mind. It's better if someone who knows Rufus receives him. We're family here, after all." 

I pressed my lips into a thin line, studying at Silvia, who had her eyes narrowed at Yul. He knew about Silvia and Rufus, but her reaction was a little strange. I didn't dwell on it as I gazed at Sam. My husband rocked his head in understanding, casting the displeased butler a smile. 

"Please assist my sister to receive the guest, Fabian," Sam ordered while Fabian's smile disappeared.

"Yes, Master." Fabian bowed politely before shifting his focus towards Silvia. "My lady?"

"Be thankful I can't stab you right now." Silvia huffed at Yul before she assisted herself up, following Fabian to receive Rufus. 

As they left the dining hall, I could not help but gaze at Yul. In the back of my head, I knew there was something wrong with Silvia and him. 

'Are the two of them... develop feelings for each other?' I wondered internally before I snapped back to reality when Law suddenly spoke.

"Rufus?" he tilted his head as he set his eyes to Sam. "Father, are you friends with the military general?"

Silence.

There was dead silence in the room as I bit my tongue. Right... this was my son's first family dinner with everyone. And to make it worse, he didn't know the names of the people around him were known for. 

"Oh," Sam also seemed a bit taken aback at the slipped of the tongue. He gazed at Law for a moment before he smiled.

"Yes. The military general is Fabian's brother, after all.." All we heard next was Law's cutlery hitting the floor.