The Duke's Passion

Meanwhile, from the upper floor of the banquet, Klaus cringed when he saw Claude going to the dance floor with a woman. He darted his eyes from Samael, where Claude and the woman came from to the dance floor. It wasn't that hard to get the gist of what happened.

"I'm not really sure if he wants to save that lady or kill her himself," he mumbled, clicking his tongue continuously. 

The banquet was packed and along with the orchestra was the lovely chattering from the guests. They weren't new to these types of banquets, but this was the only banquet they actually wanted to end with no bloodshed. So, Klaus wasn't really worried about Claude suddenly snapping that woman's neck. His nephew wouldn't do it publicly, at least. 

"I wonder where that damn Fabian went." Klaus looked around at the people below him, but even Fabian's shadow couldn't even be seen. He only saw Charlotte standing near Law and the young Earl of Minowa. Ramin was somewhere hiding on this floor. Rufus and Kristina were with Samael now as they talked with a few local noblemen. 

Klaus didn't wonder where Lilou was at as he saw her with Noah earlier. She surely went to see Cameron. Samael told them to memorize everyone on the guest list, just in case someone infiltrated his son's banquet. So, Klaus, although attended as a guest, still needed to do his job as the knight to ensure that this banquet would end in peace.

"Klaus, you should loosen up a bit. That is the purpose of this banquet." 

Suddenly, Silvia's voice came from his side, making him turn his head to the voice's source. Silvia winked, standing next to him with a wineglass in her hand. 

"This is how I loosen up, my sister." He shrugged, setting his eyes back on the floor below them. "Why are you alone? Did Yul finally realize the trap he stepped into and run away?"

Silvia quirked a brow, casting him a side-eye. But Klaus, even though he didn't glance at her, already knew the surprised look on her face.

"Silvia, don't act as if you don't make it so obvious. You and Yul kept in touch during these five years. Whenever I visit the east, you will always have this huge smile on your face whenever his letters arrive." He rolled his eyes, as they already knew something was up with her. "Also, even if the north and the east aren't connected in trades, I always kept an eye on my siblings. Even in the south, I had planted people to make sure they can assist His Majesty if something happened."

"That is scary of you, Chief Knight. Are you sure you should tell me this?" Silvia chuckled, peeling her eyes away from him, then at the crowd below. "I might ask my people to track down all your little spies and tie them in the middle of the desert, where they will starve and die, eventually."

"Come on, my lady. I am simply trying to protect my family."

A playful chuckle slipped past her lips as she glanced at him once again. The north was known for their horrific means with a cruel earl and a brutal chief knight. But what everyone didn't know was the Marchioness of La Lona March and the Duke of Grimsbanne were just as cruel behind their covers. 

Or rather, among them all, Silvia was the cruelest. 

The Northerners were just a front so to cover the cruelty of Yulis and Silvia to those who opposed the monarchy. Although Grimsbanne was more accepting of the new duke since those in the duchy trusted the previous duke's decision and loved the empress with all their hearts. Silvia, on the other hand, was new to the east. So there was a lot of opposition. To prove herself, wits and kindness weren't the answer to all. 

When it comes to power and politics, a woman had to face such discrimination and prejudices. So, she had to be more cruel than anyone, or they would deem her weak and a pushover. Moreover, she didn't want to be used as an excuse for those who were waiting for Samael to make a mistake. Silvia had gone through all that and taken more lives than when she was in the palace, but she regretted nothing in the slightest. 

Now, Silvia became this powerful marchioness whose opinion was heard even in a quiet voice. 

"Yul went to find Lilou." She broke her silence, took a deep breath, and released it slowly. "Does this mean you approve of us? Me and Yul, what do you think about this combination, Klaus?"

"Odd." His answer was quick, but she only chuckled in response. "But well, it's not like having an affair within our kin is new to us. Although it is still a shock that Yul is a Bloodfang all along, he still grew up with us. I didn't think you two will eventually click after all these years."

"Me too, Klaus. I never thought I will ever love Yul as a man." She planted her palm on the railings, smiling modestly at her confession. "Even in my wildest imagination, I didn't think I will ever feel this way. But... the more I spend time with him, the more I realize how important he is in my life."

Klaus cast her a side-eye, shrugging nonchalantly. "I'm glad that you're happy, Silvia. Although..."

He trailed off when he caught a familiar figure in the crowd. As soon as he set his eyes on her, his eyes narrowed.

"Although Silvia, I think you will be tangled in a problematic love drama." Her brows elevated upon his remarks as her gaze followed where he was staring at. As soon as she saw a stunning beauty in the crowd, her eyes sharpened while her jaw tightened.

"What is Beatrice doing here? If I remembered correctly, she wasn't on the guest list." Came out a cold voice, making Klaus glance at her once again. 

"There is this thing called a party crasher, sister." Klaus tapped her shoulder and squeezed it lightly. "Loosen up, Silvia.. That is the purpose of this party."