The Duke's Passion

"Don't be sad, child. I will make sure your father joined you in Hell soon."

"My lord, please stop this now!" 

Suddenly, Lady Hazel sprinted towards them and knelt down until her forehead touched the floor. Law and Stefan turned their heads to her, seeing that not just her, but almost everyone knelt to their knees. Seeing this, Law squeezed Stefan's hand tightly. These people weren't close to their family, so why would they grovel on the floor like this?

"Just kill me — no, kill us all, but let the young master go!" Lady Hazel begged with a shaking voice, but none of them argued with her. They wouldn't be able to face Lilou if something happened to her child. Even Adam knelt down until his forehead touched the floor, tearing up at this helpless situation. 

"How foolish," Stefan muttered, peeling his eyes away from them, then to Law. "Should I kill them all and let you go?"

Law's jaw tightened as he shook his head. "Please raise your head," he commanded softly, making everyone raise their head only to reveal their teary eyes and pale complexion.

The little master smiled warmly, knowing that even if these people lose their lives to him, this man would still take him. "It was me who will not be able to face my father if I sacrificed everyone to save myself. Thank you for caring about me, but this is my choice."

"Wise." Stefan nodded, pleased that Law wasn't a stupid child. "Let's go, child."

Law followed Stefan's lead going outside, turning his head back at the people with the same smile. He was just glad to see that his mother was more amazing than he originally thought she was. 

"Young master, please!" Bey cried, springing up to her feet to come after them, but froze when Stefan glanced at her. 

"Law...!" Adam also stopped as his knees tremble. "... someone... help my brother..." that was all the little lord could say before a loud crash rang in their ear. 

CRASH!

Stefan halted by the door as someone crashed through the one pillar on the porch. Law also paused, furrowing his brows as he narrowed his eyes to see through the smoke and dust from the broken pillar. When he caught who that was, his brows raised.

"Mister Fabian?" Law watched Fabian get up from the rubble as the roof of the porch slighted, with one of the four pillars breaking at the crash. 

Meanwhile, inside the mansion, everyone tilted their heads to see what was happening. Law and Stefan were still by the door, and they couldn't see through the thick smoke until a minute later. Some servants who caught the head butler's figure had their eyes brightened up. 

"Mister Fabian!" one butler called, but his little hope instantly died when he realized what would Fabian do? They were nothing but servants and before Stefan, they could barely speak much more, do something to him. But confusion arose when they noticed a black spear in Fabian's hands. 

"What a surprise!" Stefan tilted his head to the side, calm despite Fabian's presence. "I didn't think you will come flying in here."

Fabian dusted off his clothes as he stood up. He raised his head, gazing at Stefan and then to Law. A subtle smile resurfaced on his face when he locked eyes with the little master.

"Young master," Fabian called with the same smile, ignoring Stefan entirely. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Law shook his head lightly. "I am alright. How about Mother?"

"She is a little busy at the moment." Fabian cocked his head in the direction he came flying from. The little master turned his head in the direction, catching sparks along with the disastrous sight outside the gates. It was hard to see through the dark and thick smoke, but he caught a long argent hair shining somewhere. 

"Mother..." he whispered and smiled weakly, seeing that Lilou was fighting fiercely. He couldn't see their movements, though. All he could see was that argent, tousled hair kept disappearing and reappearing in different spots, along with the spark of metals. 

"I'm glad she's fine." 

"Young master, please come in here. Don't go close to that man." Fabian sprawled his arm in Law's direction, offering his hand. But the latter's eyes glinted with bitterness. 

"Mister Fabian, this man is strong. I will be alright." The young master forced a smile. "Please tell Father..."

Fabian cut him off before Law could finish his sentence. "Please don't say such a thing, young master. You will break my heart if you say those words."

"Mister Fabian..."

"You." Fabian finally raised his gaze at Stefan coldly. "Let go of him."

"Will you look at that? I often think you are the most reasonable in this empire since you never looked down on me even before." Stefan chuckled while staring at the daunting butler. "But it seems that Quentin was having too much fun for letting you pass through him."

"Please don't misunderstand. The person who sent me flying in here was the madam." Fabian chuckled, making Stefan raise his brows before he grinned. 

"Lilou did? Well, if it's her, it's not surprising. She always does things --"

Before Stefan could finish his words, Fabian suddenly vanished that shocked Law. Only a second later did the butler reappear while thrusting his spear into Stefan's arms. He was fast, forcing Stefan to let go of Law's hands and jump away. 

That was Fabian's goal. 

The butler stood in front of Law while the latter slowly gazed up at him. Fabian glanced over his shoulder and smiled kindly. 

"Young master, please go inside." He took a deep breath, setting his eyes back to the villainous Stefan before adding with a raised voice, "Bey! If worse comes to worst, take the young master and the little lord inside the manor and hide. No, I mean everyone, just hide in the mansion if this man..."

Fabian trailed off as he swung the spear, creating a line a step outside the opened door. "... if someone crossed this line."

Everyone looked at Fabian's back with wide eyes, holding their breaths. Although they were confused, and he still sounded like they were all servants, just Fabian standing in front of the door brought relief to their hearts. 

"Young master!" Bey rushed to Law and knelt beside him, checking if he was hurt anywhere. 

"Mister Fabian, why are you..." Law paused when Fabian glanced over his shoulder and smirk. The latter then turned around, placing his palm across his shoulder as he bent over.

"My little master, I didn't tell you yet, but I am better than Rufus," Fabian claimed with a bright smile that made his eyes squint into mere slits.. "Please add my name on the list of your favorite hero after this."