The Duke's Passion

"History said the day the Empress died, the night didn't make a sound. There was a long procession of silence as the Emperor carried her remains in his arm, marching back to their home. When the victims of the war saw the emperor and the empress in his arm, none were able to make a sound." The woman scanned the faces of the young ladies, mostly noble teens, who were listening to the story she was narrating under the tree. "It was the most devastating day for the empire; more devastating than the disastrous result of the war, for this empire lost its mother forever."

"Did the emperor take in another wife?" asked one young lady curiously.

The woman shook her head with closed-lip. "The Emperor only loved the Empress. He poured all his love into her, and even after her death, he married her multiple times. He also created a statue of her and proclaimed a week that is only meant to remember her."

"That... is so sweet." One young lady sighed as she patted her chest. "Also, so tragic."

"I thought that they will be together after the challenges."

"But they lived in reality, girls." The narrator smiled kindly as she closed the book. 

"I want to have an emperor who will only love me and make me a statue."

"I want someone like the empress who will sacrifice his life for me." One lady chimed in with a pout. 

The story they listened to left this bitter taste in their mouth. They all rooted for a happy ending since the Empress and the Emperor had faced a lot of challenges together, having doubts in each other in between, but still chose to trust each other, regardless. But in the end, the Empress still died protecting the Emperor.

The story for them left this void in their heart. It was just unacceptable for them to let it be like it was, but that was the end of the story. And as their instructor said, the Empress and the Emperor lived in reality. 

The woman chuckled as she watched the disappointment plastered on their faces. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

"And that... is the story that can move even the most callous heart," she said as the side of her lips stretched even wider. "Don't worry, girls. The book may have ended like that, but who knows? There might be a different ending that we know nothing about."

"After all... they lived in reality," she added with the same smile as the ladies looked at her with mixed emotions. 

"Lady Bey, can you tell us more?!"

"Yes, what do you mean by an ending we didn't know about?"

The excited young ladies who were listening to Bey, the most sought instructor for noble ladies, demanded her conclusion of a different ending. Bey smiled as she sighed in defeat.

"Well..." Bey looked away, gazing up at the clear blue sky with a smile. "... who knows? Maybe, somewhere, under the same sky, His and Her Majesty still got the happy ending they both wished that is not recorded in history."

*******

[ It's been three years since the disastrous night that plagued Minowa. That night almost ruined the south; many people lost their lives, houses, and their source of living were ruined. In other words, Minowa was on the brink of its downfall. 

Thanks to the efforts of the young earl and the help of the Emperor and its vassals from the East and West, it rose again — much stronger than ever in the span of a year. After that night, Jaime also surrendered and faced consequences.

But since Jaime had helped and risked his life to fight for its people, his punishment was significantly reduced. Instead of death that could appease the angry masses, he was stripped off of his title and the wealth of the Malum was used to help recover Minowa. 

One would think the punishment was too light, but after the young Earl Crowell's speech, about forgiveness and avoiding the usual cruel ways that plagued the lives of the southerners. It somehow convinced the majority of this new vision of their lord. 

It wasn't easy. To change the ways that many people were already used to, but the south was hanging on. With the consistent effort of the earl and his people, Minowa would surely adjust to the new ways implemented.

Omar and I, Glory, are assisting his lordship to the best of our abilities. That night was life-changing. Those who witnessed how you fight ignited many people's eagerness to aspire to be an honorable knight that can protect Minowa if a similar incident occurs in the future.

Although we do not wish for it to happen again.

It was a tragic part of history that changed the lives of many people, including me. But I am glad to be a part of such a history.

I wish you have great health and a speedy recovery, madam.

Your loyal and faithful knight,

Glory. ]

I smiled while reading the letter I received from Glory, placing down to cover my lips as my eyes landed on Sam. My head was resting on his lap, having this perfect view of him. We were currently spending a lazy afternoon under a tree, his back against the trunk.

He raised a brow as he looked down at me. "You seem pleased. Did Glory profess his love for you?"

"What if he did?" I giggled, hiding the playful grin under the parliament. 

"Damn that Glory. When he started learning how to write, he kept sending letters to everyone he knew," Sam grumbled with a frown. "How dare he?"

I giggled, seeing that Sam was quite displeased that I was using this time to read the letters that arrived for me instead of rolling on the grass with him. I didn't feel bad, though. We had all the time in the world, so sparing some time to read the letters from my friends wouldn't hurt. 

"Next letter, please," I said, folding the letter from Glory to put to my side. I glanced at Sam and saw him click his tongue, but he still handed me the next letter. The side of my lips stretched as he was complaining, but still letting me read the rest of this basket. 

"Thank you very much." 

Sam rolled his eyes as he rested the back of his head against the trunk. "If you read all these letters, it will be nighttime before you realize it and the kids will snatch you away from me. Don't you feel bad about your husband?"

I raised a brow as I looked at him, stopping to open the letter that had a seal of the Earl in Monarey. I pressed my lips together, studying my grumpy husband.

'Should I continue this tomorrow?' I wondered, seeing that Sam was especially needy today. "Well..."

Just as I was about to speak, Sam's expression grew grim as a voice from the distance reached our ear. 

"Mother!" I turned my head to where I heard the voice, smiling gently as soon as I caught Law carrying his two-year-old sister, Sunny. I sprung up on instinct, eyes sparkling as Law approached us under the tree. 

"Good God... here are the little devils." I heard Sam grumble unhappily while I ignored him, carrying Sunny in my arms as Law passed her to me. 

"I knew it when I saw Sunny with Mister Fabian." Law narrowed his eyes at his father. "Father, how can you abduct Mother from Sunny? She was crying. Right, Sunny?"

"Oh? We're you crying, Sunny?" I chuckled while our intelligent little girl just looked at me with an adorable smile. 

"My dear wife, we should work hard even more." I turned my attention to Sam as his voice grew solemn, seeing him dart his eyes from Law to Sunny. "We need another child that looks likes you. I can't stop here."

I burst out in laughter while Law frowned. Even Sunny, who was merely a two-year-old toddler, gazed at his father. Why would Sam say that? Well, his genes were so strong that Law looked like his carbon copy and only got the color of my eyes. Our little girl was also the same. She looked like the girl's version of Sam with only the difference that hazel streaks highlighted her baby silver hair.

"Father, aren't you worried that mother will be in pain if you have more children?" asked Law in dismay.

"Then, let's make sextuplets next, love." Sam set his eyes on me, batting his eyes coquettishly. "So you'll be in pain in one go."

"Sam..." I clicked my tongue as I widened my eyes. "The children are here. Please, watch what you say."

I cradled Sunny on my lap and played with her little arms before I added, "Sunny, don't listen to Papa, alright? He is in his rebellious state, just like your big brother."

"Mother, I'm sure I'm not that big brother you're talking about."

"Oh, love, come on!"

"Tea for a pleasant afternoon and unlimited energy to argue?" 

I raised my head, and I saw Fabian walking in our direction with a picnic basket in his hand. A wide smile turned up on my lips as my eyes veered on the woman walking behind him, Tilly. The person who saved my life. 

"Yes, please!" I nodded, gazing at Law, who smiled back at me. And then to Sam, who had this subtle smile as he cast me a quick look. 

Three years ago, our lives were uncertain. We all had entered the darkest days of our lives, but three years later, we could now look back at those days with a smile. 

"Hey! You are all having a picnic without inviting me?!"

"Oh, Uncle Ran, right..." Law smiled awkwardly as I followed his gaze, only to see the grumpy Yul storming in our direction. 

Right... unexpected things happened after that night three years ago.. For example, our family migrated to the mainland and settled down in Tilly's mansion with Fabian, who was mending his inner peace, and Yul, who was trying to extend his life.