The Duke's Passion

When Yulis, Charlotte, and Ramin arrived at the Grimsbanne mansion, Lilou and Samael, along with their children, welcomed them home. Tilly was also there, having tea and Fabian as well. It was quite an occasion with Charlotte and Ramin in this place to help, since they didn't have servants and they simply split the housework — except Tilly, since she was clumsy. So most of the time, she would watch over the children when Lilou was busy being a housewife with Fabian. 

Yulis didn't join their warm welcome party for Charlotte and Ramin as he headed straight to his room. He felt especially tired today.

A shallow sigh slipped past his lips as he plopped down on the bed, his feet hanging out of the mattress. He rested his back against the headboard, looking around the room he had been staying in ever since coming to this place. 

"Silvia," he whispered, setting his eyes on the window where the moonlight was entering. "Your name came up today more than the past three years." 

In the past three years, Lilou only mentioned Silvia to him once. Samael also inquired about Silvia to him, but Yulis only gave out a quick answer. After that, those two didn't mention her again, and they all continued with their life. Samael got busy looking for a source of income and strived to give his family a good life, while Lilou recovered and tended to her children's needs. 

At the same time, Yulis was just as busy as he was trying to extend his life with Tilly's help. Since he had offered most of his life energy to Silvia, Yulis' condition was worse than he expected. That was why there was tons of uncertainty about whether Tilly's experiments would work or he would just die in one of them. 

"It's been almost three years since then," he mumbled, revisiting the time he first came into this place. That was the time after he led his people to defend Grimsbanne. 

At that time in Minowa, Yulis was also busy leading his people to victory. The numbers Zero and Stefan sent to Grimsbanne and La Lona march were all true. The only detail that didn't match was someone else was leading the soldiers marching towards Grimsbanne and La Lona. 

So, Yulis, with Claude and Klaus's assistance, stood victorious in that war that lasted for three months. Even when they received the news of Lilou's death, all they could do was grit their teeth and win their own war. Dominique came along with the royal knights, but the war in Grimsbanne was already concluded. Only then did the angry Claude and Klaus calmed down when Dominique relayed the news of Lilou's actual situation. 

Along with the news of Lilou's real situation, Dominique also handed Yulis a letter from Samael. In that letter was an invitation to Yulis as Fabian finally rattled about Yulis' condition. 

'I knew I was already at my limit back then,' he thought, recalling that he could feel that he would die sooner than he expected. Hence, he accepted the invitation because he wanted to see Lilou for the last time. 

Yulis also didn't have the heart to see Silvia and confess about his impending doom. That was why... he ended things with her through a letter. In that case, whether or not he would return, Silvia wouldn't wait for him. It was better to break her heart sooner so she could heal faster than let her wait for years, only to get her heart broken if he died. 

"That's right." He rocked his head, tilting it back and breathing out through his mouth. "It's better if she reconciles with Rufus. He still loves her, anyway."

His eyes slowly closed to rest. "I should've refused her in the first place." — but he was selfish. Despite knowing he was dying, he still played with fire and indulged in the temporary pleasure of being with her. 

Now, not only was he hurting, but he hurt her too. Yulis considered this as one of the worst mistakes he did in his long life. Therefore, he didn't want to make the same mistake ever again. If he recovered and could continue his life, he didn't plan to come back to Silvia. He didn't have the right to ask for a second chance. That didn't even cross his mind.

"Tutoring Law is enough... although it's annoying to see Lilou and Hell together." He chuckled, shaking his head as he slid to the side until he was lying down. "At least... their little family is happier by the day. I'm happy for them."

Just as Yul planned to sleep early, he slowly opened his eyes when a knock from outside reached his ear. Lilou's voice followed as Yul propped his elbow against the mattress, saying, "come in."

"Yulis..." Lilou paused while holding the door, setting her eyes on Yulis. He was reclining on the bed, staring at her with lazy eyes. 

"What?" he asked.

Lilou let out a sigh as she walked in. "Yul... are you alright?" she asked, sitting on the edge of the mattress.

"Well, of course. Why won't I?" he raised a brow before collapsing on his back, staring at the ceiling. "I was just... just... thinking."

"Missing someone?"

"I shouldn't miss her..." he breathed out. "... but I still do. I can't help it."

"Yul, Sam and I agreed to not mention Silvia since you're uncomfortable every time we mention her. But... you really need to apologize to her." Lilou sighed as she gazed at Yulis with eyes full of worry. "You left just like that. I know you just don't have the heart to see her while thinking it's probably the last, but... if you already decided, you should at least end it properly."

Yulis knew that. Even before Lilou spell it out to him, he already knew he should've ended it with Silvia properly. But... no matter what excuse he would use, he couldn't deny he was a coward to face Silvia. 

"Don't stress yourself in my matters, Lil." He peeled his eyes away from the ceiling, cocking his head in her direction. "Why are you here? I'm sure that is not because you're worried about me."

"Yul, I'm always worried about you."

"But you don't go to my room unless it is something even more important."

Lilou bit her tongue. "Well." She cleared her throat. "I proposed to Sam and we're getting married again."

"Ah... what?" 

"I will be inviting the people who are important to this family. So..." She raised both her brows and sported an awkward smile. "You might see Silvia again."

"..."

Seeing Yulis' blank reaction, Lilou carefully slipped out of the bed and tiptoed away. But she paused when Yulis called her name in a dead tone. 

Lilou looked back with a forced smile. "I love you too, Yul. Have a good night." and then she sprinted away. 

"Lilou!!" came out an angry voice, but she already shut the door behind her with an aghast expression. Knowing Yulis, Lilou was a bit scared for her life. Hence, the second she heard footsteps from inside the room, Lilou took a deep breath. 

"Sam!!! Yulis is going to kill me!" she yelled before dashing through the hallway to search for her husband, her shield. 

*****

EXTRA:

"As you all don't know, Lilou asked for my hand in marriage." Samael boasted to Ramin, Charlotte, Law, Sunny in the bassinet, Fabian, and Tilly, who were in the same drawing room as him. "Can you believe it? How my wife is so in love with me, she proposed! It will be our late 1st decadesary."

"Is that even a word?" Law muttered while staring at his father with little expression. He already learned not to fight Samael and tried not to argue, but he couldn't always agree with Samael, especially whenever he was being ridiculous.

"Wedding... Tilly likes." Tilly nodded while holding a teacup to her lips. 

Fabian also smiled brightly. "Well, I guess we will have more work since we would be expecting more guests."

"Your Majesty — I mean, Master, can I attend as a guest too?" Charlotte clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling in anticipation. 

"If you attend, who will serve the guest?" Ramin looked at her in dismay. 

"You!" 

"Oh, don't fight. It will be a simple one with only a few close people to our little family." Samael raised his hand before Charlotte and Ramin take this conversation outside with their weapons. "So..."

"Sam...! Yulis will kill me...!"

"Lilou! Come back here and I will talk to you! How can you propose and hold a wedding without consulting your big brother first?!" 

Lilou and Yulis' voices outside reached the drawing room they were in. The people inside looked at each other in silence, listening to the sound of yelling and hasty footsteps. 

Samael cleared his throat. "As I was saying..."

"Father, won't you help Mother?" asked Law as he expected Samael to run to Lilou's rescue. 

"Well, my son, this is what your mother must conquer herself since she proposed to me. I am not that easy too." Samael grinned until his eyes squinted. 

"Master, I'm very sure His Grace is only chasing after the madam to change her mind," Charlotte mumbled as this was Samael's new way of gloating.

"I agree with you." Ramin nodded. 

Meanwhile, Law shook his head lightly.. "I hope Uncle Ran can't change Mother's mind."