The Duke's Passion

In the end, we just made a separate small bonfire consisting of Fabian, Tilly, Ramin, who snuck away while it was early, Kristina, and Noah. Apparently, Rufus was dragged into the chaos and was now battling someone there in the open forest clearing outside the mansion.

"His Majesty..." Kristina sighed as she cast us all a look. "Lilou, is this alright?"

"I don't know, Kristina. If only I knew that Sam invited those people, I would've agreed to him to hasten our honeymoon." I replied with the same low energy, shaking my head lightly.

"Will His Majesty and his right-hand man be alright? I know this is a different place, but just what would the people back in the empire think if they get wind of this?" Noah voiced out worriedly. I could understand his worry because Noah and the House Remington were one of the strongest supporters of Rufus. For an emperor to get involved in a group brawl was something unheard of.

I raised my gaze and searched for Rufus's figure. The reason my adopted son was dragged into this was that he got punched. Yes. Just when Rufus was about to leave them, someone punched him. Hence, there he was, having a fistfight as Sam's eldest son.

"Don't fret, Lord Noah. No word comes out of this land." Fabian smiled, reassuring Noah.

"I know that, Mister Fabian. But the thing is, you've witnessed it. This may not come out now, but if you somehow left this land, I'm afraid you will spread ridiculous rumors for fun," Noah remarked with a sigh, not afraid to express his honest thoughts. "With all due respect."

"My. Lord Noah, do you see me as someone so petty?" Fabian's smile remained, but his question was answered by not just Noah.

"Well, not really. But it's something you can and will do." Noah cleared his throat.

"You can be so petty at times, Mister Fabian." Ramin chimed in, casting Noah a look before setting his eyes on Fabian.

"As someone who was part of that secret gathering in the west wing of the imperial palace, I agree with Ra and Noah." This time, Kristina also expressed her honest opinion. But when she glanced at Noah, the two of them blushed and looked away from each other.

How cute.

"Why are you two blushing? Aren't you now husband and wife? Why do you act as if you're in the early stages of courtship?" Ramin frowned as he also caught Kristina and Noah's subtle actions. If only Ramin knew he wasn't entirely wrong because Kristina and Noah's relationship didn't take the usual route as normal lovers did.

"My lady, these three are bullying me." Fabian attempted to get help from me, but I couldn't really disagree with the three.

"You can be very petty, Fabi. It's just that your way of revenge takes more time since you are waiting for an opening to exact your vengeance." I sighed, giving him an apologetic look. "If you're not petty, why did you purposely leave Rufus to stay in the prison for weeks?"

"He said that is from the time Rufus broke the wheel on the carriage meant for Fabian during Law's sixth birthday." Tilly sold him out without batting an eye, holding a glass of juice with both hands. "Lilou, teach me how to make this juice. I like it."

"Sure, Lady Tilly." I smiled before we all cast Fabian a look. "See? Three years later, Rufus still had to pay for that silly prank."

"I don't know what Lady Tilly is talking about, but I believed it is simply karma." Unfazed by the truth right in front of him, Fabian denied in his usual calm tone.

"I always believed karma is an old witch who elegantly drinks tea and only served it to her guest once it's cold," Kristina murmured, staring at Fabian helplessly. "I think I was wrong all along. Karma is a man who cleans a mansion and receives his unsuspecting guests with open arms, not knowing a series of horror will strike them."

"Isn't that too much of a compliment?" Tilly tilted her head.

"Lady Tilly, that is not a compliment."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Fabian chuckled, denying all accusations to him even though we had Tilly as our star witness.

"Mister Fabian, you have all my respect... really." Ramin clapped, realizing that he shouldn't rub Fabian the wrong way, ever.

******

Several hours later...

I looked out at the window from Sam and my room. I shook my head as a shallow breath slipped past my lips, but then it hooked up a little. Previously, there was just a rumble in the forest clearing. But now... the party continued with my husband and his siblings mingling with their cousins.

In the end, Tilly was right.

Not all the La Crox hated each other. There were still a few of them who saw my husband and in-laws as part of their family. It was nice to see them getting along well and seeing my husband laugh until he cry. So, I didn't mind if he forget about our honeymoon.

"It's not like we lack in expressing our affection, especially now that we're both vampires," I whispered and chuckled, about to go to bed to rest early. But just as I was walking back to the bed, I stopped and gazed at the door upon a light knock from outside.

"It's me, Tilly." My brows furrowed as I went to open the door, gazing at Tilly, who was standing outside. "This is for you."

I gazed down to see a letter in her hand, accepting it with confusion in my eyes. "A letter for me?" I checked the outside of the letter and it had nothing written outside to indicate from whom it was. Even the seal was plain.

"Six years ago, two letters came to this place. One was for me and one was for you. In the letter for me, the sender of this letter requested to hand this to you once I think it's the perfect time for that," Tilly explained without much change in her expression. "I think this is the right time for you to read this. Good night."

"Uh... Lady Tilly?" I called, but she already turned around to leave without looking back. Appalled, I closed the door and checked the envelope. As I walked back inside, I opened it carefully to read this suspicious letter.

As soon as I saw the first letter, my eyes dilated as I covered my lips with my palm. I knew this handwriting. It was.... Stefan.