The Duke's Passion

Cameron's breath hitched as he hung his head low. He could sense the ominous air thicken.

"I didn't tell you, your highness, because I thought it's not important. The sixth prince only visited us just like what he did annually." Cameron explained his side of the story.

It was true, though. Every year, the Earl of Monarey from the North would visit the Crawfords' manor. That was to check on them as an order from the king.

Therefore, he didn't mention it to Samael. The sixth prince did nothing unusual. He still mocked them and held a feast during his two-day stay.

There was nothing new.

"Alistair, huh?" Samael murmured, leaning his back against the high-backed chair.

Instinctively, Cameron peeked at Samael. The latter was rubbing his lower lip with his finger as a smirk resurfaced on his lips.

Cameron gulped down again as he looked away. The Crawford had avoided getting involved in the La Crox's internal feud.

Even when they hailed Samael as their god, Samael was kind enough not to involve them with what happened during the annihilation of the Bloodfangs. But now, Cameron was unsure at the fate of Cunningham.

"Alistair La Crox…" Sam gritted his teeth, sucking air through it. He closed his eyes, tilting his head back.

Taking notice at the air emitting from Samael, Fabian turned and faced Cameron.

"Lord Cameron, please forgive my audacity. But, did the Earl of Monarey give you something as a present?" 

"Huh?" Cameron furrowed his brows. But he still recalled if Alistair La Crox gave him something. "No, there's none."

"If there's none, please search the entire castle and burn everything that weren't here before the sixth prince's visit." Fabian's eyes glinted solemnly. "I had recently heard the sixth prince favored a witch."

Fabian didn't have to explain long for Cameron to understand. Just the word witch was enough of an answer.

Witches and vampires never got along. However, there were instances both parties worked together without trying to kill each other.

But that only happened if both parties had a common, formidable enemy. And if only the outcome could benefit them fairly.

"Please do it immediately. The future duchess' life will be in great danger if she didn't regain her consciousness." Fabian urged as his eyes bore unwavering results.

Even though Cameron was a marquess and Fabian was a mere butler, there's just this commanding tone in Fabian that urged him to abide.

"Yes." Cameron agreed as he glanced at Zoey. "But I'm only doing it because it involved Her Grace."

Cameron added his clarification. Lilou was still their new goddess to worship. Hence, he couldn't let her die in this very land.

Above all, Cameron had high regards to Lilou. Her words still lingered in his mind because she's the only human who was brave enough to speak her mind.

When Fabian nodded wordlessly, Cameron closed his eyes. Since this had been his abilities, to talk to people around his vicinity, he sent out the order.

While Cameron had given out the orders, Sam was biting the nail of his thumb.

"I think my brother wanted to experience hell."

Fabian glanced at Samael and let out a sigh. He could tell with just a look that Alistair would never be safe anymore. Alistair purposely provoked him.

"Then, hell it is." 

Samael let out a ridiculing chuckle as he gazed at Lilou. The longer he looked at her unconscious figure, the more this fury within him intensified.

"Cameron, if you hadn't heard yet, Anton's Era in Whistlebird ended. But, I left those who I deemed deserving to atone." 

He paused, shifting his gaze straight at Cameron. The latter slightly raised his brows, not expecting to hear Sam's remarks.

"But I can't guarantee the same to Cunningham. If my bride didn't wake up by dawn, I'd start killing your people… one by one every hundred beats of your heart."

Cameron held his breath, distinguishing the current threat that befell Cunningham. He knew Samael meant it.

"We will do our best, Your Highness." Cameron mustered the courage. He wanted Lilou to wake up just as much as him.

"But can I ask what could have happened to Her Grace? What did the Duke of Monarey do to her?"

Silence. The air felt tight, thick, and suffocating. Cameron darted his eyes from Fabian to Samael discreetly. There was no answer given.

"Fabian, can I entrust Lilou to you?" Suddenly, Sam inquired without looking away from Lilou.

"No, my lord." Fabian answered almost immediately. "It's not because I can't protect her ladyship, but because I know it will upset my lady if you headed to the Capital alone."

But receiving no response from Samael, Fabian added; "Please calm down, my lord."

It was still a surprised that Samael didn't lose his composure even after what happened. Knowing the sixth prince, a vampire who had the strongest mind control after the King and Sam…

They could only expect the worst. Not to mention if this involved the king himself.

Fabian wondered what illusions Lilou experienced. Because illusions made by the sixth prince had after effects in reality.

Illusions, or dreams, or nightmares created by Alistair always had the worst outcome. It would easily consume a mortal like Lilou. But if the King had taken part in here, it'd be more problematic.

Samael's brothers had made their move even before they could reach the capital.

"Leave us." After a while, Samael ordered while staring at Lilou.

Fabian bowed and glanced at Cameron. Without saying a word, both of them left silently.

When the door creaked closed, Samael extended his arm and reached for her hand. His hand trembling as his breathing grew heavier.

His emotions fought for dominance. Samael could barely contain them.

Slowly, he guided her hand to his lips. His eyes remained on her peacefully sleeping face.

"Please come back to me, Love. If you don't, I…" Samael trailed off as a bitter glint flickered across his eyes.

"I will turn you into one of us. You don't want that, do you? Be a vampire?"