The Duke's Passion

Suffer or be the one who'd cause someone's suffering. My heart instantly fell to my stomach.

"If you want to survive in here, you have to be… wise. Since you're already here, think like one of us. If you do, there is a higher chance you'd do well." 

Ridiculous. Was what I wanted to say. However, deep down, I knew I was the one being ridiculous. No matter how difficult it was for me to comprehend her intention, she was helping me.

"I don't know what Hell is thinking for not preparing you for this. He's not always as impulsive as this, but I can't believe he didn't thoroughly explain what kind of hell this place is." Silvia snapped her tongue as she shook her head lightly.

"He should've known that the second he took you in, all eyes are diverted to you. Unless he didn't really love you and merely using you for a diversion, then, it makes more sense."

I hung my head low, staring at my hands. What was she rambling about? Diversion? What did she know?

But despite the heaviness in my heart, I kept my mouth shut. If her plan was to put a wedge between me and Sam, she would fail. 

Everything between Sam and I were genuine. His loving gaze, his affectionate touches, those sweet words, and his heart-warming presence… they're all real. 

Silvia didn't know that.

Still, the thought of it still lingered in my head. I knew I shouldn't be listening to her words. But… I could not help it.

"Sister-in-law."

"Why?" I asked, as I slowly raised my gaze at her. "Why are you telling me this?"

Every breath I took suffocated my lungs. I concealed the pain of having such thoughts, but struggled.

"Why… Sam… he wants nothing from here. We just want peace. He didn't intend on doing anything. We just want to get married and yet, everyone hates him." Before I knew it, words recklessly slipped past my lips. 

It was too late when I realized it. "Just… why?"

Silence enveloped us. Silvia studied my expression for a long time, tapping her finger against the table. 

"Why?" A faint scoff escaped her lips. "This is ridiculous to the extent I want to laugh out loud. Didn't he tell you? That in this kingdom, there are two kings." Her expression solemn and so were her words.

The whistle of the wind caressed my ears. What did she say?

"My brother who is also my husband is one who had the title. I don't know if you already heard how he ascended the throne — hearing your lack of information. But to keep it short, he coveted a seat that wasn't his." Silvia's eyes glinted, drawing me in a discussion which forced my emotions out of it.

For a moment, I instinctively set aside my emotions. Furrowing my brows as I listened to her. My hands on my skirt tightened.

"Our kind has surrounded you for months. Did you think vampires just mindlessly follow orders like mortals do? It is possible in another kingdom reigned by humans. But the Heart's Kingdom is different." 

Silvia paused as she leaned back. Her eyes fixed on me, never leaving my gaze.

"We might've followed the norms from other kingdoms; tea parties, banquets, land titles… but that was all for entertainment. They don't matter if we follow the hierarchy of blood for the throne. Nobles and inferior vampires might've followed the law and the will of the current king until now. But, Hell's awakening and recent actions incited hope for those who advocate to follow tradition."

I listened to her words carefully, afraid I would miss the slightest details. However, it just confused me even more.

"Right now, you might think there's only one ruler of this kingdom. You're wrong." Silvia carefully raised her hand as she propped her jaw.

"From hundreds of years ago until now, there were already two kings in this land. One is seated on the throne, while the other… was asleep."

I froze as her words registered inside my head. Two kings…? One was sitting on the throne. While the other was sleeping.

My lips parted, but words clogged in my throat. Sam mentioned nothing about this.

"You're right. That other one is the uncrowned king, your groom, Samael Vaughnn Caecilius La Crox."

"…" My ears flapped. I blinked many times, tilting my head to the side. 

Was she referring to someone else? Were my first thoughts. If she didn't mention Samael, I would've assumed it was someone else.

"Pfft—! Hell doesn't like his name. He always uses his first name and takes out the rest. So, only a few really know his full name." Silvia explained, taking notice of my abrupt bafflement.

"Back to what I am saying, you're in a very dangerous position. People who think the current king should remain on the throne will use you against Hell. Those who were eager to make Hell King, regardless if you want it or not, will kill you first if they see your existence a nuisance."

My heart instantly pounded against my chest. Even my breath hitched.

These people… they wouldn't leave us alone, would they? Those who see Sam's existence as a threat and those people who wanted to sit him on the throne. 

Did they ever consider Sam's opinion? It was not their life. So, how could they…

I gritted my teeth as my heart clenched. My hands clasping my skirt trembled.

No wonder Sam left this kingdom. This place was suffocatingly annoying.

Deep within, I think I understood the reason Sam slept for hundreds of years. He was not only running away from this place. Sam... he was running away from himself.

My blood boiled with everything Silvia spoke. I flinched as I snapped back to my senses when she added.

"Hold it in." She said. I slowly shot my gaze at her.

Silvia was staring at me intensely. Her eyes exuded encouragement as she nodded ever so slowly.

"Whatever you see and hear in here, hold it in if necessary. Be the most heartless villain if necessary. Be smart deciding when and when not to look away. If you want to live and be help of my brother, I ask you; live, survive, and win." 

Her eyes glistened with determination. Seeing the flickering emotions in her eyes somehow made my shoulders eased.

"Why, Sivi?" I pursed my lips for naturally cutting her name. But I resumed. "Why do you sound like you're on Sam's side?"

Silvia just faintly smiled as her eyes softened. Slowly, she shifted her gaze away and set them on the still lake.

"Because he… Hell is my king."