The Duke's Passion

"… do what Hell did to me." Hanz hissed as he tilted his head. 

His crimson eyes that were akin to flames held my gaze, almost scalding my soul. I felt that weight of his words on my shoulders. 

Tit for tat… I heard Sam said the same thing not long ago. Did that mean Sam plucked Hanz' eyes? 

How? When? Where? 

"Calm down, Hanz." Yulis muttered huskily. Even when I couldn't see his face, I could tell how intimidating he looked by his tone.

"Yul, get out of here." 

After putting up with them quite nicely, this was where it would end, huh? But why was he so mad? Didn't he cross the line first?

I nearly died back then. If not for Lara, I wouldn't wake up. 

"Hah…" I scoffed under my breath.

This atmosphere felt so familiar. I looked around. I knew it. Thus, before my emotion could take over me, I picked up the last piece of meat on my plate and munched it.

Under this situation, yes. Not because I'm still hungry, nor did I consider it was my last meal. I just thought it would be a waste not to eat it.

Silvia said, think just like them. It actually meant to be a little more crazy. The crazier I would, the more chances I'd survive here.

Why? Because they won't touch me… just yet. And even if they do, I'd fight them to death.

"Aren't you going to eat?" I asked as I languidly chewed my food down.

I glanced to my side to see Silvia's stunned expression. Dominique smirked, as his eyes glinted in amusement. Meanwhile, Yulis was still lying on the floor — face first.

It was an illusion, just as I thought.

Slowly, I turned my gaze to the person in the hallway. The illusion of Hanz and Yulis in front of me already disappeared.

"I don't fall for the same trick twice, your highness." I expressed with a subtle smile.

I didn't know if the illusion of Yulis was part of his plan. After all, it took me a while to realize the circumstance I was in. 

If Hanz just attacked me in that illusion, there would be repercussions in reality. So, I wondered why he used Yulis to stop him.

"I like her." Suddenly, Dominique snapped his fingers as a grin turned up on his lips.

I ignored him. Instead, I fearlessly stared back at Hanz.

If that scar and that eye patch were caused by Sam, good for him. He should be thankful he's still alive.

"Sly little wench." Hanz sneered, seeing the subtle smirk plastered on my lips.

"Do you want to test how many lives you have, my dear sister-in-law?" 

Slowly, I reached for my neck. Holding lakresha vigilantly just in case he would suddenly attack me. These people wouldn't stop him, would they? I couldn't rely on any of them.

Hanz licked his lips as his fangs let itself known. He stretched his neck from in a circular motion, producing loud cracking noises.

I glanced at his feet, sensing the pressure on his foot. He would surely attack me. 

"La…" I trailed off before I could call for lakresha as a voice suspended the tension in the air.

"Hanz." A low and level voice of a man suddenly echoed across the entire dining hall.

It was neither Dominique nor Yulis. I glanced at the other princes, but they were staring in another direction. 

Instinctively, my gaze followed the direction where they were looking at. From the other entrance of the dining hall, a figure approached.

His every step resonated across the hall; until he slinked out of the shadows. As soon as he stepped his foot on the dining hall, everyone beckoned a slight bow.

Shining ebony hair…

That man… I've seen him somewhere. I furrowed my brows, recalling when and where I've seen him.

"What do you think you're doing?" The newcomer asked.

Just then, the familiarity of his voice struck my realization. It was him — the person who held a funeral for me as a welcome last night.

It was too dark last night. Hence, I could only see what he really looked like clearly now.

Based on their reaction, it must be him, the king. I thought he could be a prince because of his simple attire, but his aura felt different. It felt more intimidating and authoritative.

Moments later, his deep crimson eyes caught my gaze. I flinched slightly, gritting my teeth behind my lips.

"Brother, I mean, your Majesty." Hanz clicked his tongue in disinterest. "I just want to greet my new sister."

'Greet me? By trying to kill me?' A faint ridiculing scoff slipped past my lips.

"Is that so?" His Majesty, the king, nodded in understanding. He then glanced at the broken table.

"Yul, wake up." 

Yulis slightly moved upon hearing the order. Yulis dragged himself to sit, looking around in confusion.

So, he just fell asleep?

"Ahh… Dom. I was waiting for you to stab a knife in my nape. I fell asleep while waiting for it." Yulis yawned as he gazed at Dominique.

There were sauces on his face, wiping it with his sleeve. Yulis, he was also quite a character, huh?

Dominique sported a smug grin. He's much calmer now. 

"Why would I do that, brother? I'm not as heartless as all of you!" Dominique magnanimously exclaimed.

"I will escort Lilou to her chambers." Silvia spoke, aiming her words towards the king.

"Silvia. Are you trying to monopolize my little doll? I'll do it." Dominique raised his hand slightly, volunteering on escorting me back.

"Dom." Silvia's eyes glinted as her fangs slowly grew. "You won't touch her."

"Hah, Silvia. You're showing your fangs now too? How interesting!" The corner of Dominique's lips curled into a sly smirk, showing his little canine tooth. 

I didn't have a good feeling about this. 

"I… I'll…" go alone. But my words failed to roll out of my throat.

"Don't bother." The king uttered. His eyes fixed on me as he slowly raised his hand.

"Come here, Lilou."

No! Over my dead body! I wouldn't…

Despite my clear objection internally, my feet moved against my will. I strode towards him, taking his hand.

'No… what am I doing?' I asked myself, dumbfounded by my actions just now.

"Lilou…" Silvia called out under her breath, similarly baffled, just as I am.

Not just Silvia. But Yulis also frowned. Dominique only narrowed his eyes and kept his silence. While Hanz just scoffed — as if he was the only one who wasn't surprised.

"Let's walk in the garden, Lilou." The king muttered as he gazed at me calmly.

No!

"Yes." I held my breath upon hearing my answer. 

For a moment, we stared at each other. Our eyes reflecting each other.

My mind buzzed upon seeing myself smiling at him. He smirked as he patted my head lightly.

"Good girl."

"Stefan!" Silvia yelled abruptly. "You…! What did you do to her?"

"Hahaha!" Hanz laughed out loud before the king, Stefan, could answer. "Ahhh… it worked. I thought since the dead got herself involved, my sacrifices are for naught."

What was he saying?

"Silvia, I think you need rest." Stefan advised in the same calm tone. Silvia's complexion was as white as the clouds.

"Shall we?" He then turned to me with a slight smirk.

No!

"Yes, my king." 

No, no, no no! Let this be a dream! Despite my protest inside my head, I followed his lead, and we walked away.