The Duke's Passion

The banquet hosted by the Thornhart's had exceeded my expectation. It was more grandiose, decent, and bustling than I thought. Unlike how I imagined it as a slaughterhouse with a hanging carcass of humans around.

"Greetings to her royal highness." A noble lady performed a curtsy in front of Sivi. "The house of Thornhart is honored to have you in our humbled banquet."

Humbled banquet? Everything sparkled in my eyes. How was this humble? I pursed my lips as I stood behind Sivi and distanced myself a little. She had attracted a lot of attention. 

"Please, rise." Sivi gestured as she sported a kind smile. Her tone and movements exuded elegance. It was not hard to notice.

"The House of Thornhart had always supported the royal family…" 

Sivi's voice faded in the indistinct chattering spreading in the air as I looked around. Sivi was not the only one who attracted the attention of noblemen and women, but Yul as well.

Yul told us he would get some drinks for us, but now he was trapped around noble ladies. It was a surprise he hadn't snapped and made a fuss. Instead, he was politely smiling as he conversed with the ladies.

'Two-faced,' I commented as I giggled internally upon meeting Yul's glare before I averted my gaze.

I held my wrist, biting my inner lip as I gazed down. Being in this banquet of vampires accentuated my disposition as someone who's not part of the high society or their world. 

What did I expect before coming here? Be accepted and mingle with noble vampires? No. I expected this much, and I'm not even sad about it.

I'm just bothered that ever since we arrived here, I felt like I'm being watched. Hence, I was being careful and had been trying to distance myself from those two.

"Lilou," I snapped back to the current lapse upon hearing Sivi. "Come here, dear."

Sivi held her hand towards me as I sported a forced smile and nodded. I trudged towards her and stood beside her.

"Greetings, Countess Thornhart." I curtsied, applying all the lessons I learned back in the palace.

If Sivi didn't send me a proper instructor to learn the palace etiquette, I would have done what Fabian taught me. I didn't want to judge Fabian's lessons, but I believed the palace was slightly more meticulous in this area.

"I heard a lot about the future duchess. It's a pleasure to finally meet the lady who captivated the heart of the Duke of Grimsbanne," Countess Thornhart remarked, smiling, while discreetly studying me.

"Lady Lilou is a precious sister to me. I hope you will be more accepting of her in the future." Sivi chuckled as she linked arms with me, startling me with her action.

Sivi, I don't actually plan to be accepted, were the worlds tempting to escape my mouth, but I bit my tongue to stop myself. I only sported a smile and kept my thoughts to myself.

"Fufu! I see your royal highness had grown fond of Lady Lilou."

"The Avolire palace had more colors and life when Lilou came. Even the aloof ninth prince favored her~!" Sivi exclaimed proudly, chuckling while covering her lips with the back of her hand.

Sivi's claims attracted the attention of nobles around us. I bit my lower lips, discreetly tugging Sivi's arms to stop her. She's purposely doing it.

"Oh, my! No wonder the ninth prince who never attended any banquet even once is here! I must thank Lady Lilou, then," Countess Thornhart humored as she laughed along with Sivi.

I never thought Yul's attendance was more than just rare. No wonder the noble ladies fawned around him with such enthusiasm.

"Oh, my, sister!" Suddenly, a familiar arrogant voice of a woman came from our side. "I didn't know you'd be attending as well. I didn't believe the rumors about her royal highness attending as someone's partner."

I turned my head in the voice's direction and saw her prancing her way towards us, fanning herself elegantly. Cassara.

"Greetings to her royal highness." Countess Thornhart greeted as she performed a curtsy. I instinctively did as well.

"My, sister. It's good to see you," Sivi said with a smile. "You're as beautiful as ever!"

Cassara smirked, nodding approvingly before shifting her sharp gaze at me. "I see you had slowly adjusted to the Capital."

(How dare you act like one of us?) were the direct translation that registered in my head from her remarks. 

"It's all thanks to her royal highness's guidance. Although I'm still lacking and inexperienced, I will do my best not to disappoint her," I replied politely, bowing my head as there was no reason to argue with her.

I'd rather let her insult me now and leave me alone immediately. It was already hard to put a front before these many people. Did she think I'm enjoying this?

"Oh?" Cassara arched her brow as she lifted her chin up. "Is that so?"

That was quick for her to concede. I didn't expect that.

"Pfft—!" I glanced at Sivi, who let out a restrained chuckle, covering her sly smirk with the back of her hand. "Sister, you don't have to feel disheartened. I know Lilou will understand that you are busy so you didn't have spare time to spend time with her."

"I am, indeed, preoccupied because of the recent events," Cassara replied calmly with a nod. "Speaking of which, can I have a moment with you, sister? And Countess?"

I furrowed my brows as I scrutinized Cassara. I thought she'd lose her cool and act arrogant after Sivi's mild provocation, but she didn't.

Sivi narrowed her eyes as she exchanged eye contact with Cassara, and then nodded.

"Alright," Sivi agreed and cast me a look. "I will leave for a moment. Will you be alright with Yul?" 

"Yes, your royal highness. You don't have to worry about me," I replied politely, as it seemed it was something important.

Sivi only gave me a warm smile before they walked away. Now that Yul and Sivi weren't here, the sense of dread I'd been stomping down crept up to my heart. I'm all alone.

I discreetly walked back and stood near the wall, keeping my chin up. I looked around, and Yul was nowhere to be found. I'm fine being alone and not gathering attention, but I felt like the more I try, the feeling of being watched gets stronger.

"This banquet is more enervating than I thought," I murmured under my breath, sighing, as I just wanted to get home.

"Sister, what are you doing here all alone?" Suddenly, Dom's playful voice reached my ears before I sensed his figure beside me.

I slowly raised my head and faced him. "I just thought that someone should be left to decorate the wall."

"Haha! If you say it like that, it's quite upsetting to hear." Dom chuckled, his hand carrying a glass of red wine. Was it really red wine, though?

I only offered him a smile to end a conversation with him. I never had many interactions with Dominique in comparison with Yul. So, his presence brought discomfort to me.

"Are you waiting for Yul?" He asked.

"No, your highness."

"Is that so?" Dom nodded in understanding. "How about I accompany you? You can't be alone here, you know the reason."

I wanted to refuse his offer, but he had a point. "If it's not a bother, thank you, your highness."

"It's alright. I don't plan on taking home a noble lady tonight," He replied with a nonchalant shrug. "Anyway, there is an event, the Thornhart prepared for entertainment. Do you want to see it?"

Dom held his glass to his lips, keeping his eyes on me. 

"A separate event?" I murmured as I knitted my brows in intrigue.

"You can say it's more like a sport," He said, handing his hand for me to grasp. "You'll know if you come with me."

"You won't lure me out to a quiet place to kill me, right?" I blurted out, covering my lips as soon as I realized it.

"Haha! You have quite the imagination, sister! However, even if I have that intention, I won't just admit it." Dom chuckled mischievously as he shook his head. "Fret not. You might not believe me, but I had no plan such as that. Stefan will torture me for life without killing me," He humored as the corner of his lips stretched into a grin.

I studied him for quite some time before I took his hand. "I will die anyway."

Little did I know, the thing he was talking about was something that would prove me how little my imagination was.