The Duke's Passion

Dominique's words lingered in my head even after we went back to the banquet hall. 'No, I shouldn't let his words bother me.' I told myself as I shook my head, shutting my eyes closed. 

'He's Stefan's people. I can't trust anything he said.' I convinced myself, but the thought of the word "co-exist", was what got me hung up. It was a word I never heard before.

"Are you alright?" Yul asked, furrowing his brows. "Did Dom say something stupid?"

When Dominique and I went back, Yul approached us. They nearly had another confrontation if not for someone who came up to Dominique and whispered words that made him leave us.

I gazed up and sported a subtle smile before nodding. "I'm alright. It's nothing."

"Don't listen to whatever he told you. He may look stupid, but he's cunning and manipulative."

Manipulative? I wanted to agree, but when I recalled the expression Dominique had earlier, and it didn't seem so.

"By the way, Sivi hasn't come back even though Cassara is already there." I diverted the subject when I caught Cassara's figure mingling with the noble ladies not far away from our vantage point.

Yul shifted his attention to where Cassara was. "I heard His Majesty is coming. Silvia will probably welcome him."

I froze that second as my breath hitched. 'Stefan will attend?' I flinched when I felt Yul's hand patted my tensed shoulder.

"It's fine," He said, offering a subtle smile as I looked up at him.

'How is that fine?' was my subconscious reply.  "Ye — yes... it's should be fine." My voice shook as my heart beat anxiously. 

"Pay respect to His Majesty, the King!" The announcement of the king's arrival pierced my ears.

Men bowed with their hands across their chest while women performed a curtsy — Yul and I were not an exception. The orchestra playing in the background also stopped at once as silence embraced the entire banquet hall.

I bit my lip as my grip on my skirt trembled. My last encounter with him left a bitter taste on my tongue. After giving our respect, we raised our heads and remained silent. 

"Proceed with the banquet, Count Thornhart." Stefan magnanimously ordered, and the orchestra resumed providing a beautiful melody for everyone to hear. Stefan and Sivi stood side by side, conversing with the host of the banquet, together with the debutant.

A sigh of relief slipped past my lips as I patted my chest. 'It seems he hadn't noticed me yet.'

"You seem relieved." I flinched when Yul leaned close and whispered in my ear. "Is it that bad to be sired to him?"

"No," I said, leaning back as I cast him a look full of disdain. "It's worse than that."

"I see… but, you know, you won't be like that if the dead didn't interfere."

"Are you saying it was better to lose my will completely and submit? Just like that?" I arched my brows as I lifted my chin up. 

"I'm saying it'll be easier for you since what you do for him will just feel right." Yul shrugged nonchalantly as he relayed his insensitive thoughts like usual.

I shook my head, already used to his insensitivity. "Are we even on the same boat? How can you say it like that as if it's nothing?" 

"Well, you can take my words with a grain of salt," Yul replied indifferently, as he sincerely believed that method was fine. But it wasn't.

"How can I face Sam when I cling to another man and blame it for being sired? If I put myself in Sam's shoes, I don't think my heart can take it," I argued as I gazed down, smiling bitterly. "To see him looking to another woman… that will break me for sure."

For a little while, Yul and I didn't speak as the chatterings and music spread across the banquet hall. I let out a sharp exhale and gazed up at Yul. To my surprised, Yul's expression was strangely solemn as he stared in nothingness.

"Yul?" I tilted my head, waving in front of him. When he blinked, I clicked my tongue.

"I never see you space out just like that. Is that a new way of sleeping?" I asked, genuinely baffled.

"Don't mind me," Yul replied without looking at me. I knew there was something wrong with him, but I decided not to pry.

"Yul, can we go back now? I mean, Sivi will be busy with His Majesty's presence," I suggested, almost desperately pleading, as I had a sudden hunch something would happen tonight.

Yul furrowed his brows, pressing his lips before smacking his lips. "You haven't danced yet. That Dominique purposely took you outside so no one can ask you to dance."

"Well, if that's the case, I should thank him," I replied, clenching my hand up as I owed Dominique if that was the case. 

I only attended dance classes because I had to, not because I was expecting someone to as my hand for a dance. Why would I decorate the wall all this time if not for that? 

"Lilou." A chill crawled up on my spine upon hearing Stefan's low and cool voice reach my ear. I slowly shifted my eyes in his direction, gulping upon meeting his gaze.

Stefan stretched his hand in my direction, not saying anything. However, I sensed that everyone's attention turned to him and then to me.

'Goodness… is he out of his mind?' I clenched my teeth as I clasped my skirt tightly.

"Don't go if you don't want to," Yul advised on my side.

I relaxed my stiffed shoulders as I took deep breaths, shooting sharp glares at Yul. "As if I had a choice." and then I marched towards my hell.

As I marched towards Stefan, I instinctively glanced at the people around. They were all staring at me with such intensity, making me hold my breath, but I ignored it. 

"Give respect to His Majesty, the Emperor!" 

I froze on the spot upon hearing a very familiar voice I've longed to hear. It was as if time stopped itself, hearing every beat of my heart as I finally heaved a sigh of relief for a long time.

"Sam," I whispered and looked in his direction, only to feel my heart drop to my stomach.