The Duke's Passion

"Breathe," Stefan ordered, as his eyes darkened at the sight of heads rolling down and bodies piling up. "That's a little surprising, Hell." He added while nodding his head before setting his eyes on Samael's figure. "I didn't think you'd use your bride as an excuse to wreak havoc."

"Are you dense, my brother, the king?" Samael smirked as he chuckled evilly. "Can't you tell I just care?"

"If you care as you claim you are, you shouldn't have gone here dragging my injured retainer or refusing my people to tend to his injuries." Stefan's voice thundered as he hissed. "Alas, not only you beat Duke Delholm, your personal hellhound slaughtered the guests of the house of Thornhart. Have you had no shame?" 

"Now, that hypocrisy never ceases to amaze me as well." Samael chuckled, obviously amused at the spiteful words thrown at him. "Brother, you have the power of foresight, don't you? How come you never saw this coming?"

Stefan didn't respond, as this was not the outcome he had seen, but he wouldn't admit that. If only he had expected this, he wouldn't use Lilou.

"Oh? Did you see it wrong?" A sinister smirk resurfaced on Samael's lips as Stefan's lack of silence only meant one or two things. "This is why you will never beat me, Stefan. You think you are so righteous and don't find fault in sacrificing one to save a hundred."

"Did you think I'd consider sacrificing a hundred people just to save one person?" Samael gazed down at Lilou, who had fallen unconscious in his arms. "You should've done your research, my brother." He added as he carried Lilou in a princess style. "It is not me whom you should have observed, but this feeble bride of mine who, unfortunately, fell into your trap."

"So, you'd sacrifice everyone instead?" Stefan chuckled, as he truly underestimated his brother's wickedness. "It's been centuries, Hell, and your only change is that you've become worse."

"What do you mean, brother? Can't you see I changed for the better? I even let that memory you hid quite well go!" Stefan froze instantly upon hearing Samael's remarks as the latter continued, "but you keep messing with me. Did you pick a fucking fight expecting no retaliation, brother?" His tone sounded colder as he stressed his last remarks.

"If you had seen it, that means you are aware of the real reason I've done what I did, Hell!" Stefan's eyes grew darker as his tone sounded even colder. 

"Your change will do nothing good if you want to protect those precious to you. We both know I can't do anything twice to her if you're in your current state."

"And we also both know that this state will bring either destruction or restoration. You forced me to shut off the emotions I painstakingly built with her — ahh… this is aggravating me." Samael stretched his neck in a circular motion before he suggested, "Let's just end this fiasco."

"Dominique, Hanz, Luther, Maxine, and bearers of the Divine Order," Stefan called everyone, and they suddenly appeared in front of him.

"You're really going all out because of jealousy, brother?" Samael frowned in disappointment. "Rufus, Fabian, Silvia, Yulis, get my bride out of here. These people are enough for a warm-up."

The sinister smirk on Samael's face showed his disastrous resolve, but Stefan didn't even flinch, as if he had expected that. The stifling silence smothered those who were lucky to reach this point, as they avoided making even the slightest noise or movements.

"I'll take back her ladyship, my Lord." Fabian appeared beside Samael, but before the latter could entrust Lilou to Fabian, the soft sound of a whistle made everyone stop.

Guests who were weak-willed collapsed one after another while those strong-willed fought the urge to lose their consciousness. The sound came from neither of the two forces who were about to fight head-on, but somewhere else.

"Stefan, aren't you lucky? Some annoying bastard appeared just when I want to end you." Samael awed in amusement, but Stefan ignored him as he spoke.

"Hell, are you sure you will keep her by your side knowing the current state of affairs?" Stefan questioned solemnly. "You've seen it. If I didn't take Lilou days ago, she'd fall into your enemy's hands."

"So, what?" Samael intoned. "I'll just have to protect her now."

"Don't you understand that you're the biggest threat in her life right now?"

Samael strangely didn't reply against Stefan's argument, because it was true. He knew that right now, he only knew he treasured Lilou, but he couldn't feel it anymore.

"I'll overlook and turn a blind eye to your actions tonight. However, I won't let you harm her and yourself, brother," Stefan expressed solemnly, hoping Samael would listen to him for once. "If you've seen that memory, you should know that I sincerely wish her well."

"My lord, please don't fall for his words," Rufus called out as he stood behind Samael. "We can just stop you if we deem you dangerous to the lady."

"Or, you can stay in the palace where you can see her," Stefan suggested, as he slowly shifted his gaze towards Rufus. "Are you willing to risk the life of the future duchess and this entire kingdom when I'm the only one who can stand a chance against Hell?"

Although they wanted to deny that, Stefan had a higher chance of stopping Samael from going out of control.

"Don't regret inviting me to the palace because I'll never let you sleep peacefully," Samael warned as he turned around and marched away with Lilou in his arms.

Stefan didn't say a word until Samael reached the exit. "I never slept peacefully for years," he whispered, as his jaw tightened. "Ever since I let her go.

****

Rufus placed his sword back in its sheath, seeing that Samael and Stefan came into an agreement. As he walked away, he instinctively shifted his eyes in Silvia's direction. 

Silvia sported a subtle smile, as she had been staring at him for a long time. She didn't even care about Samael and Stefan's conversation as her focus since the beginning was on him.

"Darling," she whispered under her breath, but Rufus averted his gaze as he followed Samael. 

His usual cold treatment always left bitterness in her heart. Yet, she had longed for him for a very, very long time.

"Cruel, as always," she murmured, grinding her teeth as they left. Suddenly, she heard Stefan's voice.

"You should also let him go, Silvia," said Stefan, still staring in the direction where they vanished. "Only Hell had the audacity to cross that line."