The Duke's Passion

"Goodness, your highness!" Lena cried as she dried my hair while I sat in front of the vanity mirror. "How can his highness do that? You might catch a cold!"

A faint sigh escaped my nose as I glanced up at her reflection. Despite that Sam overheard her talking behind his back, she still spouts comments that could put her in trouble.

"Lena, you have to be careful," I said, turning around to face her, "what will happen if his highness or anyone hears you?" She should know the rules in this palace more than I do, and receiving mercy was a miracle. Even I needed to tread on thin ice so as not to lose my life.

Lena hung her head low, dejected. "It's because your highness is very kind and tries to accept everything. So, I want to get angry in your stead." 

I smiled at her answer. "Lena," I whispered, reaching for her hand and squeezed it lightly. "I appreciate it, but I don't know if I can help you if something happened to you because of me." 

"Your highness…"

"You're one of the very few people I can rely on in this place. So, take care of yourself." I nodded encouragingly. "His highness… my husband, he is just like that, but there's always a reason behind his actions." 

I held back on telling her that didn't necessarily mean they were all big things, as Sam's reasoning could be trivial. But that didn't matter, as I needed Lena to listen to me.

"If you say so, your highness." Lena nodded as she sported a smile before I turned around so she could dry my hair properly.

"By the way, where did my husband say he'll go?" I asked because Lena only told me Sam asked her to assist me. 

"His Highness said he'll have some business to attend to." 

'He didn't even say he will come back.' My eyes softened and said nothing further. That was what Sam told me, and he was gone for three weeks. Lena glanced at me through the mirror, checking if I was alright, so I sported a subtle smile. 

When she finished drying my hair, I turned around to see her walking back while bowing. Lena, although a little carefree, still sometimes sticks to etiquette.

"Lena, you may go," I ordered, and she only bowed before I added, "and tell Lady Soulton to see me. I heard she came back from vacation."

"Yes, your highness." Lena only bowed and left the room. 

Minutes later, my lady-in-waiting, Mildred, came in while I sat on the divan. She greeted me politely before saying, "You asked for me, your highness?"

My eyes studied her from head to toe. After my wedding night, Mildred went on vacation leave and only came back today. 

"I did," I replied languidly, propping my temple against my knuckle, my eyes still on her. "If I didn't ask for you, will you not report your return?"

"Forgive me, your highness. I ought to report to you about my return, but I didn't want to bother you because it's time for you to rest," Mildred explained in her same low and polite tone. 

I would believe her if not for what happened on my wedding night, but her actions that night were proof I couldn't trust her. She only stood there, emotionless, when Yul and I fought. I couldn't recall everything, but that etched in my mind.

I didn't speak, letting the anxiousness silence caused engulfed her curiosity. What should I do with her? Not that I could just dismiss her without proper reason.

'How about the reason she just stood there when Yul and you fought?' My mind suggested, and I mentally shrug my head. Mildred would just come up with an excuse she's merely following my orders not to interfere.

For now, I should keep a close eye on her and let her know the person she's serving.

"Mildred, that time during my wedding night, why did you stop me?" I asked, fluttering my eyelashes as I noticed her shoulder stiffen.

"I'm merely concerned about your highness' safety," she answered, barely giving anyone any means to read her action and tone. "I know I overstepped. I deserved to be punished, your highness."

"Punished?" My brow arched, pursing my lips as I nodded. "I think you're right." I studied her reaction and noticed her slight flinch with my answer. Did she think I'd tell her 'there's no need'?

"What kind of punishment do you think suits your misconduct?" I wondered, sporting a fake frown as I sighed, "Is losing a finger will suffice?"

"I accept any punishment your highness sees fit," Mildred answered without losing her composure. She's still my lady-in-waiting. She was aware I wouldn't do that to her. 

Alas… that's the problem with being complacent. I've been there, and look at what happened to me.

"A toe…" I trailed off as the corner of my lips curled up. Did she think I wouldn't dare touch her?

"Mildred, since I need your hands, I think a toe will suffice," I ordered with an air of nonchalance.

Mildred slowly raised her head, wide-eyed. "Your highness…?"

I raised my brows, blinking cluelessly. "Did you not hear me?" I tilted my head to the side, "Break… no, severe your toe. I will watch." 

A dreading silence enveloped the entire room, it was deafening. Her expression blanched, staring at my cold exterior as if analyzing if she could persuade me to change my decision. I wouldn't, and any attempt would be futile.

I told myself to survive this hellhole and my enemies were not just the king, but the majority in this place. If I wouldn't use my authority now, my future would be bleak. I didn't want to burden my husband and worry him — even though he wouldn't.

"Do you want me to do it for you?" I quirked my brow, pushing myself to sit upright as I held on to Lakresha. "I just washed up, but I don't mind." My eyes glinted coldly as a scythe appeared in my hand.

"I'm still a little… clumsy. So, I might take one or two…" I trailed off, walking towards her as Lakresha grew larger. "… or, maybe more." And in one swift half-swing, Mildred was on her knees, shaking.

"Your Highness, please forgive me! I didn't — I just…"

"Mildred, I said a toe, not your neck," I muttered as the tip of Lakresha stopped centimeters away from her neck. "You claim to be concerned about my well-being, but sneered and stood motionlessly when the ninth prince and I fought to death."

She froze, looking up at me. When our eyes met, she shuddered as I saw my unbending expression reflecting in her eyes. 

"You made a decision that night, and so, you must accept the consequences," I affirmed, not planning on going back on my words. "Now, I'll give you three seconds to decided, your toe? Or your neck?"