The Duke's Passion

When Zero usurped the throne, he had killed all his kin; even children and women, no exception. He was a real tyrant, feared by many, but also a wise ruler, as the Spade Kingdom flourished than ever before.

"Doesn't he have a Queen?" I asked at Yul as we clashed sword in the training grounds. We had decided to return directly to the training grounds as our alibi if ever someone asked.

"He had, or so what I had heard." Yul hopped back, and so did I. "As far as I know, although he was known to play around with women, he married twice."

"What happened to them?" 

Yul swung his sword before leaping towards me. I blocked his attack and our blades trembled between us.

"Dead," he said as his eyes glinted, gliding his blade up before thrusting it to my throat. 

Fortunately, my reflexes were fast enough to block his attack by my sword's flat. My palm supporting the other side of my sword.

I tilted my head to the side. "Dead?"

"Both died of an illness." Yul withdrew his sword, swinging it calmly. "Right now, the position of the Queen is vacant. Rumors has it that the reason that person indulged in debauchery is because of his sorrow for his queen's passing."

A light chuckle escaped my lips. "You believed that?"

"No one believes that." Yul chuckled as well while checking his sword's blade. "For his two queens to die in almost the same illness… who would believe that there's nothing more about that story?" 

That was correct. After meeting with Zero and interacted with him, I could tell there's more than what meets the eye. He was the type of person who would kill his own kin or anyone who could pose a threat to his power. 

'He is more wicked than Sam and more ambitious than Lexx,' I thought. 'At the very least, although Lexx and Sam could kill their own siblings, they didn't. It may not be out of pure mercy, but the ways of the La Crox were keeping their family united.'

"Be on your toes at all times, Lilou." I snapped back from my trance as I held Yul's gaze. "That person… the way he looks at you urges me to gouge out his eyes."

"Are you saying this because I am married?" 

Yul shook his head. "I'm saying this as your family. I don't like the way he looks at you, as if he cannot wait to see what kind of face you'll make while you take your last breath."

"That's a very distinct description, Yul." I chuckled at his remarks, but I couldn't disagree with him because I felt it myself. Zero's eyes didn't bore lust, but rather, this twisted unknown desire one couldn't tell what exactly.

"And to think our clan promised a marriage to seal an alliance with them… just what the hell are they really planning, Lilou?" Yul turned to me in distress.

Our clan had prepared their scheme like a puzzle, and only I could tell what it would look like before its completion. However, until now, I hadn't figured it out yet.

"I don't know, Yul." I breathed out in frustration before raising my head to him. "But what I do know is, this alliance will be marked by betrayal."

Yul nodded as a glint of determination flickered across his eyes. Even without spelling it out loud, he was already aware of it.

"Lilou," He called solemnly without gazing away. "You told me to value my life as much as I value yours, and I will do so as promised. But, if worse comes to worst, take my blood."

"Yul, stop saying such ominous…"

"I mean it." He cut me off as he walked in my direction until he was towering over me. "Don't misunderstand. Death is not what I seek, your survival is. Just take —"

"Shhh." I raised a finger and hushed him as soon as I felt someone else's presence enter our vicinity. Yul seemed he had sensed it too, as he pursed his lips and took several steps back.

"I will have to take my leave since you have a guest," He said and bowed slightly. "Don't let yourself get killed."

"You underestimate me too much, Yul."

"I don't. Your visitor is just something, although I don't think he will kill you." 

Yul turned around and started walking away, waving. I shook my head as I let out a soft chuckle. I was glad that Yul was with me in all these as I didn't think I would remain sane having to deal with everything on my own.

While I waited for this visitor, I stared at where Yul vanished to. Just as I said, Yul's purpose was to only keep an eye on the palace. However, after our conversation just now, I figured he unconsciously knew his real purpose. That was, he had to be strong so he could give all of his to me. 

They wanted me to absorb him, his knowledge, his skills, and his life. 

'Our clan is really cruel, don't you think, Yul?' I muttered internally as I gritted my teeth. 'They're selfish and just as evil as everyone else.' 

I let out a sigh and gazed up at the sky. "If God exists… please hear me." I closed my eyes and prayed silently. I couldn't remember the last time I had prayed, but I felt like if I prayed hard enough, God would hear me… but nothing. 

My eyes opened ever so slowly. "I don't know what the hell you're doing up there and why you never answered my prayers. However, I pray for them… you know 'them', right? Protect them from me... please."

Once I peeled my eyes away from the dark sky, I held onto Lakresha and took a deep breath.

"Lakresha."

My weapon immediately took form and my eyes glinted as I pivoted on my heel, swinging Lakresha to deflect the spear flying towards my direction.

"Aren't you being a little rude, Fabian," I greeted as Fabian slinked out from the dark with a wicked grin on his face. 

Fabian raised his hand as his dark spear returned to him. "Please forgive my old age, my lady. I've been having problems holding onto things, so my hand slipped."