The Duke's Passion

"On the first day of the founding week, I will fill the seat of the Bloodfang that had been empty for many years," I said as I assisted myself up. "Until then, I don't want a word about this engagement or this blood contract."

I walked away as I had said my piece, but stopped after taking a few steps upon hearing his remarks.

"My Duchess, I already forgot how long has it been since someone dared ordered me around. However, the palace seemed to have nurtured people who had this habit."

My lips curled up into a smirk before I turned my head back. "Were you offended? Why haven't you berated the king about this discourtesy of his people?"

Zero chuckled, placing his palm on the armrest, and pushed himself up. He walked towards me, while I fought the urge to take a step back, keeping my brave exterior.

"It's because I am your fiance, my Duchess." He bent over me with his eyes glinting. "The only person who can give you that throne. Do you believe your husband will support you in usurping the throne?"

"Well, he had kept me hidden all these years. Alas, things had changed. But even so, do I need his support for this conquest? I had you."

"Well, that is correct. You only need me in this conquest." He chortled as his eyes studied my face. "Just me, so why don't you treat me well, my Duchess?"

His brow raised before squinting his eyes, raising his hand to touch me. However, before he could, I placed my forefinger on his palm.

"It's a fact that I will have to need your support in this plan, but don't you also think you need me for your dream empire as well?" I inquired, eyebrow raised. "This situation gives us the same benefit, Your Majesty. Don't make it sound like you are doing me a favor when we're merely acting in our best interest."

"Your straightforwardness is already growing in my heart."

"If you still want this to happen, keep aggravating the people as much as you pleased, but take your hands off of my husband." This time, my eyes darkened as my voice firmed. "Be it out of love or something else, the only person who may touch him is me, Your Majesty."

"Be it love or something else? I'm intrigued."

"You don't have to." I chuckled as I pushed his hand down by my finger. "I'm just not like you, Your Majesty. I don't enjoy sharing. Be it wanting someone or getting rid of someone, I want to do it myself."

"That was quite something. I now believe opposite attracts."

I ignored his teasing. "I'm sorry if you find me rude, but as I've said, I was raised in a different environment where manners and tact in the palace don't apply to me." I smiled faintly and watched him drew his head back. "I'm just glad we have other options to keep this alliance."

Zero didn't reply anymore and just smiled. So, I walked away and left him alone.

****

That was what my short meeting with Zero concluded. By showing him my ambition to usurp the throne still remained, he wouldn't be suspicious about my plan. I just had to survive tomorrow and… it would be over.

"Yes, everything will be over," I whispered, staring at the ceiling while I lied flat on the bed. "Sam didn't return tonight and Mildred said no one came looking for me." 

If this kept up, we wouldn't have a problem until the day after tomorrow. "I wonder what is Sam doing? Just what kind of preparation was he doing?"

I brood over it with my eyes closed, but I couldn't think of any. Hence, I tried to get some sleep. If I could sleep for an entire day and wake up the day after tomorrow, it would be even better. 

'For some reason, the closer our plan approaches, the more I feel anxious.' I didn't know if this was because I kept think if our plan would work out well, or because of something else. Either way, I wouldn't know until the day arrives. 

****

"Your Majesty, you're still here?" Tristan Willow suddenly appeared in their underground meeting room and saw Zero was still there. He stared at his king, who was busy drawing something on his desk.

"Tristan, you should leave for now," Zero uttered without taking his eyes off of his sketch. "Your scent is mixing along with hers."

"Your Majesty, the Duchess will become your strongest supporter. Even though we can't trust her, you shouldn't…" Tristan trailed off as Zero raised his head, eyes glinting menacingly. 

"She may be my strongest support but also the biggest threat," Zero corrected in a knowing tone. His eyes fell on the sketch and then shifted to the rest of the sketches, scattered on the desk. 

"Either way, I just had to make sure everything will go as planned," He added as the corner of his lips curled up into a smirk. "Now that I think about it, the duchess and the duke of Grimsbanne are matched made in heaven. They are both arrogant."

Tristan stared at Zero's twisted expression and was a bit worried about it. It had been a while since Zero sketched something… no, it had been centuries. So for Zero to sketch now of all times, the person whom he was using as a model would surely face disaster. 

"What do you think, Tristan?" Zero raised the sketch and showed it to him. "Do you think this is the body she was hiding behind her uniform?"

Tristan narrowed his eyes and could immediately tell who it was. Lilou. It was a sketch of her lying naked. He shifted his eyes, stretching his neck to check the other sketches. Zero's obsession was triggered, as all of them were Lilou in different poses and angles. 

"Your Majesty, about Princess Beatrice…" He paused, studying Zero's indifferent expression.

"What about her?"

"It seems she is planning something with the king of this land." Tristan bit his tongue as he merely wanted to test Zero, but it seemed the princess of the Cross kingdom didn't have the same effect as before. 

"Everyone was planning something, Tristan." Zero chuckled as he leaned back in his chair comfortably, staring at the sketch in his hand. "The duchess… still didn't know the plan of her clan. Before she knows about it, we have to move now before the start of the founding celebration."

"Your Majesty, do you mean…"

Zero smiled as he cast him a look. "I want to express my newfound love to my fiance."

Tristan hung his head low but said nothing. If he was correct, Zero's next order would be something huge… something planned. 

"I want to give her something… something she won't forget." Zero chuckled as he set his eyes at Lilou's sketch once again before he tore it apart slowly. "Bring me the duke's head."