The Duke's Passion

"… I want to give you an offer."

"An offer? For me?" his words were equally fascinating and appalling. "How can someone insignificant such as myself deserve this honor?"

"As you know, the feud between Hell and I were put in a truce because of the issues of the undead. It is also true that I was conducting research about the undead and turning humans into vampires. Do you know how I began doing all this?" 

Even though Stefan and I spent time with the research of turning humans and vampires, I never asked him about it. I was too blinded by just being with him I didn't care about such details — I was insane; I knew that.

"The success rate of turning humans into vampires had increased by thirty percent. I wouldn't say its successful, but we found more effective ways of doing so. As for the undead, I was studying it as records of them showing up in the kingdom had been increasing annually." Stefan explained in a rather relaxed tone. "Since I had foresight, I knew that one day, the undead would be a problem. Hence, I started conducting research."

"A research to fight them?" 

"To fight them or to have them, sweetheart." He erected a finger as he corrected me. "Unfortunately, it is now clear to me that I can only choose the former."

"If that is the case, then why are you suddenly telling me of giving me an offer?" My brows furrowed, as I couldn't think of any relation of this topic to his offer.

This time, Stefan remained silent for a good minute and just stared at me. His silence thickened the atmosphere in the room.

"Sweetheart, are you that dense?" Instead of an answer, Stefan cocking his head to the side and inquired. "If your enemy knows about your plans, do you think your plans will succeed no matter how good it is?"

His remark rendered me into silence. "I had to sit on the throne for a long time, dealt with many humans and vampires, and disregarded even my personal feelings many times. Hell is strong, that is given, and his people were few, but their strength was something not to be underestimated."

"If you know that, why do you keep on dragging them in this political strife?" I inquired with a shaking voice. "You and I know, no, everyone knows my husband didn't want the throne. Why do you keep dragging him back in here? Why can't you just leave him alone?"

Stefan chuckled softly before he assisted himself up. I sprung up on my feet when I saw him approach my seat.

"Stay there. Don't, Stefan." I warned in panic, and he stopped a couple of steps away from me.

He didn't answer and just stared at me from head to toe. "Why do I keep dragging him back in here? Honestly, I didn't plan to do that. If he had taken a different person with him, I would gladly give them my blessing and leave them alone. However…"

However, because it was me, he couldn't just let it go? Wasn't this just a selfish reasoning? It wasn't me who abandoned who. 

"Lilou." He raised his hand, catching me off guard as the emotions I thought I had bottled up safely suddenly overflowed inside me. "I told you I hate you. Do you know the reason?" 

I didn't answer him as he cupped my cheek, guiding my eyes to look at him. My eyes reflected his image as I struggled to keep the last straw of my sanity from snapping.

"I hate how I appear in you eyes," He whispered as his eyelids drooped. "You never look at me the way you look at Hell. Be it then or now, why had you never looked at me that way?"

We stared at each other for a very long time. Did he ask me why I never look at him the same way I looked at my husband? Hadn't he figured that out yet? That our relationship started as a mistake, and the foundation of our relationship back then was nothing more than between allies, friends, family.

"Please leave." I gazed down, brushing his hand away coldly. "We had talked enough. I need some rest, Your Majesty. You already sobered up, you should return now."

I took a step back and turned around, walking towards the bed as I nearly told him about the pain of being abandoned. That I had loved him, just not the way he wanted me to, but he knew I would die for him. 

"Lilou," He called out, and the next second, his arms were already around my waist, stilling me from behind. A chill immediately ran down my spine as soon as his breath touched my nape.

"You haven't heard about my proposal yet," He whispered in my ear as I trembled in anger under his grip. "Let me show you what I've seen."

As soon as Stefan uttered those words in my ear, my eyes dimmed as it took me in a scenario that had yet to happen. In that scene rolling in my head, I was staring lifelessly at the decapitated head presented to me on a silver platter. It was a brief scene, but the silver hair covered with blood and its mangled face still made me recognize who it was. 

It was Sam.

"As I've said, Hell is not in his best shape and killing him right now is the best opportunity for all his enemies." Stefan's voice snapped me back to the current lapse while I stood frozen on my spot. "I will keep him safe, if that is what you wish."

My mind took longer to process his words as I stared at nothingness blankly. All I could do at this moment was to listen to his voice.

"Even if you doubt what I've showed you, and his enemies failed, I can reassure you I will personally deliver his head to you." He hissed, making sure that future would happen no matter what.

"What do you want?" My voice shook as I balled my hands into a fist.

Stefan slowly let me go, placing his hands on my shoulder, and spun me around slowly. When I met his pair of crimson eyes, full of determination, he spoke.

"Bear my heir."