The Duke's Passion

Kristina knocked on the office of the captain of the third squadron and entered almost immediately. Her eyes instantly caught Rufus' figure sitting behind his desk. His elbow on the surface of the desk, chin on his knuckles, and just distracted by his own thoughts.

She raised a brow, marching towards the desk, and knocked on it to snap him out of his trance. "It's too early to be zoning out, Sir."

Rufus raised his eyes to her, seeing the slight smile on her face. He slowly leaned back, hands on the armrest, as he sighed.

"Why are you here?" he asked, eyebrow raised while Kristina propped against the desk.

"Checking on you, obviously?" she shrugged and sported a playful smile. "I'm still concerned about you, Sir. Although you tricked me into going in the west garden."

"Do you hate me for that?"

Kristina let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head. "Of course, not. Although I can say that's cheap. How can you play with a maiden's heart? I had expectations."

"I didn't mean to play with a maiden's heart." A low and short chuckle slipped past his lips as he tilted his head a little, resting his jaw on his knuckles. "And about the seeds?"

"I'm trying to charm you, but your mind is all about the seeds? Am I ugly?"

"Miss Monroe, stop playing around." His eyes narrowed as Kristina was being especially playful. Although she always had this sense of humor in the beginning, she was getting bolder.

"I'm not playing around, Captain. I am really trying to charm you."

"And what will you get by doing that?" Rufus raised a brow, genuinely appalled by her actions and words.

"You? Are you dense, Captain? Don't you know you're attractive, strong, and a gentleman, just my type! After meeting Mister Fabian, I thought of living without regrets…. just in case." Kristina exclaimed in a matter-of-fact tone. 

He nodded in understanding. "I see. So you want my protection so my brother doesn't skin you alive, is that it?"

Kristina pursed her lips in a thin line. Rufus just worded her intention accurately, although she wasn't lying when she said she was trying to seduce him with her charm. He was almost perfect, after all.

"Fabian is not the type of person who just kills anyone…" Rufus coughed and cleared his throat as he nearly bit his tongue off by saying that. "… I mean, sure, he is unreasonable sometimes, but he won't kill you, at least."

"He won't kill me, I know, sir." Kristina nodded, casting him a look full of disbelief, before she argued, "But he can make me want to just die."

"Fear him if you did him wrong, or betrayed His Grace. I mean, not only Fabian, but I can make you wish you were never been born in the first place if you betrayed His Grace." His eyes sharpened with resolve, staring straight into her eyes. "But, I know you're wise enough to know that, Miss Monroe."

A shallow breath slipped past Kristina's lip. "I came here with a good intention. You don't have to threaten this young maiden. No wonder you've yet to tie the knot."

"I am not the type to marry," he affirmed with a slight smile.

"You're not the type to marry, or you just haven't found one yet?" Her brow arched suspiciously. "Or maybe, you found one already but you can't have her?"

"Don't pry too much at other people's private affairs, Miss Monroe."

"I'm not the type to put my nose where it doesn't belong, but I'm always curious about you, Captain." Kristina wiggled her brows as she smiled brightly. "Please, this young maiden will stop once she gets heartbroken too many times."

"You're getting quite a lot to handle." Rufus sighed as he leaned back comfortably. "What is really bothering you for you to bother me so much?"

His last remarks took her aback. But then, her surprise turned into amusement as Rufus just felt like she knew her far too well.

"I will tell you if you tell me who is this lucky woman who occupies that untouchable heart?" she negotiated playfully, knowing he wouldn't ride along.

Rufus narrowed his eyes briefly before the side of his lips curled up. "I don't find the need to negotiate, but I will give you a hint. She's just around, close by."

"Oh?"

"She is strong and lovely, bold but not brass. Hmm. She always had this playful smirk on her lips, and her eyes spoke a thousand unspoken words." Rufus described that person without looking away from her, brushing his lower lip with the side of his forefinger.

"Goodness, Captain! Don't say all that while looking at me! This young maiden might get the wrong idea," she humored as that was what his eyes made her feel, but she knew for a fact it wasn't her.

He chuckled. "You can get the wrong idea. I don't mind a visit from such a lovely lady whose smile is as cunning as a fox, and eyes as bright as rubies."

"Gracious! You're terrible! How can you play with my heart so much?" she chuckled, waving as she didn't know he could be playful sometimes. "Oh, I heard my heart crack."

Rufus chuckled at her playful and free-spirited remarks. Kristina raised her brows as it was her first time hearing him chuckle candidly.

"Your smile is deadly, Captain." She smiled at him, eyes gentle, which caught his attention. "Mister Fabian smiles all the time. I know it's deadly too, literally. But you Sir Knight, I never saw you smile until now. I will be in trouble if you smile like that in front of me."

"You are quite dramatic, and it makes me want to smile for you." Rufus breathed out his low chuckle before cocking his head.

Kristina gasped dramatically. "Did you just indirectly say you want me dead?"

"Haha. Think whatever you like." He waved, enjoying his little company. "Kidding aside, will you now tell me what is the purpose of your visit? I'm certain it's not just to humor this old knight."

Her tongue poked her inner cheek, rocking her head as she did promise to tell him. "Well," she deliberately paused, staring at him solemnly.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked as the light atmosphere between them gradually turned heavy. "Isn't there another way, Captain?"