The Duke's Passion

Just like the past seven months, my night was cold and silent. Everyone was used to my habitual late returns, and I would hate it if they had to wait for me. Hence, I just went home with no one nagging me and went to bed after changing. 

"Two hundred and sixteen nights, Sam," I whispered, raising the cross earring over me. "I've been spending the night alone for that long now."

My eyes softened at the necklace I always kept with me. "And it still hurts."

Actually, I yearned for him even more now. People thought I had recovered, and that I was getting better — I wasn't. 

'I was getting worse and worse…' and that wasn't a secret to myself. I told Zero the reason I was doing all this was out of boredom. It wasn't a complete lie. 

If I stopped and rest for even half a day, the pain of what happened seven months ago would devour me whole. That was why I had gotten drunk, of all other things, to distract me.

"I missed you… so, so, bad." I held the necklace close to my chest, rolling to my side as my body curved into a ball. "If you don't come to me… I will go to where you are."

Because the longer I wait, the more days and nights that had passed without you… the crazier I get.

******

Morning came, and it was as if the sentiments I had last night hadn't happened, staring at the crates in the inner bailey of the mansion. I snapped my eyes when I felt Zero's presence from behind.

"Good morning, my duchess," He greeted and stopped beside me, gazing down at the crates. "And what are these this time? I can see that's a lot of blood leaking."

"As I've said, I will make sure that you and I will trust each other." I turned my head to him, and he looked back, eyebrow raised. "Open them."

As soon as I raised my hand, several knights came to open the crates. I studied Zero's expression as he squinted his eyes into slits, staring at the horrific content of the crates.

I took a deep breath, peeling my eyes away from him. "Usually, Klaus brings home hearts. However, I want you to recognize these people and confirm if they were yours."

"Haha… and how the hell do you think this will make me trust you?" his tone was calm, but he exuded danger. "You massacred my people, Duchess. MY people and you are telling me to trust you? Your words don't add up to your actions — how funny." 

"I invited you in my fief and if I recall correctly, I only allowed just a few people to enter my territory. However, it is you who didn't uphold this and had taken my words lightly." I paused and faced him once again, and continued when he set his sharp eyes on me. "The only people that can enter Grimsbanne are the people I allow to, Your Majesty."

There was a long silence between us as we stared at each other. Unlike yesterday, Zero seemed he had collected his thoughts and returned to his usual self.

"So… this is the power of the person who will usurp the throne?" he asked, breaking the prolonged silence between us. "Grimsbanne and the Capital are not the same, my duchess. You can do this to Grimsbanne, but it will take you some time to apply this to the Capital."

"Who said I will do this to the Capital?" I tilted my head, appalled.

His eyes narrowed. "Are you saying Grimsbanne will be the new capital?"

I smiled, not giving him a clear answer. But the smile on my face made him nod in understanding, close-lipped.

"The Capital… the place where my husband died will be a cemetery," I uttered calmly, gazing down at the severed heads inside the crates. "In five months, I will return to that damn place."

"You agreed to bear his heir, and you called off our engagement… my duchess, aren't you afraid I will switch sides and choose Stefan instead? What I had witnessed thus far is something a mad queen, a tyrant, will do." The atmosphere between us grew thick as we both stared at the crates as if we're merely staring at the fallen rose petals in the garden. 

"Showing me your power and what you can do…" He added, giving me a brief look. "At this rate, I will rather ally with Stefan than with you."

"And why would a cunning man such as yourself hold on a rotting rope?" my brow arched, causing him to chuckle.

"Sometimes, the person who is the strongest shall be eliminated first, my duchess."

"You will not consider me the strongest if anyone can just eliminate me," I replied almost immediately. "I had considered which card must I show you, and I'm certain you had realized I had more cards up in my sleeve, Your Majesty."

"Heh… you make me want you more, my duchess." Zero pivoted on his heel, facing me squarely. I did the same with a smile plastered on my lips.

"I won't refuse your feelings if you show me your sincerity, Your Majesty." My smile stretched broader, but it still didn't reach my eyes. "However, it will be a challenge since I have suitors lining up, promising me the world."

"How foolish of them, then. You can take the world if you please."

"You flatter me, Your Majesty."

Zero stayed quiet for a minute, staring at me with glints flickering across his eyes. "I stand on my ground, duchess. A marriage in exchange for power. Hearts and Spade will become one only through it."

"I see… so you will dispose of your son?" 

"It was saddening that my son will end like that. However, I had reached this far for disregarding my personal sentiments to things." He took a step forward, raising his hand, and tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. 

"I am the type of man who can dispose of my useless cards in exchange for the better ones. Right now, you are a great card I can benefit from… and I am a card you will need, as well." His eyes drooped as a smirk resurfaced on his lips.

This was unexpected, but not surprising. It would be more out of his character if he held onto Tristan longer, knowing his son would just hold him back.

"We had reached this far, indeed." I nodded. "But a marriage… hmmm, we will discuss it once I see some results, Your Majesty."

"Haha. I expect you to refuse, but you, agreeing makes me more doubtful."

"I hope it also gave you the thrill." My smile remained while the corner of his lips stretched wider.

"It sure did." 

Zero and I smiled at each other, having ulterior motives in the back of our heads. We didn't say it, but we both knew that marriage was impossible and one of us shall die in the end. 

That won't be me… at least, not until I reach my goal.

A/N: PLEASE CHECK THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER COMMENT FOR THE COMMISSION ART OF SAMAEL