The Duke's Passion

I closed my eyes, stabilizing my breathing and feeling the moving carriage. When it stopped, I slowly opened my eyes as they sharpened. 

We've finally arrived.

I glanced at Yul only to see his expression changing into a solemn one. We didn't talk anymore as Klaus opened the door for me. 

"We're here, Your Grace." He offered me his hand, which I clasped, stepping outside the carriage. 

"Thank you," I said as I looked at him with a smile. Klaus tilted his head down before I set my eyes on the entourage at the entrance of the palace.

"You didn't have to personally welcome me, Lord Alistair." My smile remained, locking gazes with Alistair.

"I was tasked to give Your Grace a warm welcome." Alistair walked towards me, stopping several steps away from me. His eyes shifted to Klaus, who was standing beside me and then to Yul, who just stepped outside the carriage.

"I'm certain it was a long journey. So, His Majesty prepared a small banquet to show his sincerity to Your Grace," he said, pressing his lips as he set his eyes back to me. "Shall we head in?"

"I thought you wouldn't ask." I nodded, following his trail.

The palace was the same, or rather, it looked the same, but it felt more stifling than before. Every step going further inside surely felt heavy, but that didn't show on my face. I made an oath when I left this place a year ago. I didn't plan on backing away.

It didn't take long when we reached the dining hall. Just like how I remembered it, the place looked the same. The only difference was there were new people around the table.

"Greetings to Your Majesty, the Emperor." I stopped in my tracks and curtsied. 

"It's nice to see you again, sweetheart," Stefan greeted back as I raised my head, setting my eyes on the host seat where he sat. "Come. Join us."

"Thank you." I nodded, scanning the empty seats. Since Klaus and Yul had severed their ties with him, they stood guard in the corner.

"Here," he said as he pointed at the chair near him. "Let me see your face up close."

I took a shallow breath and just obeyed his orders. I perched on the chair on his right, raising my head only to lock eyes with Beatrice, who was sitting across from me. 

"It's nice to see you again, Your Grace," she greeted with a kind smile.

This woman... 

I smiled back sweetly. "Congratulation on your marriage, Your Highness. I had prepared a gift for you. It may be late due to the extended voyage, but I hope you will like it."

"Of course. I will like anything from Your Grace." 

"Congratulation, Your Majesty." This time, I shifted my eyes to Stefan. The two of them got married, after all. It was only proper to congratulate them.

Stefan didn't respond, propping his jaw against his knuckles, eyes on me. He scanned my face thoroughly as it slowly traveled down to my neck. 

"How was the journey here?" he asked, narrowing his eyes as he fixed his gaze on my neck. 

I pulled my collar up to hide the mark Sam left me yesterday. I told him to not leave any marks, but he still left a few. 

"It's not our first time traveling during winter, so we avoided some problems we encountered the first time," I explained, keeping my calm demeanor and smile. "Because of that, we arrived earlier than expected."

"Is that so?" 

I didn't respond immediately, scanning the people around the table. Not all royalty were here, but the people on my list were here: Alistair and Alphonse. The rest didn't matter.

"Did you miss me, Your Majesty?" I inquired after my brief silence, setting my eyes back to Stefan. I could feel everyone paused as they turned their attention to me. Well, I was blatantly flirting with him in front of his new wife.

Stefan tapped his fingers against the surface of the table. He hadn't taken his eyes off of me.

"How strange for you to ask." He let out a low chuckle, eyes still on me. "It's not like that matters."

"It does... to me." I shrugged, picking up my cutlery as I looked away from him. "Since I will become your mistress, you might as well deceive me by making me believe your heart is mine."

"Bold." He intoned.

My brow quirked, casting him a knowing look. "Am I?" 

"Pfft--!" Beatrice chuckled while she covered her lips with the back of her hand. "Is this the time the wife should walk away?"

"Please, Your Highness. I hope you don't misunderstand my intention."

"Of course, not. I find this rather... interesting, after all."

"I hope we get along since we'll be sharing a man." I smiled sweetly as I opened my mouth to eat. 

Everyone's eyes remained on me for a long time. Understandable, since I was never confident in front of them in the past.

Back then, I would always stress eat whenever they argue during meals. I'm now used to the stifling aura and I could eat with my heart's content, even if they kill each other right now.

"I guess we'll start calling each other sisters from now on," she humored and I let out a muffled chuckle. Beatrice was still someone whom I'm unsure whether to keep an ally or keep a safe distance from.

'She's someone who will sacrifice anything to reach her goal, after all,' I reminded myself, slicing through the meat on my plate. 'One thing is for sure, she's someone I should be wary about.'

"I yearned for you." I stopped momentarily when I heard Stefan's voice. "I'm glad to see you again, Lilou."

I took a deep breath and smiled, turning my head in Stefan's direction. "You melt my heart, Your Majesty."

"How unfair!" Beatrice let out a deep sigh. "I thought I kept you entertained for the past year."

The corner of her lips then curled up into a smirk as her eyes glinted. "But perhaps I could ask the ninth prince for advice since he kept Her Grace busy."

As soon as Beatrice mentioned Yul in an ambiguous tone, the air across the dining hall thickened. I knew deep down she wasn't picking on me, but on the both of us.

"Since His Majesty and Her Grace will spend time more frequently, can you lend me Yulis, sister?" she tilted her head to the side, glancing in Yul's direction.

I kept quiet for a moment, sensing Stefan's intent gaze on me. My answer right now would either put Yul in danger or give him more time to prepare. Personally, I would choose the latter, but Yul would surely abhor me if I did that.

My brother didn't like being underestimated, and even as a joke, I wouldn't let Beatrice taint him. 

"Please don't touch Yulis, Your Highness." I smiled as I put down my cutlery. "He is someone I will never share."