The Duke's Passion

Three days had passed since Cassara's death. Attending a funeral this soon wasn't what I had expected. Well, not that I didn't expect all the unexpected events that may occur in this place.

"Still no conclusion in your investigation?" I asked without turning my eyes away from the burning casket of Cassara.

"I should ask the same, Lilou," Stefan replied solemnly as he stood motionless beside me. "How was your own investigation faring?"

My brow quirked as I glanced at him. "I don't know what you are talking about."

"You don't have to deny it. This kingdom is mine, and the Capital is my dwelling. Everything that happens here reaches my ears, Lilou."

"But what happened to Cassara hasn't?" 

He didn't reply anymore as I set my eyes back to the flames ahead. I ordered Klaus to be as discreet as possible in his investigation. Having Stefan know about this only meant these two things: Klaus failed, or he purposely slipped up. It was more likely the latter.

Klaus didn't have to get my approval if necessary changes were a must, because I was being watched. Everything I do, all my movements, whether it was a simple glance or huge gesture, Stefan would know about it. 

Three days and Stefan made sure that I was aware of this invisible leash. I already expected it, though.

"What happened to Cassara bothered me. I don't want people pointing at me for her death," I explained calmly. "She died the next day I arrived, after all. I bet you also think it's my doing."

I turned my head to him with a smile, and he gazed back at me. "Does the thought alarmed you, Your Majesty?"

"No," Stefan answered after a minute of silence. "It will disappoint me if it's you, though."

"Oh? Pray tell, why?"

"It's something unnecessary, lacks art, and simply uninteresting." He shrugged, making me chuckle at the criteria of how to disappoint him. "But that is not your style. You won't do something as disappointing as this."

He cast me a knowing look, making me recall the life of the vigilante in the past. Now that I thought about it, those words he spouted just now were my words in the past.

I used to say: unnecessary, lack of art, and simply uninteresting way to announce 'someone is dead here!' when someone committed a horrible terror crime. 

"You still remember." I chortled in a low tone as I bat my eyes slowly.

"I have an excellent memory, sweetheart. Considering your grudges now, you will probably resort to deboning her and display her bones in the heart of the Capital, while planting bits and pieces of her flesh in every garden you passed by." 

"I say you have an excellent imagination, Your Majesty." I corrected, suppressing my laughter in the middle of the funeral. "You speak so calmly, knowing what I can do. Aren't you terrified what you said just now might just happen to you? Or are you underestimating me by saying such?"

"Ruminate my humor, whatever you like, sweetheart." He set his sharpened eyes on me once again as the corner of his lips curled up into a smirk. "But that doesn't change the fact that other people other than me want your head."

"Are you saying you are trying to protect me now?"

"I am saying the interest people had on the woman who will bear my children is growing in numbers. You can always rely on me, though." My brow arched as I gazed at him, and he looked away. "Of course, this comes with a price."

A mocking chuckle slipped past my lips. "Back then, I really believed you are my savior."

"I am."

"Yes." I nodded in agreement. "You are the savior who came to ruin me."

"It's safe to say we ruined each other."

"And we will continue ruining each other to death." This time, I turned and faced him squarely. "Aren't you a masochist, Lexx?" 

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe?"

"Poor Cassara. Until the end, her husband doesn't have a shred of love for her." A sigh slipped past my lips. We're still in the funeral ceremony, but he had already focused his mind on how to aggravate me.

"I loved Cassara, Lilou." His answer, uttered by a straight face, caused me to scrunch my nose in disdain. "I won't marry her or keep her alive despite all her intrusions if I don't love her as my sister. But I rarely dwell on the dead. I'd rather put that energy on the living."

"So instead of mourning, you shift all your focus on me? Are you hoping I'd do the same since you already killed my husband?"

"Your words, not mine." 

"Hah!" I shook my head as we faced ahead once again. "I bloody hate you."

"I warmly appreciate anything from you."

I ground my teeth as I cast him a glare. Just because my freedom right now was limited — as I was basically a hostage — he never missed a chance to annoy me. 

We remained silent as we watched Cassara's remains burn into ashes. Thankfully, Stefan gave me some slack until the ritual ended.

"Right. I heard you called for Yul twice in your bedchambers in the past three days," Stefan opened up as he faced me. 

I rolled my eyes as here he was again. Just how long would I have to endure talking to him?

"If you don't want hearing news about your mistress and her lover sneaking behind your back, then..." I trailed off as I caught someone familiar in the corner of my eyes. 

Instinctively, I glanced in the direction, wide-eyed. What the hell was Sam doing in here?! Didn't he know everyone was here?

"What made you so distracted —" Before Stefan could turn where I was looking at, I hastily cupped his cheek to look at me. He instantly furrowed his brows as his eyes narrowed.

A wide, awkward grin appeared on my face. "Are you jealous?"

"No."

"Yes. I think you are!" I squeezed his face even more which made him frown. "You know? I didn't think you are quite cute this way."

"What are you trying to hide?"

"Hide? Can't I act a bit sweet for once?" I scoffed in dismay. I didn't know what got into my husband to go in here, but I couldn't let Stefan have this shred of an idea that Sam was alive.

"Lilou." Stefan held my wrist down before he turned his head in the direction I looked in previously. Sam wasn't there anymore, and I heaved a sigh of relief secretly.

"Don't do that again," Stefan warned with his eyes glinting.

I raised my hands with a shrug. "Sure. My sweetness expired already, anyway."

Stefan gazed at me for a minute before walking away. Another sigh escaped my mouth as my eyes lingered on where Sam stood earlier.

'Sam… I'm sorry for Cassara.'