The Duke's Passion

"Will you allow this great one to erase your memories?"

Everyone one of them could not help but furrow their brows as they looked at each other. After a few seconds of confusion, they set their eyes back to Samael. They figured they wouldn't understand this proposition if he wouldn't explain.

"I'm not saying every single one of you, but those party who will enter the palace." Samael raised a finger and pointed it at the few individuals, including Lilou. "This will be tricky, but the thing is, you will trick no one in that place if you have the slightest idea of what is going on."

"The bad guys can smell their fellow villains," he added, retrieving his finger while putting his feet down. 

A slight screeching noise resonated in their ear as he dragged his chair closer to the table. Samael leaned forward with his arms over it. 

"Hear me, people." He motioned them to go closer, which they all did on instinct. "Lilou had her memories erased twice; first is Stefan's doing and second by yours truly."

"That is not something to be proud about, my Lord." Fabian could not help but comment as Samael sounded like boasting. 

"Well, I know that, but now she had retrieved her memories, and how did that happen?" 

"Cassara," Silvia murmured with her brows creased. "That's her ability. Are you telling us to feed on her?" 

After Silvia's question, the majority of them frowned. Drinking Cassara's blood, who had nothing to do with this, gave them mixed emotions.

"Sam, I don't like Cassara, but I don't think we should drag more people into this." Lilou voiced out after noticing their expression. 

"Believe me when I say I don't want more people in this as well, but Cassara is already involved." A sigh slipped past Samael's lips and traveled his gaze to their faces. "I'm uncertain, but I think when Cassara returned those memories to Lilou, she unconsciously robbed something of my wife."

"Pardon?" Klaus blurted out, getting more confused.

Samael set his eyes to Lilou while the latter's brows rose. "Didn't you say you hear voices in your head?" 

Lilou pursed her lips and cast everyone a look. Once her eyes returned to Sam, she nodded without saying a word. 

"I think that's not all of it, love. The Bloodfangs aren't the ones who will want their sacrifice to go in vain. They are the people who will make things happen, even if it means sacrificing the entire clan's bloodline." Samael's tone grew solemn, hinting to them the severity of his claims.

There was silence across the room that even a drop of a needle could be heard. Again, Samael made his point clear. 

"We don't know what will happen if you bore the complete will, Lilou. If you allow me, I am willing to share it with you." He proposed sincerely, with no trace of arrogance he bore moments ago.

"But we can't let having the two of us lose control, Sam," Lilou whispered as that response came out of her mouth naturally.

Samael let out a shallow breath and nodded. That was his point. Since they didn't know what could have happened, one of them should be out of the Will's control.

"That is why I am asking." Samael peeled his eyes away from her and set them at Yul, Silvia, and Klaus. "I hate to ask you this, but will you take this risk with my wife? You might lose control or hear unwelcomed voices for life."

The three of them stared at Samael in silence. He sounded more like begging them instead of ordering or asking. 

"You don't have to ask me that." Yulis was the first to answer, breaking the stifling silence that shrouding the room. "I will do it if that means keeping her sane. Although she isn't very sane until a month ago."

Yulis turned his head in Lilou's direction. The side of her lips moved subtly as her eyes softened upon meeting his eyes.

"Hell, did you turn daft or what? My sister-in-law had dropped her sword for us to live." Klaus clicked his tongue in irritation as gazed at Samael with dismay. "Of course, we will risk our lives and willing to die fighting alongside her."

"I just think Hell is underestimating our loyalty just because he's only loyal to himself." Silvia backed up, shaking her head lightly. She then snuck a glance at Lilou and smiled.

"Even before you asked us, you already know the answer. Be it a bland soup or hard bread that is harder than a stone, if that is what she eats, we will eat it as well."

"Sivi..." Lilou bit her lower lip, moved by their sentiments.

"Gosh... I wanted to poke eyes for fun," Samael mumbled while rolling his eyes. He had always hated anyone who snatched his wife's attention from him. 

"My lord, whatever you eat, I will eat it too!" Charlotte patted her chest proudly, raising her chin with a grin plastered on her adorable face.

"You're just telling that because you know His Grace is a picky eater," Ramin muttered as he looked at her with disdain.

"What?! Are you questioning my loyalty?!"

"Alright. I appreciate your thought, Charlie." Samael clapped before the two could start with their usual banter. "Now that is resolved. Let's talk about the big details. Let's start with Alphonse."

"Yes." Lilou blinked twice as she organized her thoughts. 

Once again, their eyes returned to Samael. They kept an attentive ear, afraid they would miss the slightest detail.

"Honestly, the reason I came up with the brilliant plan of dying is inspired by Alphonse. If you're wondering what I meant, I had killed Alphonse in the past." 

Shocked was once again plastered on their faces upon Samael's last remarks. When did he do that? And how was Alphonse still alive? Samael's previous statement about his 'inspiration' suddenly made sense if they put the two together.

Pleased at the change in their reaction, Samael nodded. "Alphonse and I didn't have the best relationship. We banter every time our eyes meet, and if chances are given, we will surely kill each other."

"That's not true." Klaus shook his head. "I know you two don't get along. I mean, we all didn't get along and we verbally attacked each other. Sometimes, fight until we bleed. But killing? That is only possible now."