The Duke's Passion

When Tilly returned to the mansion, she stopped at the front door and coughed. She covered her lips with her palm, drawing it away only to see blood on it. For someone as powerful as her, using it would also mean straining her body. But she didn't regret it for good use. 

She closed her hand ever so slowly, pushing the door open. As soon as Tilly stepped inside, her eyes landed on Fabian. He was sitting on the settee and raised his head to meet her gaze. Tilly didn't speak as she resumed her steps. 

"So it was a lie?" he asked just when she took five steps, knowing she wouldn't say a word if he didn't. "That one month... is a lie?" 

Tilly slowly turned her head in his direction but said nothing. He looked a little annoyed as he stood up, cocking his head with his sharp eyes on her. 

"Do you see me as someone stupid? Did you think that power just now will go past my radar?" he snickered, shaking his head lightly. "What did I expect? You only talk when you want to."

Fabian scratched his temple as he closed his eyes for a bit. "That blood you cough out, wash it before you go to sleep." He waved, walking towards the door to leave this place. 

He wasn't dumb not to realize things and what happened. When she said the security would weaken, she meant to say she would weaken it. Hence, he knew that there was no need to stay since he was certain he would leave this land alive. With or without her help, Fabian didn't plan to die here.

So her help was unnecessary.

"Tilly's guest is angry." He stopped by the door when she spoke. A ridiculing smirk appeared on his face as she turned around to face her.

"I am not angry, my lady. I just disliked the fact that you would so far for a stranger like me."

"Why?"

His lips parted, but no words came out. Did she ask him why? Fabian had many answers to that. For example, he didn't like that it seemed she was underestimating him or he didn't want to be in debt to someone. But was that really the reason? What truly upset the ever-composed butler?

Deep down, Fabian knew his genuine answer. He wasn't someone who disliked being underestimated. If anything, he liked the benefits of being seen as an underdog, since it had its advantages. Nor he was the person who had the conscience to not exploit anyone. 

His services to her were only a part of his instincts since he had lived as a butler for a long time. It wasn't from the goodness of his heart or anything of the sort. He simply convinced himself it was repayment, but he wasn't that type of person. He was simply bored and doing butler duties was what he only knew, aside from killing. 

"Don't know," Fabian replied and shrugged. "Thank you for everything and goodbye."

Just as he turned around and was about to take a step, Tilly spoke again. "Tea... is bitter."

"Of course it is," Fabian chuckled as he cocked his head back, smirking. "I told you, I only make what's there in your kitchen. Do some groceries and buy some honey or sugar. As for me, I don't think I will ever eat eggs for the next ten years."

Fabian waved as he resumed his strides. Tilly just watched him from that spot until the door closed behind him. Once he was outside, Fabian let out a shallow breath. He glanced back at the door, waiting for the sound of the bell so he would know she was moving. 

However, the bell didn't ring for a long time. That only meant she was standing in the same spot for a while. 

"Why am I waiting for her to go back to her room?" he murmured and frowned, almost glaring at the door. He nearly busted the door open to tell her to go back to her bed, but the bell suddenly rang. So, Fabian heaved a sigh of relief as that sound gradually faded. 

"I won't go back in here," he grumbled, listing this place as his number one place he would never go back, ever. 

*****

Present time...

A soft chuckle slipped past Fabian's lips as he watched Stefan swing his sword up and then down. It was surely a strange memory to recall at death's door. It was so strange he couldn't help but chuckle. But that... that memory he already locked away from his head somehow gave him more reason to fight.

Fabian lifted his head to meet the blade, opened his mouth, and bit the sword as hard as he could to stop it. His eyes glinted, holding Stefan's gaze as the latter was a bit taken aback at Fabian's sudden retaliation. After all, just a moment ago, he was accepting his death. 

But now, Fabian's eyes told him this wouldn't end easily. Because those eyes glowering at him... were the eyes of that monster who needed to be tamed.

"Now I'm intrigued, Fabian. What kind of memory did you see at death's door?" Stefan inquired and a second later, the upper part of his sword where Fabian was biting cracked until it broke. In a second, Fabian spat out the blade, which he caught and stabbed Stefan's ankle. 

Fabian was too quick with his reaction that Stefan slightly lagged behind. All the latter could do was hop back, gazing down at his bleeding ankle. If Fabian was holding a dagger, the cut would be fatal. 

"How amusing," mused Stefan, raising his eyes as Fabian helped himself to stand up. He watched him massage his nape, stretching his neck as if he was reborn.

"Now I am even more intrigued at what reason you let the person... the devil you've kept hidden finally take over you, Fabian?" 

Fabian slowly raised his head, and a devious smirk appeared on his lips. It wasn't the usual smile he would show, but it was something that gave him a wicked look. 

"Your Highness," Fabian took a deep breath as his mouth slightly fell open. "It was a strange memory to recall; something I didn't expect as well. However, it reminds me that... there is a place in this world where I can recuperate after this."

He brushed his hair back before his hand settled on his forehead, gazing at Stefan from head to toe. "Ah, damn... I should kill her too."