The Duke's Passion

Three months later...

"Once I am old enough, I will surely go and see you, Mother." 

Adam smiled, holding the letter in his hand. Today, he received Lilou's long letter. They had been exchanging letters ever since Lilou woke up from her slumber. He could still remember how shocked he was the first time he received Lilou's first letter after months of not hearing any news from them. 

"My lord, about the House Fletcher..." an old man from across the earl's desk trailed off as Adam raised his gaze over the parliament. 

"What about the House Fletcher?" 

"Baron Fletcher is requesting a private audience with you."

Adam let out a shallow breath as he put down the letter. "Another request for a private audience?" he frowned as the House Fletcher had been too persistent recently. 

After the war in Minowa three years ago, a lot of things changed. Many officials and noble houses were stripped off of their titles with their long list of crimes. There were a few good officials who supported and had been loyal to the earl but were hindered by Jaime. They were only reinstated after Jaime faced serious consequences. 

In other words, everyone who was working under Adam's orders was a loyal supporter of the Crowell. While the others were simply devoted to the 'late' empress and emperor, so they served Adam since he was also the previous monarch's son. Not biologically, but Adam was considered as their son. 

"Glory, can you see Baron Fletcher?" he glanced at his chief knight standing on the side of his desk. Glory was holding his hand behind him, wearing a knight suit with a poker face. 

"Tell the Baron I already decided. If he bothers me one more time, tell him he will not hear a word from me anymore." Young, but Adam could now carry himself as a man with power. "How dare he think of only himself instead of the people's safety?"

"I will surely relay your word, my lord." Glory placed a fist across his chest, bowing without a second hesitation. 

Adam only nodded as he dismissed his advisor and chief knight. His eyes lingered on Glory's broad back and smiled. 

"Glory," he called, stopping Glory when he was by the door. "You may go if you want to. I know you also received her letter."

Glory smiled subtly as he looked back. "There were more opportunities to see her, my lord. The madam will be livid if I attended and you're not there."

"Well then, I guess you will not have to see her for a few more years."

"Hearing that she is doing well is good enough for me, my lord."

Adam nodded while Glory finally left. As soon as the door was shut closed, Adam leaned back against the chair. Glory took care of him after Lilou's death. He was aware it was just Glory's way to repay the empress's sacrifice for them. But even after they heard Lilou returned to life, Glory remained on his side. 

"Thanks to you, Mother and Father, Minowa is better than before." He carefully stood up, revealing that he significantly grew taller through the years. Adam walked towards the window and stood in front of it because he could see the downtown from this vantage point. 

Although Adam still loved his biological parents, he already treated Samael and Lilou as his parents. It was not like he wanted to compare, but Samael left Adam in Minowa with something. Those two, Samael and Lilou, left Adam with people he could trust. Because of their kindness, there was unity in the south. 

That was their gift to him. They didn't leave him with nothing, but they left him with more than just a title. 

"I will surely attend on their second decadesary." He chuckled as that was added in the letter with Samael's handwriting, meaning Samael was there while Lilou was preparing her letters and invitations. He could imagine Lilou scolding Sam, and Law being forced to watch that. 

"I can imagine Law's face when he heard that decadesary."

"My lord, the envoy from the north arrived." Adam raised his brows as he turned around towards the door. "The chief knight of the earl of Monarey is with them."

Adam smiled as he was aware of Klaus' visit. "Please assist Sir Klaus in the drawing room. I will see him myself."

******

"Wow... you've grown taller!" Klaus mused as he bobbed his head to examine Adam. The latter greeted him politely, walking towards the chair across from Klaus.

"It's been a while, Sir Klaus. Apologies to keep you waiting."

Klaus waved, eyes still fixed on Adam. "God... I feel like crying." He sighed.

Klaus had been in contact with the south, even though the north and south were poles apart. That was because Grimsbanne and La Lona were quite preoccupied with recovering from the war. 

Also, since the north produced elite knights while the south had an unbreakable defense system, both earls from the said territories exchanged information for mutual gain. Three years later, the north and the south were still allies and would constantly send envoys and exchange knights.

The most that benefit from the strengthening of the north and south was the empire. The emperor, Rufus.

"Adam, you're always this polite and amicable the first time we met until now after many years." Klaus sighed dejectedly as he leaned back in distress. "But that Earl in the north is just getting worse by the day."

Adam chuckled as he had also become acquainted with Claude. He must admit that Claude's ways were truly different from Adam's and yet, they somehow found the same equilibrium. Adam was akin to a tiger clad in sheep's clothing because he learned the art of dealing with soft people with the same softness, and knew when to be firm. 

Meanwhile, Claude was a fox through and through. He was a La Crox, after all. So, Adam wasn't surprised that Claude was a combination of being smart and cunning. 

"By the way, Sir Klaus. My mother sent a letter that is addressed to you." Adam slid the letter towards Klaus. "I mentioned to her from my previous letter that you've been here quite frequently and are planning to visit again. Maybe that's the reason she sent her letters to you in the south."

Klaus's eyes lit up as he hurriedly picked up the letter. "Good Lord... can I apply as your knight's instructor permanently?" he inquired with enthusiasm, rendering the confused Adam speechless.

"This is the only time I received Lilou's letter in one piece!" he explained while holding the letter to his chest as if it was that precious. "I don't want to go back to that damn cold north. Claude works me to the bone and always tears Lilou's letters for me. My lord, you understand my angst, right? I usually have to spend a full day putting her letters together before I can read it!" 

"..." Adam pressed his lips and smiled awkwardly. "I guess... the Earl of the north is a bit..."

"A bit, what?" Klaus gasped, readying the list of insults he had in store for Claude. "He is not just a bit, but he is too much! He thinks Lilou only needs to think of him if she thought of winter! Isn't it too much that all her letters addressed to me are already shredded to pieces before it arrives in my hand?! I bet he is only waiting for Hell to die so he can seduce my sister-in-law."

Adam bit her tongue as he listened to Klaus release his pent-up anger to his lord. 'I didn't know Sir Klaus is this stressed.' That was all Adam could say in his head. Klaus was like a stressed father who didn't know how to discipline his rebellious son anymore. 

"Hang in there, Sir Klaus." He awkwardly cheered while Klaus was fuming. 

EXTRA:

One hour later…

"Can you believe it? He even hosted a banquet where he invited all the daughters of noble houses and some princesses from neighboring kingdoms?" Klaus was still badmouthing Claude, while Adam already drank three teacups consecutively. "He didn't plan to marry! And yet, he exploited all those people who want to get tied with him through marriage!"

"It's not the best method, but it will help the people in Monarey with all those added funds in the earl's treasury." Adam voiced out helplessly, seeing the good part of Claude's action.

"God… you, my child, don't understand this old knight here." Klaus sighed and shook his head. "I thought you were on my side."

"I am on your side, Sir Klaus. But I am also pointing out the Earl's intention." Adam smiled kindly, hoping Klaus would stop since he had heard too much already. 

"He is acting like a princess — that damn brat!" Klaus' frown grew worse. "Using that face of his to seduce women. He should just get married and stop fantasizing Lilou."

"I agree with that."

Klaus let out a deep sigh, holding his hand behind his head. "Anyway, I will be going to the mainland to attend their wedding. Aren't you coming?"

"Apparently, the current state of affairs in Minowa needs my undivided attention. I couldn't leave Minowa yet even though it is stable now. I don't want to be complacent. Also, I want to meet Father when I can proudly say he didn't need to worry about me and Minowa."

"Sucks." Klaus rolled his eyes. "Just tell me if you're coming. I will stay in the south for a week."

"Thank you for the offer." Adam smiled, appreciating Klaus' offer.