The Duke's Passion

Beatrice Le Blac. A princess from the land of the cruel Cross. The Le Blac Clan was one of the Heart's Kingdom founding clans and was said to be just as competent as the La Crox, Moriarty, and Von Stein. As the king of the Heart's Kingdom for many years, Stefan had always kept a close eye on these founding clans. Even though each of them had established a kingdom from scratch, Stefan was a man to consider all possibilities. Especially, knowing that these people knew how to hold a grudge, Stefan understood if he opened an opportunity for them, each of these clans would destroy the La Crox in a heartbeat. It was the same for other new clan leaders of these founding clans. Take Heliot, for instance. He had always kept all other founding clans a close eye for the same reason. Perhaps this was the curse they all shared. They just couldn't be complacent, knowing the clans they used to have strong ties with could be their worst enemies in the future. Therefore, Stefan heard a lot of things about the Cross Kingdom. The aforementioned place was the only land that was reigned by vampires who indulged in enslaving werewolves. For the citizen of this land — especially, nobles and royalty — owning a werewolf and having them as pets, or simply having their pelts as accessories had been a symbol of one's social status.

If others had thought living in the Heart's Kingdom was a dystopia, they probably hadn't heard about the Cross Kingdom. Aside from that information, Stefan, in particular, knew this princess Beatrice Le Blac… or not. Stefan had married her once out of a mutual and political agreement. They even shared multiple passionate nights that didn't incorporate their hearts. Just an austere mating to quench their longing for the people they craved for.

Beatrice was a woman Stefan would share a bed with, but not the type of woman he would want as a life companion. He could say Alphonse would say the same; even though his brother and Beatrice had a far deeper and obscure partnership than just tangling bodies, in which Stefan had no place to pry about.

At the same time, Stefan couldn't deny that Beatrice was more dangerous than she appeared. She would do everything to get what she wanted, be it by means or foul. No one actually knew what was going on inside that twisted head of hers. He heard she fell head over heels for Yulis. Stefan doubted that, though. Beatrice was someone incapable of love; she would even use her body to get what she wanted in a heartbeat. There was only a slim chance Beatrice had actually fallen for Yulis without any hidden motive. But even if she did, then… Stefan could understand where this rage in Yulis's heart was coming from. It just suited the concept, 'if she can't have him, no one else can,' But for sure, the reason wasn't as shallow as that. "I wonder…" Stefan whispered, standing in front of the window, as he watched the small unit of knights prepare to set off for the inspection he had approved. "... what did she actually do that induced this sort of reaction from Yulis?"

Even though Stefan was aware Yulis had died silently, he wasn't sure who did it or how it happened. But then again, Stefan heard Yulis and Silvia had gotten married. Hence, there were many things Stefan could think of. "Is it possible?" mumbled Stefan, putting the piece of information to complete the incomplete puzzle in his head. "That Silvia had killed him in a moment of haze, and Yulis knew it deeper than what it appeared?"

That was the only possibility that really made more sense for Stefan. After all, Yulis and Silvia were a married couple and even though the two had this very normal relationship as a Marchioness of La Lona March and the Duke of Grimsbanne, where they live separately, there was no way Silvia wouldn't figure out her husband's passing. Unless, of course, Silvia didn't care much about Yulis because that was the only explanation for his death to be left unknown. But Silvia married Yulis out of love, and not because it was convenient, like her marriage to Stefan. Silvia never once cared about Stefan's opinion, and even if Stefan would disappear for a year without a word, Silvia wouldn't care about him. "How complicated, indeed," he whispered, catching Yulis raise his eyes to the floor where Stefan was watching them. "I guess my death was still far better than his. At the very least, I chose Hell to kill me that day in Minowa, but Yulis… he had to die in the hands of his beloved wife — if my assumptions are correct."

Stefan kept his eyes on Yulis from his vantage point until the latter peeled his eyes away from him. Yulis then talked to a few knights before mounting his steed. Upon Yulis' call, the small unit that would accompany Yulis to this 'inspection' had galloped away.

"She will kill me for sure," Stefan expressed under his breath, watching Yulis gallop from the palace to his dangerous yet personal mission. "I should've just told him Lilou might need a hand. If Yulis died in that Cross Kingdom, and she knew I allowed him to go, Lilou would definitely sunder my spine."

Stefan shook his head mildly, knowing the place Yulis was about to step foot in was a dangerous place. And Yulis' plan to settle a score with Beatrice was ten times more dangerous than the place. However, as a man, Stefan knew Yulis would do this with or without his permission. "I… am not a firm believer, but I pray for his safety," he added quietly. "He may not share the blood that sustains me, but he had always been my little brother. May he succeed in attaining the peace he had sought."

Stefan pressed his lips and stood silently until all he could see was the thick smoke the horses ambled up in the air. "Yulis was a good child. May this not be the last time I see him."

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