The Duke's Passion

810 Misery loves company

[ PRESENT TIME ]

Cassara slowly retrieved her hands from Silvia's temple. Her eyes were cold, taking a step back, studying Silvia's blank countenance. Bringing back Fabian allowed Cassara to see things she never wished to see and uncover some truths she wasn't ready to know. However, Samael forced her to bring Fabian's memories back, knowing that the butler's twisted mind was harmful to Cassara or even to anyone. It was unfair when Cassara was struggling to keep her sanity, while Silvia was being protected. On top of that, Cassara loathed Samael and Yulis for pretending to be her twin brother. She might not know what happened to her real twin brother, but it didn't matter. He could've been murdered so Yulis could replace him.

"I… am all alone in here," whispered Cassara, watching Silvia's blank eyes move to hold her gaze. "I don't have anyone to protect me. Now, you might have everyone to protect you, but yourself."

"May the guilt of killing your husband and Rufus and everyone around you eat you alive you'd wish to die." The corner of her lips curled up into a smirk. "That is just a small portion of how my mind torments me. I hope now, you will understand my sufferings."

Another layer of frost coated Cassara's eyes before turning on her heel. Just as she took a step away, she halted upon hearing Silvia's tiny, shaking voice.

"Why…?" Silvia breathed out, barely keeping herself together with these vile memories playing in her head repeatedly. "Why are you doing this, Cassara?"

"Why?" Cassara scoffed weakly, glancing over her shoulder. "Misery loves company, my dearest sister. I am all alone in here, hence, I invited you."

With that being said, Cassara resumed her steps, leaving the chamber without looking back. All Silvia could do was stare at her sister's back until the door shut behind Cassara. "Hah…" Silvia clutched her chest, gasping for air as layers of tears coated her eyes. "I… I…"

Silvia's breath hitched, unable to grasp and come to terms with these vivid memories in her head. She slowly raised her trembling hands, staring at these palms that killed the people she cared about.

"Hah!" her face scrunched up as tears stained her cheeks. "What did I do?"

Although Silvia was aware she was possessed by another when she did those atrocious acts, guilt still gnawed at her heart. She should've known, was what she told herself. Silvia should've known something was wrong with her instead of throwing those thoughts at the back of her head. If only she did, she would know Yulis wasn't in Grimsbanne and he wasn't the person sending those letters. If Silvia paid close attention, those letters and that handwriting from Yulis were hers, and Yulis's rotting body was just right around the corner.

There were many signs which Silvia purposely ignored, complacent that everything was over and there was nothing to be afraid of anymore. That this story already came to an end, and they should all live happily ever after. But alas… because she was complacent, she didn't get to value and treasure the meaning of happily ever after. The end of the story didn't mean their lives came to an end, but rather, it was simply a new beginning of what sort of life they had to protect and maintain. Silvia failed to realize that or rather, she realized it far too late. Even if Yulis was alive now and the time-reversed, the guilt remained. No wonder Yulis chose to pretend he didn't regain his memories and Klaus chose to keep it a secret as well. The truth was something they could barely grasp; what more, Silvia, who was used as a tool to harm the people she cared for?

"Ahh…" Silvia sobbed and her cry had a tinge of unspeakable pain. She was clutching her chest while her other hand grabbed her hair.

Silvia could only lament as misery embraced her tightly; her pain hindered her from sleeping despite the amount of tears she had shed. There were no words to describe the pain; the memories were akin to a time bomb, tick-tocking, waiting for someone to set it off, before it detonated, destroying her from the inside. **********

Meanwhile…

The Cross Kingdom was known to be a land reigned by vampires who blatantly and shamelessly publicized their hate for werewolves. In this land, werewolves were nothing but pets, and over time, owning one or owning at least their pelts had become a symbol of status. With this information laid on the table, Yulis could only say one thing: The people of the Cross Kingdom were not only twisted but capable. For vampires to go against the werewolves, it only meant they were confident they could fight the werewolves head-on. This practice had dated back many generations, after all, and this practice continued up until this day. Standing in the dark alley, Yulis leaned his side against the wall. His arms were folded under his chest and his head was covered with a hood. His eyes were fixed on the crowd, thronging the plaza for a special festival in this land.

'While other people were fighting and dying in a war, the people here were having the time of their life,' he thought, observing everything unfold. 'Not that I blame them, though. The war between the Heart and Spade Kingdom had nothing to do with them.'

'However…' Yulis eyes glinted, watching some people approach the platform in the middle of the square. 'I have some serious business with the people in this place.' His jaw tightened, setting his eyes on some people on the platform wearing the Le Blac royal family insignia. With them was a man tied up, ushering him to the guillotine for a public execution. Yes. One of the main events in this festival was a public execution of a werewolf. This was to show that their country was stronger than ever and to reassure the people even the werewolves couldn't touch them. Just when Yulis thought the Heart's Kingdom was already worse; who would have thought there was an even worst kingdom?

Yulis slowly raised his eyes at the towering Royal Palace standing gloriously at the peak of the mountain. "Beatrice Le Blac," he whispered as contempt swirled in his eyes. "I hope you are prepared just as you said."

Note: If you are interested, I will soon write short books (stand-alone) for some of our characters. They might be the main protagonist or an ingredient for the book's plot or important side characters. Could be villains too. Hence, these chapters are for baseline. Don't worry. These books will only get released next year after The Duke's Passion ends.