The Duke's Passion

Chapter 319 - [Bonus ]Prince Charming

The story of how this team was formed wasn't a long story. When Sam died, these people knew Stefan wouldn't let them off that easily. Although they considered that Stefan wouldn't kill me just yet, they had to flee so they could do what they should to help me out of the palace.

However, since I had an agreement with Stefan days later and Sam was proclaimed as a hero who lost his life on duty, things had made an enormous turn. Not just that, but also taking Silvia, Klaus, and Yul with me was not what they expected.

So, instead of trying to take me away from the palace, these three waited for the right time to approach me. That perfect opportunity was when I was out to receive a letter from Heliot. These four ambushed me and now we're here.

No one, even Yul, knew about their existence, nor I had the plans to let anyone know about them. I need to keep some secrets that even my trusted people shouldn't know about. In this case, even if they ended up meeting an unfortunate encounter, not all my plans would be spoiled.

"Fuck you." Charlotte spat out in dismay at Ramin, who sat across from her.

Ramin chewed his food, stabbing the meat with his fork as he set his eyes on her. "Do you want me to fuck you so you shut up?"

"Manners, please." Kristina rolled her eyes as she cast them a warning look.

"But this guy is so shameless! The Duchess rarely comes here, and he had to talk to her first before me! He's not even wearing anything, flaunting his garbage of a body!" Charlotte pouted.

I was glad that Charlotte returned to her usual self because back when they ambushed me, her eyes were full of abhor. Although… she had been too clingy and overprotective of me now. Maybe because of my blood.

"Gar — ahh… this girl is really testing me." Ramin stretched his neck in a circular motion, irked by Charlotte's remarks.

"Is the food to your liking, Your Grace?" Noah inquired, ignoring the two who were bickering nonstop. He was sitting at the other end of the small rectangular table, smiling at me gently.

Noah Remington. Although the House Remington had kept their noble status and wasn't charged with an offense as the enemy of the kingdom, there was a manhunt for Noah. Even Noah didn't know the reason, so he ended up tagging along with them instead of returning to one of the Remington's estates.

"Yes. I am never dissatisfied with your cooking." I smiled, as I didn't know Noah had this hobby in cooking. No wonder he and Teddy Brown had become friends in the past.

"I'm glad to hear that." Noah heaved a sigh of relief. "Anyway, I felt the presence of the king of Spade Kingdom enter Grimsbanne."

When Noah dropped those words, Charlotte and Ramin stopped bickering as they shifted their attention to me. Kristina also had her eyes on me; silence filling the air.

"Well," I leaned back, done eating as I already emptied my plate. "It is about time that we need to talk to him."

"So, that guy is truly his bastard son?" Kristina arched a brow as it was truly hard to believe it.

"Well, if he came after receiving that guy's finger, then that's probably that." Charlotte chimed in with a shrug. She was the person who delivered it, shooting the letter from the distance in that foreign land straight to Zero's bed chambers.

It was the version that only the people here knew. Silvia and everyone knew an improvised version of how I sent the letter.

"People are really full of mystery," Ramin murmured, shaking his head. "Who would have thought that a person who was known of slaying his kin would keep his bastard son as his chief shadow knights."

"Either way, that only means we have him under control since Tristan Willow-Moriarty is in a blood contract with Your Grace." Noah voiced out, making everyone nod in approval.

I smirked as soon as Noah mentioned that word: blood contract. As I had said, I've been experimenting. Since Zero and Stefan had desired my blood so much — plus Heliot's words — I had experimented to see what I could do with it to use for my advantage. I discovered a lot of interesting things that this blood of mine could do, that included the power to sire a vampire (not a pureblood) and forming a blood contract.

Although there were repercussions, the risk was worth it. As long as I used these powers in moderation, I won't die.

"For now, we won't have a problem with Zero, unless he accepts that my death also means his son's death." I took a deep breath, placing a hand on the table, tapping my fingers lightly against it. "And even if he disposes of Tristan, he will have to reconsider the advantages of working with me."

"But what if he disposes of Tristan and declared his opposition with you?" asked Ramin.

"Then that would be a shame. I will have to dispose of a good card."

There was a long silence that enveloped us as they only stared at me. They had already grown used to my heartlessness and coldness, and how I value those people — Zero, for example — as a mere card I could throw away once I couldn't use it.

"By the way, the letter is in your room," Kristina informed me, breaking the silence. I looked back at her, nodding, closed-lipped.

"I'm getting suspicious of your actual relationship with Prince Heliot," she added in a knowing tone. "You know, no one will blame you if you had fallen in love with a charming prince."

"Charming…" A weak smile turned up on my lips. "He is, indeed, charming."

*****

Inside this small house, I had my private quarters where I kept some important documents. I walked towards the desk, picking up the letter that had the seal of the Royal Family of Karo Kingdom.

I glanced back at the shut door before setting my eyes back on the letter. "Fall in love with a charming prince, huh?" came out a ridiculing whisper as I opened the letter and read its content.

"Heliot…" my eyes glinted after skimming through the letter, crumpling it. "… you don't have to remind me."

Just like I said, there were secrets that should be kept hidden from my trusted people. I kept the third squadron and Noah's existence from Yul and the rest, and my agreement with Heliot from everyone.

I planted my fist on the desk, spreading them as I hung my head low. A smirk turned up on my lips.

"After all, what you want is also what I want, Heliot."