The Duke's Passion

Chapter 493 - [Bonus ]Letting You Go

Meanwhile, Silvia glared at Fabian, who was leading her back to the mansion's entrance hall. She was clearly displeased, but not because she had to welcome Lilou's guest. It was actually an honor for her. But she was annoyed at something or someone else.

"If you planned to kill Ruru, you shouldn't make it so obvious in front of Lilou," she advised, breaking the silence between them. "You know her more than anyone, Fabian."

"My lady, you shouldn't have volunteered if you find this disrespectful," Fabian replied without looking back at her. His eyes were sharp, giving out no other emotion but intimidation.

"It seems there's a problem with your hearing, butler. I didn't volunteer. Someone else did, and I didn't want to disturb Lilou's meal. She hates it."

Fabian shrugged indifferently but his footsteps slowed down a little. "His Grace... you seemed you had already taken a liking to him, my lady."

"For a butler such as yourself, your questions are surely too personal." A snicker escaped her mouth while gazing at his back. "Although what surprised me more is that the matters of the heart intrigued a cold-blooded person like you."

He remained silent for a while, deep in thought. "That night in the capital... the duke had given you half of his life to save you. I'm sure my lady feels indebted to him, but you shouldn't."

"You surely know a lot, Fabian," she scoffed as her hand clasped her skirt tightly, recalling that time in the capital. That night, when Yulis and Silvia headed in the direction Charlotte shot her arrow. It turned out it was a den of undeads.

Back then, they didn't know the severity of the matter until they faced countless undeads. Yulis and Silvia fought with their life on the line, but with only the two of them and Charlotte backing them up from afar, they were at the disadvantage.

In the end, Silvia nearly lost her life as the undead devoured her. The reason she was still alive now was because of the blood of the Bloodfang in Yulis. He sacrificed half of his life just so he could save her.

"His Grace did what he did because you are important to her majesty. You can take my words with a grain of salt and I might also be wrong. But from what I see, the duke's affection to his sister is deeper than what you think. Don't be a replacement, my lady."

"Deeper what I think…? You are surely calm if you think like that."

"That is because I know His Grace isn't a fool." He shrugged. "Neither he is greedy for more. To someone like him, her happiness was enough for him."

Silvia gazed at Fabian's back. She wanted to argue with him more and correct him, but her tongue kept rolling back. Fabian was wrong, that was what she wanted to say, but she couldn't. Because some part of what he said made sense.

"I don't know why you are saying this, but this is the only time I'll let this slide," she muttered and Fabian smirked. "I can't see your face, but I know you're smirking evilly."

"Don't worry, my lady. This is the only time I will voice out my thoughts about this."

"Because this is the only time you feel like you want me to agonize about this matter." She rolled her eyes, knowing Fabian spouted all this just so she would agonize about it. "You're really cruel, Fabian."

"We are all cruel creatures by nature."

"By nature… then, I guess you surely embraced that nature." She breathed out as they soon reached the entrance hallway, where she could see Rufus's figure standing with a dignified air around him. "Someday, Fabian. You will meet someone who will make you question yourself if you are good enough for her. That... just the thought of bearing such feelings for her will make you feel dirty and undeserving."

Fabian smiled as he glanced over his shoulder. "I'll kill her before she can make me question myself."

"We'll see about that." Silvia shrugged before adding, "Karma is a classy wench, after all.

Fabian and Silvia stopped several steps away from Rufus, who was in civilian clothes. A smile appeared on his face as he bowed to her politely. But then, his eyes glinted when he locked eyes with Fabian.

"It's good to see you again, my lady, head butler," Rufus greeted, smiling gently as a response to Fabian's sinister smile. "I see you have been well."

"Welcome to the Roux's humble abode, Sir." Fabian also bowed with his palm across his chest.

"I will appreciate the formalities if you stop pulling an aura on me, Head Butler. You might suffocate me to death."

"My. I am not, apparently." The corner of Fabian's lips stretched wider until his eyes squinted.

Rufus shrugged as he set his eyes on Silvia. The latter sported a subtle smile.

"You came at the wrong time. They were having dinner, so I volunteered to receive the guest instead. I hope you do not find this as an act of discourtesy." She curtsied slightly before raising her head again with a confident smile.

"No. It is an honor to be graced by your presence."

Her smile remained as she motioned her hand. "Then, I shall assist you to the sitting room."

Rufus nodded before she glanced at Fabian. The latter then led them to one of the sitting rooms. Silvia sat across from Rufus while Fabian left to get the tea. As they wait for the tea, the two of them didn't talk for a while.

"You seemed to have a lot of things in mind, my lady." He broke the silence after observing her.

Silvia raised her gaze at him and forced a smile. "Forgive me for zoning out. It's my first time going away from the march and I won't be there for a few weeks. So, I am a bit... worried."

"Understandable." Rufus rocked his head and silence descended in the room once again. Her eyes remained on him.

"It's been five years since I last saw you, Ru," she said, breaking the silence first. "That scar on your face looks deep."

Rufus touched the scar while the side of his lips curled up. "Does it bother you?"

"No. I think it suits you, strangely." A chuckle slipped past his lips at her comment. "I didn't mean to offend you. That scar makes you look more... strong and dashing."

"A person's scar can be a good embellishment sometimes."

She rocked her head while staring into his eyes. "Strange, don't you think? We used to be each other's worlds and my heart used to skip a beat whenever I see you. But now..."

"But now, you only look at me as someone who is a part of your past." He finished her sentence with a subtle smile. "You and I are not those people anymore, my lady.. You are not the curious and mischievous princess, and I am not that foolish and greedy young knight anymore."