The Duke's Passion

When Silvia arrived a week ago, Yulis was nowhere to be seen. Although Silvia tried to search for him first thing in the morning the next day, she didn't see him. It was obvious Yulis was avoiding her at all costs. So, today was their first meeting.

Still, they behaved, and Silvia pretended not to notice him throughout the entire wedding ceremony. She also didn't act out of the ordinary. So, I didn't expect that she was simply waiting for the wedding to end to execute the unhelpful guide Beatrice whispered in her ears.

Right. How did those two end up having a complicated love and hate friendship? Let me explain.

Based on Silvia's letters, it all started during the war three years ago. Since Klaus and Claude were tasked to help Grimsbanne at Sam's behest, Beatrice was also tasked to assist Silvia. To make the story shorter, Silvia and Beatrice were forced to talk to each other and had some moments where they talk woman to woman.

Silvia doesn't consider her relationship with Beatrice as friendship, though. She called it a rivalry. Even so, they stayed in contact, even though Beatrice returned home with Zero's head. Apparently, Zero had a lot of problems with the Cross Kingdom. So, for Beatrice to return with his head was an achievement for their country.

That was the short summary of Silvia and Beatrice's rivalry.

"How will I take responsibility when you're not even pregnant?" Yulis finally spoke, lowering his head to massage his temple. "Silvia, you know too well that Beatrice's advice isn't really reliable."

"I was desperate, alright?" Her expression remained stoic, eyes on Yulis. "You are avoiding me. How can I get your attention if I don't take it this far?"

"God... I just want to eat," Klaus mumbled while pinching the space between his brows.

Silvia let out a deep sigh, casting me and Sam a look. "I'm sorry for interrupting your big day, but I was quite sure that after this banquet, this man will disappear again."

"Silvia... actually, just go on." To my surprise, Sam was more understanding as he waved. "I'm also looking forward to enjoying how you two will reconcile... or not! Hah! Whatever, this is embarrassing. But I understand since I'm also head over heels to a Bloodfang."

Sam winked at me while I smiled. "Anyway, to my other beloved guests who are hungry, place your bets. We shall enjoy this meal while watching some drama."

"I am not Silvia or Yul, but I am embarrassed!" Klaus shoved his spoon inside his mouth grumpily.

"Come on, Uncle. You might find this educational once you get married." Claude bumped his shoulder against Klaus. "Anyway, what do you think? Will they reconcile or not? Let's bet."

"They won't!" Sam raised a finger and Claude grinned.

"Uncle Hell, please bet your life on that."

"Why? So you can seduce my wife?"

Claude shrugged playfully before shifting his attention to Law, who was sitting across from him. "How about you, Law? What do you think?"

"I want a cousin."

"You already have one. Me."

"A cousin who doesn't think of marrying my mother if my father somehow died."

"That's my boy!" Sam pointed at Law and the two of them nodded at each other. "Son, use that sharp tongue of yours to put that Claude in his place."

"Yes, Father."

"I am betting they will reconcile." This time, Charlotte, who was sitting beside Tilly, raised her hand. "Lady Tilly, what do you think?"

Tilly pondered for a moment. "They won't. If I am Silvia, I will rather marry Soran."

Rufus coughed, nearly choking on his food. "Please don't involve me in this," he remarked while grabbing a glass of wine.

"Captain, are you betting?" Ramin inquired, arm on the edge of the table. "I am betting they will not reconcile. How about you? Kristina? Lord Noah?"

Kristina frowned. "This is not a betting matter." She rolled her eyes and cast Noah a look.

The latter cleared his throat and nodded. "My wife is correct."

"Noah! Welcome to the club! Now you understand that once you're married, your wife's words should stand as your bible!" Sam clapped, proud of Noah. I chuckled while darting my eyes between Noah and Kristina. I was also surprised when I read Kristina's letter about her engagement with Noah.

It was quite a story of how those two ended up together. But that complicated story was not mine to tell.

One after another, everyone placed their bets, and they continued to eat. Meanwhile, Silvia and Yulis, the main attraction for this banquet, were having a staring competition. It didn't take long when only the soft clicks of cutleries against the plates resonated, holding our breaths while waiting for either of them to break their silence.

"Is that it?" Silvia broke the ice when she couldn't take it anymore. "Don't you have anything to tell me?"

"Via, this is embarrassing."

"I know!" I flinched when she suddenly raised her voice. The tension increased as well. "But as I've said, I am desperate, so I am swallowing my pride. You left me with a single and short letter. If you want to end us, then say it now. Say it to my face, Yul. That kind of respect is what I deserve."

Yulis sighed as he scratched his temple. For a very obvious reason, everyone held their breaths. Even Kristina and Noah, who didn't want to bet, ended up joining since Claude persuaded them. That nephew of ours had his way of making other people agree with him.

In other words, Yulis's answer would determine who won the bet and who lost. I felt bad for Yulis and Silvia as their problem was being used as entertainment, but... I couldn't really blame them. Silvia already knew what was coming, but Yulis left her with no choice.

Just as Yulis' lips parted, Fabian clapped. "I am still available to facilitate a wedding. If His Grace and her ladyship want to get married, today is a good day," he suggested, looking at us as if to get our permission.

Sam and I looked at each other before setting our eyes back to Fabian. "That's not a bad idea, Fabi." I rocked my head, glancing at Sam once again, and he nodded.

"Right. Yulis, answer Silvia now. Since we're all gathered here, it's also good for Lilou and the kids to witness your wedding. We can't go back to the empire." Sam advised in a knowing tone.

"So, are you getting married or breaking up for good?" Fabian kept his smile until his eyes curved into a line. "We're all waiting, Your Grace."

Yulis glanced at Fabian and sighed. "Via, should we… talk? Just the two of us."

"What?! How will we know if you just —"

"Shut up, Klaus." Silvia glanced at Klaus with sharp eyes before looking back at Yulis. "Don't think you can escape this time, Yulis. I will not be kind if you do."

"Don't worry. Let's just settle this once and for all."

In the end, we could only watch those two walk away in silence.

"Love is a strange emotion," Tilly commented in her usual soft tone.

Fabian chuckled as he nodded.. "I agree."