The Duke's Passion

[ To my precious friend,

I am deeply disheartened I cannot attend and celebrate an auspicious occasion with you. Currently, our Karo Kingdom was undergoing a change. Although I am quite unsure if this will make me happy or sad or anything, in particular, I hope it will make me feel something.

While looking up outside the window, I noticed the moon was shining so brightly and beautifully. It makes me recall the brief trip I made in Grimsbanne.

For the past years, I had been in search of things that will make me feel alive. Your words had become a riddle I needed to crack. I am not blaming you for leaving this question in my head. If anything, I am looking forward to the answers to it.

I will keep this letter short, for my hands are full at the moment. However, remember that under the same sun, moon, and sky, there is someone who genuinely wishes for your happiness and well-being.

I am sincerely glad and relieved to know my precious friend is living a peaceful and content life. It feels reassuring to hear from you from time to time.

You have my gratitude for thinking of me. So do not worry, for I am still breathing.

Anyhow, I am not an outsider on the mainland. I will surely visit you one of these days. Until then, I would like to keep in touch.

Take care, Lilou.

Your friend,

Heliot. ]

I smiled while reading the letters I failed to read the last time since I was busy preparing for our simple wedding. Heliot was one of the people I reached out to and invited.

"I can hear his voice while reading his letter," I whispered, chuckling. "He is always the sweetest. I'm really glad he is doing alright."

Heliot and Sam had this strange relationship. Although I would exchange letters with Heliot, he was also in touch with Sam. I asked my husband about it and he told me Heliot was giving him hints about the mainland. After all, the Von Stein clan had some business with the people in this land. And yet, my husband would usually curse him.

"Sam will always be Sam." I shrugged, folding the letter while looking back. I smiled when my eyes landed on Law, who was playing with Sunny. My son already woke up hours before Sunny. But since we didn't want to disturb our baby, we stayed instead of joining the banquet.

Now, I am simply reading the letters I didn't read in the past weeks, while Law was playing with Sunny. My son surely loved his little sister, and he had been very reliable. I was pleased to see him growing up responsible. He was making me proud.

I set Heliot's letter aside to read another letter so I would respond to them all at once later. Picking up another letter, I smiled as soon as I noticed saw the seal. It was the seal of the Marquess of Cunningham, Cameron.

"He didn't come as well. Rufus said Cameron had been busy," I muttered while opening the letter. I smiled as I read it.

[ To my beloved niece

Congratulations on your wedding, Your Majesty. It feels like yesterday when you and His Majesty first arrived in Cunningham. Whenever I think about it, I could not help but smile.

Back then, you are still so young. Although they were unfortunate events during your stay in Cunningham, I'm still honored to witness the making of a great monarch. I witnessed how you work hard to be strong — although I already believed you were already one before you learned to wield a weapon.

How time is fleeting. It had been over ten years since then I didn't even notice.

The tale you created in Cunningham is something I could pass down to the next generation and the next. Although your story in the empire ended in tragedy, I am honored to be one of those selected people who are given a chance to have a glimpse of your life after.

You and His Grace went through a lot. Thinking about it, I could not help but tear up. After going against all odds, you persevered and now living the life you deserve. The Crawford clan is relieved and so proud of you.

My only regret is I couldn't be of much help during those times. Even so, I will be forever grateful that you are born.

Again, congratulations on your wedding and on your new life. My apologies if I cannot make it to this joyous day, but I sincerely pray that it will pass on a pleasant note.

Live well, my niece.

Your forever devotee,

Cameron. ]

"Cameron…" my heart warmed up as I couldn't help but recall my time in Cunningham after reading his letter. He was correct. Time was fleeting. Even I couldn't believe how time passed so fast. It was almost like… I was starting to lose count.

After morphing into a vampire myself, time was slowly losing its value. That was why I was keeping tabs on it and writing daily journals. I didn't want to take time for granted. Even when I already stopped aging, I still wanted to keep the habit of being a human.

"I wonder what Cameron looks like now," I whispered, about to fold the letter, only to notice something inside the envelope. It was a small piece of paper, so I didn't notice it previously. Out of curiosity, I checked it and laughed.

"Goodness. Cameron."

In the small piece of paper was Cameron's hand-drawn portrait. On its back, there was a short letter on it.

[Just in case you are wondering and had forgotten what I look like, this is what I look now. The person who drew this is the one who drew all your portraits, which are still being sold since you've already become a true god after your death. That's what everyone believes. ]

I shook my head, staring at the portrait before folding it along with his letter. Cameron would still surprise me from time to time. Did he think I already forgot that youthful face of his?

As I set aside Cameron's letter, I picked up the next one. But before I could open it, I jumped from my seat when the door suddenly opened. I looked back, only to see Charlotte panting. Her complexion was pale. My brows furrowed, heart thumping loudly against my chest as her expression told me something terrible happened.

"My lady!" she let out a deep breath. "Help!"