The Duke's Passion

611  Farewell

Days had passed and our guests were finally setting off to the empire. They stayed here for two weeks, but it felt like yesterday when they arrived. "Take care on your way," I said, my eyes glossing over their faces. Sam and I, along with Fabian, Ramin, and Charlotte, sent them off to the fort. We left Tilly behind with Law and Sunny. Since the ship that Silvia, Kristina, and Noah used wasn't destroyed thanks to Fabian, they had no choice but to ride with her. "Oh, Lilou. I feel like crying. I miss you already." Silvia came to me and embraced me tightly. "When Hell is being too much, La Lona will always welcome you."

When she broke our embrace, I smiled at her and held her hand. "If Yulis is being a handful, throw him back in here. Fabian will teach him a lesson." I cast Fabian a look, and he smiled at us with a nod. "Lilou, I think I'm the person you should be worried about." Yulis zipped his mouth when Silvia glared at him, raising his hand in defeat. "I'm just saying."

Silvia let out a shallow breath as she set her eyes back to me, squeezing my hand lightly. "I will surely visit again if I have enough time. Just make sure you're the one who will fetch me and not Fabian. I can't let him waste my time." She smiled, glancing at Fabian.

"Don't worry. That won't happen anymore." As we let each other's hands go, I faced Kristina and Noah. They smiled at me, standing beside each other. "Kristina." I reached my hand to her, and then to Noah, letting them clasp my hands. "I wish you two the best. Noah, be kind to your wife, alright? Also, if you see Teddy, tell him he is always in my prayers."

"He will be very pleased to hear that, Your Majesty — I mean, my lady." Noah nodded. Teddy Brown was a good friend who was still striving for unity under the rule of the Remington in Whistlebird. Noah told me that the restaurant's goal to feed everyone was still ongoing and prospering since the House Remington and most noble families in Whistlebird were supporting the Brown's cause. "Lilou, I will keep in touch." Kristina squeezed my hand lightly. "You know... I need some... advice."

The corner of my lips stretched from ear to ear as I nodded. Kristina mostly wanted to learn how to be a wife. Although I couldn't consider myself as the best wife, I would usually give her advice on how to make her husband want more. I was just sharing the knowledge I learned from Sam. "As long as you two have open communication, everything will be alright." I darted my eyes between the two of them. "Secrets are inevitable, but it is virulent and will slowly and painfully kill a marriage. I wish you two a happy marriage."

"We wish you good health and happiness, my lady." They both uttered humbly while I nodded. When I let their hand go, I shifted my attention to Claude. "Claude," I called, and he raised his head with a slight frown on his face. "My dearest." I cast Kristina and Noah a look before they bowed. They went to bid Sam farewell while the latter was talking to Rufus, Dominique, and Klaus. Meanwhile, Kristina and Yulis were surprisingly talking to Fabian, Ramin, and Charlotte.

"You take care in Monarey, alright?" I spoke and stood in front of Claude. He had been very energetic lately until this morning, as he was oddly silent. "Auntie Lilove." He looked at me solemnly, letting out a shallow breath. "Do you want to elope with me?"

"Claude." I chuckled and shook my head, sprawling my arms to hold his hands. I then raised my gazed and looked him in the eye. I still couldn't believe how much Claude had grown. It felt like it was just yesterday when I saw him in the street of Knotley, Cunningham. But now, he had grown into a dashing young man. "I don't think I had mentioned it before, but I am truly happy to see you grow up into a good man." I smiled while he frowned, making me cup his jaw. "Don't look at me like that. It's not the end of the world. I will surely visit Monarey once I have enough more room to travel."

He sighed deeply. "I will miss you."

"Me too, Claude. I will miss you." I brushed his lean cheek with my thumb, staring at him straight in the eye. "You've really grown so much — it's almost impossible to believe. Before I know it, you will also fancy someone and get married."

"I won't."

"Claude." I sighed as this was I was worried about him. "I know your affection towards me is like a mother or a big sister, but others might misunderstand that. I don't want that to be a hindrance to your future relationships." I planted my palm on his chest, eyes on him.

"Open your heart, alright? One day, you will understand and see the difference between your love for me and that person in the future. Love for family is different from the love for your other half. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but they are two different love and they are both important." I smiled subtly, as he was still so clueless about some things, even though he always acted so mature and manly. "When that time comes, make sure to handle it with care."

"I don't see you as a mother, though." He averted his eyes away while mumbling, but I chuckled. Oh, Claude.

"You will understand, eventually." I took a deep breath before taking a step, wrapping my arms around him. "You've grown tall. You're even taller than me now. Take care always, Claude. When you are having a hard time, just think that there is someone under the same sky who wished for your well-being."