The Duke's Passion

612  Farewell II

"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."

I patted Claude's back lightly. My eyes softened when I felt his arms around me, resting his forehead on my shoulder.

"Visit me sometimes, Auntie." He muttered, almost like a desperate request. "Mhm. I will. For sure. Until then, I will constantly write you letters even though you don't reply that much. I will keep sending them and the tea you like so much."

"Mhm..." he hummed, tightening his embrace as if he didn't want to let go. "Mother." I raised my brows when I heard Rufus from my side. So I let Claude go and smiled at him, pleased when he smiled back at me. "Yes, my son?" I slowly turned my head to Rufus, tilting my head. "Did you think I will not go along with this joke?" Rufus chuckled as this somehow became a joke in this family because Sam registered Rufus under our family name. But he was older than me! And his biological brother was a butler in our house! I was even afraid that someday, Fabian would become our uncle if Tilly and Fabian just decided to get married for fun. Their humor just terrified me.

"Haha. I want to thank you for inviting us to witness a special occasion. I will return to the empire and will do my best, so you won't worry about it." He smiled charmingly. "Also, Old Olly and those in the field send their best wishes. Dominique had bought a house in Grimsbanne and was growing close to them."

"Your Majesty, do you really have to say that?" Dominique sported a complicated look, a bit embarrassed by this. "Really?" I was a bit surprised by this, though.

"Yes. When he was not busy, he would usually help in the field. That is the reason I can hear stories about them from time to time. " Rufus nodded while I cast Dominique a look. The latter looked away to hide his flustered face, scratching the back of his head.

"Dominique..."

"Hey, are you sure you're helping in the field and not burdening them? You only have one hand..." Klaus elbowed Dominique's side but trailed off when the latter glared daggers at him. "Sorry, sorry. That was a bit insensitive of me."

"Klaus, stop playing too much. I heard from Adam that you've been lingering around Bey whenever you're in Minowa."

"Heh." Proud, Klaus grinned with a knowing look. "What can I say? I am quite charming."

"In your dreams." Silvia suddenly commented from the side.

"I didn't know he is this shameless," Yulis backed up, looking at Klaus in dismay.

Dominique couldn't also help but look at Klaus. "Didn't you feel sick while saying that?"

"Hey, don't bully Klaus." Sam also joined in, shocking everyone, including me. But his next words caused my face to distort. "He already lacked in appeal and that is eminently unfortunate. Be kind to him. Confidence is also beauty, after all."

"Hey, Hell! What the hell is that tone?! Why do you sound like you are forced to say that last part, hah?!" Klaus snapped, shaking my husband by the collar while the latter just looked away lazily. 18:48

"Uncle, don't worry. Bey had an eye problem, so I'm certain you are the most handsome man in her eyes." Claude tried to make Klaus feel better, but that didn't help, obviously. I sighed and shook my head, chuckling before gazing at every one of them. I didn't stop Klaus from shaking my husband until Sam had enough and Fabian stepped in. All I could do was smile at them, cherishing our moments together. *****

"Bye...!" I waved, watching everyone inside the ship wave back as it floated away. "Take care."

Watching them go farther and farther brought tears to my eyes. I smiled, looking to my side where Sam stood. Behind us were Ramin, Charlotte, and Fabian. "Don't cry." Sam wiped my tears with his thumb, smiling lovingly. "We will part now, but it's definitely not the last." I nodded, closed-lipped. "Mhmm. I will miss them, though."

"I'm sure they will also miss you." His smile remained before we set our eyes back to the ship ahead. Sam carefully slid his fingers in between mine, holding my hand with care. "And I will always think about them as well. For now, let them write their own stories to share with everyone."

Sam looked at me once again, smiling from ear to ear. "Until then, let's just watch on the sidelines. If they needed help, we will be there for them. Just like how they were with us when we needed help."

"Yes," came out a soft voice, wrapping my hand around him tightly. "Until then."

As we smiled at each other momentarily, we turned around and faced the three who were waiting for us. For some reason, my heart warmed up the second my eyes landed on the smile that was plastered on Fabian, Charlotte, and Ramin. "Let's go home," I said, and the three nodded. I looked at Sam once again, and he nodded lightly. "Let's go home," he repeated, and with that being said, we headed back to Tilly's Mansion which was now our home. Our long story finally met its temporary end, but I wished those people who were close to my heart would also find peace. It was sad to part with them, obviously. But I was also looking forward to the story they would share. — END OF THEIR LIFE AFTER VOLUME — EXTRA: AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHARACTERS.

Question: "What would you die for?"

Lilou: "I will die for freedom."

Samael: "I will die for Love."

Lilou: "Sam."

Samael: "What, my wife? Our story is so long and you still doubt the purpose of why I fight?" Interviewer: *shakes head and looks at Rufus, ignoring the two* "Sir Knight?"

Rufus: "I will die for honor."

Interviewer: "How about you, Mister Fabian?" Fabian glanced at the interviewer blankly: "I will die." Interviewer: "I mean, what would you…"

Fabian looked at the interviewer. "I. Will. Die." "Okay…?" >.> *carefully sneaks away*