The Duke's Passion

Chapter 668  I'm not playing

"Hell."

As soon as Samael's name slipped past her lips, Cassara pushed herself up and took a step back, causing the chair to tip over her side. Her dilated eyes were fixed on his approaching figure before she turned her head in Rufus's direction.

"You…!" she seethed, balling her hand into a fist. "What the hell are you expecting by bringing him here?"

There was no way Samael would wake up from his slumber if Rufus didn't do anything. That was what she instantly believed. So, the help Rufus needed from her was to help Samael regain his memories before the reversal of time? And not Fabian? Was that it?

Cassara ground her teeth and shook her head, glaring daggers at Rufus before she faced Samael. The second her brother stepped foot inside the pavilion, her shoulder tensed up. She gazed back at him, only to see his unsmiling face, making her feel cornered.

"No!" she yelled almost instantly. "I'm not helping you, Hell! Why would I make you remember?!"

A ridiculing laugh came along with her words as her eyes glinted with malice. Even if Samael kill her, she would never help this man ever. She hated him more than she hated anyone in this world.

This man… this man she used to adore and almost worship in the past, only brought her pain. No matter what she did for him, he never gave back. She wouldn't let him take advantage of her. Never again.

"Even if you kill me, I won't help you, Hell." Her voice shook, clutching her hand into a very tight fist, shaking her head, eyes fixed on him. "Whatever you want from me, I will never help you. No, never. It's better if Lilou just ends up with Stefan since that should've been, anyway. That's right… that woman… hah… ha ha!"

Cassara raised her eyes full of mockery to the man she loathed deep in her bones, laughing in ridicule at the thought of Lilou and Stefan. That was the greatest revenge she could do for this man.

His beloved Lilou loving another man? Oh… that truly sounded so fantastic.

"Cassara," Samael called before Cassara lose her mind at the conclusion she had in her head. "It seems waking up from hell got into your head and made you a little… crazy? Your laughter is giving a goosebump."

"What?" she froze as her laughter came to a sudden halt.

"I didn't need you to retrieve my memories. I had them all this time. It is as you said, I need Fabian to regain his memories since I don't want to deal with a butler who purely thinks of cleaning the manor," Samael casually explained without beating around the bush, gazing at her from head to toe. "I'm glad to see you alive and well, by the way."

"Hah!" Cassara scoffed as she took a step back, shuffling her thoughts, since her initial conclusion was wrong. "No."

She shook her head, taking another step back. Even if Samael was the same as her and Rufus, who had their memories intact, she would not help them for the obvious reason. The problem remained. Lilou was still with Stefan and if the latter used his cards well, that dumb Lilou would surely fall into Stefan's traps.

Little did she know, the situation was unlike what she had expected. It wasn't like that — it wasn't as simple as that.

"I won't help you get back with her," came out a stiff voice before she raised her bloodshot eyes. "No, Hell. I won't let you be happy. You… don't deserve to be happy."

His expression gradually grew icy. "I agree, sister. I don't deserve to be happy, indeed. A sinner like me deserved to rot in hell, live day by day being engulfed with eternal fire, and spend a lifetime in misery for everything that I had committed throughout my time." Samael rocked his head in understanding, but his cold front remained.

"However, my children had done nothing wrong," he added, taking a step forward, which made her take a step back. "My children needed their mother. My sins are mine to bear, not my children. So, even if I agree with your sentiments, I cannot let you take away the mother of my children and their happiness, even if it means being the worst person to ever exist in this world."

His steps hastened and before Cassara take more steps back, he reached out his hand and grabbed her biceps. Her breath hitched the second their eyes met, seeing the wildfire in his crimson eyes, making it appear they were glowing.

"Cassara, I can't say I understand your heart, but I don't need to understand your heart just so you will help me. My wife is in danger and I don't know until when can Stefan protect her. I am not asking for your help. I am telling you to bring Fabian's memories back in exchange for your life." He uttered while staring straight into her eyes, stressing his words for her to understand him. "I don't need you alive to achieve my goal, Cassara. I can just steal your ability and do it myself. So don't make me resort to the worst — I'm not playing."

Cassara froze and she could only stare at him, whose eyes didn't bear the slightest warmth in them anymore. She pressed her lips into a thin line, feeling her heart shatter in a matter of minutes. This… this look in his eyes was what she had sought in the past.

Why? Because if Samael had only looked at her like this from the very beginning, she wouldn't have her hopes up. However, Samael had always looked at her warmly. She wished he was just as vicious just like everyone believed he was. In that case, she wouldn't feel special to him.

"Bring back Fabian's memories because I needed him. I promise you I will never bother you ever again after this." Samael released her and took a step back. "You'll do it tonight."

With that being said, Samael pivoted on his heel and walked away without looking back at her even once. Meanwhile, Rufus stayed in his spot, watching her scoff, before she slumped on the floor, clutching her hand close to her chest.

There wasn't pity in Rufus' eyes, but he understood Cassara one way or another. Her personality might be something one would be repelled, but he knew she had loved Samael genuinely.

"I'll see you later." He bowed and didn't wait for her as he left the pavilion. When he walked to a distance, he looked back, only to see a tear roll down her cheek. A shallow breath slipped past his lips before he resumed in his tracks.

'Life and love had always been unfair, your royal highness,' he thought. 'I hope we both find a way to move forward and let the things that hurt us go.'