The Duke's Passion

One week before Lilou and Samael's wedding...

It was the night Rufus, Klaus, and Dominique hunted down the evasive Fabian to teach him a lesson for once. The three of them split for a larger search. Whoever finds him first could challenge Fabian in a duel. A real duel, not just a friendly one. They were pissed.

But while Rufus was searching for Fabian, he caught a figure standing on the roof. Rufus would check everywhere, so when he looked up, he narrowed his eyes and recognized Yulis. Why was he there? He wondered, despite already getting the gist of the reason.

Was he concerned about Yul? Or did Rufus have some words to tell him? Rufus was unsure of what forced him to approach Yulis. But he did. Jumping from the ground, Rufus hopped and clung onto the balcony. There, Tilly and Charlotte were engaged in a conversation.

The two of them turned their heads at Rufus. He simply sported a kind smile and apologized. After saying his apology, he jumped again and reached an open window, clinging onto the windowsill. This time, Samael was also there while holding some portrait he was working on.

"Uh... Rufus." Samael furrowed his brows, watching Rufus lift his weight until he was crouching on the windowsill.

"It's good to you see, my lord. I was looking for Fabian to settle some scores with him. I'll see you later."

"If you're looking for Fabian..." Samael couldn't finish his sentence as Rufus stood up, looking up. In a blink, Rufus jumped and clung to wherever he could. A shallow breath slipped past Samael's lips and glanced at the person standing near the window.

"Fabian, what did you do? Rufus looks a bit pissed."

Fabian just smiled, putting down the finger that was in front of his lips. "I have no idea."

"I doubt, but whatever. Not my problem." Samael shook his head and resumed cleaning up his workshop to assist Lilou and greet their guests.

Meanwhile, as soon as Rufus climbed to the roof, Yulis already had his eyes in his direction. He had been watching Rufus climb, but he didn't plan on ignoring this man, as he had a few words he must tell him.

"Your Majesty." Yulis greeted with his palm across his chest, tilting his head down slightly. "It's been a while."

"It had been Lord Yulis." Rufus nodded, marching to him until he was at Yulis's arm's length. They stayed quiet for a while, letting the rustle of the leaves fill in the silence. They both stood while facing the same direction, eyes on the dark forest surrounding this mansion.

"You came here because of Silvia?" Yulis broke the ice, casting Rufus a side-eye.

"Well." Rufus let out a deep exhale, glancing at Yulis. "I don't know. I was looking for Fabian, but when I caught your figure, I just thought of approaching you. For whatever reason? Frankly, I don't know."

"You know, Your Majesty."

"I am always unsure about the matters of the heart, Yulis." Rufus smiled subtly, keeping his eye ahead. "I only loved one woman and yet I couldn't take care of her."

"For as long as you are alive, you can still cherish her."

Rufus rocked his head. "In a way, I can."

"Your Majesty." Yulis took a deep breath as if that would add courage to him. "As you've heard, I don't have a long life to live. When I came to this land, Lady Tilly told me I was dying. If I was late for a week, I would've died already. I am not Hell who stole too many lives from people during his frenzy days to offer to his wife.

Vampires are almost immortal, but we also follow a strict rule in our blood and way of living. Blood for blood. Life for life. Giving almost my time to Silvia is something I don't ever regret. My only regret is... not being able to live a longer life without Lady Tilly's help. She is the person keeping me alive for the past three years. I'm not sure when I will be fine or if the damages in my life core can be healed."

Rufus listened to him in silence. This was not the first time they both talked privately, but this was the first they talked about something that wasn't related to politics. He didn't expect this from Yulis because Rufus' mind already assumed it would be him who would do the talking.

"So, please, take care of her." Yulis took another deep breath before facing Rufus. "If I have an option, I wouldn't speak about all this. But I know you love her until this second, and I cannot trust anyone else but you. She's yours, to begin with. So..."

"Yulis, have your senses grown dull after facing death?" Rufus quirked a brow as he glanced at Yulis. "I am quite disappointed. I expected more from you."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, but I'm quite desperate." Yulis laughed bitterly, peeling his eyes away from Rufus to the dark forest. "You know her. She is stubborn."

"Indeed. Silvia is stubborn, especially to things or people she was emotionally attached to. But because I know her all too well, I also know she is not someone you shouldn't protect from heartache, Yulis. She is not that fragile. Ignoring and avoiding her will not help you or Silvia or this situation between the two of you." His eyes softened as a subtle smile dominated his face. "I won't deny my feelings to her; she is my first love. But I am not her last."

This time, Rufus turned his head to his right, where Yulis stood. "Yulis, you and I loved the same woman. But unlike me, who failed her over and over, resulting in a tragic end. You can still correct your actions. Silvia loved me even after hundreds of years. She's like that. Faithful. She is persistent, so she doesn't give up easily.. Even if she gets hurt and makes a ridiculous decision for this so-called love, she would."