The Duke's Passion

789  Intro

Everyone wore a beautiful smile on their faces as they watched the emperor of Spade and the most dazzling woman in the banquet dance in the slow melody. Their hands intertwined to the side, her hand on the back of his shoulder. His hand was on the curve of her back.

One step back, and a step forward, their feet moving in sync. Each movement was calculated, and their sharp eyes didn't hide their contempt. Yet, the side of their lips was curled up into a lopsided smirk. "How did you like the wine?" Zero's voice was warm and inviting. "Good?"

"Will I get hanged if I speak lies?" Lilou let out a brief chuckle. "I am not as crazy as you think I was, my dearest bride." He humored back, chuckling with his lips closed. "Not as crazy as you. Surely, not par for your unique taste in men."

Lilou giggled. "I don't think so, Your Majesty."

"Interesting. How so?"

"I attract the crazy men," she dawdled, spinning elegantly before taking her original stance. "Most."

"Hah…"

"And it just so happened the ones who can only be crazy in this world were powerful men."

"Shock, horror, Lala." Zero pulled her body closer until there was only a tiny gap between us. "Blame it in your blood. The blood that is created out of greed for power."

"But many understand that greed, hence, that greed attracts." Lilou's eyelashes fluttered ever so flirtatiously while the luster in her eyes was enough to enchant someone at first glance. "It is so simple and yet, so complicated."

"Attraction first…" Zero's movements slowed down as his eyes fell down on her body, then slowly raised his eyes up. "Then, obsession. I still wonder what sort of obsession I need to seek."

He pulled her body until it was against him. "Tell me, my dearest. Where is he?"

"You are asking the wrong question and at the wrong person, dearest Zero." Lilou lifted her chin up and smirked, unbothered by the closeness of their bodies. "You should ask me, when will he come to get your head? I might give you the exact time and date if you ask nicely."

"How bold."

"Bold had always been my nature," she said. "I'm surprised that seemed to be a shock to you."

"You never fail to amuse me, Lilou Bloodfang." The side of his lips hooked up wickedly. "I'm simply asking for his whereabouts to send him my first and last warning."

"How kind of you." Another sultry laugh slipped past her lips. "I can imagine him complaining if he heard about this."

"That man… had always been the loud type. His loud mouth never failed to amuse me, seriously."

"I've been with him for years and I can assure you, you will never get used to it. Even after that long time, I never predicted what sort of things would come out of that damn mouth of his." "No wonder he was born a vampire. A decade isn't enough."

"A hundred more thousand isn't enough to accurately keep track of his train of thoughts." Her eyes squinted, leaning forward to whisper in his ears. "But one thing I can tell you is he is not playing anymore, my dearest Zero."

Lilou slowly leaned back and smirked. "I don't think you ever saw him become serious. His wife never had, but thanks to you, I had met another side of him: Pride."

The orchestra slowly faded, standing a step apart from each other whilst holding each other's gazes. Lilou looked stunning with that devilish smirk, while Zero's beauty didn't pale in comparison. He looked good, more gorgeous and dashing than any of their guests.

Zero carefully arched his brow as footsteps grew distinct while the music faded. The soft applause from the crowd when they finish also subsided. The guests slowly turned their heads to follow the sound of light footsteps. Ironically, even when the footsteps were intended to be light, they sounded heavier in everyone's ears. Lilou's brows elevated, making Zero's brows raise as well. He slowly turned to the terrace where his seat was, and from his current vantage point, Zero caught a pair of deep crimson gazing down at him. "Oh, Samael." Zero laughed candidly, cocking his head back at the smiling Lilou. "A thousand years surely isn't enough to accurately guess what is going inside his mind."

Lilou shrugged at Zero's amused remarks. "I was thinking you would barge in, kicking the door wide open, and letting my men's blood pervade the air." Zero mused at the man now sitting on his throne leisurely. "Perhaps, drag a person to make a more impactful entrance. I didn't consider you'd sneak inside my place like a mouse."

He then threw his hands with a playful grin. "My bad. It seemed I have to overestimate you and saw you as a cat, not a mouse."

Samael blinked ever so tenderly, watching Zero welcome him much livelier than what would people normally expect. However, this was not a surprise for either Lilou or Samael. If they were crazy, this guy was just as crazy. The danger wasn't enough to break him, nor the loss of many people whom he considered numbers to count.

"This sit of yours… isn't as comfortable as it appeared." Samael chuckled with his closed lips, stroking the armrest mildly. "Though it smells, Quentin."

"It smells?" Zero snickered with an arched brow. "It smells like…" Samael sniffed hard, taking a pause before pushing himself up. "... bullshit." nove(l)bi(n.)com

"Dear me, Quentin." Samael sauntered towards the railing, propping his arms against it, eyes down. "I would've pointed out what's wrong with your lack of a sense of style if not for the fact you actually had your eyes on the most beautiful woman in this place."

His eyes slowly shifted to Lilou, who was standing behind Zero and smirked playfully. "I can't blame you. She makes me hard just at one glance."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Lilou curtsied while Zero rocked his head, not a bit offended by this duo.

"Anyway, since the main event is here. Why don't we start the veritable banquet?" Samael raised a hand and snapped his finger. As soon as he did, the orchestra that stopped playing suddenly started playing as if puppets on strings were unable to control their movements. Zero arched his brow as he glanced at the band playing. When he caught the surprise of the musicians, his smile faded as he gazed back at Samael. "Now this is music, Quentin." Samael kissed his fingertips briefly. "Perfect."