The Duke's Passion

808  Silvia

Love… was something Silvia always had to think over a hundred times. Her first love came to ruin with how it ended with Rufus and her. She loved Rufus and even after years — decades, Silvia always hoped to mend their broken heart by giving each other a chance.

Obviously, that didn't happen. Even when she met Rufus again after many years, Rufus was stubborn. He wanted nothing to do with her, or even if he had to work with her, he made sure to keep a clear line between them. That was how she ended up with Yulis.

It might appear that Silvia was simply using Yulis to forget about Rufus. No, it wasn't. What she felt for Yulis was something unexpected, and a feeling she suppressed, afraid she would ruin her familial relationship with her 'brother.'

She struggled to keep her budding feelings for him until it just happened. There were no plans or anything of the sort. Silvia and Yulis just became lovers, and they were happy. It might not be as smooth sailing at first, but they got married and supported each other. No doubt they were happy, looking forward to spending the rest of their endless life with each other. His love was like no other. Yulis was different; he made Silvia love herself more, knowing he was just right behind her, supporting her every step of the way. It was the same for her to him. Whatever decision Yulis would make, Silvia would be there cheering for him. But how come this love she was so proud of and the relationship she cherished the most had such a dark and tragic turn?

With the unsolicited help from Cassara, Silvia was able to see how happy she was with Yulis for the first two years of their marriage. The two of them barely have disagreements, and even if they had, they would talk it out and settle it. Despite that Silvia stayed in the La Lona March while Yulis in Grimsbanne, he would go to her no matter how far it was to be with her. Or Silvia would go to the Grimsbanne whenever she missed him.

Their distance wasn't a huge problem, giving their people priorities but at the same time, not making that an excuse not to do their marital duties. When the third year of their marriage rolled in, something happened that both of them didn't expect. Their relationship was just as good as the past year until Silvia met with someone. That was when everything about Silvia went south.

"Thank you for granting my request to visit you, marchioness." Silvia stared at the person sitting across from her inside the sitting room of the Marchioness. "I was afraid because the empire will be welcoming an empress soon, and you will be busy with the changes and arrangements."

"There is no need for formality, Beatrice." Silvia kept a stern countenance. "You know that I am currently preoccupied with assisting His Majesty and His Highness Heliot with this union. But alas, I have to make time since you said in your letters the Empire and the Karo Kingdom are in great danger."

"Let's not beat around the bush and get to the point." She continued without a moment's pause. "What is the mainland wants from us, Princess?"

The corner of Beatrice's lips curled up into a smirk. "They want everyone's demise."

"Hah…"

"Silvia, you do understand that the founders of the Heart's Kingdom were heirs and heiresses of their clans. They had responsibilities in the past from the land they came from, but alas, they chose to leave that land and become traitors," Beatrice continued. "Leaving the mainland was never a huge deal. However, with multiple heirs leaving at once, unnecessary problems rose."

"Being an heir of a powerhouse clan means these people were capable. I think that's not a surprise, considering most of them built their kingdom from scratch after parting ways," she added in the same solemn tone. "My point here is, since the people in the mainland — mainly, those who replaced those heirs were threatened."

"Are you saying because they were threatened that their relatives were out here, minding their own affairs, they want to end all of us?"

"Not really." Beatrice chuckled, shaking her head mildly. "All I'm saying is since Quentin had been in contact with them, you have to be careful."

"Quentin is dead. What else can a dead person do?"

"Do not underestimate Quentin, Silvia. He might've died, but don't be complacent. He is not someone who will go down that easily. It wouldn't be surprising if he comes back from the dead," humored Beatrice, smirking. "I am simply warning you since the Cross Kingdom and the Heart's Empire were now allies. I still get intel from the mainland, so I'm keeping an eye on the people who helped me."

Silvia narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Princess, I am baffled."

"Hmm?"

"If this matter is so important and you are truly concerned about the empire, why did you come to me?" asked Silvia bluntly. "You've spent a good amount of time with His Majesty. Therefore, I don't think he will disregard your requests, especially if it was as important as this."

"Well…" Beatrice smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I believed he is busy."

"Don't lie to me, Beatrice. You asked for my time. Don't make me regret sparing you a moment of my time just to listen to your half-truths."

Beatrice laughed dryly. "Well, you can say I was hopeful to see Yulis."

"Princess, are you still hopeful of seducing my husband?" Silvia's expression turned icy the moment Yulis's name rolled out of Beatrice's vile mouth. "Leave Yulis alone. I think he had already made it clear enough for you to understand there's no way there's a chance for the both of you." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"You speak so cruelly, marchioness," Beatrice humored. "Admiring your husband is a form of flattery. You should be proud that a beauty like me admires Yulis."

"If that is all, you may now leave." Silvia didn't beat around the bush. "I will investigate this matter."

"Very well." Beatrice pushed herself up, straightening her back. "Take care, Marchioness. I mean it. Don't get bitten by anything. They sting."

Silvia just assessed Beatrice's short smile before the latter turned around to leave. She didn't think anything else about this exchange at first, a little distracted by Beatrice's delusion about Yulis. Little did Silvia know, letting this meeting happen with Beatrice was akin to opening a door for a nightmare to enter easily.