The Duke's Passion

Chapter 286 - The Start Of The Long Winter

"Your Grace, Lena had returned, but I told her to rest for today," Mildred informed me as she stood behind me.

I looked outside the window, placing my hand on the glass. "Winter seems it will start earlier than expected, Mildred."

"It happens, Your Grace."

"I hate winters," I whispered, as winters often turn my life upside down. I didn't want to anticipate another disaster, but I couldn't help it.

"The cold is not everyone's favorite."

After Mildred voiced out her thoughts, silence enveloped the two of us. Sam was just here this morning, but my heart felt restless. Although it was peaceful… it was unnaturally peaceful.

"A lull before the storm…" I whispered as my eyes narrowed, taking a deep breath as I closed my eyes briefly. When I opened them, I stared at my reflection only to see the color of my eyes having a different color: one was red and the other was olive — the original color of my eyes.

"Mildred, will you die for me?" I asked, sensing her flinch at my question.

I glanced at her reflection in the window, seeing her bow her head. "Yes, Your Grace. I will die and live for you."

"Don't die on me," I muttered, knowing the sincerity of her words.

"As long as you do not wish for my death, I shall remain by your grace's side."

Again, silence came afterward. I didn't know why this sounded so heavy in my heart. Although I would never fully trust her, I had to do my own preparations as well. The restlessness in my heart was not to be taken lightly, and it would only be calmed if Sam and I successfully fled this place.

"Why am I hesitating now?" I whispered along with a faint scoff.

"Your Grace?"

A weak smile resurfaced on my lips as I blinked, and the color of my eyes returned to normal. "Nothing, Mildred. Can you send a word to Yul and tell him to come and find me?"

"Yes, Your Grace." Mildred bowed politely and immediately left to execute the order.

I didn't have any plans for today so I idled in my room, organizing my thoughts as I need some peace. Last night, I met with Lara and figured out a thing or two. She told me a hint that was passed down from generation to generation.

"If Father got it, that means he had told me even if it's vague," I muttered, recalling all my father's teaching. A smile resurfaced on my lips the more I thought about Father.

"I tried recalling whatever important details I missed, but all I can remember was our wonderful memories together." The times that I was just a clumsy, curious little girl.

Those times we would run around the shack, walking in the field, and his warm smiles, especially during tough seasons. His kindness shielded me from the ugly reality.

"I'm glad he figured out this scheme a little late." I breathed out with a weak smile, gazing down with my eyes softened. "This place doesn't deserve Father. He had already had a hard life… and I'm glad I got to deal with this instead of him."

This could be considered selfishness, or selflessness — depends on the angle. But that was what I felt. Part of me felt relieved that I was the one who had to bear this curse, and not my father or my children.

Silence enveloped me as I waited for Yul to arrive. I wanted to spend some time with Yul, just in case, things went on our way. While I waited patiently, a sudden memory flashed in my head. Maybe it was because I was unconsciously diving into the deepest part of my mind that I was reminded of this vague memory.

"What…" my brows furrowed as I squinted my eyes into slits.

My father had always believed in the Duke of Grimsbanne. There were multiple occasions we would stand on the spot where I buried him, and he would point out at the duke's mansion. I couldn't remember everything he had said, but what etched in my mind was what he would repeatedly tell me.

"Lilou, things will return to their rightful place in the future. Live as quietly as a mouse until the right one arrives."

"Ah… now that reminds me." I chuckled, recalling that time in Whistlebird where Sam said the same thing. Those words… were the last words of the Bloodfang to my husband. No wonder when I heard it from him, I felt this strange familiarity which I ignored and forgot.

"Live as quietly as a mouse until the rightful ruler arrives… I see." I repeated under my breath, rocking my head as I parsed the words of my father. "Things will return…"

Back then, Sam said so himself that the Bloodfang were fitted to be rulers. I didn't know why he would say such a thing when he knew this curse on me from the very beginning, but… my eyes narrowed as I rewind everything in my memory.

"If Father had this unquestionable faith in Sam, does that mean Sam's relationship with the Bloodfang wasn't as simple as what it looks like?" It reminded me of how Sam and I were too close, but still, move on our own. Despite that, I had complete trust in him.

"Which makes me wonder… do I trust him because I love him? Or it is because the blood that is running through my veins is silently telling me to trust and love him?" I shut my eyes closed and shook my head, erasing that damn thought that suddenly intruded into my mind. "That's the last thing you should question, Lilou."

Although I tried not to think about it, that thought remained at the back of my head. Questioning my heart right now of all times would be the last thing I need to do. What I need to do was to prepare myself for later.

"Later… that's right." A shallow breath slipped past my lips while gazing down.

Unbeknownst to me, this day would a very long one.