The Duke's Passion

Chapter 661 Why?

"You're my husband?!"

Stefan took a deep breath and released it through his mouth. "Shut up first, alright? And so what if I am? Any problems with that?"

"No, I mean..." Lilou scratched the backside of her head as she smiled awkwardly. "I thought you're my father incarnate."

"What?"

"Hehe. You nag like him is what I mean."

His expression died while watching her scratch her cheek, smiling awkwardly as if she already concluded and believed it all on her own. Another sigh slipped past his lips before its corners curled up, shaking his head in disbelief. The heaviness in his heart and pressure on his shoulder felt lighter with her silliness.

"Really," he muttered whilst scratching his temple with his forefinger. "What did I expect?" — with Lilou in her current state, she wouldn't change in a snap of a finger.

Wasn't that the only consolation he had by doing good deeds? He could get to spend days like this, thinking nothing major, despite the brewing danger in the shadows. At the very least, he was collecting memories — good ones with no bitterness along.

"But what did you mean by I will become an empress? I mean, that weirdo calls you Your Majesty, and you said you work in the palace. I thought you were some sort of knight in a mission or you were on the run, so you don't go out that much." Stefan raised his gaze while Lilou mumbled things while rubbing her chin. "I will become an empress... say what? Me? A peasant? What sort of luck did land on my lap to gain such a thing?"

"It's not luck, Lulu." He cleared his throat as he recollected his thoughts, knowing how easily both of them get sidetracked. "Your blood is special. Inside your body is a core that will make you a vampire."

"Huh?" she gasped.

"If you think you're human now, you're not... completely. You survived and aged like humans, but one day, you will become a vampire once the core devoured all your human blood and change it into what it should be. It's a result of a forbidden ritual done by your clan," Stefan explained in one breath, pausing only to see her staring at him with blank eyes. "Are you following me?"

"Do you think I am?" came out a quick sarcastic response. "Lexx, what the hell is a core and I'm not a human? Also not a vampire completely? It doesn't make sense. What am I? A ghost?"

Stefan pinched the space between his brows, questioning himself if he was doing a great job of explaining or if it was Lilou who was the problem.

"What I'm saying is, the blood that is running in your veins is a special type of blood. Let's just say it is considered a luxury good," he explained in simple words, watching her lips form an o-shape while rocking her head. "How it becomes like that stems from your origins. You live and die like humans, passing the core to your children until a proper host who can contain the power of the core and its will. To clarify, the core can make you stand on the highest ladder of the blood hierarchy."

He paused once again, studying her demeanor just in case she wasn't following him. Fortunately, it seemed Lilou could get a good grasp of his explanation.

"Moving on, that is also the reason I went to see you. I already told you about the reversal of time. I regained my memories of the previous timeline and I'm certain there were people, terrible ones, who will come for you," he continued, but this time, his tone was solemn as his eyes sharpened. "If I had bad intentions, I could simply lead you to do terrible things and take advantage of you for power."

"Why didn't you?" the space between his brows furrowed when Lilou suddenly raised a question. "Why didn't you make me do terrible things and take advantage of me, Lexx?"

Lilou tilted her head to the side, misplaced innocence flashing across her eyes. "I'm saying you're my only family now. So I don't mind even if you turn out to be a man who is on the run. I even considered you are one, that's why I never asked. I mean, at this point, I think everything you will do and tell me is right. I don't care if they are morally correct or just for fun, I will accept anything. So... why didn't you make me do terrible things?"

There was a moment of silence between them as Stefan stared at her, hearing her question in his head repeatedly.

Why didn't he make her do terrible things? He could simply say because he had already done it in the previous lifetime. That he used Lilou and took advantage of the fact that all she wanted was not to leave her all alone once again.

But... that was also the main reason Stefan strayed from the original course of the event. That was also the reason he didn't want to use Lilou, despite knowing she would be fine with everything.

He wanted to love her correctly and be loved by her the same. It didn't matter if it was platonic. He simply wanted some time with her — a peaceful time with her where there were just the two of them — away from bloodshed. Even if it was just a day or just an hour.

Just as his lips parted, Lilou spoke once again. "Is it because I will become a monster who eats children alive?"

"Pardon?"

"A monster! Like someone who can split her body in half or who can morph into a dog! And you want to make me a good person so I don't become like that!"

Stefan blinked twice. At this point, he gave up. Lilou's brain worked in wonder. It was almost amazing how she could jump to conclusions so easily.

"No, Lulu." Stefan pinched the space between his brows, reserving his energy for other important stuff. But the next second, Lilou raised another question.

"Wait. So, how did I become an empress? If you're the king now and you will not become my husband, then... did I overthrow the throne?" Lilou blinked, watching him raise his eyes at her. "I didn't... right?"

Stefan simply remained silent while staring at her. His silence was enough for her to understand that one way or another, that was what happened.

"So, we... were enemies?" came out a muffled voice as her eyes softened with bitterness.

"No." Stefan breathed out and smacked his lips before he forced his next words out. "You... married my brother."

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