The Duke's Passion

768 We're in a race

A lot of people may have known or heard stories about Fabian. He was no king nor does he own a title, but everyone, especially those people in the upper echelon or men in power, knew him as the Duke of Grimsbanne's downright demonic butler.

He was not as nonchalant and prideful as Samael was, or as righteous and honorable as Rufus. What made Fabian terrifying was that his emotions… never get in his way. Even when it was no secret that Fabian 'worshiped' Samael, this butler would go against the duke if he must.

So… what made this person, who was possessing Florence, that Fabian would stop his blade just because she intrigued him?

What a ridiculous assumption. THUD!

Fabian held his dark spear to the side with its hilt stretched diagonally behind him. He snapped his eyes ever so slowly, catching a severed arm a meter before him. When he raised his gaze, Florence was standing a meter from the severed arm across from him. "Haha…!" Florence laughed condescendingly, holding her arm to stop its bleeding. "What a monster, indeed. I thought scratching this body is the worst you'd do, but severing her arm… I wonder what she would think if I leave her body? She will probably writhe in pain after getting cut by Maleficent."

Unlike the usual enthusiastic grin that would appear after cutting someone's flesh, Fabian didn't show the slightest amusement or resentment. He looked bored.

"I feel terrible for cutting my sister-in-law's arm," confessed Fabian, albeit his expression said otherwise. "But I feel even more awful that you cannot feel the pain."

Florence chortled. "What a devious man."

"I should've cut her feet instead," Fabian whispered, glancing at her feet momentarily. "Or I should just end her."

"So to end her sufferings quickly?" she let go of her severed arm, only to spread them open. "Cut me up then. Her body is useless… very unlike that of Heliot Von Stein. He put up quite a fight."

"May his soul rest." Fabian nodded, not surprised by her remarks as he had already read the letter Florence had received just an hour ago. "I had thought of His Highness Heliot with the highest regard. It was silly he died because he believes everyone sticks to their words just like him."

Florence grinned, nodding in agreement. "He is foolish."

"I do not think he regrets it." Fabian breathed out faintly. "Prince Heliot died being true to himself. I do not know what sort of deal he made that is worth his life."

"Worth his life…?" Florence laughed, covering her face with her dirty palm. She laughed and laughed until she was hunching in as if she was reminded of a funny joke. Her lips curled into a smirk. "What can make you willingly stake your life?" "I do not know." Fabian shrugged. "I am surrounded by capable people. Hence, my mind is blank."

"How arrogant."

"I am not arrogant. I'm simply stating facts." His eyes glinted, studying Florence across from him. He knew she was stalling, but Fabian was stalling her as well. "But if it is necessary, my master would be very upset if he hears it, but I'd bargain my life in exchange for my master's safety."

Fabian cocked his head to the side. "But I'd only do that to repay his kindness all this time. I didn't hear Prince Heliot had someone important to him more than Karo." He smacked his lips and thought about his remarks even more.

It was, indeed, strange for Heliot to willingly sacrifice his life. Even if it was for his beloved Karo — especially for his beloved Karo. Heliot wouldn't sacrifice his life, but instead, fight his enemies head-on if Karo was ever under siege.

The land of Karo might be a small country, but it was full of strong and persistent soldiers. They wouldn't fall that easily in a war. Hence, that didn't make sense to Fabian. "Hehe…" Florence chuckled, seeing that Fabian was left with even more questions. "Should I give you a hint?"

Fabian snapped his eyes up at him and smiled. "The madam?"

"Hah!" Florence gasped in admiration, assuming Fabian wouldn't be able to guess it but he did. "The Madam and Prince Heliot had a deal back then that associated some people in the mainland." Fabian rocked his head as he racked the archive in his head. "It was strange how Prince Heliot easily agreed with the Madam's request to end their deal without any repercussion. The Madam thought it was because of the friendship they had built during that period, but it seemed there was more into it."

A slight smile appeared on Fabian's face. "She'd be heartbroken to hear this news."

"Oh, Fabian. Do not worry." Florence shook her head and said she didn't plan to hurt Lilou that way. "I'd just kill her right away — just like how she always wanted. I wouldn't say a word to her."

"You sound like someone who knows her very well."

"Of course!" Florence intoned. "Who doesn't know the last pureblooded Bloodfang? Everyone knows her because everyone wants her and that blood running in her veins. Even those from the mainland want a child with her!"

A glint flickered across Fabian's eyes, causing Florence's smile to stretch even wider.

"Haha! That offended you, isn't it?" her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Of course, they were your master. Even I was insulted when I came across this information. That is why… I had decided to kill her so she wouldn't have to go through that pain of being a mother of many children from different men."

"That… sounds a bit of a stretch. Won't that put you in trouble?" Fabian pointed out. His suspicions that whoever was possessing Florence knew them very well soared the more she talked.

Florence smirked. "I… don't work for anyone. You might think I'm acting with a group, but since I liked you, I'll tell you the truth. Your other enemies and me… we're in a race. I won't let them get what they want."

"What is it that they want?"

"To squeeze out every power those on their list have."

"And yours?"

"I just told you." She arched a brow and smirked. "To not give what they want… even if it means killing their targets before they could touch the tip of their hairs. Heliot and Rufus were now crossed out, probably that woman in the north, too. Do you know who is next?"

Florence waited for several seconds before she chuckled. "Those children… left on the mainland."

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