The Duke's Passion

Chapter 781 No one wants to stare at Truth because it was naked

"Claude!"

Klaus and Silvia immediately rushed to the sitting room next to where they were the moment they smelled Claude's blood. Their dilated eyes searched the room and instantly caught Claude and Cassara inside. Klaus's eyes fell on Claude's hand, catching red fluid on the latter's small palm. Cassara was holding up Claude's wrist while the other held a small knife.

"You!" Fire shone in Klaus's eyes as she stormed inside. "What do you think you're doing to him?"

"Klaus!" Silvia jumped in the middle before her brother could even reach Cassara. She planted her hand on his chest, shaking her head mildly. "Calm down, Klaus."

"Calm down?" Klaus scoffed, keeping his unblinking eyes between his nephew and his sister. "It's clear she planned to hurt him. I'm not going to let it slide."

"I didn't!" Cassara aggressively let the little Claude go, huffing just as angrily. "If I wanted to harm him, this knife would've gone through his throat and not his little palm."

"You –!"

"Klaus!" Silvia perked up when Klaus took a step. "Please, Klaus. I know you care a lot for Claude, but Cassara is still one of the king's concubines."

Klaus ground his teeth, glaring at Cassara, before gazing down at Silvia. The moment his eyes met with Silvia, she shook her head, her lips drawn into a thin slash. "Claude, come here," he huffed, waving a hand. Claude looked back at Cassara before he hurriedly went to Klaus's side, hiding behind his uncle. "What a vile child," Cassara spat out, seeing Claude peek his head out behind Klaus. "Is this really what you want, you cursed child?"

"Cassara!" Klaus's voice thundered, barely holding himself back, knowing he couldn't get his emotions to get the better of him. Silvia had a point. Cassara was still the king's concubine, and one way or another, she still holds power no matter how little it may be. If she used that little power she had, it would definitely become a troublesome situation for Klaus. And dealing with anything bothersome that could divert Klaus from his mission was not worth everyone's lives.

"What?" Cassara scoffed as she raised her shaking eyes at Klaus. "Isn't that true, Klaus? This child… is the product of Lucia's greed and selfishness. He is the proof of his mother's vile nature, and I am not surprised why this child is so rotten at such a young age. After all, because he exists, Rottie has to die —"

SLAP!

Cassara's breath hitched as her face was tossed to the side. Her cheek instantly swelled from that resounding slap she received from Silvia. "A person's sin isn't their child to carry, Cassara. Neither of their deaths had got to do with this child as well. They… were executed by Stefan, whom this child was forced to call Father. Do not forget this undeniable fact." Silvia's voice was firm, staring at Cassara as the latter looked back at her with her hand on her cheek. "Did you come here with an intention of harming an innocent child?"

"Why, Cassara?" she continued incredulously. "I am aware of your fondness for Hell and Dyrroth, and your jealousy of the amount of attention Lucia was getting from everyone. However, Dyrroth was dead, and Hell? He wouldn't even bat an eye on you. If you're going to be angry, be angry at Dyrroth for dying and to Hell. Do not unload your frustrations on this child."

Cassara laughed dryly, peeling her hand from her slightly swollen cheek. Her mouth opened and closed, but she couldn't find her voice for a moment. All she could do was dart her eyes between Silvia and Klaus, who were looking back at her angrily. "I came here…" her voice was shaking from anger and indignation. "... to play with him. But why do I need to explain myself, right? No one ever believes me."

Cassara stumbled a step back. "It's a waste of time to even continue this when you are these pathetic hypocrites. This cursed blood that is running in my veins and in yours, Silvia, Klaus… and this family… I loathed it to the very deep of my bones."

"How I wish I was not born as a La Crox and had never met such a crude family." She shook her head. "You fear the day I turn mad because of my ability, but unlike you all, I am far more sane. All I've done and everything I had said, I was being true to myself. I was bad when I want to be bad no matter how shallow the reason was, and I was good when I meant to be good. I don't lie, I don't pretend, and that is how I am; I'm not a hypocrite."

"I hate everyone and their inability to accept the truth. You only listen to the things you want to hear, and turn a blind eye even when the naked truth was standing before you," she continued sarcastically, tossing the knife away, which landed with a clang. "Your unwillingness will be your own downfall, and I'll make sure to be there and watch it with joy."

Cassara let out a dry laugh, darting her eyes between Silvia and Klaus. Her eyes fell on Claude, making the little prince hide slightly behind his uncle.

"If I were you, never step foot in the Avolire Palace again or show up in front of me. I hold grudges and will never forget what you've done today," she threatened before she walked away without looking back at the three. Meanwhile, Klaus and Silvia remained silent for a moment. When they raised their heads, they looked back at the open door, but Cassara already left. "That girl…" Klaus snapped his tongue in irritation. "... won't she ever mature?"

"Klaus, I think you should tend to Claude's wound first." Silvia glanced down at Claude before lifting her gaze back to her brother. "Don't let him near the Avolire Palace or the inner palace for now. Cassara had to cool down first."

"Tch." Klaus shook his head as he bent down on one knee, taking out a handkerchief, which he wrapped around Claude's hand. After tying a small knot, he raised his eyes to Claude. "Everything she said or calls you… remember that's not you." He raised a hand and ruffled Claude's head. "You're good. I won't bring you here next time."

Claude pursed his lips and nodded as a response, making Klaus smile subtly. When Klaus slowly rose to his feet, Claude glanced up at Silvia, only to see the latter observing him quietly. "You're right, Silvia. It's wrong to bring my nephew in this place when clearly, the people in here only wish to hurt him," Klaus remarked with a tinge of sarcasm. "We had a pleasant conversation, but I have to excuse myself first."

Silvia nodded. "Take care on your way."

With that being said, Klaus bent down to carry Claude in his arms. He cast Silvia another look before he marched away. Meanwhile, Silvia kept her eyes on Claude, watching the little boy look back at her over Klaus' shoulder.

Unlike how Claude looked so innocent and harmless in front of Klaus, his eyes sharpened the longer he held Silvia's eyes. Seeing this transition, Silvia furrowed her brows and narrowed her eyes. "Did Cassara…" she whispered as soon as Klaus was out of her sight. "... really hurt him?"

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