The Duke's Passion

805  If you lie, make sure you perfect it

Meanwhile, back in the Heart's Kingdom…

Silvia wrapped her body with the silk coverup standing on the balcony of her room. Her eyes were fixed on a particular direction since sunset. "You called for me?" she snapped her eyes ever so slowly upon hearing Klaus' voice behind her, glancing over her shoulder. "What do you need me for?"

Silvia swallowed a mouthful, turning on her heel to face her brother. "What did you talk with Yul that day, Klaus?"

"Huh?"

"Yulis left the royal palace for inspection. It's been two months since — it's just an inspection,  Klaus. Stefan already gathered his soldiers and ships to war and my husband hadn't returned." Silvia drew a deep breath, stopping herself from going hysterical because of the growing worry in her heart. "Where did Yulis go?"

Klaus kept quiet for a moment before he shrug nonchalantly. "I don't know, Silvia."

"Klaus!" Silvia stomped her feet toward him, grabbing the lapel of his suit tightly. "Don't lie to me. The inspection is just a cover, isn't it?"

Seeing that Klaus was keeping a tight lip, her jaw tightened. "He remembers everything, did he?" she breathed out, keeping her shaking eyes on him. "Yulis has his memory, isn't it?"

"I confronted him and tried, Silvia. What I can tell you is that he doesn't."

This time, Silvia let out a dry laugh. She released him ever so slowly, shaking her head while taking a step back. "You should really learn how to lie, Klaus," she remarked in dismay. "I don't know why you are trying to hide the truth, nor do I understand the reason Yulis chose to feign ignorance. Honestly, I don't know a lot of things ever since the regression. I had no idea why Stefan and Hell are working together now, and what else was there?"

"Was it because you can't trust me enough? Or did this have something about not being capable enough?" she continued, hurt that she was being kept in the dark. To be fair, Silvia cared little about the reason Stefan set sail with several warships, which he hadn't done before. If Samael and Stefan found the same equilibrium and chose to be allies in this lifetime, Silvia was glad. That was better than her brothers trying to kill each other. But this? Yulis? And Klaus? Silvia had no idea why they were denying it. She wouldn't have such a conclusion if Yulis returned, but the people Silvia sent to check Yulis' entourage told her Yulis used a proxy. The person doing the inspection wasn't her husband, but someone else. Furthermore, Yulis was never with them. Why did Yulis lie to Silvia? If Yulis had other plans or orders, he would've hinted at Silvia. But no. Yulis didn't leave a clue and just made her believe it was just an inspection; he would come back. Klaus's answer confirmed her suspicion. Although Klaus didn't show the slightest hesitation, that fact alone was enough to confirm her assumption. Klaus answered so fast as if he simply wanted to stop her from prying. Normally, he would show even a slight concern, but he didn't, which meant he already knew Yulis didn't do the inspection. "Silvia." Klaus's expression turned solemn. "The kingdom is now at war. The king, the Duke of Grimsbanne, and the Divine Bearers were probably engaging in a battle as we speak. Since the king isn't here, the least we can do is make sure everything in this place is in order."

"Is that the reason you chose to stay behind, Klaus?" she returned immediately. "Or do you have another reason?"

Silvia assessed the solemn countenance plastered on Klaus. "I guess it's the latter. I figured it was strange that everyone was preparing to set sail and participate in the war while you are here. You, Klaus, of all people, will not miss slaying people like a maniac to unleash your murderous intent. It was strange that you didn't even throw a huge fit for not participating."

"What is it, Klaus?" she asked without giving him a second to think for an answer. "What is so important that you willingly stayed behind with us?"

"As I've said." Klaus cleared his throat, maintaining his composure despite the series of questions from her. "The kingdom is at war and since the king led the royal knights and the Divine Order, someone needs to stay behind. Cassara is, overall, useless in the royal court, and someone needs to assist you. You can't do everything alone, Silvia. Therefore, I chose to stay behind with a heavy heart."

"This world might've returned ten years in the past, but I am not the same Klaus anymore, Silvia. Don't forget what we've been through before this point." Klaus raised his chin, sticking to his story to protect her from the truth. It might hurt her since she knew he was lying, but that was better than letting her know what those hands of hers had done. "Do not forget, I was the Duchess of Grimsbanne's personal knight before becoming the chief knight of the Earl of Monarey. During my time, the knights from the north were the most vicious and capable. Those knights trained under me became the Earl's strongest card in his sleeve, and also the reason Claude had the strongest military in the kingdom," he added proudly, spewing nothing but facts to back up his lies. "I do not throw a huge fit just because I couldn't wield my sword and kill the people I never met. I admit I was once foolish, but even the most foolish man had to get himself together to not burden those people who didn't give up on him." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Stefan, Hell, Lilou, and everyone was already risking their lives. The least I can do is to make sure once everything is over, they have a place to go home to and rest." Klaus huffed as a thin layer of frost coated his eyes. "If that sate your curiosity, I'll be on my way. Look for me once you had calmed down and your judgment had cleared up."

Klaus lowered his head, and without wasting a second, he turned on his heel and walked away. Silvia could only watch his back in silence, biting her inner lower lip. 'If you learned how to lie, you should practice it more to perfect it.' Silvia let out a scoff. 'That level isn't enough to fool me, Klaus.'

Little did Silvia and Klaus know the person who could give Silvia the truth she so desired was listening in her room, concocting her evil plans to sprinkle chaos in this place.