The Duke's Passion

Chapter 778  The Heart's Kingdom

[ HEART's KINGDOM ]

"You're leaving again?" Silvia asked incredulously at Yulis. He was sitting across from her, joining her for an afternoon tea. Silvia was excited for today as she thought of spending a day with him again, only to hear the news of such depressing news. "I had to go on an inspection again," Yulis said with a reassuring smile. "As a La Crox, I have to do what I can to reassure His Majesty. Don't worry. It's just an inspection, and this wasn't the first time I'm going to do it on His Majesty's behalf."

Silvia bit her tongue to stop herself from saying nonsense. It was true that around this time, while Yulis was still pretending a part of the La Crox, he would habitually conduct an inspection to make sure the kingdom was in a good shape just as the report said. Sometimes, her other brothers would do it, especially in those territories near Grimsbanne. Klaus or Alistair or Dominique would go there, and their last stop would be Cunningham. Only Stefan would dare step foot in the duchy.

In other words, it was not a surprise that Yulis would go on an inspection as it was part of his duty. It was not like his destination was Grimsbanne. "When will you return this time?" she asked after a moment of contemplation. "Around the same time," he answered, picking up the teacup to his lips. "Around a month or two. Depends if there's nothing amiss."

Another sigh escaped Silvia's lips, looking at him with worry. After regaining her memories before the regression, Silvia had a lot of regrets. One of them was her set up with her husband, Yulis, as they used to live separately because he had a duchy to take care of and Silvia had a march to oversee. They could live together in the capital as it was the center. However, they figured out that they wanted to be hands on. After all, Yulis was working on a project that could possibly change the education curriculum, while Silvia wanted to maintain being the main producer of the agricultural economy. Both of them had become important individuals in ten years' time. Hence, for their people, they had to compromise. They had always trusted each other and respected each other, so they decided to spend months separately and then a few months together. All of that, however, had become Silvia's regret. If only she knew they would go back to square one, she would've made more memories with him. Perhaps, focused on starting a family since their setup had refrained them from successfully having a child. "Silvia." Silvia was caught distracted, as he called her. "Are you alright?"

"Uh, yes." She nodded, a bit distraught. "Why wouldn't I? It's not like this is the first time you'd be away. I was just a little saddened by the news since you've been a great company." Yulis sported a reassuring smile. "I will buy you gifts on my way."

"You do not have to." She chuckled, tucking her hair behind her. "Just return in one piece. I'd personally prepare you tea on your return."

Yulis chuckled. "That would be my honor, Your Royal Highness."

Silvia kept her smile on the surface and sentiments a secret. And just like for the past two months, the two of them enjoyed a cup of tea, talking about the most menial things. After that night two months ago, Yulis had been kind enough to be a little bit sensitive about what he would say to lessen what was burdening her.

Time quickly past without the two of them noticing, and before she knew it, the sun was about to set. "It was yet another well-spent afternoon," Yulis crooned with a gentle smile. "But despite that, I would need to excuse myself first with a heavy heart."

Silvia chuckled, hiding her reluctance with a playful smile. "I appreciate that you spare me a time of the day again, Yulis."

"Not at all," he said, shaking his head. "It was my honor to be in your company, and also, I enjoyed spending time with Your Highness."

"If that is true, why not spend the night with me?" she humored, catching him off guard. Silvia burst out in laughter, seeing his reaction. "I was jesting. I am His Majesty's first wife, and sleeping with his brother — our brother will only result in a scandal." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Yulis shook his head while chuckling. "You've been getting good at your jokes, Your Royal Highness. For a moment, I thought it was true."

'Because it was,' was what Silvia wanted to tell him, but stopped herself. The current Yulis was a lot more reserved and sensitive. Therefore, if she outright seduced him, she was afraid he would just keep his distance. Rejection was also what she was afraid of — even though intermarriage was not forbidden in the kingdom, some of them -- Yulis, for instance -- had a different perspective regarding that matter.

"Anyway, let me send you off," she proposed.

"There's no need, Your Royal Highness."

Silvia shook her head and flashed him a polite smile. "I insist, Your Highness. This is the least I can do since I don't think I will be able to send you off on your departure for your inspection."

Yulis opened his mouth, only to close them again. He assessed her eyes and discerned she had already decided. Hence, he smiled warmly and nodded. "How can I refuse my sister?" he remarked, leaving this pang in her heart that she barely survived without crying. With that being said, Silvia walked Yulis to the exit of the Avolire Palace. However, just as they were nearing the exit of the palace, both of them stopped to look at the person entering the premises.

"Klaus," Silvia called before her eyes fell on the young boy holding her brother's hand. "I didn't hear you are visiting the Avolire Palace with the crown prince tonight."

Klaus darted his eyes between Silvia and Yulis before he smirked. "He's your son. Even if his birth parents were not the king or his first wife, Lucia and Dyrroth are still your siblings," he remarked politely. "It won't hurt you if you had dinner with him, yes? Moreover, I need to have a word with Yulis. I came here after hearing that he had visited the Avolire Palace."

Silvia's jaw tightened, still wary of Klaus. To her understanding, Klaus was still on Stefan's side, but it was obvious he still held his initial grudge against them because of the death of Lucia and Dyrroth, Claude's biological parents and their elder siblings. "I would also request an audience with you, Your Royal Highness." Klaus's eyes glinted, staring at Silvia with complexity in his eyes. "It was regarding a matter of great importance."