The Duke's Passion

788  The most beautiful swan dancing in a black lake

It was no secret the people in the Spade Kingdom loved to indulge themselves in entertainment. It was so popular that it helped their country prosper by this wealth flowing within their walls. But, there was this one thing in particular that had the greatest honor for anyone in the country. That was to be invited into the palace and have an audience with the king. It wasn't like it was rare for the king to attend banquets, but the king had chosen every event he would participate in. It was a great choice on his part, making a point that he only graces useful people with his presence. Anyone the king favored — even if that person was from the very bottom of the nobility — would have a complete change of life. Gaining the king's respect was akin to gaining the entire country's respect. This was definitely one of the strongest points of this country: their unity. It was like the king's words were the people's bible. This was why when Lilou, who was known for her stage name, Lala, was invited to the royal banquet she instantly became the talk of the town. The image and reputation Lilou built for the past month as a performer put her in a good light.

Men had admired her gracefulness on the stage while women somehow looked up to her. A mere performer getting the respect of even the noblest of the noble was amazing on its own. After all, it was amazing to be loved by all since jealousy was mostly popular amongst the ladies in this land. Especially if one was getting a lot of attention from men. Lilou was the special one.

She made sure she would be. Carrying the blood of the Bloodfang, who had sacrificed their lives for her to live, Lilou had to charm everyone in this land. The reason she chose to perform. She wouldn't attain that if she chose to become a bookkeeper which was her first option, or a barmaid to eavesdrop on the conversations in the taverns.

The round of applause concomitantly rang along with the orchestra. At this point, Lilou had grown used to a such mix of soft harmony. Dancing in the middle of the greenhouse within the palace premises, Lilou flicked her fingers beautifully, not fazed by the attention from the crowd.

Unlike the usual banquet in the Heart's Kingdom, the banquet hosted by the king had a different and much more serene setting. Surrounded by beautiful flowers that only grow in the palace, tables and chairs were proportionately arranged on the side. There was not a single guest who was standing with everyone sitting on the chairs and tables prepared for them. As Lilou spun, she carefully assessed each table. The banquet wasn't packed, so it was easy to identify some guests here as they were the king's pillar of support to strengthen his regime.

In other words, they were people she would have to fight if things go south. When Lilou was nearing the end of her performance, she faced the large terrace where the king was watching. Unlike everyone else, even though he was in the same place, his distance from the rest was a symbol of where his authority and importance. He was very meticulous, and Lilou wasn't surprised by it. Another round of applause resonated in the serene greenhouse when Lilou took a stance, her hands in the air, fingers flicked, looking like a beautiful swan. The orchestra also faded while Lilou watched her deep breaths. "Amazing," a voice from the terrace disrupts the applause, making everyone turn their attention to the king, Quentin Moriarty, or what Lilou called Zero.

  Zero stood in front of the railings, holding a wineglass delicately. His lips were curled up into a dashing smile, donning an elegant pair of white suits with a red cape hanging on his one shoulder. He nodded when Lilou curtsied to pay respect to him. "I'll be honored," she remarked under her breath, watching him take two steps with his arms extending over her shoulder. Zero carefully pinched the drawstrings of her veil, watching how it fell from her nose to her red lips.

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"Stunning as ever," he mused, narrowing his eyes as she turned her head to drink, but maintained her eye contact with him. His lips fell open at her open seduction, then smirked. "I never thought I'd ever see you dance with how much you loathed banquets, dear."

"No wonder my subjects had been talking about the theater as of late," he continued with an amused tone, turning on his heel as he sauntered towards the short steps down. "The beautiful swan, Lala, is worth every gold and time." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Lilou stood straight, chin up, watching the man take the stairs and unhesitatingly approach her vantage point. When he stood at arm's length from her, his lips stretched even brother. "You have stunning eyes… like emerald found from the still lake," he praised seductively, studying her face that had a veil covering the lower half of her face. "That was the most stunning dance I had ever seen in my life — my heart has melted."

"It is my honor my dance was able to move Your Majesty's heart," replied Lilou modestly, keeping her eyes on him. From her peripheral vision, she could see everyone's eyes on the two of them, smiling, as if it didn't bother them that the woman before the king was a mere performer. "I want to offer you a toast." Zero raised his brows and glanced down at the wine in his hand. Mischief flickered across his eyes before raising them to her, offering the glass in his hand. "Would you accept my offer to drink?"

"I'm afraid I am not worthy enough to receive such honor."

"Are you refusing me?"

Lilou didn't show the slightest fear, keeping her eyes on him. "This humble one doesn't deserve such praise. However, how dare I refuse Your Majesty?" Her eyes squinted slightly, accepting the glass from his hand whilst grazing the back of his hand with her pinkie. "Should I take off the veil?"

There was a momentary pause after his question.

"I'll be honored," she remarked under her breath, watching him take two steps with his arms extending over her shoulder. Zero carefully pinched the drawstrings of her veil, watching how it fell from her nose to her red lips.

"Stunning as ever," he mused, narrowing his eyes as she turned her head to drink, but maintained her eye contact with him. His lips fell open at her open seduction, then smirked. "I never thought I'd ever see you dance with how much you loathed banquets, dear."

Zero then offered his hand. "Will you honor me to a dance, love?"

Lilou licked her lips as she swallowed down the wine that had a strong concentration of blood. His blood. "I would love to," Lilou smirked, clasping his hand ever so slowly.