The Duke's Passion-Chapter 756 Questions that were answered and not

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Meanwhile, in the Royal Palace of Karo… 𝙛𝓻𝙚𝙚𝔀𝙚𝓫𝓷𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝒎

"You might not remember it, but you've been a great friend to me. Eli, I'm really glad to see you again. I might not know what you did, but I still remember every word you said in the last letter you sent me."

"This time, I will protect you."

Heliot was sitting behind the desk. His hands were linked in front of him, staring at the floor silently. After his last visit to that mansion, Heliot had withdrawn the order for their attack on the Spade Kingdom. Instead, he sent a secret order to the only people he could trust with his life to create a small squad to assist the Grimsbanne. However, whenever he was alone, just like right now, he couldn't help but recall Lilou's parting remarks to him. It bothered him. Her words were uttered with that intensity of sincerity and authenticity, paired with those determined olive eyes.

It left a gigantic question mark on his head.

Why?

Why would Lilou say she would protect him when he never needed one? Why would she smile at him and spew promises so easily? Right… they knew each other. Or rather, Lilou claimed they were friends before the regression. Still, what was their relationship? What sort of friendship did they have?

Honestly, Heliot knew all the answers to that. He wasn't dense not to put two and two together. During his last meeting with the Grimsbanne, they had said all the relevant things and Heliot simply needed to put the pieces together. But despite that, he couldn't understand because he doubted everything. Heliot knew himself more than anyone and friendship? There was no such thing that existed in his lexicon. Even if Lilou was a woman worthy of admiration, Heliot doubted they would become friends, especially since her taste was low for becoming Samael's wife. He would never be friends with the La Crox. 'I should… stop thinking about them,' he told himself — more like convincing himself. 'I did the end of the bargain. All they needed is skilled people to help them, and they will do the rest. Whatever relationship I had before the regression… I don't need to learn more.'

Heliot rocked his head, convincing himself of what was relevant. His brows rose when a faint knock caressed his ears, watching the door open from the outside. "Greetings, Your Highness." His trusted aide saluted with a bow, standing several steps from the prince's desk. "Your Highness, the princess had woken up and was looking for you."

Heliot furrowed his brows. "Was she alright?" he asked, not moving an inch from his seat. His aide kept his mouth in a thin slash. "Yes, Your Highness."

"You hesitated." Heliot pointed out.

In Karo, when a person with a higher status or authority asked someone lower than him a question, the answer needed was mostly yes or no. Some required explanation, especially in court trials. However, Heliot was the type who didn't want an explanation right off the bat unless he asked for it. He only needed a yes or no answer, and then decide on his own. "The princess was overall fine, Your Highness. The physician reassured us she simply fainted from shock, but she was alright," the aide explained monotonously. "However, ever since the princess had woken up, she was rather quiet. She only asked for you, and didn't speak after that."

"Is that so?" Heliot furrowed his brows, considering what could have happened to his sister, Florence. Since he didn't want to jump to a conclusion, Heliot planted his hands on the desk to push himself up. He gazed at his aide and ordered, "lead the way to the Princess."

"This way, Your Highness." freewebnov(e)l

Heliot followed his aide to the royal infirmary where Florence was being monitored. The servant knocked for the prince for courtesy before they opened it. Heliot remained silent as he stepped in, glancing over his shoulder. The servants immediately understood the prince's orders as they stayed outside.

As they closed the door behind Heliot, he marched inside. He stopped several steps from the bed, eyes landing on the young lady sitting upright on it. "Are you alright, sister?" he asked monotonously, taking the armchair beside the bed. When he raised his head, his brows knitted. Florence was still sitting upright, staring at the open window silently. She didn't give him a look or tried to greet him like she would use to. Florence was a model of good decorum and even if she was sick, she wouldn't show she was enduring any sickness or pain to maintain her and the royal family's image. So it was odd that she ignored Heliot. "Did that man… hurt you?" Heliot's voice pierced the silence once again but to no avail. He frowned, waiting for another minute for her answer. Florence kept quiet and didn't move a muscle. "Princess, if keeping your silence is your way to retaliate, then I hope that would make you feel better," said Heliot, pushing himself to stand. "I would be in my way. May you recover quickly."

With that being said, Heliot turned and sauntered off. He didn't want to waste time since for him, as long as she was safe and alive, that was all that mattered. He had already done his job as the 'acting' patriarch of the royal family. "Why?" Heliot stopped in his tracks when Florence spoke. "Why did you do that?"

His brows knitted, looking back at her. To his surprise, Florence, the princess who always had a smile on her face, was looking back at him coldly. "I'm afraid I am not following your statements, sister." Heliot faced Florence. "What did I do to deserve such malicious glare from you?"

Florence balled her hands into a tight fist, clutching the quilt that was over her lap. Her eyes sharpened, glinting with anger that words weren't enough to explain. "You always act cold, apathetic, and rational…" she breathed out heavily. "Why… did you send me to the Heart's Empire, brother? Why did you send me to another land while you… and everyone in Karo, died? I cannot understand."