Bride To His Darkness-Chapter 268: Offering Assistance

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Lucy was brought to the majestic piano room where Herbert had informed her of Duncan’s awaiting presence. Upon entering, the door closed shut behind her, startling her to her wits. She was half-tempted to rain insults on whoever had slammed the door so harshly behind her back.

"They think they own the Palace or something?" Her lips twitched as she mumbled those words irritably. Adjusting the hem of her dress, she turned her attention to Duncan who had asked for her– to her greatest shock. Was he going to ask her about the new friend? Did he call for her to know of her progress? She hoped not, but then, there was no other reason why he would summon her out of all people.

"Your Majes–" raising her head up, her voice hooked in her throat when the piano seat before her bore absence to Duncan’s presence. Puzzled, she moved forward to where the piano was situated, her gaze darting within the vicinity, but there was no sign of him in the chamber.

"Maybe he stepped out?" Thought Lucy, and that was the only explanation she could think of. Deciding to wait for him, her gaze returned to the piano in front of her, whilst a hearty smile touched her lips. She always heard how much Duncan enjoyed playing the piano, it was his number one hubby, but no one has ever heard him play before, to her knowledge. She found it strange, but Duncan was too much of an isolated vampire to be understood.

As if pushed by something, she eagerly pressed a key on the piano, and the sound that came from it resounded through the entire space, reverberating her heart. Piqued by the melodious notes, she pressed another key, and the deep sound made her smile even more.

She pressed another, and another, and another.

"This is fun."

"For someone who calls it fun, you play horribly." Came the voice behind her.

Lucy’s body had frozen at the familiar voice, and when her body instinctively turned to see who had caught her, Duncan was already before her. The close proximity made her gasp involuntarily as she staggered back, and she found herself sitting on the piano’s seat. A slight blush of embarrassment creeped her cheeks at the beautiful sight of Duncan, and she immediately lowered her gaze.

"Your Majesty? I didn’t– I was told you summoned me and I was waiting, but I swear it was a push from the devil. I never intended to touch your Piano. It’s not broken!" She explained, waving her hands in front of her as a gesture. Regardless of whatever feelings she claimed to have for Duncan, she knew where she stood as a maid, but despite her explanation, Duncan just gazed at her, a brow arched, making her look dumb, but he didn’t seem to be offended.

"Do you know what I hate more aside from having someone touch my things? Bad taste in music." He remarked, his voice neutral, and then he took a domineering step forward, "Lucienne Devoir, how pleased I am to finally meet you in person. I’ve been... searching everywhere for you. Are you aware?"

"For me? I mean you... know my name?" Lucy blinked rapidly, pointing at herself. She was as confused as she was flustered, and the more he took closer steps to where she was sitting, the faster her heart drummed.

"How can I forget the name of the exiled princess of Caledonia? You lied to my face." He deadpanned, and Lucy’s eyes grew wider when he referred to her as...

"Me? Princess??" She nearly laughed, but was afraid it might anger him if she did so. "I’m just a humble servant serving two people. I have no idea–" her breath hitched when Duncan suddenly placed his right index and middle-finger on her forehead. Lucy’s brown eyes met his crimson ones, and he tilted his head slightly.

"Speak the truth, or I shall seek it myself by peeking into your past." It didn’t sound like a threat, but a warning, as if he wanted her to act wise and not play the dumb card with him. He hates dragging matters and he knew without a doubt that she was the one he was searching for. Since the day she read the Caledonia language, he had his suspicion, and this confirmed it.

"Hominum Una." He reminded her, "there’s no friend that taught you this, is there? You know the language because you are a citizen of Caledonia. Lie to me and I will discover the truth." There was a palpable tension surrounding the piano room, and Duncan’s crimson eyes became more intense.

Lucy’s pupils dilated, and her brown eyes moved to gaze at the finger resting harmlessly on her forehead. Can he really view her memory? But how did he know? Who revealed her name to him? Not even His Majesty Ivan is aware of her full name, so how did–"

"You’re hesitating, why did you lie to me?" Questioned Duncan as he retreated his fingers. He had every right to be angry, but he wasn’t that insensitive about it. He knew she had her reason, whatever it might be, and he had tried to picture things from her point of view. It was against the rules of his powers to view other memories without gaining permission from the owner, but he was ready to defy it if it’ll prove she was indeed lying to him.

"I... why were you searching for me?" Lucy asked instead, and that was the only thing that rang in her head. His voice when he said he had been searching for her, Lucy could feel her insides melt into puddles. It reminded her of her novels, when the prince charming finally finds the love of his life and utters these exact words to her, but she knew her life wasn’t a fairytale, and so she decided to stick with reality.

"What if I am the princess who isn’t a princess anymore? I am no longer of great significance. Why would you search for someone who doesn’t want to be found?" Asked Lucy, and there was no point hiding her identity anymore, he seems to know too much already.

"No longer of great significance?" Duncan’s eyebrows marred into a frown, "You are of great significance to me now, because you are the only one who can help me. Do you understand?" He folded his arms, "you’re quite talented in staying hidden. I had you in front of me yet I failed to see it. You don’t have Caledonia’s magic on you, I’ve heard stories."

"Are you going to judge me as well?" She secretly snorted and rose to her feet, refusing to be reminded of the past. She lowered her head in a bow and said, "please do not inform anyone about my heritage. I am more than content with my new life, and I don’t need the dirty secrets of my past to ruin that. I would really appreciate it. If His Majesty doesn’t need anything else, I will take my leave."

Walking past Duncan, mostly because she was too embarrassed that he knew of her terrible past, she hadn’t gone that far when she felt his firm grip on her wrist. Stupefied, she turned to look at him, and there was a glint of displeasure in his eyes, as if her phrase had plagued his mood.

"I didn’t search for you to have you walk away from me, and when did I say you could leave?" He queried, "you don’t expect me to help you if you don’t offer the same assistance. Do you?"

"What assistance can a maid possibly offer?" Lucy was starting to get tired of this conversation. She may have some sort of physical attraction towards Duncan, but she didn’t need anyone else rubbing salt to her wounds, most especially not from a man she fancied. His grip on her wrist was undeniably firm, and she could not pull away.

"I need you to heal me... of my illness." Duncan let her know, "I need you to give me your blood, Lucienne Devoir."

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