The Duke's Passion

Chapter 679 I feel lost

Chapter 679 I feel lost

"Is everything alright?"

Lilou hastened her steps to keep up with Stefan's tracks. Apparently, their meeting with Heliot was short since he had to leave — duty called. So, the two of them had to return to the banquet hall, which slightly confused her because it seemed Stefan and Heliot had this nonverbal agreement.

"Yes." Stefan slowed down after noticing her hastened steps. "Everything is alright."

"You don't look convinced, though."

He snapped his eyes after he stared at her, setting his eyes ahead in the dimly lit hallway. "It's better to blend into a crowd. It's harder for people to find you."

"What?" her brows knitted. "Lexx, hold on."

Lilou held his arm and stopped in her tracks, causing him to pause as well. She faced him, raising her chin up.

"Don't leave me in the dark, Lexx," she urged airily. "I don't like surprises. What do you mean by that?"

When she received no answer from him, even after a full minute, she let out a deep exhale. But Lilou pressed his arm, tugging it lightly.

"Is there something I must know, Lexx?" she asked adamantly, hoping to have the slightest idea of this unknown restlessness in her heart. "Please, Lexx. Stop keeping me in the dark. You know I prefer knowing the problem beforehand instead of getting caught off guard. I might not do anything to stop it, but at least I know what is coming."

Her grip around his arm tightened, hinting to him she was overthinking right now. Stefan stared at her before he breathed out, taking a step forward and he bent over.

"Lulu, your husband — I mean, my brother didn't just enter the land of Karo, but he trespassed. There's a difference, and if you were listening, you'd know that my devious brother didn't travel as quietly as possible and brought his enemies with him."

Her frown grew worse, as she already had a vague idea of that. She was listening... more like she was listening to Heliot's voice since she didn't have a choice. The man's voice was cold in the ears and somehow very soothing. It calmed her down slightly.

Bitterness flickered across his eyes because, just as she said, he knew the story of her life and even the part that was taken away from her. He felt sorry. But before he could make her feel better — or himself, by trying to console her — someone approached him.

Stefan's eyes glinted, setting them on Lilou. The latter tilted her head to the side, wondering what the masked person was whispering in his ears.

"Lulu, will you stay here for a while?" he asked. "No, I mean, I'll take her with me."

"But His Highness said it's important and dangerous," whispered the other person and this time, Lilou heard it.

"It's alright, Lexx." She flashed him a smile, looking around the jovial atmosphere. "I can stay here and eat a bit more. What could possibly go wrong if you leave for a moment, right?"

There was hesitation in his eyes, but she simply nodded encouragingly. If not for the fact this was important and Heliot said it was dangerous, he wouldn't even think about taking his eyes off of her.

"Stay here," he stressed. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Don't worry. This place just became my safe haven." Lilou waved, urging him to go as the masked person's body language showed signs of urgency. Stefan looked at her for a moment before he reluctantly followed the masked person.

Lilou kept waving as he looked back at her after several steps before marching away. As they squeezed through the crowd, Lilou looked around. The more she did, the more little and intimidated she felt. She thought she was alright, but deep down, she only ignored the strong sense of being left out, and Stefan distracted her.

"I feel lost," she whispered, taking a small step back only to bump into something sturdy behind her.

When she turned to look at what it was, her brows furrowed as she raised her head at the towering figure of a man. As soon as she did, the first thing she noticed was those pair of burning crimson behind the mask and his bright silver hair that was neatly brushed back.

"Me too." Her breath hitched when his low yet slightly youthful voice caressed her ears, making her heart race for reasons she couldn't understand. She fought her desire to lean back as he bent over until his mask was a palm length away from hers.

"I also feel lost."