The Duke's Passion

If you can reverse the time, what would you do?

That question had crossed Rufus's mind at least once in his long life. What would he do if he could go back in time? Would he change things? Correct the decisions he thought were the best at the moment?

When that question hovered over his head in the past, he thought the outcome was better. Hence, he didn't regret letting go of things, relationships, and love. Although, he regretted it at some point. Especially during the times, he was all alone in the night, looking up at the sky with no one on his side.

Or rather, there was a certain person who was willing to stand beside him. However, he couldn't completely let go of the woman his heart yearned.

Silvia came into his life and when she left, she didn't leave the door of his heart open for someone else to enter.

It was not that he blamed Silvia for that. How they ended was Rufus's fault. The reason, even when it hurts, he would smile whenever she would smile even when the reason was not him. The reason he would simply look away whenever she basked in another man's arms.

Her eyes, which were once soaked with affection, gradually shifted to someone else. Someone much more deserving of her love, her future, and her happiness.

Rufus knew Silvia was the happiest with her husband. She found the love that built her. That was the difference between him and Yulis. Rufus's love only brought the worst in her, but Yulis brought the best in her.

It might sound banal, but they were perfect together, Silvia and Yulis.

But what if she, Silvia, would look at him with longing once again? Those eyes that used to look at someone else with affection returned to him?

That never crossed him in the past until now that they were standing before each other. Rufus gazed at Silvia in a daze, standing in the middle of the hallway in the inner palace. They hadn't spoken a word, standing still as if frozen in time.

"Ru," she called with a soft voice, smiling wearily. Her eyes softened at the sight of him. "It's been a while."

His hand slowly balled into a fist as his jaw tightened upon clenching his teeth.

In this time, for Silvia, it had been years since she met Rufus. However, for Rufus, he just had seen her several weeks ago because she was his wife, Florence's lady-in-waiting.

"I didn't know you will visit the capital. What brings you here?" she asked soothingly, tilting her head to the side.

There was no doubt, he thought. She couldn't remember everything, just like Fabian. Rufus dropped by in Whistlebird and Cunningham on the way here. Noah and Cameron were the same. The former was still the rebellious nobleman while Cameron still worshipped Samael.

Everything... aside from Stefan and Rufus — those were the only people Rufus was certain who was aware of the reversal of time — everyone couldn't remember.

The Great Heart Empire, Lilou, Law, Tilly, Kristina, Ramin, Charlotte... the list goes on.

People couldn't remember them, nor they could remember their memories together. And yet, here he was, waning at the sight of the woman he yearned. Just because she couldn't remember Yulis and her love for her husband. He was wavering just because Silvia... his Silvia was staring at him with obvious affection.

"Would you join me for a cup of tea?" she inquired, breaking his train of thoughts as he snapped his eyes. "I would really appreciate it if you do, but... I will understand if you have important matters to attend to."

"Silvia," came out a stern voice, taking a deep breath. His eyes glinted with bitterness.

If he could be selfish for a day, can he love her for a day? Was he allowed to express his heart just for once?

"I appreciate your invitation, Your Royal Highness." — of course, he couldn't. "But alas, I came here to see His Majesty. Forgive me for refusing you."

Rufus bowed slightly, steeling his heart before he took a step forward. He looked ahead, hands still balled into a fist, walking past her just like what he did in the past. Back then, doing this brought pain in his heart, but that devastated her. But now... he felt just as devastated, feeling his heart sink.

This reversal of time... was starting to feel tormenting for sure. Rufus had a conscience. Even if he loved Silvia, he couldn't cheat her or Yulis.

Right before Rufus could take a right turn, he halted. A figure came out from the direction he would take and he, too, stopped at Rufus's presence.

"Sir Barret, what a surprise to see you here," Yulis greeted with a calm air around him, batting his eyes ever so slowly.

'Really... annoying...' Rufus secretly ground his teeth, staring back at Yulis in silence. "It's good to see you, Your Highness. I hope you'll have a good day."

With that being said, Rufus marched forth and walked past Yulis. The latter pressed his lips into a thin line, glancing back at Rufus before setting his eyes at Silvia, not far away. Even without asking her, he already guessed what had just happened.

Silvia frowned and rolled her eyes upon seeing the smirk on Yulis' lips. "Leave me alone."

"Your Royal Highness... were you rejected again?" Yulis teased as he jogged to follow her tracks.

"Scram!"

He chuckled, slowing down as he walked beside her. He cocked his head back, eyes on Silvia.

"Have you seen Cassara?" he asked.

"No, and I don't want to deal with her." Silvia's expression was aloof and sharp as ever, very unlike how she appeared in front of Rufus. "She's been acting very strange since days ago."

Yulis rocked his head as he slowed down in front of the window. There, in the garden, was Cassara taking a peaceful walk.

"It's like... she matured overnight," he murmured, arching a brow when Cassara suddenly raised her head and stare at him. Cassara smiled sweetly as soon as their eyes met, making Yulis shudder.

"Goodness... she's scary." He rubbed his shoulders, only to realize Silvia didn't wait for him.. "Silvia, wait for me."