The Duke's Passion

Chapter 815 What a simpleton

815 What a simpleton

[ COLOSSEUM ]

"Ugh!" Claude crashed into the concrete wall of the coliseum, sending him out of the establishment to the space before the raised platform. His palm was propped on the ground, wiping the blood on the corner of his lips with the back of his fist. For two months, Claude had battled in this stadium where all the seats were always occupied by countless audiences all across the kingdom. Cheers of approval would always resonate in this place while blood would splutter on that raised platform. But tonight, it was just utter silence. Strange how the noises inside the coliseum didn't reach this area, but it wasn't surprising. It would take at least several thousand people cheering to penetrate that building where the warriors were held captive. "What a troublesome lad," he mumbled, catching a silhouette in the thick smoke advancing in his direction. "I can't believe I am being held up by him."

Claude spat out blood to the side, pushing himself up. He stretched his neck and shoulders, producing satisfying cracks. When the stiffness in his muscles eased up, he set his eyes back on the person who came out of the smoke. Tristan Willow. Zero's bastard son. It was still a mystery why Zero kept his son alive when he slaughtered everyone in the Moriarty Clan. Even Lilou wasn't able to unravel that mystery. All they knew was that Zero kept his son close for his own reason. "I told myself, it doesn't matter the reason Quentin kept you alive and even kept you close by his side," mused Claude, offering Tristan Willow a thin smile. "But I'm really curious, Tristan Willow. You know your king, who is also your father, couldn't have this so-called familial affection."

"He might've kept you by his side, but I'm certain you know there was a different reason," he continued with a tinge of mockery in his tone. "Don't tell me you're allowing him to use you to his heart's content just because he claimed to be your father?"

"Are you the one to talk?"

"Huh?"

"From all that blabbering, all that is clear is that you have forgiven him. Won't your late parents feel wrong for that?" Tristan flashed him a short smile. "They had died in the hands of Stefan La Crox just because he was initially threatened that their existence would put his position as the king in peril. How come their child, who should've avenged them, wasn't even considering it?"

The wind howled silently, blowing away the words that left Tristan Willow's lips. The silence that followed sounded way louder than the occasional shrill from afar. Both of them stared at each other without saying a word before Claude let out a shallow breath.

"Poor thing." Claude shook his head mildly. "I don't know why you took my nonchalance as forgiveness, but sure. Let's say I had forgiven him, and what is it to my birth parents has anything to do with that? I'm sure they'd rather wish that I live a far better and more peaceful life than take the course of revenge."

"Even if that isn't what they truly wanted, what I am certain of is that they were the type of people who would wish for me to do what will make me feel alive," he continued, eyes softening at the thought of his birth parents. Claude might've had limited memories of Lucia and Dyrroth (his mother and father), but he was certain they were both good people. Holding a grudge and taking the revenge route was something they wouldn't approve of; especially if this revenge was for their deaths.

"The last thing they want was for their child to lead a lonely life," Claude whispered, raising his gaze back to Tristan. "That I am certain of."

The corner of Tristan's lips curled up into an amused smirk, chuckling with his lips closed. Claude's expression sharpened at the ridiculing chuckles caressing his ears. "How amusing," mused Tristan, and in a heartbeat, he suddenly appeared right behind Claude. The latter's breath hitched, taken aback at how fast Tristan was. Tristan was faster than he was a second ago. "Lucia and Dyrroth surely raised their kid with love," were the words Claude heard from behind him, but somehow, Tristan's voice sounded like Zero's. "I too raised my son with all the love he could ask from a father. That is why he will offer his body to me if I asked nicely. What a simpleton."