The Duke's Passion

Back in Grimsbanne, although I interacted little with Sir Rufus, meeting him was inevitable. After all, Sam would join me in the garden daily, and he would get dragged away by Rufus.

That had been part of my daily life in the duke's mansion.

So, while I was with Fabian, I would sometime ask him about Sir Rufus. I asked just because I didn't want to get on his bad side, as he was always wary towards me.

But Rufus' story and how he ended up being Sam's knight was an interesting story to hear. At least for me.

It was said that, back when Grimsbanne was called Mock town, a place that was abandoned by the monarchy and a lawless land, a man ruled it.

Rufus.

They said that even though he was a human, his strength could par with those vampires. Thus, he gained the moniker as the strongest human in the Heart's Kingdom.

Until, one fateful day, a vampire came to challenge him. Staking their lives and who would rule mock town, the human and the vampire fought fiercely.

They fought day and night without rest. The duel had lasted for days, that even the people watching them felt tired for them.

In the end, the vampire lost. It was an outcome that everyone didn't and expected. Because that's just how strong Rufus was. Half believed he'd lose, half believed he'd win.

However, unexpectedly, instead of stepping on the vampire who was lying flat on the ground, Rufus bent down on his knees. He swore loyalty to the vampire before he collapsed to his side.

It turned out that the vampire fought him fair and square. Without borrowing his abilities as a vampire. 

No one knew how Rufus suddenly had a changed of heart — even Fabian. However, what was certain was, during their fight, the vampire had touched Rufus, which led him to today's title as the strongest knight in the heart's kingdom.

A knight who left the royal castle unscathed, despite refusing the king's proposal to serve him. A knight who was considered the strongest who only serve the Duke, who had been asleep for hundreds of years.

Now, that knight…

"Tell me if you can't take it anymore, my lady."

I panted for air as I continued to run around the Crawford's castle. Now, that same knight was trying to cripple me by making me run ten laps around the Crawford's manor.

I'm dying. It had been three days since my training started. I started with one lap under Fabian's orders during my first day. I did it easily, thanks to my experience being a peasant. 

On my second day, I ran two laps, and it barely made me gasp for air. But on that same night, Rufus finally arrived with his horse, Bella. When I saw him that night, I knew my days had come.

Now, on my third day was the day my instructor officially started training me strictly. I hadn't spoken a word yet, and the first thing he told me was to run ten laps!

I'm barely on my sixth lap and my lungs were constricting. I'm dying. I knew getting stronger was difficult, but at this rate, I'd die!

"Lilove, do you want water?" On my side, Sam furrowed his brows, worried.

I only glanced at him and shook my head. Goodness… the only reason I made it to sixth laps was because Sam would run with me. 

Just looking at him gave me a boost of motivation to keep going. He's that beautiful.

Yet, while I was struggling, Sam was barely jogging. He's not even sweating!

"Hey, Rufus! Are you trying to kill my bride before our wedding?" Sam growled as he shot a look of daggers at Rufus.

Rufus was following me from behind while riding his horse, Bella. He secretly told me he'd ran over me if I stopped running.

What was Fabian thinking when he sent that letter?

Now, my only option was how to die. Would I die from exhaustion or die by getting run over by Bella? I chose neither!

"Don't you trust her, my lord?" Rufus replied blankly.

Even when I'm not seeing his expression, I could feel his diabolical intention. I could imagine him smiling evilly, seeing me run towards my death.

"Wow. What a cunning way to put it." Sam clicked his tongue in annoyance.

I knew the reason Sam didn't fit to train me. He's too soft on me. He would kill and threaten others without batting an eye like a devil. But to me, Sam would cheat on his own training.

If not for my willingness about this, Sam would have carried me to finish this torture. But if I let him, I'd have no progress.

All that big talk would just be empty. 

"Seventh…" I muttered under my breath as I passed by the starting point.

'Just three more.' I whispered internally as I decreased my speed a little. Even if I'm exhausted, there's a part of me that felt relieved I've reached this far.

If I decrease my pace, I could make it. Hence, from sprinting, my pace gradually turned to jogging.

I thought Rufus would scold me or shout, "faster!". But he didn't. Hence, I kept this pace.

I could feel Sam's gaze who was jogging on my side. But he said nothing. That's why I snuck a glance at him for some motivation.

As soon as I did, Sam was smiling subtly. His smile alone touched my heart, as if it told me how proud he was.

I didn't know if my face was heating because of running, or because I was blushing. Either way, Sam's presence was a great help.

Soon, even before I realize it, I made it. Ten laps! Around this spacious castle! 

It was tiring to the point my knees wobbled, and I dropped to my knees. My palms on the concrete ground, catching up to my breathing.

It was exhausting I thought I was going to die. However, it also felt rewarding. The thought of overcoming something I thought impossible made me feel accomplished.

That's why no matter how pitiful I appeared at the moment, I was grinning widely.

"Water?" In front of me, I saw a pair of shoes before a slowly gaze up.

Sam.

He squatted down, beaming at me with a smile. He offered water in a silver cup and a towel to wipe my sweats.

"You make me fall for you even more for doing this for us." He muttered happily. 

"Thank you."

  Sam expressed sincerely. The soreness in my body felt nothing as the reasons for all this were worth more than this.

While Sam and I smiled at each other, Rufus just ruined it. His sadistic tone sent a shiver down my spine.

"Rest for a moment, my lady. Our training is just starting. I'll see you on the training grounds."

This was it. I'm really going to die.