The Duke's Passion

Wielding lakresha... It not only heightened my dominant negative emotions. Wielding it made me realize it aimed to kill evilness.

Sam reeked of blood and death. Lakresha told me Sam shouldn't have existed. That it was only right to kill him now, before it was too late.

That it had justified the hostility from his brothers a long time ago? 

But how could I do that?

How could I let this damn lakresha tell which was right, and what's wrong? How dare this weapon order me around? 

I hated it. 

They knew nothing. Be it the royal family or lakresha. They knew nothing.

I might not know him completely. But my heart does.

"So what?" I asked, almost pouting. "Who cares if you're the worst? Who cares if everyone thinks you shouldn't have existed? Does their opinion matters more than mine?"

His lips gaped, but no words came out. The sound of morning breeze whistled softly in my ear.

As the sun slowly rise, his surprised expression came clear. He looked adorable when he's flustered.

"I told you, I'll decide for myself. My decision is to stick with you like a leech. You drag me into this, take responsibility. Unless you don't want to marry me anymore."

My remarks sounded more like a demand and complain. But, I didn't think twice and let my heart spoke.

For me, Sam planned nothing else but that. He knew a part of his dark side would slip out if I wield lakresha. Has he been thinking about that whenever he watched me from the window while I jog every morning?

Had he been wondering what would happen if I used Lakresha? Was he thinking at the enlightenment once I held it?

I'm no saint. He wouldn't let me go even if I somehow became an angel and spoke nonsense, righteous deed. 

I'm very clear that his feelings weren't shallow. Even by means or foul, Sam would keep me by his side. Even if I hated him or loved him, he had been clear about this.

Who was in their sane mind not to get alarmed by hearing they're trapped with them? Who was in their sane mind who wouldn't notice how he worded that I'm like a bird in an enormous cage? I am that insane person.

I've known all along. I just ignored it. 

Why? Because it didn't matter to me. If he was in the same cage, I'd be happy to spend the rest of my life locked with him. 

I'd willingly walk in the fuming land of damnation if that's where he resides. Because we were all slave for something.

As for me, I'm a slave to him. 

Sam's eyes softened as the side of his lips curled up subtly. I thought I'm seeing things, but his eyes welled up, moved by my resolve.

Seeing him like this made me smile. He may be the villain to others, a curse existence. 

But not for me.

Sam was a blessing in my life. The moon that shine in the darkness.

Ahh… what a sight to behold.

"I told you, didn't I?" I uttered with a smile. "If they hate you, I'll love you harder. If you murder someone, I'll help you bury the body. Mister Fabian taught me how."

"Lilou…"

"Your Grace!" Suddenly, Cameron's voice reached our ear.

Sam trailed off as the light atmosphere between us cracked. Instinctively, we turned our heads in Cameron's direction.

Cameron was panting for air. He was on his knees, his palms on the ground. When he raised his head, his complexion pale.

"I rushed here when I sensed lakresha's aura!" He exclaimed in between his gasp.

How could a vampire gasp for air as if they had run around the entire kingdom?

"Al — also…" He swallowed down as he gazed at me. "Your blood had caused a turmoil, your grace."

"Ah," I nodded. "My bloo —! What?"

"Oh." Sam nodded in understanding. "But it's healed now."

Ah? What were they talking about?

I gazed at Sam. He pointed at my finger, which he pricked previously.

"Oh…" I raised my finger. It healed,.

Now that I think about it, when Sam sank his fangs into me for the first time, it also healed when he licked it. Although, this one was only a small wound, which would heal immediately on its own.

Again, I raised my gaze back to Cameron. Was sensing my blood made him look so exhausted? Why, though?

"Don't worry about it." Sam patted my head, taking notice of my puzzlement.

"It's only normal since you're now their master. The Crawfords are strangely linked to your life, whether or not you like it. That's why they're making a fuss when they got a whiff of you blood."

Sam explained more patiently. I blinked my eyes many times. He was exceptionally gentle and kind.

Normally, he would glare daggers at Cameron for 'leering' at me. Now, he's like a magnanimous individual.

I find this more strange and scary.

"They will calm down —"

"How are we supposed to calm down if we just felt that my lady is in danger, your highness?! How are we supposed to calm down if Cunningham is in danger?" Before Sam could finish his sentence, Cameron exclaimed.

Cameron was gritting his teeth. His fangs slowly making themselves known.

"They'd do it again, wouldn't they?" 

Silence dawned upon us. Hehe… this strange atmosphere again. The tension brewing upon Cameron's accusation.

"Honestly, it was I who almost killed Sam." I awkwardly intervened, raising my hands and darting my eyes from Sam to Cameron.

"Lord Cameron, please refrain yourself from speaking another word or it'll be the last you can ever speak." Rufus chimed in, threatening Cameron.

"Rufus, don't." Sam raised his hand. His brows furrowed as he squinted his eyes.

Huh? Did I miss something in this abrupt conversation?

"Cameron, who is it this time?" Sam's voice was cold and low.

Cameron's breath hitched. His hands on the ground balled into a fist. Exchanging strange eye contact with Sam. 

After swallowing down, Cameron spoke. "We've sighted a royal carriage entering Cunningham. It's the carriage used by the fifth prin…"

Just before Cameron could finish his news, my back stiffened. A light thud resonated from my back as an intimidating aura stood behind me and Sam.

"It's been a long time, brother."

"Klaus." Sam whispered without turning around.