The Duke's Passion

'Hot chocolate!' My eyes marveled. It was literally sparkling as I held my breath, seeing it being served to me. 

"I heard you like hot chocolates." Stefan's voice startled me back to my senses as I turned to him. "I hope it is to your liking."

What was that smile he was sporting? It made me wonder if he poisoned it. 'Or maybe he is trying to make your blood sweet by feeding you sweet things!' My subconscious mind commented, and I froze.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." I expressed in horror, gazing at Sam, who was staring back at Stefan intensely. His expression told me he had killed Stefan a hundred times in his head.

Was he mad that I'm the only one who had chocolate?

"Husband," I whispered, leaning close to him. He blinked before shifting his eyes on me.

"Do you want hot choco? I can share."

Sam furrowed his brows and tilted his head. "The only sweet thing I like is you. But, alright."

What did that even mean? "Alright, then…" I trailed off when Stefan suddenly spoke.

"Sweet? What a surprise to hear that since chocolates are bitter for us." 

I gazed around and noticed I'm the only one who was served with hot chocolate. I'm not even surprised to realize that we didn't share the same taste buds.

"Your Majesty, I was thinking of quarreling with you, but then it occurred to me it's a waste of time." Sam shrugged nonchalantly as he sported a smile.

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Sam? My husband? Not giving out threats like usual? Or indulging in 'humoring' his brother? 

"You're right, it's a waste of time to banter early in the morning since our sister hates it." The expression on Stefan didn't change before shifting it back to me. "Right?"

"Your sister, but she's my wife," Sam added, stressing his words as if wanting them to remember it.

The air in the dining hall thickened than it already was. Honestly, even though they didn't quarrel for the entire meal, the pressure in their silence was more unsettling. 

I tried to ignore it, but just a few words from Sam and the King made me realize the silence didn't mean peace. This silence… was just another way of fighting each other with their auras.

'I better just enjoy this hot choco. Who knows if it's my first and last?' I muttered internally before my brows furrowed. First and last? Right. I don't remember having hot chocolate in my life.

However, it felt as though I had drunk one at least once in my life. Was it in the ducal residence? But I couldn't recall a time I requested it since I didn't want to be demanding. Also, Sam had helped me a lot, so I'm embarrassed to ask for more.

'So, why did the king say he heard it from someone?' I wondered, and snuck a glance at Stefan. I jolted when I met his gaze, and he smiled brightly. 

What… what's wrong with him?

"No hot choco for you," Sam uttered and snatched my hot chocolate before chugging it all down in one go. My mouth fell open, hearing his every gulp before he slammed the mug down with a bang. 

"It tastes like crap." He clicked his tongue while wiping the corner of his lips with the back of his hand. 

I stared at the empty mug, biting my lip before raising my betrayed gaze at my husband. That's my hot choco… why did he have to drink it if he won't even appreciate it?

'I told you to drink it as it may be your first and last.' My subconscious mind remarked in pity. 

I turned my head towards Stefan when he said, "You don't worry. There's more," 

"I'll drink every single one of them," Sam asserted, breaking my heart as I frowned. 

Why was he so obsessed with taking away my chance of drinking one? I knew Sam was different, but wasn't he being too greedy?

Not hopeful anymore, something small and solid landed on my plate. I furrowed my brows and raised my gaze just to see Yul's usual stoic face.

"It's not hot, but that's still chocolate." There wasn't much change in his tone, but I felt moved.

"Thank —" I wasn't even done expressing my gratitude when my eyes widened as a knife landed near my plate.

Silvia's voice then followed. "Don't even think about it, Hell. Let Lilou enjoy what she can."

What? I darted my eyes from Sam to Silvia, who was giving each other a death glare. I see… so Sam planned to snatch this small chocolate bar too?

"If that's the case, here sister." Dominique chimed in and tossed a hand size chocolate bar on my plate. My eyes grew wider as it nearly broke the plate in half when it landed.

"I also prepared some chocolates just in case." Someone also announced, and I saw all of them taking out some small presents which I assumed were chocolates.

'Are they so desperate to make my blood that sweet?' I wondered in horror at the chocolates galore! How did they know I liked it? Was this another tradition because I'm now a member of the family?

Myriads of questions arose in my head as I've noticed their action changed. I ignored it earlier, thinking it was part of the tradition. But now that I thought about it, even Hanz avoided my gaze. Nor was he spewing snide remarks. 

Why? What were they plotting? I should think like them, so, from a lunatic's perspective, it should be…

"Whatever," I snapped back from my trance when Sam clicked his tongue. "I realized I don't care."

My eyes fell on Sam's side profile. He seemed truly displeased.

'He said it tastes bitter…' I thought as I picked up the chocolate that Yul tossed on my plate and raised it to my lips. My mind ignored the unwanted attention, as I only bit half of the chocolate before offering the other half to Sam. 

Sam quirked a brow as he shifted his eyes on me. I said, "I took a bite, it should be sweet now." Shoving it inside his mouth before he could even argue. 

I appreciate their effort for whatever ulterior motives they had, but it makes me sad seeing Sam like this. Hence, even though I knew he didn't like chocolate, we should at least share.

My action seemed to alleviate his mood as he nodded while chewing, his gaze then raised to Stefan. 

"Victory." A smug smile appeared on Sam's lips.