The Duke's Passion

As I closed the door behind me, I let out a weary exhale as my trembling knees gave way. 

To be truthfully honest, I haven't got the good grasp of everything. I felt like a child being thrown into the ocean. A child who couldn't swim and could only float along the waves to survive.

It felt like everything I've done and said until now; accepting this marriage, learning, trying to adapt to this new environment as soon as I could was to survive.

Slowly, I bent my knees closer to my chest and hugged them.

"Don't be afraid…?" I mumbled, recalling his previous words in my mind. "How can that be if my body naturally trembles before him?"

I rested my chin on my knees.

His words moved my heart, but my instincts as a human still existed within me. Before a vampire, especially someone like the duke, terrified me.

Even if he gave me his words, and even if I convinced myself, I should enjoy my remaining time in this world, deep down, I couldn't. There would always be a part of me that wouldn't forget facts.

I may forget my situation momentarily, but I could never change reality. It may be easy for him to talk about love and life, but for me, it was never that easy.

"Lilou… we already talked about this." I mumbled. "But, it just felt very complicated now."

I added, talking to myself. As I buried my face on my knees, Samael's various expressions when he was nonchalant, dignified, or just silent flashed across my head.

How could he talk about sincerity if he couldn't show me which side of him was the real him? What conflicting emotions he had left me with.

"My Lady? It is time for your bath." Suddenly, from the other side of the door behind me, I heard the maidservant's voice urge.

Yet, I didn't move a muscle. I embraced myself tighter, clasping at the dress.

Am I truly stupid for not understanding this abrupt change? Just a few days ago, I was living the life of a peasant. But now, I was being treated as a noble lady.

Not that I wasn't grateful for this wonderful experience. However, I just couldn't understand it.

Samael told me he was granting me power to make a difference. He was marrying me because of those ridiculous reasons he uttered last night.

I was aware I'm partly at fault. But no one would understand the constant fear I've endured my entire life.

That's why… that's why the second I sensed his fear of something I didn't know about, I knew he would need me. It would be easier if he was keeping me, because it was convenient.

But his actions and words told me otherwise, confusing me, and I'm now in such a state.

"How despicable…" I whispered under my breath.

"My Lady? Are you alright?" Again, I heard the maidservant call out from outside.

But I remained silent and negotiated with myself. In the end, I forced myself to stop thinking about it.

It was a waste of energy to dwell on it longer. I've done a good job on my first day in the duke's mansion.

I just had to keep it that way… right?

After a long time, I stood up. I massaged my cheeks, slapping them lightly as I let out a deep exhale.

"My Lady, we're going in…"

Before the maidservant could finish, I opened the door with a smile on my lips. 

"I'm here. I'm alright."

The two maidservants whose eyes full of worry scrutinized me from head to toe. When they were certain I'm an alright, they heaved a sigh of relief.

"Don't worry. I won't let anyone dig their own grave because of me." I reassured, knowing their reason for treating me well despite being undeserving and a human.

Just like last night, the maidservants helped me wipe my body, change my dress, and brush my hair. 

After fulfilling their duties, they left after saying the exact words they've said last night, "We will be outside if you need us, My Lady." 

I stared at the ceiling while I lie on the bed. Such heaviness in my heart made me feel I'm sinking deeper in the bottomless ocean.

"Ah…" I closed my eyes as I took a deep breath.

I shook my head lightly before I opened my eyes. Again, I dragged myself up to sit.

I couldn't sleep. Even if I wanted to, so I could escape and forget, I just couldn't.

Unconsciously, I shifted my gaze towards the book Fabian lent me. With a sigh, I crawled my way out of the bed and picked up the book.

I might as well just read until I fall asleep. It was a shame if my enthusiasm to read tonight would be affected because of unnecessary sulking.

With that thought in mind, I trudged towards the table near the window. Carefully, I placed the single candleholder on the side and then the book.

"Instead of thinking of the things I won't get clear answers, I better just read and forget." I mumbled, raising my brows briefly.

Since I was used to the darkness my entire life, this room, shrouded with bare lighting from the candelabras, was nothing. Hence, I could read without a problem.

The corner of my lips slowly tilted as I gaze at the book's cover. Smile and do as I'm told; enjoy my time while I'm at it.

Enjoying it means learning. I would read as many books as I could. So if death had come, I would have tons of story to tell to Father.

With that thought in mind, I shrugged all negative thoughts out of my head. Yet, deep down, I wondered what he was doing.

**

Meanwhile, at the Davidson's mansion, a noble family in Grimsbanne.

In the grand hall of the mansion, all members of the said noble family trembled. Their eyes on the silver-haired duke sitting on top of the pile of lifeless bodies.

"Why are you doing this, My Lord?" A middle-aged man with a blanched hair knelt. His complexion pale, watching Samael lazily crossed his arms with his foot swaying back and forth.

"If you needed our blood, we would gladly offer it to his lordship. Why would you kill my son, use him as your cushion, and humiliate your loyal supporters? My Lord?"

The middle-aged man inquired. Samael arched his brow, smirking as he watched the man's shoulder trembled in fury.

When the old noble vampire raised his head, his fangs glinted.

"I wonder too…" Samael slowly rose from his sit and trudged towards them ever so slowly.

He walked around them before he squatted down in front of Mister Davidson, the head of the clan.

"After all, I don't recall having such prestigious clan in my domain before my slumber." 

Samael raised his hand with nails akin to a claw and placed it on the middle-aged man's shoulder. He smirked as his hand traveled ever so slowly to the latter's neck.

"You should calm down, Mister Davidson. Blood never lies." Samael said, his fingers wrapped around Mister Davidson's neck.

"If you kill us, His Majesty and my entire clan in the capital wouldn't sit still as you wreak havoc again. Please, don't make hasty decisions."

Mister Davidson gulped. Even though they were both vampires, he knew they wouldn't win if they fight Samael head-on. 

Samael was still a pure-blooded family. Against him, a noble vampire stood no chance.

Thus, he only hoped to talk sense into him.

"Oh? Is this how you tamed Rufus? Using the King's name?" Samael chuckled, his eyes glinting with bloodlust.

"Mister Davidson, you came here after I went into my slumber. That's why, I don't blame you for not knowing what kind of duke governing this land."

He added, exhaling. Samael then clicked his tongue as he withdrew his hand.

As he walked back, Samael paced back and forth in front of Mister Davidson.

"Right… you don't know me yet, nor you know Rufus well. So, as the duke, it is only proper to introduce myself to my guest, isn't it?" 

Samael rubbed his chin, casting Mister Davidson a quick glance. The latter sensed the ominous aura emanating from the duke. He breathed heavily, keeping his composure together.

"Mister Davidson, my brothers used to tell me I'm a terrible teacher. My ways were too… soft! But they're wrong." 

Upon saying so, Samael halted as he faced Mister Davidson. His eyes glanced at every family member, and their eyes filled with dread caused Samael to smirk.

"It's not being soft. It's being efficient. I'm lazy, and I'd rather get the job done in one go." Samael explained, sighing as a memory in the past flashed across his memory lane.

"Thus, as a proper introduction to everyone, giving justice for tormenting Rufus for hundreds of years, and for the sake of Grimsbanne…" 

Samael spread his arms, his eyes droopy, as his smirk appeared more evil.

"Can my loyal supporters shed blood for the Duke's sake?"

Samael's last cynical remarks, followed by his peels of chuckles, resonated across the great hall.

"We had seized the treasury and found the farm where the Davidson kept their human slaves, My Lord." Suddenly, Rufus appeared and informed.

Upon hearing Rufus's reports, Mister Davidson's eyes widened in fear as his gaze met Samael's.

"Well then, Rufus, I entrust them to you. Don't kill him, though. Execute him publicly and set him as an example to those arrogant children that thinks my land is their playground."

Samael ordered as he clapped his hands.

"My Lord!" When Mister Davidson figured words wouldn't save his life, he sprung up from his feet.

His fangs grew sharper. Mister Davidson's action incited his family members to show their fangs, ready to fight them head-on.

"Samael La Crox, I, and my entire clan, will kill you!" Mister Davidson threatened.

However, their actions only made Samael chuckle loudly.

"Goodness… this is why I told you, you don't know Rufus that well. Anyway, Rufus, don't have fun too much. I'm going back."

Upon dropping his reminders, Samael waved, glancing at Mister Davidson nonchalantly and smirked. Without another word, Samael trudged away from them.

"What humiliation… Do you think this lowborn knight would kill us?" One of the clan member hissed.

In a blink of an eye, Mister Davidson's son attempted to go for Samael's neck. However, before he could reach the duke, his arm tumbled off.

"Davidsons, my apologies for we are all lowborn before the duke. Fret not, I had fantasized about your death with my sword for hundreds of years. I will no longer indulge myself with it. I will make this quick."

Rufus reassured as he impaled Mister Davidson's son in his chest. Slowly, he withdrew his sword, and the body collapsed with a thud.

"You… Samael! Why are you doing this?! Aren't we the same kind?! The Davidson had pledged loyalty to the La Crox — how could you betray us?"

Through his gritted teeth, Mister Davidson yelled at the retreating Samael. The latter halted, but didn't look back.

"Why am I doing this…?" Samael muttered and scoffed. This time, he glanced back with a smirk.

"Sincerity, Mister Davidson. To show my sincerity to my people…" 

Samael explained before he retrieved his gaze and resumed in his steps.

"… and to her."

As Samael walked away, they shed blood. The entire Davidson clan fought the acting duke they've pressured for hundreds of years. 

Blood may not be enough to pay for their crimes. But the blood they would shed tonight would be the first and last noble act they could do for Grimsbanne from hereafter.