The Duke's Passion

Weeks had passed since I first stepped into the duke's mansion. Time sure was fleeting.

Under the shade of my favorite tree in the garden, I smiled. Since that's day, I never missed a day without reading in here.

Every day, I got to learn new things from Fabian and from all those amazing individuals who had inked their knowledge into words. I owed them, and I'd be forever grateful.

My fear of the unknown, my fear for my life, my fear for being devoured… I never got to think about them anymore. In fact, I don't fear them at all.

Knowledge was indeed power.

Even if my life ended now, I've got no regrets... or I may do have a few. My struggles in the past were worthwhile, nevertheless.

"Uh… Gorgeous, I'm dying! I think I need some energy. A kiss sounds good. What do you think?" I heard Sam groaned before he laid on my side.

Slowly, I moved my gaze to Sam. He was lying on his side, his hand propping his temple, his gaze locked with mine.

Spending weeks with Sam trained me with his usage of vulgar remarks. Thus, I got used to it.

Ever since that day, Sam also never missed to join me in here for a while. Until Rufus comes and drags him away.

It was odd to see the duke being dragged by his right-hand man. Still, it was a silly sight to behold, which never failed to amaze me.

"My lord, if you're that tired, rest. I'll wake you up when I see Sir Rufus approaching." I said, before shifting my attention to the story I'm reading.

"Rufus won't come. Let me adore you some more." He chuckled.

I glanced at him, furrowing my brows upon catching his grin. 

"I'm free today." He explained with a shrug, enlightening me.

Still, I didn't understand what he truly meant. Yet, I stopped myself from prying.

"I see." With that in mind, he nodded and grinned.

Meanwhile, my eyes search to the words where I stopped. I'm near the ending of the story, that's why I had to take a deep breath and absorb reality.

Another book finished and I've yet to prepare my heart to fill that empty void it would leave me with. Just the thought of it made me sigh.

How I wish all these stories never ends.

"Well, look at you." Amidst my thoughts, Sam caught my attention. I turned and looked at him, my brows furrowed.

"Several weeks ago, you are a nervous wreck whenever I'm around! Now, you're just… nonchalant."

Several weeks ago, I'm scared, confused, and cautious. But now, I'm not. I held back on saying those words.

"I don't know if I should be proud like a father for how lovely you've matured, or feel like a dejected husband for the lack of affection." He sighed.

Right. I had almost forgotten that I had to marry him. We never had a talk about our marriage for the past several weeks, nor did he mention anything about it.

Thus, I subconsciously threw it at the back of my head. Worrying about it would simply hinder me from embracing and enjoying the present.

"But, I'm proud of you." He smiled. My heart instantly skipped a beat and then warmed up.

Sam was always like this. He would speak his blunders but chip in some meaningful thoughts in between. I believed I'm slowly getting the grasp of his antics.

"Thank you." I pursed my lips, resisting myself from smiling too much. "My lord." 

"Tsk." Dissatisfied with how I addressed him, he clicked his tongue annoyingly. 

"Anyway, I came here not because I want to rest." 

"Huh?" 

"Let's go." He urged, but didn't budge in his position. Yet he raised his brows, casting me a knowing look.

I narrowed my eyes, knitting my brows in confusion. 

"Where to, my lord?" I asked, tilting my head.

"Out. On a date." With the same tone, he informed.

"On a… date?" I whispered, and pursed my lips.

I've read a variety of books for the past weeks. One of my favorite was romance stories that made me root for the characters unbending love for each other.

Now that I think about it, I'll be marrying him. And a date… what kind of date does he truly mean?

I could not help but wonder. Sam may be kind and very considerate. However, I figured he had a different meaning in some things. Especially when in comes to romance.

"Like a proper date? Walking together? Looking at beautiful scenery? Eating and speaking flattery?" I asked, pursing my lips as a sudden realization struck me.

If that was the meaning of date, then does that mean we're dating every day? Sam would often walk me back to the bedchambers — sometimes we'd take a walk after dinner in the garden.

Wasn't this garden a beautiful sight to look at? Not to mention eating together. I never ate alone because Sam never let that happened.

"What are you talking about?" He inquired as he arched his brow, tilting his head to the side, confused.

"Nothing, my lord." I let out an awkward, short laugh. "It's nothing."

I know these romance novels were captivating. But I shouldn't let them get over my head. Keep it together, Lil.

"You'd been here for quite some time. Don't you want to go out?" 

"Huh?" I blinked as I watched him sat up.

"Let's go. Out." He urged in a knowing tone.

"Out…?"

"Hmm! Outside. I heard you've inquired about those children in the field recently. Let's go visit them." 

Sam cocked his head a little. I slowly absorbed his words, processing them properly if I heard him correctly.

When my slow thought processed realized his offer, my eyes brightened up, surprised and elated.

"Really?" I asked. "We will visit them?"

Samael smirked, pleased at the reaction he was seeing. But I ignored it. He then nodded sluggishly, his eyes drooping.

"Really." He nodded before he sprung up to his feet. 

When he stood on his feet, he offered me his hand. Slowly, I gazed at his hand and raised my gaze to him.

"Come, my lady. I'll show you something better than those romance novels you'd been using as your reference for our marriage." He humored with a smirk. 

My mind automatically ignored his latter remarks and only took in his first sentence.

"Yes, my lord." I hid my urge to grin, but to no avail.