The Duke's Passion

The lady I met in the plaza toured me in this place called Minowa in the South. It was still part of the Heart Kingdom, albeit it was very far from Grimsbanne and the Capital. I had met the late earl of Minowa in the past, Earl Crowell, back in the Capital. Our interaction was brief and was simply an exchange of pleasantries, but I remembered him because he reminded me of Heliot.

A man who seemed dissociated from the state of affairs in the capital.

"Thank you, Bey." I smiled at the lady — her name was Bey — who was kind enough to accompany me to a boutique that was still open at this hour and tattling everything I needed to know. 

"It's really nothing." She smiled back, walking beside me as we exited the boutique. "So, which inn are you staying at? I can't believe you suffer from sleepwalking. It's fortunate that no one approached you with malicious intent."

My smile remained as I gazed ahead. I told her I slept walk that was why I was in my chemise. Thanks to this good samaritan, he offered me his coat, but couldn't help me all the way since 'he was busy'. Bey believed everything I said, thankfully.

"The inn I stayed at..." I paused as my stomach grumbled aloud. 

Bey chuckled lightly, covering her lips with the back of her hand. "Do you want to eat? There is a nearby diner in here."

"Goodness. This is embarrassing." I sported an awkward grin while scratching my jaw. My stomach saved me.

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, my lady. Being famished is not something to be embarrassed about." 

"My lady?" my brow raised as I cast her a look. I already gave her a fake name, Sam, and I didn't tell her about my status. 

Bey just kept her subtle smile and took a deep breath. "You look like a noble lady from somewhere. Anyone can tell just by looking."

My brows furrowed, pressing my lips into a thin line. Was that the truth? Earlier in the shop, I didn't even look in the mirror and just changed. I slept for a long time, so I assumed I would look gaunt.

"I won't pry, though. I'm just... a bit relieved that I met a noble who is kind." The corner of her lips stretched broader while looking ahead at the street of Minowa.

I gazed at her side momentarily, making me smile subtly. Bey was like me in the past. The remark she uttered were words the old Lilou would say. Now that I looked at her thoroughly, Bey was rather thin, almost skin and bones. She said she was twenty-six years old, but she looked older than her age.

"Bey?" I called softly, and she hummed while gazing back at me. She blinked innocently, waiting for me to say the reason I called her.

"Nothing. I just want to thank you."

Her smile stretched broader as her cheek blushed. "It's nothing, Lady Sam."

I didn't respond any more as we headed to this restaurant she was talking about. We constantly talked about random things about the Earldom until we reached our destination. The moment we came, Bey and I found a spot in the corner of the restaurant, where they served politely. 

"They have a lot on their menus," I said, gazing at the table d'hote. There were meals for humans and for vampires. How considerate. 

"I want this, this, and this." I pointed at the list that made my mouth water just by reading its name. The waiter who stood by the side of our table nodded, bearing his polite smile.

Pleased, I turned my attention to Bey, who sat from across me.

"How about you, Bey?" I asked, but she just smiled and shook her head. 

"I'm alright, my lady," she replied while shaking her hands sideways. Bey was reluctant to come in earlier, telling me she would wait outside. But after I insisted on needing her help, she agreed. 

"Alright." I nodded, not planning on forcing her. Instead, I returned my attention to the person taking my orders. 

"Add this and this too. Thank you." 

"Yes, my lady." The waiter listed another two servings for Bey before leaving us alone. I watched him walk away before peeling my eyes away from him, then back to Bey.

"Lady Bey," I called and to my surprise, her shoulder tensed up. I wanted to tease her since she was addressing me formally even when I told her to call me Sam. But her reaction instantly piqued my interest.

"Are you a noblewoman?" I inquired without beating around the bush. Bey forced a smile, keeping her hand under the table. Her nervousness was clear, so I sported a kind smile. 

"You don't have to tell me. But I will really appreciate it if you call me Sam instead." 

"Yes. It's just a habit."

A shallow sigh slipped past my lips while looking at her. Now that I could see her clearly with all the lights, Bey wasn't just too thin, there were light scars on her neck and arms.

"Give me your hand." I laid both my hands over the table, flipping it to show my palms. Bey looked at me with her brows raised, but I nodded encouragingly.

"But --"

"It's alright." I clicked my tongue. A glint of reluctance flickered across her eyes, but still carefully placed her hand on my palm. 

My fingers carefully wrapped around her hand, gazing down at them. Scarred, rough, and dirt was stuck on her fingernails and in between her fingers. All this indicated she do hard labor; her worn-out dress was enough proof that she wasn't well off, though.

"Your hands are so soft, my lady." Her face flushed while her fingers curled as if she was trying to hide them. 

"I don't think so?" I shrugged as I knew my hands were not soft. I kept looking at her hand, flipping them constantly. There were also deep scars on her hand, making me wonder if this was from her work or from something else.

"This scar..." 

I paused as she suddenly clutched her hand closed and retrieved them quickly. A frown immediately turned up on my lips as I raised my gaze at her. My brow raised as Bey looked away as if she was hiding from something... or someone.

It was an instinct while noticing how her shoulder suddenly trembled. I looked around and my eyes landed on the entrance, where a group of three young noblemen entered the premises. I narrowed my eyes and followed the three noblemen being escorted by the attendant.

"My lady," whispered Bey, making me look back at her. "I... I will wait for you at the back entrance. Don't worry, I won't --"

She was already standing up while excusing herself. So I grabbed her wrist, shaking my head lightly.

"I don't know why you got so scared when those three entered, but you don't have to worry. They won't notice us in here." I smiled reassuringly while staring at her straight in the eye. 

Fortunately, Bey calmed down and once again put her trust in me. She sat down again, calming herself. I wanted to tell her I was lying. If those noblemen scan the premises properly, they would notice us, obviously. 

'But even if they did, I won't let them harm my savior..' A brief glint flickered across my eyes as it sharpened.