The Duke's Passion

Bey was a chatterbox. After telling me that Rufus wasn't the emperor, my mind buzzed. Our plan was for Rufus to take the throne, as it was theirs in the first place. There were only two possibilities on why our plan changed its course. First, Rufus refused to take the job, and second, was a huge problem arose. 

She didn't mention who the king was, and I didn't press about the name. Still, my mind had listed down the La Crox, who could be the current emperor. Sam was automatically out of my list; he'd rather die than carry that responsibility. Moreover, the fact that we were in Minowa was proof that he wasn't the emperor. 

Who could it be? Klaus? Yul? Jayden? Dominique? Who else was there? Was it Claude?

I looked at Bey while biting my tongue. I wanted to ask more, but I figured she wouldn't know. It was better to return to Sam's house and ask him directly.

"Bey, I think we should..." I trailed off when I sensed some people approaching us.

"Well, isn't this Lady Bey of the fallen House of Wright?" I turned my head to the man's voice, catching three noblemen stop five steps away from our table. 

In my peripheral vision, I caught Bey frozen on the spot. Her complexion turned pale even before she turned her head to this uninvited company. 

"Lady Bey, are you scamming people again?" asked the man with a wicked grin plastered on his lips, arms crossed. "Don't you have a conscience that another young maiden will fall for your false kindness?"

A frown instantly surfaced on my face as I gazed up. What was he saying? Bey wasn't tricking me. 

"Miss, you are in luck that we noticed that criminal." The man's wicked grin slowly grew kind as he set his eyes on me. "This notorious woman tricks tourists and pretends to be kind, only to rob them."

My brows furrowed as I turned to Bey. She avoided my gaze. These men were telling the truth, but why was she so scared when she turned out to be the bad guy?

"Bey the thief, it seemed you've run out of luck." another man took large steps and before I knew it, he had already grabbed Bey's arms and pulled her up aggressively. A loud shriek came out from her along with the sudden clattering of the cutleries on our table.

"What do you think you're doing? I didn't do anything!" Bey screamed her lungs out, catching everyone's attention. 

What was going on so suddenly?

"Miss, if you need help, we can help you." The man who had spoken earlier walked closer to the table with a polite smile plastered on his face. "I know this is a shock to you, but Miss Bey's pattern is to help those easy targets and rob them once she got their trust."

I blinked twice while looking into his eyes. My gaze veered at Bey, who was being dragged out of the premises. The other man who was with them apologized to the other guest inside the establishment for the inconvenience. From one look, it seemed they were simply ensuring justice, but it felt otherwise. 

"But she had done nothing to me," I argued, making the man let out a sigh.

"It is unbelievable because that woman is good at getting people's trust. But she is more vicious than you thought, Miss. Until now, we are unable to catch her."

My mouth opened and closed. "Can I talk to her before you take her?" 

There must be something more in this situation. The man stared at me for a moment before he sighed once again. 

"Alright." He nodded reluctantly. "I am only allowing this because it seems you doubt our claims. I don't blame you, though."

I pursed my lips into a thin line. The man beckoned me to follow her, but before we left, the restaurant attendant asked me to pay the bill, which I did. 

Bey and the other two men who took her were already outside the establishment. I didn't know which to believe, because these noblemen were somewhat convincing. However, I could tell that Bey's fear earlier upon seeing these three was different. It wasn't a fear of being caught, but something else.

"No! No! Let me go!" 

As soon as we departed the premises, Bey was still screaming whilst struggling to break free. She couldn't overpower a man, and she was simply gathering more unwanted attention. 

"Bey," I called softly, and she stopped, looking back at me. She shook her head profusely. Desperation and fear filled her eyes.

"Lady Sam, it's not what you think it is," she explained desperately. "I didn't plan on doing anything to you. I swear I am not — ah!" 

The man restraining her tightened his grip on her wrist that he held behind her. It looked painful, especially for Bey, who was nothing but skin and bones. 

"Are you going to say you have changed? Then tell us how the second son of House Malum was robbed off of his clothes and money and was left incapacitated in an alley in the 1st district?!" the man restraining her scowled while I furrowed my brows. "You really did it today, you witch! Do you think you will get away by assaulting a noble?"

"I didn't do that! What are you saying?!"

"Drop the act, Miss Wright." The man standing beside me coldly voiced out. His eyes darkened, which made Bey froze in fear. 

"We had been lenient with you, but you had pushed your luck. Beg the House Malum for mercy."

"Wait. Are you talking about the man in that alley?" I asked in a soft voice, catching their attention as they turned his head to me. The man beside me furrowed his brows, and a frown resurfaced on his lips. I looked at Bey's pale complexion and sighed.

"It's not her who did that," I said, raising the wallet clipped in between my thumb and index. "She is innocent.. It was me."