The Duke's Passion

Morning came, and I was still sitting on the chair beside the bed. My husband had to go after dawn to attend to some business matters. Sam was reluctant to leave me, but I insisted on staying this time with our son. After negotiating with him, Sam agreed on one condition. 

That was to keep Charlotte around me. I was certain she was just outside, watching me without taking her eyes off of me. Not that it bothered me because I didn't want to be careless around Law. Although I was never afraid of children, being around my son made me want to be extra cautious. 

"Hmmm..." 

Suddenly, Law moaned and moved, stretching his short arms and feet. As he did so, he accidentally hit the young Lord sleeping next to him. So, Adam, the young Earl, let out a protesting hum and also moved. Watching the two of them stretch with their eyes closed and hitting each other lightly looked so adorable. 

Law frowned as he slowly opened his eyes. He immediately turned his head to the boy whose palm was planted against his cheek. Adam also opened his eyes and the two of them stared at each other for a moment. I bit my lip when Adam's eyes dilated as realization struck them.

"Law!" Adam gasped as he abruptly sat upright. "What are you...!" 

Unlike Adam, my son lazily sat up, using his elbow. His head still turned to Adam, frowning. He tilted his head when Adam's eyes veered in my direction and I offered him a kind smile. 

"Huh?" Law let out a confused tune and turned his head around. As soon as our eyes met, his eyes dilated as he gazed at me blankly. He blinked every three heartbeats as if processing what he was seeing.

So cute.

"Good morning," I greeted softly while darting my eyes between the two. "Are you hungry? You shouldn't move around since you two need to rest more."

I reached for the bell and rung it to get Charlotte's attention. But instead of Charlotte, a different maid came in. My brow raised while I studied her wrinkly yet stern countenance. She seemed to be around in her early sixties. She must be the head maid.

"Will you fetch some water so the children can wash their faces?" I requested politely, refraining from asking about Charlotte. This was still the Earl's estate, and we were just guests. But it seemed what happened here tonight hadn't reached many people's ears as the old maid gazed at me coldly.

Jaime Malum was already busy, so it probably slipped his mind to treat the guest properly. So, this maid didn't seem to feel the need to pretend that they care about the young Earl.

"Sure, Madam." The maid bowed slightly before walking away. 

I glanced at Law and he was still staring blankly at me, and then I set my eyes on Adam. He was just gazing down. Although it didn't seem he was scared, it was more like this had become his habit.

'Honestly, I don't know what to tell them.' I thought, biting my tongue, afraid I would say something stupid. 'My son is just staring at me and his friend seemed to need some comfort.'

A sigh slipped past my lips as I bit my lower lips lightly. I insisted on staying in this place, but now that these two were awake, I didn't know what to do. 

"Uhm... do you want to stroll the downtown later?" I blurted out, making Adam raise his head and gaze back at me. Now, two boys were staring at me blankly. Oh, good, Lord. Who would have thought there would come a day I would feel awkward around children?

I cleared my throat and kept my smile on the surface. "I thought of visiting the downtown. I thought you might want to come."

There was this awkward silence that descended in the room, making my back swelter. My son and his friend liked staring as they looked at me for a very, very, very long time without saying a word. 

'Sam!!! I need help!' were my internal screams, feeling helpless about how to make them talk to me! I was about to weep when the door creaked open again. I looked up only to see the maid previously with another two maids who were bringing ewer and basin for the children.

'Good save!' I thought and smiled at the two. "Come. Let's wash your faces." 

This time, I had to act. So, I sprung to my feet and extended both my hands for the two of them to take. My brows rose when they gazed at it and looked back up at me.

"Come." I wiggled my fingers playfully and grinned. "Hold Mom's hand."

My last remark just came out naturally from me and I didn't even notice it. Still, the two of them blinked and clasped my hand after a second. My grin grew broader as I helped them out of the bed, trying to squash down the anxiety of making mistakes creeping into my heart.

Law and Adam voluntarily got out of the bed with my help. Even when getting off the bed, they never let go of my hand. This simple gesture made me smile for no reason. They only let me go when I told them I would prepare the waters for them. I wanted to wash their faces myself, but when I saw the water, I frowned. 

'Isn't this water used to wash rugs? Surely, these maids are being too much.' I sighed, realizing that Jaime Malum had forgotten to brief the servants. Or it could be he was too busy pleasing Sam that he forgot about the situation in this estate.

"Wait," I called, stopping Adam from washing his face, as it seemed he didn't mind such dirty water. Law also frowned and didn't move an inch. 

Adam looked at me with his doe eyes, blinking innocently. Had he been using such dirty water to wash his face all along? This thought made my blood boil as I gazed at the head maid.

"Can you bring clean water?" I asked, trying to be polite since children were looking. The old maid just gazed at me coldly while the other servants behind her snickered.

"Madam Roux, this is the cleanest water we can offer to the Earl and to your son," said the old servant, as her eyes glinted with contempt. "The well is a bit far, and everyone in here has too many things to do because of the upcoming festival. If you do not mind, you can fetch for them, Madam."

Wow....