The Duke's Passion

The maids returned and brought everything I asked the head maid. She seemed to have recovered a bit, but she didn't look at me in the eye again. She was too scared for that now.

I helped Law and Adam wash their faces and change clothes, mainly to distract myself. It helped; these two managed to distract me.

After that, Charlotte returned. I thought she was simply watching from afar, but it turned out she helped in the kitchen. It was strange that Charlotte, who would usually sneak away from chores and would rather train herself to death, would bother with these menial tasks. Either way, it reassured me that the food we would eat was safe.

"Mother, are you not going to eat?" Law's question snapped me back from my trance. I blinked and gazed to my side, where he was. 

"Don't worry about me. Eat plenty," I replied with a subtle smile while ruffling his hair. "You too, my lord. Eat plenty so you grow up faster."

I turned my head to the head seat where Adam perched on this long table. Charlotte was the only maid present in the dining hall, standing in the corner in silence. Having fewer people around seemed to give Adam more freedom, after all. 

Adam smiled sweetly at me and nodded before resuming eating. As these boys ate, I gazed at my plate. I already had a bite and was certain the food was great. However, I didn't feel satisfied. It felt as though no matter how I would eat, it would never be enough. 

'It just like last night...' I thought, recalling eating with Bey in the restaurant last night. Even though Bey and I ate a lot, I didn't truly feel full. It felt like I had this bottomless stomach.

"Right..." I snapped my eyes up at Charlotte. "Charlie, have you heard about Bey?"

I almost forgot about that poor lady, as there were too many things to do after they captured us. I hadn't even talked with Sam about important things as well. What a busy man for living a double life. 

"You mean the lady who was captured with you? Master had bailed her out last night, Madam. Please do not worry about her." 

I nodded in understanding. "That's... good."

Charlotte only smiled back while I refocused on being a mother to Law. Sam told me he would return a little late since he had a lot of work to do. Because I was unconscious for years, Sam had to drown himself in workloads to keep himself sane. Waking up unannounced didn't mean he would drop all responsibilities so suddenly. 

'He truly changed,' I thought, thinking the husband I knew would predictably toss all important documents if he deemed he had enough. 

"Madam Roux, are you going to return home today?"

Suddenly, Adam inquired while gazing at me. When I looked back at him, I pressed my lips into a thin line, seeing his expression. He looked as though he didn't want us to go. 

"Yes, my lord," I replied softly and offered him a kind smile. "Your lordship had already let us stay for the night. We are very grateful for your kindness."

Adam frowned, as he knew he did nothing. There was also fear and worry in his eyes; the fear of what would happen once we leave the estate. 

"My lord, if you'd like, you can always visit us in the Roux Estate," I offered with a shallow exhale before casting Law a sweet smile. "Right? My son?"

Law's face slowly brightened up as he looked at me in awe. He bobbed his head and grinned.

"Yes! Or I will come in here to play with you!" my son reassured the young Lord, making Adam smile helplessly. 

The young Earl of Minowa had been through a lot. Even though he was the heir, the second he was born, the untimely death of his father was too soon for Adam to bear the responsibility of the title. That was why people like Jaime took this chance to get this young Earl under control. 

'I hope I can just take him away from here as well.' my eyes softened while staring at Adam, whose situation reminded me of some people I knew. If he had to experience abuse all his childhood, there were chances this young Earl wouldn't have an option but to go on that dark and bloody path once he had grown enough. 

This sort of situation was where most monsters were born. 

"Right! We will still go downtown! You will come with us, right? Adam?" 

I was brought back from my trance at my son's remarks. He looked at me with twinkling eyes, as if waiting for me to back up this invitation. 

"Well..." I cleared my throat and gazed at Adam. "It'll be an honor to have his lordship's company."

"Really??" Adam's eyes lit up but were immediately replaced by a frown. "But... Jaime wouldn't allow that."

As soon as he said that, Law also pulled a face. I couldn't help but chuckle seeing their expression and how their mood kept swinging back and forth. I was thinking too much about other things and was ignoring what was right in front of me. I should let things flow on their own. Whatever these issues with myself could be dealt with later. 

"Don't worry about the Viscount," I said and waited for Law and Adam to look at me with confusion in their eyes. The side of my lips stretched into a playful grin, placing my finger in front of my lips.

"We won't be in trouble if no one will find out about it, right?" 

I darted my eyes from Law to Adam and witnessed how their brows rose in surprise. Adam opened and closed his mouth, but the first to speak was Law.

"Mother, are we sneaking out?" 

"Shhh." I turned to Law and bent down a little so he could hear my whisper. "You can't tell your father as well."

Law blinked adorably while staring into my eyes. I then looked back at Adam and wink.

"What do you think, my lord?" I asked. Adam's eyes flickered with hesitation, but he bit his lower lips before nodding profusely.

A chuckle slipped past my lips when the hesitation in their eyes was replaced with determination. I glanced at Charlotte on instinct and caught her sighing and shaking her head.

"Then, that's settled!"