The Duke's Passion

"Ahh! What are you — ah!" Sam yelled, scuffling as he took quick leaps. But I didn't let go.

Instead, I bit harder.

"Ouch! Ah! Ah! Ah — hahaha!" After a few shrieked of pain, it eventually grew into waves of laughter.

I knew a simple bite wouldn't hurt him. Thus, I withdrew my teeth slowly, letting his shoulder go.

"Goodness, Silly! Don't seduce this fragile man! Since when have you been into playing vampires?" Along with his waves of chuckles, Sam inquired.

I frowned, biting my inner lip lightly. 

"It's not funny, my lord." I muttered as I gulped down the building up air in my throat.

"Huh?"

"That rumor… how can you take it so lightly?" My hand clasped on his shoulders tightly. "How can you think about my well-being if you don't worry about yours? Whether it is true or just a rumor, once it reached the king, isn't that the same?"

I shrunk down, hiding my lower face behind his shoulder. Sam glanced over his shoulder as I looked down.

I don't worry about myself. I had embraced death multiple times. However, I'm more anxious thinking that Sam's peace would be robbed from him because of a silly rumor.

Even when I think I don't completely know him, I'm certain Sam wasn't that kind of man. Even if he had the capabilities, he wouldn't do such an absurd thing as to usurp the throne.

I've lived long enough to understand that this world reigned by vampires was frightening enough. Vampires could kill, devour, and do everything they pleased to humans.

Even if we fight back, vampires were just too powerful for us. But, to think that two vampires wage war… what would happen to us?

Again, we would just be another casualty among the many.

"What a foolish lord…" I blurted out, along with my sigh.

Even when I realized what slipped out of my tongue, I only pursed my lips together. Sam was, indeed, foolish. 

But I'm the bigger fool, am I?

"Are you worried about me dying?" He asked, and I remained silent.

"I'm strong, though." He added.

I don't care if you're the strongest. I replied in my head. But I ought I should keep my thoughts in my head.

"Heh, what a silly girl." Sam muttered.

But he was right. I'm, indeed, silly. For worrying for a vampire like him, for wishing him nothing but happiness, for wanting to keep what we had…

And for being afraid I might lose something — someone who held a far greater importance than my life.

"Don't worry." He said, cocking his head as he poked my head with his. "That rumor had existed for hundreds of years. Yet, I'm still here."

He reassured. His tone light as ever.

Slowly, I raised my gaze. It already existed that long?

"You are the key to kill that rumor."

"I am?" I asked, furrowing my brows as Sam finally resumed in his tracks.

"How, my lord?"

"Well…" Sam trailed as he produced a long hum. "Obviously, because you're a human? Marrying a noble vampire or just one of my sisters is like fanning the flames."

He explained in a knowing tone. However, my mind focused on his latter remarks.

"Marry your sister?" I gasped, blinking my eyes as if it would help me aid my hearing.

"Uh, yes?" Sam once again glanced back at me. His brow arched, his expression telling me it was a normal occurrence.

"My mother and father were siblings. The current king had married two of my sisters before I entered my slumber. My eldest brother married my eldest sister; though he was the rightful heir, those two eloped to a faraway land."

"Sisters marrying their brothers…?" I trailed under my breath. 

My eyes gradually grew wider, blinking in disbelief. I heard nothing about that. Well, I barely heard stories about the royal family.

"Some of them just played around, sneaking behind with my other brothers' or sisters' back. Sometimes, with our cousins. Our family never failed to entertain me — they're comical!" Sam chuckled. His tone laced with ridicule.

Momentarily, I listened to him, slacked-jaw. I couldn't articulate my thoughts properly, trying to make sense of his claims.

"It's normal for pure-blooded vampires to keep our bloodline pure, obviously." He explained.

I snapped back in time to sputter, "Have you…" yet my breath suddenly hitched.

"Have I slept with my sisters?" Sam continued my question, which I failed to ask.

I pursed my lips as I bit my tongue. When I heard him say, "Well, in the past, I…" a sudden urge of panic swelled up inside me.

Without thinking twice, I covered his lips with my palm.

"Hmm?" He hummed as he cocked his head back at me.

"My — my lord, I — I think I can wa — walk." I stuttered in great difficulty.

I don't want to hear it. If I do, I would have to think about it. I wouldn't stop myself from imagining Sam with his sister.

I… It was better to leave it to someone else's imagination. This way, I could trick my mind that he hadn't touched and kissed another woman.

This way, I could keep my thoughts pure. But… could I, really?

"No can do, my lady." He refused with a teasing tone.

Sam shook his head lightly to remove my hand away from him.

"Goodness. I want to tease you because Lilou being jealous makes me feel good. Haha!" He exclaimed.

"I'm not —!" I choked. Was it that obvious?

"But your blood flow tells me otherwise. See? I feel your arms suddenly burning." He chuckled, exposing me with unknown facts for his kind.

"I'm just… just…" I trailed, racking my brain from thinking of believable reasons I could think of at the moment.

"Just…?"

"Just..." I took a deep breath and gulped. "I had drank a wine before going out!"

I blurted out as I looked away haughtily. Just what had gotten into me? Resorting to make a lie? An unbelievable at that!

Well done, Lilou. Well done!

"Pfft—!" Upon hearing my obvious lie, Sam burst out in laughter. His peels of laughters made me want to evaporate.