The Duke's Passion

"Wow! What just happened?"

"Is he cheating? Or did Glory go too easy for him?"

"But look at Glory! I have never seen him struggle so much!" 

Doubt soon came after, but Glory's twisting face to fight off Sam's arm made it hard to distinguish if what they were seeing was actually happening. Also, why would they rig the game? Sam could triple the prize money.

"Damn..." Glory cursed through his gritted teeth, clutching the end of the table with his free hand. "Why you... little..."

"You shouldn't go easy on me, Sir. The crowd is booing you." Sam smiled, as there wasn't a trace of struggle on his face. I knew just by looking at their arm that Glory was channeling all his strength, but my husband's arm was just as immovable as the southern walls.

"Boo! Glory! What the hell are you doing?! You look so pathetic!"

"What happened to no mercy! Damn! I put all my money on you! Are you trying to cheat us?!"

"Scram!" Glory roared at the crowd, whose dismay was increasing. "Damn it...!" 

With Glory's intimidating growl, the crowd's complaints turned into murmurings once again. Even though I could still some comments, I didn't pay attention to them as I watched Glory struggle against my husband. My eyes veered to my husband's rear and noticed the brief smirk that resurfaced on his lips. 

'There he was,' I thought as that devious smirk was Sam's signature expression. He was probably having more fun than he thought.

"So, are you coming to my son's birthday party?" asked Sam, but Glory ignored him as he focused on avoiding his arm to go even lower. "I'll send you an official invitation later."

While Sam's arm didn't budge, he raised his head and looked at the crowd. For reasons unknown, he managed to catch the crowd's attention even though he hadn't spoken a word yet.

"I know a lot of you had placed their bets on the champion, but I appreciate those who had placed their money on me. Be it because of ridiculous hope, or you just want to go against the crowd, I don't let down those who put their trust in me." A smile appeared on Sam's lips as he tilted his head down. "I hope you spend your money wisely next time."

As soon as he spouted those words, Sam finally weighed Glory's robust arm down on the table. He didn't even look at his opponent while ending the round. Glory's eyes dilated, staring blankly at his arm underneath Sam's. It happened so fast, so it was surely a shock to him. 

Silence dawned on the street while Sam retrieved his arm smoothly. He gazed at us, specifically staring at Law, and offered a smile. 

"Father..." Law whispered in awe before Sam faced the shocked host. 

"I forfeit the title of the new champion." The event host snapped to the current lapse when Sam snapped his fingers. "I don't plan on defeating nine more."

Sam didn't even wait for the host to grasp his remarks as he marched back towards us. He smiled at me, but before I could smile back, my eyes dilated seeing that Glory towered behind Sam. 

"You... what cheap trick did you use?" Glory's voice shook in rage, finally realizing that someone like Sam defeated him without breaking a sweat. There was no greater shame than getting defeated, just like that. His ego was surely wounded.

Sam's brows rose, pivoting on his heel to face the towering giant. Well, he looked like a giant in my eyes — or in the eyes of Law and Adam. 

"Sir, I don't need to use cheap tricks to win. Are you going to hit me because you cannot accept your loss? They are children who are watching." His demeanor remained calm, but I felt this cold chill run down my spine. Sam was pulling an aura on him. Not good.

"You...!" Glory's eyes glinted, gnashing his teeth as his fist trembled. But before he could lift his arm, Sam took several calm steps forward. He then held Glory's arm and tugged it down, making Glory's huge physique bend over.

Everyone watched as Sam whisper something that only the two of them could hear. But based on how Glory's eyes went wide and froze, it must be something terrifying. My husband drew away and smiled before marching back at us. 

I gazed at the frozen defeated champion and he didn't move an inch. It made me wonder what Sam told him to terrify him like that.

"I won't be claiming the prize money. Is that alright with you?" Sam inquired at Law as soon as he reached us. Law only cast him a look, blinking with surprise in his eyes.

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked and this time, he raised his gaze to me. "Or are there any arcades you want to try?"

"I, no, I mean, there are still some arcades we will try." I shook my head and squeezed Law's shoulder lightly. I waited for the two boys to look up at us before I spoke.

"Right? Or do you want to eat first?" 

They only looked at us blankly, as if they still hadn't gotten things wrapped around their heads. The gazes from the crowd also grew intense by the minute.

"Ah! I know this stall that serves the best chicken skewers!" Suddenly, Charlotte snapped us back to our senses since the children couldn't think of an answer.

"Great! Let's try it!" I forced a huge smile on my face but raised my brows when I saw Sam squatted. 

"Come. I'll carry you on my back," He motioned to Law, who just got out of his trance. Our son didn't say a word but walked behind Sam. It didn't take long when Law was on his father's shoulder.

"Woah!" Law gasped, wide-eyed when Sam slowly stood on his feet. "Mother!" 

I only smiled at him and held Adam's hand. "Let's go?" 

With that being said, we walked away together. As we did, the crowd just instinctively made way for us, so our exit went smoothly. It was easy to distract Law and Adam, so they didn't raise questions about what just happened.

*****

Meanwhile, as they walked away, Charlotte looked back at the crowd. Everyone had their eyes on the family of 'four'. Her eyes veered towards Glory, who was staring at Samael blankly. 

'His Majesty is getting reckless,' she thought with a sigh but shrugged before following them.