The Duke's Passion

While Sam and I headed inside, I told him what happened in the carriage on our way home. I sighed, recalling my son's harsh words towards Adam. Although I understood Law was simply concerned about Adam's welfare, his words still went too far.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to Law." Sam nodded reassuringly, but I shook my head sideways. 

"I'll talk to him and you talk to Adam," I replied in a knowing tone, making my husband frown. I stopped when we were by the door, facing him squarely. 

"Sam, Law is very upset and you two might end up arguing," I explained while squeezing his hand lightly. "It's not that I am saying you can't control your son. My point is, Law is still a child who needs coaxing, while Adam surely needs a little wisdom from you. Is that alright with you?"

My brows rose, waiting for his response. Fortunately, Sam didn't argue as he rocked his head lightly.

"Sure. I'll talk to Adam then." The side of my lips stretched into a smile, standing on my toes as I planted a kiss on his cheek. 

"Thank you, my husband," I whispered and winked.

"Ah, my wife." Sam cupped my cheeks with both his hands as he let out a sigh. "Do you find these adjustments a little hard?"

"Honestly?" 

"Honestly."

"Well." I took a deep breath while staring into his eyes. "It's hard. The tea party is boring, and it made me realize I'm too sensitive for meaningless relationships and friendships. I value those deeply."

Sam chuckled helplessly while I let out a deep exhale. It was true. That was the main reason I disliked taking part in the trivial tea parties and banquets. But with this change in our life, I wanted to do better. I knew it wasn't just me who was having a tough time adjusting, quenching my violent urges, and tolerating people. 

"It makes me wonder how did you do it, Sam," I continued, along with a deep exhale. "Tolerating people is easy, but not when we have countless nerves in our body and someone gets on every single one of them."

"You did a good job coming home clean. I'm so proud of you." He chuckled heartily. Lady Talia was surely lucky that she was still alive after taunting me like that. She was fortunate I was trying to be a good, normal mother to my sons.

"Anyway..." I trailed off when I noticed a figure from the corner of my eyes. I turned my head in her direction on instinct and my eyes dilated in shock. The other person was also surprised as she gasped when our eyes met.

"Bey?!" I immediately brushed Sam's hand from me as I hurriedly went to Bey. When I stopped a step before her, I bobbed my face to scan her. She was wearing a maid uniform, and it seemed she was working on the estate.

"It's really you!" 

Bey's eyes welled up, but she said nothing. Maybe she was too shocked to see me. I glanced at the maids with her and they all bowed slightly. I asked Sam about Bey in the past and he told me she was fine. He didn't tell me he hired her, though. 

"La — Lady Sam?" I winced when Bey called me by the name I gave her. I instinctively glanced at the maid behind Bey, who slightly panicked, and then I looked back to Sam, who scrunched his nose up.

"Bey," whispered the maid, tugging Bey's sleeve lightly. "What are you saying? This is Madam Lilou. What you called her is the Master's name."

"What..." Bey paled as she gazed at the person behind me. Panic slowly dominated her face, but before she could ask for forgiveness, I held her shoulders and smiled. 

"It's fine. It's my fault for giving a false name. My name is Lilou and Sam is my husband's name." I grinned awkwardly, squeezing her slim biceps. "I'm just so glad to see you here. How have you been?"

I looked at Bey and studied her up close. She looked better than back when we first met each other. The dark bags under her eyes also lightened, and she wasn't that gaunt anymore. I was glad that it seemed she was living a bit better now.

"Madam, I'm fine now since I started working here a month ago. I am so glad Madam is well. I thought..." Bey, the cry baby as she was, welled up. She tried to stop her tears, but it seemed seeing me made her feel so relieved. Did she think the Malum harmed me?

"Oh, Bey." I smiled subtly while wiping her tears with the back of my finger. 

"My wife, as much as I hate it, I have to interrupt your reunion with your old friend. " Sam's voice suddenly came from behind me. I looked back at him and he was already standing a step away from me. To my surprise, his arm circled around my lean waist, bending over on my shoulder, and smiled at Bey.

His shameless and proud, affectionate action caused Bey's face and the maids to flush. Even my eyes dilated as I turned my head to him and he pulled me closer to him. This felt like... Sam was jealous of Bey? Was it because I was wiping Bey's tears gently?

"We have sons to placate, right, wife?" Sam cast me a smile, but his eyes were glinting. "Right?"

I averted my eyes and answered. "Yes..."

"Then, let's go." Before I could react, Sam suddenly swept me off of my feet and carried me in his arms. I wrapped my limbs around his neck on instinct, wide-eyed. The corner of his lips curled up into a smirk as he walked away.

"Sam," I called under my breath, stretching my neck to look over his shoulder. The maids were squealing silently while Bey was staring at my husband's back. When our eyes met, a helpless smile resurfaced on her face. 

"My husband, I don't know why are you suddenly jealous.. But I think I found a perfect person to help me in the noble lady's tea parties."