The Duke's Passion

After meeting Bey, I suddenly had this idea in my head. It was wrong for me to ask Fabian for socializing as he was too insensitive about other people's feelings. He probably thought I could do whatever I wanted if nobles offended me. He wasn't wrong, though. But I now had Law, and I didn't want to ruin our peaceful life because I couldn't let go of my violent tendencies. 

Bey came from a fallen noble house. But that didn't mean she didn't have an idea on how to deal with the ladies in high society. Especially, the noble houses in the south. I would focus on that later, though. For now, we must deal with Law and Adam. 

Sam and I agreed to talk to them. So, I went straight to Law's room before Sam could trap me with his affection. I let out a deep exhale and knocked on the door. 

"Law?" I called, but there was no one who answered me from inside the room. Normally, I would hear my son's hurried footsteps the moment I call his name. But it was just silence now.

"I'm coming in, alright?" 

I took another deep breath and pushed the door open. My eyes searched the room, catching Law sitting on the divan inside the room. He was holding a book, raising his head to me momentarily before resuming in reading. A sigh slipped past my lips as I marched towards him and plopped down beside him.

"My son," I spoke in a gentle tone, but he was ignoring me. "Can we talk?"

"Mother, I already know why you came here. I won't apologize to that coward," came out a grumpy murmur before he flipped the page in irritation. 

"I come here to force you to apologize," I replied helplessly. I actually didn't know what to tell him, but I would hate it if his relationship with Adam would be strained because of one incident. The two of them were like actual brothers, and I loved them equally. It would be painful to watch if they grew distant. 

"Can you spare your mother a moment of your time?"

Law didn't answer immediately before he closed the book and let it on his lap. He slowly turned his head to me and only then did I see the bitterness in his eyes.

"My baby, come here." Seeing the emotions in his eyes made me embrace him gently. "You must be very upset."

"Mother, why is Adam such a pushover? He is the Earl. Although I knew his circumstance, he should stand up for himself." My son complained in a muffled tone while I released him from my embrace. He bit her lower lip while gazing up at me.

"I am still young to protect him and if he doesn't protect himself, he might die before I grow up to protect him."

My heart ached seeing how my son held back his tears. Of course, his words were harsh, but he genuinely cared for Adam. I felt sorry that my son was too young, and he had to worry about these sorts of things.

"My baby... resorting to violence cannot resolve everything," I breathed out as I reached for his hands and patted them gently. "Having brute force is not bad, but that isn't the only indicator of strength. Adam didn't fight back because if he did, that only means he is stooping to their level. And stooping down to their level only means they won."

I paused and smiled subtly. "When people are below you, they wanted to drag you down."

"But they won't stop unless someone teaches them a lesson," Law argued back with a frown. "He will be just like Father. People will keep disrespecting them and speak nonsense. They only do that because they have nothing to fear and they know Adam and Father won't fight back. They see them as easy targets."

Another deep sigh escaped my mouth. The more I thought about it, the more I see Law inherited a part of my instinct and Sam's animal instinct. 

"But even so, their words don't matter. Have you seen your father suffer because of it?" I asked in a gentle tone, raising my brows until he shook his head. "See? They can only talk behind your father's back, but none of them could say it to his face."

Law pressed his lips together, and his shoulders relaxed. I ruffled his hair, staring at him lovingly. I really love this boy and wanted to give him the world. I understood why Sam didn't want to expose him to violence and raise him in a kinder environment. 

"Law, listen to mother, alright?" I looked at him in the eye squarely. "There was a point in my life I questioned your father why he always let things slide. You know what he told me back then?"

I paused, studying Law's expression. He looked at me, listening carefully, before I smiled and continued.

"He said, sometimes, trying to prove himself is an insult in itself." I chuckled, recalling that time years ago. "When you know your capabilities, your worth, you do not have to prove it all the time. Proving it is simply foolish and a waste of time. Do you understand?"

Law nodded weakly. "I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize to me, my baby. I know your intentions are good and I am proud of how you truly care for Adam, but you still hurt him." I smiled, closed-lipped. It was a relief that he had calmed down and listened to me. I also needed to thank Sam for imparting his wisdom in the past. Now, I could use them to educate our son.

"Adam didn't cry when those children teased him, but he did when you scolded him. Do you understand why?" I tilted my head to the side. "That's because their opinions didn't matter to him, but yours does. My son, words can be just as sharp as a knife and deadly if used carelessly."

"Does he hate me now that I told him I hate him?" Law inquired in worry, realizing how reckless his words were.

My smile remained as I shook my head lightly. "He is hurt, but I'm sure he doesn't hate you. Shall we see him and apologize?" 

My son looked reluctant, but he still nodded.. So, I held his hand, and we walked out of the room to meet Adam and Sam.