The Duke's Passion

When we came in, Law and I sat across from Sam and Adam. My brows rose as I cast Sam a look, and he shrugged. I gazed down at Law, who sat beside me.

"Law?" I called, and he glanced at me. He then peeked at Adam, fidgeting with his fingers as he mustered his courage to apologize. 

"I'm... so... sorry," came out a weak, muffled voice.

"My son, that is very sincere of you," Sam commented, only to zip his mouth when Law and I glared at him. 

Law let his father's comment slide this time as he took a deep breath. He diverted his attention to Adam, who was staring at Law apologetically.

"I know what I said is harsh and I shouldn't have said that because I'm angry. But I don't hate you!" Law confessed, almost like shouting, as if he would have cold feet if he didn't. "I dislike that those snot-nosed kids have the audacity to talk you down like that, but... I realized you are just being the bigger person. Arguing with those brain deads is only a waste of time. They won't understand the word we say since their brain is smaller than crickets."

I covered my lips with my palm, on the verge of tears upon hearing my son's apology. I surely refrained from using such words, but it seemed his brain processor translated my words differently. Sam cast me this judgy look before a playful grin resurfaced on his lips.

'My husband! I'm innocent!' was what I wanted to yell, but this wasn't the time to defend myself.

"No. You're not wrong, Law. If I am more capable or even tried to be one, they wouldn't treat me like that. I'm sorry that you have to defend me all the time." Adam shook his head, smiling helplessly. "And thank you for always siding with me even though you get ostracized by other children because of it."

"Of course! You are better than them!" Law exclaimed strongly, making Adam smile a bit brighter. "I don't like unintelligent and loud people. Those children's idiocy will drag my intelligence down and hanging out with them is degrading."

"My god, wife... just what kind of advice did you give our son?" Sam gasped dramatically with his palm on his chest. "I am... flabbergasted at what I am hearing."

"Tch." I glared at him and chose to ignore him. It was not like I taught Law these insults. Suddenly, my brow raised as I looked back at Sam. 

'Excuse me? Who raised our son for the first five years of his life?' was what I wanted to ask him. 

"Anyway, I'm really sorry. I will try to think before I talk from now on." Law offered Adam a meek smile. "I really don't hate you and you are the best brother I ever had. If only you can go inside Mother's womb so we can be blood-related..."

"My god, wife..."

"Sam, please." I widened my eyes at Sam, warning him to stop adding his unnecessary comments. Sam shrugged, zipping his mouth, but his eyes told me he would only shut up now. 

"Law..." Adam pressed his lips as his eyes reddened with tears. "... I am also grateful to be your friend and for Madam and Sir Roux for treating me like a family. I'm so happy that I can have a place I can call home and... a family where I can call Madam Roux Mother without feeling guilty and Sir Roux Father. Being in this place for a month made me so happy and grateful for being born..."

"Adam..." My eyes softened at seeing the flow of emotion along with his tears. Adam cried without restraint until he was hiccuping, but he was more than honest than he had ever become. 

I turned to Law and smiled. "Go on, son." I patted his shoulder, signaling him to console Adam. Law nodded as he hopped from his seat and marched towards Adam. 

I watched the two of them console each other and was moved by their brotherhood. They weren't blood-related, but their bond was stronger than others. I really hoped they would have a good relationship forever. I was so immersed in watching them I didn't notice Sam already perched on the seat Law sat earlier.

He crawled his arm on the backrest, casting me a look. "Happy now?"

"Yes." I moved closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm very happy and proud of our sons. I hope they maintain their relationship forever."

"Me too." I raised my head at Sam while he was staring at Law and Adam. "Once they grow older, they will have disagreements, just like today. They might fight too and use their fist to settle it, but I also wish they won't forget that they are still brothers."

"Mhmm." I squeezed his thigh and subtly smiled. 

Sam and I didn't talk anymore while we kept our eyes on Adam and Law across from us. I loved our life. The adjustments Sam and I were doing in this peaceful and normal life were tough, but it was all worth it. I truly wished this would last forever as well. 

"Law's birthday is coming soon. My letters to them must've arrived already." I broke the silence between us as I gazed up at Sam. "Do you think they will come?"

"My wife, even if I sent them a separate letter telling them to refuse your invitation, I'm sure they will tear it to many pieces." Sam cast me a knowing look. "If I were you, tell our people to prepare many rooms since our house will be filled with guests from across the empire."

I giggled, thrilled at hearing from those people. "I hope they can make it."

"Don't hope. They will make it and fill our storehouse with their gifts. It's not an exaggeration to consider that each of them will fill one storehouse." A chuckle slipped past my lips while Sam looked at me with a knowing countenance. "I'm not joking, though."

"Fine..."

After some time, Law and Adam recovered and joined us in our seats. We spend tea time together like a family and, as promised, I would sleep with the children. But Sam would never agree to sleep on his own. So, in the end, we all slept in the same bed tonight. Fortunately, Sam procured a larger bed for the two of us, since we played around too much every night.

"Good night, Sam," I whispered while lifting my head. Law was already sleeping beside me. Next to him was Adam and then Sam. 

"Good night, my love."

I smiled as I relaxed on this side of the bed. I stared at Law's sleeping face and brushed his hair gently before closing my eyes to sleep. 

"Thank you for this life, Sam," came out a whisper before falling into my slumber.