The Duke's Passion

"Sam, look! I made a giant flower!" I raised my brows, proud of my creation. 

I've never seen such a colorful daisy in my life. Hence, I thought that my imagination was slowly getting broader.

Painting, huh? It's difficult, but I like it. 

Sam slowly scanned the gigantic flower I painted myself. It was too big it occupied almost the entire canvass. It's enormous, indeed. And I'm proud of it!

"That…" Sam smiled before casting me a pleased look. "How are you so talented?"

I blushed, hiding the urge to grin. Hence, I bit my lower lip and cleared my throat.

"I'm merely expressing myself." I reasoned out.

Not that I'm overly confident. But when Sam praised me like this, I feel like jumping. Sharing something important for him felt like an achievement.

"I didn't know you like lotus, my lady." Sam praised, poking the tip of my nose with his blackened finger. "A rainbow lotus at that."

I frowned. Sam furrowed his brows upon seeing my reaction.

"Why?" He asked.

"It's… not a lotus, my lord." My shoulders lowered, sighing. "It's a rainbow daisy."

"Oh," Sam nodded. His lips parted, but no words came out.

I sighed as I glanced at the rainbow daisy. I made sure it would appear as close to a daisy; the flower was easy to draw. 

How could he see this as lotus? Well, some tip of the leaves were a bit pointy. But I don't think it was as sophisticated as the lotus.

"It's so good that I thought it's a lotus." After some time, Sam laughed out loud and clapped his hands together.

The sound of his laugh didn't even back up his claims. I didn't know the duke completely, but I could tell he's trying to cover it up.

Goodness… he didn't need to lie.

I clicked my tongue, facing my canvass as I raised my chin up. Regardless, it wasn't a competition. So, I thought this flower was not bad. No, it was not at all!

It's unique as each petal bore different colors.

"Ay…" Sam clicked his tongue, letting out a heavy sigh as he leaned closer. "It's not bad, my lady. I'm actually happy you had expressed yourself."

"I didn't say it's bad, my lord. I believed it's unique." I cast Sam a brief side glance. 

Sam grinned, pleased with my last remarks. Well, I used to have no talent in these areas before. I never even dreamed of touching a brush and paint before.

Hell. Not even in my wildest imagination that I dreamed of living the life I had now. 

All my life, I was raised to be mocked, looked down, and barely survived day by day. Even if someone insulted my lack of skills in art or my entire existence, I wouldn't even bat an eye.

I'm immune.

"What's important is not whether this painting looks good or bad. The memory of how this is created matters the most." I mumbled.

When I realized I spoke my thoughts aloud, I pressed my lips together. Instantly, I turned my dilated eyes towards Sam.

Sam's smile grew brighter, leaning forward slightly. He rested his arm on his leg, his eyes fixed on me.

"That's right." Sam nodded. "Goodness… your straightforwardness will be the death of me."

"Why?" I blurted out.

"Because," He paused, rocking his head back and forth lightly. "You make my heart go 'thump thump pew pew' with your words."

I furrowed my brows, tilting my head to the side. Thump thump pew pew? 

How strange it was to elaborate on the beating of his heart like that. Unconsciously, I placed my hand on my chest just to check if my heart also make that strange sound.

"Haha." Sam chuckled, catching my attention.

Slowly, I raised my gaze, baffled. Why was he laughing? I wondered.

"Did I explain it incorrectly?" He asked.

Sam then raised his hand, carefully putting my hand away. I didn't mind how dirty his hands were. I let him put his palm on my chest.

As soon as his palms came into contact with my chest, I held my breath. Simultaneously, the normal beating of my heart grew frantic.

I looked away to hide the heat building up on my cheek. Why does my body react strangely with just one touch?

Just then, I recalled what happened last night and this morning. I immediately bit my lower lips as hard as I could.

Having these thoughts just made me more flustered. Sam might think I'm being too demanding.

Goodness! I think I'm losing my mind! It's… frustrating.

"My… how I wish I can still hear your thoughts." Sam's remark snapped me back to my senses.

"Ah?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy listening to your internal mumblings." Sam let out a brief chuckle. But his crimson orbs that were akin to fire never left me.

His palm remained on my chest. When it made its movement, slowly but surely, going down as he hooked his finger in my bodice.

My throat dried up, understanding what his actions were telling me.

"You've become naughty, my love." Sam teased with a smirk.

"I —" I choked before I could deny it. How was that… being naughty? More like... needy?

"You don't say no, and I can tell by your temperature you also want it." Sam breathed, his eyes drooping as he set his gaze on my chest.

He slowly slipped his finger deeper into my bodice, pulling it down. "You'll really be the death of me. I think I'm losing my mind. All I can think of at this moment is your face underneath me."

I gulped down a mouthful of my saliva. The shiver running down my spine caused my heart to beat frantically.

When he raised his eyes and instantly caught my gaze, I flinched slightly.

"Lilou." He called out under his breath. The glint in his eyes intensified. 

"Should we…"

"The flower!" Before he could propose the idea of what I assumed he would, I exclaimed.

"Yes, love. I want your flower."