The Duke's Passion

"Feed anyone who comes in here. Whether they have money or don't, be it vampires or humans, treat them all fairly. This establishment's purpose is not to make profit, but to serve its people."

*BANG!*

A loud sound of the entrance being burst open startled me out of my wits. Slowly, I moved my gaze at the entrance.

The door flew to a certain direction while the other barely hanged still. There was a group of five people standing by the door.

One of them was Noah Remington. But he stood behind. My eyes shifted to the other red-haired man standing at the front.

Unlike Noah, the other red-haired man emanated power from his well-built physique. He looked more matured, keeping his chin up, while his eyes scanned the establishment.

"Sam…" I whispered, and turned in his direction. However, Sam remained nonchalant as he stared at Teddy.

"If you agree with my condition, the restaurant is yours." Sam uttered in a flat tone.

Teddy sported a conflicted look. Was this the time to negotiate?

"But… about you, the—" Teddy stammered before he abruptly halted as he gritted his teeth. "Will you flee to safety if I agree?"

"Obviously." Sam nodded with a shrug.

"Then, I'll pass my will to my offspring." Teddy heaved a sigh of relief before he slowly turned around.

Teddy stood in a protective stance as he faced the group of intruders. I gazed at Teddy's back.

"Lord Arthur, Lord Noah, I wouldn't beat around the bush. Our clan had been supporting and abiding by the laws of Whistlebird. However, I can't let you trample on our family's pride anymore."

Teddy's voice thundered. His tone laced with determination.

"Teddy Brown." Arthur let out a scoff that sounded like a brief chuckle. "The Brown Clan, a former noble family, banished from the capital after committing treason. Us, the Remington had granted you mercy. Alas, you're repaying our mercy by humiliating my little brother?"

Teddy chuckled with ridicule. He shook his head as he raised his gaze back to Arthur.

"Mercy?" Teddy scoffed once again. "If what you call mercy is humiliating our family's name, making us your slaves to make your own wealth, and toying us whenever you please, I don't need your mercy!" 

Teddy yelled firmly. His voice rang across each corner of the establishment. I noticed some server and people around as they stood on their feet; their eyes focused on the five men standing by the entrance as their fangs gradually came into sight.

"You're showing your fangs…" Arthur smirked, raising his hand as he slowly removed his black leather gloves. 

"It seems the Brown Clan had decided to end their line."

"Sam…" I turned my gaze across me. I could feel the air grew thicker with every passing second. 

If nothing was done, they would shed blood. To my dismay, Sam was looking at me brightly.

"Are you done eating, love?" Sam leaned forward, cupping his cheek, bearing a bright smile on his lips.

"Sam!" I bit my lower lip, hesitant to speak my mind. However, I figured being honest with him was the least I could do.

"I don't want to flee. Can't you help Mister Brown?" 

Sam blinked innocently. The more he remained silent, the more I could hear my heart sinking.

I'm aware Whistlebird was not Sam's fief. This land was out of his jurisdiction. However, how could I sleep peacefully, knowing someone sacrificed their life for me?

"I — I know you've given your word and agreed to Mister Brown's request. However, I don't want him to —" I choked, grinding my teeth as I mustered all shamelessness to ask him to turn back on his own words.

It may be too much to ask, but... I felt helpless.

"Haha." Sam chuckled brightly. "I've agreed to flee, but you didn't."

"Huh?"

"The reason I agree is that you'd disagree. And that Teddy will also disagree to agree with me if I disagree." Sam explained, but my mind buzzed.

What did he say? Was this a riddle or an explanation?

"Silly." Sam grinned as he bent over. His arms extended as he pinched my cheek. "Ah, you're so cute."

"Sam." I looked at him in puzzlement. Even though I couldn't comprehend what was going inside his mind, his smile soothed my heart to ease.

"Now, can you do me a favor, love?" I raised my brows as I waited for his next word.

"Close your eyes and cover your ears for me."

"What?" I asked. "Why?"

Sam smacked his lips. "Because I don't want you to see me… just yet."

As soon as I heard his explanation, I pursed my lips in a thin line. I wanted to say no. But, I ought to respect him just like how he respected my decision.

With that thought in mind, I nodded. Sam smiled and patted my head lightly.

"Good girl."

After a beat, I reluctantly closed my eyes and covered my ears. Mysteriously enough, I couldn't hear anything. I thought I'd still hear, albeit faint since I'm here. 

But nothing. It was just silence.

****

"Good girl." Samael patted Lilou's head without looking away from her eyes.

Upon seeing what he was eager to see, Samael retracted his hand away as Lilou did as what he instructed.

"It seems the Brown Clan had decided to end their line." Arthur removed his glove ever so slowly. "Be it from the old generation or the newer generation of your clan, you're all foolish. I guess foolishness is hereditary."

"The Brown Clan were not foolish, Arthur. We are proud vampires who supported the rightful heir of the throne!" Teddy hissed as his fangs came out. His eyes glinted with killing intent as his nails grew into sharp claws.

"The rightful heir of the throne?" Arthur smirked. 

In a blink of an eye, Arthur appeared in front of teddy. He was too fast that Teddy was a second late to avoid the attack right in front of his chest.

Arthur's hand smoothly penetrated Teddy's chest as if it was as soft as a jelly. His fingers immediately wrapped around Teddy's beating heart.

Without a shadow of doubt, Arthur was on a different caliber than Noah. He was better and stronger in every aspect.

"Pity. The Brown clan's head couldn't even put up a fight." Arthur mocked as he looked around at the Brown's family members hissing at him.

"Fret not, Ted. I will treat all your clan members dearly." Arthur smirked, stressing his words that intensified the desperation in Teddy's heart.

"You…!" Teddy ground his teeth in disbelief, as he couldn't even put a fight before dying. In his mind, Arthur was right. He was a foolish vampire to stand up against the Remington after sucking up to them for hundreds of years.

Teddy's eyes welled up as he looked at his clan members. He regretted it. Those were his last words, as he had realized that none of them would survive tonight.

"You lived a long, meaningless life, Ted." Arthur pulled his hand back.

However, Arthur and Teddy froze. Teddy's mind momentarily stopped functioning as he blinked and still conscious. 

Meanwhile, Arthur's fangs slowly came out as he gazed at Teddy's chest. His hand was still inside, but his arm… it was severed.

"If you show your fangs, that means you're putting your life on the line, no?" Suddenly, a malicious voice tickled Arthur's ear.

Arthur slowly turned to where Samael stood. Samael's eyelashes fluttered, staring at him with a subtle smile.

Samael's tone was neither cold nor flat. His eyes didn't bear a grudge or killing intent.

What pooled beneath his deep crimson eyes was… pleasure. And when the side of his lips stretched into a smirk, a veritable devil came out of his disguise.

"Shh… don't be afraid, little one. I just want you to humor me."