The Duke's Passion

I dropped my jaw. Literally dropped my jaw. 

So, a land that was worse than entering an enemy's territory was a land of his cult? I've always found myself in a conflicted situation. This one was one of the hardest situation where I didn't know what to feel.

"They must've put a large spell, so you'd faint. These bastards just do what they want to do." Sam grumbled, cracking his knuckles as if he was ready for a kill.

"A spell? Huh?"

"At first, I thought I've sipped too much of your blood that you fainted. Well, deep down I know that's not the case. Fast forward, we have to make a stop in here tonight." Sam explained, but his annoyance was clear to me.

"It — it's not that bad, right?" Clearing my throat as I moved closer to him. 

Or not…

Sam frowned as he faced me. For some, popularity was a compliment and people would love to indulge in it. However, knowing Sam, having this fame… sucks.

Right. He was not just your ordinary vampire who indulged himself in these things. 

"Do you know the reason I want to avoid this city?" Sam inquired as he closed the window to shun the cheering outside.

I didn't speak because my puzzled expression was enough for him to know my curiosity.

"They're annoying."

That answer was rather predictable, knowing him.

"Also, they would do everything just so I'd stay." Again, Sam massaged his temple in distress.

I've never seen him in this distressed back when we've arrived in Whistlebird. But now, it seemed, he wanted to flee.

What a strange man to dislike things most people would want. And find some situation a person didn't want to be in interesting.

Was Sam a strange man or an interesting one? Perhaps both.

Suddenly, the carriage halted. And Sam immediately closed his eyes and rubbed his palms against his face.

After that, a knock came from outside the window of the carriage. Since Sam wasn't responding, I extended my arm and opened it.

Fabian stood outside and offered me a subtle smile. "I'm relieved to see that you're awake, my lady."

I nodded awkwardly and glanced at the distress man beside me.

"My lord, Lord Cameron welcomed you personally."

And that just made things worse for Sam. I thought internally as I stared at Sam's unmoving figure.

What a poor thing. I never thought I'd ever pity Sam this way.

"Can you tell Lord Cameron the Duke of Grimsbanne doesn't feel well?" Since he wasn't responding, I shifted my attention to Fabian.

Fabian pressed his lips together and sighed as well. We're in the same boat; sympathizing Sam.

But well, we could have avoided this place if I was strong enough. But wait… if the reason I fainted was because of a spell, did that mean that woman humming was also their doing?

I furrowed my brows while I unconsciously bit the nail of my thumb. That humming nearly put me into an eternal slumber… or not? I couldn't tell.

Thinking about it still brought this fear into my heart. It's a gut feeling — a strong yet vague gut feeling which I couldn't pinpoint yet.

"Lord Cameron invites us to his castle tonight, my lady." Since Sam wasn't moving, Fabian returned and informed me.

"Will it be rude to refuse?"

"Yes, my lady." Fabian instantly answered with a nod.

"Then, refuse."

My answer slightly made Fabian's brows to knit. He didn't expect that, did he? Well, I wouldn't say such bold words… on normal days. 

However…

"I may overstep my bounds. But, the Duke of Grimsbanne didn't want to be here. They had put up a dangerous spell that put my life in peril. How are are we supposed to trust people who would do foul means just to achieve their goal?" 

My words just came out naturally, without even thinking. However, those words came from my heart.

Aside from the fact that their actions nearly put me to "death (?)", Sam was in an uncomfortable situation. I'm not in the position, but the marquess wouldn't know it was my order, right?

If I put myself in Sam's situation, he'd probably say the same. Or rather, he'd be more brutal and savage than usual. 

"My lady…" Fabian called out under his breath, blinking. His eyes darkened with surprise.

Why was he looking at me like that?

Suddenly, Sam also moved and raised his head towards me. There's not much emotion in his eyes, but he held my gaze for a long time.

After his long silence, he asked. "Who are you?"

Huh?

Sam, it's… I smiled, but that smile immediately faded away as I saw my reflection in his eyes.

Why am I smirking evilly? 

"Get out of her body." Sam cocked his head to the side, his tone especially low, as if he's talking to another person.

Sam! It's me! But my words resonated inside my head. Moments ago, I'm just talking to Fabian, but now… I couldn't control my body?

My body moved on its own as my hand rested on my chest and bowed. "My lord, please accept our invitation. My apologies if I had to do this because Mister Fabian wouldn't let us talk to you."

It was my voice… but this we're not my words. What… no. How dare they?

"Do you really wish to die so bad?" Sam inquired coldly.

Even though I knew he wasn't talking to me, I could not help but shudder in fear. I'm scared, as his eyes weren't the same as when he usually looked at me.

"We will atone for our sin, Your Highness. It's just been hundreds of years, so we were desperate for your grace." I answered.

Stop using me… I whispered internally. Just when I thought I've met anger, I was wrong. I was never been this infuriated in my life.

I'm immune to insults, but this was just a level of insult I could not tolerate. Using me because I'm weak? They were using me this time to talk to Sam because they couldn't get through Fabian.

If they could use me, they'd do far worse than this if I did nothing.

"Get the hell out of me right now, or I'll trap you inside me forever. I assure you, this body will be your grave. Don't test me." 

I only realized my warning came out from my lips when I finished talking. It left?

I wondered, blinking. When my gaze caught Sam and Fabian's surprised expression, I pursed my lips in a thin line.

"I didn't mean that… hehe." I awkwardly explained, as I only tried to scare that person away. "I didn't know it would work."

"Congrats, my bride." Sam suddenly clapped slowly. I furrowed my brows in confusion.

"You saved me this time."

"Save you? From?"

"Mhm." Sam hummed and nodded. He then pointed outside as Fabian stepped aside.

"Listen to what they're saying."

Still had my brows furrowed, I did as what I was instructed. Soon, their indistinct murmuring grew into cheers and shouts.

"Lilou! Lilou! Lilou! Lilou!"