The Duke's Passion

"You don't remember?"

"Of course, I do. But, why are you staring at me as if I'm a stranger?" Although I was surprised by my question, I repeated it unhesitatingly.

I remembered Sam staring at me almost similar to this back when I got possessed in the carriage. The difference was quite similar and not at the same time. It was hard to explain.

But my heart could feel the difference.

"Because I'm furious… very much." Sam stressed his words for me to understand.

"Did I do something to deserve your wrath?"

"I'm not mad at you, silly." Sam was quick to reply. But his coldness remained.

"Then…" I looked away with a sigh slipping past my lips.  "… why do you sound as if I committed something unforgivable? I should be the one mad at you after…"

Unconsciously, I raised my hand and touched my upper chest. I furrowed my brows as I looked down before touching my neck.

There were no healing wounds? I'm certain I should've inflicted injuries after all that biting.

But there's none.

"What are you doing?" Sam inquired, curious.

I immediately looked up and cast him a look.

"No marks."

Sam narrowed his eyes. "No marks?"

"Didn't you…" I trailed off as I tilted my head to the side. "Huh?"

"Didn't I, what?"

Strange, I thought. What was I was trying to say again?

"Lilou," Sam muttered before I turned my head to face him.

However, as soon as I did, Sam already stood. His palm resting on the mattress' as his face was only a palm length away from me.

"Lilou, what did I do to you last night?"

For some reason, I felt like I was treading on thin ice. I've gotten too used to Sam's teasing nature that this solemn side of him felt new.

And dangerous.

I unconsciously bit my tongue. Would he kill me if I gave him the wrong answer? But, above all that, what actually frightened me was… losing his affection.

Did he get possessed?

"I…" I looked away. "I don't remember."

"Lilou."

Whenever he called me by my name, it would usually make my heart flutter. But now, I felt like I was getting scolded.

"I really don't remember. I'm so sure I am trying to tell you what happened, but… I can't remember what I was trying to say."

"Did he touch you?"

"Touch me?" With a furrowed brow, I returned my attention back to him. "By who?"

Sam studied me carefully, at this close distance. I felt like looking away again, but he placed his hand on my chin, forcing me to look at him.

He stared at me for as long as I could remember. And then his eyes glistened with killing intent.

"That bastard…" Sam gritted his teeth as if any moment, he'd snap someone's neck.

Please, not my neck.

But before that, I secretly recalled what I did last night. 

Last night, I told Fabian I wanted to take a stroll alone. I had too much things to think about that I thought strolling in the garden would make me feel better.

Also, since Sam wasn't around that time. Then I went back into the guest chambers and fell asleep while waiting for Sam.

However, why did I feel something was amiss? I felt like I was missing something very important.

What happened to me that got Sam so riled up? What happened that brought forth the emotions I had never seen in his eyes?

What happened, Lilou? My deductions aptitude, please come out.

But nothing.

No matter how I thought about it, there's nothing. My memory remained the same.

I wouldn't be confused if I remembered.

"Did… something happened?" I raised my gaze back to Sam, asking carefully.

Instead of answering, Sam's jaw tightened. What's with his expression?

Slowly, Sam raised his hand and cupped my cheek. I could feel his restraint fury just by his touch.

"Sam?"

"I'm sorry." He muttered under his breath.

"Huh?" My furrowed brows creased even more. "What happened?" 

I could not help but worry about seeing him like this. Sam was never serious, or rather, I had never seen him take anything seriously.

But now, there's this one distinct emotion I could feel from him. His blood… was boiling, continuously.

Despite uttering words of apology, his building up fury remained. It made my heart thump loudly.

"Rest here for now. I had told Fabian to escort you back to Grimsbanne." Sam slowly withdrew his hand as he pushed himself back.

What was this melancholic emotion circling in my heart?

"And you?" I didn't know why he would give such an order.

"I'll set off of on my own." Sam replied coldly as he turned around.

Before I could think or process his words, my body acted on its own. I immediately raised my hand and held on the hem of his loose poet shirt.

He stopped, thankfully. Sam looked over his shoulder and back at me.

"I… don't want to go back." I murmured. "Not without you."

I had waited for him all night. And when I awoke, he was acting differently and telling me to go back?

Not to mention, not recalling or knowing what made such drastic change? I felt like I wouldn't be seeing him again if he goes today.

"What happened to keeping me close?" I added, receiving no response from him. "If something terrible happened while I was asle…"

Before I could finish my sentence, Sam suddenly pinned me down. His eyes glinting dangerously as he pinned my wrist above my head.

Catching me completely by surprised.

"Sa — Sam…" 

"I'm slowly losing my mind, Lilou. I can barely contain this anger and I might just explode. I can't let this slide." 

I gulped down a mouthful of saliva as my heart raced frantically. Still, I could not help but notice that despite pinning my hands, I didn't feel any pain.

Just staring at him confirmed that something unforgivable happened. If only I could just remember…

Hah…! 

Suddenly, snippets of memory started coming back to me. They were just snippets, but I scoffed in disbelief.

"Disgusting." Before I knew it, words slipped past my lips without my consent.

Sam could barely contain his anger. However, I couldn't contain this abrupt fury engulfing my heart.