The Duke's Passion

"I remembered this day is supposed to be Lilove and Sam's day. Did I remember it wrong?"

The corner of my lips stretched, hiding my gritted teeth beneath. Sam, this wasn't the right time to unleash your jealousy.

Slowly, I turned my head around and sported a smile. "Sam?"

Sam's face was devoid of emotion. His gaze was colder than ever, darting it from me to my hands that were holding the boy.

"Get away from that thing." Sam ordered, making me frown.

I knew Sam wasn't the most considerate and warmest to others. However, how could he say such a cruel thing?

"Sam?" Still, I tried to keep my reasons and understanding in check. "I asked him to come with us. He is waiting for his uncle."

This time, all the lingering emotions in Sam's eyes vanished. Goodness. How could he be so selfish? I still couldn't believe he was a lord who had a land to take care of.

I let out a deep exhaled as I slowly stood up. Facing him, raising my chin up. 

Sam arched his brow upon seeing my determination. But instead of telling the boy's predicament, I decided to tell it in secret.

When I took a step forward, a light tug stopped me. I gazed down, and the boy clung on to my skirt.

"Auntie, he scares me." He muttered, glancing at Sam and averting his gaze almost immediately.

Oh, such a cute boy! I could not help but smile as I reached for his hand.

"It's alright. My husband might look intimidating but he is very kind." I reassured with a smile, nodding as I patted his hand gently.

As if understanding my gesture, he reluctantly let go. I chuckled when I saw him pout.

"I'll talk to him first, alright?" I said before rushing to Sam, who was just a few steps away.

At this point, Sam had turned into a living ice. I could tell how displeased he was seeing how affectionate I was towards the boy.

It was cute as well. However, he had to understand that a boy got abandoned by his uncle.

"Sam," I whispered, clutching on his sleeve.

Sam only glanced at me coldly. "Why would I let that little crumb ruin our date?"

"Sam." I widened my eyes, raising my brows as a warning. I then tiptoed to explain the situation through whispering in his ear.

"You see, this poor child got abandoned by his uncle. He had been waiting for him since yesterday. So, if we leave him here, he will have to continue on waiting." After I explained the situation to him, I drew back.

Staring at his unfazed reaction. A sigh slipped past my lips.

Even though Sam hadn't said a word yet, I could tell what he was thinking. His crimson eyes were literally telling me he didn't care, and it was none of his business, so he wouldn't bother.

"Please?" My eyelids fluttered sweetly. "Pretty, please? Just this once?"

Sam stared at me for a long time before he sighed. "I never win against you."

Upon hearing his reply, a bright grin crept out on my lips. I witnessed how Sam sighed once again as he reached his hand to me.

Without saying a word, his fingers twirled my hair. His eyes gentle as he stared at his hand playing with my hair.

This subtle gesture made my heart fluttered the most.

"Is that what you really want?" He asked, raising his gaze, and immediately caught mine.

"Yes." I nodded, biting my lip to suppress my grin from stretching wider.

"You really like kids, huh?" Sam sighed as he offered a faint, helpless smile. "We'll take him, then."

"Thank you!" Elated, I leapt towards him, slipping my hands in between his arms as I embraced him. It was an act out of instinct and glee.

*

Samael was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm. His lips tilted up as he raised his hand and rested on her back. 

'This kingdom really doesn't deserve such a precious existence.' He whispered internally, raising his gaze to the child.

As soon as Samael's gaze locked with the little boy's gaze, his eyes sharpened. He didn't know why, but this boy was giving him a strange feeling.

Just moments ago, he was trembling. But now that Lilou wasn't looking, he held Samael's gaze calmly.

'I'm sure he didn't fake his fright earlier. But this…' Samael's thought trailed off momentarily as he stared at the little boy. 

'His calmness is not a fake bravado either.'

Samael squinted his eyes as he studied the little boy. When the latter blinked, it was as if something snapped from deep within him.

The little boy furrowed his brow and raised his gaze again. This time, he trembled seeing the piercing red eyes staring down at him.

'Uh… that's even more strange.' 

Just then, Lilou slowly break away from his embrace. He smiled at Samael before facing the little child.

"See? I told you my husband is kind." Unaware of Sam's thoughts, Lilou bent down, resting her palms on her knees, smiling.

She offered her hand. "Let's go?"

The child hesitated as he glanced at Sam and then at Lilou. In his eyes, the comparison of the two was very distinct, and yet they were together.

Slowly, the child reached out to the kind hand that was reaching out to him. A relieved smile turned up on his lips as soon as Lilou curled her fingers around his.

'So warm.' The little boy blushed as he smiled at Lilou. 'Her blood is warm. How can she be so warm?'

As Lilou straightened her back, she turned to Sam, bearing the same smile. "Isn't he adorable?"

Samael glanced at the child and then raised his gaze to Lilou. Saying nothing, he raised his hand to her.

"Hold mine too." He muttered.

Lilou giggled, biting her lower lip at her adorable lover. Right now, she didn't know who was more adorable.

"Of course, I will." Lilou smiled, holding Samael's hand. She then gazed down at the child.

Pleased, the three of them walked together like a family of three. Little did she know, the two were glaring daggers at each other behind her.