The Duke's Passion

I pursed my lips in a thin line as I hung my head low. I'll just bow like this until she walked away.

Survive. That was my motto from then on and now! Offending a royalty, although I'm marrying one, would just give me more headache. They might put me in the scaffold if I made the wrong move.

Until Sam arrived, I would have to walk as if I'm treading on eggshells.

"Hah…" Her royal highness scoffed under her breath. 

After that, I heard her soft footsteps coming near. Soon, I saw the end of her skirt as she stood before me. I didn't dare raise my head as I gritted my teeth.

"You…" she muttered, caressing my jaw with the back of her hand.

A shiver immediately ran down my spine upon the sensual touch. She guided my chin up, locking her gaze with me.

Her noble beauty stunned me momentarily. Lara's beauty was akin to the first day of spring, warm and refreshing. It could make one happy just staring at her.

But her royal highness' beauty was akin to autumn. A mature beauty; although beautiful, one could not help but feel a little sentimental.

Unknowingly, I stared at her without blinking or fear in my eyes. The side of her lips curled subtly.

"Beautiful…" I muttered, mesmerized by her faint smile.

I snapped back to reality when she smoothly cupped my jaw. Her eyes glinting in interest.

"Then, would you like to sleep with me?"

I froze. What?

"If you find me beautiful, do you want to share warmth tonight?" She inquired, sounding dead serious about it!

Was she seducing me?

I gasped as I held my breath for a long time. When my brain suffocated from the lack of air, I breathed out and bowed my head abruptly.

"I dare not, your royal highness!" I exclaimed in panic. Still, my cheeks heated, flustered at her sensual touches and vulgar words.

What was she thinking? Did she want to drive me to my death faster by asking me to sleep with the king's woman?

Even so, why did she think I'd even consider of sleeping with her? Ah… goodness! Sam's family… they're even stranger than what he said.

"Pfft—!" She chuckled. "What an adorable and interesting child."

She commented before she walked away. As her footsteps faded away, I peeked at her back.

A sigh of relief slipped past my lips as I straightened my back. Shaking my head lightly.

'When will Sam arrive? I better not bump into her again.' I sighed in distress.

"It seems her royal highness had taken a liking to you, my lady." Suddenly, the butler commented, snapping me back from my thoughts.

"Heh…" I awkwardly breathed out. Taken a liking, meaning finding me worthy to kill me with her own hands? Was that what he meant?

With that, the butler walked me to the guest quarters. So far, it didn't seem we're heading to a suspicious place.

Ironic, I thought. This entire palace was already suspicious and dangerous. What else am I fretting about?

"By the way," While following him in silence, my curiosity reached its peak. "You addressed her as her royal highness. Is she, I mean, is the royal highness the Queen?" 

"Hmm…" He glanced back briefly and answered. "Her royal highness is the first wife of His Majesty. But she is not legally the Queen." 

"Pardon?"

"You might've heard it already from the third prince; that his majesty married two of his sister. However, both royal princesses are the king's consort but not the Queen." He explained, summarizing the situation of the king's complicated romance.

My face scrunched up secretly. Fabian and I had tackled the law of the palace. However, I never heard they had changed it.

I wondered if the king could change their laws on his whim. Just what sort of kingdom was I even born to? It was disappointing to an extent.

"Why, though?" I blurted out.

Yet he didn't answer me anymore. I didn't probe about it since it seemed he didn't want to talk anymore.

Soon, we arrived at the guest quarters. We stopped in front of a large door. He stopped before me, opening the door for me politely.

"Please rest well tonight, my lady." He said.

I glanced at him suspiciously. But I marched in regardless. The room was just as grandiose as the interior design of the hall. It surprised me that the lights in here were generously lit.

Once I entered, I turned around as the door creaked closed. I didn't expect that they would really send me to a decent bedchamber.

As I sigh, I looked around. This room was twice larger than our room in the ducal residence. It was fancier; an opulent comfort of the room fitting for a royalty.

Alas, despite how dreamy and lavish this room was, it felt cold. Not literally, but this coldness seeped deep into my bones.

I felt empty.

It was too big for someone like me. I dragged my feet forward and stood at the center.

Several months ago, I was just teaching the kids and helping in the field. That time, my entire being was covered with mud.

Eating once a day was already a miracle. I couldn't even think of experiencing comfort.

Then Sam came into my life, shaking it, turning it upside down. Overnight, I was treated like a noble lady. Cleansed, fed, taught, and loved. 

It felt like a dream. A real-life story fitting for those novels.

"It would have been nice if our story ended with us getting married in the first volume." I muttered as I trudged towards the bed.

I crashed on it face first. It was soft; I was expecting it had some spikes that could pierce through me. So, everything would just be over.

'That's silly.' I thought, shaking my depressing thoughts away.

Lying down on this enormous bed, my body felt even colder. Slowly, I rolled to my side, curling like a ball.

I embraced my knees, staring at nothingness. This room, luxury, comfort, special treatment. I desired none of them.

"All I want is for the king's approval for our marriage. So, Sam and I could live in peace." I mumbled, chewing my lower lip as tears broke free from my eyes. 

"I miss him… so much."