The Duke's Passion

The bearers of the Divine Order weren't obligated to receive orders from the royal family. They were a group of individuals — vampires or humans, sometimes other races — whose best interest was to keep the kingdom from falling.

'Didn't this kingdom fall a long time ago, though?' My subconscious mind commented sarcastically as I held onto my necklace, Lakresha.

"No wonder it reacted that way to Sam," I whispered, recalling the time I called Lakresha the first time.

"I'm unsure what decision they will come up with about Lakresha, but it is best to start taming it now," Fabian advised solemnly. "Even if you don't fight for this kingdom, you will need the power of the necklace to defend yourself."

Fabian was right. I couldn't keep playing this damsel in distress role and let others do what they wanted to me. 

"You're right…" I trailed off, moving my gaze towards the door as Sam suddenly barged in. A pair of crimson eyes searched the room before they fell on me.

My brow quirked as I spoke, "Can't you knock?"

"No, why would I? I like the gradual change," Sam said as he trudged towards me and sat down. He spread his arm over my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. 

What was he trying to do now? I raised my eyes, full of bafflement at his action. 

"I miss you," He said in a monotonous voice, making me cringe as I couldn't conceal the dismay on my face. "I know I was wrong and I'm sorry."

He didn't have to apologize in such a disappointing manner. My heart would've skipped a beat if there was the slightest sincerity in his words, but I only felt like forgiving him just so he could stop. 

"I'll take my leave, my Lord, my Lady." Fabian excused himself politely and I nodded in return as he bowed.

But before Fabian could leave, Sam suddenly spoke, "Fabian, tell everyone that Lilou and I will be joining them for dinner."

"Yes, my Lord," Fabian replied without putting up an argument and then left.

As soon as Fabian closed the door, I planted a palm on his chest and pushed him away.

"You don't have to strain yourself by doing this," I said as I created distance between us. "I'm pleased to meet Hell, even though I missed my Sam."

"Oh?" He raised a brow, placing his hand on my shoulder, pulling me closer to him.

"Ah. Please don't break my shoulder." I instinctively held my shoulder and leaned on him again. 

"Then don't say another man's name in front of me!" He seethed, annoyed at my previous remarks. "You have 206 bones and I don't mind breaking one or two if you keep saying that."

"Mmm," I hummed as I leaned to my side and rested my head on his lap, pulling my legs up to fit the divan. "Is that so?" I asked and closed my eyes indifferently.

"What are you doing?" He asked with genuine puzzlement in his voice. "Is that it? You're going to sleep? Don't you want to argue? Or break down?"

I had no idea why he was saying such words. Did he become a sadist and now finds pleasure in other's misery?

"I want to rest," I said as I yawned. "Since we're back to scratch, I need some energy."

"Then, rest on the bed!" He said, annoyingly.

I didn't reply and kept my eyes shut and my thoughts blank. All I had been doing since this morning was trying to think, understand, and find a solution to every problem that was piling up one after another. So, I needed some peace. Now I understood the reason Sam used to nap on my lap. 

Not long after, I realized the peace I was seeking would never come when Hell was with me. 

"That fucking Stefan. He aggravates me so much I want to serve his head during dinner!" Sam fumed, cursing the king through his gritted teeth and cracking his knuckles. "Ah…  just the thought of when my bare hand pierces his throat through his nape makes me tremble in excitement."

I snapped my eyes open upon the abrupt air that blew past my neck. Sam looked away, whistling, when I turned my head to him.

"Did you almost chop my head off?" I asked in disbelief as I was sure that was what happened.

He smacked his lips as he gazed down on me, batting his eyes unaffectedly. "Almost, but you're fine!" 

The way his eyes glinted with no remorse and his way of speaking reminded me of the night we first met. Back then, I felt like I was trapped in a loop with his constant shift of moods, but this version of him was more extreme.

A deep sigh escaped my nose. "Will you ever kill me?" I asked out of curiosity.

"I can hurt you." He smiled, reminding me of that devil that night.

"So you won't kill me, but you can hurt me? How reassuring." My indifferent reply made him frown as he pressed a finger against my forehead.

"It's no fun if you're this indifferent," He rumbled. "Should I put a hole in your skull to bring forth the sense of danger in you?"

My eyelashes fluttered ever so slowly as I stared at the pair of crimson eyes hovering over me. If he really meant that, he didn't have to say it aloud. He'd just do it. I wasn't testing him, I just knew him better.

"Dull," He muttered as he clicked his tongue in annoyance, flicking my forehead lightly.

His action brought warmth to my heart as I rubbed my forehead. I couldn't help but smile because Sam had that habit. So, I requested, "Can you do it again?"

"Do what?"

"Flick my forehead."

"Are you a masochist?" He questioned in dismay as his nose scrunched up.

"What's so bad about a masochist if you're a sadist?" I muttered innocently. "Aren't we a match made in hell?"

"Who said I'm a sadist?" He seemed taken aback by my answer.

"I did." I pressed my lips as I looked him straight in the eye. "You, I don't care if you're Sam or Hell or even God, I will keep my promise and capture your heart."

That's my resolve. If we fell in love the first time, we would fall in love again the second time — or the third or fourth. I'm certain Sam made his decision with that in mind.

Alas, I had forgotten that Sam saw things a different way when he asked, "Is that a threat?"