The Duke's Passion

"Is that a threat?" The expression on his face clearly told me he took my heartfelt resolve as an offense. "Should I start looking over my shoulders now that my bride wants my heart?"

A faint sigh slipped past my lips, as I didn't have the energy to retort. "Come to think of it, we didn't clear up that misunderstanding because I was too afraid to even mention it," I murmured as I reminisced about that dreadful first night in the duke's mansion.

"Misunderstanding?" He tilted his head as he observed my expression.

"Mhm! Do you remember when you captured someone's heart?" Sam traced back the memory I was referring to before I continued, "Back then, I told you to capture someone's heart and you literally brought a beating heart and squashed it to smithereens!"

Sam frowned as he gave me a look of disappointment. "How is that a misunderstanding?"

"What I meant at that time is to capture someone's heart, you have to make them love you," I explained, finding this time as the perfect opportunity to clarify a forgotten misunderstanding. 

"But I already love you," He said with furrowed brows. "Why do you have to do that?"

The corner of my lips hooked into a subtle smile as I raised my hand, planting it on his chest. "Loving is not knowing but feeling. You don't love with your head, but with your heart." 

My words seemed to puzzle him as he narrowed his eyes to mere slits. I'm just glad he was still listening to me. 

"No wonder you don't use your head." Sam nodded in understanding as he cast me a look, shaking his head as if I was a fool. 

Well, I am, indeed. I wouldn't deny I was and would always be foolishly in love with him. 

"Nevertheless, that's my decision. I will win you over and love you harder!" I affirmed, staring at him eagerly.

"Love me harder?" He arched his brow as a sinister smirk turned up on his lips. "Harder than Sam?"

He truly believed Sam and Hell were two different people. Well, I couldn't disagree anyway since they felt similar and completely different at the same time.

"I told you, if you can't love yourself, I'll love you in your stead. If the other half of you is missing, I'll split myself in two to complete yours," I asserted, staring straight at him. "Because I'll love your best and will love your worst harder. So, don't change."

My words seemed to catch him off guard as he stared at me, unblinking. His stunned reaction made me smile brightly.

"So, yes! Start looking over your shoulders now because your bride wants not just your heart but the entire You! I'm greedy, you know?"

"Silly girl, you're quite bold to play such a dangerous game." He smirked, but seemed pleased with my determination. "Didn't you consider that by trying to fix a broken man, you'll end up destroying yourself?"

"I did think about that, but I was never eager to do something else before. This is the first," I murmured as I blinked innocently. "Although I have a request!"

"A request?" His brow arched. "Hah, let's hear it."

I pursed my lips into a subtle smile as I took a deep breath. "Since this path I chose is not easy, will you let me die without making a fuss?" His amused smile slowly faded, but I didn't let it bother me. 

"I'm not saying I'll give up on you, but just in case, I prefer a painless death." The mood that started to feel light immediately turned gloomy at my request. "Being sired with the king is something even you can't win. So, instead of being used as a tool against you, just kill me quickly or just let me die."

It would be no surprise if what happened at the banquet would happen again. I'm glad that trick didn't faze Sam, but just in case, I would like him to know that's also my decision.

"Sit up," He ordered, cocking his head. "Now."

I furrowed my brows, confused, but I did it anyway. I jolted when he placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Look at me," He said as his crimson eyes searched for my gaze. "Do you trust me?" 

I said nothing and nodded as a response and then he asked again, "why?"

"Because I just do?" Should I need to list down the reason? It would be a long list.

"Let me tell you, I'm stronger and smarter than Sam. That buffoon's intellect shares the same level as Klaus so he couldn't protect you." He commented sarcastically. Funny how he insulted himself as if he was insulting another person.

"But I can. If Stefan used you again, we'll forget about the truce, and I'll just fucking kill him first. No one will attempt to harm you again. I'll see if they dare lay their fingers on you."

The fire beneath his eyes glowed brightly as I pursed my lips and nodded. I couldn't find the right words to say, as I didn't expect such sincerity in his arrogance. 

"If worse comes to worst and we reach that situation, you decide what you see fit and I'll do the same." To my surprise, Sam still didn't close the slightest possibility that we'd be overplayed. 

Surely, Hell was more broad-minded in this type of situation. I smiled unknowingly. 

"Why are you smiling?" He asked, quirking his brow.

"I just think you're not as evil as you think you are." I giggled as I observed his face etching the difference between Hell and Sam's mien. "Even if you are, I always had a soft spot for villains."

"Are you trying to seduce me?" 

"Huh? What gave you that impression? " I tilted my head to the side. I'm merely stating facts and hadn't made enough movements or gave him subtle hints that I was seducing him. 

But he narrowed his eyes suspiciously, leaning closer as he bobbed his face to observe me. "Because I had an erection."