The Duke's Passion

"Oh, my apologies. It seems I walked in at the wrong time."

Sam smiled in annoyance, but his grip around me didn't budge. Even without turning his head back, it seemed he had already known the person who interrupted us. 

"If you know you're interrupting with other people's quality time, shouldn't you go now?" he sassed without looking back, making me shift my eyes to him.

Was he trying not to look back because he was not interested in whoever it was? Or so he could have an excuse that he didn't know the person he was talking to? Either way, I should go down… or maybe I'd stay just to spite this Zero.

A playful smile resurfaced on my lips as I buried my face in Sam's shoulder. "I'm shy, husband."

"It's alright, wife. I will hide you in a safe place…" Sam caressed my hair that went all the way down to my back. "… like always."

What? Was he referring to how he kept me in Grimsbanne all this time? Whatever. I prefer Sam than Stefan or this twisted Zero. 

"What should I do? I came here because I have an important matter to discuss with… the third prince?"

He wanted to talk to Sam? Was he trying to get offended by my husband, so he had a reason to cause a problem? I frowned as I raised my head and glared daggers at him.

To my surprise, the smile on Zero's lips previously was nowhere to be found, and only the coldness in his eyes remained. What was wrong with him? 

A sigh escaped my lips as I shifted my attention to Sam. "Let's continue this later, alright?" I patted his shoulder lightly, making him look up at me.

"Later, then." He reluctantly nodded.

To appease him, I placed a quick peck on his lips, but he was still frowning. So, I kissed him three more times until he let me down. If one was not enough, I just had to give him more kisses until he listens to me. 

Sam cupped my cheek and stared at me for a moment, his thumb caressing my jaw. "I'll come and find you later."

"You always find me wherever I go, so I'll wait for you… like always." 

He smiled at me as he understood my words. I smiled back and nod at him before he withdrew his hand and turned around. As Sam marched towards Zero, I caught the latter's eyes on me. His gaze sent a sudden chill down my spine, but I didn't back down as I raised a brow with a taunting smirk on my lips.

'Fiance, you say? A promised marriage? Don't make me laugh, Zero.' My smirk stretched into a grin as I straightened my clothes. 'If worse comes to worst, a marriage between us will be your worst nightmare.'

"And who might be this honorable one?" Sam uttered several steps away from Zero. 

Really… everyone in the palace was treading on thin ice so as not to offend this man. But what else can I expect from my husband? I hope he aggravates him more since Zero wouldn't start a war just because of a diplomatic discourtesy.

The two of them exchanged pleasantries as they walked away. I saw Zero glanced at me for the last time, catching the stony expression on my face.

"Should I meet him in secret?" I murmured, rubbing my chin as I took into consideration how many eyes and ears were planted in every corner of the palace. 'It is only a week before the start of the founding week. I think I should meet him in private.'

After that thought, I fixed myself to leave. But before I did, I touched my lips, still feeling Sam's lips on mine. Even the taste of his blood lingered in my mouth.

"Now, I'm more frustrated about the interruption," I grumbled before trudging away from the isle. 

****

"Your Majesty, please refrain from looking at my wife that way," Samael warned calmly as they waltzed through the hallway. "Don't forget you are in our territory, and not in some land neutral land for peace talks."

Zero chuckled as he glanced at Samael's side. "My apologies, Lord Samael. I was merely intrigued by what kind of lady who captured the heart of a great man such as yourself — it was quite a news that reached even our small kingdom, you see."

"Is that so?"

"Haha. So, the rumors about you being indifferent aren't baseless." Zero crooned as he held his hand behind him, smiling. "I guess you won't even bat an eye if I regard this discourtesy as treason?"

Samael remained silent as he kept his eyes ahead. He had been investigating the undead, and some information traced back to the Spade Kingdom, while the others to Stefan. Which made him wonder if these people had been working together.

"Say, Your Majesty, it is not me who you wanted to talk to, isn't it?" Samael broke his silence as he stopped in his steps, turning to face him. "Did you just say that to separate me from my wife?"

"Oh, please. Why would I do such a thing?"

"Then, what important matters does Your majesty want from me?" Samael didn't beat around the bush as he stared at him coldly. He watched Zero smiled brightly before his lips parted.

"Why don't we talk about it over some tea, Your Grace?" Zero kept his smile while his brows arched and his eyes scanned their surrounding. "It'll be a very long discussion."

"A long discussion, huh?" Samael let out a faint scoff as there was a conclusion in his head. 

"Shall you spare me some of your time? Your Grace Samael?" 

Samael studied the playful glints flickering across Zero's eyes. Although he had already concluded what it was about, he still nodded and accepted this invitation. 

"Great!" Zero exclaimed in delight. "Then shall we…" Zero trailed off, but his smirk stretched wider upon hearing a woman's voice chiming in.

"Isn't this Your Majesty Quentin and Your Grace Samael?" 

Both men turned their heads in the woman's direction. Her every step as she approached them exuded elegance.

"Princess Beatrice Le Blac! We've met and here of all places!" Zero greeted cheerfully as the woman stopped steps away from them.

"Is it not the best place to meet, Your Majesty?" Beatrice smiled, but her eyes bore contempt, and then she cast Samael a look. "It's also been a while, Hell, and I'm glad to see you."

"Beatrice," Samael smirked. "It's really been a while."