The Duke's Passion

Right after our talk, we didn't mention it as we resigned to bed. Mildred also returned, but only to announce she did and said nothing further with Sam around. 

"Sam?" I rolled to my side of the bed, staring at Sam, who was also lying on his side with his knuckles propped on his temples, facing me.

"Hmm?"

"Which place are you planning to take me to first?" My voice was low, but it was enough for his ears to hear. 

Sam pondered for a moment. "In the eastern continent, maybe? People in the west called them barbaric, but they're more than what they had branded them. The easterners had a refined taste for art, their culture is also fascinating and different from ours."

"Did you stay there for a long time?"

"I don't know what you consider, 'long time', but I spent a few years there," Sam stroked my hair before pulling the quilt up to my shoulder. "When we've become mere travelers, you'll see many fascinating things this vast world offers. For example, and an oasis in the middle of the dessert, colored lights visible in the night sky, mountains in the middle of the lake, different cultures, beliefs, and the list just goes on."

Listening to him bubbled up the excitement in my heart. We hadn't had this type of talk for a very long time, so thinking about it made me want to listen more.

"Do you speak other languages, as well? How was it traveling from place to place?" I asked with my eyes glimmering.

Sam let out a soft chuckle as he played with my hair. "Well, since I have a long life span, I don't mind staying for a couple of years. Learning the language and absorbing their culture comes naturally."

"Don't get the wrong idea, though." Sam continued, "Discovering things and adventures are thrilling, but traveling can be draining and a hassle."

"As if I was born with a golden spoon." Did he forget I was raised as a peasant?! I literally crawled my way up the ladder… well, it was strange to put it that way, but it was almost like that.

"Right, haha! I remember how dirty you are and how I can smell you from a mile." Sam humored, chuckling gleefully while my expression died down. "You stink… ah!"

I punched his chest lightly with a gloomy frown. "I'm not ashamed of being peasant, but if you say it like that, it makes me feel embarrassed."

"Well, can't you see I'm trying to tell you I loved you even in that state?" Sam exclaimed proudly. "You looked like a witch back then. I almost mistake you as one — ah!" 

"Sam!" I pinched his shoulder with my face flushed in red. 

"Ah! Ah! No more! No more!"

A sharp exhale escaped my mouth as I let him go. "Do you really have to make fun of me?" 

"But I am not, my darling!" Sam cajoled with brows raised. "I was stating facts, I mean, isn't it romantic how my heart throbbed at first sight?" 

"I know it's a fact. Just don't laugh like that. It's annoying." I pouted and looked away.

Sam chortled and stroke my cheek with his thumb. "Alright, that's enough teasing."

I glanced at him and see how he was smiling so gently. It had been a while since Sam started acting like himself and not as Hell.

"Sam?" I called, and he raised a brow. "Are you Sam or Hell?" 

The corner of his lips curled up into a smile. "Guess."

"Hmm… both?"

"Why, so?" his brow raised higher as he narrowed his eyes.

"I don't know. I feel like you've been acting more like Sam, but there's this part of me that tells me that's not it." I shrugged my shoulders, as it was really hard to tell. 

"I see." Sam nodded with a smile. "Either way, does it bother you whether I am Hell or your beloved Sam?"

I shook my head. "Not at all — not even the slightest. I love you either way."

"Good," he intoned as he tapped my forehead lightly. "As long as I'm the only one in here and in here," his finger moved to my chest before he continued, "I'm all good."

"You took so much space in my head and heart I can't even remember other people's names."

"My wife, you know how to make my heart flutter!"

I smirked a bit proudly. "Sam, were you worried before? I mean, were you worried that once I recover my memories, something will change between us?"

"Do you want to know the truth? Or just half of it?" he raised a brow as if I would get disappointed with his answer.

"The truth!" I slapped his chest and glared at him. "Be honest!"

"Well, I'd be lying if I say I was not, but not because I was afraid you will return to Stefan." Sam hummed a long tune as his fingertip traces the bridge of my nose to its tip. "I was more worried that you'd hate me if I locked you up somewhere where no one can take you away from me."

I didn't know what to feel about his reply. The old me who hadn't recovered her memories wouldn't understand his possessiveness, but not the current me. I neither liked nor disliked his answer, though.

Sam continued, "Of course, I might end up letting you be with another man and then kill the both of you."

"Now that's more disturbing," I blurted out but didn't regret it when I realized it. Sam chuckled at my response before he slipped his arms under my neck.

"That's enough, wife. You go to sleep."

"Aren't you going to sleep?" I looked up as I planted my arm over his hip.

"Maybe, maybe not. I don't know." Sam shrugged as he closed his eyes, moving his head to find its comfortable spot on the pillow.

I studied his face and my lips parted, but no words came out. Instead, I kept my thoughts in my head and also closed my eyes. In a few days, I'd bid my goodbye in this damn place, and the more I thought about it, the more my excitement grew than my building anxiety.

****

When Lilou had fallen asleep, Samael slowly opened his eyes and a glint immediately flickered across his eyes. The corner of his lips slowly curled up bitterly as his eyes shifted to her sleeping face. Only but him knew the things in his head.

"You shouldn't trust me that much, wife," he said, but his eyes spoke otherwise. "I told you... to always observe."