The Duke's Passion

The waiter served the food, filling our table with different sorts of dishes. My mouth watered just by looking at them, and my stomach grumbled when I got a whiff of its aroma. 

"Thank you," I expressed, and he smiled back politely.

'I'm famished.' I licked my lips, looking at the food while thinking about which one I wanted to eat first. I went for the lovely roasted chicken, moaning as my eyes rolled back while chewing it.

It was good. Bey didn't lie when she said the food in here was heavenly.

While I chew this tender chicken meat, I raised a brow while gazing at Bey. She wasn't eating but biting her lower lip with her body facing the right side.

Once the meat went down my throat, my lips parted. "Bey, how did you know the food here is great?"

"Pardon?"

"You said earlier, you know a place that serves good food. This place isn't just a place where anyone can afford to dine in. I didn't mean to pry, but I might just do that if you keep trembling in fear while I'm eating." My tone was laid back, but my bluntness seemed to embarrass her. "I didn't mean to make you feel embarrassed. What I'm saying is, you should eat since it'll be a good thing for you and for me."

Bey gazed at me without saying a word. She still looked frightened and puzzled, as if she didn't understand a word I said.

"Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I eat a lot. It helps. Also, it's not like I can eat everything I ordered." I explained with a kind smile. Although I was fully honest with her, I cared about her a bit. No harm would inflict on her while she was with me.

"Yes, my lad... Sam." her eyes softened. 

I cocked my head slightly, gesturing for her to serve herself. "Let's have a feast."

Bey was my savior, but the food was her savior. At first, Bey was reluctant to eat, but after that first bite, her eyes popped open and sparkled. 

How cute.

Her first bite was followed by another and then another one until she no longer hesitated to eat. I kept putting food on her plate since she only took a small portion. We ate to our heart's content and I could see that her fear subsided. This was the reason I eat a lot back in the palace.

"It's good, right?" I smiled, cupping my jaw while staring at her. Bey only came to her senses as she looked at the empty plates, then back at me.

"My lady..."

"Li -- Sam."

"Lady Sam, I..."

I shook my head with my eyelashes fluttering ever so slowly. "It's nothing. I had my fill and you had yours. It's my little thanks for helping me out."

"Lady Sam... thank you." She replied in a muffled voice. Her eyes watered, but not enough to cry.

"You're welcome." I smiled brightly, glad that she had finally relaxed. "Let's stay here for a while and rest."

"Yes, Lady Sam." Bey looked at me with genuine wonder in her eyes. So I asked her why she was looking, and she hesitated to answer, but she still did, anyway.

"Lady Sam, are you from the Imperial Capital?" she queried, with eyes glimmering, as if once I answered, yes, it would twinkle even brighter.

"No? What made you think I came from the capital?" 

"It's just... your aura is different. You look like a noble lady from the upper echelon, that ladies from the countryside like Minowa will look up to." Bey smiled subtly at the thought.

"Why would the noble ladies of Minowa look up at the ladies in the Capital?" I tilted my head to the side, blinking curiously. There was nothing to be admired about the ladies in the Capital. No, actually, there was nothing good in the capital as the people in there only knew was to scheme. 

I couldn't blame her, though. I could still remember that I was also one of those who thought that the imperial capital was something special. What I didn't know was it was a special kind of hell.

"Well, they are graceful and wonderful and fearless. It's been almost six years since the new emperor ascended the throne, and ever since then, ladies were given rights. Even the emperor's right hand is said to be a woman." Bey explained with enthusiasm, clasping her hands together. "Although that rule doesn't apply to other lands like Minowa since women still have no rights to choose or there were opportunities for us."

The twinkle in her eyes diminished as the reality in here shattered her fantasy. I felt sorry for her, but that was just how it was. The lord in this land was a child, and I'm certain he was being used as a mere figurehead by the adults who were greedy for power.

My brows suddenly furrowed as I traced her last remarks. "Almost six years...?" I didn't ask what year it was previously, even though she mentioned the 'new emperor' in passing. It wouldn't match my lies and excuses if I asked such obvious questions.

"Yes. It had been over five years since the emperor rose to the throne."

"Can I ask the name of the emperor?"

Bey looked at me with puzzlement, tilting her head to the side. Her reaction snapped me back to my sense. 

"How can I speak of His Majesty's name so thoughtlessly, Lady Sam?" she frowned. It seemed she didn't pick up on my cluelessness yet.

"Right. Apologies. I had lost my senses for a moment." An awkward laugh escaped my mouth, and she just chuckled softly. "It's just... you know? It kept slipping through my mind that it's been over five years since the new emperor rose to the throne."

"Yes. It was a huge incident and very chaotic in the first two years of His Majesty's reign, but the empire is better than before." 

"Yes. His Majesty Barrett is an outstanding leader." My eyes softened, relieved that Rufus was doing a good job. However, Bey looked at me strangely, as if I said something wrong.

Was I not allowed to mention the Barretts?

"My lady, are you alright?" she asked worriedly. "It seems you are still confused. Sir knight Barrett is a military general."

'What?'

"His Majesty is a kin of the previous emperor."