The Duke's Passion

I wouldn't let Bey take the fall for me. Not all bad deeds were out of evil nature. Sometimes, people resorted to vicious actions and throw their morality to survive in this world. That was what I see in Bey, and I understood her because I was once in her shoes.

But, well, my act of heroism didn't save her. Now, both of us were being transported by a wagon to face the music.

"I'm sorry, Bey. I didn't mean to drag you into this," I expressed while checking the little holes on the walls of the closed wagon. The three men were outside, riding their steed and treating us as real criminals. Well, not that we weren't.

"Lady Sam... did you really do that to the second son of the House Malum?" Bey inquired with a shaking voice. I peeled my eyes away from the little hole and then to her. She was sitting down from across me.

"Why would you do that?" she asked while gripping her worn-out skirt. "Why would you take the fall if you already know the one you assaulted is a member of the aristocrat faction?"

"What?" I frowned as this wasn't what I expected from her.

"They already assumed it was my doing. So why... will you... for me..." Her sniffed started to grow louder. Even though it was dark, my eyes adjusted to it so I could see her river of tears.

"Then, are you saying I should have just let you take the fall to save myself?"

Bey didn't respond immediately, trying to find her voice in between her hiccups. Was it strange to admit it was my fault and not hers?

"Why did they even take you?" I queried but then realized this wasn't just her crime. I might still get a lighter sentence than her. 

"Bey, will they kill us?" I asked once again when she didn't reply to my first inquiry.

"Killing us is far better," she whispered that barely reached my ears. "I don't want to go back there."

The constant shaking of the wagon couldn't hide her trembling. Whatever she had gone through must be very traumatic. 

"Bey, can you tell me what will happen to us?" I dragged myself beside her. I clasped her hand, and that made her turn her head to me. 

"I need to know so I can prepare myself."

Bey shook her head. "They probably won't harm you since you're not from here. The authorities here are more lenient and cautious with outsiders. Also, since you are a noblewoman, your offense will be settled."

"What about you?"

"I..." Her hand trembled uncontrollably, so I squeezed them to soothe her.

"What will they do to you, Bey?"

Bey sniffed while biting her lower lips as hard as she could. "They... they will punish me."

"What kind of punishment?" I knew I shouldn't probe further, but for her to shake like this heightened my curiosity. I wouldn't be able to help if I knew nothing.

"The last time they caught me... I served in the knights' quarters where they... took turns and --"

"No more." I intervened, pulling her shoulders to me. Bey bawled her eyes, and I felt guilty for forcing her to tell me about her traumatic experience. I embraced her, stroking the back of her head while letting her release her emotions. 

"I'm sorry, Bey. That is very insensitive of me," I muttered regretfully. "Don't worry, I won't let that happen."

She kept hiccuping and crying for a long time. I consoled her until she finally calmed down. She broke away while wiping her tears.

"Thank you, my lady. You are the first person who showed me kindness even though you knew I used to be a thief." Her voice was coarse, still tearing up as she spoke. "After our house fell because my father got framed, they had ostracized us in the high society." 

Bey continued to tell her story to me willingly. She came from a noble family, who had been loyal and a strong supporter of the late Earl Crowell. Sadly, when the Earl had fallen ill, a series of unfortunate events struck the Wright Family. In the end, the head of the Wright family, Bey's father, was framed for corruption and misuse of authority. 

The Wright family's honor, properties, and status disappeared overnight. That wasn't everything because Bey had to support her family, so she worked in a noble house as a maid. It didn't end up good for her because she ran away from the constant abuse in the house. 

She had been on the run since then, so she resorted to stealing. But just two years ago, these men caught her where they held her captive. They gave her an offer that they would let her go if she served them properly. Bey became their sex slave for a year until they let her go like an old toy. 

That experience was a constant reminder of her that she had to avoid committing crimes. I couldn't say the punishment she received wasn't effective, as it taught her a lesson. But considering her history, Bey wouldn't be in this situation if her father wasn't framed. 

It was as clear as the day why the House of Wright had fallen. Their enemies were greedy and wanted to control the young Lord who inherited the title of the Earl. The battle of power had always been bloody, and if one wasn't careful enough, they would step into their enemy's trap. I knew that much since I was a participant in the battle of the crown. 

"Bey, we will be fine." I squeezed her hand lightly to reassure her. "This time, you did nothing wrong."

"Lady Sam..."

I only smiled at her, and the wagon soon came to a halt. The shut door suddenly opened, revealing the knight in a civilian suit.

"Come out," He ordered.

Bey looked at me with fear, but I kept my smile and nodded reassuringly. She hesitated, but nodded back and came out of the wagon. Honestly, I was planning to escape before we reach this place. But I was curious about the House Malum, where they said they would take us. 

"My lady," called the man. Unlike his disgusting treatment towards Bey, he was still polite to me. What Bey said was true. My case would probably end in the settlement since they think I had money.

He offered me a hand as I hitched out of the wagon, but I ignored it. I glanced at him coldly, before I heard Bey's panicking voice.

"Why... why are we in the Earl's estate?" she asked, but the other knight dragged her away. She tried to struggle, but that only made the man pull her harshly.

"Bey!" I called and shook my head when she raised her eyes to me. "It's alright."

"My lady..." she wept through her gritted teeth before she let the man drag her. 

I gazed up at the estate coldly. It wasn't out of the ordinary to have a trial in the Lord on this land for a huge crime. But, the thing was, I offended the House of Malum. It was only logical if we were dealt in their territory first. 

"My lady, I will not restrain you since you seem you are reasonable, unlike that woman." The man's voice snapped me out of my thought. "Please follow me."

I glanced at him and nodded. He didn't restrain me, but he was cautious enough to see if I wanted to flee. He didn't need to. I would get Bey out of here.

'Earl Crowell... it seems you had lost your authority to the Malum, completely.'

My situation made me forget that I just planned to sneak out for a short while.