The Duke's Passion

"Yes, Your Majesty. You died giving birth to the young master."

There was a long silence between us, as that was something I didn't expect. Surely, I was alive, and I knew I was. How could she say I died giving birth?

"Charlie..." I scratched my temple, trying to make sense of this additional information. "How am I still alive? Did I...?"

I set my eyes back on her and watched her raise her head once again. Charlotte didn't speak, pondering the right words to say.

"Heliot." 

Suddenly, Sam's voice came into the room, and I gazed at the door. He was leaning against the jamb with his arms crossed. His eyes scanned our face before setting it to Charlotte.

"Charlie, how are my son the and Earl?" he inquired, prioritizing his son's situation first.

"They were alright, Your Majesty. But it seems the young master had internal injuries. He should be fine if he rests."

Sam nodded ever so slowly, shifting his eyes to Law. "That boy is so stubborn. I told him not to run off on his own."

I studied Sam's expression and I could tell he had treasured his son. Sam wasn't very fond of children, but the way he looked at Law was full of affection and worry. It reminded me how my father used to look at me whenever I injured myself because of my recklessness.

"And his friend? That young earl?" asked Sam without taking his eyes away from the bed. 

"The Earl is alright, although his body had too many bruises," Charlotte reported as if completely forgetting about me. "I already know that damn Viscount abuse the Earl, but I didn't think he would hurt him to this extent."

"He is greedy," Sam commented and sighed. "Poor thing. No wonder my son keeps trying to take his friend away from this place. The earl is just a few years younger than Claude, but his body was smaller than my son."

"What should we do with him, Your Majesty?"

"He still needs Jaime Malum to establish his position. For now, we'll let him rest."

Charlotte nodded in agreement. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Sam pressed his lips together and shifted his eyes to me. I nearly jumped when he locked his eyes on me.

"Charlie, stay in this room and look after the children." Sam glanced at Charlotte, which made her nod once before setting his eyes back on me. He crooked a finger, staring at me intensely.

"Come with me."

I instinctively swallowed down hard, sensing the intensity of his gaze. Being ignored by the two of them was better than having all his attention. Did he purposely ignore me so he could focus on me now?

'Damn it! I'm not prepared to be interrogated!' I cursed and mentally ground my teeth.

"Lilou," he called and this time, his tone sounded more dangerous than when we were in the throne hall. "Come with me and we will talk, my wife."

I swallowed down hard and nodded. "Alright," I said and stood up while keeping my composure. It was better if I asked him the questions that Charlotte was hesitant to answer. Sam might be angry about misunderstanding him and running away from home, but I would just kiss him to placate him.

"Thanks, Charlie," I expressed, gazing at Charlotte for the last time before strutting towards the door. 

"If you plan of kissing me to shut me up, it's not going to happen," Sam uttered as he opened the door for me, standing on the side to make way.

My heart sank as my steps grew slower. I heard him tell Charlotte not the leave the children before the door creaked close. 

I didn't have the will to face him, so I gazed at the hallway and meandered. I knew he was following behind me. His gaze left this chill down my spine, after all.

"Do you know the way to the garden?" I asked to break the silence in this empty hallway. "I think it's better to talk there since I'm feeling stuffy."

He didn't answer, making me gaze down on the floor. I clutched my shoulder as my footsteps grew slower.

"Sam, I..." 

Just as I wanted to apologize to him, I felt his weight on my back, which froze me on the spot. His arms circled around me as he buried his face in my shoulder.

"It's really you, right?" came out a muffled inquiry, feeling his arms trembled as he locked them around my waist. "You just didn't find another way to deceive me, right? Lilou?"

My mouth opened and closed. The fear I could smell from him was the fear of holding on to false hope, only to be shattered. 

"I missed you so badly... let it be you this time," he whispered desperately, and I could feel my heart sink. "Please."

Why did we have to struggle so much? Was actually one of the questions that had been in my head for a very, very long time. 

"Was she that cunning?" I asked under my breath. His answer was a simple nod. I pressed my lips and smiled subtly, planting my hand on his arm so I could turn around and face him. Fortunately, Sam loosened his grip.

"Sam," I called and searched for his eyes. My heart broke once again as soon as I saw the forlorn filling in them. 

I raised my hand and cupped his jaw, caressing his lean cheek with my thumb. "That book you've been reading is my least favorite."

I bit my lower lip as my brows rose, seeing relief cloud his eyes. Sam let out a weak chuckle while I rocked my head.

"I actually thought you are trying to punish me by reading me a nonsense and aggravating story." His chuckle grew louder as we looked at each other for a moment. "Thank you, Sam... for everything."

I took a step forward and stood on my toes and whispered. "You are my favorite book, Sam. Your stories are," 

My eyes closed before our lips touched and at that moment, I felt alive more than ever. We... felt complete once again.