The Duke's Passion

I was relieved to hear that Fabian stuck with Sam until now. Although I knew Fabian was like Sam's tail, it still made me worried that he was not with my husband anymore. 

"Then, how come Ramin and Charlotte had become your right and left hand?" I perked my head up, staring curiously at Sam. 

"Well, it just happened." Sam tilted his head to the side, blinking cluelessly. "Rufus had to stay in the imperial capital and I can't entrust the military power to anyone else but him. Although Fabian was capable, he is like a double-edged sword. I don't know when he will get crazy, so I kept him as a butler. That job had kept him composed, and he is an excellent teacher for Law."

I was instantly frozen in place as I gazed at Sam with horror. Did he say Mister Fabian was tutoring my son? Sam took notice of my aghast expression as he glanced at me and chuckled.

"Don't worry. I checked Fabian's lesson plan and approved it."

"No..." I shook my head as my eyes continued to grow wide out of horror and slapped his shoulder. "Sam, you also checked the lesson plan Mister Fabian had for me in the past!" 

Over five years ago, back when I was managing the duchy, I always wanted to make the education system my husband started better. So, I studied it and got the opportunity to see Mister Fabian's original lesson plan. To my horror, it was helpful, albeit differently. 

Thanks to Rufus, who suggested that the lesson plan should go through different teachers in Grimsbanne, it was revised. Still, those poor scholars had to deal with nightmares after reading it.

I could only imagine the mountains of missing person reports if not for Rufus. So it was safe to say, I didn't trust Fabian and Sam in this area. 

Sam pouted while rubbing his shoulder where I slapped. "But Ramin took part in it and almost butted heads with Fabian. So, before the two clashed, I got my son a different tutor."

"Really?" I heaved a deep sigh of relief upon hearing that. Mister Fabian was smart, but he sometimes used it in a different way. It was not safe for a young mind like Law to have him as a tutor. 

"Is he that bad?" he murmured with genuine wonder in his voice. "But I do remember you saying he is a wonderful tutor back in Grimsbanne."

My brows twitched as I took a deep breath. Now that reckless remark came and bite me, huh?

"I was clueless that time, husband," I said helplessly, controlling my expression. "I didn't know that I was actually taking the road of a serial killer — although I had always been before that."

"Well." Sam shrugged as he cleared his throat. "Law goes to the Academy now. He doesn't like being homeschooled anymore, so he's been attending the Academy since last year."

"Really?"

He nodded as an answer. All the worries I had just now gradually vanished. I set my eyes back to where my son was at and smiled subtly. 

"I really missed a lot, huh?" I whispered as it saddened me how I missed my son's many firsts. "How can I make up for that?"

"You have forever to make up to him." Sam raised a hand and planted it on my head. "He hadn't experienced everything yet. You missed a few first, but there is a ton of first he hadn't done yet."

My lips pressed together as they hooked into a smile. "Yes. I'll surely be there to witness a thousand first."

Sam and I exchanged smiles before we turned our gaze ahead. The story seemed to be getting interesting as the crowd listening to the narrator were looking at him intently. 

"So, Ramin and Charlotte just happened to be there when you're choosing your right and left hand?" I inquired under my breath, glancing at Charlotte sitting behind my son and Adam. 

"Aside from that, they were perfect for the job. They've proved that many times."

A chuckle slipped past my lips as I noticed Charlotte's maid attire. "Who would have thought that your right hand will willingly wear and act as a maid?"

"Well, my left hand is a stable boy." Sam humored, which made us both chuckle. 

"Oh, Sam..." I cast him a look while sighing in relief. "Didn't they hate you?"

"Who knows? But so far, they didn't try to kill me. Even I am surprised how they were so into with their disguise."

Another wave of chuckles came out from us that drifted into the soft blow of the wind. I felt relaxed as all the tension in my body eased up. This felt good, I thought. A day like this... we never had such a day back in the capital. 

"So Heliot returned to the Karo Kingdom?" I asked after a moment of silence between us. I heard him say, "yes", so I nodded.

"He planned to kill me. We had an agreement, Sam."

"I know, but who would dare touch you? The emperor's beloved wife?" Sam cocked his head to me, sporting a knowing look. "Also, that question is better asked to him directly. It's not like I like Heliot, but I don't hate him. He is just a strange man."

I bit my lower lips while playing with my fingers. "He is. It's hard to read him."

Sam didn't speak after that, as he simply rocked his head. In our brief silence, I could not help but wonder how was Heliot doing? Just like Yul, Silvia, and Klaus, Heliot was a good friend. I hoped he was alright during these five years.

"Don't think of Heliot too much or I might have a reason to dislike him." I raised my head at Sam and caught him casting me a side eye. "I am a jealous man."

"I was just thinking if he had been alright. I mean, Prince Heliot is a strange man, but also an unfortunate one," I explained as a matter of fact. "Although we had a deal that he will kill me, there is just this part of me that believed he wouldn't if I told him to."

Sam looked at me with a strange look, but I didn't dwell on it. Instead, I changed the topic before he got triggered by Heliot.

"How about Beatrice? Did she return to the Cross Kingdom?" I inquired, after slapping my thigh lightly. My husband snapped his eyes and blinked countless times.

"That person..." my brows furrowed at how he addressed her. "She's still in the capital. The last time I heard about her, she is frequenting her visit to Grimsbanne."

"Huh?" I tilted my head, waiting for an explanation. 

Sam cast me a look and blinked twice. "She fell head over heels at the Duke of Grimsbanne."