The Duke's Passion

They served the meal. Sam insisted on eating inside the study.

As I ate my meal, Sam didn't touch his food. Instead, he stared at me while Fabian placed a parchment on the table.

I darted my eyes from Sam to Fabian. The latter stood on the side, like always. I didn't know Sam had some artistry in him.

Well, now that I think about it, he shouldn't be surprising since he had collections of paintings and books. These novels and paintings were all masterpieces of art.

"Uhm…" I cleared my throat after gulping the food down. "Aren't you going to sketch, my lord?" 

I inquired. Sam said his hands were itching to sketch, but why hasn't he started yet?

"Because it's been awhile since I've last used this hands to create something and not destroy something." Sam explained. "I'm doubting if I have enough skills to give justice to your beauty."

Huh?

"Don't mind me." Sam picked up his canvass and dragged it closer to him. He pushed his chair back by his feet, creating a distance from the table.

"Oh… alright?" I nodded in understanding. 

Although I'm curious how he would do it, it's probably better to respect his personal space. Hence, I ate while Sam picked up a piece of charcoal.

His eyes would constantly land on me. I stiffened every time.

Surprisingly enough, I ate more than usual. It was as if I had this bottomless appetite. I couldn't satiate easily. But I ignored it and kept on eating.

When I finished half of the extra dishes served, I finally felt full. I raised my gaze and Sam's attention was on his canvass.

His hands moved gracefully around the canvass. It was as if he was playing an instrument, as his hands moved in a consistent rhythm.

What a sight to behold.

His hands black, tainted from the charcoal; sleeves folded up to his elbow, flexing his taut muscles with every movement.

He looked so beautiful, having his full attention on something. I could watch and admire him work all day.

Instinctively, I shifted my gaze to Fabian. He was smiling brightly than usual.

Fabian seemed fascinated and full of enthusiasm. As if a father watching his son do something remarkable.

I want to see…

I frowned. I wanted to see Sam's work. I wanted to watch this process of creation from start to its end.

"Are you done with your meal, my lady?" Fabian came to my side, his voice above level than a whisper.

"Mhm." I nodded as an answer. "Mister Fabian, can you tell me about the Capital?"

I asked, whispering. Since Sam was preoccupied, I didn't want to disturb him, despite wanting to.

We were setting off tomorrow. By the looks of it, Sam wouldn't have time to brief me what to expect to the place we're heading.

Fabian glanced at Sam before gazing back at me. 

"Follow me, my lady." Fabian nodded. Yet, I bit my lower lip as I snuck a glance at the duke.

As if figuring out my unspoken concern, Fabian offered a subtle smile.

"The Duke won't hear you with his current state, my lady."

Sam won't hear me? My forehead creased. So, why are we whispering?

"I will always hear my bride, Fabian. Though, I hate to hear your voice along with hers." Suddenly, Sam spoke, which made me flinch slightly.

Still, Sam didn't leave his eyes from the canvass. He barely gave us a portion of his attention.

"My apologies, my lord." Fabian tilted his head down a little. Sam didn't respond as he carried on.

When Fabian beckoned me to follow him, I did. I looked back at Sam when I was by the door. As soon as I did, Sam's hand stopped as he turned his head to me and smiled.

"I'll join you later, love." Sam reassured.

I've never seen him so focus on something. Thus, I ought to respect it. I merely nodded before following Fabian.

Fabian pushed the rolling serving tray. I treaded behind him. I stared at Fabian's back, hesitant to ask — but asked, anyway.

"Mister Fabian? Will the Duke be alright?" 

"Yes, my lady. The duke will be fine if he finished it before dawn."

"Huh?"

Fabian chuckled hearing my confused hum. "In the past, the Duke had a passion for art. One of the many reasons he went out to travel the world was to paint the world out of this kingdom."

I remained silent, gazing down while listening to Fabian.

"If you have noticed, we don't normally see the images of each painting in this kingdom; a vast ocean, a sky illuminating a variety of wonderful colors, a dragon, and so much more."

Fabian added. I recalled all those paintings. Waters that seemed to spread across the world with a mesmerizing horizon, a mystical creature in the sky, a party of colorful lights in the night, and so much more.

The study room had many of those kinds of magnificent paintings. I assumed it was the artist's imagination of the world. But Fabian sounded as if they were all painted by one person?

"The Duke called his creation as his collections." Fabian stopped, turning around to face me. "But I call them the memoir of the Duke's passion, my lady."

Memoir of the duke's passion?

"It's been hundreds of years since the Duke's last creation."

"Which piece was it?" I blurted out.

Fabian smiled. "This town. Grimsbanne."

I was momentarily stunned. Did I hear what I just heard? The Duke's last piece was this town, Grimsbanne?

"As I've said before, Grimsbanne used to be a lawless land abandoned by the monarchy. Just like an old, rotting canvass, it was hopeless and had no life. However, the duke's hands dared touch it, gave it colors, and life."

Fabian turned around and resumed in his steps; I instinctively followed.

"Grimsbanne had flourished more than any major cities in the kingdom. Until they summoned the Duke to the Capital and things went downhill." 

Suddenly Fabian's tone grew solemn. I furrowed my brows as I scurried closer to him.

"Went downhill?" I queried, intrigued by this piece of information I haven't heard until now. "What happened to the duke, Mister Fabian?"

Fabian remained silent for a moment. When he glanced at me, my breath hitched.

"A massacre ensued in Grimsbanne."