The Duke's Passion

After Sam gave his order, we went to our separate ways. Still, his words remained in my head. 

What did he mean by that? I wondered internally. I didn't want to hop into a conclusion, afraid I'd get the wrong idea. Sam had his own dictionary, after all.

"What are you thinking?" Sam snapped me back from my trance.

I blinked, shaking my head. He then slipped his hands through the gaps between my fingers and squeezed it lightly.

His action made me bite my lower lip. Walking while holding hands, without a care of anyone around us... it felt good.

"Nothing, my lord." I shook my head and offered him a smile.

Sam clicked his tongue, but said nothing. As we walk, I looked around. Everyone was smiling, as if there was no problem in the town.

It made me want to believe the restlessness in my heart was just because I'm over-thinking. Maybe I was. Just then a pleasant aroma wafted my nose.

"What's that?" I muttered under my breath, sniffing sharply.

I looked in the direction where the pleasant aroma came from. My eyes landed on a fancy establishment.

"Oh, that seems like an excellent restaurant." Sam exclaimed as he turned to me.

"A restaurant?" 

"You've never been into one, huh?" Sam nodded in understanding. "Let's go!"

He added with a grin. Before I could stop him, Sam dragged me inside. My anxiety immediately shot up to the heaven as soon as we went inside.

I discreetly made a little step closer to Sam's back. The restaurant was oddly silent. I glanced at the guest on each table, their attention ahead. They were sighing and shaking their heads.

Huh?

Slowly, I peeked out my head from behind Sam's back. As soon as I did, my eyes widened as I covered my lips with my palm.

"What in the world…?" I muttered under my breath.

"How dare you show your fangs on me!?" A red-haired man bellowed, pivoting his heel against the back of another man's head lying on the floor.

The man on the floor was already bleeding too much. He was already too weak to fight back. And yet, the red-haired man seemed he wasn't satisfied.

"My lord! Please spare him!" A woman pleaded as she knelt down. Desperation came clear on her face.

"I will do anything you ask! Just please…"

"Do anything?" The red-haired man raised a brow. Slowly, he retrieved his foot away.

The woman who pleaded for that man's life sobbed. Even from the distance, I could see her affection to the other man.

I bit my lower lip, feeling sorry for her. They must be lovers. The man on the floor weakly raised his head, shaking it as if pleading for her not to do anything.

But the woman had decided. I could tell just by staring into her eyes.

"Strip then." To my surprised, the red-haired man requested with a smirk.

The complexion of the woman immediately grew pale. Her lower lip trembling, looking around at the eyes who either enjoyed watching this or those who pity her.

Still, no one helped her or wanted to get involved with this. It was always like this.

I gritted my teeth as I balled my hands into a fist. I could understand being in that situation as I've been into one many times.

However, I had no power. I couldn't do anything to help anyone. That hard truth was akin to a stake stabbing into my heart.

"You said you'll do anything. So, strip." The red-haired man cocked his head to the side. His eyes remained on the beautiful lady.

I saw her jaw tighten as she slowly stood on her feet. As tears rolled down her cheek, she used her trembling hands to remove her clothes.

Seeing this, the corner of the red-haired man's lips stretched into a smirk. Cheers from men who enjoyed this cruelty rang in the air. While those who pity her could only look away.

Cruel.

I looked down at the floor and whispered. "Sam? Can we not eat… here?"

My words trailed off as I slowly raised my gaze. While I was focused on watching the cruelty ahead of us, Sam was busy about something else.

"Come on. Give me a special seat for the newlyweds." Sam elbowed the male server lightly.

"But they were already occupied, Sir." The server answered apologetically.

Sam clicked his tongue in annoyance. By the looks of it, Sam hadn't noticed the very noticeable scene not far away from us.

"You're telling me this is the best restaurant when you can't even serve your special guests." Sam sighed, shaking his head as he raised his displeased gaze at the server.

"My apologies, Sir." The waiter bowed to express his sincerity.

"Serve us the food that I asked. I'll find us a seat myself. I can't trust you to find my wife a pleasant spot to eat." Still, Sam decided to dine here, regardless.

After that, he turned to me, smiling as he leaned closer.

"I asked them tons of food. I didn't want to ruin your healthy diet."

"My lord…" I breathed, biting my tongue. Sam seemed too enthusiastic that it made me hesitate to tell him I already lost my appetite.

Sam then raised his head and looked around. He didn't even bat an eye at what was happening ahead.

"Oh! That table seems special!" Sam grinned mischievously. "How dare that server tell me all special tables were occupied? Tsk!"

Slowly, I followed where he was gazing at. As soon as I did, I furrowed my brows. Was he referring to the table behind the red-haired man?

Before I could speak, Sam dragged me excitedly towards the chaotic scene.

"Wait, Sam…!" 

Shortly, Sam stopped and looked down at the man lying on the ground. I gasped in disbelief and tugged his sleeve.

"Sam," I called out under my breath and looked around. 

The lady stopped herself from taking off her clothes. The red-haired man had his brow raised. And then everyone looked at us with surprise.

"What a strange floor decoration." To everyone's — including me — disbelief, Sam commented before taking a large step over the man.

"Excuse us."

"…"