The Duke's Passion

"What?" I gasped in disbelief. "Lord Noah and Teddy are friends before?"

Sam nodded, crossing his arms. "They are best friends."

Did I hear him correctly? How could…?

"Hundreds of years ago, I stayed in Whistlebird for quite some time. Noah is a child back then. I remember he used to play with a child from the Brown in secret. How time flies and now they look much older than me!" 

Sam shook his head dejectedly while clicking his tongue. I could not help my face but sport a conflicted look. 

Teddy and Noah didn't look older than Sam. They looked… the same age as him.

Sam is really old, huh? He's like my ancestor.

"But Anton had this firm belief that nobles should stay above others." 

"Is that the reason their friendship ended?" I wondered, shrugging my other thoughts away.

"Well, more or less. But they're friends until recently when Anton found out that Noah and Teddy were planning to change Whistlebird." Sam added.

I furrowed my brows, casting him a look to continue. Taking notice of my interest, Sam cleared his throat.

"Kiss me after this. My throat will —"

"Kiss." Before he could finish, I kissed in the air and smiled. "There you go."

Sam sighed upon seeing my action. "You're so precious, Lilove." He said before he continued;

"Alright, I mean Noah and Teddy had this plan. However, as I've said, Albert found out about it and you can guess how Anton heard this news. Fast forward, instead of Albert and Anton punishing the Browns, Noah volunteered to do it himself."

"Punish? You mean that's why Lord Noah had done all that in the restaurant?" 

"Mhm. It is his way to redeem himself in the family and to save his dear friend. Being humiliated is better than to die, right?" Sam cast me a knowing look.

If they put it that way, I couldn't argue about it. It was unfortunate that Noah had to hurt his friend and himself to keep that friend alive.

"But, why did he have to bring Arthur for revenged?" I queried with a furrowed brow.

"Sweet darling," Sam sighed. "Noah had figured who I am. If he was truly on the Remington's side, he wouldn't bring Albert knowing he's delivering his brother to death."

"Oh…"

"Noah is a cunning man. When you think someone is weak, that's when one person slowly realizes it was them who's gone weaker. He used me to teach his brother a lesson! Isn't he wise? How dare that young one use me to his plans!" Sam complained as he frowned.

"But you let him use you." My reply caused Sam's brow to arch. "You already know about it, didn't you? But still played the role. Why?"

"Oh, Lilove." His eyes flickered in amusement. "How can you see through me like that? I feel violated~!"

I pursed my lips in a thin line. "You know Noah's nature. And it's not Albert, it's Arthur." 

Not that I'm lying. However, at the back of my head, it only made sense that Sam already figured it out. When did he figure it out was not important.

"What happened to Mister Brown?" I asked, diverting the subject.

"He nearly died, but he's fine."

"Nearly died?"

"Well, Albert made a hole in Teddy's chest! Even a vampire will die, love." Sam shrugged his shoulder as if he was merely describing a worm inside an apple.

"A hole in Teddy's chest… goodness." I gasped, covering my lips with my palm.

"Don't worry about it. He nearly died but didn't die, alright?" Sam clicked his tongue in annoyance. "How annoying."

"Why are you so annoyed?" I blurted out, not realizing I took notice of his tone.

"Because you're getting all worried about another man! I already have to fight with Fabian for your attention." Sam unhesitatingly exclaimed.

"What?" Stunned, I blinked many times. He's jealous? Over a simple thing?

Sam shrugged his shoulders indifferently. His brows raised.

"I should be the only man inside your mind and heart." He selfishly announced.

"Is that an order? My lord?" Slowly, my brow arched as I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.

He pressed his lips together, scratching his temple as he looked away. "Do you listen to orders?"

My expression immediately vanished. If I listen to him, he'd really order me to think just about him? Not that I'm against it.

"I already think about you day and night, though." I mumbled, as I scratched my chin.

But Sam's hearing was keen — very keen. Hence, he heard me which made his eyes brimmed with sparkles.

"Hmm?" Upon noticing his sparkling pair of eyes, I furrowed my brows. "What is it, my lord?"

"You think about me day and night?" He asked, grinning.

"Uh… yes?"

"Even afternoon?" 

I blew air through my mouth and slightly puffed my cheek. "I think about you every second of every day, my lord. That's why I'm a slave."

"Heh." 

He's happy. It was fascinating how easy to make Sam happy. With simple words — not even heartfelt — already brought this charming smile on his face. 

My heart warmed up as I looked at him longer. Maybe it was not just words, but honesty as well. 

It was unbelievable to think I had an argument with him last night. Never in my life I would have ever imagined being in the same carriage with him.

Having conversation with him without being afraid for my life. It still felt surreal. But I've been slowly embracing my reality now. 

"By the way, how long until we reach the Capital?" I asked, out of curiosity.

We just left Whistlebird hours ago. I wondered how many days it would take us to arrive in the Capital and how many towns and cities would we have to stop by.

"Three to five days. Why?" Sam answered and queried back. "Are you excited?"

"No." I shook my head lightly. "I just want to know so I can prepare myself."

I explained. Our short time in Whistlebird had showed me a glimpse of what to expect in the Capital. The complicated land of where Sam had lived half of his life.

A land of schemes and schemes and schemes.

Taking notice of my abrupt silence, Sam extended his arm to me. I raised my gaze and saw his gentle smile.

"You'll be fine."

Seeing his smile made my heart at ease. However, my eyes slowly went wide upon seeing blood from his nose.

"Sam…" I gasped. "Your nose..."