The Duke's Passion

It's the break of dawn. The break of dawn will come soon. The break of dawn. Dawn.

Dawn.

Dawn..

Dawn…

I kept hearing that word being uttered with different emotions repeatedly as I weakly opened my eyes. What's with the break of dawn?

I opened and closed my eyes, trying to get a hold of my vision properly. Soon, the indistinct chattering grew louder.

"Cameron, I told you what would happen, didn't I?" Sam's voice felt like the chilly breeze in the middle of the night.

"Fabian, have you gathered the Crawford?"

"Yes, my lord. They had also dug their own graves and had picked where they would rest." Fabian answered in an exceptionally solemn tone.

"Your Highness, please don't do this to our Crawfor —" Cameron was cut off.

I forced myself to move my head to their direction, furrowing my brows at this mild commotion even before the daybreak. As soon as I did, my eyes blinked countless times.

What I'm seeing was Sam holding Lord Cameron up by his neck. Just using one hand!

"Do, what? Marquess of Cunningham?" Even though Sam's back was facing me, I could tell what kind of frightening expression plastered across his face.

"Were my words not clear to you, Cameron Crawford? The lives of the people in Cunningham and the Crawford are not even enough nor will it compare to… my loss."

Am I still dreaming? A premonition? A nightmare? 

Just yesterday, Sam told me these people were harmless folks. Right… they might be harmless, but Sam was a dangerous man!

Wait. Was he going to do what he had done in Whistlebird?

What did they do, though? Which side of truth did I miss? 

I still felt so out of it, as my mind couldn't process the situation I woke up to. Did I wake up at the wrong time?

Should I pretend to sleep? Sam wouldn't rob my memories again, would he? He promised, right?

"Snapping your neck right now is mercy." Sam hissed. "I'm not familiar with such a word, Cameron."

I felt a chill run down my spine as I shivered. I've never seen or heard Sam reach such a low tone. 

So low it could break one's spirit.

Right now, he exuded a very different and very dark aura. There's not the slightest touch of mischievousness or pleasure for blood, just like what he displayed in Whistlebird.

Right now, Sam… I couldn't feel any emotion from him. Which made it more terrifying.

"My Lord, we…" Suddenly, Fabian trailed off as I felt his gaze slowly shifted on me.

"My lady." He called out softly, sounding overly relieved.

Instinctively, I shut my eyes for reasons unknown. I didn't see or hear anything.

Please don't erase this memory, Sam. I somehow found you… hot.

As soon as I closed my eyes, I heard a heavy thud sound resonating in my ear. Huh?

But no matter how curious I was, I kept my eyes closed. Yes, pretend I was still sleeping and just leave all the questions for later.

I'm certain Sam had his reasons for annihilating the Crawfords. Goodness… am I getting blinded by love? Or was this the effect of the "multiple truths"?

After some brief time, there's only silence. Did they leave? I didn't hear the door, though.

But why was it so silent?

Before I knew it, I opened one of my eye to peek. However, as soon as I did, a pair of crimson orbs hovered over me, welcoming my gaze.

Hence, I reluctantly opened my other eyes and sported a smile.

"Did I… wake up at the wrong time?" I asked awkwardly.

"Your Grace!" Suddenly, Cameron exclaimed in great relief while gasping for air.

"Lilou…" Sam called out huskily.

I flinched at the sudden coldness that seeped deep into my bones. My breath also hitched as I shifted my gaze back to Sam.

But this time, the myriads of emotions flickering across his eyes made themselves known. It was as if Sam was about to cry.

Why… such pain in his eyes… my heart clenched. Did I worry him too much?

But… I was just sleeping like usual.

Sam then cupped my jaw as his eyes roamed around my face. "No, you woke up just in time before I could erase Cunningham in this kingdom."

Ah?

I didn't understand Sam's word, rendering me confused. Sam… he planned to erase the entire Cunningham from the maps of the world?

Not just the people? But the entire city?

Did I translate his words correctly?

"I shouldn't have left you alone." Sam uttered, sounding apologetically.

Ah?

Taking notice of my puzzlement, Sam narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Leave us."

As soon as his commands left his lips, Fabian escorted Lord Cameron out. Sam then took a seat near my bed.

His leg resting over the other. He had his arms crossed as his crimson eyes locked with me.

Since I felt uncomfortable lying down, I assisted myself to sit up. Then, I faced Sam whose mien was akin to those noble; distant and cold, so out of reach and detach.

My heart ached. Sam was just sitting not far away. However, the way his eyes glinted made me feel he was beyond my reach.

Unconsciously, I was clasping on the quilt over my lap. I dropped my gaze. What's this distant feeling between us?

"Did you know what happen to you?"

"Uh…" I was too distracted by my current personal feelings that I couldn't think straight.

"What happened to me?"

I mumbled as I recalled last night's event.

"Last night…" I trailed off as I glanced at him. He still had those cold eyes, as if he was looking at another person.

"Why are you looking at me with such cold eyes, Sam?"

I blurted out. Immediately, I pressed my lips together, but didn't look away from him.

Sam, as if he didn't expect such an honest question, slightly raised his brows. His eyes went wide — a little.

Yet, he still questioned. "You don't remember?"