The Duke's Passion

"Pfft—!" Upon hearing my obvious lie, Sam burst out in laughter. His peels of laughters made me want to evaporate.

He shook his head as he laughed. When he recovered, he spoke.

"I slept with them — no, I put them to sleep, reading them stories, just like how a good big brother does." 

Sam explained, the corner of his lips stretched into a broader grin.

"Apparently, I don't lust for my sisters or cousins. It just feels strange after watching them grow up."

He added. I bit my lip once again as I gripped his shoulder.

"So, you haven't…? But… you watched me grow up as well." 

I took longer to speak about my query. Hesitating to expose myself than I already am.

"Correction. I'm merely listening. Goodness. I didn't even know how you look like until I woke up. How tall were you? What is the color of your hair? Your eyes? All I know is your voice and presence."

Right. He might be hearing me since my first cry. But, still…

"Do I have to repeat what I said before?" Sam inquired without looking back. "Initially, I just wanted to repay you for everything. Although marriage as a repayment never crossed me until I laid my eyes on you."

My jaw tightened. Obviously, I recalled his reason at the back of my head. Although it still made little sense to me, it was still buried at the back of my head.

"Heh. Wearing ragged clothes, your hair worse than a bed head, almost skin and bones — I actually thought you were a walking corpse!" 

Hearing him describe me in the past brought this slight embarrassment within me. Especially how he chuckled with fascination. 

What else could I do? I only had a two pairs of dress to wear for years. Unlike now, I get to change every day and night; I didn't have such luxury in the past.

I could barely eat. His remarks made me bit my inner lip once again.

"Yet, you stood out like an undiscovered gem, still covered with mud. I like you the first time I saw you and still like you even more now. I'm never disappointed deciding to marry someone I'm attracted to."

Sam said in a knowing tone. It was not solemn or teasing, but… joyous kind of tone? There was not a bit of hesitation in his voice, which caught my heart off guard.

Before I knew it, I hiccuped.

"*hic*" 

"Huh? Do you need blood — I mean, water?" Upon hearing my sudden hiccup, he inquired.

As an answer, I shook my head sideways. And again, I hiccuped. I could feel my cheek heating up, which compelled me to look away.

"Are you sure?"

"Ye — yes! We should hurry, my lord! We didn't go here for no reason, did we?" Panic-stricken, I diverted the subject away from me and my hiccups.

Sam glanced back again. His brow raised as the space between his brows creased together.

"I don't need water." I reassured with an awkward smile. "My lord."

"But you look thirsty."

"Ye — no. Please don't mind me." I urged helplessly.

"Heh. I mean thirsty for something else, silly." He humored as the side of his lips tilted into a smirk.

Huh? Thirsty for what?

"Hold tight, gorgeous." Sam said, discontinuing our previous topic.

As he did, he lifted me up, as his arms held me more securely. 

"If I were you, close your eyes because we'll be flying." 

Sam cocked his head to me. The side of his head grazing mine. Subconsciously, I tightened my arm around him, as I felt I should hold on to him tightly.

However, as I did, my heart started racing once again. Uh… I hope it stops beating — I mean, stop its crazy pace and not completely stop beating.

Fortunately, I did what I was told because the next second, my heart nearly left my chest. Why?

Sam took small and quick leaps, saying, "Don't ever let go, alright?"

Instinctively, I nodded. Without another word said, my arms locked around him more tightly as he leapt forward.

Just one leap. Sam was already standing on a tree branch! I gasped as my blood level lowered.

He continued on leaping, from one branch to another. And each time he leapt, he would land every five branches or so.

Even though we weren't flying, I felt like flying at our speed. He was, indeed, faster than the horse! Now that I think about it, if we traveled like this, we would have reached the field much sooner!

"My — my —"

"Just hold tight. We will be there." He reminded without casting a glance and without decreasing his speed.

As instructed, I squeezed myself without thinking twice. I couldn't think of something else other than to secure my life.

But, as if he didn't want to fill my heart with fear. Sam lowered his head, and I felt a sudden softness in my arms.

His action completely caused my brain to enter a blank state. Before I knew it, my grip around him loosened. Fortunately, Sam's reflexes were quick.

With both my legs hooked by his one arm, while his other hand locked my arms together. I couldn't think of how he could manage, but I'm just too mind-boggled to think.

Surely, my heart wasn't filled with fear. It was filled with the sensation that words wouldn't justify or explain it.

"I just kissed your arm. Why are you punishing me?" He muttered under his breath.

I couldn't see his expression, but I bet he was frowning. That snapped me awake as I clung to him again and closed my eyes.

Don't think about it, Lil. Just close your eyes! I told myself which I followed like a good girl.

In silence, we continued with our pace, and Sam soon halted. Slowly, I peeked through from my one eye and the other opened as well.

That second, I realized Sam was standing on a thick branch. He was looking ahead, and so my gaze followed.

As soon as I laid my eyes on the direction he was looking at, it rendered me speechless. We weren't on the field. But rather, somewhere far from it, but near where I used to live.

Yes, from our standpoint, I could see the hill I used to live not far away. Unlike how it used to be, my shack was not that flimsy shack anymore.

It was more like a small bungalow. Outside in the open space, the children, along with the farmers from the fields, were sitting in an odd arrangement.

There were a few middle-classes individuals mixed with them. They were sitting on the lush grass, facing the board in front of them, with someone standing before them.

My eyes narrowed as I scrutinized what was written on the board. My lower lip trembled upon figuring that the words written on the board were lessons Fabian mentioned.

In retrospect, there was a time Fabian brought his lesson plan on how to teach me to read and write. I remembered asking him about it because we didn't need it anymore. But Fabian only told me the duke found a way not to waste Fabian's efforts.

"Was this…" I trailed in silence. Were they granted education?