The Duke's Passion

Based on Sam's explanation, the reason he had a lot of ability instead of just one or two was that he absorbed a lot of people, including the power of the previous king before Stefan. The only reason that the late king, Sam's father, survived was that he was too powerful that Sam couldn't absorb him completely.

Still, because of this, the late king slowly withered until he passed away. It was safe to say Sam killed his father slowly and painfully. 

That was the reason Sam didn't even consider absorbing the core inside me. It was risky, and he didn't want to risk that. He was just left with no choice and put his heart into it. Luckily, he was successful. 

But now, he had those voices inside his head. Although he said they were great company, as if having a built-in political advisor, it was still... shocking.

"So, Law didn't inherit the core?" I asked aggressively, sitting up while looking at him straight in the eye. "Our son, I mean, will not have to suffer from that Bloodfang's will?"

"My dear, you worry about Law and not me?"

"You just said they aren't a bad company as they helped you decide on some important decision as the emperor!" I slapped his shoulder, glaring at him. And yet, he chortled.

"Yes. None of our children will inherit them." Sam nodded with a gentle smile on his face. My face relaxed, heaving a sigh of relief as I rested my forehead against his chest. I was so relieved to hear this news that it brought me into tears.

"Lilou," he hummed while brushing my trembling back, comforting me. 

"I'm so... happy, Sam," came out a muffled confession. "This may sound unfair to you, but... I don't know what I will do if Law inherited the core."

I had been avoiding asking about this important stuff. Although Sam and I didn't have time until now, it scared me. That was why I had been mentally preparing myself before asking this question. But now that he said this, it was like a thorn was plucked out from my throat.

Sam embraced me securely. "I told you, I will protect you and our son. I was hesitant before, that was why you had to suffer so much. This time, I will not let that happen, Lilou. I will not let our son and daughters, and the future generation suffer from the problems of the past."

My heart warmed up hearing his voice. The arms that were cradling me felt so reassuring. It felt like no one could hurt me as long as I was in his embrace. 

"When I ascended the throne, I had taken an oath. That this empire... will secure the future of the children. I will create a place where our children can run freely and choose their own path," he continued in a low voice but made sure that I clearly heard his point. "A place where our children didn't have to kill each other to achieve their dreams."

"Sam..." I slowly raised my head and saw the bitterness in his eyes. He brushed my cheek with the back of his fingers while sporting a weak smile. 

"Our children, and the children in this empire, will not experience the pain the La Crox went through or what that peasant girl had to go through to survive." Sam rocked his head lightly, keeping his silence for a moment. "Let the older ones, us, carry that burden of the past, Lilou. It is a lot of weight to carry and it was exhausting, but we cannot give up because if we do, history will repeat itself."

I pressed my lips and nodded, agreeing with him a hundred percent. "Let's break the chain, then. I will support you through and through, Sam."

"Mhm." Sam pulled me closer and rested his head on my shoulder. 

Among every one of us, I knew Sam had been in the most pain. No matter how aggravating his brothers and sisters were, they always occupied this special place in his heart. To think that the villains of this story were those people. That piece of his heart must've broken. 

But we couldn't do anything about it. 

The La Crox was born and raised to be savages. The late king wanted his children to be each other's competition, and that was what they had become. It was hard to change when all their lives they stood above others. Even if the change came clear to them, it was already too late. 

They had hurt each other already, and the scars in their heart were far too deep. It was sad the more I thought about it. That was why my heart ached for Adam. Although the situation was different, Jaime Malum was unconsciously creating a monster. 

I was glad that it wasn't too late for that young Earl. I wished... with our reign, there were no more homes that would break because of greed. And even though poverty would always be a problem, peasants and commoners wouldn't be too scared at night. 

My walk last night proved to me that people weren't scared of the dark anymore. Although there were still people like Jaime Malum, I knew Sam would put them all under control. 

"Thank you, Sam," I whispered while playing with his hair. "Thank you for thinking about our son's future."

Suddenly, I smiled as I recalled what Yul told me a long time ago. That Sam was amazing for he do things that would always result in many people benefiting. Just like right now, he wanted a place where our children could have the freedom the La Crox didn't have. 

As a result, the entire empire was benefiting. To attain that, he had to clean the empire and put people in their place, after all. 

"I'm so proud of you," I added softly. "Does Alphonse's and Alistair's death hurt?"

"Mhm. They wanted to kill and revive us and settle in another place," he explained under his breath, sounding sad recalling them. "The intention is good, but the methods are twisted. Moreover, it is impossible. We are already monsters. That superficial life is bound to break, anyway."

I felt a hand clench my heart, grasping what happened after losing my consciousness. "But it still hurt, right?"

"Yes... like hell," he confessed while tightening his embrace. "The weight of the crown... is heavy, Lilou. No wonder Stefan had lost his mind. It wouldn't ruin that bastard if I didn't pass it to him in the first place. It was my fault and I don't want to make the same mistake again."

My mouth opened and closed, but I decided not to speak anymore. Instead, I rubbed his back and just be there for him. 

"I will always be here for you, Sam," I reassured softly, but with conviction. "I will never leave you again."

"Please don't. You and Law... are the sole reason I am keeping it together."

We remained silent for a long long time. This sadness… we could only entertain it with the two of us because we didn't want Law to see these ugly scars. I was glad, though.. That we had time to indulge in these painful memories because this would remind us why we shouldn't drag our son to the drama of the past.