Sam had carried me without saying a word. Our pace was slow but steady.

"My lord?" After the long silence between us, I called out.

"Hmm?" Without casting me a glance, Sam hummed a low and soft tune.

"Didn't you say you're faster than the horse's fastest gait?" I asked, curiously.

Since I needed something to divert my attention from noticing every little detail between us, I had to speak. It was only a matter of time until my heart pound against his back.

Sam would probably think it was bizarre to have such a strange heartbeat.

"I did." Without pausing in his pace, he nodded.

I knitted my brows as the corner of my lips curled down slightly.

"Then, why are you so walking slowly?"

Sam was walking the same pace as an elder. It was as if he was just walking through the garden, nonchalant and free.

"Hmm… because I'm carrying you."

"Huh?" I blinked. "Are you worried I'd get hurt?"

"No? That's the last time you'll get hurt under my watch." This time, Sam gave me a quick glance before shifting his eyes back ahead.

I bit my lip. Should I stop prying unnecessary questions?

Yet, before I could decide, my words slipped past my lips without my consent.

"Then, why?"

He didn't answer me immediately. Instead, Sam treaded carefully. I heard the crisped sound of the dry leaf when he stepped over it.

"Because if I do, we'll reach there in a blink of an eye." He said, puzzling me.

I don't see the problem if we reach the field sooner. Wasn't that the plan?

"Reaching it means you'll get off of me." He added solemnly.

My lips pressed together as I felt my cheek heat up.

"I like how your arms are wrapped around me; secure but not tight. I like the warmth and comfort it gave me. And, I enjoy feeling the frantic beat of your heart." Sam explained in the same tone.

He should stop. But deep down, I felt my heart melting into a liquid of shame.

"I want to treasure it for a bit longer. Don't you feel the same?"

This time, he cast me another side eye and smirked. His brief gaze made me shrink down a little.

Obviously, I didn't mind being piggy-backed. In fact, I… liked it.

I liked how he used his arms to hold my leg. I couldn't feel any malicious intent, as if he was afraid I'd feel uncomfortable if he used his hands.

Unlike his usual boldness, his mien and gestures contradicted the duke I've known. The reason I often thought I haven't fully known him.

There were more surprises he could offer.

"Also, it makes me feel… human."

"My lord?" I called softly, and he answered with a low hum.

"Do you want to become a human?"

I asked carefully. Sam had been vocal about his admiration for humans. Although I never sensed he despised being a strong vampire, I still wonder.

"Was there a way?" He arched his brow, looking over his shoulder — over me.

"If there is, will you become one?" I asked, biting my lip lightly.

"Hmm," Sam pondered for a moment. "Maybe. But well, I don't want to become a prey with this beauty I hold."

He added with a humorous chuckle. Meanwhile, I frowned at the lack of clarity in his answer.

"You see, if I'm not a vampire, how would I meet you who is one thousand and nine decades younger than me?"

"What? You're that old?!" I blurted out with a gasp.

The next second, I realized how silly my questions were. Obviously, he slept for hundreds of years.

How am I even surprised? Still… it was truly surprising to hear he was much older than I assumed.

"I never felt so ashamed of my age." Upon my exclaim, Sam clicked his tongue as he cast me a quick glance of dismay.

"Don't make it sound like I'm that old! I'm still in my prime! You humans won't understand."

I bit my lip again. Well, surely, we would never understand because our lifespans were short.

"I'm sorry…" I muttered, thinking I had offended him in some ways.

"If you're really sorry, I wouldn't mind a kiss." As usual, Sam never failed to insert his unnecessary request.

But… I looked away, biting my lip. Was it fine to do that? I wondered as I looked around to see if there were prying eyes on us.

There's none.

Then, should I…?

Just when I was pondering whether to fulfill his request, Sam spoke. His words snapped me back to reality, diverting my ridiculous thoughts away.

"I'm kidding." Sam chuckled. His eyes ahead as I glimpsed upon his wide smile.

"I'm old, but the longer a vampire lived, the stronger he becomes. Still, numbers wouldn't matter if a vampire can't prove he is worthy to get the other nobles' respect."

"Proved?"

"Hmm! Even a vampire had lived a long life, younger ones can be stronger. That's why every hundred of years, vampires fight each other to test who's the strongest." Samael explained.

However, it only confused me. I never heard vampires fighting with each other. If anything, vampires had a far stronger unity than humans.

"Humans didn't know the tradition. But I'm certain the King had defended his beloved throne by the blood of those who had challenged him."

There was a such tradition? I thought the king held the absolute power and no one would dare challenge him?

I remained silent, trying to understand this additional information.

As if Sam sensed my confusion, he chuckled.

"You'll know soon. I can challenge him and usurp the throne if you want to be the Queen." He humored, and I gasped in disbelief.

"My lord! Are you planning to…"

"Haha! I'm kidding! I don't have such plans but that's what the rumors say!" Sam continued on chuckling while I drew away a bit.

"Rumors?" I asked in disbelief. My heart pounding anxiously.

How could such vile rumors exist? If these rumors would reach the king's ears, what would happen to him?

"Don't fret. Usurping the throne is a bloody path. We wouldn't like to put you in harm, would we?" Sam cocked his head toward me.

Huh?

I bit my lower lip. This time, I bit it as hard as I could. There was this disappointment, dissatisfaction, and utter frustration building up inside me; it formed into one potent emotion..

Without thinking twice, I ground my teeth before biting into his shoulder.

"Ah!" Surprised as my teeth dug into him, Sam shrieked as he jolted.