What…?

I furrowed my brows and narrowed my eyes slightly. Did Fabian say they would kill the duke? And that's the Duke's last orders before he entered his long slumber?

Usually, my heart race or drum against my chest. But now, it beat slower than ever as my breathing grew heavier.

Sam… I couldn't imagine what he felt during those years that led him to such a decision. Just hearing it was akin to a stake stabbing me right into my chest.

Slowly, Fabian faced me with a smile on his lips.

"Thus, we thank you for refraining us from doing that, my lady."

"Huh?"

"Because of you, his lordship returned to us as the duke we all loved and respected." Fabian clarified. But it still rendered me confused.

"I don't think I deserve the credit, Mister Fabian." I smiled awkwardly. "The duke returned on his own because of his love for Grimsbanne and his people. I'm…"

I looked away and stared ahead. I believed in Sam and his passion and love for his people. He entered his slumber to protect it.

I didn't know how I came to that conclusion. But, deep down, I believed there's a far deeper reason behind it.

"So, if you're going to thank anyone, that'd be the Duke's will alone." I added with a subtle smile.

It may sound a bit foolish and arrogant of me to refuse Fabian's praises. However, I didn't like that this was being credited to me instead of Sam. All of this, from the second he awoke and until now, Sam did everything because of his own reasoning — not entirely because of me.

Fabian beamed at me with a subtle smile as he nodded.

"You're too humble, my lady."

"I'm not. I'm speaking facts." I shook my head lightly before gazing at him.

Fabian was already looking at me with his smiling eyes.

"Then, shall we tackle about the environment in the Capital?"

Fabian proposed. I remained silent momentarily before I shook my head once again.

I saw the slightly surprised expression resurfaced on Fabian's face. I smiled in response.

"I already had a vague idea of the Capital and the people inside the King's castle." I paused and took a deep breath.

"I realized that's enough for me."

Fabian raised his brow, casting me a suspicious look.

"What do you mean, my lady?"

"I'm saying it's not the King or anyone else that I should know more about." The corner of my lips stretched wider as I inhaled and exhaled deeply.

"It's the duke. So, thank you for telling me more about it. I felt I got closer to him more than ever, Mister Fabian."

Upon stating so, I lifted my dress and turned around. The smile on my lips remained, walking back to where we left my passionate vampire.

"Are you certain, my lady?" I stopped upon hearing Fabian.

I didn't look back, but I smiled. "After hearing everything, how can I stay here and do nothing? I have no power over the past or change it... but there are things I could do now." And then I resumed in my tracks.

I already said it I wanted to be Sam's safe haven. Just like how he made feel secure, I wanted to make him feel the same. This was the least that I could do.

The Capital and the King might sound like a scary place governed by a complicated vampire. However, I realized it was not the King who I needed to know more about. I wouldn't live with him or marry him.

It was Sam whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Hence, I wanted to get to know more about my groom instead of another man.

Knowing Sam more would grant me to know things on a much more interesting process, and through his own perspective. It's the perk.

***

Lilou didn't look back as she headed straight inside. Fabian watched her back and smiled brightly.

"My lady is truly a smart and wise lady. It is not difficult to see why the duke is enamored of her." Fabian chuckled, pleased and fascinated at how Lilou had grown.

Back when Lilou came into this mansion, Fabian had the same opinion as everyone else; they were against about the Duke and Lilou's marriage.

A human and a vampire? Unbelievable. Not to mention a peasant.

However, since he was merely a butler, he kept his thoughts to himself. He still followed the Duke's order to give Lilou education she deserved.

From that moment on, Fabian found himself being amazed at Lilou's enthusiasm, quick adeptness, and humble character. Her hunger to learn was akin to a deprived beast.

If vampires sucked life forces, Lilou would squeeze out every last bit of a person's knowledge.

Yet she remained humble and honest. Lilou never acted arrogant, despite having the power to do so.

The reason she unconsciously gained the respect of every single one in this household. She hadn't realized it yet, but they had already accepted and saw her as the legal lady of the house.

"The king had another person to watch out to." Fabian whispered as a chuckle slipped past his lips.

****

Carefully, I opened the door and peeked my head in. Sam didn't pay me attention as he continued working on the canvass.

With that, I pursed my lips and discreetly tiptoed my way in. I didn't want to disturb him. Hence, as much as possible, I didn't make a sound.

There's already a finished canvass laid on the table. That's fast. Was he working on the second one? Already?

When I came close to the table, I stretched my neck to see the canvass on the table. Strokes of black were all over the canvass. It amazed me that, from charcoal; he created an image.

Out of curiosity, I glanced at Sam once again. Upon confirming he was too preoccupied to notice me, I walked closer to the canvass.

As soon as I stared at the finished work up close, my breath hitched.

Was this me?

Without thinking twice, I reached towards the canvass and held it up. Although it was painted using charcoal, its different shades of black to gray were surprisingly amazing.

On the canvass, there was an image of a girl, smiling. She looked so pretty despite the lack of colors. The way he painted her smile was enough to give vibrancy and life.

"Amazing…" I murmured.

It looked like me, but not entirely? I don't think I'm this pretty and… flamboyant.

Still, my heart softened. I bit my lower lip, resisting myself from grinning like a fool.

Sam…

I pursed my lips, slowly putting down the canvass. Then I turned my head to him.

He seemed more serious than when Fabian and I left him. I wonder what he was working on to make him not notice me.

Momentarily, I hesitated to disturb him. But after seeing the first finished work, my curiosity intensified.

Therefore, I discreetly dragged my feet towards him. When I was closing in, I tiptoed, my hands on my back, stretching to get a glimpse of his work.

However, as soon as I did, my eyes slowly widened as my jaw dropped.