"Sam…" I gasped.

Sam also realized the blood from his nose. He slowly raised his finger to his nose. Checking the blood as he withdrew his hand in front of him.

"Are you… alright?" I asked, worried.

"Oh…" Sam nodded without looking away from his finger. It stunned him as well.

"Mister Fabian!" because of the adrenaline rush, I immediately opened the window and called Fabian in panic.

"The duke is bleeding!"

I exclaimed. However, just as I did, the carriage abruptly halted and Fabian already rushed towards the window, as if something already alarmed them before I could call for help.

"My lord!" As soon as Fabian saw Sam, his complexion turned pale.

Fabian's expression only made my heart race faster. Fabian looked so scared and worried.

What's going on?

Fabian didn't waste a second as he opened the door. Instinctively, I moved back to give them some room.

"I'm fine." Before Fabian could speak further, Sam raised his other hand. "Give me a napkin and don't stop on the next town — they're bothersome people."

Sam ordered as he accepted a napkin from Fabian. He then wiped his bleeding nose nonchalantly.

"But, My Lord, you should rest as well." Fabian sighed, exasperated. "You had exerted too much life force saving Mister Bro—"

Fabian abruptly halted as Sam cast him a look. Still, I grasped what was Fabian trying to tell him.

"We're not making stops anymore. We have to reach the Capital in three days." Sam ordered as his nose continued to bleed.

"Mister Fabian, is the duke, ill?" Under my breath, I asked, without looking away from Sam.

"Heh. How am I ill, silly?" Sam chuckled, but I kept my blank expression.

Slowly, I shifted my gaze to Fabian. "Is the duke ill?"

My tone this time was firmer. Sam wouldn't tell me the truth just so I wouldn't get worried. But Fabian, I hope I could trust him to tell me what he knew.

Fabian glanced at Sam. But when he gazed back at me, a determined glint flickered across his dark eyes.

"The duke had saved the life of Teddy Brown by giving him his blood. A blood for vampires is their life-forces. To save a person in a brink of death, one must give their own life force."

"Fabian." Not pleased at Fabian's defiance, Sam closed his eyes as his tone low but dangerous.

"My apologies, Your Grace. However, you can't hide this from my lady." Fabian expressed courageously.

"Is the duke dying?" Without beating around the bush, I queried while staring at Sam.

Please don't tell me Sam was. Just the thought of it made me unconsciously clench my skirt tightly.

"No, Lilove. I'm not."

"But you will, my lord." My heart instantly sunk upon hearing Fabian's remarks. "If you don't… rest."

No. Fabian changed his words. I've been with them for a long time. Thus, I figured they were hiding something from me right now.

"Do you need blood?" My question came out only above a whisper.

Silence. Neither of them spoke momentarily.

"Have mine." Determined, I stared at Sam and stated. No. It was not a statement, it was an order.

Sam's eyes immediately darkened, tempted. However, he shook his and refused.

"Love, one is enough."

"Mister Fabian, give us a moment." Without looking at Fabian, I requested. "Please."

From my peripheral vision, I saw Fabian look at me and sigh. He didn't speak anymore and closed the door and window.

"To save one, you want to sacrifice your life?" As soon the Fabian shut the door, my words escaped my lips immediately.

"I'm not sacrificing my life. It's just… I haven't regained all my strength after my long slumber."

"Because you're not feeding properly?" I said, pressing at this matter even harder.

Sam took away the napkin from his nose. Blood stained his upper lip, leaving a faint red hue. It was painful sight to see.

"The last time I sank my fangs into you is not the same if I sink them again with a different intention." Sam looked me in the eye with resolve. "Don't do this, love. It's dangerous and you might die."

Death, huh? How many times did I face death and gave into it? Do I look like that terrified me now?

"I don't get scared at the same thing repeatedly. You're bleeding, and Fabian's expression told me it's not normal. What else do you expect me to say, Sam?"

Unconsciously, I bit my lower lip as hard as I could. If giving my blood, or life, to him was something I could do, I would.

"There's nothing much I could help you with. So, why won't you let me do the things I can only do?"

I added, along with my faint scoff. Life or death… it never mattered to me. I'd die someday, anyway. Hence, if I'm going to die, I'd rather die doing my purpose.

"Goodness…" Sam closed his eyes as he rested his palm between his shoulder and neck.

His fangs had slowly appeared as he stretched his neck in a circular motion. He looked annoyed and distressed.

Pursing my lips as I watched him gather his thoughts. But my eyes remained on his fangs.

If he kept refusing me, I'd just force myself. Right. Just do what I wanted, just like what he had always told me.

Upon having that determined thoughts in my head, I leapt forward and clumsily attempted to force my wrist into his fangs. However, I accidentally stepped on my skirt, tripped, and fell on his lap.

"Ah!" My forehead bumped into his knees as my body produced a loud thud upon collapsing on the carriage floor.

That hurts. How can I be so clumsy?

I frowned as I rubbed my forehead. There's a slight lump as I rubbed it.

"Pfft—!" Slowly, I looked up to him, who bore this wicked smirk on his lips. "Are you trying to do what I think you're trying to do?"

He asked as he laughed out loud. I've never felt so ashamed until this failed attempt.

"Do you really want to help your sickly groom?" Sam asked. Without a second hesitation, I nodded profusely.

Obviously!

"Heh. I just thought of an idea." Sam grinned, as if delighted at something that crossed his head.

Now this smirk looked scary. My courage intensified whenever he refused me. But when he wasn't and grinning like a maniac, it somehow made my resolve wane.

My heart was so fickle. Goodness.

*

In the end, the idea Sam came up with was simpler than I expected.

"Aren't you full yet?" I asked curiously, tilting my head as I stared at his side profile.

Sam slowly cast me a side eye. He clipped my forefinger in between his teeth.

"I'm drinking like a newborn. Have you tried drinking from a woman's breast as an adult?" Sam bluntly uttered, which made me flush instantly.

As I pursed my lips, Sam continued on, sipping from the tip of my forefinger leisurely.

"Is this really enough?" I wondered. Studying his complexion, which started returning to what it normally looked like.

"I guess so." I mumbled, and he glanced at me again.

I smiled upon meeting his gaze and patted his head gently. "Sip well."