"Lilou, sit here."

His voice prickled under my skin as I winced, turning my head towards Stefan, who sat on the host's seat. Did he just invite me to sit next to him?

"What's wrong?" asked Sam, and I turned my head to him, baffled.

Didn't he hear Stefan's invitation? I studied his expression, and it seemed that was the case.

"No — nothing." I shook my head lightly, sporting a forced smile to reassure him.

Sam narrowed his eyes suspiciously but didn't probe about it as he nodded. A sigh of relief slipped past my lips as I averted my eyes.

'Is it just my imagination?' I wondered internally, trying to shrug it off, but it lingered in my mind.

Except for my defiant husband, we greeted the King with a curtsy or a bow fitting for how a king should be greeted before we all settled down with our seats. Stefan gazed at everyone around, but somehow, his eyes lingered in my direction a little longer.

'What was he doing?' I thought as I avoided his eyes by drawing back, my back fusing with the high-back chair.

"It's been a while since we all gathered for dinner, and I'm pleased that each of you accepted my invitation," Stefan remarked in a calm and light tone. "I hope you will enjoy tonight's simple banquet I prepared for everyone."

Stefan gestured everyone to dig in with a smile, which everyone happily did. It didn't take long enough when the air was filled with their indistinct chattering, waves of laughter, and Klaus' boasting.

'This is unexpected.' I thought, a little surprised that this family dinner was not like the previous family dinners.

It was strange to say this, but they looked just like a normal family. It made me feel a little warm, but I wondered if things were a bit different?

By different, I mean, how nice would it be if what Klaus was talking about was his interesting journey away from the Capital instead of the things he had learned to torture someone. It would also be nice if Dominique, who also returned from the cold north, was giving out real souvenirs to them instead of tossing a person's eyeballs to his brothers. Hanz seemed offended, though, so it was a spectacle to watch.

Yul also seemed irritated as an eyeball rolled in front of his plate. While I watched them in silence, my eyes met Silvia, who arrived with the king.

Silvia offered me a kind smile as she raised a glass of wine, a gesture for a toast. I hastily grabbed my glass and raised it as well, but before I could drink it, I checked if it was water — it was, so I drank it without hesitation.

"Auntie Lilove." Claude snatched away my attention as he called me. "I heard you like chocolates, so bought you one."

Claude took out a small box from his pocket and presented it to me. I still had mixed emotions about Claude's identity, but it was not like it was his fault entirely.

I smiled and placed a hand on his head. "Thank you, your highness."

"Auntie, haven't you forgiven me?" he asked and frowned. "Why would you address me so formally?"

"Please, don't misunderstand." I shook my head lightly, chuckling sweetly as I patted his head. "Even if I'm your uncle Sam's wife, I still have to address you properly."

"I see. So, you will call me by my name if it's just the two of us?"

"Of course, your highness." I grinned, pleased to see how his expression brightened with his cheek coloring in red.

Claude was too adorable. It made me wonder what my child would look like with Sam's genes and mine combined.

"Eat well, alright?" I said as I retracted my hand away from him. Claude nodded and resumed eating. I watched him happily as he ate well.

"Lilou."

My shoulders suddenly stiffened when I heard Stefan's voice once again. I didn't avert my eyes from Claude, and it seemed he didn't hear it.

'Can he speak in my head now?' I wondered as I slowly turned my eyes and set it on him. Stefan was drinking wine, enjoying his own company.

"Lilou."

I flinched when Stefan's voice suddenly rang in my head once again. Stefan did nothing, but I kept hearing his voice in my head.

'Lilou, don't do this.' I massaged my temple as my head suddenly throbbed painfully. 'Keep your head together.' I told myself, taking deep breaths

"Wife." I jumped when Sam suddenly whispered in my ear. Fortunately, his arm was around my waist, stilling me on my seat.

"Are you alright?" Sam asked, knitting his brows and inching closer to inspect my face.

I cleared my throat as nodded. "Yes, I'm just a little… lost in thought."

"Do you want my help so you can focus?" he asked, and I furrowed my brows before my breath hitched.

Sam squeezed my waist lightly as the corner of his lips curled into a playful smirk. Only then I realized the sensual aura he was exuding from his touch.

"Sam," I called in a low tone, slapping his thigh lightly. "Behave."

"I am behaving." Sam shrugged as he removed his arm around my waist and used it to caress my shoulder by the back of his hand.

"You have nice skin." He commented as he stared at my shoulder before slowly raising his eyes on me. "Can I take a bite?"

I only gazed at him, hiding the fact that just his gaze alone could make me feel hot. I don't remember Sam seducing me, but now that he was doing it, my throat felt parch.

"There are so many people, Sam," I whispered in panic while my trembling hand reached for the glass to my mouth. "Behave yourself."

"People?" Sam intoned before he leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "Then, shall we take this somewhere private?"

I turned to him, and he was wiggling his brows, smirking. My mouth opened, but words clogged in my throat while Sam sipped wine with his eyes on me. Until now, I had to admit it was still hard to keep up with his stamina.

'It was not like I wanted to reject him. We can't just sneak out while the king is still here.' I thought, staring back at him and mouthed, 'Later.'

Sam read my lips as he nodded. A smug grin resurfaced on his lips. "We're not that patient, aren't we?" he offered his hand for me to grasp.

"Hand," He said, and I hesitated to take it, knowing him, but I still did. "Good girl," he said as his fingers wrapped around my hand.