The Duke's Passion

Chapter 564 - [Bonus ]Stalling

"I'm yours...? How the hell did I think those words are sweet before when it sounded like an owner claiming his property?"

I was breaking apart. My heart, my mind, my spirit... were breaking apart. There were myriads of questions hovering over my head, wondering and questioning everything until now.

Perfect and peaceful life? Was that all superficial? Was my husband truly unable to love even his son?

Was his affection for me was just also an obsession, just like Stefan's? But... why did he have to raise Law all alone in my five-year slumber? If he didn't have a shred of love for Law, then he should've killed him since I wouldn't know.

Why?

"Why did you show you were happy and content these past months? Why did you raise Law all on your own? Why did you say all those promises about our family? It was better if you had shown hostility from the very beginning. If so... I would've hated you," I whispered through my gritted teeth, balling my hand into a fist. "Sam... Hell... why...?"

"Mother, please don't blame Father. I don't want to be used by someone so they can control you." Suddenly, Law voiced out his opinions aloud from his standpoint. Fabian chuckled as he patted his head proudly.

"So cute, young master."

"Lilou, do you trust me?" Sam inquired to get my attention, staring at me straight in the eye. I gulped as I studied his eyes. He didn't reveal the slightest hint of anything, but part of me was hoping for a clue that he had a plan, but to no avail.

This was a matter of trusting him blindly or doubting him. I hung my head low, teeth clenched.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I whispered after coming to a decision I might regret later. "Catharsis, Lakresha."

As my weapons took their form under my grip, my eyes glinted at Sam. The affection and bitterness that was filling my eyes gradually disappeared, replaced by coldness like an armor I put on to protect myself. I curled my fingers around my scythe and sword and raised Catharsis up with my left hand.

Keeping my eye contact with Sam, I pointed the blade towards Stefan. "I don't trust you. I will never trust you blindly, Sam. Hear me. If I lose my son tonight, I will make sure you will lose everything, Samael La Crox. That is an oath of a mother who was on the brink of insanity."

My voice was cold as I warned my husband. The only reason I was wielding my swords against Stefan was that he was my enemy and Sam was my husband. If Sam didn't have a plan other than sacrifice Law, then I would burn this empire myself.

"I assure you that, Your Majesty. This empire... will burn to ashes along with everyone."

The corner of my lips curled up into a smirk as he shifted his eyes towards Stefan. "I never want you to trust me blindly. If burning the empire will appease you, then so be it. I promised you we will be at your mercy."

"Lexx, don't you think this kind of hell my husband is now giving me enough entertainment?" I chuckled in ridicule, facing Stefan's unchanging countenance. "He's the most evil person I've ever met and now that I think about it, the torment of spending a lifetime with you paled in comparison."

"Come on, love. Don't be so harsh on me." Sam placed his palm on my hand and put it down gently. "I didn't ask you to fight. All I'm saying is, trust me on this one. You already fought and saved more lives than expected, so... you should rest, wife. I will take it from him."

I glanced at Sam and narrowed my eyes. "Than expected?" I stressed as it sounded like Sam had already known about this beforehand.

No... my mind suddenly went blank as I blinked twice. Did he know about the uprising and purposely left me in the dark? This somehow made me review my memory during Law's birthday. Sam asked me to protect the north and those ambiguous remarks I deemed words that came from worry because he would have to leave.

'Sam, you...!' Sam sported a playful smile as he glanced at me, catching my rattled countenance.

"Sorry, Love. To fool everyone, I should fool those closest to me, don't you think?" he leaned closer and whispered in my ear. "After all, the greatest schemer is always the victor. That's always been our game from then and until now."

I froze as my heart stopped beating for a second, wrapping his words around my head. All I could do was stare at him blankly, unable to distinguish which dominant part of me should take over me right at this moment.

"Get them. I'll join you later after my brief talk with my wife." Sam motioned his hand and waved it in Stefan and Zero's direction. As soon as he did, Dominique, Jayden, Rufus, and Ramin appeared like shadows.

Dominique and Jayden aimed for Stefan while Rufus and Ramin lurched towards Zero.

CLANG!

The sound of metal instantly resonated in the air. Earlier, Fabian and I had to fight two opponents each at once. But now, the situation was reversed. All I could do was gaze at them and notice the arrows shooting at Zero and Stefan. Although the arrows looked as if the archer was simply shooting randomly, one who had sharp eyes would see that the arrows never aimed at her allies.

Charlotte was amazing, as always.

As they fought those two, forcing them to create distance from us, I opened and closed my mouth. If Zero and Stefan already had their hands full, I didn't have anything to do anymore. I looked at up Sam, who stood leisurely beside me.

"Aren't you going to fight?" I asked cautiously, still thinking that he was someone I would kill later if Law was harmed because of his order. I didn't know what Sam was thinking, but whatever it was, he ordered my son's death. That was something I would never forget.

Sam raised a brow. "Why would I? I'm the emperor. All I need to do is order my people and they will carry out my wishes without fail."

I studied Sam's demeanor, and it seemed he truly didn't plan on joining the battle on his own. But that wasn't my real concern.

I mustered my courage while gripping my weapons tightly. "Why did you... say all that?" I hung my head low, as I couldn't understand a thing that happened in a matter of minutes.

"Did you really have to make me question you and drive me to madness?"

"Oh, dear. I don't have a choice." I raised my head at him with furrowed brows, seeing him look ahead. "I needed to buy time."

"What?"

"I needed to stall them." Sam cast me a side-eye. "Stefan and Zero's ally."

I got the gist of what he was saying, but my lower lip still trembled. "And now?"

"It's fine now." Sam smiled as he bent over until his face was a palm length away from me.. "Heliot already arrived."