The Duke's Passion

Chapter 703  Sure

"Kyah!!"

Samael's eyes dilated as soon as her scream rang to his side. He winced and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her while they were free falling. Lilou clutched him on instinct and muffled her scream as she buried her face in his chest.

His eyes softened, patting her head slightly before moving his arm to hook under her legs. How nice would it be if they stayed longer in the air? He thought. But the fun ended too soon as he landed safely, dust ascending up around him, Lilou in his arms.

She bounced slightly but held her securely.

"We've landed," he announced, but Lilou was still trembling. He sighed quietly. "What am I going to do with you? I missed having you relying on me."

Samael chuckled lightly as he sauntered towards the horse where he tied it to. After being with Lilou for a long time — but not long enough for him — Samael sometimes missed the days Lilou couldn't fight. Of course, he was proud of her and was amazed how she got strong over time, but it would be nice if she could rely on him more.

It was not like Lilou made him feel she didn't need him, but he always had this fear she wouldn't need him one day. Especially now that she doesn't recognize him.

He stood in front of the steed and gazed down. Although she stopped trembling that much, she was still trying to calm herself.

"I overdid it, did I?" he asked, and she nodded, but didn't let go. His brows rose as he sensed she didn't seem afraid anymore. Still, she was trembling.

"Are you alright?" he queried once again, and she shook her head sideways. "What's wrong, love?"

Lilou gritted her teeth as she opened her eyes, locking her arms around his neck. "I don't know. My heart is racing so fast and my head would hurt every once in a while."

"I see." Samael looked around the border and aside from the soldiers and barracks on sight, there weren't any good places to rest. A shallow breath slipped past his lips and glanced at the steed. Riding it wouldn't help.

"Hold tight," he said and, as instructed, she moved up a bit. He glanced down at her once more before he jumped, sprinting away at full speed as if he was skipping spaces. He knew her and if she was acting like this, that only meant it was true. Worse. She wasn't telling him everything. They must return so Tilly could see the problem.

While his eyes glinted, picking up his already lightning speed, Lilou's breathing grew heavier. When they jumped from the top of the border, fear swelled in her heart. But when she screamed, she felt a striking pain in her head and her heart was pounding since.

'<nulli>I can't understand…' she closed her eyes, moving slightly up, and wrapped her arms around his neck to keep herself from falling. When she felt like losing consciousness, she snapped her eyes open. It was her gut feeling not to sleep. The thought terrified her somehow.

<nulli>'I can't sleep,' she told herself. <nulli>'I don't think I should… or I won't wake up.' To keep herself awake, she moved her head up and peeked over his shoulder. Lilou narrowed her eyes as she felt even dizzier, seeing that everything seemed to just flash before her eyes. She didn't know he could run faster than a galloping horse. If only they traveled to the border like this, they would've reached it faster than when riding a horse.

<nulli>'Huh?' her brows furrowed and as if by instinct, Lilou twisted her neck to look ahead. A strong gust of wind instantly met her face, making her squint her eyes. The air slightly made her feel better, though.

Lilou inhaled and exhaled until she could no longer feel the dizziness before she mustered her courage to open her squinting eyes wider. As soon as she did, the pounding in her chest calmed down and her body relaxed.

<nulli>'I feel like flying…' she thought, holding her breath, eyes down. Samael was skipping from roof to roof, but she didn't feel that much impact every time his She felt liberated and safe… something that felt so familiar and her emotion so strong a tension in her throat built up.

Lilou clutched his shoulder, causing him to gaze down at her. Seeing the amusement on her face, the side of his lips curled up as he sighed in relief. He slowed down so she could enjoy the sight of Karo from above. After all, this place that was rich with sand was glorious, as if it was a city of gold under the blazing sun. And he wanted her to see the beauty of this place because he promised to take her around the world to see what he had seen in his time.

<nullb>******

As compensation for dragging her to jump from the wall, Samael took the longest route so they could share some time alone. Seeing the beautiful land of Karo from a bird's perspective was also a good way to erase the awful sight of the brutal battle beyond its border.

"Can you walk?" he asked as soon as he landed in front of the estate they were staying temporarily.

"Ye — yes." She stuttered, and he carefully put her down. Her knees trembled a bit, but she kept her ground. Samael scrutinized her from head to toe and smiled.

"Thank you," he expressed, waiting for her to return his gaze. "For coming with me today. It really means a lot to say more, he huffed and pivoted on his heel.

"Let's head inside. I'm a little famish and dirty…" while he me."

Lilou pursed her lips and nodded, clutching her hand close to her chest. Just when she thought Samael would say more, he huffed and pivoted on his heel.

"Let's head inside. I'm a little famish and dirty…" while he changed the subject, her eyes fell on his clothes and then on his boots. She didn't notice earlier, but his clothes were covered with specks of blood and his shoes seemed to have dipped in a shallow pool of blood.

She balled her hand into a fist before she took a deep breath. "Thank you!" she blurted out after mustering her courage to express her gratitude for the pleasant trip. Even though he went to fight those monsters, he didn't complain and showed her around the land of Karo.

He kept his promise. He took her to a place that could get some things off of her mind.

Samael halted as he cocked his head back arrogantly. "I don't like simple thanks," he humored. "If you want to thank me, just let me kiss you for at least a minute."

He waved and chuckled, resuming in his steps only to stop upon hearing a silent, "alright." His brows furrowed, looking back at her just to make sure he heard her correctly.

Lilou pursed her lips as she looked around before setting her eyes back on him. "I said, sure…" she trailed off, seeing him march towards her and before she could take a step back out of fear, he reached his hands out, cupping her cheek with both his hands and tilted his head, claiming her lips without a second hesitation.

Her eyes dilated as her breath hitched, but feeling the warmth of his lips once again, her eyes soon softened 10:49

before she closed them.

warmth of his lips once again, her eyes soon softened before she closed them.

<nulli>'I think… Sir Knight is correct,' she thought, clutching his arm tightly. <nulli>'You know it is special when it feels right… or perfect under an imperfect circumstance.'