The Duke's Passion

Chapter 711  The adventures of little Margaret

Lilou naturally cleaned Law before tucking him into the bed. With a smile, she was brushing his hair gently while her son was staring at her.

"Mother, are you angry with Father?" asked Law to Lilou when he couldn't take his curiosity peaking.

"No," she denied and shook her head mildly.

"Then why are you ignoring him?"

"I'm not ignoring him." Lilou chuckled awkwardly and said, "I'm just... I'm just a little busy. Your father has quite a strange personality. I simply want to focus on you. I'm sure he understood that since I don't remember our time together."

Seeing the worry still lingering her son's eyes, Lilou smiled reassuringly. "Do not worry. His Grace and I will settle things at our own pace." — definitely the slow pace as what she planned… hopefully.

"Alright." He pursed his lips into a thin line, restraining himself from probing. He knew his parents well, and he knew they would settle things eventually. His father was a persistent lad and he would do whatever it takes to keep his family together. It was just that Lilou… although still acted as the mother he used to know, she was different around Samael. It was concerning, but Law just had to trust his father.

<nulli>'That's right,' he mentally nodded<nulli>. 'If father failed, I will just have to step in and help him. For now, I need to stay in Mother's good graces.'

"Now, sleep." Lilou smiled and patted his feet over the blanket. "I'm surprised Mister Fabian cleaned every corner of this room and still had time to do other things."

"He is Mister Fabian." She giggled at his response. "Cleaning is his only way to keep his thoughts straight."

Her brows rose. "Why is that?"

"Hmm?"

"Nothing." Lilou smiled and shook her head, assuming this was something she shouldn't inquire to Law. He was still a child. Although he was matured for his age and knew things more than a ten-year-old should, she wanted him to stay and enjoy his youth. Instead of answering his mother's inquiry.

"You should sleep more so you grow up faster," she continued, changing the subject.

Law nodded and exhaled sharply, closing his eyes to sleep. Lilou stared at him quietly for minutes before Law frowned.

"I can't sleep." He reopened his eyes ever so slowly, making her chuckle.

"Should I read you a book?" Law nodded profusely at her suggestion. "Alright. Wait for me."

Lilou stood up from the chair beside the bed and sauntered towards the shelf. Her fingers hovered over the books stacked properly, reading each title carefully. Her lips curled down after confirming there weren't any children's books in here.

<nulli>'It can't be helped.' She sighed and returned to her seat without bringing any book.

With a smile, she announced. "There isn't a children's book available on the shelf, but I can tell you stories that I know."

Fortunately, Law didn't mind, as he smiled back and nodded.

Lilou cleared her throat and rummaged through her memory to remember the stories she used to tell to the children in the field back in the duchy.

"This story is about the little Margaret who went on an adventure to visit her grandfather." Her lips stretched, remembering one of her favorite fables growing up. "Little Margaret set off to visit her grandfather, who lives on the mountaintop. But when little Margaret reached his home, her grandfather was away. Waiting for him, little Margaret grew chocolates in his backyard…"

Law listened to the story eagerly, as if he hadn't heard it multiple times in the past. This was one of Sunny's favorite bedtime stories, which Lilou would tell her every single night. Therefore, Law was forced to listen to it. Still, the story was interesting enough for him.

Once Lilou finished the story, she lulled Law until he had fallen asleep. Staring at his sleeping face for the second time today, all her stress for the day disappeared.

<nulli>'I thought vampires didn't sleep… wait. Was Law a vampire? Or a human? Or was he in between?' she cocked her head to the side before shaking it. <nulli>'Nevermind. I had too many things to think about. It doesn't matter if he is a pureblood vampire or a human. He's a child who deserves the best in this world.'

Lilou nodded in agreement before she brushed his hair gently. After some time and making sure he was covered and comfortable, she headed to the candles in the room and blew a few of them, leaving it dim. She stood on the nightstand where she placed a single candelabra, smiling at Law when she glanced at him.

"Good night, Law." She bent over and planted a peck on his forehead. "May you have a good dream."

Her eyes softened as she drew her head back, staring at his face. Lilou, almost and successfully, forget the memories she wanted to forget that had happened. However, as soon as she left the room, her eyes caught a figure leaning near the window.

The moonlight filtered through the glass, shining down on Samael's face. Lilou gulped as she studied his side profile.

<nulli>'Why does he look so worried?' she wondered. <nulli>'Has he been here for two hours now?'

If her memory served correctly, it had been around that time since she was with Law. She pursed her lips into a thin line, assuming he already left. But now, she couldn't help but wonder why he looked so worried.

<nulli>'Was this because he thought I was angry? But well, I am.' She shook her head mildly.<nulli> 'It's his fault that I am having ridiculous ideas.'

Just when Lilou was about to ignore him and head to her room, something near her feet glinted. Looking down, her brows arched as she squatted down. There was a piece of shattered glass.

<nulli>'Good thing Law didn't step on it earlier.' She heaved a sigh of relief and picked up the shard so Law wouldn't meet an accident. However, with the faint light in the hallway, Lilou grazed her finger in her attempt to pick it up.

"Ah…" she hissed, catching Samael's attention. The latter immediately rushed to her side, squatting down as the scent of her blood filled his nostril.

"Lilou." His eyes glowed as his teeth clenched, snatching her wrist, only to see blood dripping from the end of her finger. "Goodness. You should be careful. Your blood is precious, love."

Samael put her finger in his mouth immediately to stop the bleeding while Lilou froze on the spot. He didn't have any plans other than to stop her bleeding, but as soon as her blood traveled in his veins, her frantic voice rang in his head.

<nulli>'No, no, no! What is he doing?! That's the finger…!! That's the finger... that touched me...' He froze that second, raising his eyes to her, only to see her straight face while averting her eyes.

<nulli>'Why is he looking at me? Act natural Lilou. Don't look at him and act natural. He can't know what you did while bathing, alright? Take deep breaths...'

"…"