"Sa—"

Just as I was going to moan his name; just before I could demand more from him, the voices outside snapped me back from my ecstasy.

"Haha! I'm sorry, professor! I didn't notice I also left the take home activity!" It was Old Olly chuckling, talking to someone.

"It's alright, Old Olly. It's good that I'm still in the field." Another man's voice reached my ear.

"Sam!" I whispered in panic. However, he only let out an annoyed click of his tongue.

Parting away from my upper chest, he perked up as he suddenly captured my lips.

"Mhm!" Even when he kept my mouth preoccupied, I hurriedly patted his shoulder in protest for him to stop.

I heard some keys jangling as Old Olly and the professor's voices came close.

"Huh? It's broken?" The Professor muttered, and I felt the door rattle behind me.

Yet, they couldn't open it. Sam's hand had left my thigh, blocking the door behind me. He was biting my lower lip lightly as his flaming eyes met mine.

He pulled my lips with his teeth, slow and steady. Not enough to hurt me, but enough to make my throat dry up. Goodness, why are they interrupting us?

"Please…" I panted.

I'm also reluctant to let go. We were almost there. But I didn't want to see Old Olly in such a state with a man.

"No." He whispered. His eyes were dead serious!

"Later," I urged, nodding reassuringly. "We continue this later?"

I repeated. However, his eyes were unwavering. Grounding my teeth as I felt the door rattle slightly again.

"Did someone sneak inside?" I heard the man wondered as he tried to push the door open once again.

Without thinking twice, I clasped on Sam's shoulder, tiptoeing as I left a quick peck on his lips.

"Later, alright?" I inquired, hoping he would listen to me. Seeing him unwavering, I kissed him again.

"Alright?"

Sam frowned before he reluctantly nodded. "Hide somewhere."

"How about you?"

"I'll snap their neck real quick." He said flatly.

My eyes immediately went wide. In a state of panic, I kissed him again and whispered.

"Please, don't."

"You're such a quick-learner to find a way to make me your 'yes man'." Still frowning, he said in a deadpan tone.

I suppressed the urge to chuckle as I bit my lip.

"Behave."

I warned, before scurrying away to find somewhere to hide myself. I opened the old cabinet, but it was filled with books.

Hence, I hid somewhere else. Squeezing my small frame between the small space between the cabinet and the wall.

I could still hear Old Olly and the Professor's confused voices. They were probably trying to open the door. Sam was truly strong to hold the door with just one hand.

***

Samael watched as Lilou find herself a safe hiding place. He arched his brow upon seeing her, squeezing herself on a small space on the side of the cabinet.

Sure, Lilou fitted in. Samael smirked as his eyes traveled down. Lilou would fit in if she were naked. However, her long skirt was peeking out.

"Whoever is inside, this is a private property of the duke! Stealing or vandalizing the property of the duke is punishable by death! Open the door!" The professor yelled, banging the door with his fist.

"Good gracious! Who would steal from this place? It was just nothing but books!" Old Olly panicked, holding her hand together nervously.

Nothing like this happened ever since this place was established.

Samael let out a heavy sigh. With enough force, he opened the door, making sure not to let the door go so they could open it as wide as they please.

He left an inch gap, peeking his one eye through the gap.

"Give me one reason I should let you disturb me?" Sam demanded in a deadpan tone. His eyes scrutinized the young noble instructor, and then to Old Olly.

"Hah! This is the duke's property. If you needed a home to stay, you could talk to…" Infuriated by trespassing this place, the instructor fumed.

However, he trailed off as his eyes glimpsed upon the shade of Samael's hair. Despite the inch gap, he had noticed the dark crimson orbs and the remarkably argent hair that was akin to the moon's glow.

Those features that described the duke they had never seen personally. It was said one would instantly recognize the duke by his bright, argent hair.

"Professor?" Old Olly called out, glancing at the professor's aghast side profile.

She furrowed her brows in confusion. Unaware that the professor had recognized the person inside, despite not seeing him completely.

Not too long after, the professor's action and words would enlighten her.

"My lord!" the young professor exclaimed.

Along with his exclaimed, he immediately went down on his knees. "Forgive this brazen one. I thought there's a thief who wants to sabotage your lordship's good plan for his people!"

When Old Olly heard that, she snapped as she immediately knelt on the ground. Her old fragile heart trembled, and so was her entire body. She couldn't speak, knowing the duke was inside.

The duke who had changed everything in Grimsbanne. The Duke who could be a merciful and just ruler; but also the same duke who would annihilate an entire family if proven guilty of a crime.

Deep down, the two could not help but wonder. What was the duke doing inside?

Samael gazed at their back through the tiny gap. If not for Lilou, he would have punished them.

Their presence not only made him stop from his rhythm but also the momentum with her. Goodness… they were almost there. Just a bit more and Lilou was surely be underneath him, moaning his name.

"Tch," Recalling their crime, Samael snapped his tongue.

But that faint click of his tongue made the two on the ground shiver. They didn't dare speak another word, as they had already said enough.

Slowly, Samael opened the door while the two remained bowing.

"Forget this had ever happened. Forget I was ever here. Keep your forehead on the ground, if you peek, I'll gouge your eyes out."

He warned, staring at their backs coldly before he resumed.

"If you speak about this, I'll cut your tongues. Not only yours, but everyone in your family would share the same fate — and all ten generations after."

Upon hearing the duke's cruel warning, the professor and Old Olly trembled in fear. They shut their mouth, keeping their eyes on the ground.

The Duke could be merciful and cruel. It was their option if they want his mercy or his wrath. Obviously, they would choose the former.

As instructed, the two didn't dare to raise their head or secretly peek. No matter how intrigued they were on how he looked like, their lives and their kin's lives mattered more.

Pleased, Samael turned his head to where Lilou hid.

"Silly, come. We will go home."

The second they heard the duke, the two widened their eyes at seeing the two shadows before them. Yet they resisted the urge to raise their head.

All they saw was the duke's heel, and a woman's long dress that reached the ground. Not long after, the presence of the duke and his companion vanished into thin air.

Old Olly and the professor waited a little longer to make sure they left. When they were certain they left, the professor slowly raised his head. Old Olly followed.

All they saw was the door wide open, swinging lightly by the soft blow of the wind. After a snap, the two looked at each other in shock.

"The — the duke had a woman?!" The gasped in unison.