UNDER HIS RULES

It had been two days since Beatrice hadn’t moved from Sam’s side. Occasionally, she was accompanied by Ute and Anne. Sometimes Hera and her mother came to visit. But Sam still hadn’t woken up. The doctors and nurses said that all his vital organs were in good condition and there was no life-threatening situation. There was nothing to worry about.

Ute and Anne were also in agreement, not wanting to discuss what had actually happened. Neither with each other nor with Sam’s other subordinates. This actually infuriated Beatrice and made her curious why such an important matter had to be concealed.

But then she realized, was it because she was just an outsider in Sam’s life that no one wanted to share with her? Who was Beatrice, anyway? Just a substitute for her father’s debts, whose whereabouts were now unclear. If only her despicable father had lived a straight path like a toll road, Beatrice wouldn’t have ended up here. She might still be in her small, simple room, filled with memories of her mother.

Ah… speaking of her mother, Beatrice suddenly missed her. She placed her head right by Sam’s arm. “Mom… I miss you,” she whispered softly. “Is Mom doing well there?”

Even though there was no answer, Beatrice believed her mother could hear her this time.

“I’m alone now, Mom. There are no friends.”

“Who says so?”

Wait. Is… there another voice responding to her? Who?

She immediately looked up and found Sam blinking, adjusting to the light entering his eyes.

“Sam!” Beatrice exclaimed with joy. “Are you awake? I’ll call the doctor first.”

“Not yet,” Sam quickly stopped her before Beatrice could move away. “Stay here.”

“But your condition needs to be checked first,” Beatrice wouldn’t back down. “Just a moment.”

“Here, with you.”

Some kind of magic Sam had. Every time his lips called her ‘you,’ there was something pushing Beatrice to obey. Including now. Instead of calling the doctor, she moved closer.

The hand that was initially weak reached Beatrice’s face, giving a gentle stroke. In response, Beatrice closed her eyes and touched that hand as well.

“You made me worried,” Beatrice said, tears unconsciously streaming down her face. Again. She had lost count of how many times she had cried for Sam. It sounded silly, but that’s what happened to her. She couldn’t deny that her worry grew larger with each passing day as Sam remained unconscious.

Hugo and Eland often asked about Sam’s condition, but only briefly. Once they knew their boss was stable, they left again. Beatrice didn’t care much about what they were doing.

“Are you still worried now?”

Beatrice opened her eyes and nodded in response.

“How long have I been lying here?”

“For two days.”

Sam tried to sit up from his reclined position. The pain he felt was bearable. He had been lying down enough, and there were urgent matters he needed to attend to.

“Where do you want to go?”

“To the headquarters.”

“Not yet,” Beatrice interjected with a slightly raised tone. “You can’t leave before the doctor examines you.”

Sam chuckled. He simply removed the IV tube. “Sleeping for two days is enough for me, ‘you’.”

Beatrice’s eyes widened as Sam proved to be stubborn.

“You don’t need to worry too much.” He slightly stretched his hands. “Goodness, what are all these bandages?” And his legs looked odd to him. “I’m not okay, wrapped up like a mummy! Damn doctor!”

“Sam,” Beatrice pleaded. “Wait for the doctor to come first, please.”

“I can’t wait too long, Beatrice. Maybe you can take care of my wounds later. This time, I need to meet Hugo and Eland. I’m sure they’re in-”

Beatrice took a bold move. As determined as she was, she climbed onto Sam’s bed. She pressed his cheek to face her, pressing her slightly pale lips against his. She didn’t care if Sam would reject her later; the important thing was that Beatrice could hold onto him for a moment.

Or… was this not a form of restraint? Instead, was it something stirring within Beatrice because of Sam? All her worries, doubts, and fears about the person who couldn’t wake up anymore emerged through the kiss she gave Sam. Though awkward, Beatrice tried to remember how Sam treated her lips.

Starting with exploring them with the tip of his tongue, sucking on them gently, savoring them like enjoying the sweetness of honey, and intertwining their tongues inside their mouths.

Initially, Sam seemed surprised by Beatrice’s actions, but, in fact, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his lips. He intentionally lifted Beatrice’s body slightly, bringing her onto his lap while still locked in their kiss. Sam seemed to enjoy what Beatrice was doing to him.

Not wanting to interrupt, correct, or lead their passionate exchange as Sam often did, this time, Beatrice let herself dominate Sam. Until, without realizing it, Sam was lying down with Beatrice on top of him.

“Ugh, it hurts, you. Your leg is slightly pushed aside from there.”

The complaint made Beatrice snap out of it. She immediately broke their kissing connection and realized the awkward position she was now in. “Oh my God!” Beatrice felt no shame anymore. She quickly got off Sam’s bed but was immediately held back.

“Did you kiss me so intensely?”

Beatrice couldn’t move as Sam still held her hips. “Let me go down…”

“You were the one who climbed up earlier if you forgot.”

Beatrice didn’t know the color of her face now, especially when Sam’s fingers gently touched her warm cheek.

“You look so beautiful when you’re provoked like that.”

Beatrice turned her face away.

“Can you tell me why you’re like this?” Sam gently pulled on her chin. “I hate it when you pout while I’m trying to talk.”

“Embarrassed,” Beatrice whispered.

“Embarrassed?” Sam chuckled. “But you were the one who kissed me so passionately like that. Not to mention moving on top of me?”

Beatrice felt like changing her face.

“You know that tortures me, ‘you.'”

“Sorry for getting injured. I’ll get off now.”

Sam laughed again. “The injury isn’t that important, ‘you.'” He deliberately pressed Beatrice’s body and made her fall into his embrace, ignoring the sudden pain that came as Beatrice’s body slightly touched his chest, which had recently undergone surgery.

“Sam,” Beatrice whispered. “Let me go.” But she didn’t dare struggle. She remembered that Sam had suffered many injuries, for reasons unknown. Later. She would definitely ask what had happened to this man. But before that, she had to get down and free herself from Sam’s grip this time.

“You take responsibility first.”

“Responsibility?” Beatrice blinked in confusion. “What have I done?”

“Your kiss suddenly aroused me. And the evidence is here,” Sam intentionally moved his leg to make Beatrice realize what he was saying.

“Sam!”

“Take responsibility for making this come down.”

***[]***

Alfred sat back, accompanied by his pipe. He let the smoke billow in his office. His eyes focused on a portrait in his hand, a portrait that always adorned his desk.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Who was that girl earlier?” he asked with a tumultuous heart. It wasn’t without reason that he was thinking about the figure who had almost made him fall. But the girl’s gaze couldn’t deceive his old eyes. The eyes of a grandfather who longed for his last remaining bloodline to be alive, healthy, and leading a normal life.

Unfortunately, he himself saw how three people who meant so much to him went into the grave. Accompanied by heavy rain and the sadness that he still felt, even now, hasn’t completely disappeared.

However, he was certain, even his own heart didn’t doubt it, that the dark black eyes were exactly like Ethan’s. His son. Even the girl’s face was a perfect blend of Ethan and his wife.

“David,” he called. His assistant, who never strayed far from him, approached immediately.

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you know the girl who almost fell after bumping into me?”

David’s forehead wrinkled slightly. Alfred had never asked such a trivial question before. “What is it, sir?”

“Find out who that girl really is.”

Though this was too strange, David couldn’t simply refuse the order. He also couldn’t ask why or what suddenly happened. It seemed that the master couldn’t rid himself of his hope regarding the existence of his grandchild. Yet, all the other members of the Quassano family witnessed the dramatic funeral procession. “Alright, sir.”

“Investigate discreetly because it seems that girl is part of the Twin Dragon Clan.”

Once again, it was about Samuel. Even though the recent incident had almost caused harm to his master. Although David admitted that Sam had played a part, it made him slightly more aware of the people around Alfred. However, when it came to dealing with the ruler of the Southern Region, it was the same as Gerald, whom he knew to be cunning and often caused trouble in the Northern Region.

“Very well, sir.”

“Also, arrange my schedule to meet with Sam. I heard he’s regained consciousness.”

“Ah, you’re right, sir. Samuel has awakened.”

Alfred grinned slightly. “That bratty kid has above-average abilities. It’s difficult to harm him, let alone kill him.”

David didn’t know how to respond.

“Gerald chose the wrong opponent.”