As I followed the Duke, he led me back to the mansion and into the long hall. Soon, we reached a door which path was only a stair going down. Upon seeing the darkness lie ahead, I instinctively stepped back.

Meanwhile, Samael turned around and faced me. Unconsciously, I glanced up at him.

He was smiling gently as he extended his arm and offered his hand for me to grasp.

“It’ll be a long way, I can’t lose you.”

He mused. I darted my eyes from his crimson eyes to his hand. Reluctantly, I reached for his hand while biting my lips.

Samael smiled as he cradled my hand. Seeing his smile, my heart skipped a beat upon his gentle hold.

This strong security enveloped my heart. I felt safe even if we’re about to take a dark path that could lead me to what’s unknown.

With his hand holding mine, Samael escorted me down the stairs. As soon as I stepped my foot in, the door behind me slammed closed.

“Ah!”

Instinctively, I shrieked as I jolted closer to his back. I could see nothing but darkness.

It was just pitch black. My hand clenching his hand tightened as my heart pounded.

Although I’m used to darkness, not this kind of darkness. Back in my shack, the moon had been my light during starless nights.

So, even if it was dim, the light was not completely absent. But now…

“Milord?” I called out softly to reassure myself he was still there.

“I’m here,” he replied in a low tune, squeezing my hand gently, which to my relief.

After his remarks, I heard a soft snap of fingers and a wall of torches lit up. I flinched at the sudden light appearing out of nowhere.

Like a ripple-effect, one after another, torches attached from the walls lit up. The dark path had eventually brightened up.

“Come,” he beckoned, and began walking down the stairs.

Still holding my hand, I followed him. I kept close to him, afraid someone would grab my feet and pull me down.

Because of the utter silence, our footsteps echoed. The path going down felt longer, as I couldn’t see the end of this stair. I wonder what the Duke was thinking?

“Milord?” I called out, looking at his broad back.

“Hmm?”

“Where are we going?” I asked, curious about what lies at the end of this long stairs.

“To my dwelling for hundreds of years.” Samael was quick to answer, bearing the same nonchalant tone.

Upon hearing his response, I furrowed my brows. To his dwelling for hundreds of years?

Once again, I glanced back at the long path we had taken. The darkness before the light also resurfaced in my head.

“Where you’ve slept during your slumber?”

“Mhm,” again, Samael replied with a lazy hum.

I bit my lips, gazing down to his hand, which was holding mine. This reminded me of his previous story about being trapped in a long and dark tunnel.

Who would have thought the Duke wasn’t just sleeping in a comfortable bed and friendly environment? Instead, he was kept in this desolate underground room.

I wouldn’t even think this place existed in this grand, elegant mansion. Compare to the mansion’s elegance, this route going down felt like the road to hell.

Unconsciously, my hand trembled with just the thought. I glanced at his back again, and my gaze softened.

*

For what it felt like an eternity, the Duke finally halted, and so I did. Slowly, he faced me and grinned.

“We’re here!” He announced.

Out of curiosity, I peeked to his side. However, the light stopped from where we stood. I see nothing behind him but darkness.

“We are?” I blurted out with my brows creased.

I heard him let out a brief chuckle before I retracted my gaze from behind him. I looked up, blinking my eyes, waiting for his confirmation.

“Come.” He beckoned and pulled me with him.

Scared at the pitch black darkness, I gripped his hand. Even if I look around, I felt like I had my eyes closed.

Again, I heard a snap of a finger and the light instantly engulfed the darkness. Out of instinct, I shut my eyes at the sudden light.

Slowly, I peaked through my eye as I opened my them again. When I got a hold of my vision, I furrowed my brows.

At the end of the stairs was a large space. There was a coffin in the middle, but aside from that, there was nothing in this area.

Only concrete walls with no windows or doors. How was this a sentimental place?

Unknowingly, Samael let my hand go while I traveled my gaze around.

“There’s nothing here, milord.” I whispered, but it sounded loud and clear because of the absence of unnecessary noise.

“What do you mean, it’s empty? There’s my coffin.” He said.

I returned my gaze back to him. As soon as I did, Samael led me and we walked towards the coffin in the middle of this empty room.

When he let my hand go, I glanced at the coffin and back to him.

“You… you’re here for hundred of years?” I stammered while looking at his carefree expression.

Samael nodded as he leaned on the edge of the coffin. He then crossed his arms under his chest and rested his foot over the other.

Upon seeing him nod, my lips parted, but no words came out. His lordship had spent hundreds of years in here.

Slowly, I cast my gaze to the coffin. I reached for it, the tip of my fingers caressed its smooth edges.

It was like they buried him, but with more room for people to get in.

As I retracted my fingers from the coffin, I held onto my arm as I stood facing him. How could he be so untroubled after spending centuries in here?

“Why… why are you showing me this sacred place, milord?” I asked.

The corner of his lips slowly tilted into a subtle smile.

“Aren’t we on the getting to know stage? I’ve known almost everything about you, but you don’t. That’s why you’re scared.”

In a knowing tone, Samael explained. Getting to know? What was the need to get to know him?

I was merely his reserved meal. He should stop giving me unnecessary ideas.

I hang my head low; I looked at my shadow and bit my lips hard to wake myself up.

“From hundreds of years, in this very place, there’s nothing but darkness and silence during my slumber. If the sudden light in here gave you relief…”

Samael paused as I heard him smack his lips. After a moment, I’ve seen his feet approach, and I unconsciously looked up and immediately caught his gaze.

“It’s the same when I heard you the first time.”

He added and smiled.