Sampson wasn't quite expecting it, when his servant announced that Lady Humbert was waiting for him in the parlor downstairs.
But he had absolutely no complaints over such a thing.
He changed jackets, choosing something a tad more formal, before heading down to meet her, putting on his best smile.
She had her back turned to him, when he first opened the door. Her silhouette was something that was perhaps more exciting than it should have been. Why corsets were so tight these days he hadn't the slightest idea, but he thought it fit her rather well, considering how slender her figure was, topped off with a large hat and a pair of white gloves.
Navy was rather becoming on her.
"Lady Sampson," she turned as he entered, "What a surprise. Please," he motioned, "Do sit down."
"There's no need," her hands rested on a parasol, navy to match her dress, "I won't be long. I merely have something to return to you."
He couldn't recall giving her anything to begin with. Of course, it was more than possible that Karlheinz might have sent her.
"Oh?" He drawled, "And what could that be?"
She walked over to him, before she placed a gloved hand against his cheek, pressing her lips to the opposite side.
"Your chaste kiss," she said easily, already reaching for her parasol, "I've no use for it."
She curtseyed politely to excuse herself, clutching at the parasol. "Good day, Sir Sampson."
She had not yet reached the door, before Sampson grabbed her roughly by the arm, pulling her into him and meeting her lips.
"And this one," he practically spit out his words, glaring at her with sharp eyes, "Could you make use of something like that?"
Her breath had long since caught in her chest, her corset unbearably tight, "Not in the slightest," she managed on an exhale.
"Then by all means, Lady Humbert," his hands trailed up her neck, cupping her face and pulling her in, letting her hair catch between his fingers, "Do return it to me…"
He kissed her again, drawing her tongue out with his own, feverishly tasting the lips which had charmed men more tactful than he.
"S-Stop, any more than this and—"
He bit, how could he not, feeling her hat bump against his head—
She pushed him away, collecting herself. "You're vile."
"Stay with me tonight."
She gasped, struggling to keep him away, "You're truly mad—"
"Anything you desire, I assure you, it's yours—"
"You can't buy what I want—"
"You seem to misunderstand just how capable a man I am, my dear."
She pushed him away, gasping for air, more disheveled than he'd ever seen her before. "This alone should be enough," she said, "I thought I might indulge…" she glanced at him, her usual scowl returning, "I'm afraid you're not so skilled as I imagined you to be, Sir."
"My dear," he lifted her chin up, "Can you call such a thing indulgent?" He leaned in again, "A woman like you must know I've hardly had my fill."
He was slapped, in a way that caught him completely off guard, the fire in her eyes leaving him wondering if he'd perhaps struck a nerve.
"A woman like me," She smiled bitterly, grabbing her parasol and heading for the door. "I'll be taking my leave."
"Henrietta," he reached for her, but was met with her fangs instead.
Never before had he seen a woman of her status bare her fangs. She quickly composed herself, however, returning to her usual demeanor, as if what had just occurred had simply been an illusion in his mind.
"I apologize for taking your time when you're most busy, Sir Sampson. Perhaps it would be best if we ended our relations from now on."
She left without a word more, leaving Sampson more than just dazed, falling into the couch of his parlor. He laughed to himself, his hands shaking as he rubbed his hand over his mouth, resting on his chin to think. A woman baring her fangs. Showing such outright anger, going so far as to smack him for no reason at all.
How positively erotic.
…
Tea with Beatrix was perhaps Henrietta's most favorite pastime. Of course, she would have preferred it in the Evans Manor, rather than at the Sakamaki Castle, but some things simply couldn't be helped. At the very least, the gardens were lovely this time of year.
"It's a shame you don't have a brother," Henrietta lamented, "I'm sure he would have been rather handsome."
"You'd take no interest in him if I did," Beatrix replied calmly, sipping her tea.
Henrietta raised her brow, "Oh? And why's that?"
Beatrix smiled behind her teacup, "I'd still be the eldest."
Henrietta couldn't help but laugh at that, opening her fan to hide her face, "Perhaps I should just marry you then!"
"What a scandal that would be." Beatrix chastised, biting into a pastry, closing her eyes as she did so.
It was not long before they were joined by a few nobleman, Beatrix worth enough to catch the attention of any man. Henrietta didn't particularly mind, but it meant there were less fruit tarts to go around.
"As expected, Henrietta," one man came to sit beside her, leaning in far too close, "You've managed to capture the eyes of every man here."
She sat perfectly erect, sipping her tea with disdain, "Do not compliment a woman when another is right beside her."
The man smiled slyly, "I didn't mean Lady Evans any harm by it, I merely mean," he motioned with his head, "That servant boy has been eyeing you."
She looked at the man, smiling pleasantly, "Then it only stands to reason that you have been eyeing the servant boy."
Beatrix hid her laughter by biting into a pastry again, a few of the other gentleman snickering.
"You speak with the freedom of a second daughter, that much is obvious." The man bit sharply, Henrietta clenching her cup, clenching her jaws in order to calm herself down.
"Come now, Kenta. You shouldn't speak to a lady in such a way."
That sudden voice only irritated her further, Henrietta shooting Beatrix a nasty glare, because Sir Sampson was not supposed to have been on the castle grounds today.
He pulled up a chair, edging a space between her and Kenta. "Afternoon, Lady Humbert," he nodded to Beatrix, "Lady Evans."
"Afternoon, Sir Sampson." Beatrix returned. Henrietta said nothing.
One of the men chuckled, "You're hated, Sampson."
Sampson seemed shocked, reaching over for one of the cakes. "How regrettable. Is it true, Lady Humbert?"
Beatrix was glaring at her, she knew, because she found this sort of thing to be a lack of decorum. Henrietta didn't see how standing one's ground was lack of decorum. But she spoke regardless.
"On the contrary," she drawled, "Sir Sampson is the sort of man I'm perhaps most inclined to."
"Oh?" another man added, "And what sort is that?"
She smiled. "Filthy rich."
Her smile only widened when she saw Beatrix nearly choke on her tea. She didn't bother to see Sampson's expression, not finding it important in the least.
The man chuckled, "How basely shallow. And said without an ounce of shame! A second daughter indeed—"
"That's hardly it," Sampson smirked, motioning his glass towards her, "I think the lady simply prefers men with large swords."
The men cooed, one of them giving off a whistle.
"Sir Sampson," Beatrix chastised, "That's hardly appro—"
"Well," Henrietta cut in, smiling demurely as she took a sip of her drink, "A sword is all a man has."
"Would you ladies care to watch a duel?" One man by the name of Delarosa began excitedly, "His skill is unmatched!"
"And where do you come off volunteering me for—"
"Come now, Marcellus it'll be great fun! Besides, it'll give the ladies something to see."
Sampson glanced over at Henrietta, curiosity making his eyes shine. "Have you ever seen a duel, my ladies?"
Henrietta turned to Beatrix, who shook her head, answering for them, "Why, no. I don't believe we have."
It was a lie, Henrietta knew. Beatrix's own father had once clashed swords against the royal guard. But watching a duel was a rather effective way to pass the time, even if it was a rather informal affair.
Both men removed their jackets, the one who had challenged Sampson taking an opportunity to stretch. Sampson didn't bother, either out of obtuse vanity or legitimate skill, examining his sword instead.
Henrietta could see the muscles moving beneath his dress shirt, but didn't find it surprising, considering it was that same sort of strength that had caged her…
He pointed his sword at her, suddenly, and her heart stopped, thinking that perhaps he had the ability to read minds. "I'll be playing in Lady Humbert's name."
Chatter started between the men, nearly all of them turning to look at her, before Sampson's voice called for their attention once more, marking the beginning of the duel.
"He seems rather smitten with you," Beatrix praised, smiling at her friend, "Whatever is going on?"
"I'm not sure myself…" Henrietta turned to Beatrix as they began, making sure the other men were out of ear's reach. "He kissed me."
Beatrix eyed her with a certain amount of shock, "You don't mean—"
Henrietta nodded, and Beatrix turned her attention back to the dueling men, placing a hand over her mouth. "Already…"
"I want nothing to do with him."
"Henrietta!" Beatrix scolded, "Surely you couldn't ask for anything more! To be married to a Sampson—"
"To be the second wife—"
"But to a man like him. Surely it's better than the first wife of some other—"
"The second wife means nothing. You know it as well as I—"
"Henrietta," Beatrix began lowly, completely entranced, "A man like that, you might as well have had captured Karlheinz himself."
Henrietta inhaled, pursing her lips together. "How is Karlheinz?" she asked, not wanting the conversation to go on any further, "Surely a proposal can't be far off?"
Beatrix sighed, but appeased her friend nonetheless. "I'm not as lucky as you, Henrietta. He dotes on the human."
"I do so despise men," Henrietta replied, watching the duel with perhaps more interest than she would have liked to admit. Sampson truly was a genius with a sword.
She straightened again, gathering her fan and standing, "Won't you excuse me?"
"Where are you going?"
"I haven't decided." Henrietta said, "Will you—"
Beatrix waved her away, "Yes, just go."
There were only so many places she could go within the castle that would be within her limits. The library was one, but she had no real regard for books. Still, it was far enough away to allow her room to breathe.
She didn't know how long she had been walking, but she didn't remember the library being so far away. Her hat was beginning to feel heavy. Part of her considered taking it off. But heaven only knows what her hair might look like underneath. And she hadn't the time to fix it. Not if she wanted to create as much space between herself and Sir Sampson. Because more than anything else, he was in her way.
Sampson or not she'd still be the second wife. And second was the exact same position she'd been in her entire life. Exactly what she'd been hearing her entire life.
Such a shame it was, that beauty had gone to her and not Scarlett. That her beauty was waste. That she should accept whichever marriage as quickly as possible, so as to not become a burden.
But even with looks like hers, there were not enough men with deep enough pockets to accept a penniless second-born. And she would be damned if Sampson would steal away everything she'd ever worked for, especially when his reputation was enough to rival her own.
Because a kiss like that, pleasant or not, that sort of thing only came from a man who—
"Lady Humbert!"
Had the world no mercy for her?
She refused to turn around, stepping as quickly as possible into the library and slamming the door shut.
As expected, however, he was too fast for her, stopping the door with his foot.
"I won in your name, My Lady."
At this, she did look at him. "My name does not need winning. Nor does my honor need protecting. Though I am humbled by you saying so. If you don't mind, Sir, I was looking for some quiet."
"Are you always like this?"
"I wouldn't know how else to be, Sir."
"Then a token of your affection, perhaps? You didn't even stay long enough to—"
"That would assume I have affection to token, Sir Sampson."
He took a step closer, and she took a step back. He cocked his head, a smirk appearing on his lips, "Do I frighten you, My Lady?"
She straightened, her eyes sharpening, "You know well enough without asking."
He scoffed, "Then, do you think me bold?"
She held her head high. "Not any more so than other men I've come across."
"And how many would that be, My Lady?"
Her face hardened. "I've nothing more to say to you. Good day," she bowed, "Sir."
He grabbed her by the arm again, but she slashed her hand down, freeing herself from his grip. "Twice now you place your hands upon a lady without proper permission. You dare call yourself a gentleman?"
"Oh? Says the woman who passes the time by humiliating the help—"
"If you find it disagreeable then cease whatever it is you intend to do."
"I think you'd be rather disappointed if I did, Lady Humbert."
"There are only two possible options, Sir Sampson, as have been pointed out before. I will not sacrifice my dignity for a few wasted moments of fireless passion. Nor do I ever intend to marry a man who—"
Her words were stolen by his own lips, her breath caught in her chest just as it had before, her chin held in place by his large hand.
"Fireless passion, you said?"
She inhaled, glaring at him as she scanned his face. He truly was the most frustrating man she'd ever had the displeasure of meeting. "A woman like me. That's what you said, last we met. What did you mean by it?"
"I think you know very well."
"Then," she smiled, hiding behind long lashes, "It goes without saying that a woman like me doesn't swoon for the tricks of a cheap man like you."
With a triumphant smirk, she bid him goodbye, pulling open the heavy wooden doors of the library.
"Lady Humbert," he called behind her, and despite herself, she stopped.
"May I take that as a challenge?"
She turned, eyeing him curiously, "You will take it as a rejection."
He put his hand over his chest, before bowing humbly. "I'm afraid I must refuse."
"You have no right—"
"I've entered quite the predicament, you see, after realizing something like this I simply can't let it go."
She pursed her lips, watching him walk closer, the library door shutting quietly behind him. "And what might that be?" She asked.
He brushed past her, so close that his fangs grazed just the edge of her ear, "Henrietta Sampson," he breathed, making shivers run down her spine, "Tastes far too pleasant on my tongue."
…
"Karlheinz, no, please—" Lisa struggled, not having been fast enough to outrun the young prince, trapping herself in her own room.
"I won't bite yet, I've kept my promise this long haven't I?"
"Yes but," she tried to push him off, succeeding only in falling against the bed, Karlheinz falling on her in turn.
He laughed boyishly, pressing his lips against hers, "This is exciting, isn't it? Lisa, you're happy aren't you?"
"Karlheinz," she continued to struggle, panic rushing in her blood, "Today I don't feel good, tomorrow—"
"I'll be gentle," he promised, reaching for her neck to push the fabric away—
"No!" She pushed him away with such force that the fabric was yanked, her dress disheveled and her shoulder exposed to reveal the bite mark that rested there.
Never before had Karlheinz felt his eyes flash with red.
A/N: Goddamn I love Sampsonnnnnnn. Next chapter shit's gonna hit the fan, y'all.
Meowchi: Omg I know right he's like such a precious bean and it's just all gonna crumble to pieces lol. I love Christa omg *hugs her* this pure pure child. And lmao hey don't worry we're all M's here. Tbh Lisa has just been a bitch since chapter one and Karlheinz is a blind idiot lol. Omg hearing you say that makes me so happy! They're like my babies I couldn't ask for anything more lol. Honestly Henrietta is already sort of a cold cut bitch from the start but it'll just slowly start to get worse lol. And it actually doesn't really have anything to do with the vibora scandal that's entirely on Sampson but I dont' want to give too much away hehe. You'll see~~ Omg no no no please don't ever say that long reviews are literally my life line and seeing yours every week save my life I'm not even joking. Thank you for always taking the time and if you want feel free to make them longer! I will happily read them *big hugs from me* I'm glad we can make each other's weeks just a little better :)