Become The Duke’s Wife Or Die - Chapter 83

“Giving Duke Kleo full and sincere love?” Lyra was stunned at the thought of Ella and Gena’s suggestion, fiddling with her fingers restlessly. Her feet kicked the occasional pebbles, which were placed and arranged around the flower garden. The hem of her skirt touched the grass that was starting to wither, as the dusk came.

“Can I do it?” she continued, while her heart had been shackled by her dark and misleading past. “I don’t think so,” she whispered again, choking up.

Her eyes were on Wereal, it was still hard to believe that the was currently living in one of the most luxurious and feared palaces in Eastlandor.

“But I still have to thank him.” Take a deep breath, let go of the confusion. “Because he didn’t execute those two maids because of me.”

Her heart was warm, touched by the kindness she got. Yet he had done bad things to him, even very bad.

“I’ll thank him,” she decided, clenching her fists determinedly.

Without Ella and Gena, she walked towards Duke Kleo’s study, which was not far from the reception hall. Two of the best guards were stationed at the door, with more servants lined up, ready to provide whatever their master needed.

Everyone bowed when they saw Lyra, greeting her. A maid had just emerged from within the study, carrying orders from Duke Kleo to let her in.

“It’s really hard to surprise him,” she muttered as she walked in. The same premium carpet, familiar decorations, then a man who now has a different impression in her eyes. ‘He seems more gentle and human now. Was it just my suggestion?’ she thought.

“You come?” asked Duke Kleo, lowering the ink from his hands, clasping his hands together sweetly. “Surprisingly. Is there any problem?” His gently blinking eyes suddenly widened as she rushed over to hug him.

Even Stefanus was surprised, causing him to turn around because he wanted to provide privacy. Striding back, he went out until again called to come in.

“Why all of a sudden?” he whispered hoarsely, fixing his gaze solely on her as if without it he could easily die. “Did something bad happen?”

“Perhaps,” she said after a moment of silence, dropping her hips on his laps, making him gasp even more. He was even choked by the reflection of the heart that hit the base of the throat. “Are you busy right now?”

The corner of Duke Kleo’s eyes glanced at the parchments piled up on the table, as well as the ink tank that was running low. “A little.” He tilted his head back gently to take a better look at Lyra, absorbing her usual beauty. “So what?”

“I want to ask you a few things.” Lyra shouldn’t have leaked the information on the two maids that failed to be executed to anyone. But she still had to confirm the truth, at least she had to know whether the two maids were okay or not.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Did you execute the two maids who were guarding me back then?” she asked, looking expectantly. “You didn’t do it did you?”

“What do you ask?” Suddenly his face darkened as if swallowed in the depths of the terrible ocean. “Do you still not believe that I could do anything bad to teach you a lesson about your mistakes?”

A second later Lyra remembered something.

“But His Grace asked us all to keep this a secret, My Lady,” Gena had said a moment ago.

“Because His Grace doesn’t want you to know and thinks His Grace has become weak. His Grace is worried that you will rebel again and dare to do other bad things again,” continued Ella.

Duke Kleo had a strategy. He didn’t execute the two maids because he didn’t want to earn Lyra’s hatred and he didn’t want to admit his decision so she wouldn’t underestimate him. Two things are full of contradictions.

“I was just thinking if you didn’t execute them back then.” Her fingers fiddled with the buttons of his royal suit, looking down as if counting the embroidery. “Perhaps I would be very grateful to you and at the same time grant one wish of yours, whatever it is, as long as it’s not asking for a wedding date.”

This was what Duke Kleo had been waiting for. He keeps a fact to get what he wants.

“Did you think I wouldn’t be afraid of you?” Lyra said again, now looking up. “Of course not,” she shook her head. “I would never have such thoughts. I know you will always dominate, even though I wish otherwise.”

“You’ll act as you please if I don’t give you a warning.”

“You are right.” Bite her lips. “But sometimes you’re too extreme, it makes me want to avoid you. I’m afraid my one small step will make you angry and make you kill innocent people.”

“They are negligent in carrying out their duties,” he denied. “And they deserve to be punished. Are you trying to stand up for others when you’ve done something wrong too?”

“I know I’m guilty. And therefore I hope that my fault is not passed on to someone else.” She glanced at him, through the vibes she was trying to transmit. “Kleo,” she whispered, seducing in her soft caresses. “If I do whatever you want will you stop doing it? Are you going to stop punishing others?”

Duke Kleo was silent, choosing not to answer. But Lyra’s tenderness bewitched him beautifully and sweetly. He wants more, as much as he can get.

“You’re going to do whatever I want if I stop this attitude of mine?”

“Unless the wedding date is pushed forward,” Lyra said after nodding. “But it’s a pity, isn’t it?”

“Looks like you already know something.” He tilted his face, capturing more of the highlights of her beautiful, open eyes. “Isn’t it? How did you know that?”

‘N-no!’ She shook her head nervously. “Really, I don’t know at all.”

“And I know when you start lying.”

She bit her lip, in the end having no choice. “Is it that obvious?”

Nodding. “You can’t fool me, at all.”

“Since when did you know?”

‘Ever since you sat on my lap.’

“Oh my,” she gasped. “Why didn’t you say so from the start?”

“Because I want to see how serious you are.”

“So what do you think?” Wrapped his hands around his neck. “Did I pass the test?”

“A few things aside,” he commented, shrugging. “You may seem serious. But if you don’t prove your point, then it’ll just be a lie right?” His eyebrows rose, highlighting her even more. “You should have proved what you promised. You should have granted my request.”

She was cornered, caught up in her own game. “What… what do you want?”

“You think?”

Glaring, biting her lips along with his gaze tracing on several points on her body, like wanting to devour it completely.

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