The Tyrant Covets The Slave -R19 - Chapter 8

Wearing a cherry blossom-colored dress and a cloak, Beher headed to the dining room where Grand Duke Lucai was. Earlier, she hurriedly changed only her clothes and was about to leave, but Lucy held her back until the last minute.

“Women should smell like flowers. Lady!”

Eventually, after bathing with a lot of perfumed oil, Beher was able to leave.

She didn’t have time to look around before then, but there were quite a few artworks displayed in the hallway. The flowers displayed here and there made the works of art shine even brighter.

‘Is collecting artworks a hobby of his?’

The owner of the Grand Duchy was Lucai, so Beher could only assume so.

As she approached the dining room, Lucy spontaneously handed Beher her cloak.

“Have a good time, young lady.”

Lucy didn’t seem to want to go in and just stood there like a hard stone statue. Beher had no choice but to go into the dining room alone.

There, propped up on one chin, was Grand Duke Lucai.

It was the first time they had seen each other since that kiss. Actually, It was a lie if she said it wasn’t awkward. It was strange that Lucai could keep his eyes open so straight, as if nothing happened.

Beher kept as calm as possible and looked at Lucai.

He was quiet, and she couldn’t feel any kind of tremor in his eyes. They were just… cold, like dealing with a public figure.

“Let’s sit down.”

Lucai spoke to Beher first, who had been standing there for a while.

She sat across from him. It was close, but far away.

“Bring out the food. Oh, and some of that wine I brought in a while ago.”

At his words, the butler moved it without delay. Then the feast and wine were placed on the table in order.

There was soup with crab meat, bread mixed with milk, and tender boiled mutton. The sumptuous table was awkward and Beher couldn’t easily reach it.

Lucai took a sip of his wine and picked up his knife. Beher thought he was starting to eat, but suddenly he handed his plate to her.

“Take it.”

“……..”

Beher kept looking at him curiously, and soon accepted the plate. She stared at the plate that had been replaced.

The mutton was well cut. He treated her as a Lady. She thought he was too cold to do such courtesy, but it was unexpected.

Beher stared at the plate blankly and picked up her fork. When she pressed the mutton, the juice flowed out deliciously. She thanked him and shoved the mutton into her mouth.

Lucai kept his eyes on her the whole time as she chewed the meat. He wanted to know how Beher would react.

Seeing how he stared at her intensely, she thought she wouldn’t be able to taste the meat. But the more dhe chewed, the softer it felt and tasted, and Beher’s blue eyes wavered for a moment.

“It’s delicious…”

Beher marveled without even knowing it. She realized it belatedly and hastily covered her mouth. It was not only not polite to say things during a meal, but it might also upset the Grand Duke.

Even when she was in the Vitan Empire, there were not many days when she ate in the dining hall. Meals were always served in her room. The food tasted just fine, and she never really enjoyed it.

Beher swallowed the mutton hastily, looking at Lucai.

“I’m glad you found it palatable……. Oh, try some wine with it as well, it adds a lot of flavor.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Lucai personally poured the wine into Beher’s glass. Acting like a gentleman with an expressionless face, she felt like he was forced to do something he didn’t want to do. However, Beher did not drink the wine he recommended.

When the meal was somewhat over, Lucai opened his mouth.

“I’m going to meet His Majesty.”

As he spoke his first words, Beher thought the contact had finally begun.

“I told you that I had a woman to marry, and I promised to visit him soon.  His Majesty was very pleased.”

Did he ask her to come here to say this?

Beher didn’t think that he had come to her room without any business. He was a man who was thorough in every way. No way he just came to kiss her.

The kiss was a condition of the contract, but she wasn’t comfortable with it. She felt guilty that her lips had touched a man who was not in her heart. But it had already happened. There was no way she could back down now. All of this was a process for her.

“Beher.

“…Yes, Your Highness.”

“You’re not going to back down, are you?”

After thinking for a while, Lucai asked a sharp question.

“…….”

Beher swallowed the remaining food in her mouth and tried to speak. It wasn’t polite to say things while chewing food.

Lucai stood up from his seat. He approached Beher and lifted her chin up.

“I don’t think you want your skin peeled off.”

He murmured as he lightly brushed Beher’s lips. Realizing what he meant immediately, Beher said, turning her head lightly.

“I was thinking of something else. I’m sorry.”

The look in his eyes changed. It was a sharp look of suspicion.

“…I see.”

Contrary to his fierce momentum, Lucai backed off smoothly and continued to talk.

“It seems that I will have to go to the Imperial Palace soon, with you of course. Are you ready for the play?”

He twirled his wine glass and his eyes shone red.

The play…

Ready or not, Beher had to love him. She placed her hands on his firm arms and pressed her lips together as he held her to his chest. What was nothing to a normal lover, she would have to share with this man.

“Are you ready?”

It took a moment, but she was firmly determined to love Lucai. Only if she could make this play a success would she be able to see her future.

“It is a play, but…I’ll love Your Highness dearly!”

Lucai’s brows flinched for a moment at her words, and he smiled in satisfaction. It was the softest smile she had ever seen.

“You’ll love me…I didn’t think you could say it with such affection, well, it’s not so bad.”

Beher could feel his gaze on her lips and her collarbone below it. She got goosebumps, as if he was reaching out to touch her.

“…Is there anything special I need to prepare?”

His gaze became so burdensome that she deliberately diverted the conversation.

“Mostly, you should know about His Majesty’s accomplishments and who his closest family relations are. Oh, and since His Majesty has a sweet tooth, you should at least prepare a gift. I’m sure you’ll get a pretty good score.”

Lucai said with an amused chuckle. Beher didn’t know him well before, but he was kind of a man who smiled quite often.

“Would he like some macaroons or chocolates?”

“Well, the sweeter the better, I suppose. You can prepare the rest on your own.”

“Yes, I understand.”

And just like that, Lucai waved his hand in an annoyed manner and left the table. He left without delay as if he had finished his business.

After being told to take care of it herself, Beher pondered something and hurried back to her room.

“Miss, is something the matter?”

Lucy asked as she handed Beher a cup of warm jasmine tea, perhaps curious since she hadn’t said anything.

“I have to go see His Majesty with His Highness soon.”

Lucy jumped up on the spot at the unexpected news and smiled broadly.

“Really? Then soon, all you have to do is get married! Miss, I’m so happy!”

Lucy didn’t know it was a marriage by contract and not by love…. Beher could not understand what part of it made Lucy happy.

“I need to buy some treats to give to His Majesty.”

“Don’t worry… Miss! I’ll make sure you’re thoroughly prepared to go out!”

Lucy hurried out with clenched fists. She had always stayed close by, but now that she was out of her seat, Beher suddenly felt lonely.

She didn’t know she’d get used to the noise already.

Even after a corner of her chest became warm. Beher reminded herself not to get too attached and drew a line.

Keep everything in moderation. So there would be no regrets when she left.

While she was calming down and looking out the window for a moment, the door opened with a bang. It was Lucy.

“Miss! I’ll make sure you get ready right now!”

Beher thought that Lucy would just bring her outdoor clothes to go outside. But it wasn’t the case.

Behind Lucy was a middle-aged man and several young women, whom she had never met before. She was not sure what it was, but it was clear that the situation was unusual.

“Designer! Let’s begin!”

“……?”

As soon as Lucy said, “Begin,” several women began to measure Beher’s body. It still wasn’t enough and they were busy bringing in different fabrics.

No matter how strong-willed Lucy was, Beher didn’t expect her to make a going-away outfit in advance.

From the looks of it, it was also a popular designer in the empire. She wondered if they had all been authorized to do so by Grand Duke Lucai…

“Lucy, all this….”

“Don’t worry, Miss. His Highness the Grand Duke told me to spare no expense in supporting the young lady if she needed anything. That’s why I ordered a lot of that expensive lace.”

Lucy happily wagged her tail like a puppy.

Beher couldn’t hide her anxiety as she remembered the laces that were on her training clothes.

Soon the process of making dresses began, and Beher chose an outfit for the visit. Lucy’s eyes lit up with satisfaction and she looked at the designer with longing.

“Designer! Thank you for your hard work.”

“Haha. Not at all.”

The designer chuckled softly.