Chapter 15 - A Challenge

Duke Kleo's mind wandered in many places, like the branches of a tree root, which spread out to traverse the cavities of the earth. If the root branches are looking for water, then he has another goal, which is Lyra. He just wanted her, desperately.

"Looks like I can't announce our marriage soon." His hands covered his face as if he were blocking the moonlight that slipped in like a spill of liquid and washy milk. "I have to confirm the truth of her confession. I still want to marry her, but I will get rid of any trouble."

His eyes blinked repeatedly, surveying the ceiling dreamily. There was only Lyra's face, then her smile that caught his heart. He didn't even remember when he looked at a girl. During this time he often locked his heart, including narrowing his eyes to observe a girl. Because he had to prevent himself from falling in love. Now he found the girl who had taken everything from him in one night. And that indirectly destroys all his defenses.

"I often see her passing by in the market and the city. She's beautiful," he mumbled to himself. "Yes, my future wife is indeed beautiful." Then his eyes slowly grew heavy. Sleepiness suddenly hit him after having trouble sleeping a while ago.

As he drifted off to sleep he remembered the first time he saw Lyra. When would that happen? It was probably three years ago when he had only been a duke for a few months. He often saw her walking around the city, wearing dresses that were lovely in her posture and beautiful face. Her smile sparkled, beyond the beauty of the most precious pearl. A life that he could not get is owned by her so it made him stunned and almost lost control to fortify his heart.

"That's right, she looked very sparkling and alive back then." His body rolled to one side, his face facing the open window. "What makes her so different from three years ago? What was she going through then?"

In the middle of his thought, he suddenly heard the door open. Who dared to do it? That one should have knocked on the door first.

Duke Kleo had almost gushed out in anger, if only he had not seen the figure approaching him.

"Ly-Lyra?" Why did he suddenly stutter? His eyes were too big to even bulge them out. He saw Lyra bowing to say hello. The hem of her dress touched the floor.

"Good evening, My Lord. Sorry for disturbing your sleep."

Duke Kleo inched backward. "W-what are you doing here? Why don't you knock on the door first?"

"I've come to clear up a misunderstanding, My Lord," she nodded politely. "I want to say that no matter how bad I am, I think I still deserve forgiveness."

He rolled his eyes. Her arrival in his room was never what he wanted it to be. Though he wanted her to apologize to him, and said that their marriage should be done as soon as possible.

"After the fatal mistake you made, do you think you still hope to be forgiven?" he asked, snorting in disappointment. "That's probably normal for you, sleeping with a lot of men. But not everyone's the same as you." His voice hardened without him even realizing it. Why did he have to sound like that?

"I know I'm a bad girl, My Lord." She was unusually calm.

"If you're such a bad girl, then why did you insist on sleeping with me that night?" His face dropped. "You shouldn't have done that, especially since I tried so hard to stop you."

"As you know, My Lord, it was all a mistake."

"But your mistake was fatal. You still have to take responsibility for it."

"That's why I came here, My Lord. I will take responsibility for my sins as long as you will release me. I will do anything."

Duke Kleo still hadn't been persuaded. He was still too upset about many things. What Lyra was doing to him right now was beyond his expectations.

"I want to sleep. You won't get what you want tonight," he said again, looking furious rather than sure.

"Is that true?" Lyra's eyebrow shot up high. "Can we make a deal?"

"You don't even have the right to make a deal here. You are a suspect. So never cross your limit."

"If I can please you and make you give up, then that means I won, and you have to forgive me."

"I told you you have no rights and authority here."

"Are you afraid?" Lyra smirked. That night she looked very brave. What got into her?

"I've never been afraid!"

"Then you want to do this?"

"No!"

"Such a coward," Lyra hissed casually, waving her hand in the air.

"W-what did you say?" The duke's face was red, like a ripe tomato. No one had ever insulted him like that. Everyone on the continent, even the king and queen respected him.

He is Duke Kleo who was known for his cold and ruthless behavior and is very competent in the military field. That meant that Lyra could die on the spot with just a small attack. But why was she so bold and confident?

He couldn't accept it. He couldn't be insulted like this. "Alright, I accept your challenge. I will grant your request if you can please me and make me surrender." His hands crossed, his chin lifted confidently. "Now what kind of game do you want?"

"A game of defense," she replied, raising a grin. "You just need to survive the 'attack' from me."

"Does not matter." Duke Kleo barely got up. He thought Lyra asked him to fight. He wouldn't use his strength beyond 10%, because he didn't want to hurt her. However, the form of the game of defense and attack turned out to be different from what he expected.

His body slumped on the bed again as she pushed against his chest. His eyes flickered at that very second. "Why did you push me? It's not part of the game is it?"

"Not yet," Lyra hissed sensually. Then she stood with her knees, her face facing his trouser. Her normally empty and dead eyes suddenly sparkled and looked alive again.

Her hand reached out to finger his trouser, deeply to catch something inside. Shortly after that, she looked up. "Now it begins."

"N-no, you can't be like this. Lyra, this is beyond our agreement." But Lyra had caught him. She had mastered it, sliding it down, and made the bulging slip out.

He gasped, gulped. His eyes trembled as he felt his was swollen and hardened under the control of her hands. "Lyra," he shrieked.

***