CH 9.4

It wasn’t until the sun had fully set that they returned to the ducal residence, and Lila stood in front of her room and greeted Lucas.

“I’ve really enjoyed myself today, Duke.”

“I’m glad to know you enjoyed it.”

“Then, have a good night.”

Lucas said dryly to Lila, who bowed and turned away.

“Looks like it’s going to be a good night.”

Lila smiled, turning her head slightly at his words. Then she walked into her room, Lucas following her.

“Duke?”

She looked up at him with a look that expressed that they might be parting here.

He smirked and slipped his arm around her waist.

“Did you enjoy your day?”

The nuance of him asking her again after she’d answered him earlier was odd, but Lila answered dutifully.

“Yes, I had a lot of fun.”

Tugging on her waist, Lucas walked into the parlor and said.

“Then you owe me something in return.”

“What?”

“I don’t think it’s a one-way street when you’re in a relationship, you have to give and receive to make the affection stronger.”

Although she sympathized with him, Lila was dumbfounded to suddenly find herself sitting on the couch.

And the idea of being lovers was laughable.

“When did we become lovers?”

Lucas arched an eyebrow as if hurt by her question.

“Didn’t I tell you yesterday was our first day?”

“I didn’t agree to that!”

“We are about to become a couple, so are you saying that you will refuse to be in a relationship?”

“We’re not a typical couple, we already wrote a contract.”

Lila looked up at Lucas, who was standing right in front of her, politely placing his knee on hers, confused.

To tell the truth, she wanted to live here, too. Going to another country would give her freedom, but she’d have to give up the name she had barely gotten used to, and repeat what she had to do the first time she had come here. Adapt, accept, and live among strangers.

Honestly, she was hopeful, but she knew the reality was different.

When she was at the barony, she wanted to live alone, because she believed it was the best option.

But life here now was so cozy and comfortable that she liked the Duchy.

She didn’t want to lie, especially to Michael. She wanted to be by his side for the rest of her life.

The man in front of her was also one of the reasons she wanted to stay.

He’s always been her type, and even though she says he has a bad personality, she actually likes him. In her opinion, Lila doesn’t like nice guys.

What’s wrong with you. You don’t have to do this to yourself.

Of course, she know Lucas has a different personality, so she can say this.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking… but I can hear your head spinning.”

Um, correction. He’s not a dog, but he’s definitely not a good one.

Lila stared into his mint-colored eyes.

“I can’t tell you everything, but I want to get away from the capital.”

“You mean you want to get away from high society.”

Lucas grew cautious as he watched her cobalt eyes dart back and forth, a look of determination in them.

He’d always known she was hiding something, but he still couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

He did some research, but there wasn’t much wrong with her.

Oh, except for the fact that hearing about her social life made his blood pressure rise.

“Yes, to the point where I want to quit the social circles.”

Lucas’s eyes widened slightly at Lila’s assertive tone, which had been so vague until now.

Lila clasped her hands together at the hem of her skirt and continued.

“You know, Duke.”

“Yes.”

“You have no idea how much you and Michael’s affection towards me mean to me. And I’d rather live here for the rest of my life than go to another country where I don’t know anyone, even if you say it’s a breach of contract.”

“Is that so?”

Lucas wanted to take this opportunity to find out everything Lila was thinking. Because if not now, it seemed she would shut her mouth again.

“So, honestly, when you do this, it makes my heart flutter and my mind wander. I’ve always wanted to be in a relationship, and I want to find someone I like and be happy. Like I said, you’re my kind of guy, so it always makes my heart flutter.”

“Isn’t that enough. I am also palpitating because of my wife.”

Lila pouted her lips at Lucas, who didn’t look like it at all.

“You don’t look like it…”

“That’s what happens when you hide your expression for too long, so please, wife, don’t do it. Be honest with me. Tell me everything, and if you do…”

Lucas spoke carefully, clasping the small hand that was trembling with nervousness.

“I will protect you, wife, even if it means risking my life.”

His light mint-colored eyes deepened. Looking into his sincere eyes, Lila pursed her lips.

Tears threatened to fall. She blinked rapidly to hide the heat in her eyes, but it was no use.

Her cobalt-colored eyes, filled with hot tears, were like a deep blue sea in the sunlight.

A thick scent emanated from her as she released the breath she had been holding. Lucas’s eyes glazed over at the intensity of the scent, which was unlike anything he’d ever smelled on her before.

It was a rich, sweet scent that pushed through his nostrils and into his lungs, and it seemed to take over not only his lungs, but his heart and his blood.

“I’m sorry, I really want to be honest with you… I’m so sorry I can’t, but my heart and my words are real and true right now.”

Clear tears rolled down her pure white cheeks. One drop, two drops, soft and beaded, like dew on a flower.

Lucas reached out slowly. He sighed deeply at the heat of her body against his palm as he visualized her moving deeper into his heart.

He sighed deeply at the heat in his palm, at the feel of her smooth skin and the heat that burst from her with every breath.

“That’s enough, leave the rest to me.”

Lucas kissed the back of the hand he held, deeply, and then he kissed her fingertips, each and every one of them.

“Are you ready to receive me now?”

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and his dark tongue licked her hand. What started as a polite kiss soon turned into a nibbling and licking of her fingertips.

Moved by his words, Lila stopped the tears that had been rolling down her cheeks.

Her eyelashes fluttered in embarrassment, soaking wet, and the last of her tears fell in a heap.

The hot tears hit the back of Lucas’s hand. The hand that had been gently stroking her cheek pressed gently under her eye.

As if to squeeze out the tears.

The corners of his mouth lengthened as he pressed under her eyes for a moment, as if to squeeze out the remaining tears.

He took her hand in both of his and sucked on her fingertips. With a strong suction, like sucking on a fork smeared with cream.

With one hand, he gently untied her bonnet, and with the other, he began to remove her shoes.

The gesture was very respectful and slow. Still, Lila couldn’t move.

Like a bird caught in a noose, she remained frozen, unable to flap, as he peeled off her spats and shoes and lightly skimmed her sternum.

“Heup!”

Lucas chuckled as she began to hiccup in surprise. His eyes were already watering from her growing scent.

He wanted to continue listening to her, but he couldn’t think straight anymore.

There was no time to marvel at the newfound ability to be so alert on a day when he wasn’t in heat.

He couldn’t put it off any longer.

He wasn’t sure exactly what was going on with him, but his instincts were telling him.

This is your chance.

If you don’t take it, you’re doomed to repeat the past.

There was something odd about the thought in his clouded mind.

What kind of past is he talking about?

What is the point of repeating the past.

Despite this momentary distraction, Lucas moved his hand steadily.

Lila shivered involuntarily as his firm hand slowly moved up her calf.

His scent seemed to burst from him, like a bubble bursting in time with his movements. His perfume, cool and intense, made Lila’s head spin with a dizzying sensation.

Lucas let out an unbearable sigh as he forcefully grabbed Lila’s legs, which were buried in her slippery dress.

He couldn’t regain his composure due to the scent that was flowing from a secret place, breaking his belief that the strongest fragrance would come from her nape.