Become The Duke's Wife Or Die

The heartbeats increased drastically, inversely proportional to the rate of time which seemed to slow down.  Lyra looked like she was about to face her death, or at least an unlucky fate that would hold her forever.  She couldn't help but stare straight ahead, right where Duke Kleo was sitting waiting for her, as an executioner.

Counting and tracing the time, she thought back to whether there was a mistake that she made that day?  'I've finished my breakfast,' she thought as she walked past the premium carpet that stretched and filled the room, like a red ocean.  'I didn't do anything bad either.  I'm not trying to run away, not at all.'

The edges of her mind wandered and branched, like a thorny tree branch, maliciously hurting herself.  Groaning, she shook her head hastily after the toe of her shoe stuck to the edge of the chair.  It turned out that she had arrived right in front of the predator's mouth.

"Good morning, My Lord."  She lifted her skirt politely, trying to keep her voice soft and calm.  But she was not very successful.

The sun slid through the open windows, shining on several spots of the floor in the corner of the room as Lyra sat down on a chair at her invitation.  "Why did you call me?"

Suddenly she saw a snort from him, which now glared at her as if she were some weak prey.  The fangs were probably barely sticking out of his cavity, prompting a burst of fury to gush out.

Couldn't help herself, she was sinking with her negative thoughts.

"Did you forget our agreement?"  he asked, clasping his hands as if he were a ruler presiding over an important meeting.  His suit was dark as usual, which seemed to clash with his not-so-light skin.  "Or are you pretending to forget it?"

Clamping that tortured her, pulsating as if wanted to drag him in between.  'Damn it, why do I keep repeating that incident in my mind?' she thought, cursing herself.  'Wasn't it all just a dream?'

Her face lifted, steeling herself.  Whatever happened she had to give up a lot.  And if that was the case, then she just needed to say yes at all times, no matter what the cost.  Because there was one life she had to save immediately.  Now she didn't have much time left.  Her agreement with Mr. Pinn was only three months!

"Sorry, my lord.  Sometimes I have a bad memory," she whispered truthfully, though not completely.  "Maybe it's because my condition is not stable, that's why I forgot what we talked about earlier."  She had to smile even though she wasn't sure why.  "So is there something we've discussed?"

"You gave the same excuse that night when you ravish me.  You remember it."

"Shortly after, after I did completely forget."  Lyra corrected, adamant.

"You said your condition was not stable.  But even last night you stayed up all night.  I'm not sure you did it purely because you got too much rest during the day.  When you're not feeling well, then you need more sleep."

Silence, in the end, Lyra couldn't say anything but stared at the edge of the table with her sad eyes.  Her curly eyelashes glistened in the sunlight, making her look like a scroll of precious gold.

"Was last night…" She shook her head, not wanting to say that, which sounded impolite.  After all, if it turned out that what she experienced last night was just a dream, it would give her a bad impression.

"What was last night?"  Duke Kleo narrowed his eyes, bringing his face closer.  "You wanted to say something, didn't you?  Quickly say it now!"  He snorted again as if he had understood what was in her mind.

Then his fingers unbutton his suit, too hasty in anger.  Even though he had already imagined sweet things that would happen as if repeating the beauty of last night.  But it turns out…

"I hope you don't forget what you did to me last night!"  Now his chest was exposed, looking stocky and muscular, with a very macho shape.

Lyra wanted to close her eyes as a sign of courtesy.  But it turns out that other pressures make her do the opposite.  She didn't even blink, in the slightest, witnessing the perfect sculpture of the universe.

Then she saw something or many, patchy bite marks on his chest.  The edges are reddish and may be purplish blue.

"Th-that," she stuttered, tracing every corner of his open chest, like a majestic god.  Choked, her voice suddenly disappeared amidst her quivering and indeterminate lips.

"Do you remember now?"  asked Duke Kleo, rising from his chair to stand right beside her.  "Because if you don't then I'll make you remember."  In one pull he managed to remove his suit, then threw it to fall on the table.

She closed her eyes and blocked her face from the dazzling beauty of the universe.  It was as if the sun's rays were absorbed in his back, then emitted its rays through the pores of his skin, making him the second or maybe even the main sun.

"Why did you close your eyes?"  He snorted, fixing his gaze on her.  "Do you think my body is too disgusting to look at?"

"No, My Lord!"  said Lyra quickly as she looked up.  "I do not mean to be so."

"Then?"

"I just…I thought it was impolite."

"Ravishing me is even more disrespectful."

Swallowing heavily, she lowered her head while fiddling with her fingers.  "I am sorry."

"You should also apologize for forgetting something important."  He pointed at his chest.  "Have you forgotten what you did to me last night?"

"I-I think I remember."  She glanced at him, aimed at his six-pack stomach, and was sexy.  'That's the belly of a handsome man who loves you!' she thought, then shook her head.  "I thought it was all a dream, My Lord," she continued honestly.

Duke Kleo took a deep breath, then sat back down on his chair.  His stout hand waved, "Come here!"

Looking up, she stood up to approach him.

"Sit down!"  he ordered again, patting his firm, empty lap.  "Hurry up or I'll change my mind!"

Like stepping on a bed of thorns, she immediately dropped her waist on his lap, sitting still, not daring to move.

"Look me in the eye!"

And she obeyed, Now the charm of him she saw, seemed to lock her up without intending to let her go.

"Don't you want to be responsible?"  His head tilted, wanting to have her entire attention.

"How to?  Last night it was you who asked me to do it, My Lord."

"Our agreement!"  he warned.

"Kleo," Lyra corrected.  "Last night you asked me to do it, Kleo."

"But you bit me too hard.  Now my whole chest hurts.  You should have done something to treat me."

Jumping up and hastily standing up, Lyra nodded.  "I will ask for a medicine from the palace healer.  Maybe there's an ointment you can use."  But before she could take a step, her wrists were locked by his grip.

Her face turned, frowning.

"You should check how bad your bite is," he said, pointing her palm at his chest.  "As well as seeing how deep you bite me."

She bit her lip while feeling his strong muscles, which was the one thing that fascinated her.

"Your eyes are sparkling."  He pulled her waist, making her fall on his lap again.  His hands cupped her face, making them face each other.  "Do you like it?  Does my body look tempting to you?"

Lyra widened her eyes, her face turning red in between kisses from Duke Kleo.

***