Become The Duke's Wife Or Die

"What happened?"  Lyra asked anxiously, accepting Duke Kleo's head on her shoulders.  Even though she didn't know what kind of problem he was in, she could feel the severity of the problem.  Like telepathy.  Why did it happen?  Does that mean their hearts are bound to each other?  That seems a bit too much.

"Does this have anything to do with the king's representative?"  She continued while trying to encourage him by tapping his shoulder.  "Would you like to tell me?"  Like an understanding girl, made Lyra remember her past self.

She is not an ice-hearted girl even though she often hurts men's hearts by leaving them alone.  But there are times when he needs to show that she doesn't care to show that she is a tough girl. She would tell the world that girls were not weak objects that could easily be toyed with, without her knowing that she had dropped her self-esteem.

"Being a girl is hard."  That's what she always said.  When she deals with a lot of guys on a one-night stand then she will be seen as a slut.  However, if a man did that then they would be considered a champion.  Is this what is called justice?

"Yeah," Duke Kleo nodded after lifting his face.  "If you want to listen to it then I will tell you."

"Let's have lunch first!  You must be hungry."  She even grabbed his hand, then led him to sit in his usual chair.  After that, she returned to her chair, sat down well.

As her hands were busy picking up the food, her eyes were fixed on him who was currently staring at her non-stop. He didn't even move at all as if he didn't want to eat lunch.

"Should I call a maid for you?"  Lyra asked without blinking.  Seeing Duke Kleo who was still speechless, she immediately looked for another question.  "Or do you need something?"  All she saw was his hand patting the chair right beside him as if he was giving her a hint to move.

"Sit here!"  he ordered after seeing her raised eyebrows, filled with various questions.

Shortly after that her figure rose, rose from the chair where she sat before, swaying in a beautiful and elegant dress and neatly styled hair.  Her lipstick seemed to be polished again after the intimate kiss between them a few hours ago.  A beauty that makes him flutter.

"Kleo?"  called Lyra while waving her hand in front of Duke Kleo's dreamy face.  Her body was already slumped in the chair beside him, with a somewhat doubtful and confused expression.

"Yes?"  he asked after waking up from a daydream, a daydream about her never-limited beauty.  "Did you just say something?"

"Looks like the trouble you're in is too much," she commented.  "If you want to tell me now then I don't mind listening, even during our lunch.  I'm used to eating while chatting.  I'm not royalty like you."

He was gloomy and seemed to have remembered something.

"Kleo?"  She even grabbed his hand, rubbing the back of his hand to wake him up again.  "You're okay right?"

Although looking doubtful, he finally nodded.  "Yes."  Very weakly.  "Let's have lunch first.  After that, we can start the story session."

They started lunch.  Plates filled with dishes, clattering cutlery, then gurgling cool water into the glass, and soft chewing and gulping sounds.

Now and then they looked at each other, smiling at each other like happy couples even though there were more wounds in each other's eyes.  However, they seem to have chosen to forget about it for a while.

"How was lunch today?"  asked Duke Kleo, exiting the dining hall door while accompanying Lyra.  The guards and servants bowed to greet him.

"As usual, delicious!"  complimented Lyra earnestly.

"From now on you can order food that will be served for the menu.  Ask Mrs. Melisa to tell the royal chef.  You should also tell her about any allergies you have."

"I don't have allergies."  As Lyra finished walking down the hall and then walked over to the green and wide meadow.  The dewdrops have evaporated from the heat, like melting ice but leaving no trace at all, being absorbed by the pores of the soil.

Then they walked on a stone stand beside the lake.  Several maids followed them carrying umbrellas and other things.  However, they soon took several strides back off after their master ordered so.

"A gazebo should have been built here.  It's a shame that such a beautiful sight has to be wasted under the shiny sun," commented Lyra, looking up when she saw Duke Kleo's palm covering her face, blocking the scorching sun, while the other hand called for the maid to bring her an umbrella.  "Thank you," she whispered sincerely.

"I will not own this palace forever.  I'm just a government employee who gets facilities from His Highness.  I think building something that has no benefit will only waste a budget that I could have allocated for other purposes."

"Enjoying the view is not in vain."  A second later Lyra just remembered what kind of man Duke Kleo was, a workaholic.  "Yeah, it's your right not to build anything you don't want to build."  Her eyes fell on the clear and wide lake, where several lotuses flourished on it, blooming their white and beautiful flower petals.  "Then if you only stay here temporarily, where is your real home?"

"In Landerhill, a town close to Downhill."

"You live in the mountains?"

"Yes," he nodded.  "So is Downhill.  I inherited the house from my mother.  And that's where I should live.  Once in a few months, I would go home and visit my mother's grave."

"Like when I bumped into you at the boutique in town."  She reminded him.  The corners of her lips lifted upon seeing him gasp and snap his fingers.

"Gosh, I even forgot you bumped into me."

"And you even threatened to kill me."  There was a tone of disappointment.

"You still look the same as the other girls back then, no exception.  If you manage to touch my skin I might kill you then."

"And that means the incident at the hotel will never happen."  Lyra didn't know whether she should be grateful for that or not.

Duke Kleo seemed to be whining, cupping her hands together, making the maids no longer startled.  "Don't mention that again!"  he asked earnestly.  "Let's forget the past and walk with me!"

"Forget the past?"  She didn't even know the vocabulary, which sounded like she'd never fully grasp it.  "Then why did you hate women so much before?  What makes you not want to be touched by us?"

Lyra's question made Duke Kleo regret his words because he still couldn't forget his past.

***