Become The Duke's Wife Or Die

"He trapped you into sleeping with me."  Duke Kleo didn't show a doubtful expression as he said that.  The words came out easily and solidly from his mouth.

Turning quickly, Lyra was stunned for a long time barely even blinking.  Her breath held while her mouth was open, failing to speak.  Until one strange moment, suddenly her vocal cords vibrated as a few words came out of it.  "How did you know?" Gaping, amazed, confused.  "How did you know about that?"

"Did you know that too?"  He looked surprised without even realizing it.  When he saw her shake her head, his surprise grew even more.  "Then?"

"I'm asking you.  How did you know about that?  Did someone tell you about this information?  Who is it?"  She was hopeful about a few things, but they all felt fuzzy and hard to put into words.  Maybe she hoped that it was Mr. Pinn who said that to Duke Kleo, or maybe Gerald, or maybe someone else.  'Lord Helmut?' she thought stupidly.

"Did you think I would stay without doing anything?"  he found it difficult to speak after his gaze was divided into several emotional shards.  "Of course, I won't do that.  I'll find out how you got drunk that night."

"Didn't I tell you that I drank alcohol with Baron Jason that night?"

"Then suddenly you came into my room?"  he frowned, barely believing what he was witnessing.  "Do you think that makes sense?  I bet you couldn't stand up properly that night.  So what brought you to my room?  Crawling on imitation legs?"

She was silent, just realizing the oddity.  After all the hard times she was going through why was she so stupid not to realize this?  If only she could find out first that Baron Jason had trapped her, would Duke Kleo free her?

'No way,' she shook her head.  'Because the main point is the same, we slept together, nothing can change that fact.' Biting her lip, thinking seriously.  'But why is Baron Jason doing this to me?  If he wants to marry me won't this act of his cause me to part with him?'

"He has a grudge against you," Duke Kleo said suddenly as if he knew what was on Lyra's mind.  He had been observing her all this time, it was like recording even the smallest movements that were not visible.  "He wants you to marry him or you die, so you know how hurt he is because of your rejection."

"Since when did you know about this?"

"Since he came to Wereal."

"What?"  Her voice was like a jolt, which boomed in the night, infiltrated every empty room, almost huddled in the stuffy kitchen which was getting stuffy and busy with various activities.  "But you even accused me of all kinds of things back then.  You were mad at me at that time too."  Pointing her nose.

Nodded.  "Yeah, that's because I haven't started the investigation yet.  Not long after that, I asked someone to investigate him.  And this is what I got.  He wants you to be executed."

Covering her mouth with both hands, wide eyes without blinking.  "Are you serious?"

"His arrival to Wereal even had the same aim."  Squeezing his hands.  "Don't you think you'll get into trouble like this in the future if you keep on behaving badly like this?"

"All the guys I used to date didn't want me."  There is no regret in her eyes.  "Because I'm just a commoner while they're nobles.  To them, I was just a toy and a distraction.  So, therefore…"

"So you're generalizing us?"  Duke Kleo looked disappointed and sad because it was as if Lyra also thought him such a jerk, especially after seeing her nod.  "Are you using your brain all this time?"

"I do things based on experience."

"You can burn down a place just because of your lack of experience."  This word has a double meaning.  He groaned again.  "I don't know what to do with you.  Your stupidity is too severe."

"Forgive me."

"That won't solve anything.  Because if it can, then evil on earth will run rampant."  His body rose, pacing back and forth while kicking the dark grass.  Looking up, the moon glowed like a giant ball.  "You are a stupid girl.  And why should I meet you?"

She lowered her head as if being indirectly dumped.  There was a tingle of pain and disappointment in her heart, although it wasn't too strong.  'Yeah, I'm used to being treated like this.  I shouldn't have been surprised.'

"Then what are you going to do to me?"  That was the question she asked after her mind was confused by many things, about whether she would get the execution sentence after this?  "What punishment will you give me?"

"You think?"  He tilted his head, looking casually at her.  His body was standing on the edge, his hands on his hips while feeling the night breeze blowing against him.  In the distance, he could see several waiters busy preparing dinner, as well as several chefs passing by to help each other.  "What's on your mind right now?"

"I don't know," she whispered, hoarsely as she lowered her head.  Flicking her fingers seemed to be just what she needed at this point, to calm her flustered and anxious feelings.  "Perhaps you will give me a severe punishment."  Shrugging weakly, taking a deep breath.

"Of course.  But most importantly I will punish him, a very severe punishment."

"Like what?"  Lyra still didn't have a single prediction about the punishment Duke Kleo would impose on Baron Jason.  Maybe it's just the revocation of the peerage, or maybe it's taking the assets given by the kingdom.  Some light punishments are typical of nobles.

"Execution," he said without hesitation as well without looking at her.  Because if he did maybe he should change his decision for fear that she hates him.  "I will execute him."

As he expected, she hastily got up after the tension swept through her body, making her back stiff and frozen to the tailbone.  "E-execution?"

"Why?"  He asked back, putting on a horrifying and dangerous expression.  "Are you going to defend him?  Are you going to try to protect him?  An ex-mistress you slept with?  Are you that kind of girl?"

"N-not like that."  Lyra stuttered, unsure of what to say.  Of course, she didn't want Baron Jason to be executed even though it was a fatal mistake, because his actions were also influenced by her stupid actions.

"Then?"  Duke Kleo seemed to be challenging.  "You don't mind me executing him?  I will do that in front of you.  I will immediately arrest and imprison him so you can see the execution process.  Isn't that a great relief for you, to see someone who was so mean to you die in front of you?"

"Absolutely not."  But unfortunately, Lyra's voice couldn't come out at all.

***