Become The Duke's Wife Or Die

"My decision is final," Duke Kleo said that night, still standing proudly in his position as he gazed into the distance as if wanting to catch more of the moonlight falling on the expanse of land in Wereal.  His steadfastness was even stronger than the most solid rock anywhere, leaving Lyra speechless even if she wanted to.  "I will still execute Baron Jason."

Grinning, she froze even though she wanted to say something.  Her happiness had just formed this afternoon after hearing that the two maids who were supposed to be executed had just been exiled.  The guilt as well as the paranoia had just faded and was almost completely gone.  But now a new problem arose.

'I really will become a murderer if Duke Kleo executes Baron Jason,' she thought lamenting her absolute fate, despite the decision she had made.

Her eyes lit up when she saw Ella and Gena from a distance after the two maids had just disappeared due to their respective activities.  Lyra's mute tongue suddenly trembled, including her thin lips, because she couldn't bear to tell the two maids about this tragedy.  Her heart and shoulders were heavy, as heavy as her throat to make a sound.

Duke Kleo finally glanced at her, with a very flat expression.  His skin, which was darker than hers, grew even bleaker under the moonlight that shimmered unevenly.  His broad shoulders seemed to be transformed into a very large tree, stalking the living creatures to swallow them.

"Go to the dining hall as soon as dinner is ready!"  he ordered, gripping the tip of his dagger silently.  The tremors in his chest doubled at the sight of Lyra's gloomy face, the one thing that had always weakened him.  However, he doesn't seem to have enough tolerance right now, even though she will hate him someday.  Pests must still be destroyed.

His steps passed across the lush grass, into the yellow torchlight area, down the hall, until he disappeared behind the door.

Lyra's shoulders and head seemed to fall after seeing that.  "I feel like I don't have the power to live anymore.  Why did everything get so messy?  I've always been stalked by my death or someone else's death.  Can't I just live in peace for a while?"

When her head looked up, she saw the maids especially serving her, blocking the shadows of Ella and Gena who were very busy.  Not far from that the maids seemed to distribute clean plates, a sign that soon dinner will be available.

"I'd better think of a way to persuade Duke Kleo," Lyra muttered, clenching her fists tightly, turning her attention to the inanimate objects around her.  "I should be able to prevent him from executing Baron Jason."  She suddenly looked doubtful.  "But will he listen to me this time?"  Frustrating her hair.

…

Dinner arrived shortly after when Lyra had already decided to stand up for Baron Jason this time, though more resentment piled up in her chest, like a disgustingly rotting mountain of garbage that was impossible to unravel.

There was even more reason to stop her from defending Baron Jason.  But unfortunately, one last reason is too strong to resist, which is that one's life is precious.  Therefore she took and planned all steps to persuade Duke Kleo to forgive Baron Jason or give him a lighter sentence.

The maids bowed as Lyra entered the dining hall.  She thought Duke Kleo was already inside, waiting for her as usual.  But he was still in his study to finish some emergency work, Mr. Bertus who told her about this.

"Does he still have to work a long time?"  she asked anxiously and impatiently.  "Does he think he can only finish work in an hour?  Or in half an hour?"

"I don't know for sure, My Lady," answered Mr. Bertus calmly and disciplined.  "That's all His Grace told me, that you were asked to wait while His Grace finished his work."

Watching Mr. Bertus walk away was like seeing her lost freedom or as a ray of light drowning in eerie darkness.

Her legs moved restlessly, her head turned from various angles as if she was being watched by many people.  While biting her fingernails, she drank water several times.  "Argh!"  She groaned after waiting a long time.  "I'll lose my nerve if he doesn't come, and if I don't talk to him."  Silence for a moment.  "Should I go to his study and ask him to speak?"

Various considerations passed through her head, such as the heavy city traffic due to motorized vehicles in modern times, crowded and full of bustle.

Her body towered, rising from the chair as she finally made up her mind.  "I will approach him.  I can't stay here any longer.  Before I lose my courage, then I must act immediately."  As her shoulders turned and her feet took several strides, suddenly the door of the hall opened, followed by the appearance of Duke Kleo, who was walking as tall and dazzling as ever.

In awe, there were many moments when time seemed to stand still, filled with Duke Kleo's inescapable charm.  At that time she would complain about the messy flow of her life.

"Have you been waiting long?"  asked Duke Kleo, pulling up a chair and sinking comfortably on it.  His hand reached for the cutlery, then spooned some menus skillfully.  Even though he was a noble, he didn't depend on the servants for small matters.  "I have some important work to finish earlier.  After this Stefanus will hand it over to the representatives of His Highness in town."

Nodding, Lyra smiled halfheartedly.  Sweat appeared on his forehead, under her nose, and in several other places.  "You seem very busy," she commented, starting to pick up some menus.  "You should rest soon!  Don't think and do unnecessary things."

He nodded, without looking at this time she glanced at her carefully.  His mouth is busy chewing food, hands gripping a knife to cut premium quality meat.

"You heard right?"  She continued, still not wanting to give up.  After seeing him look up, she resumed her words, "You shouldn't think and do unnecessary things.  It will only waste your time and energy."  Changed the expression to be weak and sad.  "I don't want you to get sick."

"What do you want?"  He was straight to the point.  "You're not the kind of girl that cares about me," he continued.  "So tell me right away what do you want?  I will listen to it."  Doesn't he always do it?

"That..." Biting her lip in disbelief.  "Can you forgive Baron Jason?  Can you not execute him?"

***