Duke Kleo's happiness was almost complete if he hadn't seen Baron Jason that morning, in his eccentric but tacky-looking outfit. His hair was too oily, his eyes always seemed to bulge for attention.
Duke Kleo was suddenly annoyed just by looking at him, as he remembered with whom Lyra came to the hotel a few days ago.
"Lord Jason," he nodded after Baron Jason greeted him with the utmost respect. His body slumped on the chair, facing the baron who was holding a cup of tea in his hand. "I didn't know that you were the one who had to deliver the crops to Wereal."
"Oh, Count Shelpher is my uncle, My Lord. Incidentally, my cousin could not come to escort the crop delivery. That's why I came to replace him." Baron Jason lowered his head again after he put the cup in his hand.
"But it looks like you didn't come because of that." Duke Kleo's eyes scanned the appearance of Baron Jason, who this time was wearing a somber all-black suit. Although several motives showed enthusiasm. He only hoped that the baron's suit was wearing that day would not have any meaning. "Is there anything you want to talk about?"
"That, if I may ask, My Lord." His gaze was strong and solid, something that was rarely seen in Baron Jason's figure. "I just wanted to ask the condition of my close friend."
"Close friend?" Duke Kleo's question sounded like ridicule and fury. His jaw hardened, with facial veins protruding as if they were about to explode. He knew what Baron Jason meant, Lyra. She only belongs to him, and no man should be close to her, except him. It is an absolute rule that must be obeyed from now onwards.
"That's right, My Lord," nodded Baron Jason, looking worried. "Have you punished her? Are you going to execute her?" Then he pretended to be sad.
These few days he couldn't sleep peacefully because he didn't hear the announcement of the execution that should befall Lyra. That was his intention of trapping her sleeping with the duke. He wanted her to die soon for refusing his proposal.
But the days passed calmly, and even peacefully. Lyra was indeed taken to Wereal, but her fate had not been heard until now. Will she die? Or will she just be a slave?
Baron Jason won't stop destroying Lyra before she dies. Being a slave is a too-light punishment for her, especially after betraying his very sincere love. So he wasn't going to stay home and wait, that's why he came to Wereal to make sure, to confirm her death.
"Why do you want to know so much?" Duke Kleo's eyes lit up and seemed to be spitting fire at Baron Jason savagely. On his waist was a dagger that he often carried with him wherever he went, and without realizing it his hand had pulled the tip of the dagger and was ready to stab it in Baron Jason's heart, one of the boundaries to his love with Lyra whom he currently met effortlessly.
"Because I care about her, My Lord." Baron Jason didn't seem to understand what was really going on, and what dangers lurked him right now. "We've only just met, but I already know some of her characters well. She is a sweet and soft girl, a lotus flower who wants to be looked at and caressed." His hand lightly smacked his chest, creating a disgusting dramatic effect.
Duke Kleo gritted his teeth, holding back anger. His nostrils were wide, a sign that he was in a rage. Unfortunately, a cowardly and stupid man in front of him was too silly to understand.
Baron Jason chirped again, "I don't want to say this, My Lord, but I have to I suppose." His eyes glanced at the duke deceitfully. "Actually we've slept together." Then he pretended he was about to cry.
While on the other hand, Duke Kleo seemed to get strangulation on his neck. He really wanted to release his anger, his body even trembled because of it. His eyes barely blinked, his lips were like a stiff, sharp knife.
"We've been through those times, My Lord," Baron Jason continued like a fool. "And she can do that easily, I mean beat a man. She is indeed very beautiful, with a curvy body and so warm."
'Shut up, you idiot!' spat out Duke Kleo inwardly. 'Shut up or you'll die!'
But this wasn't a telepathic contest, requiring Baron Jason to understand what Duke Kleo was thinking to escape danger. He was just a stupid and ugly sheep, though his face was quite handsome and sweet.
He was still sobbing about his past romance with Lyra. "I'm so in love with her, My Lord," he said again, looking up at the ceiling as if holding back tears. "I even intended to marry her."
"What?" Duke Kleo choked at having to chain his anger.
Baron Jason turned his head quickly. "Right," he whispered weakly. "I intend to marry her. I even proposed to her."
"Did she accept your proposal?" Unknowingly Duke Kleo's fingernails pierced his palms too deep, causing his epidermis to blister.
"No," Baron Jason shook his head quickly so that the duke would have no qualms about executing Lyra. "Of course not. She is a free woman, she never wanted marriage. No one is really waiting for her, My Lord. She likes to wander and sleep with many men." He took a deep breath as if it hurt him. "But she is a sweet and beautiful girl. She will always be the best in the hearts of the men she has slept with."
Until then his eyes blinked a few times after seeing Duke Kleo inflamed. "O-of course, except you. You certainly don't feel that way. So, I beg you, My Lord. I beg you to forgive her. That's one of her bad qualities. She likes sleeping with many men. You have nothing to fear, she has always kept her eyes closed on the secret of her hot romance with the royals. Your identity will never be exposed."
Baron Jason inclined his face unconsciously, waiting for Duke Kleo's reaction. 'Good,' he thought. 'It seems Lord Kleo was affected by my words. He looked even more disgusted and angry than before. After I get back from Wereal, and before I get home, I'm sure I'll hear news of Lyra's execution.'
"Get out!" snapped Duke Kleo suddenly, making Baron Jason wince in joy, feeling his tactics had worked.
"I-I'm sorry, My Lord. I'm not trying to defend Lyra. I just…"
"GET OUT!" spat the duke again, more resounding than before. The hall seemed to vibrate, the walls cracked and nearly fell.
His barking eyes seemed to make the ground collapse, giving rise to a monster crawling from the fiery lump of earth. The monster would bolt and tear Baron Jason to pieces if he didn't leave soon.
"Ve-very well, My Lord. I…" His words hung in the air, after seeing Duke Kleo's hand pull the dagger from his waist. His feet tripped as he was about to leave the hall, gasping for air, and ending with a smirk. "He's hooked," he whispered slyly. "Good!"
After Baron Jason left, Duke Kleo immediately came to the common room, where Lyra was currently located. His strong hand pushed open the door and slammed it roughly to destroy it.
"Everyone, leave us alone!" he howled, causing Ella and Gena to instantly nod and exit the room.
Lyra, who knew nothing, soon got up with a confused expression. At first, she was preoccupied with planning to escape, but when she saw Duke Kleo's angry face, her guts instantly shrunk. "My-My Lord," she stuttered in fear and confusion.
She screamed as he pushed her body too hard, sending her body backward and hitting the wall. Her back ached, her hand pinned in his grip.
"My-My Lord… what…. what…."
"If it's Baron Jason, then that's fine," he snapped, bringing his face closer as if he wanted to crush her between his teeth. "But it's me!" he continued. "You shouldn't have treated this to me! We are different! And you should understand that!"
Her eyes blinked a few times. As she felt her body approach and squeeze her, she felt suffocation from all directions, tried to retreat, but there was no way out. "W-what happened actually?" she stammered, starting to cry. "W-what's my fault?"
***