Lyra's hands grabbed Duke Kleo's face while her back was pressed against the edge of the dining table. Breathing heavily, she took in every saliva he prodded, as well as the tongue that attacked her mouth incessantly.
Screaming, her hands slammed against the table, as he pushed her body, sending parts of her back lying on the table. Resting on her arm muscles, she tried to sit up straight again, but he was already smacking her lips, pecking them as if to make her completely paralyzed.
His nostrils moved along her neck, took a sip of its distinctive aroma, then gave it a small bite. Her chest bounced, taking a very deep breath, as her eyes closed from feeling the bite.
Their bodies felt warm, with a starting point that was difficult to understand. She flinched as his arms forced her waist to press closer to him, in the middle of the wet wrestling of their lips.
Gasping for air, she pushed his body to give her a little space, she wanted to breathe, felt her lungs like to shrink out of air. However, as before, he groaned and devoured her lips again, while pumping air through his cavity, letting his breath from his lung.
After seeing her breath become more regular, he sucked all of her oxygen again, playing her defense at the same time teaching that she can only survive and breathe because of him. His arms tied her waist, pulling her closer again.
A smirk appeared on his face, as he watched her do it helplessly. He wanted to touch her more, everywhere, giving her all the attacks that are difficult to defeat so that it makes her realize that there is no point in running away and still rejecting him.
But suddenly the door to the dining hall opened. The loud sound of it woke her up. Her body was stiff, as her legs were floundering because she wanted to get up and leave from above his lap. However, his arm pulled her waist again, making her sit back down obediently.
Embarrassed, she buried her face in his embrace, making him smile slightly as if he had won over a rebellious girl who liked to run away.
Stefanus, the one who opened the door, immediately felt regret after entering the dining hall. However, he had already entered, so he wouldn't have been able to just leave if Duke Kleo had not told him to. His body bent in greeting, gazing at Lyra's dress covering the duke's feet. There was a pain in the recesses of his heart. He was sure he was the one who liked Lyra before the duke, but why did it turn out like this?
"Why did you come? Isn't it still breakfast time?" the duke asked, somewhat annoyed, struggling with the strands of Lyra's hair that had scattered in front of his face.
"My apologies, My Lord," Stefanus nodded, trying his best not to look at Lyra. "But I have information regarding the case in Wolytone."
"You can tell me when I'm done with breakfast."
"The last few days you've always said to report to yourself about this matter, no matter what."
Duke Kleo fell silent, closing his eyes tragically. He did say that to Stefanus. Oh, what a shameful morning. "Okay." Finally, he nodded. A knight is someone who dares to admit his mistakes. "I did say so the past few days, you are a dedicated guard for doing so. I'll see the full details later. Let me have breakfast first."
"Alright, my lord. And just for your information, there's a guest from Wolytone who wants to see you."
Duke Kleo bit his lip furiously, venting more anger on himself. Now he regretted why he had always created stupid rules that always prioritize work over his personal life? Now even he was helpless when a sea of trouble hit him during his need to touch Lyra. Various torturous contradictory feelings.
"I'll see him later. Ask him to wait!"
Stefanus left after nodding, leaving the dining hall feeling ambiguous. His eyes stared at the distant figure of Lyra, who was still burying her face in the duke's arms. 'What exactly happened that they now have such a close relationship?' he thought, then closed the hall door.
Lyra pulled her face and head away from Duke Kleo's arms, wanting to quickly return to her chair to eat breakfast. However, he was still holding her neck firmly, trying to bring his face closer and have another make-out session.
Shaking her head, Lyra refused emphatically. "Stop, My Lord!" Her voice rose as if she was the bravest soldier in her battalion. "We have to have breakfast soon. Your work is also waiting for you."
Realizing, he heaved a heavy sigh. "You are right." But his hands still locked her waist. "Maybe this time it's enough to get here. You must remember how you paid tribute to me. At least one kiss a day."
"At least?" Her eyes widened in disbelief, ready to protest. However, his curt expression immediately shrunk her nerves. "I-Isn't this a bit of an exaggeration, My Lord? I don't live in Wereal at my request."
"You live in Wereal because you insisted on sleeping with me." Duke Kleo won this debate. He happily gave her a quick peck on the base of her jaw, giving her another bite. His hand wiped his mouth, revealing another grin behind it. "Come on, enjoy this breakfast!" It was as if nothing had happened between them.
They ate solemnly, occasionally glancing at each other. Duke Kleo would blush if that happened, while Lyra looked away at being caught off guard, organizing her mind and heart so as not to fall completely into Duke Kleo's charm.
He was not an experienced man. His caress is still stiff and a bit clumsy at times, failing to get to the right point. However, for some reason, that is precisely what became the formidable charm of Duke Kleo, making Lyra seems challenged when facing a cruel but innocent man in a different field.
The breakfast was finally over, letting them go a different turn. Duke Kleo was hesitant to leave her and had wanted to invite her to accompany him all day. However, the shake of the head from Mr. Bertus woke him up.
"I won't be able to focus on work if she's with me," he whispered, then headed into the hall where guests were waiting for him, taking his eyes off the figure of Lyra walking away with the maids.
Ella chuckled with Gena, then they gently squeezed Lyra together.
"We saw what happened in the dining hall, My Lady," Gena said, with mischievous and naughty eyes. "You guys are making it outright?"
"Kissing and cuddling." Ella jogged, cupping her face with both hands. "You guys look really good together, My Lady."
"You'd better accept His Grace's proposal. You have nothing to lose, having a very handsome and rich husband." Gena closed the door to Lyra's room, making sure no one was eavesdropping, glaring at the two guards standing at the door.
"That's right, My Lady," Ella nodded in agreement. "Moreover, you two seem to love each other. Especially His Grace. It seems like he would be willing to do anything for you."
Various things bothered Lyra's mind. She was thinking of a way to escape from this strange situation. Duke Kleo became aàpggressive, one thing more terrible than execution. She wouldn't be able to handle his charm, which spread like an explosion from a gas cylinder. Her footsteps moved restlessly, as her eyes leaped from corner to corner, ignoring Ella and Gena's chatter.
"My Lady! My Lady!" The two maids shrieked and shouted, in tones like supporters of a glorious match.
No idea crossed Lyra's mind. She thought that Gena and Ella were just screaming from their imagination. However, after turning her head, as the screams soared higher, her heart seemed to explode upon seeing what had happened.
Duke Kleo suddenly appeared from behind the door, wearing a robe that he hadn't worn this morning. His eyes entangled wily, his arms pulled her waist closer, almost touching their noses.
Damn it, she hadn't even had time to get ready yet, and now her body was snuggled into his warm, stocky arms.
His breath billowed like hot steam in winter, hitting her face sweetly. "I'm going to Wolytone today," he whispered hoarsely. "Maybe I'll just be home tomorrow morning," he continued. "But I will try to get home as soon as possible. So, wait for me!" And he bit her lips, sipped until both his cheeks become sunken.
***