Everyone could see the aura of death approached, including the execution process that was happening right then. Lyra might really die for annoying the duke.
One of the countesses wiped her tearless eyes. "Oh, she's still so young. I wish I knew where she would be buried. At least I'll send a bouquet."
'Hey! I can hear that!' Lyra thought. She wanted to curse if she could, but she didn't have time. Now she had to think of a way to escape execution, including Duke Kleo's sword that had been hunting her all along.
Luckily a savior came. Lady Reesy strode over to greet Duke Kleo. Everyone also knew that she only wanted to distract him. "My Lord, you did come? Thank you for coming to my party. Let me take you so I can treat you well."
And luckily Duke Kleo followed Lady Reesy and ignored Lyra.
Lady Reesy glared at the cowardly Baron Jason, sending an eye code for him to quickly evacuate Lyra and hide her. With stiffness and fear, he took his cousin's advice.
Running away, he directly grabbed Lyra to enter a room in the palace. A glass of water was handed to her, and she took a sip of it slowly.
"Oh my, I'm sorry, My Dear, for you to have to go through this kind of situation." He casually calmed her down, not realizing he looked even more annoying than usual. "Looks like you can't enter the party hall anymore. There was Duke Kleo. Or if you can blend in and be unnoticeable then…" His eyes scanned her conspicuous appearance, skeptical the second way could be done.
Finally, she nodded in annoyance. Her plan failed miserably tonight, and all because of Duke Kleo's presence. "He's really annoying!" she cursed unconsciously.
"Y-yeah!" Baron Jason stammered, a little flustered by the rapid switching of the conversation. "But that's how Duke Kleo is. Even though everyone on the continent hates him, we don't have much power against him. He was the most respected duke, as well as the closest position to His Majesty the King. So you understand right?"
Although annoyed, she finally snorted. Suddenly she felt fingers run down her thighs, climbing up to reach her chest. Sighing, she asked him to leave. "This is your cousin's party. If you just disappear then it seems rude. Just get out! I'll be here until the party is over."
"How could I leave you alone? You must be lonely."
"I am used to it." Her tone was bitter. Clearing her throat, she pretended to be strong and unconcerned. "It doesn't matter. I can attend another party. You can go. Maybe if it's too late I'll go home first."
"It means…." He fiddled with his fingers, his eyes lowered slightly disappointed.
"Oh, I forgot we have to sleep together." She slapped herself on the forehead. If she wanted to end all of this then she had to do it shortly. "I will wait. Now just go!" His tongue caught her lips before he finally left. "Yeah, he's a good kisser," she whispered, watching him leave.
Now she was alone, in the middle of a luxurious and quite spacious palace room. Paintings hung on the walls, glass lamps in spots, then a red carpet that looked luxurious. There was a balcony at the end of the room. Her feet stepped out to it, looking at the night view.
There were some traces of memory left behind, which made her want to get furious and sob. But she soon realized that wouldn't change anything. "I will endure to the end. I can stay strong."
Someone suddenly came into the room, making a slight sound like the door was being pushed. She looked up to see who was coming, then found a marquess named Helmut, the cousin of Duke Kleo.
Her eyes didn't blink. Marquess Helmut was a very popular noble on the continent. His handsomeness was like the most perfect sculpture of a god. His honey-like skin melted like he was shining indoors, and would look even more beautiful in the moonlight. He was the only noble who broke the pale white trend of the nobles. He brought his style very effortlessly.
And to be honest, she liked that style.
"Oh," he said in surprise. "Sorry, I thought there was no one here. I will go…"
"You can stay here if you want," Lyra said quickly, not wanting to miss the opportunity. Even though he wouldn't be impressed by their relationship, if they could have one, spending the first night together didn't seem bad. Then they could forget each other and carve out memories like tulips that bloomed at certain times. "I don't mind sharing the place with you."
"That's very kind of you, My Lady," he nodded very politely, bending down to show off his brown curls. His footsteps drew closer and stood right next to her.
"It's a beautiful sight here, My Lord. Do you agree?" She glanced at him a few times, deliberately getting a few inches closer every chance she got.
"True," he replied, "especially if there was a girl as beautiful as you, My Lady. So who are you, that mess with my cousin, Duke Kleo, just now?"
Her face reddened. It felt like she wanted to bury herself deeply. "Let me introduce myself," she said, lifting her skirt. "My name is Lyra Cromess. Nice to meet you, My Lord."
"I don't think I've seen you before."
"I don't stand out."
"With this beauty of yours?" He chuckled as he glanced at her. "Seems like you know what kind of man I am." After seeing her nod, he continued, "So what do you think? Am I a suitable man to drink with while enjoying a glass of honey that melts on a full moon?"
Her cheeks immediately turned red again, not expecting Marquess Helmut to be such a direct man. "Surely it is a very honorable opportunity for me, My Lord. Unlike other girls who will chase you for marriage, I'm a little loose on the rules."
"That's good." His hand fiddled with her hair, then took her hand and kissed it. "But I don't like meeting a girl who has a lover."
"Baron Jason isn't my lover," Lyra said quickly.
"But at least you two came together tonight," he said looking disappointed. "I will send you a letter after this. Prepare yourself! And don't think too much about Kleo. He's just an attention-seeking person."
"I think so," she said casually.
"Is that true?" Marquess Helmut looked excited. "You will become one of my favorite girls." Then he left after he finished enjoying the view.
Lyra melted, slumped to the floor with her heart racing. "He's so sexy," she squealed happily.
Another person came, namely Viscount Alan, one of her ex-men. He was the most mighty man she had ever met, whose voice could even make her indulge.
As usual, Viscount Alan sped up to pick her up, then carried her into the room, slammed her back against the wall, and then kissed her lips fiercely. Moans and groans of longing, and exploding adoring glances.
She was almost out of breath, as he attacked her with non-stop kisses. Her body was pushed into the air, so her feet could not touch the floor. When he kissed her neck, she screamed. "Stop! We promised not to meet! Stop!" she said, hitting him on the shoulder repeatedly. Finally, he stopped kissing her neck.
"Why are you still refusing to see me?" Viscount Alan protested, disappointed and angry.
"We made a promise, My Lord. Didn't you want a relationship like that from the beginning? I give you the freedom to find another girl. You should be happy." Her body finally dropped, her feet hitting the floor.
"I couldn't find one as good as you."
"Oh, My Lord." Lyra brushed his jaw, then gave a kiss. "But I've never slept with the same man twice. I hope you understand."
Viscount Alan, who was known to be rude and abusive, now nodded like an obedient kitten. "I will be waiting for you. If you miss me then you can send a letter to me. Don't forget my offer!"
Lyra nodded sensually, her eyes grinning like her lips. Now she saw Viscount Alan coming out of the room after they had kissed for a long time for the second time. Sighing, she checked her slightly messy make-up, then fixed it.
"There's nothing more fun than making those guys crazy about me. When that happens I will dump them. This is life."
Shortly after that Baron Jason entered the room. His face was blushing shyly, his body was faintly filled with the smell of alcohol. He didn't say anything, darting to pick up Lyra and lead her to a secret room behind a wall. Inside he kissed her on the lips intensely, stuck his tongue out and swept all the cavities, then groaned as his hands began to slide to remove the dress around her.
"My Lord," Lyra shrieked, too eager to show her charm.
***