The sky was still dark when Duke Kleo woke Stefanus and forced him to make their way home immediately. He even postponed breakfast, which was replaced by a quick meal on the way using the packed meal they brought with them.
There was no protest from Stephen, as usual, because he thought there was an urgent matter in Wereal, until he finally found out that his master just wanted to meet someone.
"Is Lyra awake now?" Duke Kleo asked him, instantly giving him the biggest blow to the head, that's how it felt.
But, yeah, what could a guard like him do? He was paid only to keep Duke Kleo safe, who didn't need an escort at all, due to his great martial arts skills and good stamina.
"Don't tell me you wanted to rush back to Wereal because of Miss Lyra?" he asked in disbelief. When he saw Duke Kleo's curt frown, he realized what answer he was getting.
"You used to be the one who always advised me to put my personal life first. Now I try to learn and do that, am I still wrong in your eyes?" squeaked Duke Kleo, jerking the horse's reins and starting to accelerate.
Stefanus could only groan while keeping up with his master's speed, which was even more ferocious when they were on a battlefield.
They arrived at Wereal near noon, having hurried like crazy people, taking both the quickest and most extreme routes, nearly falling several times, and having to dodge some of the bandits that were in their way. That wasn't a problem, for Duke Kleo, as his only goal was to get to Wereal as quickly as possible.
Even his body jumped off the horse as if there would be an explosion if he didn't do it soon. His feet had stumbled as they tripped over the steep ground, leaving Mr. Bertus frowning from a distance.
"Where's Lyra?" he shouted, grinning as he ran to the common room. But he found no one there. His face was paler than usual from running too much, his black hair flying like a bird's nest. Glancing at various corners, his feet raced to rummage through potential places. But once again, the void crushed his enthusiasm.
Mrs. Melisa approached, in her hands were piles of premium towels, intending to take her to a room, until she finally had to stop when Duke Kleo ran and nearly bumped into her. "Good grief!" she screamed, almost cursing because she thought that a servant was teasing her. The pile of towels in her hands wobbled and nearly fell.
"Mrs., have you seen Lyra?" asked Duke Kleo, propping up the almost scattered pile of towels, poking his face out of space.
Mrs. Melisa gasped, almost jumping after seeing Duke Kleo's new expression, and enthusiasm with a sense of childishness. She even had a hard time believing that the man she saw was Duke Kleo, the one who used to always execute others for such a trivial mistake. That impression is still imprinted, although now it seems to be slowly fading away.
"My Lord!" Mrs. Melisa finally came to her senses, cleared her throat, and then adjusted the position of the pile of towels in her hands. "Why are you running? You shouldn't be like that in the palace."
"I'm looking for Lyra," Duke Kleo said quickly as he caught his breath. Now his face was back to normal, full of mystery and also a chilling aura, like a hungry predator. "I asked her to wait for me to come home but she didn't greet me."
"Honestly your return is sooner than expected."
"Honestly that's not the point I meant." Duke Kleo was on his hips, looking disdainfully at Mrs. Melisa. In his eyes flashed a sensitivity to killing.
Clearing her throat, Mrs. Melisa pointed in a direction. "Miss Lyra went out for a walk with Ella and Gena. They must be around there." Her gaze returned to Duke Kleo. "Is there a lunch menu that you would like to…" Her lips plunged as if paralyzed when she saw Duke Kleo was sprinting fast as if he was entering a race with the prize of a happy eternal life.
She squeaked as she shook her head. "I guess this is his real personality," she commented as she looked away at the duke. "He's just a kid who wants to defend himself by showing a terrible attitude. He just needs love." Then her feet turned around a room, sinking into it.
The wind didn't blow too hard, but it was like hitting Duke Kleo's face pretty hard, like punching him in the face and eyes, making his vision sting. His hearing was only covered by the blow of the wind, dispelling the voices of the soldiers who greeted him sincerely. The cloak on his body flashed, making him look like a giant bat that had lost its ability to fly.
Quick maneuvering, leg support, his body stopping precisely at one point, when he finally found Lyra in the distance. His cheeks were flushed, his lips swelled very handsomely, like a beautiful crescent moon. "Lyra!" His heart skipped a beat when he saw the blonde hair from a distance, as well as the curvy figure he missed so much.
The side of Lyra's face caught his eye, making his heartbeat even crazier. But then he noticed something was wrong. "Why does she look sad?" he whispered, feeling failed and betrayed.
His feet froze in place, transfixed.
After a while Stefanus followed him, panting in confusion. His eyes shifted from one point to another. "My Lord," he said manly, followed by the figure of Duke Kleo who turned back to approach Lyra. From that point Stefanus was stunned, doubting whether he should take one step or should he retreat.
From a distance, he saw his master had grabbed the fingers of the girl he liked, then faced each other, and chatted with each other. But his job is not to be a jealous man. He was paid to be the duke's guard, and he should have done a good job of it.
"Lyra!" Duke Kleo hugged Lyra's body very tightly, carrying her from side to side as if they were having an outdoor prom. "Why didn't you greet me when I got home?"
Lyra's sorrow had to be interrupted by something more disgusting. "I didn't know you were home, My Lord," she replied, faking a smile. Her eyes looked sad amid her sweet smile.
"Is there any problem?" Duke Kleo looked worried. "Did something happen while I was gone?" His fingers smoothed the scattered strands of her hair.
"No," Lyra shook her head. "Everything is alright. I was just looking at the scenery around here, then found a beautiful lake over there."
"Does it remind you of anything painful?" he checked again. "I will drain it if necessary."
"What?" Stuttering, her eyes went wide. "Why did you have to go that far? I am fine. I was just moved because the scenery here is so beautiful."
"Are you sure?"
Damn it, Duke Kleo's eyes scrutinized her expression very closely, as if he would be able to spot a single pore that wasn't opening properly if only he wanted to. It made her uncomfortable.
"I am." She looked away, refusing to look him straight in the eye.
"Look into my eyes!" he hoarse, pinching her chin. "Are you sure?"
She took a breath, then wrapped her arms around his neck, causing Ella, Gena, and Stefanus to glare. "I am sure." Looking down, she felt a peck on her lips again, tickling and begging her to give him an entrance. "My Lord," she hissed, gently pushing him away, trying to part their lips. But he gently gripped her hands, while he continued to sip her lips.
"I miss you," he whispered just before he slid the tongue.
***