At the same time that the rays of sunshine peek through the slit of the curtains, I sense my magic getting stronger. I also become aware of the arms and legs that are entangled around my body. I look beside me to see Gavin, who is peacefully sleeping on my bed.
I frown, but I can't help but notice that he is a handsome man. Red, curly hair. Bushy eyebrows and a straight nose. With his baritone voice, thin beard and mustache, women will flock to him. Well, that is, if only he is not such a pervert.
And so, annoyed at the way he hugs me, I reach up to his nose and pinch it. He grimaces, but instead, he pulls me closer to his chest.
"This idiot," I whisper, and then he opens his eyes.
I withdraw my hand as I look into his piercing green eyes. The colors are weird, especially if it's matched up with his red hair. "Good morning," he greets with a wicked smile.
"You are being too comfortable," I respond.
"You're the one who told me that I can leave anytime I want."
"I didn't say you can come uninvited to my bed."
"Minor details. Look at this," he says and suddenly, he cups my chest. "You're all perked up."
Of course, it is. It's morning, it's cold, and I am not wearing any underwear underneath my silky nightgown. "Let go of my breast," I warn.
Instead of removing his hand, he squeezes it. His finger even brushes over my bud. "Oh, are you trying to seduce me so early in the morning?"
I glare at him. "Let go, or you will see yourself splat on the wall."
He removes his hand. I am about to sit up when he pushes me down and pins me on the bed. His knees are on either side of my hips.
"You are exquisite even in the morning light. How about we spend the entire day in your bed?"
"I already had enough sleep."
"Who says we are going to sleep?" he leans down, but I evade the incoming kiss.
"Don't you learn? You almost broke the wall of your prison yesterday."
"The magic from Nushi's goddess has weakened, so I can kiss you now."
"Are you forgetting that I also have magic of my own?"
"Right, right, but you think I am handsome, so you won't do that."
He is about to bring his mouth down on me when someone knocks. Just in time, too. I have already activated my magic. A moment later and he will be thrown out of my bed.
"Lady Lyrica, I have brought your breakfast." It's Aiko.
In a split second, Gavin disappears from the room. The only hint he was here is the window that's now wide open.
"Enter," I answer.
Aiko comes in with a tray of bread, bacon, and egg. She even brings me hot chocolate this time. Usually, she brings me coffee for a hectic whole day, especially the past few days that I take care of the half-monsters in the greenhouse prison. Now, the place is all cleaned up and only needs maintenance.
After placing the food on a small bed table, she asks, "What's the plan today, my lady?"
"Same as what I told you yesterday. We are going to look for clues about Tiana's child."
"But we've tried it before. None produced any result."
"Maybe this time, we can find clues."
I pierce the bacon and place it in my mouth. Chewy and juicy. Dunnett's chef is superb. I should find him or her out. Whoever he is, he is making me happy with just his food.
As I eat, Aiko continues to stare. "What is it? Are you also hungry?" I ask.
"I am wondering what you are planning to do with the remaining half-monsters."
"They need to become strong and healthy."
"And?"
"Then they can choose how to live." I look at her confused expression. "What? Are you surprised that I treat the half-monsters with care? And let the full-blooded ones go?"
"Oh, no. Not at all. The previous you, might hate the half-monsters, but for the full-blooded ones, you are very patient. Although, sometimes, you spoil them instead."
"In what way?"
"You let them drink your blood. You share knowledge with them. You even snuggle with them after copulating."
Now, what she's describing to me is a completely different Lyrica. She is not known to return favors. I reach for my cup of hot chocolate. I smell it. It's a rich flavor. Since this can fatten me up quickly, I am only allowed to drink this during special moments. I bring it to my mouth. I am about to drink it when Gavin appears and stops my arm.
"What do you think you're doing?" I ask, trying to break free from his grip.
"You should not drink that, my dear Lyrica."
I glare at Gavin and see him looking suspiciously at Aiko. Aiko, on the other hand, is taking steps away from me. What's wrong with her? I ask myself but then, an evil smile appears on her face and her focus goes to me instead.
"F*uck you and your monsters!" she curses.
She turns around and is about to leave the room when Gavin moves in front of her.
"Poisoning your mistress, huh? What a loyal maid you are," Gavin says, barring her way out of my room. "How long had you been planning this?"
Poison? Aiko tried to poison me? I look at the food. I've eaten already so… the hot chocolate? Why? She helped me a lot. She also benefits from serving me. She enjoys having sex with all of Lyrica's men. She—That's no longer true. The full-blooded monsters don't allow her touch them. The half-monsters are filthy and she dislikes them. So, Lyrica's human sex slaves? One time, Aiko even asked to have Marcus.
"I thought that our working relationship is good," I express.
Aiko snorts. "It's only good because the previous you know what I need. But now, after that play with dark magic, you are no longer my same mistress. You've changed!"
"I've changed because I am taking my human slaves off your hands?"
"I only supported you, because you said I can use them!"
"I warned you before. I advised you to let go of your sex addict maid," Gavin interjects. "She's only loyal to her base, carnal desires."
And yet, Lyrica completely controlled her, ensured she obeyed her, even until the end of her life. She knew her, and she used that against her. I, on the other hand, am stupid. I focused too much on what is right and refused to acknowledge the type of surroundings that Lyrica has.
"You are against my plan of cleansing my life," I whisper.
"I'm all for it, though!" Gavin interrupts. I ignore him. I don't care what he thinks.
"I am also disappointed that you are going to marry a lowly son of a Count! When you could have easily married the Prince!" Aiko reveals, her voice rising.
I frown. She's referring to Calais as lowly. That's wrong. Calais is the best man. He is skilled, talented, and gives me love. Not to mention he is very handsome. Are her views so skewed from mine? Can't she see his charms? Or is she too focused on the position instead? However, a count is only two ranks lower than a duke.
"Calais is—"
"He hates you! Can't you see it?! You are becoming a woman giddy with love! He will be your downfall! You are even doing all these crazy things for him!"
"No, this is for me…" But is it, really? Aren't I doing this so Calais will be proud of his soon-to-be-wife? "And Aiko, you only want me to marry the Prince so you can increase your position in society."
"What is wrong with that?! Can't servants have a little dream of our own?! Besides, you promised that I can f*uck all the handsome men in the castle! I can have my own harem there. That's what you said!"
I try to remember this particular promise, but I can't remember. It's all blocked out.
Gavin pushes Aiko down on the floor and says, "You are saying a lot of things, but all you are scared of is to die at the gallows because of all the things you've done for Lyrica."
"That too," Aiko whispers. "You have no right to cleanse your life. You have no right to leave me in the muck. Of all the evil things I've done for you, I deserve the gallows! But you…" she cries. "…will get away from all of it."
"Ugh!" Gavin grunts. "Enough already," he says. "Lyrica, make her sleep."
I activate my magic, and while looking at her, I let my magic engulf her. It doesn't take long before she closes her eyes and falls into a deep sleep.
"Enough already, Lyrica."
I look at Gavin and notice that he's also affected by my magic. He's kneeling on the floor with his arm supporting his entire body. His muscles are flexing as he shakes his head, trying so hard to stay awake.
"I know you're annoyed with my advances. Augh! But deep sleep does not match my rugged looks. Unless you have a fetish for those kinds of men?"
I immediately deactivate my magic.
"Your magic is potent, Lyrica. Since you've forgotten your past, it's better to practice how to control it again," he suggests. "You should start on it soon or you will just be a danger to everyone around you."