"I don\'t want to take a bad way to marry you," Duke Kleo said, like the most gentle way to persuade someone.  It wasn\'t until then that he continued, making Lyra realize what kind of man he was.  "Like for example getting you pregnant so you want to marry me."

Choking, or even like the footing under her feet sank, then pulled her body to collapse and was trapped in the flames, along with various coal spears that pierced her body repeatedly, tearing her flesh horribly.

The parable supported her pale face, as well as her shaking back.  Her body nearly jumped backward, then wanted to get away from where she was sitting right now, fleeing to the Mangrovee Forest as fast as she could.

She can\'t get pregnant, no!  It never even came up to her mind, especially if she had to have Duke Kleo as the father of her baby.  By having a baby, it seems that she will be trapped even more sadly in Wereal while losing her freedom in almost all aspects.

"My-My Lord."  Her voice cracked with fear.  Her eyes pleaded and dived into his expression, trying to figure out the fakeness of the threat.  But sadly all that was seen was a very strong determination.  "D-don\'t!"  she continued, shaking violently.

Her heart was shattered like it was torn apart.  It was as if she had never threatened anyone in her life if she put the concept of karma into the situation she was facing right now.  So why did this have to happen to her? She even looked like a weak bunny in front of a starving wild wolf.

"I wouldn\'t, of course."  Duke Kleo\'s fingers fiddled with her hair, tucking it behind her ear and smoothing it.  There was a heat that seemed to burn her cheeks, which came from the gentle movement of his fingers.  "As long as you remain responsible," he continued, then his hands cupped her face carefully.  "Pumpkin, you can\'t just run away.  I know you\'re not that bad girl right?"

Lyra\'s strength seemed to sink rapidly, without the least amount of courage to face Duke Kleo.  Her fingers moved restlessly over the puffy skirt of her dress.  "B-but what if you hate my character after we get married?"

"I won\'t hate you."

"But anything can happen," said Lyra.  "The human heart is also volatile." She was sure of it, more than anyone else.

"Looks like you have a trust issue because of your last statement," he guessed, smiling lightly when he saw her look up in surprise as if caught off guard.  Squeezing her fingers gently, trying to calm her down, he gave the expression that everything was fine.  "I know it\'s hard for you to do that.  But it\'s a bit unfair if you don\'t give me a chance."

But sadly Lyra didn\'t need that.  Quite a few men begged like Duke Kleo to her, but sadly her heart was dead, frozen, and might not even function anymore.

"What kind of chance are you referring to here?"  She was just biding time, looking for a space at the same time, and loosening the restraints from him.

"A chance to be your man," Duke Kleo said earnestly.  "I want to be someone you love, Lyra."

"You seem like a man who easily seduces women.  Even you can easily say that."

"Are you jealous?"

"No," Lyra shook her head, disappointing Duke Kleo.  "My point is you can get any girl you want."

Nodding, he replied, "Yes, and that girl is now in front of me.  I want her."  Sliding his body closer, pressed their positions.  "I\'m not a romantic man, Lyra.  I can\'t even praise you with beautiful words.  I\'ll just say what I want to say.  And this is my wish, I want to be your man."

She bit her lip, looking down thoughtfully.  Her breaths were soft as her brain worked hard.  The wind that blew had scattered strands of her hair, at the same time gently blowing the dress clinging to her body.

At that time she was not aware of what was happening, until then her hands moved reflexively to hold his shoulders, stopping him forcefully.  "N-no!" She rejected him firmly.  "You can\'t suddenly kiss me.  I do not like it."

He looked pitiful, putting on a very pathetic face.

But Lyra persisted.  "No!  If you want to be my man then you must not do this."

"Does that mean you agree to give me a chance?" Duke Kleo\'s face sparkled, like city lights that light up at night when a festival is held.

"I still don\'t know."  Looking away, she was still gripping his shoulders.

"You should know," he demanded, somewhat annoyed.  "You have to be firm when deciding!  I couldn\'t help myself because of the uncertainty.  You\'ve ravished me."

"Please," she interrupted with her eyes tightly closed as if she was running out of patience.  "Please don\'t talk about it again."

"Because if I don\'t then you\'ll forget about it."

"Of course, I won\'t forget it!"

"Really?"

She nodded, feeling her arms relax as he moved away, failing to kiss her.  "I also don\'t like being restrained or imprisoned.  I am a free girl."

"You\'ll run away if I don\'t do that.  You\'ve even done it once, or maybe several times."

"If you really want a chance you should thank me for giving you a solution."

"Are you trying to negotiate now?" He shook his head with a scornful smile when he saw her clearing her throat awkwardly.  "Fine, I\'ll make you an offer.  I won\'t restrain or lock you up if you keep being nice.  If you want to go somewhere then you have to get my permission first, as well as bring some guards and maids with you.  Taking me is the best option."

Glaring, Lyra almost protested the rule.  But she quickly recanted her intention.  Seems like it\'s better than not being let out of Wereal at all.  At least, perhaps, she could ask for help if she was outside.

"Alright," she nodded.  "I agree with the rules," she continued. "So if I want to ride then you must allow it too."

Now it was his turn to nod.  "Certain."

Lyra rose from her seat, thinking the conversation was over.  "I will take the horse now.  The day is too sunny to pass up."  Her enthusiastic steps came to a halt after he grabbed her arm.

"You are not allowed to ride today," he explained.  "I just got back to Wereal, and we still have to get to know each other.  Besides, I haven\'t finished negotiating yet."

Sitting back down, her brows furrowed.  "What more could you want?"

His stiff and stern face suddenly disappeared, replaced by a mischievous grin that looked dangerous.  His face protruded, approaching his face while exhaling his warm breath.

"All those rules will only apply if you are nice and be sweet to me," he whispered right next to her ear, pushing his breath against her earlobe, trying to tickle her, touch her desire.

She pulled her head away, feeling another threat now approaching her.  "Be-be sweet?  Like what?"

His hand tugged at her waist, dragging her closer to him, making her body fall on his chest.  His gaze absorbed the fear and wariness on her face, sniffing out various feelings of helplessness as well as weakness.  "For example," his hand caressed her face, "kiss me first, hug me first, and whine to make out with me first."

"B-but…."

"You did that at the hotel that night too," he interrupted.  "You should know how to do it, right?  That\'s easy for you.  Just do it and you will get what you want."  His nose sank into her crook of the neck, sipping her scent deeply.

***