Lewis let out a sigh as his eyes fixed on her. She's smiling, raising her brows in confusion.

His expression blank. His mind felt hazy, as his mind clouded with annoyance.

Just now, it finally struck him she's really a woman; a beautiful woman at that. A grown man and a woman in this house, alone.

Not that he was a pervert. However, once he had grown conscious about a certain fact, his mind just imagined all sorts of things.

Her innocence… or rather, her ignorance was what dangerous of all. He could ignore it all, but if she kept this up, he didn't know until when.

After all, he's a sensitive man.

His eyes fluttered ever so slowly. Inhaling and exhaling through his lips as he knew what to do.

Lewis took a step forward, staring at her with strong intensity. Devon tilted her head a little upon seeing him come close.

At first, she didn't understand it. But the second he took his next step, she gulped down and took a step back.

Devon sensed the dangerous aura exuding from him so suddenly. His eyes glinting dangerously, as if a predator finally setting his eyes on his prey.

"My… my friend?" She called out. Her breathing hitched.

Instinctively, she held her arm up, clasping her hand on her chest. Every time he took a step forward, she stepped back.

Her shoulders stiffened as they trembled. Her lungs constricting, feeling the danger she had experienced before.

Once her back hit the wall, Devon couldn't stop her entire body from shaking. Yet she couldn't look away from him.

"Why are you…" Her breath hitched just before she could finish.

Moments ago, Lewis was fine. Even when his mood shifted faster than a normal person, he wasn't like this. How did he go from being lenient to something extremely dangerous?

She watched him as he slowly leaned down without even blinking. Out of instinct, she looked away as she shut her eyes.

Lewis stopped midway as the side of his lips curled into a smirk.

"What are you doing?" He asked, pleased to see her reaction.

It may be cruel to her. Even Lewis didn't know if his action was too much or whether it was even right. It didn't matter. For him, this was the simplest way for her to teach her.

Once his question reached her ear, Devon slowly opened her eyes. She slowly raised her gaze to him. Lewis had already stepped back, but he still had his eyes on her.

"Huh?"

"You're too ignorant, which is worrying. Aren't you acting a little too close to someone you just met?" Lewis arched his brow, his hand on his hip.

"Uh…" She gulped down as her fear sucked up all the moisture in her throat.

"Even though I said we're sleeping together, did it cross you that maybe I'm lying? What if I abducted you and you fell into an accident because you're actually running away from me?"

Lewis dropped a series of question in a knowing tone. Although everything he said was utter nonsense — and the source was just his brother's broad imagination — he still used it, nonetheless.

For a moment, Devon remained silent. She looked away, clutching her shoulder tightly.

"Don't forget I'm a man. Men just do everything to get what they want. We lie through the skin of our teeth without batting an eye if we want to deceive a woman."

This time, his tone was firm and solemn. Although he felt bad for going too far, it was important for him. Time was fleeting, and before he knew it, a week would end just like that.

It worried him that once he's back to his normal schedule, Devon would be deceived easily. It was better for her to learn this now before he regrets it later.

"What if I'm just putting on a mask right now and do something later? What if I'm just taking advantage of you?"

He added, tilting his head to the side. A sigh slipped past his lips as he scratched his temple with his finger.

'Did I really get too far this time?' He wondered, annoyed, as he was never in this situation.

"I…" Devon trailed off. Her voice almost sounded like a whisper. "… I trust you."

Her answer caused his brow to raise. "How can you trust me so easily?"

Devon didn't look at him, biting her inner lip lightly.

"I know men more than you do. I'm aware how despicable they can be; the extremities of their actions just to fulfill their desires — their egos. I'm not a child. I don't blindly trust people."

Lewis opened his mouth but closed them again. For reasons unknown, he felt the utter pain, angst, and hatred in her tone as if she was speaking by experience. Hence, it rendered him speechless.

"But you're different." She looked at him straight in the eye. Resolve flickered in her eyes as she sported a brave face.

"I don't just blindly trust you because you've been kind to me until now. I trust you because…" She trailed off as he clasp her chest lightly.

"… my heart just know I can trust you."

The princess in her body had encountered many men in her life. People with ulterior motives had surrounded her every day. A life in the palace shaped people to be wary of their surroundings and the people they deal with.

Still, Devon knew Lewis was different. Although she was terrified just moments ago, part of her believed he wouldn't hurt her. Thus, she wasn't afraid to show him her fears.

What Lewis did wasn't new to her. Her brother, the crown prince, would usually do that. But she learned not to look away, fighting him with a sheer will of not giving in to what he wanted.

Tremble in fear and cry.

So for her, to show she's weak in front of him, was her way of trusting him.

"Uh…" Hearing her last remarks caused him to scratch his temple. "I didn't expect that. Just don't trust me too much. Let's prepare something to eat. I actually need a hand."

Without a second hesitation, Lewis turned around and walked back towards the fridge. Meanwhile, Devon raised her head in puzzlement, setting her eyes on his back, seeing him wave nonchalantly.

But, then, he suddenly flung his head back and warned. "Don't forget I'm a man. A man so attractive. Don't look at me otherwise."

Devon bit her lower lip as a smile turned up. "Mhmm!" She hummed an excited tune and skipped her steps, following him.