The favour.

The carriage door opened followed by a huge gust of wind before it click shut. The rain immediately pounding of the window pane as Silas settled on the velvety cushioned seat.

He set the umbrella beside him on the floor and turned to Frederick who has been sitting patiently in the carriage waiting for him. A book tucked in his hand, his reading glasses low on his nose and his head leaning on a folded fist in the dull lighting.

A deep sigh came from Frederick "Should i say I'm not surprised you went ahead as usual sire"

His tone was respectful but questioning.

"How'd you know?" Silas replied a curious smile on his face.

"Probably because I've been with you long enough to know your relieved demur after each act" He flipped through the page.

"Though i must commend you for not killing the man"

"He hasn't done anything to warrant death. Yet. A few broken bones and perhaps a life time of trauma was an inch enough. How do you know it was a man anyway. It could have been a woman I don't discriminate" his smile was deathly mysterious.

"I have my ways sire" Frederick said pushing his glasses up his nose.

"Quite enjoying a new book?" He gestured to the book on frederick hand.

"Yes. Do not worry, this is not from your stash." He eyed Silas from his periphery vision.

"Sure" Silas chuckled in disbelief.

"It seems you had fun" his words were quiet in the dark space. The horses neigh outside as the onslaught of rain continued.

"Ah yes... She just never fail to amuse me". His lips curled back, the length of his teeth showing in his amusement as he thought back on the conversation they had.

•••

The room was suspended in a tense silence as the rain hit hard on the window panes outside, showing no time of stopping soon. Silas took his time to study Lucinda well, taking in the tip in her chin, the confidence surrounding her and her green eyes reminding him of twin gem stones glinting in the dim lighting. Though he could tell she wanted to say something, that was as much as she gave off. She was unreadable most times, far too closed off... just like him.

"Do you still have your doubts about the contract" he broke the silence first.

"I admit i do" Lucinda adjusted for a moment never breaking the dignified way she sat.

He gave a sigh, seeing how she was proving difficult, though she might have her reasons.

"If i remember correctly you were the the one that propose the engagement"

She made a sound between a scoff and a snort, he quirked a brow at how unladylike it sounded.

" and i also remember that my memory do not fail me— for you were the one to give the outrageous proposal of a marriage".

"I'm not the one to set a ball to find a partner" . She scoffed now her chest rising in annoyance.

"I thought I've already established i wasn't the one to arrange the ball."

He made a sound in question. Yes, Lord Silas was fully aware it wasn't her that set the ball, but he wasn't quite ready to part with that information yet.

"Also, least i say its the major reason i have a request to make" Lucinda smoothen her hand down her dress.

"For a lady with a request you're being quite vicious about it" he was awarded the full force of her glare.

"I'll rather you thank me for the favour i have bestowed on you" Lord Silas didn't realized when he had leaned back, an arm draped over the chair and his leg crossed; a devious grin finding resident on his face.

"And i ask what i was so fortunate to have."

"I'll rather say it what you're not so fortunate to not have. A marriage with me" she announced the last statement like the answer should be clear to him. Seeing how he didn't understand she spoke again with a small sigh.

"I did you a favour Viscount, cause if you were my husband, i would poison you". Her green eyes glinted darkly then, a dangerous verminous wisp curl around her being. Her aura screaming danger. The warning bells should have gone off, hell on any sane man, but not Silas , for he has long ago lost his sanity. The more dangerous the object of his fascination, the more he so desire it.

The smile that spread on his face then seems like something you won't find on a human but a beast—no, rather yet a deranged monster.

"Funny you say so Lucinda, for if you were my wife, i would gladly drink it; as the best delicacy the world has to offer".

Lucinda had to fight back her gaze from twitching in front of this man.His whole being screamed ruthless and lest she say crazed.

"Is this about you being skeptical I won't offer my protection, or i hold ill intent".

"No." She ground out.

"Then Lucinda," his gaze fell on her, his blue eyes turning icy and cold; his expression serious but open enough to convey his words. "I have no intentions to bring hurt to you or your son. Believe me or not but my intentions from the day we made this agreement till you have no use for me, i plan to protect you both and aid you as your personal chess piece to vanquish your enemies while bringing immense pain to them. I will make all of them rule the day they turned their head on my Fiancée and consider you not a threat. And i will see to it that the mare mention of your name will make them tremble. Your revenge Lucinda, will be served with a heavy side of poison. That and many more i would do, for it is my word, i have no intent on backing off, nor falter for a mere second."

Lucinda stared at him, her gaze slightly wide, she had expected so many things from him, but not this, what should she call this; a speech? An oath? A promise? She didn't know, but if there was any indication on the dark sincerity and gaze that promised hell to those he foresaw, she had a pretty good idea on what she'll be in a ride for. It reminded her of an old saying her mother once told her, 'if you give the devil a ride, he'll want to drive'. And that his gaze told her, he planned to do so.

To be confidently by his side, she should not falter for her comeback was long ago brewing, the time they decided to step on the dragon tail was the time they sealed their fate in ash.

Remembering she had something to say, she cleared her throat. The oath laced with threat still vibrate through her being, in a weird way empowering her.

"With all you have said, i would like a humble favour,". He saw the way her hand proceeded to grip her dress.

"Silas," for the first time she dropped her formality. The favour she was about to ask was something personal and intimate.

"I ask that you please... consider taking on the role of being Theodore father". Silence followed her words, and despite how she prepared herself, thinking and rehearsing how to say this as she waited for him to dry himself off, her gaze still falter, moving away from his face. Yes she was bold, but she was well aware it was a request unheard off, even the single mothers before her only request or plead for their child to carry the man's name not to be in shame. But Lucinda asked for something different, the agreement between them might be a contract, but she wanted her child to only experience genuine love and feelings. Lucinda would rather die than to make a man forcefully love her child, when it wasn't his to begin with.

A long sigh that followed the silence almost made her flinch, this request was very vulnerable of her, her pride hang on a thin thread with her request. Lowering herself to the most hurt and disgrace she could get if her words fail her.

"It seems I haven't made it clear enough" she saw his hand move at the corner of her vision.