A Punishment

Duke Kleo didn't want to deny that he had actually woken up earlier when Lyra was still asleep. At first, he was angry, even furious. The principle he had held to all this time was finally crushed. One thing he always avoided was finally breaking.

A woman, or a girl, ended up touching him without any punishment. And to make matters worse, she now bound him with a feeling of addiction, which made him want her again and again.

But of course, he wouldn't make it too obvious. He doesn't want to lose his dominant impression in front of people so that he can stay protected in his way.

When he saw Lyra sleeping beside him, his heart slowly softened, like a lump of melting ice. All the scenes of last night were recorded clearly in his head, not a single one was missed. Many people forgot a lot of things when they were drunk, but that didn't apply to Duke Kleo, not really. He still remembers a lot of things even when he's drunk, and it gives him bad memories of something in the past.

"Is she the girl who seduced me last night?" he whispered, right beside Lyra, studying her facial features. His hands clenched into fists, wanting to gently caress his face. "She looked so innocent when she fell asleep, a feeling I wouldn't be able to get when she was awake. She's the girl who bumped into me a few times, right? We also cross paths often."

Lyra's hair was splattered across her face, some stuck together from the stickiness. Her chest was gently expanding and contracting, as soft as her curly eyelashes.

"Will she remember what she did to me last night? If only she remembered she would pretend not to remember," he muttered again. "But unfortunately, she can't run from me anymore, after what she did to me. Even though I tried to protect myself, this brat girl!" His hands clenched again. "I can't break my oath. I still have to fulfill it. Not that I like her."

But Duke Kleo knew there was a part in his body that denied his last statement.

So he embraced Lyra, cradling her in his arms, big arms.

"This hug is just a precaution, in case I fall asleep and she wants to run away," he said, giving himself an excuse as if he was suspected of something wrong. So he did, holding Lyra in his arms, tighter than he wanted.

Until then he felt a gentle movement from the girl beside him. He peeked and found she was awake. His ears heard some incoherent whispers from her until then his gaze fell on her frightened expression.

'She has a cute face when she's scared,' he thought, still pretending to have his eyes closed.

Then he felt like something was tugging at him, something swallowing him, squeezing him. He had just remembered that they were still attached, and he had deliberately let them even though he already knew. His reason was still as naive as before, that he just wanted to know if she ran away irresponsibly.

Hey, couldn't he just forcibly wake Lyra up if he wanted to, just like what he's been doing to people all this time? He likes to push, likes to dominate and is very annoying. But now it's not.

It was rather clumsy, he had never been close to a single woman in his entire life. But an instinctive need compelled him to do so. He just wanted to be close to Lyra, deep in his heart, he wanted that.

Until then she dragged herself too much, and it was too risky. He didn't want himself to be swollen again, that would be a shame. One time was enough, especially when they were drunk. Many reasons can be used to argue because of this condition. But not if they did it this morning when they were both fully awake.

So before he got out of control, his eyes immediately opened, and he rebuked her. "What are you doing?" Damn it, why was his voice so hoarse? Did he sound like he wanted her right now? No, right? "Do you want to run away from responsibility?" he continued.

She was frightened and shocked, it was obvious. She jumped up, barely releasing them. Not wanting that to happen, he grabbed her by the waist and brought her closer again. At least they had to finish what they had to do.

"My…. My Lod!" Lyra immediately looked down in fear, her shoulders trembling, including her lips and fingers.

His eyes scanned her appearance. 'That's the shoulder I bitten last night,' he thought, watching the bite mark her bright skin. 'That fingers toyed with me last night until I gave up.' His gaze drifted to her fingers. 'Then those lips that I tasted last night.' He unconsciously swallowed, thirsty in an instant, especially after seeing her cleavage.

Rather than being embarrassed, he withdrew himself, releasing them completely. After all, she couldn't run now, especially now that he had the evidence.

"You know what you did to me, right?" he asked expressionlessly.

Stuttering, she didn't dare look him straight in the eye. L-let me get dressed first," she stuttered. After getting his approval, she put on her dress very quickly.

He looked away, his cheeks red and hot.

"Your mistake was fatal. I can no longer forgive you," he said after she had finished dressing. He also decided to put his clothes on, just in case he had to chase after her while she was running away.

"I… I must have been drunk last night, My Lord. I really don't remember what happened last night."

He walked over in a huff, then grabbed her by the shoulders. His eyes were fierce. Then he dug into her eyes, after pinching her chin and forcing their eyes to meet.

He tried to find the lie in her eyes, but unfortunately, he couldn't find it. He suddenly felt sick, his heart ached so much. So he was the only one who remembered what happened last night? Only he remembered how much they enjoyed it? Why did it feel like being dumped?

"Last night you fucked me. You took my first night." He stood up straight, showing his piercing eyes, then his strong jaw, and his pointed nostrils. The nostrils that had crossed her neck last night.

Once again stuttering, her weight seemed to increase drastically, accompanied by the strength of her knees yawning. She staggered, then hit the table, dumbfounded. "I… I…"

"I don't care if you don't remember what we did last night," he said pretending to be strong. "But you definitely see what happens to us when you wake up. We stick. You can't dodge anymore. So you have to get the punishment."

"I… I am guilty, My Lord." She fell to her knees, trembling. Her narrow and smooth shoulders seemed to be torn apart miserably. "I am indeed guilty of being negligent when drunk. B…but I beg you… please don't kill me. I still want to live, My Lord."

As expected, he smiled seeing his plan going smoothly.

"If you don't want to be executed, then what punishment do you want?"

Please, does anyone even expect a punishment? Of course, everyone expects forgiveness.

"You…. You are very wise and kind, My Lord. Any punishment deserves me. However, I beg that…"

"I will not forgive you," he interrupted. "Not after you did this to me."

Uh, that voice, that tone. She could understand it in her heart.

"You still have to be punished, whatever it is."

"Alright." Her face looked up, but her knees were still too heavy to support her. "I will accept any punishment, My Lord, as long as you don't kill me."

She thought what kind of punishment Duke Kleo would give her? She only thought that maybe she would become a servant in his palace, or perhaps become a laborer. After all, he didn't like women, so she was sure she wouldn't be asked to be his slave.

His steps drew closer to her, like the wind that brought the announcement of death. Her hands clenched into fists, her fingers pressing against her palms until they hurt a little. She rattled, not realizing how hard she was pushing herself.

"I will punish you to..."

Lyra listened intently, her heart racing like crazy.

"–marry me," he continued. "You must marry me," he said again, then suddenly left her when he heard someone knocking on the door.

Meanwhile, her body went limp, her eyes empty. Now her life is over. She had to accept the punishment, by marrying Duke Kleo. A normal marriage was already hell for her, and now she had to have a husband like Duke Kleo?

"Would I rather just die?" she whispered in a daze.

***