Marked by her?

"I mean, how much money do you need to get away from my daughter?" Lyra asked, her voice low and almost sultry, as she sat down on the plush chair. She crossed her legs in a deliberate, slow motion that accentuated the long, slender lines of her legs. 

"I see..." Eli responded, his tone serious as he matched her gaze. He took a seat across from her, leaning forward slightly, his eyes never leaving hers. "How much can you give?"

"Ara~Ara~" Lyra's lips curled into a seductive smile, thinking, 'At the end of the day, money speaks more.' She allowed a moment of silence to hang between them before she said, "10,000 Nex coins, which are almost 1000 Golden coins."

In Avalon Nexus Academia, they used Nex Coins, digital currency. One Nex Coin was equivalent to ten Golden coins, enough for a soulless villager to live comfortably for the rest of their life.

"And I can provide you with 5 acres of prime farmland," Lyra added, her voice unwavering.

"Looks like you did your homework... Ms. Lyra Fox," Eli nodded, surprised at how much she knew about him.

Lyra smirked, her fingers flicking with practised ease as a few documents appeared in her hand. She tossed them at Eli with a casual grace. "Sign the contract and get out of my house," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Eli picked up the contract, his eyes scanning the pages before he looked back at Lyra. "What do you know about me?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean, what are the things you know about me?" Eli asked, leaning closer, his curiosity piqued.

Lyra's expression remained composed, though a flicker of something unreadable passed through her eyes. "Your name is Eli, you came from Dawn's Paragon Kingdom..." She continued to list everything she knew about his recent activities at the Academia.

"Okay... then?" Eli pressed, his curiosity deepening.

"Hmm?"

"I mean, who am I, to begin with? You mentioned everything that happened here, but what about my background and all?" he asked, his eyes probing for any hint of her knowledge.

Lyra's silence spoke volumes. She didn't know, and it unnerved her. This man's background was a mystery, one that eluded even her extensive resources. There wasn't a single piece of information about him in the database, which made her wary and alert.

"Nothing?" Eli's tone held a mix of haughtiness and arrogance that made Lyra's lips twitch in annoyance. "Boy, you're still alive because I let you live. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a single piece of you left here."

Eli laughed, a rich, deep sound that filled the room. "Hahaha..."

"What's funny?" Lyra asked, her frown deepening.

"Hmm... nothing," Eli said, standing up and moving towards her. Lyra's body tensed, her senses on high alert. He sat on the edge of the table, his eyes locked onto hers. "Now I understand why Amber is so fierce... must be your teaching," he said, his hand reaching out as if to caress her cheek. Lyra swatted his hand away, her snort filled with disdain.

"Of course, that's my daughter!"

"Hmmm..." Eli nodded, leaning even closer. "Do you have a husband?"

"What are you mumbling about?" Lyra's frown returned, a mix of confusion and irritation.

"It's just... you're an interesting woman," Eli said, his eyes darkening with desire as they roamed over her features.

"Interesting woman?"

"Yeah..." Eli's gaze dropped to her lips, which were temptingly close. "Anyhow, I'm not interested in money."

"Then what are you interested in?" Lyra asked, her arms folding protectively over her chest.

"What am I interested in? What could it be?" Eli mused, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Suddenly, he asked, "Why don't you have a dance with me?"

"Huh?" Lyra's confusion was evident.

"I mean, I might remember what I'm interested in once I dance with a beautiful woman like you," Eli said, extending his hand towards her.

Lyra hesitated, knowing he was bullshitting, but his earnest eyes pleaded with her. "Pretty please! I will leave tomorrow if you give me a single dance."

With a sigh, Lyra shrugged, deciding to indulge him for a moment. She wanted to see what he was planning. "Touch me inappropriately, and I will cut you," she warned, her eyes flashing dangerously.

"Even though you touched and rubbed me earlier," Eli teased.

Lyra's ears twitched, and a blush crept up her cheeks. "Don't talk about that! It was a mistake!"

"Okay!" Eli grinned, taking her hand. He slowly wrapped one hand around her curvy hips while the other held her hand. They moved together, their bodies close, the heat between them palpable.

Lyra sighed, following his lead. There was no music, no lights, just the soft rustle of their movements. She didn't say anything, simply allowing herself to be led.

Suddenly, Eli asked, "Why did you agree to dance with me?"

"Hmm?" Lyra tilted her head, her eyes meeting his.

"I mean, you were pretty serious about cutting me into pieces, and now you're calmly dancing with me?" Eli questioned, his curiosity genuine.

Lyra understood and replied, "Well, you did say you would leave us, right?"

"Oh! You really love your daughter, don't you?" Eli smiled as he understood her, pulling her closer, their bodies almost touching.

"Of course, I love my daughter more than anything. If I killed you, she would most likely be pissed off at me, so I'd rather avoid unnecessary problems between my daughter and me as she is the only family I have," Lyra admitted.

Eli's smile widened. Hearing 'only family,' he felt a connection. He increased the pace, his movements more intimate. "That's why you're worried I'll take her away from you?"

"No, one day or another, she would surely leave the nest..."

"Then?"

"It's just that I don't want her to be a mistress or concubine," Lyra said, glancing at Eli's ring.

"I see..." Eli nodded, understanding her concerns. "You're really a lovely mother," he whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

"!!!" Lyra flinched, realizing how close they were. 'When did I get this close?' she wondered. Just as she was about to pull away, Eli swirled her around, dipping her low. "I'd love to have this lovely mother to myself!" he declared.

Lyra pushed him away, glaring. "Leave before I see you tomorrow morning," she ordered, retreating to her room.

'Shit! Maybe I shouldn't have pushed her too much!' Eli thought, clicking his tongue in frustration.

The next morning,

"Eli?"

Knock, knock.

"Eli?"

Hearing nothing, Amber blushed slightly before slowly entering his room. She wanted to surprise him, but when she opened the door, the room was empty. She frowned, noticing a small note on the bed:

/Thank you, Cake!/

"Mom!" She stormed downstairs, glaring at her mother. Just as her mother knew about her, she also knew about her mother's manipulative tendencies. "What did you do?"

Lyra simply shrugged, saying, "We made a deal."

"... What deal?"

"...."

"MOM!!"

"Sigh, Amber," Lyra's face turned serious. "He is a soulless and a commoner... heck, we don't even know who he was to begin with. I cannot allow my daughter to be friends with that kind of character. He might be dangerous!"

Amber glared at her mother, slamming the table in frustration before storming off to her room with an angry expression.

"...." Lyra watched her go, her heart heavy, 'I cannot let a man inside who was marked by 'Her'!' she thought, a sense of dread settling over her.