The Tyrant Covets The S*ave - Chapter 3
Beher tried to avoid him as Lucai suddenly approached her. His hand was already gripping her chin. The hand, colder than ice, chilled her heart.
“I don’t like it.”
Came the bottomless voice.
He quickly lifted her chin and brought her face close to his. It was close enough that she could feel his breath. Her breath was hot.
He clenched his jaw and looked at Beher’s face. He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. Beher flinched as coldness added to the flesh that had not yet melted. Her heart began to pound.
A strand of red hair from one side of her face came down her neck in a leisurely motion.
“A smart woman is bound to throw a spark at some point.”
His thick lips moved slowly. Beher couldn’t even bring herself to hit his hand, knowing how nervous his every word made her.
Every time he moved his finger, a shiver ran through her entire body.
“But…it won’t be interfering with my plans.”
Plans?
“Do you know the rumors about the Emperor?”
A fact that only a few people in the Vitan Empire knew, and one of them was Beher.
“I know he’s not in good health.”
At that moment, Lucai revealed his murderous intent. However, he quickly suppressed it, as if he had other pressing matters to attend to at the moment.
“Perhaps he will collapse soon and the current Crown Prince will take over the throne.”
Beher wondered why he was suddenly saying this, but something about it made her feel uneasy.
“His Majesty has asked me to do one thing. I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I am in no position to refuse.”
It was unsettling every time his mouth parted near her. Soon he delivered the final blow.
“Become the Grand Duchess.”
“….”
Beher’s anxiety had become a reality. What did he just say? Her innocent eyes shook.
Silence flowed between them, and Lucai came closer, more generously, as if he had no intention of letting her go. He leaned on the couch. She felt completely trapped by him.
He didn’t look like a man who would joke around. But Beher couldn’t believe what he had just said either.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Your Highness.”
She thought it was better to get rid of him for now.
“I want you to be a puppet by my side.”
His red eyes exactly headed to Beher’s eyes. He was staring at the prey without a single blink.
“I refuse.”
Beher had no intention of accepting this silly offer. She would have obeyed unconditionally if he made her do chores. This was different, there were many things she would have to give up if she got married, and she might even have to face her father.
Goosebumps broke out all over my body. Absolutely no way that could happen. How could she have escaped!
Her expression came into full view. Lucai, who had been watching her, was dissatisfied with her answer.
“This is not a deal, it’s an order. Do you understand?”
His voice was chillingly cold.
Beher had forgotten the fact that she was a slave. This man had bought a woman named Beher and now had the authority to bend her at will.
Her habits from when she was an Imperial Princess didn’t go away easily, making her act like a noble even after her fall to the status of a slave.
Beher looked at Lucai’s red eyes and realized. It was not easy to get away from this man, that was the fact.
Beher was troubled for a while. How can she get out of this crisis? How can she put the blade on her father’s neck?
The Grand Duke….
Commander of the Order…
At that moment, a crazy plan came to her mind.
If only she could stay close to this man and avoid her father’s eyes…she would still be free, and one day she might have the opportunity to avenge her father.
But…she had the status of a slave. she wondered if the man with the Grand Duke’s name would really listen to her.
She didn’t know how great the ‘Grand Duchess’ could do, but Beher’s eyes lit up as if she had already made a vow.
Whether she dies here or is taken to the Empire to die, it will all end up the same.
“What will you give me if I accept your marriage?”
She knew it was a foolish question, but she had no choice in the matter. It was obvious where she was going was the cliff edge. If she retreated further back, she would only die. Grand Duke Lucai’s expression was subtle. He looked cold, but acted as if he didn’t hear her. She could see his lips moving.
“Hahaha! You dare to propose a deal to me? You’re a slave. You know exactly what your position is now. Or are you still arrogant enough to think you’re a noble?”
Lucai burst out laughing as if dumbfounded. Beher was horrified at the sight of him.
“The only reason why I want to keep you, a non-aristocrat, by my side is because I just need a woman I can control at will. The reason I bought you at such a high price was to deceive the Emperor. You’re just the right person for the job because you don’t tremble in front of me. What do you think? Will you be forced to stay by my side? If not, will you stay with me yourself? By the way, there is no choice for you. The only difference is whether I will give you your freedom or not.”
He threatened her. If she doesn’t behave obediently, she will be quite far from the shackles of freedom. She couldn’t just retreat here.
“…I know it well. I will stay quietly by your side. I will try to be the doll you want me to be. So, you will compensate me when I complete my work perfectly.”
Her voice must have trembled. He probably noticed it, since he was a man who caught even the slightest tremor. Even as she left here, she had to avoid her father’s pursuit. On her way escaping, she was caught by slave traders and avoided their pursuit, but how long will she be able to hide like this? Now she had to rely on someone else.
“That’s funny. I can’t believe the slave is asking the Grand Duke for compensation…”
Lucai stared at her. His gaze was piercingly cold.
”Slave girls are easy to get wherever you go.”
‘Will I be cast out like this?’ Beher steeled herself.
She might leave and live the rest of her life as a fugitive. She hated that, but then again, it was a better life than being in her father’s hands, so she had no choice.
“But…”
“…?”
“It’s not easy to get hold of a slave who was a nobleman.”
Lucai’s red eyes flashed. He stared feverishly at Beher. It was as if he wished for something deeper.
“All right, then. Let’s hear it for now. What rewards do you want?”
This was an opportunity. Beher opened her mouth, straightening her dazed mind.
“First of all, if I accomplish the job successfully, please give me enough money to live for the rest of my life.”
“…Hmm, and?”
“If I complete the job first, will you break off the marriage?”
“Of course. I don’t want to live the rest of my life holding only one woman, either.”
“…There’s someone tracking me. If that person appears in front of me, please protect me.”
Yes, this will work. She told him more than she first thought, and he may kick her out without a second thought.
‘Let’s find a way to take revenge by hiding next to him for a moment.’
Lucai thought for a moment, then he sat down beside her.
“…It’s boring.”
“….”
“I’ll reward you with an abundance of money. Secondly..I don’t know who your enemy is, but when I see him, I’ll show you his blood.”
Seeing that he accepted her conditions, he seemed to be in quite a hurry.
Hopefully, Beher will be able to draw a tremendous amount of people to her side for a time. She had to pull her father down or rather prevent him from committing any evil again.
She thought everything would turn out smoothly.
“……, but you, too, must accept whatever I want. Let me be clear. You don’t have a choice in the matter.”
“What does that mean?”
“You’re a puppet, aren’t you? You are a living doll. So as my wife, you have to be faithful in your duties as well.”
“What do you mean by that?”
‘What is he talking about?’
Beher asked back with a moxie. Is there anything else besides playing as his wife?
Beher pondered for a while to interpret what he had said. In the meantime, a dark shadow loomed over her.
Before she could get used to the shadow, a large hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her.
“Are you going to avoid me with a pure face?”
“…What?”
“A twenty year old woman should know what I meant. The work between men and women.”
………………The work between men and women.
At that moment, something crossed Beher’s mind. It was an unnecessary part of her life. Something she had never experienced, and this man was telling her to experience it.
Lucai’s hand tightened. Pressure was applied to her slender waist. Humidity was added to her red hair and their gazes collided.
“…Answer.”
Beher faltered in his pursuit. He looked down at her and moved close enough that she could feel his breath. But due to his grip on her waist, she couldn’t retreat.
He didn’t give her time to think, and Beher had to make a decision right away.
“I….”
Yes, she won’t get whipped if she’s in this man’s arms. Since she’ll be Grand Duchess, he probably wouldn’t beat her recklessly. She won’t have to go to war, and most importantly….this man will protect her.
She wanted to hold the hand of a bracken. She wanted to be free. Now she finally has the chance to have it. The moment she lets this go, her life will turn dark again.
‘I don’t want that!’
She didn’t want to be beaten any more. She wanted to be a free soul. If she can get them with this body, she will be willing to give it.
Lucai sensed that Beher’s reaction was unusual, and he lifted her face, his red eyes glowing.
“If you refuse, I’ll do whatever I want.”
His breathing was gradually getting closer. It was thick and the scent of the man tickled her nose.