Myra just couldn't digest what she was seeing.
The man standing before her was the Arcadian Lord—but at the same time, he was also the demon stranger she had met on the abandoned road near her native village just days ago.
He was the same man who had killed three people right before her eyes. She shuddered at the memory.
"So you recognized me, huh?" asked he demon lord in a low timbre voice. He sauntered forward and sank into the chair opposite her, as if he owned not just the room, but the air in it.
Myra couldn't get any words out of her mouth and found herself nodding her head.
The word gorgeous didn't even come close to describing him. He looked like the devil reincarnated — messy black hair, piercing orangish eyes, a straight nose, firm lips, and a sharply chiselled jaw. Her heart rate spiked just from looking at him.
"What are you doing here in Terracota?" he asked, reclining back into the chair with a grace that was both lazy and deliberate. He crossed one leg over the other in a figure-four position. "Weren't you living in Fidora?"
Myra gulped. He looked powerful, Dangerous and Dominant.
Taking a deep breath, she answered. "I came here in search of a work opportunity".
Lord Theodore raised an eyebrow, his expression mildly amused. "All alone?"
Myra presses her lips in a thin line. "Yes"
"What about your family?" Theodore interrogated her further.
Even though he was the Lord, it was none of his business to bother about other people's life. He never cared about anyone either, but this girl was different. There was something about her that made him curious.
The young lady, sitting before him seemed to be a human, but when he had done some background check on her, he had found out that she was a Pseudoborn and that her mother was none other than Grace Hackathorn.
Theodore personally hadn't met Grace, but had seen her portrait when he had visited the Hackathorn household five years ago. He had heard tittle-tattles among people, that Mr. Hackathorn's only daughter had eloped with a human servent.
Even though Theodore knew everything about her, he just wanted to hear her version of the story from her mouth.
Myra inhaled, She didn't want to tell him everything about her. Even though he was the Lord and that he had saved her life, he was still a stranger to her.
"umm.. my parents passed away when I was seven and I was living with my paternal uncle until last week" answered Myra vaguely, not giving away much details.
The Lord just hummed and was silent for a while.
"Were you headed to the Swanson's to find an employment?".
"Yes" replied Myra and hastily added, "Thank you for the hospitality My Lord, but I-I will be leaving early in the morning, tomorrow".
Theodore lowered his leg and leaned forward, folding his fingers together. "Why?"
Myra frowned. What does he mean, why?
"Do you have a place to stay?" he asked, his gaze sharp.
She shook her head. If only those thugs had not attacked her, she would have had a job by now and would have at least tried to settle down.
Theodore raised a brow, almost scoffing inwardly. How reckless. Did she even realize how vulnerable she was? Alone, with no money, no protection — just a pretty face and blind hope. The world would eat her alive.
"You're staying here," he declared, rising from his seat with an air of finality.
"But—"
"Don't you like my house?" he asked, pouring himself another drink without looking at her. "Don't you like... staying with me?"
"I-I do, but—"
"Then it's settled then, you are staying", he cut in, not giving her an opportunity to complete her sentence.
"My Lord... you can't just decide things for people," Myra whispered, mustering a flicker of courage. "I didn't ask you to —"
But the moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
Theodore paused mid-sip.
What are you doing, Myra? He's the Arcadian Lord. He saved you. You can't talk back to him like that. What if he kills you too—like those men in Fidora?
She mentally scolded herself.
Theodore set his glass down slowly and strode toward her. In three swift steps, he was towering above her, arms braced on either side of the chair, caging her in. Myra instinctively leaned back, breath caught in her throat.
She had never been in this close proximity with a man before, especially not with a good looking demon.
"I saved your life," he said softly, dangerously. "And I won't be there to save you the next time. I have better things to do"
Myra gulped. Theodore smiled — a fake,humorless one, for a mere second before his face went blank.
"Answer me. Do you want to be attacked by muggers again?" he asked, his orangish-golden eyes locked onto hers. There was something magnetic in his gaze that drew her in.
Mesmerized, she slowly shook her head.
"Do you have enough money to survive alone?".
Again Myra shook her head. Theodore smiled arrogantly.
"Will you stay, then?"
Myra nodded before she even realized it. It felt like he was hypnotizing her.
He leaned closer, his head near her cheek. Myra felt his warm breath brush her skin. When she turned to glance at him, her heart did a small somersault. Swallowing hard, she realized her throat had gone dry.
"Good girl," Theodore murmured, his voice low, breath fanning her cheek.
Myra couldn't think, all she could currently do was to concentrate on her breathing. She became acutely aware of the Lord's strong, male presence next to her. The temperature in the room suddenly seemed to get hotter.
His closeness clouded her thoughts. Theodore noticed the blush rising on her cheeks and smirked.
"Don't worry," he said, straightening up, "I don't bite… unless asked."
Myra's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly averted her gaze.
"That's… not how consent works, my Lord," she said cautiously, keeping her tone as polite as possible. It could be dangerous to offend a man like him.
He chuckled lowly, tucking both hands into his pockets. "You're feisty. I like that."
Tilting his head, he added, "Do you know how many would kill for this chance? And you're arguing?"
"Because I'm not one of them," she said quietly, unable to hide the bite in her tone.
Ah. This Lord... he was triggering emotions she didn't want to feel. He was manipulative — and worst of all, succeeding in getting a reaction from her.
"Mm," he hummed. "We'll see about that."
Then he clapped twice. The butler appeared, as if summoned from thin air, and bowed.
"Alvin, Myra will be staying with us from now on", declared the Lord.
"Yes, my Lord"
Myra sighed, there goes all her dreams of staying independently without having to rely on anyone into the gutter.
"Make all the arrangements for her stay here" She heard Lord Theodore say.
Theodore, gazed at Myra for a mere second before turning to face the butler, "and escort the lady back to her chamber".
Myra stood and curtsied. Theodore took her hand and lightly kissed the back of her palm.
"Have a good night."
After wishing the Lord back, Myra obediently followed the butler, to her bed chamber.
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