Hypnotism

"Lily, you should let go the hand of little Blaze," we were at the entrance of the Mansion saying goodbye to Madam Thorne and her sons, but little Lily had been holding Blaze's hand, not wanting to let go. I could even see her big, beautiful eyes turning teary when we announced our departure to the Capital. I felt so bad and my heart almost started crying. Can't I keep her?

"No! I want to go with them," she looked at us with those big eyes asking us to let her come. "Can I, please? I will be a good girl, sister Lucia, I promise."

"Lily… you can't," Madam Thorne took Lily's hand.

"But…" her big eyes were making my heart melt. Can I take her with me? I looked at Irina, but she just sighed.

"Little Lily, we will return soon, I promise." Irina patted her head.

"Master Irina, are you sure?" her big bright eyes blinked with those incredible eyelashes of hers.

"Yes."

"Blaze?" Her little head turned to look at the indifferent eyes of this uncaring disciple of mine.

"Mmm"

"Blaze? You would come for me, right?"

"…"

"Blaze? Turn your head a little," Lily was infatuated with Blaze from the moment she saw him, but the damn brat was ignoring her, or so I thought. However, little Lily didn't care and when he turned his head, she gave him a little peck on his lips. I saw him. Yes, I saw him going red to his ears... kya!

"Lily!"

Madam Thorne was stunned by her daughter's boldness.

"Who taught you that? How could a lady behave that way?" Madame Thorne was getting red in the cheeks. "Young Master Blaze, please don't mind her. Hurry Lily, apologize."

"But Mom… I saw sister Lucia do that to the Duke."

Me? When? I am not to be defamed. I hold my reputation high. However, I felt all of their gazes fell on me, even a collective sigh. I then turned to see the Duke smirking shamelessly caressing my hand.

"Miss Lucia, you should behave like a lady, what are you teaching the kids."

"Irina, I didn't… I assure you…"

"Sister Lucia, I saw you sitting in his lap and kissing him. You said that you were his master and he just needed to obey you. Then if I kiss Blaze, he should also obey me, right?" Her eyes were sparkling and were making it for me difficult to say no to her innocent words. "Sister Lucia?"

"Lily!" Again, Madam Thorne was flustered. "That…"

"That… I was not in my right mind… Lily, please don't imitate me."

"It is true, little girl, I am under her orders, and for another kiss, I will forever be hers," the Duke's voice came like a whisper to my ear and stayed inside my mind. His beautiful smile always make me enter in a daze. How does he do that?

"Then I am Lily's forever too." The cute voice of Blaze woke me up.

"You too Blaze?"

"I should take the teachings from Master Lucia very seriously."

"…" Are you kidding me brat? You are just taking advantage of the situation. It is obvious that the one falling into the trap is little Lily. Irina, we should do something, we can't let bunny Lily be eaten by this little predator. Irina? Why are you looking at them with hearts in your eyes? Gosh, Irina! How shameless!

"Love, let's go." My darling took my hand and led me to the carriage… *blush*

"Love? Who are you talking to?"

"To you, of course." He showed me his dimples and smiled. "My love." Then he kissed my hand.

"…" Again, I am defenseless. This man has grown to be such a shameless man. But, why am I smiling?

Three hours in the carriage, it is fricking torture. The man sleeping in my lap is so good looking and my three hours of sketching his face in my mind were not enough, I so wanted to touch him. My fingers were already moving to his soft hair and pointy nose, then to his lips. I should just kiss him. He is mine after all.

I leaned my face to touch him and kiss his lips softly. The feeling was so lovely. I moved my mouth a bit more caressing his lips, but then something strange happened. The man was moving his mouth and his tongue too. We stayed like that for a few seconds while he pushed my head to him.

"Mmmm… you were supposed to be asleep."

"You were staring too much." He smiled again. "and I couldn't fall asleep like that."

"…" I bit my lips.

Then I heard Irina calling alarmingly from the other carriage. My senses sharpened and I felt ten human bodies following us.

"Miss Lucia!"

"I know… I will take care of them." I narrowed my eyes and some shadows were starting to form above us but then I felt my hand being squeezed by him.

"Stop. They are my men." He smiled.

"Your men?"

"Yes, you've met them before, from that time."

"The knights from before?"

"Yes, they wanted to greet you."

"Why?"

"Of course, because you are their mistress."

"What?"

"Darling, you are my master, so it is normal for them to greet you."

"Oh, right."

This man is sweet-talking me. How can he think that I don't notice his intentions? Those knights are escorting us to the Capital with the clear intention to make everyone know that the Great Duke of Docrem is arriving… with his fiancée.

"Miss Irina!" I hear a familiar voice. Is it Elton?

The whole group of knights wearing their shining white armors surrounded our carriage. They created an incredible sight with their tall horses and their shields against the light. They looked quite proud and happy, so different from the first time we traveled together. I hope we don't find bandits on the road again. But, some blood won't be bad. Come on bandits, thieves, armies, or mercenaries from some secret villain, or whoever is hidden in the forest, come, come for dinner time.

"Don't worry Miss Lucia and Miss Irina, a group of bandits was about to attack us, but we disposed of them before they could strike. You can travel without worries." Sir Elton's voice was full of pride and enthusiasm. I couldn't just bring myself to throw him out of his horse. I just couldn't. I am a good person.

Some chuckling came to my ears. The Duke was laughing at my face but I felt myself drowning in a daze whenever I see his beautiful dimples. Why is this? I should be angry at him but…

"Come here!" I ordered while guiding him with my finger. "How dare you laugh at me, your Master? Say, how should I punish you?" I raised his chiseled chin and caressed his cheek. His eyes showed me so much gentleness and I could feel his heart beating so fast. He was happy. How shameless of him to be happy when I was about to punish him.

Then I pressed him under me and claimed his lips in a rapid movement. My mind was slowly turning off and I think we were making a bit of noise because the knights knocked on the window asking if we were okay, but of course, we were fine, very very fine.

*** Miriam ***

The Capital of Docrem was a bustling city. The markets opened early and the social events started from sharing a breakfast to the early morning tea. Whoever had lived in Docrem could tell that the Capital was a place where business flourished and families bloomed. Even other countries could only admire and compliment the Capital of Docrem. The beautiful structure of the streets leading to the main plaza and a bit further to the amazing Palace that was just in the middle while the gardens and lakes that were mixing with the urban life of the city will make an amazing memory for any person walking within the Capital.

The city planning was conceived many years before the establishment of the Country. Several tall walls and fortresses surrounded the city, protecting the inhabitants from sudden enemies attacks on the past wars were connected with underground tunnels that extended to the main doors of the city and the Royal Palace. However, their initial purpose was now obsolete thanks to the peace treaties and the achievements of the Duke and many years of battles to suppress the wild tribes.

Nowadays, the tunnels were now used as a route of transport to not maim the beauty of the city above with the bustling of the carriages and people. While someone could take hours admiring the magnificence of the city, the underground tunnels were a bustling zone for the merchants and an efficient way of transport.

However, one path was reserved for the people inside the palace that were filled with work every day. Especially one person, a woman with beautiful but smart blue eyes and long black hair. The Queen of Docrem and the older sister of the Duke.

Knock… knock

Sir Thomas arrived at the Royal study room very early prepared to give his report to the Queen. When she gave permission he stood before the desk of the great Queen Miriam after making a respectful bow. After all, she was the first woman to carry the crown of the Kingdom but now the most powerful person in the whole continent.

"Did you call, Your Majesty?" Sir Thomas made a reverence and looked up again at the Queen focused in a document among many others sprawled on her desk.

"Where did my brother run off?" She didn't look up as she was reading very carefully the report on her hand.

"Our last reports said that he went to a village near the South Frontier. It is called Greenfort."

"Why?" She looked up at the knight. She couldn't understand her brother for the last months. He was acting out of his usual self. She was accustomed to his cold and indifferent personality but these past months she saw him looking at a picture with gentleness and sadness, too much different from his usual behavior.

"He went to meet a friend. He is on his way back, Your Highness."

"Great, how about the party? Did all the ladies came?"

"Yes."

She stood up and went to the window looking outside. She organized the ball for her brother to let him achieve a bit of happiness like herself but the man was being difficult rejecting every candidate she introduced to him, so she had to force him a little.

"How about the Kingdom of Crotia."

"All the ladies available are already here."

"The one called Rebecca."

"Yes, she will be present at the dance."

"What about the one from Outan."

"She is here… but…"

"But?" She raised her brow and turned around.

"She demands an audience with your Majesty." The knight sighed, he didn't want to deal with the capricious woman outside. She has been requesting an audience for many days now. "She has been waiting every day, my Queen."

"Sigh… Let her in" she went to her seat again.

"Yes, your highness."