haphephobia. ∿ d. agriche.

四

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MADNESS

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She found herself thinking more and more about him in the past twenty days they haven't seen each other.

Her lips still seemed very warm from his own soft warm ones, the mere feeling of his lips had made her gone so much as half mad so damn easily it was terrifying.

It took every bit of her strength not to want to just barge into the male Agriche's home and ask for more. Not that she could anyway. After the party, Duke Armani grew more protective and she was condemned to the company of her stubborn family's stupid decisions.

"Lady Areum, rouse yourself please." The voice came from her ever so assisting maid, Veronica. "Please my lady, your father wishes to talk with you." She spoke softly but her tone was firm.

Areum stands, stretching her arms upward. Her cool blue eyes shining in the morning sun. "Very well, please tell my father I'll be there in a few minutes."

"I'm sorry, my lady but your father wishes for you now." Veronica replied calmly. This was the only thing she liked about this maid, she was calm, collected and completely firm in her orders. Though sometimes it was too much of an annoyance.

She nods, swinging her feet off the bed and onto the soft carpeted ground. "Alright then." She mumbled, grabbing a robe to cover herself as she walked along with Veronica.

Her hues glance at the female servant, trying to figure out what she was thinking. It was an odd thing to do but in this manhwa, it's so hard to figure out what everyone was thinking, whether they were the main characters or just small ones such as servants it was terribly hard to read their expressions.

Once they reach the front of her father's office, the door was opened immediately and inside was a sight to behold. Lant Agriche sat by the aide of her duke father, Duke Armani seemingly looking threatened by the presence of Lant. A cloaked figure was behind her father, hand on their sword. She assumed it was Dion.

She steps inside, her sapphire eyes stare firmly at her father and back at the head of the most feared house. "Good morning, my lord." She bowed slightly at the duke.

"Good morning, dear Areum." His red eyes seem to fill with disgusting desire towards her as he stepped forth to kiss her hand. The feeling of his lips against her skin was completely disgusting to her thought. "I trust you slept well?"

"Indeed, thank you for asking." She spoke gently, her demeanor seemed so fearless to everyone in the room. Little did they know that inside she was everything but fearless. All she felt inside was panic. Extreme panic. Her heartbeat picked up a very abnormal race.

"Very well then. Dion, escort Lady Areum out of here for now. The duke and I would like to chat a little." And just like that she is left alone with Dion Agriche once more.

Dion stands there, awkwardly tense right next to her. The two did not speak of the kiss they had shared and just stood there staring at an open space.

"So... What are you doing here?" She finally asks, trying to break the tension between them.

"You know exactly why." It was a deadpanned response and he was right. She did know. This was a threatening manner between the families to bring back the broken alliance that came down months ago.

"Your father is right for not agreeing to give peace to us once more." Dion suddenly states, this statement makes her head whip to look at him in a stunned sort of way.

"Why?" She asks tentatively, knowing better than to rush her words in informal mannerisms.

"Because my father wants Roxana to wed your older brother." "But my older brother has a-" "Exactly." Dion cuts her off and simply gives her what she takes for a glare.

"I see..." She stops and stays quiet. "But my older brother and father is no Lant Agriche as to marry two women while still having the other."

"I know, dumbass. Which is why your father broke the alliance." Dion responds, irritation now lacing his normally monotone voice. She was probably getting on his nerves now.

"So what do we do?" She finally asks, knowing the answer all too well.

"What if we tell them that I am marrying you instead?"