Myra and the Arcadian Lord

24. The punishment

Myra was sitting on the bed with her arms wrapped around her knees, staring into the space. A tear drop rolled down from her left eye as she thought about how her life had changed drastically over the past few days.
She felt completely lost and lonely.

Myra had no idea what she was getting into. Even when she was kicked out of her relatives house a week ago she hadn't felt this lonely, because at that time she was determined to find a way to survive alone, independently. But now all her confidence was draining away and she was starting to feel helpless.

The Lord and all the people she recently got acquainted with were all very kind towards her regardless of their social standing.

Lady Florence on the other hand was a very friendly person. Myra actually enjoyed shopping around with her, but at the same time she felt extremely guilty for using the Lord's money to buy a dress for herself. Even though the Lady had forced her to.

A knock on the door, snapped her out of her thoughts. The door opened before Myra could even respond. She quickly wiped her wet cheeks and turned to look at person who had stepped in.

Lord Theodore was standing by the door with one hand still gripping the door knob. He stared at her expressionless for a second before stepping completely inside the room and closing the door behind him.

Myra sat up properly on the bed when she saw the Lord in her room. She was expecting it to be Alvin or any one of the maids here to let her know that the Lord had returned back to the mansion, but certainly not the Lord himself.

"I heard from Alvin that you wished to see me?" he asked, dragging the stool away from the dressing table and sitting on it, next to the bed.

"Y-Yes, My Lord".

Lord Theodore had a very dominating aura around him. Myra started to feel a little intimidated.

Theodore raised his eyebrows, looking at her eye rim that had turned red. Before Myra could speak up again Theo asked, "Why were you crying?". Not beating around the bush.

Myra turned to look away from the Lord as his gaze was making her uncomfortable at the moment.

"Did anybody hurt you?", he questioned. "Or said anything that made you sad?"

Myra shook her head, refusing to look at him. Theodore exhaled audibly and touched her chin with his fingers and thumb so that she could look at him.

They stared at each other. His golden orange eyes bore into her brown ones, observing her closely as if trying to plunge deep into her soul. Myra felt as if she was in some kind of trance. The world around her seemed to pause and all she could see were a pair of mesmerizing golden orbs.

Theo smiled at her a moment later, breaking the eye contact, "Your eyes are very red", he said taking his hands away from her face.

"I'm sorry!" mumbled Myra, her eyes downcast.

Titling his head slightly to the right, he asked "Why? Did you do something wrong?"

Amyra nervously licked her lips, and pulled out the card from her dress pocket and handed it over to the lord. Theodore stared at the card in her hands before taking it from her.

"I didn't mean to spend your money Milord, but lady Florence forced me to buy a dress for myself" said Myra softly, still not looking up.

Theo, stared at her blankly before letting out an amused chuckle, shaking his head.

"Hmm... shall I punish you then?" he asked Myra with a serious expression, which had Myra lift her head up to look at the lord with wide eyes. He smirked at her before adding, "for spending my money?".

Hearing those words, tears started flowing out from her eyes. "I-I am so sorry, my lord" she started sobbing loudly.

"Let's see..." started the lord coolly, scratching his chin. Pretending to wonder about something. "Snowflakes ball" said the lord, a while later.

Myra frowned and wiped her tears. She stared at the lord with confusion. What does he mean by snowflake ball?

"You will wear your new dress and accompany me to the snowflakes ball" said Theodore gleefully, "That's your punishment".

She blinked, what did he just say?.

"Cry baby", she heard the Lord tease her, then he scrunched his nose in distaste, "You know how ugly you are looking right now? Just like a puffer fish, with your eyes swollen and all?".

Myra had an urge to roll her eyes at the Lords comment, but decided to ignore it.

"S-Snowflakes ball?" asked Myra curiously changing the topic.

She had never been to a social gathering before as her aunt Lyla had never let her go along with them, and she was surprised that the Arcardian Lord had asked her to join him, to one of those higher society functions. That too as a punishment?.

"Hmm.. you will be attending this party with me, next month" said Theodore, "and this year it is held in Wendyln".

Wendyln? Next month?.

She couldn't possibly stay in the lord's mansion for that long now, could she?. No! the earlier she got out of here, the better.

She was grateful for the kindness and hospitality that was shown by the Lord and the others, but she couldn't keep living like this forever. She was someone, the lord had rescued by chance and she was lucky enough to be allowed to stay here for two days as a guest, even though she was a complete stranger and not the Lord's relative. She didn't want to overstay her welcome.

Taking a deep breath, Myra decided to talk to the lord about her wanting to leave. "My Lord, I don't think I would stay here for that long".

Hearing this Theodore narrowed his eyes for a second before putting on a nonchalant expression.

"Is your stay not comfortable here?"

"No, My lord. It's been very comfortable actually", replied Myra.

Theodore interlocked his fingers and leaned forward, looking at her attentively. "Where are you planning to stay then?". His face gave out a bored look. As if her answer doesn't matter to him. "If you don't want to stay here?"

Myra pressed her lips in a thin line, staring at her hands that was resting on her lap. "Don't know" she muttered. The lord didn't react anything, just continued to stare at her.

"I was thinking of finding a job somewhere to support myself, perhaps?" she said doubtfully, mustering up the courage to lift her head up and look at the Lord.

The lord slowly nodded his head. "My Lord, you have been very generous towards me so far. I am extremely grateful for that" she said. "b-but, I can't stay here as a guest much longer. I am feeling as if I am freeloading in your mansion".

"What kind of job are you looking for?" Theodore asked her calmly.

Myra's palms were sweating and she nervously wiped it on her skirts. She squirmed uncomfortably sensing the Lord's intense gaze on her face.

"Ah.. I, uh!" she sputtered, "Any job that pays me well and is safe for me to work at. I can do household chores quiet well but I don't have any prior work experience".

"hmm.. " responded the lord, "I will try to find a decent job for you, that pays you well and comes with security and stay".

Myra sat up straight, listening to the his words with interest. "You are staying here until I find a proper employment for you", said Theodore standing up from the stool, he had been sitting on.

"Thank you, My Lord".

Theo nodded, and headed towards the door and opened it. Before walking out, he turned around saying, "but my punishment still applies. You are accompanying me to the ball". That said he walked out without a second glance.