Summoned by a Pretend Villainess

67. Magic beast

She stayed in Kyden's arms even after her tears had gone away. The latter kept on combing her long black hair with one hand while the other was patting her back. It was so gentle, that she thought a little bit of rocking would put her to sleep.

The only thing that was keeping her awake was the loud beating of a heart. The sounds echoed in her ears, and she couldn't help but smile and feel warm.

She felt giddy and happy to know she was the reason for his drumming heart. She snuggled more to hear louder.

"It was beating like crazy because someone's sending daggers on me."

She heard him speak and felt embarrassed to know that he caught what she was thinking. And his voice was laced with tease and humor. But when all his words finally registered in her heart-filled brain, she pushed him lightly to look at his face.

With her brows furrowed in confusion, she asked the Grand Duke who stared at her with sparks in his eyes and a satisfied grin on his face, "W-What....a-again?"

Heat rose in her cheeks when she stuttered to speak. She was completely dazed in wonderland and muddled brain, too happy to the point of being dumb and stupid.

Kyden chuckled and hugged her again, hiding her face on his shoulders.

"The marquess is coming this way. With his frightening eyes."

"W-What? Then, let me go..."

"You wouldn't want to see his face. He's like a bull fuming on its nose."

Before she could react to his obvious insult to her own brother, the sound of heavy footsteps caught her attention. But due to the Grand Duke's embrace, turning around to witness his brother's angry face is impossible.

"A phoenix came into your office with a letter in its beak. It won't leave unless it was you who received it." Luven spat as soon as he reached them. His voice is filled with annoyance and impatience.

But Kyden only hugged her more and answered in a lax manner, "Then it means it can wait until I'm free."

"It seems important," Luven answered abruptly, emphasizing the last word.

She knew that the Grand Duke would keep irritating her brother until he exploded, so Mona immediately slipped down to free herself. Taking a step backward, she looked at Kyden telling him to attend to the matter quickly.

It seems that the letter must really be important since he no longer argued with her brother and nodded at her.

"I'll be back. Look out for your sister." He said to Luven and went on his way.

"Tsk. He doesn't need to tell me that." The latter replied sourly.

Mona's eyes followed the Grand Duke's retreating image until it disappeared from her sight.

"It's not like he's going somewhere."

She turned her head and found Luven showing an annoyed expression. She thought of a puppy sulking after being deceived of receiving treats, from his slightly pouted lips.

"Did he already propose?" He asked.

"Propose?" Asking him with confusion in her eyes.

"Marriage."

Hearing his answer, she couldn't help but gawk at him.

"Why would you think about marriage already?"

Luven stared at her for a minute, before he answered, "I don't think the Grand Duke is someone who would waste time dilly-dallying after discovering a precious gem."