The Devil's Betrothed-Chapter 726: I Want To Know You

"Lord Rainier?" she called out, moving forward in an attempt to free herself, but Lucian’s free hand circled around her waist, pulling her back firmly against his chest.

She could feel his breath over her head, his wild heartbeat thumping against her back, sending a shiver down her spine. This was more than just being close—why wasn’t he letting her go?

"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice edged with confusion.

"I don’t want you to leave," she heard him say, his deep voice resonating straight through to her heart.

Her brows knitted in frustration. "Lord Rainier—"

"Lucian," he interrupted her softly. "I’d like you to call me by my name like you used to."

"That wouldn’t be appropriate. You’re a lord now."

"And this lord is giving you permission to call him by his name."

She gritted her teeth, irritation flaring inside her. What right does this man have to act this way now?

"Call you by your name?" she repeated, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sure. Once I marry Aaron and we become family, I’ll call you by your name—as my husband’s younger brother. Until then, you’ll have to wait." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

As soon as she said it, she felt his hands around her tremble slightly. "Why do you want to marry him?" he asked, his voice low.

"Everyone marries someone," she replied curtly.

"But you’re not the type to do things just because others do, or because you’re told to."

"Don’t pretend you know me just because you were once my bodyguard. You know nothing at all."

"Then tell me. I want to know you."

"Once we’re family, you’ll know me anyway," she bit out, gritting her teeth. "Now let me go."

"I don’t want to."

She clenched her fists, feeling frustration boil over. What kind of stubbornness was this?

"Lucian!" she exclaimed angrily. "Let me go."

Lucian finally loosened his hold, and she immediately stepped away from him. Without turning to look back, she said, "Don’t ever do this to me again," and walked away.

Lucian watched her retreating figure, the urge to go after her and stop her burning inside him. But she was angry, and letting her go felt like the right thing to do. He looked down at his hand, the lingering warmth of her presence still vivid on his skin.

----

In the open lounge on the first floor, Rina was sitting with all the men, munching happily. "These berries are so tasty. I can’t stop eating them."

"Don’t end up choking," Rowan warned. "We don’t want anything to happen to a sweet lady like you, who makes up for her brother’s annoying presence with her own sweetness."

"He is a little annoying... umm... but he’s also the best man you’ll ever find," Rina said. "My brother cares for everyone."

"Hah?" Arthur chuckled. "All I remember hearing from you is how mean he is, and now you’ve changed your tune."

"Both things are true. He is mean, but he’s also the best man," she replied earnestly.

Arthur could only smile helplessly. "I thought someone called the ’best man’ wouldn’t have any shortcomings."

"Where is Erin?" Rafal asked, noticing Rina sitting alone.

"Umm," Rina mumbled through her mouthful of berries. "She’s having a spar with my brother."

Rowan and Rafal exchanged surprised glances, and the others looked equally taken aback.

Just then, Erin entered the lounge, looking like she’d just been through some strenuous activity. She was heading to her chamber, but the servant told her Nathaniel had called her here.

Before anyone could say anything, Rina asked, "So, Lady Erin, did you defeat my brother?"

Erin hadn’t expected that question. Did she tell everyone she was sparring with Lucian? Her eyes shifted to her brothers. Rafal’s expression remained neutral, while Rowan raised an eyebrow at her, as if silently asking what had transpired.

"Have a seat first," Nathaniel instructed calmly.

Erin sat down in one of the two empty chairs, only to hear Rina’s eager voice again. "Lady Erin, who won?"

"She did," came a familiar voice. Lucian had arrived as well.

"Wow!" Rina exclaimed happily. "I’m so glad!"

Erin didn’t correct her; she only hoped they would stop talking about it. She avoided looking at her brothers.

"You two sparred and didn’t invite us to watch?" Arthur asked with a raised eyebrow.

"It was just to show Rina," Erin replied quickly. "There was nothing interesting to see."

Nathaniel gestured for Lucian to take a seat. He sat down in the only empty chair, which happened to be next to Erin.

"And yet Rina is here, while the two of you continued sparring?" Rowan commented nonchalantly, munching on more berries.

Erin shot him a glare, but Lucian responded instead, "It’s not proper to leave a sparring match unfinished."

"I didn’t expect my sister to defeat you. Are you sure you’re a good swordsman?" Rowan sneered.

Lucian met his gaze with a cold look. "Want to test that yourself?"

"Sure," Rowan replied, his eyes equally cold.

"What’s the issue with you two?" Arthur asked, looking back and forth between them.

Erin tensed, while Lucian remained impassive. Rowan, on the other hand, shrugged. "Nothing much. Since he’s going to be family once my sister marries Aaron, I’m just testing him."

"Oh, how do we open this fruit?" Rina interrupted suddenly, drawing everyone’s attention. She was holding a new type of fruit, small enough to fit in her hand and covered with soft spikes.

Erin picked one up as well, inspecting it curiously. She hadn’t seen this kind of fruit before, but it was an attempt to divert attention from her.

Nathaniel grabbed a fruit, and with his bare hands, easily peeled away the outer layer to reveal the white, jelly-like flesh inside. "You eat this directly, but be careful of the large seed inside."

Rina tasted it, "Umm, it’s so good."

Erin stared at the fruit in her hand, trying to figure out how to peel it properly like Nathaniel did. Just then, the fruit was gently taken from her grasp, and a pair of long fingers skillfully broke the outer covering before handing it back to her.

Erin quietly accepted the fruit from Lucian and began eating it, feeling incredibly self-conscious under the watchful gazes of her brothers. She wished she could disappear.

Once she finished the fruit, she stood up abruptly. "I’m heading back to my chamber," she announced before hurrying away.

Lucian silently watched her leave.