“What do you think, your highness?” Priscella smiled, shifting her gaze from the slave to the man she adored. 

Her words had a lot of confidence within them as Mikel had barely ever declined her wishes. 

Even Sylvia started to sweat a little seeing that the man was taking his sweet time answering the proposal.

And when he finally did…

“Heh… That does sound like a good suggestion. It would make my life a lot easier.” Mikel shrugged and casually muttered, making Sylvia shudder.

She snapped her eyes to look up at him to see for herself if he had indeed really meant what he said.

Her anxious gaze met the man’s gentle eyes, the amusement contained within them, a little too obvious.

His thin lips then parted again and Mikel slowly mouthed, word for word. “However, I like training my slaves, personally. No need to trouble yourself with my burden.”

Mikel lifted the teacup, taking another sip whilst returning Priscella’s disappointed expression with a gentle smile.

“Ah. As you wish, your highness.” The woman reluctantly admitted her defeat. The two then chatted for a bit, before the lady finally had to leave.

It was improper for an unwed woman to stay with a man overnight so Priscella had no other option but to bid adieu.

She promptly stood up and bowed, excusing herself but Mikel insisted and he walked her out all the way to her carriage.

Priscella’s maids and guards left with her as well and finally Jane and Sylvia sighed in relief, looking at each other and bitterly laughing as they did so.

“Mrs. Jane, I should have paid more attention to your words.” Sylvia grimaced.

Jane gave her a knowing nod and added. “A couple of months back, I was in the same boat dear.”

“I ‘somehow’ gave her ladyship an allergic reaction.” She shook her head helplessly. “Haa…  I still don’t know how the peanut sauce got mixed into the steak sauce.”

“I can guess.” Sylvia giggled.

Jane giggled as well patting the young girl. “I am sorry dear.” She felt sad that she was not in a position to offer her any more consolation. 

“The night will pass soon. Don’t worry.” She nodded at her and left the dining hall after clearing all the used dishes and cleaning the table.

Sylvia was now all alone in the big empty dining hall, kneeling by herself in a corner. She suddenly felt that it was a bit chilly, which she hadn’t noticed when the others were present near her.

Sighing lightly, her eyes once again wandered to the family portrait and the hateful smile on the child, who hadn’t yet become the devil.

“Like what you see?” The man’s voice boomed in the big empty hall, breaking her thoughts.

Sylvia quickly withdrew her gaze and kept her head down. She didn’t want to get into any more trouble tonight.

However, adding to her dismay, she could hear a pair of footsteps slowly and leisurely approaching her.

She saw the shiny polished boots and her heart drummed loudly in anxiousness. Wasn’t she already kneeling? Was this not enough?

As her nerves continued twisting and turning, the man paused in front of her and then turned around to sit back down at the head of the table, where he had sat before for the dinner.

“Stand up.” He mumbled.

Sylvia gulped and looked up, wondering what the devil was up to now.

“Hmmm? Not obeying me instantly?” His impatient voice sounded again, making Sylvia immediately stand up.

Her actions amused him and a soft chuckle escaped Mikel’s lips as he once again mumbled. “Get over here.”

Sylvia gulped and walked closer to him reluctantly, not delaying her actions this time around.

But the man was still not satisfied and he impatiently reached out, his hand reaching hers and he pulled her closer to him in one swift motion.

Sylvia slightly wobbled, losing her balance and as she tried to stabilize herself, her body was already lifted up in the air, to be unceremoniously tossed on the man’s lap the next instant.

“Ah!” A surprised yelp escaped her mouth and her gaze finally shifted from the marble floor to look at the devil directly in his eyes.

The man’s face was so close to hers and the fact that she was sitting on his lap was slowly sinking in.

With his hands wrapped around her waist, holding her in place, and her body clinging so close to him, she could feel his embrace touching everywhere on her body.

Sylvia fidgeted uncomfortably, when the man’s lips parted again, ordering her again, albeit in a slightly tired voice.

“Stay still.” He murmured. “Just for a minute.”

His head unexpectedly leaned towards her, resting on her shoulder and his embrace tightened.

Sylvia stiffened, confused as to what was happening. She could hear his long deep breaths in her ear.

Is he sleeping? She blinked and tried to steal a glance from the corner of her eyes.

She was indeed correct. The devil had his eyes closed, his long eyelashes completely still.

The man’s handsome features and his vulnerable face made her heart tighten for a moment when suddenly the thin alluring lips parted again.

“You smell like the desserts you baked.” He muttered.

He then lifted his head back up, his gaze meeting hers, and asked. “Have you eaten anything tonight?”

Sylvia shook her head up and down as if she was a mute who couldn’t speak.

“That means no?” Mikel grinned in amusement.

“Ah… No, your highness. I have already eaten.” Sylvia panicked and hurriedly corrected him. She didn’t want to unnecessarily get herself in some sort of a situation by saying the wrong answer.

“Alright then.” Mikel continued grinning, a twinkle visible in his captivating eyes. “I guess I will be finishing this pie all by myself.”

His one hand slid away from Sylvia’s waist and reached for the plate on the table which had a big slice of the pie she had baked.