His movements were gentle. Tentative, even. As if she was a fragile flower that would be crushed by his lips.

She sat there frozen for a while.

Then she realized what he was doing but even before she could respond to or push away his kiss, it was already over.

He pulled back and just gazed at her with a smile.

Miyu's cheeks felt hot. She was blushing.

"W-what the - YOU!!!" Miyu shrieked.

Glenn chuckled.

"Just a small payback. A kiss for a kiss," Glenn said, smiling like a very pleased cat with his eyes closed.

Miyu glared at him, still blushing.

"Well, I'll go now. I think the maids will come knocking at your door around this time. Let's meet later after at the palace library after you eat," Glenn said.

"Why? So you can get me alone and kiss me again?!" Miyu said, glaring and blushing at the same time.

Glenn laughed.

"No, I'm going to teach you some things. I am your teacher, after all or did you forget that just because of a kiss?" Glenn asked with a cheeky smile.

"It wasn't that good," Miyu said, pretending to look unaffected but her red cheeks betrayed her.

Glenn leaned close to her.

"Really? I should do it again then," Glenn said.

"No! Go away!" Miyu said.

Glenn laughed and walked towards the balcony and leapt down from it.

Miyu was left alone on her bed still blushing bright red.

*

*

*

Meanwhile, in the Ashburn residence . . .

Euphemia was slicing her toasted bread quietly. She looked at the door. Lucien was late.

After a while, Lucien arrived.

He had dark circles under his eyes.

"Luci, good morning!" Euphemia greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, Euphee," Lucien said as he sat down beside her.

"Did you have trouble sleeping?" Euphemia asked in concern.

"It's because of Hans," Lucien said with a groan, rubbing his temples.

"Hansel? Why? Was there an important business you had to talk about last night?" Euphemia asked.

"No, he was teaching me how to make lo-"

"Laundry!" Hansel interrupted, bringing in Lucien's food.

"Laundry?" Euphemia repeated in confusion.

"Your Grace, I was teaching you how to do laundry, right?" Hansel asked with a tight smile.

Lucien realized what he almost told Euphemia.

"Y-yes! Laundry! He was teaching me why it's important for the lord of the house to know laundry," Lucien said, a tiny sweat dripped from his brow.

Euphemia narrowed at her eyes at him.

"Really? So, do you know how to wash clothes now, Luci?" Euphemia asked.

"Well yes, Hans thoroughly drilled the information to my head. I'm not yet an expert but I'm sure I can do it when the right timing comes," Lucien said.

"I am sure you still need to study more, Your Grace. We can't have you unprepared when 'that' time comes, right?" Hansel said, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I think the lesson last night was enough, Hans. I know what to do already," Lucien said firmly.

"No, Your Grace. I insist. You still lack knowledge in a lot of areas in the said . . . topic," Hansel said.

"And we're still talking about laundry?" Euphemia asked, slicing her toasted bread with force, making the plate produce a screeching sound.

"Yes!" Hansel said.

"No!" Lucien said.

Euphemia gave Lucien a dry look.

"Luci, I know that I just agreed last night but it goes to say that lovers don't keep secrets. That is if you still want me to be your lover," Euphemia said with a smile but her tone was icy.

Lucien gulped and glared at Hansel.

Hansel shrugged as if to say it was Lucien's fault for slipping.

"Euphee . . . I uhhh . . . can't tell you," Lucien said.

"And that's what the husband said before getting divorced," Euphemia said and stood up.

"Divorce?!" Lucien exclaimed.

"I'm going to my room and don't come in until you're ready to share what exactly the two of you were talking about last night," Euphemia said and left the dining room.

"Argh! This is your fault, Hans!" Lucien said.

"Your Grace, I've never seen someone so inadept in lying," Hansel said.

"What do I do?!" Lucien asked, holding his head.

Hansel raised an eyebrow. "Well, why don't you show Lady Euphemia what you've learned last night."

*

*

*

"Dear Miyu,

I apologize for snapping at you the last time we met. I've reflected upon my actions and it was wrong of me to blame you for my death. It wasn't you who murdered me. I understand that now. I'm truly sorry. I hope to hear of your circumstances too.

May I request to meet again with you?

Sincerely,

Mia."

Euphemia inserted the letter in an envelope. She rang the bell and Helen, her personal maid arrived.

Helen had escaped from the fire when Lucien was still under the Queen's control. A lot of servants dared not to show their faces to Lucien again because of shame and guilt for abandoning Lucien during the fire but Helen had came back, wanting to serve Euphemia again.

"Please seal it and have it delivered to the palace. Tell them it's for Miyu," Euphemia said.

"As you wish," Helen said. She bowed and went out of the room with the letter.

Euphemia was alone.

She was irritated. She knew it was probably something trivial but she still felt uncomfortable that Lucien was hiding something from her.

*

*

*

There was a knock on the door

"Who is it?" Euphemia asked.

"It's me."

Lucien.

Euphemia chewed on her lip.

"Euphee, can I talk to you?" Lucien asked from behind the door.

"Come in," Euphemia said.

Lucien went inside. He looked worried and strangely embarrassed.

"Can I sit?" Lucien asked, pointing to the chair across Euphemia.

Euphemia nodded. She had crossed her arms in front of her chest and she looked at him coldly.

"Euphee, I apologize," Lucien said earnestly.

He looked like a black cat that wanted to be petted by his owner.

Euphemia resisted the temptation to pet his head.

"For what?" Euphemia asked.

"For . . .hiding something from you," Lucien said.

"I'll accept the apology if you tell me what that is exactly," Euphemia said.

Lucien looked nervous. Did she push him too much? Maybe she should just let him keep this secret of his. But then it would make her overthink what that secret actually was.

"It's true that Hans was teaching me something last night. But it wasn't laundry," Lucien said.

"Yes, I figured," Euphemia said dryly.

"He was teaching me how to make . . ."

Lucien was slowly reddening. Euphemia almost laughed. He was a meter with a red bar going up.

"He was teaching me how to make love!" Lucien finally blurted out.

Euphemia blinked.

Lucien was now fully red.

"He what? Wait what? WHAT?!" Euphemia exclaimed.

"He told me that my knowledge in the area was lacking and at first, I thought that was not true until he told me things I never knew before," Lucien said.

"Like what kind of things?" Euphemia asked.

"He um . . . told me there are several areas I can um . . . kiss you," Lucien said.

It looked like Lucien was telling the truth but Euphemia wanted to tease him.

"Really? Show me," Euphemia said.

"Y-your ears," Lucien said.

"Show me. Come closer," Euphemia said softly, walking towards the bed.

Lucien's eyes widened.

"Oh. Lock the door first," Euphemia said.

*

*

*

Lucien gulped. He stood up and locked the door.

Euphemia sat on the bed and motioned for him to sit beside her. Lucien sat beside her and they looked into each other's eyes.

"Are you not mad anymore?" Lucien asked.

Euphemia smiled.

"No. Just because you're so adorable," Euphemia said.

"I'm not sure what part of me looks adorable," Lucien said.

"Well? Let me see what you've learned," Euphemia said.

Lucien leaned close to her then stopped.

"May I kiss you?" Lucien asked.

Euphemia nodded and closed her eyes. She felt his breathe close to her lips but she was surprised when he did not kiss her there.

She felt his lips on her neck.

Her pulse quickened.

His lips were soft on her skin. It was as if he was caressing her not with his hands but with his lips.

She threw her head back to give him more access. He continued to kiss her neck. As if was starting to find his groove, he became bolder.

She felt his tongue on her neck. Tasting her. Then the gentle graze of his teeth on her skin. He nibbled her neck. It didn't hurt but it was surely going to leave a mark.

She hugged him as he continued to kiss her neck. He went down slowly. Tracing her collarbone with his lips, licking her, and nibbling on her skin playfully.

The dress she was wearing made it easy for Lucien. It had no collars or buttons. It was low cut-and showed off her cleavage. Euphemia chose to wear it because she found it more comfortable instead of wearing a dress with a stiff corset. The ruffled ends were garterized and one can just easily put it on . . . or take it off.

He looked up at her.

"May I?"

Euphemia nodded.

He lowered his head and pulled down the top of her dress.