Re: The Villainess Does It With Class

"Nadia, just who are you?"

I met Lukas's eyes which were staring at me so intensely that it felt like he's trying to look at my soul. I have always seen him serious before, even cynical. His playful nature was also bared before, just like earlier, so I could say that I have seen most of his expressions. But this kind of seriousness is different.

Honestly, he seems confused and pissed off at the same time right now. And even though I had no idea why he is suddenly being like this, or why he is doing this in general, I was also kind of intrigued.

His actions made me flustered because first of all, no one has done those things to me before. I mean, who would ask a lady to let them touch her? Who is shameless enough to come up to their face and touch them unceremoniously? It's very impudent for anyone who would do that, especially to a woman.

In the nobility, there is this thing called etiquette that we need to uphold. Unless you're a family, or in an intimate relationship with someone, you don't just walk around and *ahem* casually touch people. 

But it seems like Lukas doesn't care about any of that so he's doing what he wants. Which is so like him. He was like that in the novel too but it still shocked me nonetheless.

Even my brother hesitated around me! He is always taken aback every single time I hug him. Kai also takes his distance from me, also my friends. That idiot Eon is even warier than my brother.

So him coming on so strong to me is new and is quite unnerving so excuse me if I acted like a dolt. It's not easy to feign calmness when you are being bombarded by things I have never experienced before.

I tried to pry my eyes off of him with great difficulty, if I may add. They are like magnets.

Being stared so intensely like that, actually made me blush. 

'This won't do. I'll get carried away like this…'

I quickly composed myself. Clearing my throat, I peeled my gaze off of him and brushed his hands off of me.

I then took a step back and looked at the stone-faced Lukas who wears a frown like it's his usual face.

"What a strange question. I am Nadia Eleanor Herman of House Herman, your grace."

Come to think of it, we never really introduced ourselves formally, right? Or did we? I can't remember.

Anyway…

  "And I hope that his grace would refrain from doing inappropriate things in the future," I added as I peeked at his unchanging expression.

Lukas didn't say anything to me for a while but there was a clear frown on his handsome facade.

Goodness, can he stop frowning? It's making me nervous for some reason.

But no, why am I nervous? Between us, he should be the one feeling like that. Or not. Because he is thick-skinned after all. He's so shameless it is actually so baffling.

His frown disappeared and it was replaced by amusement. One of his brows lifted as he regarded me.

"Inappropriate?" He questioned.

Oh, now he is feigning ignorance.

Crossing my arms, I raised my chin to look at him straight, clearly not backing down.

"Touching a lady's face without her consent is inappropriate," I pointed out.

He heard me strongly disagreeing with him and yet he still did it anyway. What a brazen person.

Now I understand why the novel painted him in such a bad light. Though some of the adjectives used to describe him don't make any sense. A heartbreaker and a playboy? How is that possible when he hates being around people so much?

I've yet to see the day he would be around a woman. Aside from me, of course.

Now that I think about it, it's really strange.

Lukas suddenly snorted after hearing my pointers.

"Heh. You are right, I hope the lady will forgive me."

I gazed at him in suspicion. Now that just sounded rather insincere. I bet he would do it again in the future, I can feel it. One should really not trust this face so easily.

Ah, but we don't have to drag this out though.

"Well, if his grace is sincere with his words then I will." As if!

Lukas hummed. And for a moment, he just stared at me with slightly narrowed eyes. I have no idea what he is as I can't read him at all. But I have this strong inkling that he is thinking of something tricky again.

His mouth then stretched to the sides, forming into a cheeky smile.

"Then I will promise that in the future, I will ask for your permission first. That way, it won't be inappropriate."

??

'So you aren't going to give up? Seriously?'

I was at a loss for words as I gawked at him. 

See this man? He is really in another league of his own. I can't believe him.

"I already told you that I don't agree with that!" I can't help but blurt out.

"Oh, so we are back to being informal?" was his only rebuke. 

Ugh.

"Nadia?" A familiar voice called out from behind me.

I turned around and saw the figure of my brother approaching us. He was quick to his feet and in no time, he was already beside me. 

"Brother!"

I thought he was meeting the aspiring knights today? Is it already over?

Nathan's imploring gaze then slid to Lukas.

"Duke Agera…" He paused for a second as he looked at me then back to Lukas, alternately and ever so suspiciously. "Did something happen?"

Well, his suspicions were not nailed on me though.

Hearing his question, I was suddenly reminded of what transpired earlier.

"Uhmm…" I peeked at Lukas's expression and smiled at my brother reassuringly. "Nothing. I was going to visit you but I heard you were busy."

And then I bumped into this man right here.

"It's done. I'm not busy anymore," Nathaniel immediately replied, all the while his eyes were glued to Lukas who was doing the same.

Both of them just stood there staring at each other. Nathan with his usual poker face and frosty demeanor, then Lukas with his hmm… how do I describe his expression… He looked bored but at the same time, kinda indifferent?

"Ohh… Then--" I opened my mouth to liven up the gradually tensing mood but smacked my lips closed afterward.

There was silence enveloping around us as everyone just silently stared each other down.

'This is so awkward and I have no idea why.'

Nathan looked at Lukas piercingly once more before turning his attention back to me.

"Let's go, Nadia."

I blinked at him.

"To where?"

He didn't answer my question and just tugged my arm instead.

"If you'll excuse us, your grace." I couldn't even say goodbye properly because Nathan was already ushering me off. 

For some reason, I could feel that my brother was being cautious around Lukas and I wondered if there was some issue between them or something. Else, why would my indifferent brother who ignored everyone most of the time be acting this way?

I bet the duke has got to do with it.