He lit the fire by burning the faggot

In her past life, Dukeson Schuwiff's visit made the Leig mansion to prepare for it. Prama, together with her family waited in the hall for his arrival, but what surprised them was he had someone with him—his second cousin, Princip Eigen Griste.

Winston Leig readied the things Dukeson would use for comfort as he stayed in the Leig for three days. Everyone presumed he was alone so they had nothing to prepare for the Griste.

The latter never seemed to mind and told them that he wanted to help Dukeson. For what kind of help it was, Prama didn't know. In the end, the family paid attention more to Dukeson, and detest the rudeness of the unwanted visitor.

They should have guarded themselves up from that man Dukeson brought.

"Miss Prama, the dress is here." Evelyn opened the door after the silence.

It didn't take too long. Prama accepted the dress and ordered that no one would enter her room for the meantime. Her eyes lingered to check the it. Lawrin really have nice dresses, she thought. It was a black as what she requested with black gore skirt that reached just below her knee and Florence sleeves. And the white puritan collar didn't make her look like attending a funeral, at least. All in all, it was really simple and suited her current taste.

Fortunately, she has black boots at the very end of the rack. It was kinda dusty but a wipe would be fine. For her hair, she would just do it a low ponytail. She picked up a white ribbon on the dressing table and tied her hair the way she wanted to. She only had limited time.

"Are you done, Miss Prama? The guests have already arrived. They're only waiting for you downstairs." Evelyn called her outside.

There was only silence before the door opened.

By ten, the guests would arrive. Now, it was passed ten by a few minutes. She was late and aware of it.

The house design was simple. It wasn't difficult to understand the pattern and ways. The only problem though, there were unnecessary rooms. Nevertheless, the house remained its extravagance with its simplicity.

Prama and Evelyn, walked through a pathway that leads towards the main hall. When they reached the split staircase, Prama's steps were halted. She stood there and looked down. Indeed, they have arrived.

A maid below announced their occurrence. The heads in the lounge was turned to her direction as they rose from their seats. Prama climbed down the stairs with Evelyn assisting her if ever accident occurred. She appreciated it despite the fact that she had stepped on those treads a hundred times.

"I'm sorry for being late everyone." Prama carried a gentle smile as her eyes swept from her family to the gentlemen.

Lawrin was standing beside their mother with cheeks painted with faint pink. Her straight black hair was down and a blue barrette held the hair near the face. Ivina seemed to be shocked as well as Winston seeing Prama but didn't last long when delight in their eyes surfaced.

For a moment, memory of the past flooded Prama's mind. Ivina was bathing her own blood in her room. Winston's eyes were dead after seeing his wife. The next day, it was a bright morning but what greeted Prama was her father hanging in the ceiling—with the same dead eyes open.

Cold sweat dripped down her temple as her smile stiffened. Unknowingly, her gaze fell upon the man next to Dukeson and her overt detestation couldn't be repressed.

Princip Eigen Griste—the one who had started it but unfortunately, he had also escaped.

It seemed that the man felt her glares and locked his eyes with her. Noticed, Prama blinked her thoughts and brought back her smile. She walked closer towards the gentlemen while not taking her eyes off with that Griste.

"I'm Prama Leig," she introduced, now looking up at Eigen.

Black eyes were like a never\-ending abyss and his long eyelashes softened it—a sweet treachery. His tall nose was perfect and full thin lips were like cherries and enticingly wet. His sharp jaw was more defined by his black hair that fell naturally on the forehead and below the ear.

This Griste has a remarkable face, she couldn't deny that.

It seemed that she was talking to him, but she extended her hand to Dukeson—who was beside Eigen—for a handshake.

Prama tightened her jaw to hid her laugh when the atmosphere became awkward for a brief time. Dukeson accepted while catching glimpses to his cousin whose face was dark.

"I'm Dukeson Schuwiff."

"I've heard about you." Her gaze softened. He was her lover. She was his. But it would all remain as 'before'. Prama wanted to hold his hand longer but he quickly pulled it away after the short contact.

"Really?" Dukeson chuckled but lost it when he turned to the person at his side. "Aren't you gonna..."

"Princip Eigen Griste."

The loathing in her eyes came back as soon as she heard his voice. Her lips parted to let out a silent sigh. Prama needed to calm herself down. For sure he hadn't done anything yet at this time—but that didn't mean that she would let her guard down.

She accepted the handshake but when she already wanted to break free, his hold tightened. Her brows furrowed and she looked up, only to find that he was watching her. It was the same for her. She would be vigilant of him.

The awkwardness perished when Winston laughed and invited them all for lunch.

\-

In the long dining table, Winston Leig as the patriarch sat at the end with Ivina on his right. Lawrin was sitting between her mother and her sister. Dukeson was in front of Lawrin with Eigen beside him.

Prama's lips were in a grim line. One upward move of the head, she would face Eigen. Since the arrangement was fixed, she could only imagine that the steak she was cutting was the man across her.

"My father told me you're socially active despite the fact that you decided to live here, Sir. I heard you were once a professor at a famous university in Marci?"

Marci is the capital of the Zirigone state. It's a completely developed urban city unlike the other cities and provinces in the state. However, some people say that the life there is miserable for migrants.

It was a daydream before trying and a nightmare after experiencing.

"You're right! Unfortunately, I left and decided to stay in this small town of Luilia. It's quite refreshing here, isn't it?"

Prama focused on cutting the steak whole. The others were already eating while she was still cutting her food. Then, a low gasp was heard at her on her right. She threw a glance on her sister and found that Lawrin was staring at Dukeson. Her cheeks was flushed and when she noticed Prama's gaze, she looked down to her plate.

Prama's eyes went to Dukeson who was talking with Winston. She bit her lips, and pondered in her past.

When Lawrin saw Dukeson in their mansion, she had the same reaction. Prama watched her sister adoring the man, and she was curious how her sister did like him. To find the answer, she chased the man but ended up falling to him. She had thought it was wrong so she stopped. But Dukeson chased her. Then, Winston offered an engagement between him and Lawrin. He didn't want it. Prama loved him in secret—they were a secret. When she heard of the engagement, she told Dukeson to agree—the same when she wanted their relationship to be a secret between them. And he compromised.

Dukeson kneeled and hugged Prama's waist as he buried his face on her tummy. She could feel his resistance to hug her tight—afraid that he would hurt her.

"Why do you always push me away? Am I not that important to you? How could you give me to another woman?"

Prama tried to shake him but he didn't budge. In the end, she brushed her hand on his damp black hair.

"But she's a family, Dukeson. My sister loves you. Maybe... Maybe you will learn to love her. I want her to be happy."

It was frustrating. He didn't accept all her reasons. Prama wanted to end this as soon as possible because she knew if they stayed like this, her reasons would vanish and she would trap him with her forever.

She groaned when he shook his head stubbornly.

"It's unfair," he murmured, "It's you. It will always be you. So please, just this time... choose me."

It was painful to see him like this. In the eyes of others, he has no weakness. He was calm all the time so to see him begging like this was just too much. It was also hard for Prama because she wanted to stay with him.

He was the one who fought, compromised, and suffered the most. But in the end, Prama let him go.

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