Chapter 32: Game
Lilia wanted to believe Zethan was joking, but the seriousness in his gaze told her otherwise. She couldn't possibly stare at him for that long—it would be unbearably awkward.
Yet, Zethan seemed so unbothered, almost as if he were used to staring at... Oh, Lilia, stop! What are you even thinking? Her thoughts betrayed her, convincing her he must already be used to staring at other women like this.
Something flared within her, making her want to punch his annoyingly handsome face hard. She swallowed her frustration and, with a voice barely above a whisper, said, "But I can't possibly stare that long."
Just as she finished speaking, Zethan grinned as he leaned forward, gently tilting her chin so she would face him. His voice was low and firm as he said, "Then, what are lessons for? You'll learn—I'll teach you."
Learn? Did he think she was some skill ready to be mastered?
Lilia opened her mouth, then closed it again, words escaping her entirely. At this point, it seemed as though the artist had already begun to draw. Slowly, her gaze drifted to his eyes. One second, two seconds, three seconds... She couldn't hold it anymore. Turning her face away, she stammered, "I can't... please, I just can't."
She covered her face with both palms, her cheeks flushing deeper than ever. Zethan chuckled, the sound low yet teasing. "This session isn't going as planned," he remarked with a smirk. "It seems someone here is making it difficult for both the artist and herself."
He was still in disbelief that her kind still existed in this world—just where the hell had she been hiding?
"How about... I draw you?" she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
His face instantly darkened with displeasure as his gaze dropped to her hands.
"No, Loris," he said firmly.