My Most Precious Human novel Chapter 38

I painted another awkward smile on my face, thinking that I was turning more and more mute the longer I sat there. I felt like I was some kind of a doll, a decoration that was brought for their entertainment, or definitely Dominique's entertainment. I gazed at her and suddenly saw a flash in her bright eyes. I knew another wicked thought invaded her mind.

"One more thing, my dearest, strict brother… How is it that Lilith has your ability?" She smirked, curiously gazing at Sariel.

"What?" I mumbled, suddenly feeling more sober than ever.

"My brother has always been able to recall every single detail. His memory is absolute." She turned my way and gazed suspiciously at her brother, "I wasn't going to say anything during the trial, but I have never heard that you could pass your ability onto anyone. How did you do it?" She grinned, her eyes impatiently awaiting an answer.

I looked at Sariel as well. I had to say, for once, I was as intrigued as she was. If the thing I had done during my testimony was Sariel's ability, how could I have used it?

Sariel smirked cunningly, "You don't need to know."

Dominique pouted, "You're no fun!"

She remained with her sulking face for a few seconds until her expression changed dramatically. She put her glass down.

"Unless…" she muttered, covering her mouth with her hand, then locking her eyes on Sariel, "You didn't, did you?"

Sariel glanced at her meaningfully.

"You did!" She burst out in nervous laughter, which soon turned into a malicious one.

I stared at her confusedly, hoping to find out what it was about.

"And you are still trying to tell me you don't care about her?" Dominique snorted, then examined my frightful expression, "Does she even know?"

"Does anyone care to tell me what it's about?" I shifted my eyes from Dominique to Sariel, feeling my heart pounding again.

Sariel shook his head, glaring coldly at his sister. She instantly stopped laughing, then sent me an awkward gaze.

"Sorry, love. Perhaps my brother will tell you when he becomes wiser." She smirked.

I wanted to say something, but meeting Sariel's harsh glance restrained me from asking more questions. Nonetheless, I kept processing Dominique's words and wondered if Sariel had ever done something to me, something that I wasn't aware of. My instincts were telling me that my submissiveness towards him wasn't a hundred percent natural. The fact that I found him irresistibly hot could have come directly from me, but I also found myself weak in front of him, as if he was able to crush every attempt to resist him, and that felt unlike me. My life made "resistance" my second name. No matter how terrifying my opponent was, I had never given up without putting up a fight until I met Sariel. Something within me kept surrendering to him. I could give him the last drop of my blood if he asked. Being aware of that was terrifying.

I was so consumed by pondering Dominique's previous words that I didn't even notice when I finished another glass of wine. Thankfully, eating the entire piece of meat on my plate had slowed my intoxication process. I kept looking for a good moment to excuse myself from the table, but Dominique clearly didn't want to let go that fast.

"Oh, your glass is empty!" She poured me another one, giggling.

"I think… I shouldn't drink that much. I still need to go to work tomorrow…" I chuckled nervously.

"Nonsense!" Dominique protested, "We have gotten rid of the Adragnas only thanks to you. I am sure that my brother will give you a day off from work," she stated, giving her brother a meaningful stare.

"Fine." He sighed, then glanced at me with a smirk, "Since my sister enjoys your company that much, you don't have to go to work tomorrow. I'll inform Gabriel about it."

"Thank you for your generosity, Duke Calvet," I remarked sarcastically.

"Why don't you call my brother by his first name?" Dominique pointed out, concerned, "Of course, call me Dominique too!" she called out, teasingly chuckling.

I smiled hesitantly and gazed at Sariel. He locked his eyes on me. A sly smile appeared on his face. He seemed to be challenging me.

"All right… I will use your first names… in the future," I mumbled nervously, trying to avoid Sariel's stare.

"Great!" Dominique clapped her hands, satisfied with my statement.

Her friendly behavior only made me more stiff. Sariel seemed to let her do whatever she wanted, but that didn't mean that I was allowed to follow Dominique's suggestions. At that moment, I could hardly imagine pronouncing "Sariel" straight to the Duke's face. I would rather avoid it as much as I could, using some general form of speech which I found much safer…

"So…" Dominique leaned over the table, staring into my eyes, "I didn't ask you before, but… how do you find my brother?"