Chapter 123 - He Was Sorry

That comment was a huge slap on his face. Everything Clara has done to him, Marcel was able to endure and move on but he had never felt this insulted until now. 

As someone who had been with many women and could boast of his ability to bring a woman to orgasm, it was a huge blow to his pride. Plus men were egotistical creatures, not to mention that Arthur currently smirking at him irked him, greatly.

"What did you just say?" Marcel asked in a dangerously low tone. His fists were clutched by the side which was the only sign of anger he showed because his expression was apathetic; he was completely void of emotion.

Marcel was angry, Clara could see that, considering that she couldn't tell what was going on in his mind with his blank face. However, she knows him well enough to know that below that calm demeanor, there was a burning inferno.

Clara was supposed to be scared, but what gave her confidence was the fact that Marcel wouldn't be able to harm her, not in the open and not with his father's around. Yeah, he still has a leash around his neck.

"Isn't it the truth?" Clara retorted, "You're just scared of losing your heart to me. If you believe otherwise, then kiss me, and let's see," She was confident.

It had to make sense, why he was always intent on not coming close to her. Clara knew there was no woman in his life and if it wasn't for the fact she was betrothed to him, Marcel would likely never get married. He would simply get an heir from a baby mama and be done with women!

That must be why he hates her, Clara thought. She's in love with Luther when she's supposed to be his fiancée. Clara heard men were possessive with their things whether they liked it or not. No wonder Marcel loathes her, because he can never win her heart nor does he know what it is like to be in love. Quite a pathetic life he lived so far. 

If only he was half as refined as Luther, Clara would have considered giving him a chance. Even at that, the thought of having two men - Luther and Marcel - veer for her attention thrilled her. It wouldn't be bad if that were to happen. After all, Marcel would be her husband in the future and she would have no choice but to dump Luther.

Marcel in question narrowed his gaze at Clara, scrutinizing her thoroughly. If it wasn't that the both of them were like Cat and mouse, he would have thought Clara was desperate for his affection. However, she loathed him and doesn't bother to hide it, so this must be a sincere challenge - a challenge that would have thrilled him if she was Arianna.

Damn.

Remembering Arianna did nothing but fill him with guilt once more. However, Marcel had to remind himself that he did his job of protecting his family and it was for her protection as well. There was nothing to feel responsible for, it happened the way it should be in the first place.

"Dear cousin," He heard Arthur's mocking voice once again, "Don't tell me you're this much scared of a kiss. Just think of it as giving us a good show," He chuckled.

Although their little drama did not gather a crowd, people's eyes and whispers were already on them and they were now interested in the outcome. 

Fine, they wanted a good show, he would give them one. Marcel decided as he stomped over to Clara who straightened up immediately. She was confident of beating him in that kiss; she would bring him down to his knees.

This was really happening, Clara couldn't help but be thrilled. Never did she think that she would anticipate Marcel's kiss - she was always disgusted by the mere sight of him. What changed? 

But to everyone's surprise, as soon as Marcel came close, he reached out and grabbed a fistful of Clara's hair forcing her head to the side while a pained whimper left her lips. She almost cried. 

"W-what are you doing?" Even Arthur was dumbfounded by the scene. He was expecting a sweet kiss that he could use to make jest of Marcel later, not an assault in broad daylight. What was his cousin even thinking? Doesn't he know the family Clara is from? 

But it seems Marcel had more surprises for them because he crushed his lips against Clara's who stood still like a pole. Her eyes were wide and she was as rigid as Marcel who was beginning to wonder what he was doing. 

There was no way he could go through with this kiss nor could he stop either. This was not the first time he kissed women he didn't have feelings for, not that he's ever had feelings for anyone, but then, it had been lust-driven. 

The women he had been with had been there to fulfill his carnal needs, but Clara, he felt absolutely nothing for her. Not even a hint of lust. He didn't see her as a woman. If the both of them were stuck on an island for the rest of their life, Marcel was sure he would be a monk than be with her. 

No matter what, Men were naturally drawn to a woman's body but all Marcel could remember even as his lips were pressed against her was the humiliation she put him through. It turned him off barely three seconds to the kiss. Marcel was stuck in a dilemma and didn't know what to do until an image of Arianna flashed in his head and that came with an idea - a pretty lousy yet practical idea. 

Marcel conjured Arianna, using her form to replace Clara that he pressed his lips against, and the passion ignited. It was as if Marcel forgot all of this was in his head because he kissed the so thought Arianna with fervor as if he was relaying the words he couldn't tell her. 

He was sorry.