Mikel sighed and lifted his hands to cover her hands that caressed his cheeks and cupped his face.

"No matter what happens, don't ever trust that woman.

" He muttered, his eyes seriously staring into hers, desperation swirling in the depth of his gaze.

Was he talking about the Queen? Sylvia remained silent for a while and then slowly softly replied.

"Alright. I will do as you say. I won't be so careless next time.

"

Though she was feeling triumphant inside for handling Priscella today evening on her own and not falling for her tricks, she couldn't care less about it after seeing the pained expression on the devil's face.

This kind of sadness did not suit him.

"I will be more careful next time.

" She repeated her words, standing up on the tip of her toes to reach his forehead, placing a gentle kiss.

Mikel flinched. For some reason, he didn't meet her eyes and turned his head.

"It's okay. There won't be a next time.

"

He removed her hands from his face and walked over to sit back on the wooden chair near the table in the corner of the room.

"What do you mean?

" Sylvia asked, perplexed by his vague reply.

"Are we leaving? Can we leave already?

"

Mikel shook his head.

"You are leaving.

" His words held a sort of finality that made Sylvia nervous.

"What are you talking about? I am not leaving anywhere without you!

" She hurriedly walked over to Mikel and knelt in front of him, looking up at him.

There was a sadness etched on his face that worried her. Even though they were both in the same room at the time being, she felt as if they were a million miles away.

"No. You are leaving tomorrow.

" Mikel did not look at her and blankly replied, his face cold and distant.

Sylvia shook her head. It didn't matter what he said. There was no way she was leaving anywhere without him.

"Why can't you leave with me?

" She asked again, unwilling to give up.

"You don't need to worry about that. Leol and Theo will be with you. You should rest early tonight. You will be leaving tomorrow first thing in the morning.

"

Sylvia looked stunned. She didn't understand why Mikel was being so stubborn and brash like this.

He didn't leave any space for negotiations. He was not even listening to her.

"Why can't you come with me?

" Sylvia asked, standing up.

"I already told you.

" Mikel replied, still blankly staring ahead at the window and the vista outside, not glancing at Sylvia even once.

Sylvia could only now see just how upset he was. Earlier since they were around others, she as well only saw the man's typical calm and smiling face.

She thought that he had simply acted as if he was angry at her, but maybe he was really angry at her?

"Did I cause a very big scene and make trouble for you?

" Feeling very guilty, Sylvia inched closer to him and sat down on his lap of her own accord, even though the man's arms did not welcome her.

She wrapped her hands around his neck and peppered kisses on his cheek.

"Please don't be mad at me.

"

Not able to refuse her warm affection, Mikel's face changed and he couldn't maintain his distant demeanor any longer.

He sighed and looked at her, his eyes full of sadness.

"Please baby, listen to me. You leave first. I will… I will join you later.

" He added.

"I..

" Sylvia did not allow him to say anything further and kissed him. Her lips caressed his tenderly and her tears made the taste salty for both of them.

"I am not leaving you.

" She shook her head, meeting his gaze.

"You have to. It's already too dangerous for you to be here.

"

"No.

" Sylvia refused to budge, even though she could see traces of anger on the man's face.

"Just listen to me. How many times do I have to repeat myself? What part of what I am saying do you not understand? It's too dangerous for you to be here.

" Mikel pushed her away from him and stood up.

"NO. I am not leaving anywhere before you tell me what is happening.

" Sylvia was not in the least intimidated by him. She knew that something was off and she wanted to know what was happening.

However, her stubbornness only made Mikel even more furious.

"Damn it! Why are you making this so difficult for me?

" He growled at her, slamming his fist on the wall, his knuckles bruised and reddened.

"I am not leaving anywhere without you.

" Sylvia also shouted back. What did he think? Just because he raised his voice she would be afraid?

Mikel was livid with anger. He turned around and opened his mouth, only to close it back wordlessly after meeting the woman's eyes that were staring at him.

He sighed and pulled her closer, embracing her.

"I need one more week. I will join you then.

"

Sylvia shook her head. She pushed him away, revealing a bitter smile on her face. She could tell that he was lying.

"Then I will leave with you after a week.

"

"YOU! Why are you torturing me like this?

" Mikel shouted, his hands holding her shoulder and shaking her.

"Don't you understand? If you stay here… especially now that you have met with that woman… It's dangerous.

"

Sylvia took his hands from her shoulders and again cupped his face in her hands.

"Please listen to me. I understand what you are saying, but I am staying here with you alright? I am not leaving.

"

"If you want me to leave, let's leave together. But if you are staying back, then I am also staying back with you.

"

"Tell them that you have punished me and taken away my title. I will be a maid again. I promise I will be invisible.

"

The more Sylvia tried to convince him, the more Mikel looked dejected.

"No, you don't understand. Please… just leave already. If you are here, you will only be a burden to me.

"