"Have you heard what is the talk of the town these days?" Lady Vienna heard one of the waitresses say, as she spoke with her friends far away from their table. After the duke’s visit a few days ago, the duke invited her again to the coffee shop, threatening her about her visit to the Rouge guild if she didn’t go. Having no choice, she decided to finally attend.
The waitress glanced at Lady Vienna carefully, noticing that the lady was there. Turning her lips upwards, the lady raised her eyebrows at her and smirked at her. One of her colleagues did not see her as she was facing the lady with her back so she was not careful with the next words she uttered, "Ohhh, I've heard it! Apparently, the tyrant duke, that Villain Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, had asked for the villainess' hand, Lady Xaviera!"
All of them released gasps.
"Really? Wasn't the lady busy fawning over the Crown Prince Mathias?" Added the other, to which they were shushed by the waitress who saw the lady, obviously scared of her. Now that they saw her, knowing that they were talking about her. She flashed them her smirk. They stared at her as if they saw a ghost and rushed over to leave.
Awe, she was in a good mood and wanted to thank them...it's not like she would slice off their tongues like she usually did when she hears someone talking about her...
The rumors travel so fast. And nothing is more exciting than to see people huddling from outside the coffee shop as they watch every little thing, eager to see what could happen next.
Of course, they would be eager. Every little thing she does would be reported to the whole town. Nothing is private anymore.
In front of her was the man who asked for a hand in marriage to Duke Raziel. He had his usual blue tailored suit that hung his body perfectly. He had his mask on his face that covered his nose and lips, but his infamous red eyes were staring at her, his black hair shining as the sun glistened from the window. She couldn’t read his face as he remained stoic.
He was always wearing a mask to cover part of his face for unknown reasons. They said it was because he hides his ugly scar somewhere on the cheek...that he was a beast and the strongest...Well...that’s what the rumors say about him.
He's sitting elegantly across from her, taking a bite out of his favorite strawberry parfait. This was the strongest knight of the empire. Of course, he was handsome, to say the least. But not for Lady Vienna. She huffed.
The famous Villain, Duke Raziel, and the famous crown prince Stalker, Lady Vienna, sitting together calmly in a coffee shop? The sight itself would create an uproar in the city.
The lady spoke up. "Speak, why did you call me here?"
Her tone was calm, but there was annoyance lacing in her voice.
The duke looked at the gold, "I apologize for taking your time, Lady Xaviera. But I want to discuss something with you.." The duke said to her.
She opened her fan, "Okay, you only have 10 seconds to talk."
He sighed. " I am serious about asking for your hand." He took a sip. "You heard me, Lady Xaviera. I am not the type to mess around."
However, a villainess marrying a villain? It would be strange, but isn’t he busy with his coup d’etat? Why is he here in front of her, spouting all about marriage?
The question is, is he really the Duke Raziel as mentioned in the book? He’s doing the opposite of everything…
she mumbled to herself.
She thought of how everything was delayed, from the marriage of the crown prince and the female lead, and Duke Raziel’s coup d’etat. “Why?” She can’t help but ask.
"I need a duchess.” He responded. “Someone strong. And right now, you're the best candidate.”
"That's a good offer, but I reject it,” she replied. She came here, for this reason, to reject his proposal.
Duke Donovan was still calm, but what he said next piqued her interest.
"According to my investigations...the Crown Prince would be hosting a royal ball...but it would be to announce his marriage with Princess Avelina. That is why I'm offering you a deal. I know you like the crown prince," He continued as the lady went silent. “You asked me to investigate the crown prince. The prince is acting weird lately. He had been visiting the high priest but the high priest was busy. He seems to be planning something.”
"And if you may not have known, I sent your father a letter already, and we'll be discussing this next in your place."
The silence was still there as the lady kept quiet. All he talks about is marriage. Gosh. This was not according to the book...She remembered that the villain never proposed to the villainess... the villain and villainess never agreed with each other...in fact, they did not even talk with each other that much unless needed, so why is this happening?
Was there a glitch? Or are they ruining the story's flow? She has to test him. She didn’t even care about Prince Mathias the crown prince anymore. “Then...I’ll agree if you listen to my request.”
He paused, then nodded, “What is it?”
Looking at his mask, she pointed at it. “Show me your face.” She stated confidently. “I’ve always been curious. Why do you always wear a mask?” She knows she’s being a brat and pushy, but she’ll have to test him to edge. The book didn’t even mention the reason behind it. And she has been curious about it for a while now.
The duke had always been emotionless, but hearing her words right now, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. It’s a sensitive topic for him. Clearing his throat, he asked back. “Why? Do you think I'm a monster?”
“If I say yes, what would you do?”
Duke Raziel nodded, “If you’re that curious, why don’t you agree to my proposal then? Once we’re married, you get to see my face.”
Is that a challenge? She’ll have to think this through and take this seriously then, “I’ll think about it. Give me time.”
“Well, I’ll let you think then, but time is running, Lady Vienna.” He leaned in and whispered to the lady, "By the way, I chose this place so that people would see us together, so you don't have a choice but to say yes to me."
Standing up, he bowed his head slightly and said, "Thank you for lending me your time. I'll let you think about this for now, but I'll chase you to death until you say yes, Lady Vienna" and he walked away, leaving her to her own thoughts.
She heard people taking a peep in her direction, probably stunned and confused about what was happening.
"My lady," beside her, Titus appeared, glaring at the duke's direction just a while ago. "Are you alright? Did he try anything weird?"
Lady Vienna just sighed, standing up with the book in her hands, "I'm alright, let us head home."
Her knight nodded and together, they left the coffee shop. She got on her carriage with her knight's help and they started to move. She closed her eyes to let herself think clearly. She has to solve two issues now. To look for the handsome mysterious man who gave the book and the proposal of Duke Raziel.
“Roxy.” She called out when she got home.
Her maid appeared, “Yes, my lady?”
“Spread this about Duke Raziel.” Whispering to her maid, Lady Vienna smirked, seeing Roxy widening her eyes in shock.
“My lady! I cannot do that!”
“Yes, you can.” She said, just thinking about it excites her more. “I’ll take the blame when he comes here.”
She’s curious what the Duke would do with these rumors. Will this be enough to chase him away? Well, she’ll just have to wait.
The next day, Lady Vienna prepared herself to go with her father to the palace, which she finally managed to convince. She decided not to bring her knight Titus, which Titus strongly opposed but did not have the choice but to listen to her request.In the book, there is another reason why the empire would fall soon, and she has to get a chance to talk to the emperor. But first, she’ll have to gain his favor."Can I ask why you want to go with me to the palace, Vinnia?" Asked her father as they got on the carriage. "Are you going to stalk the crown prince again?"She shook her head no. She has completely lost feelings for the crown prince the moment she knew her fate. "I want to meet Prince Avelin
She wanted to refuse him, but then she just agreed, they already encountered each other, and might as well talk to him. Plus, it would be too strange if she just fell on the grass and instantly healed already. The princess must not have told the crown prince about it...Good thing that the halls were empty and no one saw them. If not, she would not be surprised that tomorrow's news would be all about her and the crown prince. When they reached his study, he let her sit on the sofa, and let her face him with his sparkling golden eyes. His blonde hair was smooth and silky and she fought the urge not to run her fingers through it.The lady sent him a smile, "Oh, you can just leave me at the infirmary or ask for a maid to send me home, your highness. I came with my father."
The day had passed and Lady Vienna was found lazily lying in her room for the whole day. She felt tired from all these events from these past few days.Her maid, Roxy, couldn't help the smile spreading to her face. "The crown prince had sent you some tea leaves, my lady."The crown prince? Oh right, he promised to give her some tea leaves that time when she visited the palace...So he was serious?"Here's also a note attached to it." With a note on hand, Roxy handed it to her lady. Lady Vienna reading the letters written on it. It was wrapped in an elegant envelope, with golden colored ribbon and sealed with the beautiful golden seal, with the sun and lion symbol of the royal family, indicating it was truly from the palace.
As the Royal ball approached day by day, the whole town was preparing for it and the busiest was the palace. And before long, the Royal ball finally arrived. Sitting at her vanity, Lady Vienna had finally chosen the perfect dress she'll wear for the event tonight. "Everyone will stop and stare at you, my lady," Said Roxy as she put make-up on her lady. Of course, Lady Vienna had fully prepared herself. Smirking, she stared at her reflection, fully aware of her beauty. Her red lips and pale skin complements her red hair and green eyes, her rosy cheeks showing. The dress she picked for tonight is one of the dresses Duke Raziel had given to her. It was an off-shoulder ball gown that shines with its glitters. Her hair was up in a low bun as it framed her small face. Lady Vienna really went all out. She dressed to impress. The Royal ball would be starting in an hour soon, and Duke Raziel i
And before she could respond, she felt him guiding her towards the terrace. She was on the second ground and seeing a tall man with a hood standing still by the grasses, she managed to catch sight of his silver hair and black eyes through the dark. There's no mistaking it, he was the handsome man that gave the book! The man she was looking for! "Hey, Mister!" She said, wanting him to see her. The man looked up to the terrace and when he saw her, he sent her a gentle smile, before turning around and walking towards the woods. No, she has been waiting for this moment, she has to talk to him! She has a lot of things to ask about the book! Grabbing her dress, she pulled it up and stood by the railings. "Wait, Lady Vienna! What are you planning to do?" Asked Raziel from beside her, now panicking. "This is dangerous!" She glanced at the mysterious hooded man's figure who was slowly getting farther from her. "I think I saw the
"My lady," Called her handsome knight Titus by the door the next day. His silver hair and tanned skin stood out, and the gentle look on his face calmed her. "Princess Avelina sent you a letter.” Handing her an envelope with the sun and lion seal, indicating that it came from the palace. Inside it was an envelope with beautiful handwriting. “How are you, Lady Vienna? I enjoyed the ball last night, I hope you did too. I am hosting a tea party today and would like to invite you to it. If you have time, I would be very pleased if you attend. I’d like to be friends with you.” Sincerely yours,
To think that Lady Vienna forced herself to behave just for today. She opened her fan now, containing her anger. She held the glass in her hand, but her grip was so strong that the glass broke into pieces. Fighting the urge not to throw it at Countess Tumaini, she smiled at her. “Oh, yeah. I really enjoyed that dance last night. How about you, Countess Tumaini? Weren’t you jealous because your husband loves his work more than you? Or the fact that your husband is satisfied with you?” The countess gasped at that. Glaring at her, the countess laughed hysterically. “How outrageous! At least my husband is human, not like your beast fiance.” Beast fiance? She stood up at that. “What did you just stay?” She felt angry now hearing someone call Raziel a beast. She couldn’t stay still. She knew fighting idiot people would get her nowhere but here she is. Countess Tumaini grinned smugly. “Why?
She was not surprised when a letter from the princess arrived again. “Dear Lady Vienna, Thank you for visiting the tea party. I was quite entertained as I was a bit annoyed at Countess Tumaini. You were so cool and strong! I aspire to be like you. If you have time, feel free to visit the palace, I would love to see you again. Truly yours, Princess Avelina Opheli de Solerr She sighed. She did not have any plans to be friends with her. If anything, she wants to stay away from the princess. As she ate her breakfast with her father, her father spoke up, "The Emperor wants to meet you today with me, my dear." “Really? I am grateful, father.” “Bring with you your knight.” She nodded. Finishing her meal, she prepared herself, wearing Duke Raziel’s gift, an elegant dress, and descended the st