“Fedel?” Avelina’s head tilted, “But that man clearly hates me.”
Vienna shook her head, “Tsk tsk, ignorance is a bliss….I mean you need to open your eyes.” 
Vienna then stood up, “Then I’ll have to leave you to get some rest. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, your grace.”
Vienna  then prepared for bed, her heart heavy thiking about her pet’s passing. It’s alright. Everything’s going to be alright.
But it doesn’t help that Raziel is not by her side. Her heart sank on the bottom even more. 
*****
The next day, she was woken up with Duke Raziel hovering over her. She gasped, sitting upright instantly that made her bump her head with him.
“Ow! Why were you even doing there on top of me?” She irratedly said. 
“I was waiting for you to wake up,” Raziel replied, “I apologize.” 
“Where were you even? You didn’t sleep here last night.” She said. 
“I just took on some matters.” He replied simply. 
“Now I’m awake, what’s the matter?” She asked, as he seemed to be in a hurry. 
He pointed at her clothes, “Get dressed. I’ll take you somewhere.”
She blinked, feeling a bit half awake. Vienna could almost think that she was just dreaming. “Where?”
He put his finger on her lips and whispered in her ear,  “It’s a secret.”
“Fine, leave, I’ll get dressed now.” The duke smirked and instantly left to give her some privacy. She took a shower first before putting on her blue flowy dress that fit her perfectly. 
“I’m all dressed up. Now we just need to eat breakfast.” She annoucned and Raziel opeend the door, offering his hand for her to take. 
Vienna took his hand as he replied, “There is no need, we’ll eat on the way. You’re not hungry. aren’t you?” 
She shook her head.
“Then great. We’ll leave now.”
Vienna huffed as she saw Raziel’s horse, Tiberius on the stables. “We’re not going to ride a carriage?”
“No need, it’s just me and you today.” He said as he offered his hand to let her hop on his horse first. 
Vienna huffed, “Just because I got with you doesn’t mean I forgave you.”  
She took his ahnd and hopped on Tiberius. Raziel soon followed and inched closer to her. 
He pulled her closer to his chest, “It has been a long time since we rode Tiberius together.” He started. 
“Yeah..” she replied as Raziel hit Tiberius and they started to move forward. 
They continued on until they reached the town of Orcia. Turns out, Raziel was taking her to the city. 
They ate from stalls as there was a festival today. The town was roaring and loud, full of hapy citizens and busy merchants. 
“Pick whatever you want to buy, Duchess.” He said. 
The whole day, they just went from stalls to stalls, visintg each and Raziel spoiling her. 
“Hmm, looks like this day is not so bad aferall.” Vienna mumbled as Raziel put on a necklace he picked for her. 
He leaned in, “I want you to recover from…your pet’s passing…I’m making up to you, Vienna.”
Vienna smiled, “Whatever you are doing, it’s working, Duke Raziel.” She teased. 
By night, Raziel rented a boat and he paddled on the river. The water relfected the golden light of the moon, earning a silhoutte. Vienna looked up at the stars. 
And the fireworks began, they lined up to the performance in the middle of the town. Vienna couldn’t see, so Raziel lifted her up. 
As they went home, Raziel stopped. “You enjoyed today?”
“Yes, it was fun.” Vienna replied with a big grin. 
He stopped, his eyes heavy with emotion. “Vienna, I am the moster duke they call, I am fierce in battle, but how could I deserve you. If I can’t stay with you in this life, then I’ll kill myself.” 
Vienna gulped, not knowing what to do with this sudden serious moment. She’s not prepared to hear this now…
“I was never scared, but until you came. I was never worried, but whenever you are angry, it drives me insane.” He continued.  
“Raziel I-”
“We have been together for months…It all started from a mere contract and pretension…but I don’t think that anymore.” 
Raziel leaned in and just then, a beeping sound emerged from his wrist. Raziel looked at it and sighed. 
“What is that?” Vienna asked in alarm. 
“The tracker that I put to the culprit is now alarming, meaning my plan is now executing.”  
“You know who the tracker is?” She asked. 
“I had my doubts, but I confirmed it when I received a letter yesterday.”
“Come on, let’s return now. The culprit was bitten by the bait.” And they were off to the orphanage. 
They head striaght to the deep forest where a blue powerful light eemrged, which is Raziel’s mana. 
Going to the direction, they saw Fedel fighting Titus. 
Vienna gasped, and turned to Raziel with disbelief.
“So the culprit you are saying is….Titus? My knight?” She asked, her voice shaking. 
A thundering laugh suddenly echoed from afar. 
Raziel shook his head, “No…just watch, Vienna.” 
“Vienna! Welcome back!” 
Avelina was suspended in the air and she slowly decended down.
 “Avelina?” She asked, choking on her own saliva. 
“Well well, it must have been so surprising.” Avelina taunted. Raziel grabbed her waist from behind and gave her her sword. 
Razile gritted his teeth, glaring menacingly at Avelina. “That’s not Avelina. She was confirmed dead a long time ago. The moment she left the palace last time, she didn’t have any energy left and died. My guild reported that she has a grave in the Lumen empire.” Raziel began to explain. 
Vienna scoffed, laughing at how stupid she was for believing this fake Avelina’s antics. “So who is this witch in front of us?”
“I’m Lumen Empire’s witch, sister of Avelina. I came here to get my revenge for my sister’s death.” 
“Your grace!”
“Master!”
Titus and Fedel called out, sweat forming on their foreehad with swords on their hands. They kept on fighting each other.
“I should have known earlier! She was so suspicious for showing out of nowhere!” Titus yelled, swesting as he attempts himself to stop attacking Fedel. 
“I acted as bait to lure this witch here, Duchess. Master! I’m afraid I can’t hold out any longer!” Fedel yelled and Raziel took in Titus’s attacks. 
“Duchess, I apologize but I can’t control my body!” 
Vienna sighed, griited her teeth and looked deadpan at the witch. “Who gave you the permission to control my knight?!” She yelled at her, her voice thundering.
“I have to say your knight fights so well. Such a shame he’s serving a bitch.” The witch replied.  “I’ll take him with me after I kill you all.” 
“Oh yeah? Try that, bitch, I dare you!” Vienna slung her sword at the witch and she fought back. 
The witch laughed, fanning herself and looking at them smugly, “You’re up against a witch, darling. You’re no match for me.” 
Vienna smirked, looking at the full moon and knowing her husband was going to transform soon. “How about a dragon?” 
As she said that, Raziel behind her shifted and the trees were all stepped on, the land shook and the wind blew harshly. 
Titus gasped, along with Fedel who was in shock with his master’s abilty. 
Raziel roared to the witch, who was frozen to move. 
She laughed chekily, “So this was the one you were hiding from me? Your trip is a disguise to find a cure for this curse? What a shame.” She said,  “I can make you my subjects.”
Vienna road on top of Raziel as the witch threw fire everywhere. 
“Want to know a very little secret?” She asked Vienna, and she continued, “You know, I was the one who killed your horrendous ugly pet.” The witch admitted. “The little girl Ella saw me doing that so she ran, and I made her forget her memory.” She said, “I also faked on being sick and acted cute so you're knights could fall in love with me.”
“But I didn’t.” Replied, Titus. 
“Yeah, that’s a pity, we could have been perfect together.” 
Raziel managed to cage her and the witch transformed into a tiger. Vienna got down and sliced on her thighs, but she was quick, taking Titus with her.