“In our next life, I’ll come and find you, Vienna.” 
Lady Vienna woke up with a gasp, trying to adjust to the light as the comfortable mattress was-wait a minute. There should not be any comfortable mattress in their carriage on their way to the Lumen empire? The last thing she could remember was leaving the orphanage after Titus was gotten by the witch…and then going on another journey…with someone…
She tried to rack her mind for more information, feeling that she was with someone. Not sure who it was, but it seemed that she had somehow formed a bond with this person. What was his..name again?
She looked around and noticed she was in her room, she gasped in shock. 
“Roxy!” She yelled, and Roxy, appeared with her usual messy brown hair and maid uniform, “Yes my lady!” 
“Where is…where is Titus?” She asked, and the door instantly opened.
“You called for me, my lady?“ Titus asked, his bright silver hair and purple eyes gleaming through the sunlight.
“You called for me, my lady?“ Titus asked, his bright silver hair and purple eyes gleaming through the sunlight.
Lady Vienna shook her head. So everything, was a dream? Those lovely moments she spent with the man, were a dream? She can’t remember his name, damn it! 
And what about the book she burned? Delphian? Who Are those people anyway?
She looked at his bedside table and Titus grabbed it for her, “Oh, are you meaning to look for the letter Duke Raziel gave to you? I delivered it to you days ago…”
A lightbulb suddenly appeared in her mind, “Oh, Duke Raziel, yes, that’s his name!” Vienna instantly grabbed the letter to read it. 
“Are you alright, my lady? I thought you hated him?” Titus asked.
“Hm, you don’t know the heart of a lady,” Roxy said dreamily.  Anyways, leave us alone, Titus. I have to prepare my lady for her meetup today.” 
Vienna raised her eyebrows, “Meet up?”
“Yes, aren’t you going to have a tea with the duke today? We have to pick the best dress!” 
Vienna instantly stood up and looked for the book. No, if this is happening, that means that everything did happen, and my dreams were real. I just traveled back in time!
Opening the letter, Vienna read it. 
Dear Lady Vienna 'Estelle' Thaleia Xaviera of the Duchy of Creneia. I, Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, from the Duchy of Xynnar, wish to ask for your hand in marriage.
Details should be discussed within these next few days as I am also waiting for Duke Xaviera's reply.
However, in the meantime, I would like to get to know my lady better. I would like to meet you in the famous coffee shop in the capital city, Moressley. Pardon me for the rush, but I can't wait to meet my future Duchess.
Truly Yours,
Duke Raziel Valen Donovan
Duchy of Xynnar
He had his signature at the end. Just like last time. But this time, she didn’t feel like vomiting in disgust. This time, she felt so excited. 
Vienna opened her cabinet to find the book, which is still intact. So that means she finished visiting Duke Raziel in his Rogue guild, and she hasn’t burned the book yet, and now she’ll have to meet with Duke Raziel. 
And all those dreams are real. And her feelings were real. She has to know if Raziel also remembered everything.  She has to know why the timeframe suddenly repeated, and who was the one responsible. Alexis? 
This time, I’ll be the one to find you, Raziel. Just wait.
***
Having prepared enough, Lady Vienna waited at the coffee shop that they agreed to meet at, just like last time.
She waited for seconds, which turned to minutes, and to hours. But Raziel didn’t appear.
Almost giving up, Lady Vienna was tired and wanted to visit Duke Raziel on his guild himself when the door opened and revealed him.
Lady Vienna was always impatient and having to wait for him today made her irritated, but she has to calm herself. 
Duke Raziel’s red orbs met her emerald ones and he instantly approached her.
Lady Vienna gulped, somehow nervous. Each step he took had made her sweat, and when he was seated in front, Duke Raziel looked at her plainly, which dropped her smile.
 “I apologize, I was busy.” 
As far as she remembered, Duke Raziel wasn’t late last time. 
“It’s alright.” She said. She took a chance to take in his appearance, see if anything changed from last time. 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 had his usual mask on, and he was sitting elegantly across from her, taking a bite out of his favorite strawberry parfait. 
 Everything was the same, but why is the air around him different today? He looks like Raziel, but he also looks like he’s not Raziel that she knew. 
She cleared her throat, following the book. "Speak, why did you call me here?"
"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." 
At this time, she was doubting him in the past. But now, she wants to test him if he remembers anything.
At this time, she was doubting him in the past. But now, she wants to test him if he remembers anything.
“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. 
"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. Just as in the book’s plot 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?”
She gulped, remembering how she offended him last time after asking him about his mask. “Do you…remember anything?” She finally dropped.
Duke Raziel’s eyebrows creased, “Can you tell what specifically you are referring to, Lady Vienna?” 
She watched his reaction carefully and making sure he was sincerely confused, Lady Vienna sighed, giving up. Alright, so he doesn’t remember anything.
Alexis might have decided to play on us again and reverse our roles. Lady Vienna thought.
Duke Raziel cleared his throat, “About my marriage offer, 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.
Hearing that phrase again, Lady Vienna couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. 
Really, way to go Alexis. If Raziel sacrificed himself for this, then she will not give up until they escape this repeating cycle. 
Just wait, Raziel. It’s my turn to make the effort. For the both of us. Well, it’s a bit unfair that I’m the only one who could remember everything we had, isn’t it? I have to make you know every bit and piece.