The threat

Lady Vienna racked her brains for any special ability of Duke Raziel from the book she burned.

He had immense mana, that is what she’s sure. But did he have any teleporting abilities? Was he that strong that he could do that?

She just looked at Duke Raziel in bewilderment. “How did you get in-“

Duke Raziel looked at her smugly. “That’s not important. You massaged my hand and made me fall asleep, you’re quite clever, Vienna. You’re always giving me reasons why I chose the right woman.”

He sounded calm and collected, but his voice was thundering. “But I didn’t expect that you’ll escape like that. This is the first time you disobeyed me.”

She gulped. She made sure to create a harmonious relationship with him, but the way his aura beams bloody blue right now and he’s really angry. With this, he could almost slice a sword in his throat.

“I-I apologize, my duke. I was disobedient.” She stammered, fidgeting slightly and looking at the ground like a child caught doing mischief.

“You won’t be easily forgiven. You have to pay the price for disobeying the duke.” Said Huxley from beside him and she sighed.

Goodness. Why is the duke crazily strong? She’s second-guessing all the decisions she thought she had.

Making the crown prince jealous.

Changing her own fate

Finding Titus, and finding the mysterious handsome man who gave the book.

None of those goals she had mattered right now.

Right at this moment, all she could think was how crazy she was for agreeing to be his duchess.

She felt threatened and uneasy.

“Now, let’s talk about the punishment later.” Duke Raziel interjected, breaking away her thoughts.

“Now that you’re here, we have somewhere important to go.”

“Where?”

“To go to the town. The people had been doubting if we were really married. We have to give them a show.” He answered. Offering his hand, Lady Vienna accepted it and got on his carriage.

****

“What do you want to buy, Vienna?” Asked Duke Raziel when they were finally in one of the famous shops for dresses in the whole town.

Lady Vienna felt a bit disappointed, not in the mood to shop for a dress right now. All she could ever think was the punishment he’ll give to her and to sleep on the soft pillows in her room.

Well whatever, she said it herself that she’ll take any consequences.

“I want a new sword.” She said excitedly, like a child given some snacks.

He shook his head, “Nope. I want to provide you with the best I can. I have money, I can afford what you want, Vienna.”

Afford huh? She smirked at that. “Then what if I want the crown?” She dared him.

“Is that all?” He answered quickly.

Panic came in her face. Wait. She only wanted to live peacefully and break her fate, why is she inciting this?

“Oh, haha, don’t mind that. I’ll shop for dresses then.”

She looked around the store and wanted to pick a particular beautiful purple dress when a hand snatched it away quickly.

She looked up and was face to face with Countess Tumaini, the woman who she slapped last time at Princess Avelina’s tea party.

Well, well, well, what do we have here?

Lady Vienna’s face switched into her usual face. She looked at Countess Tumaini up and down and gave her a fake smile.

Countess Tumaini fanned herself, a small bruise was on her cheeks and Lady Vienna couldn’t help but feel happy at the sight. She made that.

Good. But she guesses she still hasn’t learned her lesson.

Countess Tumaini dragged the dress from her and sneered, “Oh, if it isn’t the new duchess in town.”

“Yes, it has been a long time, Countess Tumaini.” Lady Vienna retorted. “How is the bruise on your face? Guess I left a mark there.” She chuckled and Countess Tumaini’s face twitched.

“You bitch. So it was true. You really are married now? Did you just seduce the duke for power?” She asked.

Lady Vienna looked at her like she’s insane. Is she really serious right now? Or is she being her usual idiot self to not know that the duke she was talking about was just behind her?

Duke Raziel just kept quiet and let Countess Tumaini continue talking but his face was darkening. Lady Vienna smirked and decided to play along.

“Oh, why? Are you perhaps jealous because I’m young, beautiful, and wealthy? Not to mention my perfect skin which is very opposite to yours. Look, you’ve been frowning a lot that your wrinkles are showing now.” She said, daring her to fight.

She felt excited when Countess Tumaini. Gosh, it didn’t even feel like she’s a threat. It’s more like she’s fighting a child with how stupid she is.

Her maid was behind her and supporting her.

“Oh, what was that? I can’t hear what a gold digger seducing bitch just said.” She retorted, but Lady Vienna just looked at her seriously.

Really? Does she think that she’s affected by that?

“How does it feel like living with a monster now?” Countess Tumaini continued and Lady Vienna scoffed at that, now getting triggered.

“Oh, I see we’re back to this type of conversation, huh? Want me to remake what I did to you last time at the tea party?” Lady Vienna threatened.

Countess Tumaini grinned, “The crown prince is backing us up. You can’t fight me now, Lady Vienna. Also, I want to pay back what you did to me last time.”

Her hand reached out to slap Lady Vienna’s face when Duke Raziel’s hand blocked it.

He gave a deathly glare that could melt the glaciers to Countess Tumaini and demanded in a low and thundering voice, “What’s happening here?”

“Y-your grace!” Stammered Countess Tumaini and she and her maid bowed instantly at him.

Lady Vienna couldn’t help but just feel pity at how helpless she looks right now. Just looking at her irritates her like a pest.

Duke Raziel pressed his lips together and hissed, “Oh, if this isn’t Countess Tumaini. What are the odds? I’ve been wanting to meet you. I received a complaint from your corrupt husband.” He said sarcastically and continued in a threatening voice.

“You know, what I hate the most in this world are liars and corrupt people. I cut them in half and piece by piece to make sure they never land in this place again. Make sure to tell that to your husband. Plus, if you come again to attack my wife, I won’t guarantee you’ll return alive.” He said.