Melting His Cold Heart

Titania let out a nervous laugh as she tried to escape the Archduke's grasp. "Stop struggling. Florian has called for us." The lady stopped as she stared at the Archduke with doubt, even though she was already aware that this man wouldn't say a lie like that. 

'But what could have happened for Florian to call the both of us?'

"He's waiting in the drawing-room." The Archduke held Titania's hand, making her feel flustered, but she couldn't let go because of the happy stares of the servants around them. 

'Oh right, we need to pretend lovey-dovey in here,' she thought as she cringed inside her mind. Blaze appeared out of nowhere and whispered something to the Archduke when they were already near the drawing-room.

The expression on the Archduke's face changed, and Titania saw a faint smile that made her feel perplexed. "You should go first. I'll follow right after." Titania shrugged and continued walking towards the drawing-room.

As she entered the fancy drawing-room, she noticed the gigantic chandelier and thought, 'They really like big chandeliers don't they?'. There are so many crystals on it that it became too dazzling to look at. So she has decided to examine the other things in the room. 

She took a few steps and saw the silver-coloured carpet below her feet, which was made out of the softest wool. 

Titania wanted to try rolling on it, but she heard Florian's voice. "You're here, milady, but where's the Master?" Florian greeted her with a suspicious smile. 

Titania didn't want to think about it too much. "He's talking with Blaze outside." After answering, she sat on the cosy and soft couch as Florian gave her snacks. 

The servants in the Archduchy have been fond of the lady who likes eating sweets. That's because their master, the Archduke, doesn't like sweets ever since he was a kid. 

No matter how much she roams her vision, everything still looks glamorous. This is her first time coming inside the drawing-room because she's usually in her room lazing around. As her eyes continued examining the fancy drawing-room, it landed on the paintings on the wall. 

"Where did you get those paintings?"

Florian smiled so happily, "Our master made it when he was younger. Isn't he perfect? I wouldn't wonder why milady fell for him." 

Titania faked a smile and continued sipping on the tea. She thought that the tea at Skildell Manor couldn't compare to what Florian made for her. 

Meanwhile, Blaze reported their new sightings about Marquess Byron's business. Marquess Kendrick Byron is the Father of Vivica Byron, who used to be the former Emperor's friend. He is known for being greedy for power and wealth. 

"I got it. I'll go after I get some rest later." 

The Archduke made his way to the drawing-room, and there he saw his future wife and the butler Florian. The butler gestured him to sit beside the lady who is currently eating some snacks, which made Sylvester wonder where the food she eats ends up when she's small and thin. 

The Archduke looked at his watch. "I must say that we should speed things up. I have a prior business after this." 

"I apologize, master, but you shall change your schedule this instant. Since we're going to talk about something important." The head butler Florian said as he stayed standing up while looking at the two. 

"We must schedule your engagement party. It's been too long since you have announced that the two of you are engaged." Titania flinched, and the Archduke tried to avert his gaze. 

"It's not that important. We can do it another time." 

"Master!" The two were surprised after Florian suddenly raised his voice. "You must not neglect your duties towards the lady. And how could you say something like that in front of her? You're hurting her feelings." Florian nagged the Archduke.

This scene made Titania remember the information about Florian that she had read before coming into this world. Florian is the one who raised Sylvester alongside his Uncle Althalos when the Imperial Family's reign crumbled down. That's why he could nag Sylvester all he wants and wouldn't get his head cut off. 

Sylvester looked at the young lady. "Did what I have said hurt you?" The two men looked at her while waiting for her reply. 

A thought came into Titania's mind, 'This is interesting.' She suddenly cried, which made the Archduke dumbfounded while Florian quickly tried to comfort the young lady. 

"You've been hurting me, my duke. I didn't want to say anything about it because I know you're busy, but how could you postpone our engagement party?" She sobs as she hides her face.

She giggled inside her mind as Florian began nagging the Archduke even more. The mischievous fairy wanted to laugh at Sylvester, who didn't want to listen to any more of Florian's scolding. 

"Alright! I'll cancel my business for now." Sylvester said out of defeat as he glared at the young lady, while Titania still pretended that she was crying her eyes out. 

She even used what she learned at her drama club in high school. The lady began acting like she was choking due to her sobs. Florian panicked and excused himself; he said that he'd bring another refreshment for the lady. 

As soon as Florian got out, Titania's laughter exploded, making her fall on her knees while holding her stomach. "You should have seen your face." She cackled like a seal and even began hitting the couch, which made Sylvester die out of embarrassment. 

He couldn't believe the woman in front of him; he does wonder how this woman survives with her attitude. Titania began rolling on the carpet since she wanted to do that ever since she entered the room, and it exceeded her expectations. 

"You dare lie right in front of my face?" Titania didn't stop laughing even though the Archduke clearly showed how pissed he was. "Stop laughing." He commanded, but it was no use. The girl couldn't hear him anymore. 

Titania mockingly imitated the Archduke, "Alright! I'll cancel my business for now." resulting in Sylvester lifting her from the ground and placing her back on the soft, comfy couch. 

Sylvester placed both of his hands on the backrest of the couch. He stared closer into Titania's eyes. "Shut up, or I'll forcibly shut your mouth." The laughter stopped as Titania looked at the Archduke's eyes. 

She scoffs and says, "Why? Are you going to kiss me?" Before Sylvester could answer, Florian came back with a bag of ice, towels, and orange juice. 

He witnessed the position of the two, which made Sylvester feel awkward and was about to get away from the lady, but Titania didn't let the chance to tease the Archduke escape so easily. She grabbed him by the neck with both of her arms and hugged him. 

This baffled the Archduke as he tried to get away, but the young lady suddenly kissed him on the cheek and purposely showed it to the butler. When Titania had let go of him, he touched his cheek as he looked at the lady with a shocked expression. He couldn't believe what she had just done to him.

Titania pretended that she was shy about what she did, "I apologize, my duke. I cannot let you kiss me on the lips before we wed." this made Florian smile like a happy Father, while this left the Archduke with mixed feelings. 

"Did the Master apologize and ask for a kiss?" Florian asked with a giddy smile, which made Titania laugh as she nodded, and the Archduke just wanted to leave the room alone due to this humiliation. 

"Now, shall we talk about your engagement party?" 

And so the planning for their engagement party began; Marie arrived bringing the famous dressmaker and a former knight of the Imperial Palace, Rosie Williams. They immediately called her to take the sizes of the soon-to-be husband and wife. 

"I have never expected our Captain to snatch the prettiest girl in the whole Empire." The woman with rose-pink hair and a pair of emerald eyes wearing a knight's suit said with a teasing tone. The Archduke, who's been teased by his soon-to-be wife, didn't want any of these girls' teasing anymore.

"Just do your job and get it over with." 

Rosie chuckled, "Looks like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed." This made Titania laugh, and the Archduke glared at the two. "Okay, I'll do it, your grace." Rosie measured the Archduke first since it was easier. They've been together through wars; that's why she's familiar with his sizes. 

When Rosie was about to get the young lady's measurements, and knowing that the lady must remove her clothes, Rosie stared at the Archduke. "What?" The Archduke asked out of being clueless as to why he was being stared at. 

"I mean, although the two of you are soon to be wed, is it okay for him to see your body milady?" What Rosie said made Sylvester realize what was about to happen; he unconsciously blushed, which resulted in the two women looking at each other as they felt shocked. 

"Y-You're right." He clears his throat, "I must wait in another room." Sylvester said as he went out with Florian. 'That was dangerous,' he thought. 

Knowing that all they're doing is just pretend, he couldn't let himself see the young lady's body, or else he might end up just marrying her for real. There's a tradition in the Imperial Family that if a man saw the naked body, he must take responsibility and marry her. 

"Master." Sylvester turned to Blaze, who had just arrived with a letter in his hand and Bonbon on his head. "It is the letter from Duke Claymont." The Archduke took the letter and placed it inside his pocket. He wanted to read it when he was alone back in his room. 

  Sylvester pointed at Bonbon. "But why is that thing on your head?" Blaze just shrugged and let the creature stay on his head since it looked comfortable there. 

"Captain!" 

Their attention was caught by that loud voice coming from the other side of the hallway. The man's footsteps were heavy and created too much noise. "I'm so glad you're back!" It was Ryker. He has this huge smile that makes his eyes vanish while he races towards the two. 

The Archduke looked at the knight with his usual cold and uninterested expression, "Why? Do you miss being trained until you couldn't breathe properly?" Ryker flinched and stood up straight as he avoided the Archduke's eyes. 

"I-I just thought that the lady is also back." Ryker forced a laugh as he scratched the back of his head. 

Sylvester raised an eyebrow, "Look up to me." Ryker, who is reluctant and scared, slowly looked up into Sylvester's eyes. "Do you like the lady?" The innocent man shivered in fear upon seeing how cold the eyes of the Archduke were while staring at him like he's a bug.

"O-Of course, Captain!" 

The already dark aura of the Archduke turned even grimmer after hearing that, "What?" 

"I-I mean who dares to dislike your soon-to-be wife and the future Duchess?" Ryker explained, and the Archduke's aura went soft. This made Blaze and Ryker look at their Captain with wary eyes; they thought the fearsome and cruel Archduke was too easy to read. 

"Yo, Captain, I'm done with the measurements." Rosie went out of the room to inform them, and upon seeing his former comrade, she couldn't help but feel happy. While they celebrated, Sylvester went back inside the room to rest on the chair. 

"So you really want to see Titania's gorgeous and sexy body?" What Titania said made Sylvester flustered after noticing that she's not done putting back her clothes on, but the good thing is that he didn't see anything particular. 

Sylvester sighs, "You're not even sexy. Don't flatter yourself." Titania just shrugged as she sat on the couch while the others entered the drawing-room. Bonbon, who is above Blaze's head, quickly jumped off and ran towards Titania right after seeing her. 

He's wearing cute clothes that Titania bought from Rosie's boutique, although Marie went there and bought them. "My cute baby," she mumbled as she hugged the little fox. 

"I am so glad that the Master finally found his muse," Florian commented as soon as he noticed the lovely atmosphere. "He even requested for a kiss." He added, making all of them bewildered. 

"He what?!"