Back to the Archduchy

The two got back at the Archduchy by using the item Astra gave to Titania. It's a magical portal that will always lead them back to the manor wherever they may be. 

"Milady!" Marie rushed to the fairy as she cried out of joy upon seeing Titania after a long time. The whole manor celebrated the successful mission of the Archduke, but as soon as they have arrived, the Archduke went to his room, calling Astra to follow. 

Titania shrugs as she requests a bunch of chocolates for her, the servants quickly obey. "Hey." As soon as Titania got inside her room with Bonbon, Astra appeared out of nowhere. 

"You brought something." His cold gaze landed on Bonbon, making the creature hide behind Titania. "I'm here to take it." 

Titania quickly grabbed Bonbon as she backed away from Astra. "Who said you could take Bonbon?" 

Astra cringes upon hearing the name of the creature. "Bonbon? Seriously? How much do you like chocolates?" 

Instead of answering, Titania glared at Astra. This made Astra sigh as he sat down on the couch near the bookshelves. "The Archduke's command. Now give it to me." 

"Why?! He said I could keep it!"

"Did he? Really?" 

Titania averted her eyes while trying to remember, but in the end, she couldn't because the Archduke didn't say anything about it. "No! Don't kill him." 

"Do I look like a killer to you?" Titania's face brightened after hearing Astra retort; she tilted her head out of confusion, waiting for the mage to explain. "I have come to remove the poisons inside that creature." Now her forehead creased upon hearing that.

"Poisons?"

Astra sighs, "Of course you wouldn't know, idiot. Demi-humans, especially baby demi-humans, like him, have a small number of poisons in their bodies. It would gradually accumulate as they grow up. Most of the time, their parents handle it by making them drink some kind of potions that only they could create." He explained. 

"Now that his parents are gone, who would get rid of the poison?" Titania's eyes quivered, "The Archduke sent me here to take care of the poison. Since you've been hugging that creature like an idiot, it would rub on you sooner or later. And that would be a pain in my ass, don't you think?" 

Titania nodded as she gave Bonbon to Astra, "Don't hurt him, okay?" 

Astra patted Titania's head, making the young lady dumbfounded, "Don't worry too much." He smiled after, adding to Titania's confusion. 

The young mage teleported out of the room, leaving the lady behind, who couldn't believe what had happened. 

"Is he really Astra?" She asked herself; she wondered what could have happened when they were gone. 

"Milady, I brought the chocolates."

"Yay!" Titania stopped thinking about Astra and just focused on the chocolates in front of her. 

Meanwhile, The Archduke was immediately called to the Imperial Palace by the Emperor. Although tired from their journey, he couldn't ignore his cousin's command. 

Knowing that Lennox is a fickle person. Maybe he already knows that Titania went with the Archduke towards the South. That's why he's rushing to meet Sylvester. 

The Archduke rode his carriage towards the Imperial Palace; he told Blaze to wake him up as soon as they arrived. While the people that saw the Archduke's carriage celebrated his once again success at defeating the demons. 

Astra also has sent mages to create a more substantial barrier to keep the Demons from stepping into the Empire of Alynthia. 

"We have arrived, Master." 

Sylvester held his temple as he got out of the carriage. He wanted a good night's sleep after this. 

The two walked inside the Palace, and there they met a nuisance with the name Vivica Byron. The Miss greeted the Archduke with a graceful bow and an elegant smile. 

"You have come, my duke." Sylvester ignored the lady and continued advancing towards the throne room. "Hey, why won't you guide me?" Vivica complained as she held onto the Archduke's arm.

"You're not my fiancée." 

Vivica giggled, "I will soon be." 

"The Archduke and Lady Vivica Byron have arrived." The Knight announced as they opened the door to the throne room; the two entered, leaving Blaze in front of the enormous door. Lennox greeted them with a smile. 

"Greetings to the Emperor of the Great Alynthian Empire." 

"I see that you have come to be victorious once again, my dear cousin." Sylvester just bows his head as the Emperor compliments him. He thought that it wasn't his true feelings, so why would he bother listening to it. 

"And my, you're getting along well with Lady Byron." Vivica smiled after hearing that.

"Of course, your majesty." 

Sylvester didn't want to hear any of it anymore, "I already hand you a report. I must go now." Before he could even turn around, Lennox made him stop.

"That's not the only reason why I called the both of you here." Lennox smiled, "I offer an engagement for the two of you." Sylvester didn't react nor say anything back. He is already aware of how ridiculous his cousin's actions are. 

Vivica acted like she was surprised. "Oh my!" 

"If you have forgotten, I have my fiancée," Sylvester said. "Don't be too pompous, your majesty. Titania would never be yours." His eyes glinted as he stared at the Emperor. 

His fatigue makes him feel more annoyed than usual that he couldn't stop himself from saying that. 

"W-What are you talking about, cousin? This engagement is for the well-being of both of your families!" 

Sylvester smiled, making the two surprised, "Why don't the two of you get married then?" The Emperor was speechless after being answered like that by the Archduke and his dear cousin when before, he would always obey whatever Lennox commanded to him. 

"I think the fairy queen has a bad influence on you, dear cousin." Lennox scratched his cheek due to nervousness; he was still scared of his ferocious cousin. 

"You thought wrong, your highness. I am not in the least interested in Lady Byron." Vivica flinched after hearing her name being mentioned. "And I am happy with my soon-to-be wife. I'll take my leave now." 

The Emperor and Vivica were left speechless upon the rejection of the Archduke. For years that he has served the Imperial Palace, he never contradicted Lennox's decisions. 

But now that he found the person who could help him get rid of the voices inside his head. How could he trade that with something like the 'Well-being' of his family when he's the only one left?

"Master, the Duke of Claymont, has sent you a letter." Blaze said as soon as Sylvester got on the carriage.

"Alright, hurry back to the manor." 

As the two travel back to the Archduchy, Titania has been lazing around in her room, waiting for Bonbon to come back. "How long does it take to remove poisons from demi-humans?" She looked at Marie, who was brushing her hair while she was lying on the couch. 

"I'm not quite sure, milady." Happiness filled the young maid's face; she's been missing her lady these past few days. And now that she's back, she couldn't hide her joy. 

"Oh yeah, where are Julie and Paula?" 

"They went on a vacation milady. We weren't expecting your early arrival that's why the butler Florian made them take a break." 

Titania sat up and looked at Marie, "What about you?" 

Marie smiled, "I didn't want to leave in case you arrive early like this."

What the maid says touches the young lady's heart. "I'm so grateful to have you, Marie." Titania hugged her maid as their giggles filled the room.

"Hey, I'm done with it." Astra interrupted the conversation of the two as he threw Bonbon into Titania's arms. 

Titania couldn't believe how Astra treated Bonbon, but before she could even react, the mage teleported out of her room, not wanting to listen to anything she wanted to say. 'Idiot!' 

"Now that Bonbon's here, shall we go and take a stroll in the garden?" 

The two happily went to the garden and even witnessed the arrival of the Archduke from the Imperial Palace. He looked dead tired with his eyes closed as he walked the stairs towards the mansion's inside. 

Sylvester didn't even notice the lady on the side, but not that it mattered to the lady. They continued walking until they reached the garden filled with new flowers. 

"Oh right! I'm going to teach you how to speak." Titania said while smiling widely. The servants served them snacks and tea to accompany their bonding time. "Say, Nina." Titania smiled at Bonbon while the creature struggled at saying her name.

"Milady, why are you telling him to say, Nina? Is that your nickname?" Titania was caught off guard after Marie asked her that. 

There were only three persons aware of her situation and that she isn't the real Titania. Those are Astra, Blaze, and Sylvester. The whole manor genuinely thought that the young lady and their Archduke fell in love with each other.

"T-That's right. That's my nickname." Titania forced a laugh, and the young maid didn't have any doubts. 

Laughter filled the garden as Titania continued teaching the young creatures words that don't even exist in this world. "Say, Sylvester is stupid." 

"Who's stupid?" 

Titania sat straight upon hearing the cold voice behind her back. "I see, you're teaching that creature vile things." Titania slowly turned around to see the Archduke's dark aura and his cold eyes looking directly at her. 

"N-No, my Duke. We're just joking around." She laughed as she was about to run away, but Sylvester quickly grabbed her arm. 

"Who said you can go?"