She was only a kid at that time, her memory was not clear but she could recall bits of it.

The first time he encountered Duke Raziel was when they were still kids.

She remembered her father took her with him to the palace for a tea party held by the empress.

And that time, all the children of the nobles were all gathered to play together by the gardens.

"Ouch!" Yelled a child in pain, glaring at Lady Vienna. She was pulling the child's hair as a joke until the child got enough.

"Vienna is pulling my hair!"

"We won't want to play with you, hmp." running away from her, all the noble kids left her alone. Tsk...then don't! she thought. She left and headed far towards a tree. She'll just read a book then. 

Sitting on a tall tree, she stopped when she realized that there was a child behind her. the person had his eyes closed and was actually sleeping. He was wearing a black coat so his head was covered with the coat's hood. He also had a mask on his face, covering half of his face, including his nose and mouth...

And his eyes were the only thing she could see. With the sudden noise, his eyes snapped open, revealing his blazing and bloody red orbs.

Her mouth was snapped shut as she stared at him. She found herself lost in his eyes. They seemed like a jewel....like ruby...and she found it strange that such eyes existed. They seemed fake like they asked for an artisan to craft it and place it on the man's eyes.

He was handsome for sure....and It felt like time stopped. The wind blew her hair and the leaves fell.

She heard a sound of a sword getting unsheathed and the next thing she knew, the person was pointing it at her neck.

"Who are you? Speak now." She was frozen. The boy was speaking to her. She snapped to reality when the man asked again. "Tell me, who sent you to kill me?" This time, drawing the sword closer to her neck.

The lady gulped, What is happening?

But then she remembered who she was. She was fuming mad! How could this boy draw a sword to a kid? How gentlemanly of him!

He looked at her with a blank expression. "Oh...just a kid with no manners."

"Excuse me, but you're a kid too. I think you are the one with no manners. Who would dare point a sword to a lady you just met?" She fired back. This man is getting on her nerves.

"You disturbed my sleep, miss. This is my spot." The man said, firmly before sighing. Standing up, he stretched his body. Without a word he was about to walk away and leave her when she shouted at him. For a kid, he seems mature, he looks tall and a year older than her. But it's strange for a kid to have a knife with him.

You know what, I take back what I said about his eyes. His attitude does not justify his face. She thought to herself.

"Well, I was going to read here."

"Why here? Go play with the other kids."

"No, I don't want to. They hate me, and I hate them. Hmp, it's their loss."

"Psh, pitiful."

"You're so rude, once I tell my brother how rude you are, you're dead." She stuck her tongue at him.

He patted her head, she blushed. "That's great. Well...my father is dead..."

She felt a bit sad. "Oh...do you need a new father? I won't share my father, but I can offer friendship. " Offering her hand for him to shake, she said, "I'm Lady Vienna Estelle Thaleia Xaviera. You can call me Estelle. How about you?"

"I'm...Raziel..."

***

That was the end of her memory. Even when he was still a kid, he had always been that cruel and intimidating. If there is one thing that Lady Vienna could describe him, Duke Raziel Valen Donovan was cruel.

He was a force to be reckoned with based on the book. 

The said Duke was always wearing a mask to cover part of his face because he hides his ugly scar somewhere on the cheek. They said he was a beast, and the strongest....but she was not informed that he had recently been a part of the emperor's army.

Besides, their families were not allies, but they were also not enemies as they were the only two grand dukes of the whole kingdom of Orthosdem Imperium. But there is a bit of competition happening.

Of course, the most who yields power in this kingdom is the Holy Priest tied up with the Royalty. Next are the nobles, third are commoners.

The Xaviera Family is represented with a snake seal who ruled the entire land of Creneia. Their business consists of mines, stores, jewelry, and had a territory from Creneia up to the east side.

On the other hand, the Donovan Family is represented with an eagle seal and ruled the land of Xynnar. They are also competitive with their businesses like silk trade, shops, and libraries, with territories passing the border down the south.

Duke Raziel Valen Donovan had just recently taken over his father's position as a duke as it was reported that his parents passed away during a business trade. Considering the fact the newly appointed duke did not have siblings, he's surely alone.

Heading to get her horse, Stellan, she saw him at the stables, drinking some water.

She had to be back before dinner time. That was the rule. She could feel her stomach rumbling from hunger, when she arrived, she immediately went straight to the dining room where her father was sitting by the head table, her mother sitting on his left, and her older brother sitting on his right. Father saw her and she sent him a sheepish smile.

"Hello, father and mother. I apologize for not making it on time." She said, bowing a bit and seated beside her brother. Her brother sent her a concerned look. His bright green eyes and red hair were almost identical to his sister. They were even mistaken as twins, and Lady Vienna was often called the female version of his brother.

Her father, Duke Xaviera was an intimidating man. His hair was gray and his eyes were red, with dark bags under them.  He looked at her with his sharp eyes. "Make this a warning, Vienna. You broke our rules. Just because you are our only daughter does not mean that I am not going to tolerate this next time." He said.

She nodded. "Of course father. I never meant to make you worry. It was my mistake and I'll never do it again."

Her father's eyes softened, he sighed. "We were just worried for you. Remember that you are an unmarried lady. We tolerate you stalking the prince every day but I don't want to see you getting hurt. You're my daughter, and I take pride in you, but you have to be careful, my child." He spoke to her softly.

"I understand, father." She said She's happy that at least, she is blessed with this kind of family.

Her mother held her hand from across the table. "We are not angry at you, we know you are a responsible child. But I wish you'd stop hanging around the crown prince. There's nothing good that will come considering our family is not allies with them."

She nodded. She was not stalking the prince...she was out from the Rouge Guild...she stayed silent, guessing it's better to leave it like that. They'll think it's strange if she suddenly stopped stalking him. 

Ascending the stairs and heading to her room, her personal maid, Roxy, was waiting for her the moment she entered, she threw herself at her with tears in her eyes. "My lady!"

She rolled her eyes. She let her in her arms as she sniffed her snot. Eww. Offering the maid one of her handkerchiefs, she gently pushed her away. "I'm home now, stop being dramatic, Roxy."

She sniffed on her handkerchief. "What would I do if her lady were to disappear? That was dangerous! I thought you only wanted to greet Titus! You should have informed me that you had other plans!”

 The lady had a crude personality, and she knows it. But out of everyone, including her friends, Roxy was the only one who could talk to her like this. She considers her as a friend and not a mere maid since they grew up together. Of course, it's also the same with Titus.

Patting her back lightly, she faced her. "As much as I appreciate your worry, I am too tired to deal with this right now. Let me take a rest."

"Of course my lady. How inconsiderate of me."

She looked around. “Where’s Titus?” 

“The emperor had asked for them to stay for the night. A feast was held for them and right now, they are still celebrating, my lady.” Roxy replied. 

I see...she felt a bit sad, but she’ll have to wait tomorrow to talk to Titus then…

The lady asked her maid to prepare her bath for her to relax. Roxy did as she told and added rose essential oils.

"Hmm... this day was...chaotic..." she thought as she lay on the tub. She felt her stiff and tense muscles now turning soft. She exhaled.

She glanced at the book that the mysterious man gave her. She has to find him soon, she has a lot of questions in her head that need to be answered! 

She stayed there for half an hour or so, planning on what to do tomorrow. After that, she wore her silk lacy white pajamas to bed. She slumped on her soft queen-sized mattress.

"Hah! What a long day!" She exclaimed, smiling from underneath her pillows. She dug her head more underneath, engulfing herself in the sweet homely smell of her room.

"What a long day indeed." Someone spoke up near her.

She stopped. Roxy was already settled in her room. But the voice was deep. Could it be Titus? But Titus never entered her bedroom without her permission...

Couldn't it be..no. no. no

Removing the pillow on her lead, Lady Vienna was shocked to see a male figure sitting on her large open window.

"Who are you?" She asked, although knowing what the answer is. She sneakily grabbed her sword just beside her.

The man stood up, giving her a clear view of himself as the moonlight escaped the window. Of course, it was Duke Raziel with his mask disguised as Dillon. The sight was magnificent.

"Why are you here?" Her trembling hand hid the sword she held behind her. Her every cell was shaking, but she held up. The man had a sword in his hand so it's obvious what he wants to do with her.

The man took a single step towards her. "Oh, I won't harm you. I just came here to settle some matters with you, Lady Vienna."

"My knight is outside, if you happen to try something weird, one scream and they'll come here. I suppose you are aware of that?" It’s a lie. Titus is still at the palace… She's trying to buy time at this point. "But I have a chance to fight with you, I took your mask, after all." Standing up, she faced her attacker.

"Oh, but it won't take a second. It'll be quick and easy if you cooperate with me."  The duke said. "I came here to kill you." In a quick second, he swung his sword on her and she fought back. She was strong, but the strength of the duke outweighed her. It seemed like the duke she fought back at the Rouge guild just playing with her. She couldn't fight back against him this time.

Sighing, she stopped struggling and said confidently, "Kill me then." If he can do it. She then remembered he would be initiating a coup d’etat by this time! He had already gathered his own army to kill all the nobles. Isn’t it a bit too early for her to be killed? 

The duke stopped, staring at her with his fiery red eyes. "Or we could resort to other options."

"What is it? Speak," she asked.

She could feel the duke was smirking behind his mask. "You'll see soon."

And the duke turned around. "Oh before I forget, Pardon me for this, but consider it a warning. If you happen to spread this about me, I'm sure you know what will happen." And with that, like how he came in, the duke jumped out to the window. "Goodbye for now, Lady Vienna."