"Have you heard what is the talk of the town these days?" Lady Vienna heard one of the waitresses say, as she spoke with her friends far away from their table. After the duke’s visit a few days ago, the duke invited her again to the coffee shop, threatening her about her visit to the Rouge guild if she didn’t go. Having no choice, she decided to finally attend. 

The waitress glanced at Lady Vienna carefully, noticing that the lady was there. Turning her lips upwards, the lady raised her eyebrows at her and smirked at her. One of her colleagues did not see her as she was facing the lady with her back so she was not careful with the next words she uttered, "Ohhh, I've heard it! Apparently, the tyrant duke, that Villain Duke Raziel Valen Donovan, had asked for the villainess' hand, Lady Xaviera!"

All of them released gasps.

"Really? Wasn't the lady busy fawning over the Crown Prince Mathias?" Added the other, to which they were shushed by the waitress who saw the lady, obviously scared of her. Now that they saw her, knowing that they were talking about her. She flashed them her smirk. They stared at her as if they saw a ghost and rushed over to leave.

Awe, she was in a good mood and wanted to thank them...it's not like she would slice off their tongues like she usually did when she hears someone talking about her...

The rumors travel so fast. And nothing is more exciting than to see people huddling from outside the coffee shop as they watch every little thing, eager to see what could happen next.

Of course, they would be eager. Every little thing she does would be reported to the whole town. Nothing is private anymore.

In front of her was the man who asked for a hand in marriage to Duke Raziel. 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 was always wearing a mask to cover part of his face for unknown reasons. They said it was because he hides his ugly scar somewhere on the cheek...that he was a beast and the strongest...Well...that’s what the rumors say about him. 

He's sitting elegantly across from her, taking a bite out of his favorite strawberry parfait. This was the strongest knight of the empire. Of course, he was handsome, to say the least. But not for Lady Vienna. She huffed.

The famous Villain, Duke Raziel, and the famous crown prince Stalker, Lady Vienna, sitting together calmly in a coffee shop? The sight itself would create an uproar in the city.

The lady spoke up. "Speak, why did you call me here?"

Her tone was calm, but there was annoyance lacing in her voice. 

The duke looked at the gold, "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." 

However, a villainess marrying a villain? It would be strange, but isn’t he busy with his coup d’etat? Why is he here in front of her, spouting all about marriage? 

The question is, is he really the Duke Raziel as mentioned in the book? He’s doing the opposite of everything… 

she mumbled to herself. 

She thought of how everything was delayed, from the marriage of the crown prince and the female lead, and Duke Raziel’s coup d’etat. “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. She came here, for this reason, to reject his proposal. 

Duke Donovan was still calm, but what he said next piqued her interest.

"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. Gosh. This was not according to the book...She remembered that the villain never proposed to the villainess... the villain and villainess never agreed with each other...in fact, they did not even talk with each other that much unless needed, so why is this happening?

Was there a glitch? Or are they ruining the story's flow? She has to test him. 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?”

Looking at his mask, she pointed at it. “Show me your face.”  She stated confidently. “I’ve always been curious. Why do you always wear a mask?” She knows she’s being a brat and pushy, but she’ll have to test him to edge. The book didn’t even mention the reason behind it. And she has been curious about it for a while now. 

The duke had always been emotionless, but hearing her words right now, there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. It’s a sensitive topic for him. Clearing his throat, he asked back. “Why? Do you think I'm a monster?”

“If I say yes, what would you do?”

Duke Raziel nodded, “If you’re that curious, why don’t you agree to my proposal then? Once we’re married, you get to see my face.”

Is that a challenge? She’ll have to think this through and take this seriously then, “I’ll think about it. Give me time.” 

“Well, 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.

She heard people taking a peep in her direction, probably stunned and confused about what was happening.

"My lady," beside her, Titus appeared, glaring at the duke's direction just a while ago. "Are you alright? Did he try anything weird?"

Lady Vienna just sighed, standing up with the book in her hands, "I'm alright, let us head home."

Her knight nodded and together, they left the coffee shop. She got on her carriage with her knight's help and they started to move. She closed her eyes to let herself think clearly. She has to solve two issues now. To look for the handsome mysterious man who gave the book and the proposal of Duke Raziel. 

“Roxy.” She called out when she got home. 

Her maid appeared, “Yes, my lady?”

“Spread this about Duke Raziel.” Whispering to her maid, Lady Vienna smirked, seeing Roxy widening her eyes in shock. 

“My lady! I cannot do that!”

“Yes, you can.” She said, just thinking about it excites her more. “I’ll take the blame when he comes here.” 

She’s curious what the Duke would do with these rumors. Will this be enough to chase him away? Well, she’ll just have to wait.