At Demyan's bedroom; Adrik, Luka, and Mirko were glued to the window and watching... They couldn't go against the king and were powerless. They had to just watch how Petrona's belongings were engulfed and slowly disappearing in the flames. Luka as first averted the gaze. Mirko sighed, but he and Adrik had a secret, which Luka couldn't know since he was sitting in the dungeon at that time.
Demyan was brought upstairs into the tower by the king's guards. They had to drag him all the way up. He has given up for now. He was overflown by sadness and anger. Adrik hid again in the dark corner of the room as they were approaching. The guards dropped him on the floor right at the door and left. Mirko ran up to pick Demyan up from the ground. Adrik reappeared and Luka silently, like a statue stood in the half-emptied space.
Adrik couldn't keep it any longer inside. He looked at Mirko. "Show him!" Demyan raised his gaze to him. Mirko ran to the other side and rummaged through Demyan's old closet. He took out something big hidden in an old bag. A piece of the decorative headboard of the bed and the coat of Petrona's uniform.
Demyan's eyes sparkled again in that known shine. It uplifted his spirit. Adrik and Mirko managed to salvage at least something. Luka smiled. Petrona's memory wasn't completely destroyed at last. Adrik hoped to find at least something, that could be still intact, otherwise, he had to part with the scarf that was gifted by Petrona for Demyan's sake. Because he needed him to be fully by his senses for his plan.
Demyan stood tall with a smile again. The guys patted his shoulders for that quick recovery. His heart was for the most part healed, now came the time to heal his physical wounds from the punishment. Luka was contemplating out loud how to get rid of that wretched woman, sorry "fiancee".
Adrik knew, what was coming and rather not recommend getting too much involved in that direction. They should just avoid her from now on and Demyan should keep up with ignoring her and push her away as much as he can. Demyan was kind of on Adrik's side with that idea, but at the same time, he desired revenge.

The next day Demyan was summoned by Sava into the king's hall. He put on a neutral face and entered, kneeling down in front of the king. Mirko and Luka were observing from the side of the room. Adrik hid in the shadows again. The King didn't idle around. "Today in a week you and Countess Livia will be holding the wedding!"
Demyan flinched and lost his self-control. "WHAT?!" Luka and Mirko lost their composures as well. Even Adrik was in shock. Something was wrong? This wasn't the way, how it should continue. He checked on his cracks. They didn't spread, so it wasn't his doing. This could be a blessing in disguise or lead to more problems. He should let it go for now and decide later, what to do.
Livia standing next to the King was grinning at the Prince. Sava shout at Demyan. "How dare you raise your voice at me short after your last punishment! I am not sure if you grew braver, stupider or you have a death wish." Demyan lowered his head, but he seethed with anger inside. How could he marry such a horrible woman?!
Soon after the wedding announcement, the whole castle began with the wedding preparations for the next week. Demyan was back to his "lost case" state. Adrik assured him, that if the idea, which he came up with right now works out, how he wished, Demyan will hug him out of gratefulness. Demyan was confused by the announcement and he filtered out most of what Adrik said because he was deep in his depression and worries.
Luka and Mirko stood next to them, but they didn't comprehend what Adrik was saying either. Livia's steps were caught by Adrik and he hid from her. She came out running from the corner of the hall. She hung herself at Demyan's arm. He was disgusted just by her mere touch for what she pulled on him. Luka and Mirko walked away so they wouldn't get involved and she wouldn't try to push them away from Demyan. Adrik, whose eyes were the only thing visible right now was rather "swallowed" by the wall so he didn't need to look at that witch of a vampire woman.
"Are you happy about our wedding being sped up? I am SOOO much happier right now!" She let go of his hand and played to be shy. Such a skilled actress. "I should prepare myself for the wedding night as well." She grabbed her cheeks with both hands to keep up with the act.
"I can't imagine your gorgeous body lying next to me!" Demyan became nauseous just by that vision.
She turned with her back to him and he took that chance and jumped out of the window and flew away as far as he could. She swirled happily on her heel just to be surprised by Demyan's sudden disappearance.

After a while flying to the south, Demyan spotted something odd. He landed on a stony hill overlooking the lowlands next to a concerned Adrik. "What's going on?!" Adrik glared at the sight. "I have no clue. This is all wrong, why are the Goblins attacking your border out of  a sudden?"