They all focused on Sylvester with confused eyes while Ryker was squealing on the side. The Archduke felt humiliated and wanted to disappear because of the commotion Florian created, and he also noticed that Titania seemed to be enjoying his humiliation.
"Our Captain did?" Rosie couldn't believe her ears, "Oh well, I knew you're the type to be a mushy and head-over-heels for the woman you love." She giggled as she raised a thumb at the lady, while Titania just smiled because she's been suppressing her laughter.
The days continued to pass by, and so is the preparation for the couple's (?) engagement party. But a rumour has been spreading throughout the capital city.
It is about the Archduke. That he became the sweetest man in the Empire who wishes for a kiss from his beloved. When the news of this first came into the Archduchy, Titania cackled nonstop and continued teasing the Archduke. While Sylvester wants to kill the person who spread it, and he knows who exactly it is.
"Don't hurt Ryker, sweetest man in the Empire," Titania said while getting her hair done. Today is their engagement party, and almost all the nobility is invited. Since it is the Archduke, pretty much everyone wanted to witness just how sweet this man has become towards his love.
Sylvester took refuge in Titania's room because of the annoying guests that had been following him all around. They're asking if he indeed wished for a kiss from the young lady. It's not their business, though.
The Archduke rested on the couch while closing his eyes. "When are you going to be ready? I want to just finish this all and rest."
Last week was pure hell for the two. Florian has been asking them to tend to the things that are needed for their engagement party. Like choosing what theme and colour, the decorations, the foods, and almost everything.
Since Florian must be thinking that this is a special event for the two and wanted them to enjoy preparing for it the most. Although it is more like a job than enjoyment for them.
"I'm done," Titania said, making the Archduke look at her. She's wearing an off-shoulder gorgeous white ball gown with blue crystal designs that compliment her eyes. Rosie did a great job on her dress that even the Archduke couldn't retort.
Titania chuckled, "I know I'm dead-ass gorgeous; no need to melt me with your eyes." The Archduke looked at the lady who was overconfident, even though what she said was the truth.
Instead of retorting, Sylvester just lends his hand to the lady; he didn't want to make their suffering get longer than this.
"The Emperor would be there; you must act right." Sylvester reminded Titania as they walked out of the room.
Titania giggled as she looked up to the Archduke, "Of course. I wouldn't embarrass you, my duke." Although she said that out of sarcasm, the Archduke didn't bother to point it out.
Whenever he's with this lady, he gets tired of fighting back and would just follow the flow. Which is very rare coming from him.
The venue for their engagement party is in the garden. They walked down the stairs, being guided by Florian, who was smiling ear to ear. Sylvester is just glad that the old butler is not crying out of joy because of this party.
Who would have thought that the most famous bachelor of the Alynthian Empire is soon to be married to the Alynthian's guardian and treasure, the Fairy Queen?
Titania whispered, "Imagine how these people would react if we soon break up," making the Archduke stop from walking. He forgot because of their busy preparation. That soon, the lady would leave and depart from the Archduchy.
Titania waved her hand in front of the Archduke, "Hey. Why did you stop?" pulling him back to reality. 'Who cares? It's not like I need her.' The Archduke thought as they continued making their way to the garden.
Even the hallway was decorated with garlands and white roses. The Archduchy went all out with this party for their Master and soon-to-be Duchess.
And when they had finally arrived, the claps of their guests filled their ears as Titania saw their broad smiles. Although she is aware that most of them are stabbing her in the back.
With how the garden is decorated, people might think that they're getting married now. Florian made sure for it to be fabulous and elegant to the eyes. It hurts Titania just thinking about her breaking up with the Archduke because they'll surely hate her.
"Please welcome the soon-to-be husband and wife. Archduke Sylvester Vinn de Monde Alynthi, and Fairy Queen Titania."
The two walked on the white aisle carpet as the people congratulated them; it was not even their wedding yet. And Titania even wondered how Sylvester's name is too long while hers is just plain 'Titania.'
She flashed her brightest smile and acted like she was enjoying all the attention she was getting. As they got on their seats, the Emperor arrived, snatching the attention from them. This made the other nobles feel conflicted about the event. Since the Emperor is obviously still in love with the lady.
But when they saw that the Emperor came with Vivica on his side, the whispering grew, and gossips changed. They thought that maybe the Emperor is now fallen for the daughter of Marquess Byron. Titania couldn't believe how simple these people's minds were.
"I congratulate you, dear cousin, and my Queen." Lennox, who arrived near the two, was about to kiss the back of the fairy's hand. But Sylvester didn't let him do so, making all the nobles witness the possessiveness of the Archduke.
Sylvester couldn't understand why he was feeling pissed with what the Emperor said. "She's not your Queen." He thought that maybe it was because it was that time of the day again. Where his headache will soon consume him.
Lennox smiled, "I see. So is the rumour about you requesting for a kiss true?"
All the guests focused on what's happening between the Archduke and Emperor Lennox; they've been waiting to hear the truth from Sylvester's mouth.
Titania, who is sitting beside him, looked at the two with amusement. She thought that being transported in Tharain wasn't that bad since she could watch a live romance drama in front of her. Although she's doomed to die, her positivity is what keeps her going.
Sylvester suddenly held Titania's hand, making the girl feel flustered, "I did. I see nothing wrong about it, your highness. Since she is my lady."
Titania felt amazed by what Sylvester said, even emphasizing the word 'my' as he also showed them a smile that almost made the women faint due to how handsome he looked.
'Wow, this guy is getting good at lying,' is what Titania thought as she hid her laugh. 'Well, since he's making an effort, why don't we spice things up?' she thought as she stood up beside the Archduke.
"I am sorry, my duke. I never knew that you wanted to kiss me that bad." Titania placed her fist in front of her chin and used her eyes to show how sad she was; this turned the party into an uproar. Her pretty eyes and gorgeous face made all the men want to have her.
The Archduke whispered into her ears, "Do you want to die that badly?" but she just smiled and said, "If that is what my duke truly wants. Then as your future Duchess, I shall give it to you."
The already chaotic engagement party took a 180-degrees turn and got worse when Titania suddenly placed both of her hands on the Archduke's cheeks, making him look at her, and kissed him on the lips without hesitance.
The Archduke froze as his face turned into a cherry-coloured, while the guests were clapping and screaming in joy. The servants are also embarrassed yet couldn't stop squealing with what the young lady has done.
Lennox, standing right in front of two, couldn't move as his hands tremble, while Vivica glared at the young lady for how arrogant she thought she was.
The party continued with the Archduke out of his mind. He is seen in a daze while Titania keeps thanking the guests who celebrate their engagement with them.
She's been improving on suppressing her laughter because of the soulless expression of the Archduke right now. Even if the engagement party reaches its end, Sylvester is still out of his mind.
"Until when are you going to stay like that?" Titania asked as she watched the guest leaving one by one.
They're still sitting on their seats, and she's waving her hand to bid the others goodbye, "Hey, Tharain to Sylvester." She said as she touched the Archduke's shoulder, making him react and fall off his seat catching the other people's attention.
Titania faked a laugh, "Oh my, why are you being clumsy, my duke." she tried to help the Archduke get up, but she saw how he blushed, and he averted his gaze.
This made her blink a thousand times, 'What the hell? Is he a maiden?' is what she thought as she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The Archduke, a brute and cruel person, is blushing in front of her. How could this not surprise her?
She chuckled, "What are you doing?" she asked as she noticed that they were the only ones left in the garden, and it was already dark. Only the light coming from the pier mount lantern surrounding the garden helps them see in the darkness.
The servants have left the two because they thought it was sweet for them to have time for themselves, not knowing how awkward they've become.
"Did that kiss make you like that?"
Sylvester looked at Titania in disbelief. "That kiss? How could you do that to someone you don't even like?" he exploded and told her that.
Titania, who didn't expect the Archduke to be such an innocent person, chuckled, making Sylvester even more pissed. The garden's exquisite decorations make it the best scenario for a love scene in a drama, is what she thought, yet here they are arguing.
"Don't worry, that's also my first kiss, so isn't it okay? And it would be even more believable." Sylvester felt uncomfortable with Titania's carefreeness; she is aware that they're not getting married for real.
If they end their engagement, she'll be the one who'll receive the hate. That's how the society in this place works; women are seen as objects that only live to satisfy the needs of men.
That's why Sylvester didn't feel good about what was happening because he was aware of its consequences on the lady. "You know that what you did will only trigger Lennox on snatching you even more." He sighed.
Titania's eyes soften as she looks at the man who just stood up, "Do you remember what I've said? Of how inconsistent I am with the things I do and feel?" Sylvester's forehead creased as he hesitantly nodded. "At first, I am already aware of the destiny of Titania, and I wanted to change it. However, all these restraints on me are making me feel suffocated." She smiled.
Titania looked up at the night sky filled with beautiful stars, "I think when I saw Titania's memories, all she wanted was to be free. From the Emperor's grasp, from the responsibilities that were pushed to her young self."
She looked back at Sylvester, and a sudden blow of wind made her hold her hair. "And since I'm already here, I'm going to have fun until I find a way back to my original home. Since Titania is gone, I want her body at least to enjoy this life."
Her smile caught Sylvester off guard that it made him remember the kiss they did in front of the other nobles. "But how could you kiss me like that?!" he exploded, which made Titania laugh and was about to jokingly hit Sylvester in the arm.
But the man evaded her, resulting in the lady almost falling on the ground face first. She didn't fall because Sylvester quickly grabbed her by the waist; the two looked at each other's eyes.
"What a scene."
They quickly moved away from each other after hearing that voice. There Titania and Sylvester saw Astra, who was looking at the two with judging eyes, "I wouldn't be surprised if you two ended up falling for each other. Damn love birds." Astra rolled his eyes.
"Outrageous," Sylvester said, making Titania agree. "Is there a reason why you came?" Astra's face turned serious. Titania remembered not seeing Astra attend the engagement party, although there were plenty of chocolates.
"I have news."