Astra whispered something to the Archduke that Titania couldn't hear. "Okay, I'll go check it out," Sylvester said.
"What about your headaches?" The Archduke ignored what Astra said and left just like that.
"So you kissed him?" Titania stopped from escaping when Astra's attention went to her.
She scratched the back of her head as she turned back to Astra. "Well, you see, I want to make it believable." Astra looked at her with a grim expression on his face making her feel scared. She's aware that if he wanted to, he could turn her upside down right now.
"You should remember that even though Sylvester looks like that, he's soft-hearted and innocent." Titania grimaced upon hearing that.
'That guy? Soft-hearted and innocent? I can't see it?' is what she thought while she controlled her facial expression.
Astra sighs, "All I want to say is that I don't want him to get hurt. Knowing that your stay here is not permanent."
What Astra said lingers inside Titania's mind; she changed her clothes and washed her body before going to sleep. Now she's alone in her room, staring at the dark ceiling.
"He wouldn't actually fall for me. I mean, he's that Archduke. The one who almost killed a member of the Seven deadly sins." She suddenly felt guilty for what she did to Sylvester back at the engagement party.
She slapped her forehead, "I'm such a jerk. If a man that I don't like kissed me like that, I'll end up cursing at him." She twisted and turned on her bed as she realized how wrong her actions were. "I didn't know I'm such an annoying person."
Titania couldn't sleep well because she was overthinking her actions and even wanted to avoid the Archduke as much as possible.
Although it's pointless since the Archduke is nowhere to be found. While the servants have been looking at the lady with flowery and soft eyes as if she's the sweetest girl they have ever seen.
"Where is the Archduke?" She asked Julie who was tending her meal. She's sitting all alone at the dining table with lots of food in front of her.
It's the fifth day since their engagement party, and all this time, she didn't see any trace of Sylvester.
"Oh, he's been working in the Imperial Palace milady," Julie answered.
That's when Titania remembered that he was still the Captain of the Imperial Knights. That's why he needed to work on his office in the Imperial Palace.
That's what he's supposed to do in the first place. "Where's Bonbon?" Titania asked upon noticing that her little friend was nowhere near.
"He's watching the knights train in the training grounds." She thought that she'd finish all the food to get where Bonbon was; her maids made her relax and not rush.
But she just wanted to have fun since the Archduke is gone; no one criticizes her every move. Titania rushed to the training grounds making Marie run after her, and when they have arrived there, she saw topless knights.
The smell of sweat surrounds the area, and the voices of the knights permeate through the wall. She thought that this looked like one of those in the movies back in her world.
Ryker announced with a cheerful and loud voice, "The lady has arrived," making all the knights look in Titania's direction.
They all bowed their head and felt shy because of how they weren't wearing any tops. "What have you come here for, milady?" One of the knights with a stern face asked, making Titania feel intimidated.
"What are you doing, Daniel? Your face is scaring the lady." Ryker said and made the knight named Daniel shocked. "The Archduke is not here milady. He's currently working at the Imperial Palace with Sir Blaze by his side." How chatty Ryker is made Titania feel overwhelmed.
She scratches her cheek, "Yeah, I'm not here for him. Did any of you see Bonbon?" The two looked at each other with confusion in their eyes.
"Bonbon? Who's that? What a lame name." Ryker said without thinking.
"I named him that." Ryker froze after hearing what Titania said; he began scratching the back of his head while slowly making his way behind Daniel.
"I think it's adorable." He tried to make the situation better by lying, which made Titania laugh.
"You don't have to lie. It's okay to have a different opinion. We all are different, to begin with." All the knights looked at Titania as if she were a beautiful saint that showered them with her purity and virtue.
"If you're looking for the small demi-human with orange hair, he's behind that huge tree in the courtyard." Daniel pointed to the tree.
Titania thanked them as she struts towards the said tree with glee. She peeked at the orange creature. "What are you doing?" this surprised Bonbon, and he quickly hid something behind his back.
"What's that? Behind your back." In these past few days, Bonbon quickly learned how to speak. However, he's still shy and would only speak when Titania talks to him.
"I-It's nothing milady." Bonbon answered, but how he hides the thing behind his back like it's something important pique Titania's interest. She sat down beside the kid and smiled, "Is it a surprise?" What the lady said made Bonbon nervous, even making him blush hard because of his shyness.
Titania insisted, "Let me see." the shy boy blushed so hard as he trembled while showing what was behind his back.
It's a flower crown. Titania felt amazed by it and even covered her mouth out of happiness, "Did you make it for me?" Bonbon nodded, which made Titania giggle at how cute he was.
"Could you put it on my head?"
Bonbon hesitated, "But it's not that pretty." He said, making Titania look at him with loving eyes. She couldn't help herself but hug the cute boy in front of her. The fact that she likes kids makes it harder for her to control herself from not munching on this cute creature's chubby cheeks.
"Everything will be pretty as long as I use it." Titania confidently said she thought she'd never been able to say things like that as soon as she got back on her original body. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
"Put it please?" Titania even pleaded to make Bonbon guilty and gently placed the flower crown above the young lady's head.
Bonbon smiled happily as the lady looked up at him while wearing what he made. "You're right, milady. It really suits you." Titania's expression turned serious while looking at the boy; she pouted and held the boy's tiny hand.
"Why are you still calling me milady? You should call me Nina."
"B-But I'm just a demi-human and a servant."
Titania's eyes widened, "What? Who said you're a servant? From now on, I'm going to be your mom." Bonbon's eyes twinkled, "Or your sister, whichever you prefer." The young boy didn't even hear what Titania said next; the thought of having another mom who's pretty and kind made him so happy.
"I-If milady's going to be my mom, then is the Archduke, my dad?" Titania's forehead wrinkled as she touched her chin, "Hmmm, I guess so? Do you want him to be your dad? Isn't he scary?" The sound of loud knights training reached the courtyard making the two flinch.
When they noticed how they reacted, a burst of laughter came from the two. The weather isn't that hot, and the wind isn't that strong, making it the perfect time to have a picnic outside.
"The Archduke is scary, but he's kind." Titania wasn't expecting that answer from the kid. She patted Bonbon's head, "Then it's decided, he'll be your dad."
'Wait, should I ask Sylvester first? Nah, he wouldn't get angry, right?' is what the lady thought after she said. She wanted to tell Bonbon that they should ask the Archduke first, but seeing how happy the kid was, she couldn't say anything about it anymore.
"Milady! There's an emergency!" Their sweet time ended after Paula raced towards the two, panting with sweats all over her face.
"The Emperor… The Emperor has come to meet you." The news made Titania frown, 'Why the hell is that guy here?' She sighed as she lifted Bonbon and hugged him in her arms.
"Lead us to him."
Paula hesitated, "Are you bringing Bonbon with you? And milady, maybe you should change your clothes first."
Titania sighed, "There's no need; these clothes are already pretty. And yes, Bonbon will accompany me. We're not sure of what that guy is planning to do." Paula felt confused after not hearing what the lady whispered to herself.
"Should we make the Emperor wait?" Paula realized that she's been staring at the miss and quickly moved towards the greenhouse. It is located near the garden on the west side of Gailtrum Archduchy.
Upon arriving, a smile immediately formed on the Emperor's face. "It's nice to see you again, Titania."
Titania grimaced after hearing Emperor Lennox call her by the name so casually. "I didn't expect you to come, your highness. What could I do for you?" She forced a smile as she sat on the chair.
The greenhouse that used to be filled with only greenery, now full of flowers in different colours. Titania thought that the Archduke's belongings were always top tier and no other else could compare.
Lennox purposely avoided answering her question, "I see you're raising a demi-human as a pet." Titania's mood worsened after hearing that. She clenched her fist as she endured and kept herself from punching the Emperor right in the face.
She fakely giggled, "Oh no, Bonbon isn't my pet, your highness. Bonbon's treated like our child." The servants serving the tea looked at the lady with surprise. Almost all the guards inside the greenhouse that heard what the lady said couldn't believe their ears.
"Y-Your child? With whom?"
Titania pretended to be shy as she placed Bonbon on her lap. "With whom? Of course with Sylvester." The Emperor almost spit the tea he is drinking after hearing that.
His guards must be thinking that the lady of this manor went insane. Even the Archduchy's servants are baffled by what the lady is talking about.
"You see your highness, Sylvester and I wanted to change how people think about demi-humans,
"They're just like us; we're all living things that breathe the same air. It wouldn't hurt to treat them how we want to be treated, wouldn't it?" The servants who were once baffled looked at their lady with affectionate eyes. They just realized once again how kind the lady is.
Although she is acting, what she says is what she truly feels. Back in her original world, some things are taboo. But people who don't care about others didn't follow the rules and still ended up hurting them.
Titania realized that his world was not that different from where she came from. Racism, Inequality, Discrimination, and Poverty. How other people would choose to step on the weaker than them to gain more power and wealth disgusts her.
"B-But, a demi-human as a child? Wouldn't that be dangerous?"
Titania tilted her head as she showed Lennox a genuine smile, "Why would I be scared when my fiancé is the strongest man in the Empire?" Those words pricked the heart of the Emperor as if slowly killing him inside.
"Can't it be me?"
'Ugh! This talk again? Could you please give up now?! You're tiring me!'. "There are plenty of other women suitable to be your Empress, your highness." She's smiling, but it's evident that her eyes are not.
"But I want you. I want you to hug me like before when we were younger. Dote on me like I'm the only one for you!"
The lady couldn't believe how unreasonable those requests were, but of course, she couldn't say anything wrong about it. Even though he's literally screaming at her face.
"Is that a command?" Lennox flinched upon realizing how he raised his voice at the lady. "N-No. It's my wish." He answered as he looked into Titania's eyes, almost pleading at her to choose him.
The smile from Titania's face vanished in an instant, "Why? So you could lock me up in that cage again?" Lennox's eyes turned dreadful, his legs started trembling, and he couldn't look into Titania's eyes.
"Do you want to kill me again?"