"Hmmm?" A man with a child-like appearance opened his eyes when he felt a familiar freedom. After 17 years of his sudden slumber, he was finally awake. He immediately carried his body to sit as he wandered his eyes on his surrounding. "Finally, that stupid thing has finally returned"

He waved his hands to remove the mana barrier from the cave where he fell asleep. Although his body is currently weak because of his long slumber, the power that he has is still enormous, however, he won't be able to use that because his body is weak.

He immediately stands up but due to his body condition, his body went out of balance, because of this, a frown became evident on his cute little face. The young man clenched his little fist tightly. "Damn it..." He hissed when droplet water from the cave ceiling spike dropped on his face.

His red eyes glowed as he stared at the nearest rock on his right side. The rock suddenly shattered into pieces. "That woman..." He said while trying to stand up. "That stupid woman..." He spoke once more.

The memory of a certain woman's insolence replayed on his mind. The frown on his face became deeper as he gritted his teeth in annoyance. He will never forget that insolence!

17 years ago, a little woman suddenly took his soul's vessel from its place causing his body to fall into a deep slumber. His soul was forced to be trapped on that thing which made him completely powerless. His soul was freed from that 'thing' when the insolent woman brought it back to that 'place'

"I'll hunt that woman!" His cute little voice echoed at the cave. "I will hunt her for the rest of her life!" Then a tear formed from his cute little eyes while replaying the things he had overcome from that woman. It was truly a horrible experience. That woman is a witch! A bad witch!

From his thousands of years of existence, no one has ever treated him like that!

While his soul is trapped on that thing he was treated like a thing! Carelessly handled! The woman even threw him like a rock! Sometimes used him like a hammer! She even placed him as a stand under a table! The worst thing is she puts him everywhere not caring if his vessel has dust or something.

Truly inhumane!

"Hnng, I've encountered a bad witch," He said while whimpering on the ground. Recovering his strength. He promised to find that Gabriella and make a payback!

•••••

Achooo!

Gabriella suddenly sneezed while eating the snacks placed on the mini table in front of her. Her body suddenly felt a shiver for unknown reasons. It feels like... Something interesting will happen!

"Are you feeling well?" Evan asked Gabriella. He closed the book in his hands while glancing at the beautiful woman in front of her. He took out a handkerchief and handed it to the sniffling Gabriella.

"I am completely fine, maybe someone is speaking of my deeds," She said jokingly, which is probably the truth. Although the Duke's face looks cold and stiff, Gabriella accepted his kind gesture and took the white handkerchief on his hands. "Thank you, Your Grace," She said.

Gabriella shamelessly used the handkerchief, gently patting it on her nose. She doesn't really need the handkerchief, she just wanted to know if the Duke's handkerchief has a smell or something.

It's just a weird curiosity, don't mind her.

However, if you're also curious, the handkerchief smells like handsome according to Gabriella's sense of smell.

"Oh, Your Grace. Other than being a picky eater, is there anything that bothers Maria?" Gabriella decided to start a conversation. The Duke stiffened when Gabriella asked that. "I remember that the weather is hot in this season, Maria usually complains about the heat"

"Indeed" Evan replied while slightly nodding his head.

The truth is Maria did not complain anything about the heat of the summer to him. However, he knew that the heat does bother his daughter as it bothers him as well.

This attribute was also part of Chavez's bloodline, their mana is connected to the ice power that's why the summer season bothered them the most.

"I see, I should ask my brother to contact Marcelino" Gabriella flashed him a smile. Gabriella knows the Chavez's are bothered by summer's heat, the novel 'You Shall Pay' stated it and was proven when Maria lived in their house.

Gabriella tilted her head when the Duke's face became stiffer. "Who is Marcelino?" He asked. "What does he has to do with the heat?"

Gabriella laughed softly with that question, that expression reminded her of Maria when she first mentioned Marcelino to her along with his unique inventions. Maria even asked her if Marcelino is her lover, like duh, that bastard will never be her lover.

"Marcelino is a famous inventor with an alias of 'Maestro' He is a sorcerer that specializes in magical tools that we can use in our daily lives or..." Gabriella paused. "...In battles," she said. "Do you recognize him?"

"He's Leonardo's staff" he replied. His stiff face made him look naive when he said that.

"Pffft..." Gabriella tried to her laughter when The Duke recognized Marcelino as Leonardo's staff. Although it was the truth, Marcelino plays a big role in the Merchants guild, without him that guild will be an ordinary guild.

Marcelino is a hidden genius that was discovered by Gabriella and Leonardo. Marcelino is a sorcerer so it was natural for him to be curious about magic, especially magical tools.

Gabriella who has an uncommon knowledge about modern technologies lures the talented sorcerer with her modern ideas, that is the reason why Marcelino joined Leonardo's guild in return for the satisfaction of his curiosity.

"Yeah, he is Leonardo's staff" Gabriella replied while covering her lips. "However, Marcelino has a new invention called 'Aircon' that can help you relieved from the heat of summer. I'll contact him so he can ask Leonardo to deliver it to your household" She said.

"Aircon?" The duke asked in invisible confusion. "How does that invention work?" he asked. Gabriella took a cookie from the basket, the Duke's eyes followed her movements until Gabriella bites the food.

"It's a tool that cools a place without freezing it, It's an incredible invention, its function was similar to a heater but the difference is it cools the place" Gabriella explained to the Duke. "Your manor will surely love it, I swear"

"If it will make my daughter comfortable then do as you please"

"Gladly," Gabriella replied as she munched a cookie. "Hmm this is delicious, I wonder why Maria preferred my sweets more" She uttered to herself.

The Duke heard her said that, his brows twitched without Gabriella noticing it. "According to a book, it was pregnancy hormones," Evan told his remark. Gabriella glanced at him. "She won't eat anything if I didn't promise her to invite you"

"Looks like the baby will come out with my appearance" Gabriella joked.

"I have no complaints," Evan replied with her statement. He took the book from the table as he flipped the pages. Gabriella went silent when the Duke said that, what does he means by that? Usually, grandparents would like it if their grandchildren took their traits.

"P-pardon, Your Grace?"

Duke Evan pressed his lips slightly. "I won't mind if my Grandchild will take your appearance"

"Hehe, You mean my brother's appearance? I look like my brother, besides he is the father"

"No, you're prettier than him" He replied. His eyes were on the book but the truth is he is secretly observing Gabriella's reaction. "So, I won't mind if her child will look like you"

Gabriella cleared her throat as she averted her eyes from the duke. Her cheeks were slightly pink because of his remark. Maria usually told her that it will also please her if her child will look like Gabriella, but the effect of those words was different when it was the Duke stated it.

This is the effect of the handsome face!

She chooses the right person to simp with!

Praises feels good when it came from a beautiful being!

Gabriella's thought stopped when she glanced at the window of the carriage. "Are we close?" She asked the Duke. She immediately sticks her face at the window like a child. She doesn't need to worry if the other people outside might see her face, the window glass of the carriage is tinted by the way.

The Duke glanced outside. "Yes," He replied. "If there is no inconvenience then it's a yes"

Gabriella nodded her head. She can't wait to roam around the Duke's Residency hehe~

••••