Life Becomes Duke's Beloved
Witch Castle

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Early that day Abela was a little surprised as she woke up in Armand's arms. As she distanced herself, the first thing Abela saw was Armand's brown eyes staring at her.

Abela felt the wrong behavior tidying up her hair and clothes. Armand slowly moved from his seat and reached out to Abela.

"Come ... to the river," he said briefly.

Abela did not reply, she only welcomed Armand's helping hand and walked after him.

This morning, it was colder than last night. Abela was slightly bewildered as she touched the river water. He glanced at Armand who had started washing his face. Drips of water flowed down her firm cheeks, into her sturdy neck.

Armand closed his eyes for a moment, combing his hair back with a finger. The top of his shirt is open. Abela was involuntarily fixated on looking at Armand, her eyes following the drops of water flowing from the temple to Armand's neck. Disappear behind a shirt.

"You've been glued to me lately, all of a sudden" Armand said.

The deep sound of Armand drifted into Abela's ears along with the sound of the river flow. Not to make Abela surprised or aware of her daydream. But making his heartbeat sound louder than the sound of the wind.

Abela swallowed her saliva, staring directly at Armand's dark brown pupils. The man looked at her with a stern look. Slowly tilting his slanted smile as his eyes glanced to the side. Stop looking into Abela's eyes.

Abela was somehow disappointed, she still wanted to be caught in Armand's gaze. Although at that time he felt his face warm up and his heartbeat beat more intense. But he still wanted to look into those eyes.

Abela looked down at the water, started washing her face as well. Be careful that your clothes are not wet with water. Drying her face gently with a handkerchief and tying her hair.

Armand watched everything Abela did with the corner of her eye. That woman must be very beautiful. That's right, that's Abela. The woman who stole his heart from the first time they met at a celebration party for having eliminated a witch. And that witch is also the one now inside that body.

Armand smiled at this ambiguous thing that had happened. Armand actually wanted to not believe what the woman was saying. And consider it a complete madness. But unfortunately, day by day Armand became convinced that he was not his Abela.

Armand was still watching Abela with the corner of his eyes as Abela fell silent waiting for him. He just stood there stealing glances at Armand. Without talking. Armand could see back the red hue on Abela's face slowly creeping into her ears and neck. Wh who? Ask Armand inwardly. Whose feelings were painted on that face? Armand shook his head at that thought. He turned to face Abela who looked surprised.

"You're biting your lips too hard again" Armand said in a whisper.

Abela gasped and released her bite. The heart rate becomes uncontrollable again. Abela gulped. Confused by this reaction his heart and body gave him.

"Abela ..." call Armand slowly.

Abela dodged from Armand's eyes, she slightly lowered her head slightly.

Either with a push coming from nowhere, Armand grabbed Abela's chin and made her look at her again. Seizing Abela's blue eyes with her gaze again.

"Arabela ..." whispered Armand softly, successfully making Abela widen her open eyes. His heartbeat sounded louder in his ears as if he was ready to explode at any moment. His face was getting hot. Abela gulped at Armand's lips and jaws, which seemed to be getting closer.

Abela could feel the pressure of Armand's arm on her back as Armand brought her closer in a single pull.

"You look like you're going to fall" Armand said softly.

"I'm fine," Abela replied as slowly, her hands spontaneously trying to push Armand's chest.

"I told you, you're going to fall" Armand said with a pesky tone and a slanted smile.

Abela closed her lips in annoyance. He could have been fascinated by Armand. Abela removed her hand from Armand's grasp and walked away, feeling embarrassed.

.

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"Madam Abela will lead the way to the witch's castle." Armand announced something that shocked everyone.

"What do you mean Duke?" ask Calix coldly. He stared at Armand.

Armand just laughed softly in response.

"You mind? Abela?" armand asked, ignoring everyone's confused gazes.

Abela was also a little surprised by the instructions. Supposedly, Armand asked him first. But of course, what Abela expected from Armand right now.

"All right, your highness." Abela answered flatly. It was as if clearly drawing a boundary between them by calling out the noble Armand.

"Then it's decided. What are you waiting for, Madam can go forward together with the captain," Armand said still in a cold tone.

"I will also be in front then," said Cesar casually. He aligned his horse with Abela and blinked one eye.

Calix, with his face snatched, was right behind Abela. Armand stared at Abela's back. Armand was not trying to wreak him any harm, but once again, Armand wanted to be convinced once again. This woman is a witch.

"Captain, follow me." Abela spoke in a confident tone. Replied a small nod from the team captain and Cesar.

The delicate concise of the horse Abela was riding sounded as she began to race her horse. Abela was undaunted even though she would bring everyone into the dense forest. Abela believes that this is the fastest route that is safer than other fast routes. At least he's the only one who knows.

The forest they entered was very quiet and cold. They did not hear any animal sounds. Abela slowed down her horse and looked around the place. There is a tree bigger than the other trees. Abela smiled as she looked at the tree and walked over.

Abela whips out one of her twin swords - the one Armand gave her during the first expedition. And stick it right in the middle of the tree trunk. Green light emanated from the tree. The sound of roots that were like being plucked was heard making linu eardrums. The tree pulled itself out.

Cesar was astonished to see the tree shifting itself. While the green light that was seen earlier shimmered increasingly thinner. Slowly they could see a gate of black copper looming high in front of them.

Armand has come here many times. And he knew clearly, that this one in front of him was the entrance gate that was at the front of the magician castle. It takes two or three days to travel by horse to get here. It was unexpected that they could arrive just by riding a horse for half a day only.

Armand was still riveted like the rest of the soldiers. Calix looked at Abela with a confused look. He wondered what he had just seen.

Abela turned to Armand who was raising his head up to look at the towering high gate like it had no end to it.

"Welcome to Armand, in the witch's castle."

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