Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 16

As the carriages rolled to a stop, Mila peered out the window, her eyes widening at the sight before her. The forest was immense, stretching out in all directions, vast and mysterious. This forest, which was part of the Mireraweth Kingdom, covered a significant portion of the continent, its dense trees and undergrowth hiding countless secrets. The sheer scale of it was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

Sara, who had accompanied Mila to the event, could only remain behind at the carriage. As a maid, she was not permitted to take part in the royal event and could only wait anxiously for Mila and the others to return. Mila gave her a reassuring smile before stepping out of the carriage, knowing that Sara would worry about her until she came back safely.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the four Dukes and their families gathered, their presence commanding the attention of everyone in attendance. All eyes turned toward the royal platform where the emperor and empress sat, resplendent in their regal attire. The two were seated on a grand throne, overseeing the event with an air of authority.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," the Dukes and their families said in unison, bowing respectfully before the emperor and empress.

The emperor, a man of imposing stature, rose slightly from his throne to address the gathered nobles. "This event is for the Dukes and their families," he began, his voice carrying across the crowd with ease. "As you all know, each child must venture into the forest alone. They cannot join forces with another and may not claim the same beast. This event is a test for noble children, and any child who fails to return with a beast will not be eligible to participate in the next event."

The emperor's words hung in the air, a reminder of the high stakes involved. Everyone present understood the gravity of the situation. For the children, this was more than just a test; it was a rite of passage that could shape their future within the noble ranks.

The empress, her presence equally commanding, took over from the emperor. "The royal guards from the palace will escort each child into the forest. Remember, if a guard fails in their duty and a child is left alone and killed, the punishment is death. There will be no exceptions." Her words sent a shiver through the assembled guards, each one acutely aware of the severity of the rules. The empress's gaze was sharp, ensuring that everyone understood the importance of their role in this event.

A murmur ran through the crowd as the empress continued, "Our crown prince will also be joining this event, Prince Leroy."

Heads turned as Prince Leroy stepped forward, emerging from the center of the gathering. His orange-yellow hair caught the light, gleaming like fire, while his indigo eyes held a cool, regal intensity. There was no denying that he was handsome, his presence drawing the attention of many.

Mila noticed Vita and Elsie stealing glances at him, their faces betraying their interest.

But Mila quickly averted her gaze. She had no desire to be caught up in the palace intrigues, particularly the harem. She knew far too much about the crown prince's future, having seen firsthand the turmoil and suffering that would come under his rule. The memories were bitter, and she preferred not to dwell on them, especially not now when she needed to focus on the task ahead.

As the preparations for the event continued, Mila steeled herself, determined to find her beast and avoid any unnecessary entanglements with the royal family. The forest awaited, vast and full of possibilities, and Mila knew that she had to remain vigilant and strong to succeed.
***
Prince Leroy stood tall, his presence commanding as he surveyed the gathering before him. The Dukes had arrived with their families, and among them were their daughters, all of whom would be participating in the event. He knew the routine well—how the young noblewomen would steal glances at him, some with admiration, others with calculated intentions. It was something he had grown used to, yet it never ceased to irk him. To him, these women were all the same, their ambitions transparent. They saw him as a path to power, each one dreaming of becoming the empress by his side. But Prince Leroy had no interest in such ambitions. The idea of sharing his life with an empress felt burdensome, a distraction from the responsibilities and battles he would soon face.