Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 17

Mila was nearly out of breath as she followed the green light deeper into the forest. The glowing orb moved quickly, weaving through the trees and underbrush, and Mila struggled to keep up. Her legs ached, and her breath came in short, sharp gasps, but she was determined not to lose sight of the light. She was so focused on her pursuit that she didn't notice the uneven ground beneath her feet until it was too late. Suddenly, she stumbled, tumbling forward and falling into a hidden cave below.

"O-O-Ouch," she groaned, feeling the impact reverberate through her body as she hit the ground. Pain shot through her limbs, and she knew she would be bruised from the fall. But despite the ache, her curiosity and determination pushed her to stand up and take in her surroundings.

The cave was unlike anything she had ever seen. The walls were lined with shimmering green crystals, casting an ethereal glow that illuminated the space around her. It felt otherworldly, as if she had stepped into a place untouched by time. As she looked around, she noticed the green light she had been following still hovering in the air, patiently waiting for her.

"Where are you taking me?" Mila asked, her voice echoing softly in the cave. But the light didn't answer; it merely beckoned her to follow, leading her further into the depths of the cave. Mila took a cautious step forward, then another, moving closer to the light as it guided her along a narrow path.

The light led her to a section of the cave where the walls were covered in thick, intertwined vines. The vines were so densely packed that they almost completely blocked the passage, but there was a small gap just large enough for her to squeeze through. Mila hesitated for a moment, then slipped through the opening, grateful for her small size. 'This is when I'm glad I am still a child,' she thought, maneuvering carefully through the tight space.

On the other side, the cave opened up again, revealing even more glowing green crystals that bathed the chamber in a soft, inviting light. Mila's eyes were immediately drawn to the center of the room, where a single egg sat on a bed of moss. The egg glowed with a soft green hue, and at its center was a delicate butterfly mark that seemed to pulse with energy.

'An egg?' Mila thought, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and curiosity. She moved closer, her footsteps quiet on the soft earth. When she reached the egg, she hesitated for just a moment before gently placing her hand on its surface.

As soon as her hand touched the egg, it began to glow more intensely, as if responding to her presence. The light from the egg seemed to travel up her arm and across her body, converging at the back of her neck. Mila felt a strange warmth there, though she couldn't see it herself, a faint feather symbol appeared on the back of her neck, glowing softly before fading to become almost invisible.

Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind, clear and jubilant. [Master! You've found me!] The voice was unmistakably Vivian's, filled with excitement and relief.

Mila was so startled that she nearly pulled her hand away, but she quickly took a deep breath to calm herself. "Vivian?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with the shock of hearing the beast's voice so clearly in her mind.

'Don't worry, Master! I will hatch soon! Just not yet, though!' Vivian's voice was reassuring, carrying a sense of warmth and loyalty. 'I need to store enough mana to be strong when I hatch, and since you are still young, it will take some time. But I'm here with you now, and I will always be with you!'

Mila watched in amazement as the egg before her began to disintegrate into tiny, glowing particles. The light-filled fragments floated gently through the air before they were drawn toward her, merging seamlessly with her body. Within moments, the egg was gone, leaving no trace behind. "Vivian?" Mila called out, feeling a sudden emptiness where the egg had been moments ago.