Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 21

Leo and Duke Reynard returned to the tent where the doctors were gathered, their faces grim as they whispered among themselves. The rest of the Noble family had already returned home, leaving the two men to await news about Mila. Tension hung thick in the air, and both father and son felt it pressing down on them as they approached.

Duke Reynard, his expression stern and unyielding, stepped forward. "How is she?" he demanded, his voice low but filled with the weight of his authority. Beside him, Leo stood with a troubled look, his concern evident in the tightness of his posture.

The doctors exchanged uneasy glances, hesitant to speak. There were five of them, all seasoned professionals, but the atmosphere surrounding Duke Reynard made even these experienced men falter. The weight of his gaze, the unspoken command in his words, made them nervous.

Finally, one of the doctors, visibly trembling, stepped forward. He tried to speak but found his voice caught in his throat. The pressure from the Duke's presence was overwhelming. "Y-Your d-daughter has b-been c-c-cured but...!" The doctor stammered, his breath hitching as he struggled to get the words out. Before he could finish, his face turned pale, and he collapsed, having forgotten to breathe under the immense stress.

Duke Reynard's patience snapped. His anger, barely restrained, seeped into the air, creating a deathly aura that seemed to darken the very space around them. "Say it!" he commanded, his voice sharp and filled with frustration. The remaining doctors flinched, their anxiety spiking as they realized the severity of the situation.

The tension grew thicker, and the doctors, sensing that they were running out of time, looked around desperately for someone to speak up. At last, a sixth figure emerged from the tent—a woman doctor who had been the last to examine Mila. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held a somber understanding of the news she was about to deliver.

"She will bear a scar for her entire life," the woman said, her voice steady despite the charged atmosphere. The words hung in the air like a death knell, reverberating in the ears of Duke Reynard and Leo.

Leo froze, his heart sinking as the reality of the situation hit him. Duke Reynard, however, couldn't wait any longer. He pushed past the woman and rushed into the tent, desperate to see his daughter.

Inside, he found Mila lying unconscious on the bed, her face peaceful in sleep, but marred by a long, vine-like scar that ran down the left side of her face. The scar was a deep blue, a mark left by the siren's poison—a permanent reminder of the attack that had nearly claimed her life.

Leo followed his father into the tent, his eyes widening as he saw the scar for the first time. Anger surged through him, a mix of frustration and helplessness at the thought of his little sister being scarred for life by the beast that had attacked her. The sight of the disfigurement felt like a physical blow, leaving him stunned and filled with a sense of injustice.

"How could this happen?" Duke Reynard asked, his voice a mix of disbelief and anger. His eyes were fixed on Mila, his heart aching at the sight of her altered appearance.

The woman doctor, who had followed them inside, began to explain. "The poison was in her system for too long," she said softly, her tone gentle but firm. "A siren's poison is unique. It has evolved to enhance its effects within its prey, making it nearly impossible to remove without leaving a mark. The scar is a result of that poison—no amount of healing can fully erase it."

She paused, glancing at the two men before continuing. "It's best to keep this matter quiet. If the public learns of her scar, society will be unkind. Rumors will spread, and her place in the social hierarchy may be jeopardized. If you wish to protect her, consider hiding her from public view, or at the very least, keep this information within the family."