Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 37

Mila and her companions entered the dimly lit tavern, their faces and hair concealed beneath their cloaks, blending into the shadowed corners of the room. The tavern, a place of refuge and gathering for the townsfolk, buzzed with low murmurs and the clinking of mugs. It seemed to be the best place to gather information quietly. Vivian, being too large and distinct with her unicorn features, remained outside, concealed in the shadows. Meanwhile, Cotton clung to Mila's back, her small body tense and alert as they made their way inside.

Mila approached the bar, her voice steady as she asked, "What is the issue?" She could see the desperation in the eyes of the townspeople, their faces etched with worry and fear.

One of the men, his hands trembling slightly, stepped forward, his voice shaking with emotion. "Please help us!"

Mila tilted her head slightly, not fully understanding at first. "What?"

"Please!" another villager interjected, his voice rising in desperation. "The emperor's governor has grown too greedy! He demands taxes almost weekly now! If this continues, we will all starve to death. And it's worse—he even takes our daughters as compensation!"

The words hit Mila like a physical blow, the horror of what she heard igniting a fire of anger within her. The thought of a governor abusing his power so cruelly filled her with a deep sense of injustice. "Who is this governor?" she asked, her voice hardening as she turned to the man who had first spoken.

The room seemed to tense as they realized the gravity of her question. Vivian, still outside, could sense the storm of emotions brewing within Mila—the hatred and darkness that had begun to stir in her heart. She worried for her young mistress, knowing the dangers of being consumed by such feelings. 'Mila, you cannot kill just because you hate someone for what they've done,' Vivian thought, her concern growing. She feared that if Mila allowed her heart to be overtaken by anger and vengeance, she would lose the kindness that made her who she was.

"Nebel Vancon," the older man said, his voice heavy with the weight of the name. Mila's eyes narrowed slightly as the name resonated with her, knowing exactly who he was.

'Nebel Vancon,' Mila thought, her mind racing with memories of what she had heard about him. 'He's notorious for his scandals, especially among the lower-class people. He's feared not just for his corruption but for the beast he controls, which he uses to intimidate and oppress the townsfolk.' The realization that Nebel Vancon was the governor here only deepened her sense of anger and frustration. 'This man should never have been given such power.'

She rubbed her temple, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "Where does he reside?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with determination. The corruption she sensed in this town was palpable, and she knew that it likely wasn't limited to this place alone within the Mireraweth Kingdom.

The older man pointed to the east. "He lives on the east side of this town," he replied, his tone resigned, as if he had long given up hope for change.

Mila felt a wave of irritation wash over her at how poorly the emperor had handled such matters. The negligence, the indifference—it all contributed to the suffering of these people. "Let's go. We'll be back," Mila said firmly, turning to leave the tavern.

Outside, she found Vivian surrounded by the town's minor children, who were gently petting her. Vivian, ever the kind-hearted creature, had used her abilities to grow a batch of potatoes, offering a small but much-needed relief to the hungry townspeople. Mila smiled at the sight, feeling a surge of pride and affection for her loyal companion. "Good girl," she whispered, reaching out to pet the front of Vivian's head.

Turning to the older man who had spoken earlier, she added, "Make sure everyone is well-fed. By tomorrow morning, your troubles will be over." There was a quiet confidence in her words, a promise that she fully intended to keep.