Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 43

"The myth is that the stone itself isn't just a stone, but a sleeping dragon," Mila said quietly, her voice carrying the weight of an ancient story that had been whispered through generations. She knew there was more to the tale than most people realized, a legend that had persisted even though no one had seen the fabled stone in ages.

"A sleeping dragon?" ZH repeated, his tone tinged with surprise. He had heard many stories in his time—across two lives, no less—but this particular detail was new to him. Despite all he had experienced, he had never come across the idea of a 'sleeping dragon' hidden within the Dragon's Eye.

Mila nodded, her eyes distant as she recounted the tale. "Yes, a sleeping dragon. It's said that the dragon went dormant long ago, waiting for its true master to awaken it. No one has ever seen or heard of it since, but the legend claims that it lies hidden deep inside the mines of Rustmount. If anyone unworthy tries to find it, they will perish under the rubble caused by the dragon's wrath, as the rocks fall upon them, rejecting them as its master." Her gaze shifted toward the distant mines, determination glinting in her eyes. "I'm going to find it."

"What?!" ZH's voice was sharp as he grabbed Mila's hand, pulling her back from the brink of her bold declaration. He stared down at her, his expression one of deep concern, even though their faces were masked and hidden from each other. The tension in his voice made it clear how agitated he was. "After everything you just said, are you not afraid of being buried under all that rubble?!" He was more than just worried—he was frustrated by the idea of her rushing headlong into such danger.

Mila smiled up at him, a gesture filled with warmth and reassurance, despite the gravity of the situation. She knew ZH's concern mirrored that of her father and Leo, and it touched her to see how much he cared. "Thank you for worrying, but I'll be fine," she said softly, her confidence unwavering. "And besides, with you by my side, I have nothing to worry about." Without warning, she stepped forward and hugged him, a gesture that left ZH momentarily stunned.

For a moment, ZH stood frozen, taken aback by the unexpected embrace. Then, with a resigned sigh, he lifted a hand to his head, knowing that resisting her was pointless when she acted like this. She had a way of disarming him with her sincerity and trust. "Alright," he conceded, his voice softer now. "But you stay close to me." He looked down at her, their faces close, and though they couldn't see each other's expressions, the connection between them was palpable. The weight of what lay ahead hung in the air, but they would face it together, side by side.
***
'What's this?' Hidden deep within the shadows, a beast stirred from its long slumber, its senses keenly attuned to the world above. As it slowly awakened, a powerful surge of mana caught its attention, pulling it from the depths of its sleep. The beast, a creature of immense power and ancient wisdom, began to move through the darkness, its presence nearly undetectable.

'This strong mana... it's coming from two young children,' the beast murmured to itself, its voice a low rumble that reverberated through the hidden caverns. Intrigued, the creature focused its energy, creating a crystal through which it could observe the source of this unusual power.

As the crystal formed, an image appeared within it—two children, their identities concealed by masks and cloaks. The dragon watched them closely, its sharp eyes narrowing as it sensed the potent mana emanating from their small forms. 'Those two children... they are not ordinary humans,' the beast realized, its curiosity growing with each passing moment.

The mana radiating from them was unlike anything it had felt in centuries, a rare and powerful force that drew the dragon's attention fully. It could sense the potential within these two, a strength that was both intriguing and dangerous.

'Who do I choose?' the dragon wondered, its thoughts deep and deliberate. The decision was not one to be made lightly, for the choice it made could shape the future in ways that even it could not fully predict. The beast continued to watch, its mind calculating, weighing the possibilities as it considered the two figures before it.