Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 46

"My lady, do you sense anything?" Sara's voice was soft, filled with concern as she watched Mila closely. She knew that Mila had brought them all this far for a reason, but now they were waiting, hoping that Mila could detect something that would guide them further.

Suddenly, Mila's chest tightened as a flood of voices filled her mind, each one desperate and pleading.

'Help us!'

'Help us! Please!'

'Don't let them hurt us!'

'Humans!'

The voices overlapped, crashing into her like a tidal wave, overwhelming her senses. Mila clutched her chest, feeling as though invisible walls were closing in around her, trapping her, making it hard to breathe. Her eyes widened in panic as she struggled to draw in air, her body trembling from the intensity of it all. She coughed, a sharp, painful sound, and when she glanced down, she saw blood staining her sleeve. Quickly, she hid it away, not wanting the others to see.

"Mila?!" Thelma's voice broke through the haze as she rushed over, her face etched with worry. By the time she reached Mila's side, the fit had passed, and the blood on Mila's sleeve was concealed.

"I'm fine," Mila insisted, though her voice was shaky. She took a few steadying breaths, trying to calm herself, but the haunted look in her eyes didn't escape the others' notice. They were still deeply concerned, their eyes filled with worry and confusion.

"I think we should rest for the day," Emmett suggested, his voice firm but gentle. He could see that Mila needed time to recover from whatever had just happened. "Don't worry about going anywhere yet."

They found an inn nearby, deciding to stay the night—perhaps longer if Mila needed more time to regain her strength.

As Mila lay down on the bed, she sighed deeply, the weight of the day pressing down on her. This was the first time she had ever heard so many voices of beasts all at once, and it had left her shaken. She knew she needed answers, and the only place to find them was within the shared space of her mind where Vivian resided.

Drifting into sleep, Mila found herself in the familiar, foggy atmosphere of her unconscious mind. She had grown used to this place, where the boundaries of reality blurred and where she could connect with Vivian more directly. As she walked through the mist, she reached the end of the fog and found Vivian there, surrounded by a vibrant garden of oddly grown plants.

"I didn't know you could do this here," Mila remarked, her voice filled with wonder as she looked around at the lush, colorful flowers that now filled the once-empty space.

'Of course, a beast can create its place, much like you design your room,' Vivian responded, walking over to Mila with a calm, almost serene presence. The garden was a reflection of Vivian's own spirit, lively and nurturing.

Mila stood still for a moment, taking in the beauty around her. But the memory of the voices was still fresh, and she knew why she had come. "Vivian, not too long ago, for the first time, I heard the voices of many beasts. All at once."

Vivian turned her head sharply to look at Mila, her attention fully captured by the significance of Mila's words. 'What does that mean?' Mila asked, her voice tinged with the need for understanding.

'[Hm, that's one of the first times I have heard of such a thing,]' Vivian admitted, her tone thoughtful as she moved toward a small pond that had formed in the garden. She dipped her horn into the water, causing ripples to spread across the surface. As the water stilled, an image began to form.

'[This is what the Messenger also experienced,]' Vivian explained as the water showed the figure of a woman, her face hidden, much like how Mila and the others concealed their identities now. The woman was surrounded by beasts, all following her with a devotion that made her seem almost like a goddess.