Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 47

Mila woke up, her eyes slowly focusing on the familiar sight of the ceiling above her. She lay there for a moment, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her. It was as if she had been trapped in a never-ending nightmare, one that she couldn't fully recall but left her with a lingering sense of unease. She couldn't remember the last time she had a decent, restful sleep. Her mind drifted back to the memories she had tried so hard to suppress—the moment when she was betrayed and killed by the very man who was supposed to protect her and stand by her side. 'I'm glad I won't see that man anytime soon,' she thought, a flicker of annoyance and stress tightening her grip on reality as she held her head in her hands.

As she glanced around the room, she noticed that everyone else was still sleeping soundly. The soft, rhythmic breathing of her companions filled the space, and she didn't want to disturb the peacefulness of the early morning. 'I'll get a bit of fresh air,' Mila decided, quietly slipping out of bed. She cast a quick glance at Emmett and Sara, who were sharing a bed; Emmett's arm draped protectively over Sara as they slept. 'At this point, those two should just get married already,' Mila thought with a small, wistful smile.

Nearby, Cotton and Thelma were nestled together on the same bed, their bodies curled up for warmth and comfort. It was a tender scene, one that made Mila feel both a sense of belonging and a pang of loneliness. She was alone in her bed, but she was used to that by now.

Mila moved silently through the room, careful not to wake anyone. The early morning air was cool and crisp as she stepped outside. The town was still asleep, with not a soul in sight as the first light of dawn began to brush the horizon. Mila found her way to the rooftop of the inn, her mask and cloak securely in place to conceal her identity. She sat down on the ledge, the wind gently tousling her hair as it swept past. She watched the sun slowly rise, casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape. There was a quiet beauty to the moment, one that allowed her a rare opportunity to simply be.

"May I sit next to you?" a voice broke the silence, and Mila's senses immediately heightened. She had detected someone approaching but sensed no threat from them. The footsteps were calm and measured, and the voice was gentle, almost curious. She didn't turn to look, instead remaining focused on the rising sun. The man didn't seem bothered by her lack of response and continued to approach. "Not much of a talker? Or are you just tired?" he asked again, this time with a hint of lightheartedness in his tone.

Mila finally glanced to her side, taking in the sight of the man who had joined her. He wore an ordinary, plain mask that covered his entire face, leaving his identity a mystery. There was something familiar about the mask, something that reminded Mila of Ambrose, but she quickly pushed that thought aside. She didn't want to dwell on him at the moment.

"I would say the second one," Mila replied quietly, turning her gaze back to the sun. The exhaustion was evident in her voice, a weariness that came from more than just a lack of sleep.

The man settled down beside her, seemingly at ease with her presence. "You have no clue who I am?" he asked after a moment, his tone curious but not pressing. It was clear that he wasn't bothered by her lack of recognition, but there was an underlying hint that he was waiting for her to ask.

"I don't pry into anyone's privacy unless they want me to," Mila said, her voice steady as she stared out at the horizon. Beside her, the man laughed softly, a sound that took her by surprise. She hadn't expected such friendliness from a stranger, especially after her experiences in the Mireraweth kingdom, where most people they encountered were cold, heartless, and consumed by greed.

In her travels, Mila had only found warmth and kindness in the towns of Rustmount and Hollowglen. Over the past two seasons, she had felt herself changing—her mind maturing as the days passed, leaving behind the cheerful, carefree girl she once was. The new places she had visited, the dangers she had faced, had forced her to think more deeply about the future, not just for herself, but for others as well.