Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 67

'This isn't an ordinary illness that humans get for a few days. Your body needs Kate because she's connected to the ice element within you. Those born with the ice element need their beast to help control it, or else their heart will give out if they don't find them. That's why it's so rare to find someone who can wield the ice element—the chances of surviving with it are incredibly slim,' Skye explained, her voice filled with concern. She hadn't expected the effects to start manifesting so soon after they arrived in the Asiradda kingdom.

"Have either of you been able to sense Kate at all? If this is affecting me now, then it's likely she's close by in this kingdom," Mila said, her voice tinged with determination. She wanted to live, to survive this ordeal. She hadn't come this far, overcoming so many obstacles, just to die now. She had managed to change her fate once, but she still wasn't sure when her time would run out.

'I did feel something!' Vivian blurted out, her voice tinged with excitement. She had sensed a faint trace of familiar mana, though it was weak. Vivian wasn't entirely sure if it was Kate or just a smaller beast, but the possibility gave them hope.

"Where?!" Mila's heart raced with urgency. She needed to find Kate, no matter what. She had to survive and return to her father and Leo when her supposed time was up.

'I'm not certain, but once we entered this palace, I felt Kate's presence nearby. I'm just not sure if it was truly her,' Vivian admitted, her uncertainty evident.

"Palace???" Mila echoed, confusion flooding her mind. The last thing she remembered was being in a tavern with ZH by her side. "We're in a tavern, aren't we?" She questioned, her thoughts swirling with the possibility that ZH might have taken her somewhere without her knowing.

'No, we're in a palace right now. I'm sure of it,' Vivian confirmed, sensing Mila's bewilderment. Unless she was mistaken, they were no longer where Mila thought they were.

"I need to wake up," Mila muttered to herself, realizing she needed to understand what was happening. She felt disoriented and confused, desperate for clarity. Forcing her eyelids open, she found herself in an elegantly furnished room, a stark contrast to the tavern she last remembered. "How did..." she began, grunting as weakness overtook her. She struggled to lift herself from the bed, still feeling the effects of her illness.

"You're fine. Right now, your body just needs some time to recover from the cold weather," said a familiar voice. Mila looked up and recognized the woman, her face partially hidden by a mask and cloak.

"Kayla..." Mila murmured, still lying down as she watched the woman approach her bedside.

"You remember me. That's good—you're doing better for now," Kayla replied, taking Mila's small, cold hands in hers, even though Mila was bundled up in blankets and wearing heating gloves.

Mila wondered why she was dressed so warmly, even inside the room. 'Why am I wearing all of this in the morning?' she thought, still feeling sweaty and uncomfortable as she stared at Kayla.

"Your Majesty, you shouldn't be wandering around dressed like that. You need to be more formal," said another woman who entered the room, causing Mila to gasp in shock at how Kayla was addressed.

"Ma-Ma-Majesty?!" Mila stammered, her mind reeling from the revelation that she was in the presence of the Empress of the Asiradda Kingdom. 'How did I get here?!' she exclaimed, her outburst drawing the attention of her comrades, who rushed into the room.

"Mila, are you okay?!" They all shouted in unison, their faces filled with concern as they saw how bewildered she was.

"Why am I in the Asiradda palace?!" Mila demanded, looking around for answers. Her comrades exchanged glances, signaling that they were not responsible for bringing her to the palace.