The Heir Of The Grand Duke (Official)

Episode 35 - Duchess Azarolla

There was a cold whisper in the darkness.

Alejandra shifted in her sleep. She had just arrived in the North yesterday. She remembered speaking to her Aunt, the Northern Knights taking her luggage into her room in the castle, Teri and Soyeon both being assigned their quarters, and her bidding her Aunt a good night before she headed off to sleep.

She remembered everything so there was no worry there.

But for some reason…her entire head felt like it had just been shaken around violently. It was hazy and bleak and everything felt blurry. It was an extremely painful migraine that made it hard to even think straight.

She shuffled in her bed.

Something was missing… she could feel it… like she missed something crucial.

In her head was a hazy black mist, she couldn't tell if she was awake and hallucinating or asleep and simply dreaming.

“I have such privelege to see thou again, Dear Master.” The same choir of voices from back at the Imperial Palace spoke to her.

Then, like a horrible memory, familiar blue eyes once again shone through the hazy dark mist.

“Who are you?” She could speak this time around. It was a miracle. Her echoed out through the sheer emptiness of the black void.

“Thou hast grown more powerful since the last time I’ve spoken to thee. Quite peculiar.” The mass of voices seemed to be smiling as Alejandra felt its eyes gaze holes into her body. “Thy Spirit is unruly and… disorderly.”

“You didn't answer my question.” Alejandra tightened her grip. She took a step forward to approach the being beyond the mist but the creature laughed as she did so.

Alejandra felt chills run her spine as the creeping feeling of dread infused completely into her body.

“I would advise thee not to continue further, Dear Master.” There was a menacing tone to its voice. “Unless thou desire to lose thy body to mine soul once more.”

“A-At least answer my question!” Alejandra faked her confidence. This was the first she had felt something this primordial in her mind. A feeling of fear so deeply rooted it cannot be compared to anything else, even against the gaze of death.

“Dear Master, faith is one thing humanity naturally adheres to, be it one they desire or one they choose to deny.” It began to explain. “Faith is exceptional, for even if thou disregards its existence it will continue to exist in one’s life.”

“S-stop speaking in riddles.”

“Ahahahahah.” It laughed horribly. “Do not fret, I am neither Devil nor demon. However, shall your choices lead up to it… I can be sooo much worse.”

“Th-that's not the point in my question!” Alejandra mistakenly took another step forward and in that instant, she felt like there was suddenly a hand that pierced right through her chest and was gripping her actual heart in its palms.

“The Goddess shall gaze upon her subjects with pity but they will always revere her, whether or not she values their lives.” The being continued to speak. “Dear Master, Do you believe Asmodeus cares for her people?”

“I-I—” She struggled to answer as the palm began to squeeze her heart. She was struggling to breathe. It was like her chest was tightening to a deadly degree. “Pl-please….gack!” Tears flowed down her eyes as she dropped to her knees. “I–I can't breathe–” She desperately clawed at her throat and her chest. “AAAAAAAAAAAH!” She screamed, the primal fear that built up in her body flew out in shockwaves.