Alec's face twisted with fury as the battle ended in Lucan's favor. His eyes burned with rage, and in a fit of madness he seized the crow perched nearby. Fingers tightened around its neck until bone cracked and feathers burst—the creature exploding in a grotesque spray.
For a moment, silence hung heavy. Alec stood motionless, chest heaving, his expression carved from shadow. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a grin. A laugh erupted from him—low at first, then rising into a wild, sinister roar that echoed through the forest like a curse.
"Well, well, well…" Alec's voice dripped with venom. "This is not the end of it all. I hold the pen that rewrites every battle you face, Lucan. As long as you draw breath, I will ensure your life is never as easy as you wish it to be."
The forest seemed to shudder with his words. The trees whispered, the wind carried his laughter, and even the blood on the ground seemed to stir as though reality itself bent to his will.
A carriage stopped by the side of the Silver Lake. The soldiers stationed there halted midway as they saw the banner of the House of Emberlain fluttering in the wind.
"Your Grace," a soldier tapped the curtain and bowed his head. "We have visitors from the House of Emberlain."
Duke Rensic stepped outside, followed closely by Sir Greaves. Both men stiffened when they saw who approached.
"Lady Tiana," the Duke said, surprised by her sudden visit.
Sir Greaves bowed his head respectfully as Tiana advanced with measured grace.
"Pardon my sudden arrival, Your Grace," she said firmly. "But this is a matter I must see for myself."
Both Duke Rensic and Sir Greaves furrowed their brows at her words.
"News of His Majesty's disappearance—or rather, his supposed death—is spreading across the continent," Tiana continued, her voice unwavering. "As his betrothed, I cannot sit idle while such rumors poison the realm."
The Duke's eyes narrowed.
"Spreading? What do you mean?"
His tone carried suspicion. He and Sir Greaves exchanged a glance—they knew only they had witnessed what happened at the lake. No letters had been sent to the palace. No word had been given to the council.
Tiana's gaze sharpened.
"It was according to the letter you sent, Sir Greaves. The palace is now in uproar because His Majesty is said to be dead, and the council has already chosen Lord Halric's son as regent."
Sir Greaves stiffened, his voice firm but troubled.
"Milady, I never ordered any soldier to send a letter regarding His Majesty's disappearance. I only sent word to Duke Rensic."
Tiana furrowed her brows.
"If you did not spread these tales, then who did?"
Sir Greaves shifted uneasily, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword.
"Milady… only we know the truth of what happened here. If rumors have reached the cities, then someone seeks to twist the tale for their own gain."
The Duke's expression hardened, his voice low and grim.
"Lord Halric. He must have spies watching us here. That ambitious man has seized the chance to advance his schemes."
Tiana's heart pounded at the name. She had heard it before, whispered in her father's study, tied to plots and ambition.
"Then I must hear the truth from you both," she declared. "What truly happened to His Majesty at this lake? Is he truly dead? Where is his body? I need to confirm it with my own eyes."
Duke Rensic's jaw tightened. He glanced around, scanning the soldiers nearby, his unease growing. The air felt heavy, as though unseen ears lingered in the shadows.
"Not here," he said sharply. "Too many eyes, too many ears. If Halric has spies, they may already be listening."
He gestured toward the command tent.
"Come, Lady Tiana. We will speak inside, where no one can overhear."
Sir Greaves moved to her side, guiding her toward the tent. The guards outside bowed as the Duke entered first, pulling the flap closed behind them.
Inside, the air was thick with tension. Maps of the lake and surrounding lands lay scattered across a table, marked with ink and hastily drawn notes. The flickering lantern light cast long shadows across their faces.
Duke Rensic folded his arms, his voice low and deliberate.
"Now, Lady Tiana… you shall hear the truth. But once spoken, you must carry it carefully. For if Halric learns what we know, the kingdom itself may fracture."
Tiana lifted her chin, her eyes unwavering.
"I know what I'm doing, Your Grace. I only want confirmation."
The Duke exhaled deeply before speaking the words she had longed to hear.
"His Majesty is still alive."
Tiana nearly stumbled, and Agatha rushed to catch her.
"Milady," the maid whispered in concern.
Tiana's voice trembled with urgency.
"Where is he? Is he safe? Is he here?"
The Duke shook his head.
"No, he is not here. And I cannot say if he is safe. Only we know that he yet lives."
Tiana furrowed her brows, frustration rising.
"How can you be certain he lives when you do not know where he is, or if he is safe? According to the rumors, he is with the Saintess."
"Milady, calm yourself," Sir Greaves urged, his voice steady but cautious.
He hesitated before continuing.
"As we began our search for His Majesty, we encountered a mage. Through the power he possessed, he allowed us to see a vision—His Majesty was alive, inside the Devil's Forest, fighting against something… something terrible that dwells there."
Tiana's eyes widened, her voice trembling with both hope and fury.
"You knew where he is, and yet you remain here? We need him back! If we delay, Lord Halric will seize the throne for himself. You must go into that forest and bring His Majesty home!"
Duke Rensic's face darkened, anxiety etched into his features. He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"Lady Tiana, you do not understand. The Devil's Forest is no ordinary place. It devours men, twists their minds, and swallows armies whole. If His Majesty is there, then he is facing trials beyond mortal comprehension. To march blindly into that forest would be suicide."
Sir Greaves added grimly,
"We have already lost scouts to its shadows. Even seasoned knights vanish without a trace. The mage's vision was not a path—it was a warning."
Tiana clenched her fists, her heart pounding.
"I don't care about warnings. He is my betrothed, my king. If he fights alone, then I will fight beside him. I will not let Halric steal his throne while I sit idle."
The Duke exchanged a troubled glance with Sir Greaves. Then, with a heavy sigh, he gestured toward the maps spread across the table.
"If you truly wish to go, then you must know what awaits you. The Devil's Forest is alive—it shifts, it deceives, and it hungers. But if His Majesty is within, then perhaps only you can reach him."
"Milady, do not decide this so hastily," Agatha pleaded, her voice trembling as she clutched Tiana's arm.
Tiana stared at the map, her eyes tracing the vast outline of the forest. It was massive, a labyrinth of shadows and twisted paths. To enter was to gamble with death—few who ventured inside ever returned alive.
Her fist clenched at her side, frustration burning in her chest. She longed to act, yet the enormity of the danger weighed heavily upon her.
"What is your plan then, Your Grace?" she asked at last, her voice calmer, though edged with determination.
Duke Rensic exhaled slowly, his gaze fixed on the map.
"Our plan is to wait on the far side of the forest. We know His Majesty is not a man who dies easily. He will fight whatever monsters lurk within those woods. You know this as well as I do."