Meanwhile, Lucian's frustration grew with each passing day as he longed to see Isolde again. Despite his repeated attempts to secure an audience with Duke Sable, he was met with nothing but silence and rejection. As the annual meeting approached, Lucian's hope of encountering Isolde in the capital dwindled, leaving him feeling increasingly desperate and anxious.
As the three Dukes, Lucian, Aurelius, and Sable, made their way to the capital, Lucian's anticipation turned to disappointment when he realized Isolde was nowhere to be found. His heart sank with the realization that she was still out of reach, hidden away in the clutches of her tyrannical father.
During the meeting, Emperor Leonidas fixed his gaze upon Duke Sable with a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes before addressing him with a sly remark, "Where is my soon-to-be concubine? I hope the great Duke isn't trying to hide his beautiful daughter from my eyes."
The words struck a nerve with both Duke Sable and Lucian, igniting a simmering anger within them. Duke Sable, though visibly perturbed, managed to maintain his composure as he replied, "My apologies, Your Highness, but my daughter is currently undergoing training to become the next heir."
The emperor raised a skeptical eyebrow, his gaze piercing as he scrutinized Duke Sable. "What use is such training for a mistress?" he questioned, his tone laced with thinly veiled contempt. "Instead, you should teach her to become a woman. After all, who knows where and how she was living all those years."
Duke Sable's jaw clenched with barely contained fury, but he offered a curt nod in response. "I will keep that in mind," he replied tersely before taking his leave, his thoughts swirling with a mixture of resentment and determination.
The conversation between the emperor and Duke Sable piqued Lucian's interest, fueling his resolve to find Isolde before the emperor could lay claim to her. With renewed determination, he vowed to uncover the truth behind Isolde's mysterious past and protect her from the clutches of those who sought to exploit her for their own gain.
As Lucian seethed with anger and frustration over the emperor's words, he resolved to take matters into his own hands. With each passing day, his desire to find Isolde burned brighter, fueled by a relentless determination to protect her from the clutches of the tyrannical emperor.
Setting out from the capital, Lucian embarked on a journey fraught with peril and uncertainty, his every step guided by the singular purpose of reuniting with Isolde. Along the way, he encountered countless obstacles and challenges, from treacherous terrain to hostile adversaries determined to thwart his quest at every turn.
But through sheer force of will and unwavering resolve, Lucian pressed onward, driven by the unwavering belief that Isolde was out there somewhere, waiting to be found. With each passing mile, his determination only grew stronger, his heart set aflame by the promise of a reunion that would defy the odds and defy the emperor's oppressive reign.
As he traversed the rugged landscape, Lucian's mind raced with thoughts of Isolde—her fierce spirit, her indomitable will, and the bond that had formed between them despite the trials and tribulations they had faced. Though he knew the road ahead would be fraught with danger, he refused to be deterred, his every action guided by the conviction that love would triumph over adversity in the end.
With each passing day, Lucian drew closer to his goal, his heart filled with a sense of purpose and determination that burned brighter than ever before. And as he braved the perils of the unknown, he knew that nothing would stand in his way as long as he remained steadfast in his resolve to find Isolde and bring her back to safety, where she rightfully belonged.
As Isolde stood on the precipice of the cave, a palpable sense of dread washed over her, the air thick with the malevolent energy that permeated the darkness. This was no ordinary cave—it was a crucible of trials, a place where the heirs of the Dukedom were forged in the fires of adversity.
The cave exuded an ominous aura, its very walls pulsing with dark energy that seemed to seep into Isolde's bones, chilling her to the core. Within its depths lay a magic portal, a gateway to a realm of nightmares where demons and monsters roamed unchecked.
For generations, those who sought to claim the title of heir had ventured into the depths of the cave, braving untold dangers in their quest for survival. And now, it was Isolde's turn to face the trials that awaited her on the other side.
With a steel resolve, Isolde stepped forward, her heart pounding in her chest as she crossed the threshold into the unknown. As she passed through the magic portal, a surge of energy engulfed her, transporting her to a realm unlike any she had ever known.
The other side of the portal was a world of darkness and despair, where twisted creatures lurked in the shadows, their eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. But Isolde refused to be cowed by fear, drawing her sword and steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead.
To be continued....