The master laughed. "The story goes that there was a kingdom called Muspelheim, where its inhabitants were called the people of Hell. The king of the kingdom was a strong man who loved to brag about his strength. His people feared him because his bad treatment of them. They were divided into three groups: neutrals, opponents, and supporters. The supporters were the nobles and the wealthy, while the opponents were those who lived in the poor neighborhood. The neutrals were the average people. There were strict laws that they should not talk to anyone from the opponents. If they did talk to them, they would be executed. Therefore, the opponents were always ignored by the neutrals and supporters. There was an eighteen-year-old boy named Robin, who was one of the neutrals."
He always went to the opponents and wandered around until he had many friends despite his parents' opposition and bothering him not to go there and trying to get friends from the supporters because of that he started lying to his parents and going to the opponents without their knowledge despite his ignorance of the laws until the day came that changed his life Robin was wandering with one of his friends as usual for days after nightfall he returned home there was no one there despite the strange feeling he started thinking why he hadn't returned yet because of their regular return at this time it was strange that they were late he tried to ignore the matter they were busy because of the kingdom's celebration of the 200th anniversary he went to bed trying to sleep but he couldn't. He heard the noise outside and decided to go out to see what was going on. He continued walking with the party until he reached the execution area, for those who broke the rules. It wasn't strange to see this because it happened repeatedly. He was curious to know who they were, so he tried to go to a high place. When he saw who they were, his body froze and he stopped breathing. He didn't know how much time had passed, but every second felt like 18 years of her life. He heard the executioner - The death sentence was over. The husband and wife were sentenced to death from the neutral zone because they were in the opposition area despite knowing that neutrals and supporters were not allowed to be there and talk to them. The four opposition members were also sentenced to death because they talked to them despite knowing the rules. With every word and letter, he felt something pressing on his heart. All that was going through his head was "Because of me, I am the reason. My friends and family will die."
He couldn't move, only tears were falling, he admitted that he was watching what was happening, after a few minutes he woke up and tried to reach the platform, the closer he got the more he heard crying and screaming, but despite that he couldn't reach her until the last person to be executed, she was a beautiful girl with long hair, the girl he loved, when she looked at him she didn't get angry with him, she just cried with a sarcastic smile, he didn't know if she was his or hers until her head rolled off the platform in front of his feet, he didn't know what to do, should he cry? Did he deserve to cry? He kept looking like that without a destination, the people dispersed and he was left alone, he saw a knife in a fruit shop, he took it to end his life when it reached his neck and blood flowed, but he stopped trying because of a memory he remembered from one of his friends who was executed. "If I was as strong as the king, I would have tried to fight him until he abolished this law." At that time, he did not know what he meant and called him stupid. Now he knew and decided to use his life to take revenge on himself and the law. He tried to develop himself until he became one of the strongest people. When the time came to meet the king who made this law, he killed him and the kingdom became in chaos. He announced to the people, whoever wants to become king should try to kill me. Whoever does not like my rule should try and if you lose, I will take your soul. Many came and did not win except by death and abolishing the law. But the kingdom continued to deteriorate and in the end, he died at the hands of the person who gave him security, love and light after his life turned into darkness. But he did not grieve. He just thought he deserved it. That is why people claim that this area was for the kingdom because of some places that seemed like a place to live in the past and that he would return to restore the area.
"But why haven't I heard of this story before?" Because of her love for books, she knew many stories and legends, but she had never heard of this story before.
"Maybe because it's an old story mentioned in a few books. I don't know who spread the story and caused the rumors, and pulled the story out of its well."
He said proudly, "So this is the end. Don't bother thinking like I did. This is the key and the room number is 23. I gave you the best room in the inn."
She smiled at the master, thanked him, and went to the room. It was a beautiful and spacious room. She put the cat on the bed and opened the window. It overlooked the dense forest.
"Shall I go explore? No, don't think about it. You should sleep now." She closed the window and turned around. She saw the cat standing frowning and looking at the window. Lana was surprised by his reaction and asked, "What's wrong, red cat?"
The cat looked at Lana and turned to the window and opened his mouth "Someone is watching us"
"What! Is he watching us? Why? And how did you know that, shall we go?"
He looked at Lana "Are you stupid? Why should we go?"
Her face frowned when she heard the cat say that "Why don't you respect me?"
He looked at Lana and his face was written on what he wanted to say "I don't want that"
She ignored the cat and went to the bathroom after changing into her pajamas. She closed the window and went to the bed to sleep. It was comfortable and took her to the dream world.
After a while, she started to feel a movement from his face. She felt uncomfortable and turned her body to the other side, but it still bothered her. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the cat sitting upright and looking at the window.
Seeing her strange behavior, she asked him, "What's wrong?"
The cat replied without looking at her, "That thing is still looking at us. It's uncomfortable."
"What are you saying again?! Are you sure?"
He looked at her with a frown, "Yes, I'm sure, I feel it."
"What should we do then? Let's ignore this, okay? Go to sleep."
He shook his head, "I can't do that."
He sighed~
"Do you want to go and see what it is?"
"Really. Let's go then."
She looked at the cat with a disbelieving look, "When I asked you before, you called me an idiot!!"
He jumped out of bed and ignored her. Lana followed him from behind after sighing after he left the inn door. She went back towards her window and followed the cat. The trees were crowded and it was difficult to pass after walking for a distance.
"When will we arrive? I'm tired from walking. Let's rest a little."
She leaned against the tree. Lana was wearing a nightgown that reached a little to her ankles and a long-sleeved woolen jacket. It was the beginning of winter, so the night wind was cold. She looked around. The forest was scary and the deeper she went, the more terrifying it became. The trees were branching out around her.
She looked at the cat. "When will we arrive? Why is he far away and how was he watching us from so far away?!"
"Why do you have so many questions? I don't know, but I felt him there inside the cave." He pointed with his small hand to a cave a little far away from them.
"....."
"Do you really want me to enter this cave at the end of the night with a strange creature inside? Isn't this a trap!!!??"
"We have no other solution. If he wanted to kill us, he would have done it a long time ago. Okay, let's continue." He ignored Lana and started walking towards the entrance of the forest.
Upon entering the cave, it was pitch black. Lana lit a torch from her hand to light the inside. In fact, Lana learned the basics of magic when she was young. It was easy to do this torch and she didn't try to develop this power, so her father brought her to the academy.
The cat said, "It's close."
Lana looked nervously at the exit of the long passage of the cave. She heard the sound of streams of water from the exit.
She entered the passage and saw something that amazed her. It was a beautiful sight. Streams of water in every corner, picturesque nature, and many flowers. In the middle of this, there was a stone the size of a cart with strange symbols on it, but it looked somewhat familiar. She heard a loud sound like an earthquake.
The ground began to shake and her body lost its balance.
"What? What's happening? Why is the ground shaking?!"
"The entrance is closing."
"What!?" She turned towards the entrance and found that it was already closed. She didn't know what to do. There was no way out now. Was she going to stay trapped here? Until when? She left without telling anyone. Now, she was taking the consequences of her actions.
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Hello everyone. I know that I am very late in uploading. The reason for my absence is exams, so I am very sorry. As a reward, today's chapter is long. I will try to upload every week. Thank you for reading "The Duke's Daughter." Yes, I will change the name of the novel. I did not like it from the beginning, in fact, and now it is time to change this. I will see you in the next chapter, and I hope you tell me your opinions about the story and the characters.