The Duchesses

Chapter 25 : Awakening Magical Power

The search party then proceeds more profound into the small town to treat the men's injuries and inquire about Natalie's whereabouts. The sun is almost set, and they are all exhausted from the ambush and journey. As they get closer to town, they notice a few clouds of smoke coming from there. It's no surprise Apollo thought he smelled smoke earlier.

"Everyone must defend the injured. Lord Apollo and Marquess Hector will follow me first," Duchess Medea stated as she dismounted her horse.

As the three approach the town, it is in shambles, with fires devouring seven stores and a few houses. People are scurrying around, looking for water to put out the fire. However, the fire spreads too quickly for those attempting to put it out, as the blazing fire swallows everything at that moment, leaving people to feel hopeless.

So the trio resume their walk until they reach one of the alleyways.

Even though they recognise the person, they are hesitant to get their hopes up. The figure's body is clearly visible because it is shaking. The figure then ignores a second pink-haired woman who approaches it. To all appearances, she is perpetually trembling. They are so wrapped up in their thoughts that they don't even see the three people coming toward them.

Lord Apollo suddenly speaks, "My Lady?"

The figure remains motionless, but the pink-haired woman, Veronica, has already locked her gaze on the three of them. The three of them appear to be intimidating, particularly the woman. Their stares have the power to make someone cower in fear, numbing people from thinking about anything. However, their gaze is strikingly similar to that of the blonde woman in front of them.

Medea takes another step and comes to a halt directly in front of the blonde woman. She squats to look at the ruby eyes but can't see them yet. Natalie is still quivering and looking down while her lips pale, opening up and down in an irregular motion. Duchess Valimos then gently lifts the other Duchess' chin so she can look up.

"Nate," she said softly, not wanting to cause any deterioration any longer while feeling a wave of relief seeing the Duchess of Light again.

The ruby eyes are puffy, filled with guilt, and appear to be in a breakdown. Her hands are swollen and bleeding, while the dried blood around her knuckles. It seems that she was involved in a fight or punched something. Medea had seen this woman like this three times before.

"I don't do that," Natalie manages to say.

A few hours ago.

Another punch lands on the man. As soon as Natalie wakes up again, she wastes no time interrogating the men, ignoring the sharp pain on her side. But unfortunately, the blonde woman cannot lose much track of time to find Princess Isis and the others. She has lost two days already, and Isis could be anywhere right now.

So, here she is, punching the men, as the fury vibrates through her body.

"Where is Princess Isis?" the blonde asks again, feeling anger roused in her like a tide.

It's the men's smirks that really get on Natalie's nerves. In the first place, Natalie has a fiery disposition. Also, she is highly irritated with being held up at all times. The men flat-out refused to talk about the kidnapping. Winter and Veronica watch as the Duchess commits the atrocity.

Instead of being scared of her, the men laugh as if they are anticipating something. The blonde walks out of the room, trying to clear her mind to come up with a solution. She needs to find Isis and Daphne, but everything is becoming more complicated. She should have known that being the novel's villain and attempting to change her fate by being guillotined by the novel's hands-on heroine, Duchess Medea, is not easy.