Chapter 74: Ablia’s Desperate Plea
"Duchess, are you okay? Should we return to the duchy?" the knight asked me as we were already moving toward the palace.
"No, keep moving!" I declined his offer, but I could still feel the fear crawling through my body, making me shiver from head to toe. I couldn’t forget how I faced the monster, yet everyone was saying something completely different from what I had experienced. Was I going crazy? Was I losing my sanity? No, no, it couldn’t be.
"Duchess, should we take a little rest? You don’t look well," the knight said, looking at my sweat-drenched face. Once again, I declined. I couldn’t deny it any longer. I couldn’t delay meeting the emperor any further. I had to face everything.
The carriage moved forward, and the knights whispered amongst themselves. I could hear their hushed conversations, but I chose not to listen. I knew they had made up their minds about me being crazy, but I didn’t want to entertain that perspective.
"Duchess, we have arrived!" the driver said, bringing the carriage to a stop in front of the palace.
The knight escorted me outside, and a few people approached us.
"We received news of your arrival, North Duchess," one of them said. He seemed to be one of the ministers I had encountered the first time I came here.
"I know it was a sudden decision for me to have an audience with His Majesty, but I had to. I have some matters to discuss with His Majesty regarding Ablia and its people," I stated firmly.
"Ablia? What reason would there be to come to the emperor? I haven’t heard of Ablia facing any issues. When did this issue occur?" the minister asked with a concerned tone. It made me realize that no one was aware of the dire situation in Ablia, which was on the verge of turning into a desert despite its large population.
"This issue is not recent, but I appreciate your concern. You will learn more about it when I discuss it with the emperor. It is a matter of utmost importance, and if not addressed, it could lead to dire consequences," I replied, bowing before I followed them inside the palace.