Chapter 79: The Search and the Confrontation
The knight’s heavy footsteps echoed through the dark forest as he desperately searched for Duchess Bernice Balliol Agnes. Sweat dripped down his face, and his heart raced with worry. The forest seemed to close in around him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister lurked in the shadows.
"Did you find Duchess?" he asked his fellow knight, his voice filled with urgency.
"No, I have searched every corner of the palace, but she is still nowhere to be found as if she has vanished. There’s no sign left too. What if the thing about the monster is true?" the knight replied, his voice tinged with fear.
"Stop idolizing your stupid thoughts and find the duchess. She is our master, and she needs to be found safe," the first knight urged, determination in his eyes.
With renewed determination, the knight entered the dark and foreboding forest. The sunlight had faded, casting an eerie gloom over the ancient trees.
"Duchess, are you here? If you are here, please answer me!" he shouted into the darkness, but there was no response.
"Duchess, answer me if you are inside! The Duke is here to find you," he called out again, but the only reply was the haunting sounds of creatures in the night.
"Duchess!" he called once more, desperation creeping into his voice.
He continued his frantic search, but his efforts seemed fruitless. The forest remained silent, except for the unsettling noises of the wilderness.
As he moved deeper into the forest, he suddenly heard footsteps approaching from another direction. The sound of someone walking towards him grew louder, and he hoped that it might be Duchess Bernice.
"Duchess, is it you? Duchess! Respond to me!" he said, running towards the source of the noise. He dismounted from his horse and ran, determined to find her.
"Hey, wait!" he shouted, extending his hand to catch the person ahead. However, the pace of the figure increased, and suddenly, the person sprinted away, causing him to stumble and fall to the ground.