Angus froze in place as he heard the maid's words.

he asked, completely shaken.

The maid only lowered her head and cried harder.

he asked, shouting.

she whispered with a broken voice.

she exclaimed, crying.

he asked, confused.

she answered, trembling.

Angus asked impatiently.

she continued, sobbing hard.

Matthew interjected.

she confessed, trembling like a leaf.

Angus asked again.

she confessed, lowering her head in shame.

" he added coldly.

he asked, confused.

she answered, lowering her eyes.

Angus nodded thoughtfully.

he asked.

Angus asked in astonishment.

The duke sighed.

Azusa informed.

Matthew added.

Angus stayed silent for a moment, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

Azusa whispered, approaching him and putting her hand on his shoulder.

The duke raised his head and sighed heavily.

he called out firmly.

He turned around to him and approached him.

the young knight replied, bowing.

said Matthew, bowing again.

Angus turned back to Ruth who was still slumped on the floor on her knees.

he called her softly.

she replied, lowering her head in shame.

she begged with a broken voice.

he ordered.

The maid stood up slowly, trembling slightly. The duke approached her and smiled slightly at her.

she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

said the maid, smiling slightly.

Angus nodded at her.

Ruth bowed to the duke before leaving the office.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

The next morning, at the entrance of the palace, Matthew and his group of four knights were getting their things and horses ready for the departure.

he asked.

Matthew got on his gray horse and walked towards the exit, not knowing that there was someone watching them from her bedroom window, a hand over her raging heart.

Azusa whispered with a sad look on her face.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

On Luana and Lucas's side, they continued their long road towards the center of the forest while talking about anything and everything.

After a few minutes of walking, they felt a strange smell emanate from the bushes that surrounded them.

Luana asked uneasily, hiding her nose.

the young captain remarked.

asked the confused princess.

Lucas approached the bushes and pointed to the very dark green leaves with his hand.

He focused his gaze on a little rabbit that was a few feet away from them, nibbling on one of the leaves.

After a few seconds, the poor animal collapsed to the ground, uttering a horrible cry. Since then, he has shown no sign of life.

Luana concluded.

she added.

Luana walked over to the little bunny and stroked its head.

she whispered with a sad look.

she asked, turning around to look at him.

Suddenly, a huge tiger-like creature with a black and golden coat, long white horns and long sharp claws, advanced towards them with a very menacing look.

Lucas quickly drew his sword and hid Luana behind him while Leo stepped in front of them.

The creature let out a terrifying roar, showing its sharp canines, before rushing straight into them.

Leo quickly jumped on it and bit its neck hard, digging his teeth into it. The tiger struggled, trying to claw at the wolf with its big paws.

Leo released him and quickly backed up as the other animal prepared to attack again, not noticing Lucas who was behind him. The latter quickly climbed onto his back and jumped on him, chopping off his head.

The creature's body fell to the ground as its large head rolled until it reached Leo's paws.

Lucas put his sword back in its place and walked over to his pet and Luana.

he asked.

Lucas walked over to Leo and stroked his head gently which made the animal whimper with happiness.

Luana confessed.

Luana remarked.

The small group continued on their way again, oblivious to the fact that there was a figure watching their every move, a few feet away from them.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Matthew and his companions arrived at Ogrence Forest and found the villa faster than they expected.

the young knight remarked, confused.

retorted one of the knights.

asked another.

Matthew slowly dismounted his horse and crouched down towards the villa.

He saw, in front of the front door, two men of average build wearing slightly damaged clothes with swords hanging from their waists.

one of them announced.

the other replied in disgust.

Hearing this, Matthew turned to his companions.

he whispered.

" he ordered each one of them.

they all answered in unison.

The knights parted as Matthew ordered them while he walked over to the back door.

In not even five minutes, they embedded themselves in the villa and massacred the group of bandits.

They found their leader on the second floor, standing in the middle of a room at the end of the hall, shaking like a leaf.

he asked.

Matthew replied icily.

Matthew walked over to the man and grabbed him by the neck.

he said angrily.

he shouted, tightening his grip on the bandit's neck.

he tried to say, completely red because of the choking.

Matthew took out his sword impatiently and pointed it at the man's throat.

he said coldly.

the man confessed, letting out tears of fear.