40

Nova's POV

Quickly, I changed clothes and tidied my hair as best I could. Although I didn’t know where he was taking me, my intuition told me this wasn’t just an ordinary trip. There was something bigger waiting ahead.

I stepped out of the room in a bit of a hurry. Diego was already waiting for me outside the castle, and I didn’t want to make him angrier. As I approached the main door, a soft yet authoritative voice stopped me.

"Nova."

I tensed and slowly turned. Marian was standing near the stairs with a sharp gaze, her eyes scrutinizing me as if assessing something.

"Yes, Grandma?" I asked politely, though my heart was a bit anxious.

Marian walked closer, her long dress sweeping gracefully across the floor.

"Where are you off to so early?"

I swallowed, unsure whether I should be honest or not. But I knew there was no point in lying to Marian.

"Diego asked me to go with him," I finally answered.

At the mention of his name, Marian's expression shifted slightly.

"Diego? Are you sure that’s a good idea?" Her voice carried a note of warning.

"I don’t know, Grandma. But I feel I need to go," I said, trying to show firmness despite the doubt in my heart.

Marian narrowed her eyes, then glanced outside through the large castle window, as if searching for Diego. She let out a small sigh before returning her gaze to me.

"He didn’t say where you’re going?" she asked, her tone filled with concern.

I shook my head.

"No. He just told me to change clothes and get ready."

Marian paused for a moment, then her fingers reached out and gently touched my chin.

"You need to be careful, Nova. Remember, not everything that happens here is as it seems."

A chill ran down my spine upon hearing her words. It was as if there was something Marian was trying to warn me about but couldn’t say directly.

"Do you know something?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Marian only shook her head, but her gaze suggested there was more she wanted to say.

"Just trust your instincts. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to leave."

I nodded, trying to keep her words in mind. Although I felt eager to explore whatever lay ahead, Marian's warning made me more cautious.

"Thank you, Grandma. I’ll be careful," I said, trying to reassure both of us.

I wanted to ask more, but Diego's impatient voice came from outside.

"Nova!"

I reflexively turned toward the door. Diego was waiting in front of the castle, his arms crossed with an impatient expression.

Marian released her touch and smiled gently.

"Go on. But remember my words!"

I nodded slightly, then turned and walked out to meet Diego. However, an odd feeling lingered in my heart after that brief conversation. It felt as if I were walking toward something I didn’t fully understand.

I approached Diego with a bit of hesitation. My mind was still filled with Marian's words, but I didn’t have time to think about them further.

Diego looked at me with a flat expression, then without a word, he turned and walked toward the car waiting in front of the castle. I sighed and followed him, trying to match my pace with his longer strides.

As soon as I got into the car, Diego started the engine and drove off immediately without explaining anything. The sound of the engine echoed in the cabin, making my feelings even tenser.

I glanced at him, wanting to ask where we were headed, but his expression was so sharp that I swallowed my question. In the tense silence, I tried to process the situation. Every second felt slower, and the anxiety in my heart continued to grow.

Watching the road rush past outside the window, I felt as if we were heading toward something I couldn’t control.

Although I wanted to know, a part of me felt it was better to remain silent, waiting for the right moment to ask. Yet, my curiosity burned stronger, and I knew I had to find a way to uncover this mystery.

I could only sit quietly, letting the view of the surrounding forest pass by outside the window. The tall trees loomed, their shadows sweeping over the road as if hiding secrets within.

I didn’t know where Diego was taking me, but one thing was certain—this journey was not just an ordinary trip.

With each passing second, my curiosity grew. The atmosphere inside the car felt oppressive, and I struggled against the anxiety that enveloped my thoughts.

What was he planning?

Why was he in such a hurry?

I stole a glance at Diego. His face looked serious, fully concentrated on the road ahead. I wanted to know, wanted to ask, but the words were stuck in my throat.

Finally, I gathered my courage.

"Diego, where are we really going?"

He glanced at me for a moment, then returned his gaze to the road.

"You’ll know soon enough," he replied briefly, his tone leaving no room for further questions.

"Why can’t you tell me now?" I asked, trying to suppress my frustration. "I feel like I’m being taken somewhere I don’t want to go."

Diego sighed, as if it was hard to speak.

"This is important, Nova. I need you to trust me," he said, his voice softer yet still firm.

"Trust you? After everything that’s happened?" I replied, a bit annoyed. "I just want to know what’s going on."

"As soon as we arrive, all of this will become clearer," he said, but the uncertainty in his tone only made me more anxious.

As the car drove deeper into the forest, I felt a strange tension. It was as if we were heading to a point of no return. In my heart, I tried to convince myself that I could face whatever was coming. However, the echoes of Marian's warnings still lingered in my mind.

"Such a mystery," I muttered softly, hoping he wouldn’t hear.

But Diego gave a faint smile, as if he understood.

"Everything will be revealed, Nova. Just be patient a little longer."