45

Diego's POV

Joseph swallowed hard, looking hesitant before finally saying, “It’s… about Nova.”

I scoffed softly and turned my face away. “If she wants to walk out, let her. She’s not my responsibility.”

“But…” Joseph stepped forward, his voice tense. “She was seen walking toward Scarlet Ridge.”

I suddenly froze. My eyes locked sharply onto Joseph.

“Are you sure?”

Joseph nodded quickly. “We saw her from the east tower. She was wearing a thin cloak and walking alone, without a guard. We thought she just wanted to go to the forest like before… but her direction was clearly toward Scarlet Ridge.”

I stood up quickly, my chair falling backward and hitting the floor with a loud crash. My heart raced, but I held it in, trying to stay calm even as anger and worry crept in. Scarlet Ridge was a dangerous area, filled with threats that could jeopardize Nova’s safety.

“Is she crazy?” I muttered. “Why go there?”

Joseph lowered his gaze slightly. “Sir… I think Miss Nova doesn’t know what’s in Scarlet Ridge. She… might just want to get as far away from the castle as possible.”

I clenched my fists. “You know very well what’s hidden there.”

“Yes,” Joseph replied quietly. “That’s why I reported it. Scarlet Ridge is not a normal place. There’s… something terrible there. We lost three scouts last month.”

I held my breath, my jaw tightening. I didn’t know what Nova was thinking or if she truly wanted to get into trouble. But what I did know… was that she couldn’t be in that place. Not now. Not while she was carrying my child.

Damn it.

Without saying anything else, I turned and walked quickly toward the door. Joseph followed me from behind.

“Prepare a small team,” I said sharply. “We’re going to Scarlet Ridge. Now.”

I walked quickly down the corridor, my footsteps echoing loudly on the castle’s stone floor. Anger and anxiety mixed together, making my chest feel tight. I never expected Nova to be so reckless. Scarlet Ridge was not just an ordinary forest, it was a forbidden place, one I would hesitate to enter even with preparation.

“Damn,” I muttered quietly, suppressing the rising frustration.

As I exited the castle gates, the morning wind brushed against my face, carrying the scent of damp forest and faintly… blood. It might just be my imagination, but my instincts warned me that something bad could happen if I was late. Every step toward the forest felt heavier, as if the weight of responsibility was pressing down on me.

I tried to calm my racing thoughts. Thinking rationally was the only way to save Nova and myself. Yet, the images of what could happen in Scarlet Ridge haunted me.

Who knew what lurked among the trees?

Who could guarantee her safety?

With quick steps, I ran, ignoring the fatigue that was beginning to creep in. Each heartbeat reminded me that time was passing, and I couldn’t let Nova get trapped in danger. She might be trying to distance herself, but my feelings for her remained—though I tried to deny them.

The small team was ready, five of the best warriors and Joseph by my side. Without wasting time, I sprinted ahead of them, my body transforming into a faster form, my senses sharper. I couldn’t lose Nova. Not because I cared… not because I loved her.

But she carried my child. She was my rightful wife, and most importantly… Marian wanted her to stay alive. And when Marian wanted something, fate couldn't easily oppose it.

Every step felt purposeful. The forest, which usually provided a sense of safety, now appeared terrifying, filled with shadows and whispers I couldn’t grasp. But I couldn’t let that fear stop me. My focus was solely on one thing: finding Nova before it was too late.

The scent of the forest grew stronger, mingling with the smell of damp earth. Among the foliage, I searched for her trail—every broken branch, every footprint could be a clue. Joseph and the warriors followed closely behind, ready to act if danger lurked.

Each heartbeat reminded me that time was not on my side. If something happened to Nova—or to the baby inside her—I didn’t know how I’d face the consequences. Even as I tried to suppress that feeling, I knew my responsibility lay not only with my family but also with the new life that was coming.

As we ventured deeper into the forest, an oppressive silence surrounded us. I felt tension in the air, as if something was waiting behind the trees.

“Her trail is here!” one of the warriors yelled from behind.

I paused for a moment, inhaling the air, and indeed, faintly, Nova’s scent mixed with the dampness of moss and wet leaves. But there was something else too… a smell that was familiar yet sent chills down my spine.

“There’s something following her,” I murmured. “A rogue?”

“No,” Joseph replied. “Older… darker.”

I stared at him, and we both knew what that meant. A creature from within the earth. Locked away in Scarlet Ridge. One that only awakened when summoned by energy—powerful energy from blood or… unstable emotions.

The tension between us escalated. If that creature had awakened, it meant Nova was in far greater danger than we had imagined. I felt an urge to move faster, but fear began to creep into me. We weren’t just searching for Nova, we were facing something we couldn’t control.

“Quickly, we must find her before that creature reaches Nova,” I shouted, trying to keep my voice steady even as panic began to seep through.

We continued the search with more caution, every step filled with vigilance. Her trail became clearer, but the scent of the creature intensified, blending with the forest aroma. Anxiety engulfed my mind. If that creature managed to capture Nova, I couldn’t imagine the consequences.

Inside, I hoped we wouldn’t be too late. With each heartbeat, I tried to ignore the fear gnawing at me. She was my rightful wife, and I wouldn’t let her fall into darkness.

Nova. She was in a fragile state, her emotions a mess. She might be accidentally drawing something from that place.

“We need to hurry.” I bent down and charged forward, running across roots and thorny bushes, ignoring the small cuts that began to scratch my skin. I was focused on one thing: finding her before the creature did.

With each step, I felt myself getting closer to the center of the growing tension. The forest's aura felt heavier, as if holding its breath, waiting for something bad to happen. Nova's scent became clearer, but the smell of the creature was also getting closer, creeping through the air.