Chương 83: There Is Evil Hidden Within Every Race

In Virelia, at the royal palace, Oscar threw open the door to Matilda's chamber without even knocking. She flinched and instinctively slid the bottle of wine beneath the mattress.

"Oscar…I wasn't expecting you".

"You said the same thing yesterday. And the day before". He stopped in front of her, his gaze cold.

"You know why I'm here. Take your clothes off. Let's not waste time". Matilda lowered her eyes.

"Again? We haven't gone a single day without it since the wedding".

"It's not my fault you're having trouble getting pregnant". Oscar's voice was flat, devoid of any intimacy.

"I want an heir as soon as possible. We'll keep trying until I have one. Is that clear?" Matilda took a slow breath, then nodded without replying. Far from Virelia, Teresa sat inside her carriage. Three female soldiers were seated across from her, while two soldiers rode alongside the vehicle.

"My Queen", one of them said, "we're approaching the rocky region mentioned in the book". Teresa folded her hands.

"How much farther?" Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Two…at most three days". One of the female soldiers hesitated before finally gathering the courage to speak.

"May I ask you something, Your Majesty?" Teresa gave a small nod. Do you truly believe a green dragon exists?" Teresa looked out the window. The sunlight illuminated her green eyes and chestnut curls.

"I do", she replied.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be here". Then, without taking her eyes off the passing landscape, she added,"But even if it didn't exist…I still would have made the journey". The female soldiers exchanged puzzled glances but didn't dare ask any further questions. Ethan walked briskly along the forest path.

"Would you slow down?" he said. Agnes didn't answer and kept walking at the same pace.

"Stubborn little brat…" Ethan muttered. Suddenly, Agnes came to an abrupt stop. Through the trees, a waterfall came into view. Her eyes lit up.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing. Ethan stepped beside her.

"A waterfall".

"It's beautiful…let's go closer".

"But aren't we supposed to-". He didn't even have time to finish. Agnes broke into a run. Ethan chased after her, dodging branches and roots. With every step, the roar of the water grew louder until it drowned out the birdsong. The air became cooler and damper, filled with the scent of moss and wet earth. When they reached the shore, he saw her. Agnes stood motionless atop a rock, completely captivated by the sight of the water plunging from above into a crystal-clear pool.

A fine mist rose from the impact, brushing against her face, while the sunlight filtered through the suspended droplets, creating faint iridescent reflections. Ethan stopped beside her, catching his breath.

"You've never seen one before?" he asked. Agnes shook her head.

"Never". For a few moments, neither of them spoke. The steady thunder of the waterfall seemed to erase every other sound in the forest. The water, as clear as glass, flowed between smooth rocks and tufts of grass, reflecting the deep green of the surrounding trees.

"I never thought the world could hold something so beautiful", the little girl said.

"I've spent my whole life in my village". Ethan's jaw tightened slightly.

"This world is beautiful", he replied.

"But unfortunately, there are creatures who ruin it simply by existing".

"Like goblins?" Agnes asked.

"Like goblins. Like mages. Like elves. Like humans". He paused briefly.

"There is evil hidden within every race". They remained there, standing side by side beneath the clear sky. The wind carried the cool spray of the waterfall across their skin, while its endless roar continued to fill the silence between them, as though it were the very voice of nature.