His Duchess is a Ghost (Novel) - Chapter 30 (Patreon)

But despite her relentless search, Alena still found no new clues.

Her initial theory, that there might be a hidden area protected by a barrier similar to the one imprisoning her within the estate, seemed to crumble with each fruitless search. She had scoured every inch of the castle, yet encountered no such barrier, no sealed door nor impenetrable wall that hinted at a secret refuge.

It intrigued her to no end how was a man able to disappear like that without any trace. Just who was Kaztiel Donovian? What was he in the first place? Where was he hiding every time he disappeared? Could it be that… he was hiding in the same place where he hid her body?

It was already dark when Alena entered the duke’s chamber.

She remained calm as she searched everywhere once again. Using her dagger, she opened doors instead of merely passing through them. She was willing to try anything and everything, just in case it made a difference and led her to find something valuable.

However, time passed, and the only discovery she had made was that the duke's chamber contained a couple of secret doors. These doors were not particularly special, as they were similar to the secret doors commonly found in the quarters of important people. They were simply doors that led to an escape route.

Disappointed, Alena finally stopped moving and just stood there next to the duke’s empty bed. Her thoughts were in turmoil. It had become increasingly clear to her just how difficult it was to defeat the duke. She reflected on all her attempts and strategies employed since her arrival in this castle, and it only served to amplify her frustration that she had never once triumphed over him.

Was there even any way to defeat this man? Was there even anything she could do to destroy him? Was it even possible to win against him? The neighboring kingdoms had never succeeded in overthrowing him, and even the entire royal family, with all their efforts, had failed to lay a finger on him. And now, she, even in her ghostly form, found herself incapable of inflicting any significant harm upon him.

Alena's realization of the Duke of Donovia's invincibility was a sobering moment. She now fully grasped the fear that had lurked in her father’s and brothers’ hearts. The duke’s power was overwhelming, so immense that should he ever decide to usurp the throne, he might very well succeed with ease. The people of Claveria adored him; their loyalty and admiration for the duke were such that she could now envision them rallying to his cause, ready to support his uprising and bow at his feet without a second thought.

With the people worshipping him like a god, who would dare stand with the monarchy? The duke had the power to obliterate the royal lineage. He had the power to build a new era under his rule—an era of his own dynasty.

Shaking her head vigorously to throw away all these dark thoughts, Alena tried to calm herself.

She needed to kill the duke as soon as possible. Her body’s whereabouts should no longer be her priority. It didn’t matter anymore anyway. It’s not like she’d come back alive if she found it. It must have been rotting by now somewhere. So from here on, she would stop searching. She should also stop asking him questions now, because whatever answer she would receive, truth or lies, was of no use anymore.

Alena shut her eyes.

Right… from here on, she would focus on nothing but one thing… to kill him and drag him to hell with her. Because that’s what she vowed that very moment she took her last breath.

When she opened her eyes, the fiery rage and hatred weren’t there anymore. What was left was calm... her usual calm that was now tinged with nothing but a steely, unbreakable resolve.

As if on cue, a faint sound pierced the oppressive silence that dominated the duke’s chambers.

With a swift turn, she pivoted towards the door, her ethereal form gliding effortlessly as she traced the source of the white noise.

The corridors unfolded before her, and as she ventured further, there they were – the duke and, by his side, Zilal. They had materialized seemingly out of nowhere once again.

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CHAPTER 31>>