The Duke's Passion

Chapter 764  What are the odds?

Fabian didn't hurt Florence and had only put her to sleep. Hence, she still has all the energy to use and sneak out of the Royal Palace. Fortunately, Heliot didn't think she would sneak out and didn't order an increase in security. Sneaking out for Florence was as easy as slicing a piece of cake. She had done it many times to count growing up since she wasn't that an important princess. Even though Heliot knew about her mischief, he turned a blind eye to it, since the land of Karo was overall a safe place for his sister. Moreover, it was not like it was doing Florence any harm.

Who would have thought? That after many years of sneaking out, a day would come where Florence would sneak out with no intention of returning? Well, it was not like she didn't attempt to flee home that night Fabian abducted her. It just so happened Heliot didn't know her heart, since he thought Fabian took her against her will. Running through the dark street of a particular district of Karo, Florence looked back. She heaved a sigh of relief when she was certain no one was following her. Still, that didn't stop her feet from moving forth. 'I can't be complacent yet,' she told herself, looking ahead, taking a turn to the alley on her right. 'For as long as I'm in Karo, I can't be complacent yet. I can't stop here.' Thɪs chapter is updated by ɴo(v)elꜰɪre.ɴet

A glint of determination flickered across her eyes. There were many unanswered questions in her head, but Florence kept them all in the back of her head. Heliot wouldn't give her an answer simply because he didn't have any satisfactory answer right now. 'That insufferable butler…' Florence gritted her teeth, recalling that annoying smile of that sadistic butler. Be it before the regression or the current timeline, Fabian was just as insufferable. Although there were some things she should thank him for, she couldn't entirely feel indebted to him. Why would she? Each time Fabian helped her, he would claim her lips without her consent. He may feel that wasn't enough, but that was more than enough for her to feel a zero ounce of any gratitude towards him. 'Where should I go?' she wondered, clutching her cloak in the front. 'The Heart's Kingdom? But I don't know anyone in that place and even if I know anyone, I'm certain they wouldn't remember me.' The dilemma of not knowing where to go slowly crawled under her skin, making her heart race slightly. But that didn't deter her from moving forth nor was it enough to slow her down. She didn't mind sleeping in the street… although that scared her witless. 'You're not strong, Florence,' she told herself. 'But you have to go. For Karo… for your brother… for everyone… even though you don't know exactly if you're doing the right thing.'

Florence mentally nodded, steeling her heart, reminding herself of the warning she received the night of the regression. Bitterness swirled in her midnight blue eyes as she thought about the night of the disaster. Back then, Karo had fallen, or so, from what the letter claimed. This Karo… this prosperous and peaceful country had fallen and then the Heart's Empire. If the time didn't reverse, Florence could imagine the worse the day after that night. 'My husband died… and so was Lady Silvia.' Her teeth clenched, exiting the alley only to jump into a darker alley. 'I fainted… wait…'

Florence narrowed her eyes as she recalled something. [ Heliot's sister isn't as dumb as she looks ]

That second, her heart tightened as her breath hitched. Her speed slowed down, remembering that voice, yet the distinct voice in her head before the darkness overtook her. Remembering those words and that voice made the hair behind her neck raise.

'That's right… there's that voice.' Another question mark hovered over her head as she picked up her speed. 'I felt weak when I heard that voice.'

Florence balled her hand into a tight fist as another purpose rose in her head. She needed to find the truth while running away. Her eyes glinted. 'The mainland,' she told herself. 'The people of the mainland. I should start…'

Her eyes went round as she was nearing the end of the dark alley, only to see someone passing by. Florence slowed down, her boots screeching to stop herself from crashing into the person at the end of the alley. But alas, it was too late. The person passing by the alley slowly turned his head in the alley's direction, only to see someone clumsily speed towards him. Knowing there wasn't much time, he raised his hand to stop Florence, holding her shoulder. However, just as he did, he stepped foot on a small fever. Hence, as he used force to stop her, the pebble rolled, subsequently making them fall. Boogsh!

Thick smoke instantly ascended on the two figures on the sandy ground. Florence clenched her teeth as her knee landed on the ground, although the rest of her body was safe as the person she crashed into was underneath her. "Ah —" Florence ground her teeth, pushing herself to sit upright. She raised her palm and caught a minor scratch, wincing as she closed her fist. "That hurts…"

Florence opened and closed her fist while the smoke thinned out. At this point, she hadn't realized the awkward situation she was in until she noticed a person's gaze under her.

"I didn't think Her Highness is into wild fantasies." She froze upon hearing a familiar voice of a man, setting her eyes down, only for her breath to hitch. Of all people she could've bumped into… why would she bump into this insufferable being? Were the gods playing tricks on her right now? Seriously?

"Karo isn't that big, but it isn't small either. However, it seems we're meant to be… don't you think so, Your Highness?" Fabian smiled until his eyes were squinting, enjoying how the horror resurfaced in those pair of mesmerizing eyes and her mouth falling open from shock.