The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband-Chapter 312: Arzael

The forest was alive with the sounds of spring.

Sunlight poured through the swaying green canopy, scattering warm golden patches across the mossy ground. Birds chirped overhead, flitting between branches, and the wind whistled softly through the leaves.

Flowers were blooming along the narrow path, their colours vibrant against the fresh grass. Somewhere in the distance, the playful rush of a stream echoed through the trees. fгeewebnovёl.com

Cedric’s boots crunched over twigs and fallen petals as he made his way deeper into the forest. Chasing after the dark figure. The wind blew across his face as it whistled its music across his ears.

The air was fresh, scented with damp earth and wild blossoms. The quiet energy of the woods was calming but Cedric wasn’t here for peace.

He spotted the figure just ahead standing at the edge of the stream, cloak loose in the breeze, face turned away. They were still, too still. Something about them stirred an old memory Cedric couldn’t quite name.

"I wasn’t expecting you to catch up so quickly. You are faster than I imagined." A deep voice spoke with a sarcastic tone.

He didn’t reach for his sword, not yet. Instead, he walked closer, steps steady.

"You were expecting me to follow you. Weren’t you?" Cedric called, his tone sharp but curious. "You are smart as they say." The figure chuckled still having his back against him.

"We’ve met before... haven’t we?" Cedric asked, remembering the day his mind and the voice were driving him crazy. He had met him in the forest that night. Cedric was not expecting to see him so soon.

The figure didn’t respond immediately. The stream beside them bubbled cheerfully, its clear water glinting under the sun. The wind picked up, rustling through the trees and tugging at the stranger’s cloak.

"I wasn’t expecting we would meet this early. Something we both didn’t expect to happen." The figure finally replied. His words were puzzling.

Finally, the figure turned halfway, just enough for the light to catch the edge of their hood. Cedric caught a glimpse of his face covered with a scarf, leaving only his pitch-black eyes exposed.

"You have been following me from the palace. It was subtle but why did you finally decide to show up?" Cedric continued, more serious now. "Why? Why bring me all the way out here?"

The figure finally spoke, voice low and hoarse. "Because the castle walls have ears. And what I have to say... you wouldn’t want to be whispered back to the queen or anyone. Let’s say I know more about you than you do Cedric."

He faced Cedric; those dark eyes felt like a bottomless abyss that saw through his soul.

Cedric’s eyes narrowed. "You know me." It seemed crazy. A man he was sure he had never met before except from that one incident. The only one Cedric had met with this presence was himself yet here stood a strange man that carried the same dark aura as him.

The figure gave a slow nod. "Yes. More than you’d like. And time is running short. Someone keeps on playing with the rules." the more he spoke the more confused Cedric got.

The forest wind picked up again, carrying the scent of water and spring blossoms. Cedric stepped closer, his gaze steady, every muscle alert.

"Then talk," he said. "I’m listening."

The birds continued to sing, but Cedric no longer heard them. "I know a way you can find Abrielle." The man said, and it felt like everything froze, and all that was left was just two of them.

"Who sent you?" Cedric went into defence immediately. The man chuckled, "No one can order me around. Hold your horse, champ. I am doing you a favour now. The longer she is always, the more the madness grows." He stated.

"You keep on talking in circles, get to the point." The first prince impatiently asked; from a distance, he could hear his men searching for him, circling the area like something was blocking them from seeing here.

"Fine, it’s ridiculous you think that someone sent me but I will get to the point. I do know where your wife is. It’s a bit far, but she is still Darconia, at least for now, but I can’t tell you exactly where." His dark eyes sparkled like it was a game. Cedric narrowed his eyes at him trying to figure him out, but this figure was like a freaking puzzle. He wasn’t sure to believe him.

"Then what’s the point if you don’t tell me where? Darconia is over half the size of the continent she could be anywhere."

"That’s the same thing I thought but it is better than nothing." The man chuckled; Cedric lost it; he moved like a gust of wind and appeared in front of the man, grabbing his collars. His eyes turned pitch black.

"Stop playing games with me," his voice was threatening. His murderous intent thick. Any normal person would tremble by now but the man laughed.

"You love her; I never expected that to happen so soon." The man chuckled, amused by Cedric. "That’s not the answer I want."

"I remember saying I would tell you my name if we met again." He derailed from the topic, enjoying playing with Cedric. Cedric’s forehead twitched. His guts told him this man knew where Abrielle was.

"The name is Azrael." The man said; with a light shove, Cedric was pushed away like a strong force hit him. Azrael dusted out invisible dust from his clothes. "That’s rude, but I understand your frustration, so I will give you a clue to finding her."

Cedric was stunned by Azrael’s strength; he was someone who could beat him in a fight. Cedric gained his bearing, ready to reach out for his sword. He was desperate for answers, but his hand froze halfway when Azread offered a clue.

"Abrielle is in Darconia; although her presence is being hidden, you can sense her but don’t know exactly where." Cedric’s tension eased off. It was true he could sense Abrielle at times, even strange emotions he was sure weren’t his. It was mostly fear; she was scared wherever she was.

Azrael approached Cedric and then placed his hand on his shoulders. "If you want to track her. You have to accept yourself and differentiate between the voices that lie and the ones that are truly your thoughts. How do you expect her to love you when you can’t even stand your existence?"

After saying that he disappeared, leaving Cedric more confused than he initially was.