All Chapters of Reborn: The Duke’s Unbothered Villainess: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Two days later.Palace War Room | Late at night | Rain pelting the windows | A fire slowly burning out.The war room was too quiet for comfort. The candlelight danced against the polished oak walls, casting long shadows that flickered like ghosts. Maps were scattered across the long table, marked in red ink, ancient runes etched on parchment, scrolls opened halfway through deciphering. The smell of burning wax mingled with the soft scent of wet earth—the storm had not stopped since we returned to the capital.I was exhausted. My fingertips were smudged with charcoal from drawing ward circles, my back ached from hunching over scrolls, and my eyes stung from lack of sleep.But I couldn’t rest.Because I still felt it.The Rift was alive.And Alaric... he wasn’t dead. I couldn’t believe he was.My hand trembled slightly as I reached for another scroll, one Max had written, salvaged from the last campfire before we retreated. Notes on unstable Rift energy, fragments of old summoning scrip

Few days later Location: Abby’s Mansion, My Room | Weather: Cold rain tapping on the glass, the scent of ginger soup lingering in the air.I’m home.Or whatever this mansion has become after everything. A place with warmth, sure. But not peace. Not anymore.Norma and Anita practically tucked me in like a child when I arrived—fretting over my drenched cloak, scolding the Prince’s guards for not warning them sooner. Annabel shoved soup into my hands with this look like she might cry if I didn’t eat every spoonful.I love them. I needed them.But now, I’m alone again. There’s rain against the window, and the smell of jasmine tea curls like a ghost around my desk. I should rest. But instead, I write. Because if I don’t, I think I might drown in the silence.Things I know for sure:The Rift resets after midnight. Every beast, every wound, every second of battle—it loops like a cursed dream. We’re stuck in a punishment with no exit.Alaric is alive. Even if no one else believes me.Even i

THE SOUTHERN ALLIANCE – A STORM IN THE SHADOWSThe rain came down like a curtain of needles, veiling the outskirts of the capital in a thick gray gloom. The cobblestone path leading to the old hunting lodge was nearly swallowed by overgrowth and mud, as if the land itself had tried to forget the structure still stood. It was far from the polished marble of the court, hidden deep within the forested hills near the southern border—a place of old blood, older grudges, and secrets that festered like rot.Inside, the air was warm with firelight and heavy with the scent of wet fur, damp wool, and sour wine. The stone walls sweated with the storm outside, and the wooden beams overhead creaked like the bones of a dying beast. A single iron chandelier cast swaying shadows across the long table at the center of the room.Seated at that table were men who had once held honor.Now, they held daggers behind smiles.Duke Edmond of the Southern Kingdom lounged in his chair, his silver-ringed fingers

For a long moment, I stared at the flickering spell runes on the wall—then at Damian.“So what do we do?” I whispered, hating the tremble in my voice.“We leave in the morning,” he said. “We head for the Blackfang Rift.”My eyes widened. “That’s... days away.”“I know. But the last scout returned half-dead, speaking of a massive beast guarding a core—a magic stone unlike anything we’ve seen. Enough to heal my father. And maybe, enough to fight back.”I nodded slowly, the weight of my father’s betrayal and the coming war sinking like cold iron into my bones. “Then I’m coming.”Damian gave me a sharp look. “Are you sure?”“You just said someone wants me dead. I’d rather not wait for them to knock politely.”Three days later, we rode under storm-heavy skies.Our caravan was small—two supply carts, half a dozen knights sworn to Damian, and Norma riding beside me with her usual no-nonsense expression. Annabelle had packed dried soup sachets and warm bread for the journey, insisting I eat e

“I don’t know yet,” I said honestly, trying not to meet his eyes. “But maybe.”Thunder cracked again. He didn’t press.We walked the rest of the way in tense silence, and when we reached the edge of the Rift, I looked back one last time.“Next time,” I muttered, “we bring more firepower.”“I thought you were the firepower.”“I am. But I like backup.”When we finally emerged from the Rift’s edge, the rain had started to fall again, soft at first, then heavier, as if the sky itself wept in exhaustion. The guards stationed near the camp were stunned at our return, their eyes widening at the state of us—soaked, burnt, bloodied, but victorious.Sort of.I handed the golden flower to our healer and told her to guard it with her life. Damian collapsed onto a bench, his hair soaked and crown slipping slightly. I joined him, still buzzing with residual lightning under my skin.“I don’t know about you,” I said, “but I’m eating three whole chickens when we get back.”“You’ll share?”“Hell no.”H