Married To The Villain
Chapter 42: The Hunt For Lirian

Chapter 42: The Hunt For Lirian

Chapter 42: The Hunt for Lirian

Gabriel was at the edge of the dense forest, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

The wind howled around him, carrying no sign of her—no whispers, no trace of her magic.

He felt the failure pressing against his chest, suffocating him.

"Lirian!" he bellowed into the cold night air, his throat felt raw from shouting her name for hours.

A screech overhead made him look up.

Pedro, circled frantically above the treetops, with his feathers almost dulled by the moonlight.

"Lirian!" Pedro squawked, his wings flapped in desperation. "Lirian, where are you?" He kept repeating Gabriel’s words.

Gabriel’s chest tightened at the sight.

Even the bird, who had once been her only friend, was falling apart without her.

One of his knights approached, his armor streaked with dirt and his face showed by exhaustion.

"Duke Gabriel," he said, bowing slightly. "The men have searched the northern ridge and the riverbanks. There’s... there’s no sign of her."

Gabriel’s jaw tightened as he turned to face the knight.

"Then keep searching," he commanded.

"But, sire—"

"No excuses!" Gabriel snapped, trembling with anger and anguish.

"I don’t care if it takes days, weeks—find her! I won’t leave this place without her!"

The knight hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Yes, Your Highness." He turned and hurried back to the others, relaying the order.

Only those who knew the truth about Gabriel’s true identity, were addressing him like royalty.

Gabriel turned back to the forest, having so many unanswered questions.

Why had the carriage been attacked? Who would dare target Lirian—and for what purpose?

His throat tightened as he remembered their last conversation.

She had been furious with him...

He had sent her away, believing it was the safest option for her.

But now she was gone—taken from him—and the thought of her in danger made him feel as if his heart were being ripped from his chest.

Pedro descended, landing on Gabriel’s shoulder.

The bird’s feathers were ruffled, his usual brightness was gone.

"She’s hurt...She’s scared. Gabriel, you have to find her!"

"I will," Gabriel murmured to himself.

He reached up to gently stroke the bird’s head. "I swear to you, Pedro. I won’t stop until I bring her back."

Pedro let out a mournful cry, burying his head against Gabriel’s neck.

"She called me her friend," he whispered. "I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t save her."

Gabriel’s chest ached at the bird’s words.

"It’s not your fault," he said softly, though the guilt in his own heart threatened to eat him alive.

He turned to his captain, who was nearby with a map spread across a makeshift table.

"What about the eastern hills?" Gabriel asked sharply.

The captain shook his head. "We’ve searched there twice, sire. No tracks, no signs of a struggle. It’s as if they vanished into thin air."

Gabriel slammed his fist onto the table, causing the map to flutter.

"Someone knows where she is," he growled. "Someone planned this. I want answers, damn it!"

"Sire," the captain said hesitantly, "there’s a chance... she might not..."

"Don’t finish that sentence," Gabriel glared icily.

He straightened, his gaze piercing. "She’s alive. She has to be. And I’ll tear this kingdom apart if that’s what it takes to find her."

The captain bowed his head. "Of course, Your Highness."

Gabriel turned away, his hand brushed against the hilt of his sword.

The weapon was heavy, showing off the battles he had fought—but this was different.

This wasn’t a war for territory or power. This was a war for her.

"Why would they take her?" he muttered to himself, pacing along the edge of the camp. "What could they possibly want from her?"

"She’s special!" Pedro squeaked.

Gabriel stopped, his brow furrowing.

Lirian’s magic—wild, untamed, and impossibly powerful—had always been a source of awe and fear.

He always thought that if she was next to him, she would be safe...but what Daria was doing, made his head spin around.

Lirian’s magic was powerful once he saw the butterflies...But it had also made her a target.

"Her magic..." he repeated, trailing off.

"She needs you," Pedro said urgently. "She’s calling for you. I can feel it."

Gabriel’s heart clenched.

He had made so many mistakes with her—mistakes that had driven her away.

But he would make it right. He would find her, no matter the cost.

As dawn broke over the horizon, the knights returned with grim faces and empty hands.

Gabriel refused to rest, his tiredness was buried beneath a relentless determination to find her.

He addressed his men, "We move to the western cliffs next. Leave no stone unturned. I want every corner of this land searched."

The men nodded.

Pedro took to the skies again, his cries echoing over the forest. "Lirian! Please, answer me!"

Gabriel watched him go, a lump formed in his throat. He clenc.

"Hold on, Lirian," he whispered. "I’m coming for you."

Pedro soared high above the dense canopy of trees, scanning every shadow and clearing.

His wings were tired, his cries hoarse, but he refused to stop.

Lirian needed him, and he would find her.

Then he saw it—a faint, golden glow coming through the trees like fireflies caught in a web of darkness.

The light pulsed, rhythmic and strange, and it sent a shiver down his small body.

"Gabriel!" Pedro screeched.

He swooped down, diving toward the camp where Gabriel stood by the map. "I saw something! A glow! Golden, like her butterflies!"

Gabriel froze, his breath caught in his throat.

The mention of butterflies hit him like a blow.

He knew their significance, knew they were an extension of Lirian’s magic, often appearing when she was overwhelmed with emotion—or danger.

"Where?" he demanded, grabbing Pedro as the bird landed on the table. "Where did you see it?"

Pedro flapped his wings, "Near the eastern ravine, deep in the forest. It’s her, Gabriel! I know it is!"

Without hesitation, Gabriel turned to his captain. "Assemble the knights. We ride now. She’s alive, and she’s in danger."