233 Forest of Red

The carriage continued to move, with the sound of the wheels against the wet ground and the horses' hooves clip-clopping in the background. Emily was so immersed in the conversation with Raylen that she had failed to notice that more time had passed compared to when she had travelled from the castle to the town.

"Sold her soul?" Emily repeated, intrigued by the concept she had only heard in stories before, but never had she heard that story from such a close source. "What for?"

Raylen's expression remained as calm as undisturbed water. He observed how Emily had fixed her undivided attention on him, her hazel brown eyes eagerly awaiting his response. 

"For the same old story that unfolds in every other kingdom," he replied, only piquing Emily's curiosity further. He then said,