"Charles!" Sophie's voice rang out the moment she spotted her long-lost son from afar.
The warm, solid feeling in her arms confirmed this wasn't a dream—Charles was really back! She fought back tears, knowing even happy ones would freeze into icy gems.
"Mom! I brought you a daughter—look!" Still basking in her embrace, Charles suddenly remembered Agatha and tugged the hesitant girl forward.
Gazing at the child, Sophie was reminded of her own niece. Kneeling, she gently took the girl's small hand—only to hear a sharp inhale. Confused, Sophie lifted the tattered sleeve and froze.
Beneath the grime lay an arm crisscrossed with deep whip scars.
Rage flared, but Sophie forced it down when she felt Agatha tremble. Softly cupping the girl's face, she asked, "What's your name?"
Agatha glanced at Charles, who gave an encouraging nod. "A-Agatha," she whispered.
"Agatha, from now on, I'm your mother, and Charles is your brother. I swear no one will hurt you again." Hugging the girl close, Sophie silently vowed to make the monster who did this *pay*.
Ignoring the crowd, she hurried into *Magic Doll* and whipped up a simple egg noodle soup—something gentle for their starved stomachs.
Watching them devour the meal, Sophie's heart ached. Joy at Charles' return warred with guilt—*if only I'd been more careful...*
Once fed, Charles recounted his ordeal with dramatic flair, especially his creative "punishments" for Brandt. It eased Sophie's fury—slightly.
After settling the kids, Sophie marched back to the palace—to thank the king, and ensure Brandt's "happy" future. *No one harms my family and gets away with it.*
---
Days passed peacefully. Everyone resumed their carefree lives—except Libor.
Even Agatha blossomed under Sophie's care, soon joining Milta's squad to battle Charles and Yax's "Boys' Alliance."
But Sophie noticed Libor's odd behavior—slipping out nightly, returning swiftly. She'd suspected vampire feeding, yet no attacks were reported. So she let it slide.
For Libor, this makeshift family was a revelation. Millennia of solitude hadn't bothered him—until he tasted companionship. Teasing Sophie, doting on Agatha, mentoring Charles—he never wanted to return to lonely moon-gazing.
Yet after healing Yax with his vampiric powers, he'd sensed kin nearby. They'd likely tracked him to Kasina. Though unsure of their intent, Libor had no desire to rejoin vampire society—not when he'd found true kinship here.
That's why he'd come to Lamibor. Officially, to evade pursuit. But secretly? For the woman who treated him as neither monster nor myth—just *Libor*.
Searching for Charles had risked exposure. Now, he had to fake his departure before being found.
---
Despite *Magic Doll*'s profits, life grew dull. The crisp autumn air begged for adventure—Sophie had yet to properly explore this world!
Her picnic proposal sparked cheers—even Libor looked eager.
Milta, as local expert, picked their destination: **The Royal Forest of Alexia**, the princes' private playground teeming with exotic beasts (deep inside—the edges were safe). Only nobles with royal permits could hunt there, but picnicking? Perfect.
Sophie drafted supplies; Yax procured them. The collapsible grill she designed would debut today—and if successful, go into mass production.
Security? Libor's job. With his abilities, what could go wrong?
---
The cheerful procession set off—until Libor abruptly vanished, muttering about urgent business.
Undaunted, they pressed on. Leaving most guards at the forest edge, Sophie carried Agatha while the kids trailed behind, servants lugging supplies.
The spot was idyllic: sun-dappled clearings, wildflowers, a babbling brook.
Forgetting she was a mother of two, Sophie led raucous games—tag, hide-and-seek, even "duck-duck-goose" (improvised with local fauna names). Exhausted, they collapsed on the grass, gazing at the canopy.
None noticed the **eyes watching from the shadows**.
**Who—or what—lurks in Alexia Forest?**