"Agatha? Agatha?" Sophie snapped out of her thoughts and realized someone was missing. She shook Charles and Little White awake, and the family anxiously called out for their little treasure. *"How could I be so careless? First Charles, now Agatha..."* Her face turned pale with guilt.
"Mom! Mom! This little brother is so hungry! Can you give him something to eat?" Agatha dodged Charles as he rushed toward her and shouted at Sophie, who was still dazed.
"Agatha! Where did you run off to? You scared me to death!" Sophie discreetly wiped away a tear before opening her arms to embrace Agatha, barely noticing the small figure beside her. The relief of finding her daughter again made everything else fade away.
After a long hug, Agatha blinked up at her mother in confusion. *"What's wrong with Mom?"*
"Mom, can you give him some food?" Agatha asked cautiously, eyeing Sophie's pale face. *"She looks almost as white as Uncle Libor at night!"*
"Little brother?" Only then did Sophie notice the handsome child standing nearby.
*"Where did Agatha pick up a kid this time? Are we adopting another one?"*
"Greetings, noble lady. Welcome to the Dwarf Tribe." Kennen bowed politely, determined to make a good impression. Hospitality was a dwarf's pride.
"Dwarf Tribe?" Sophie glanced around—still just grassland, though some areas rose slightly higher. Was the village hidden behind those hills?
Meeting a real dwarf quickly pushed aside her earlier worry.
*"This is a dwarf? A legendary dwarf? Why isn't he dressed in rags? And he's not ugly at all—actually, he's quite handsome."* She studied him, comparing him to the dwarves she'd imagined. Movies like *Lord of the Rings* had decent-looking dwarves, but most books described them as scruffy, dirty, and hairy, with tangled beards and bulging muscles.
This dwarf shattered all her expectations. If the dwarves she'd imagined were beggars, the one before her was a prince—flawless in looks, attire, manners, and grace. Even if he was only as tall as Agatha.
Kennen shifted uncomfortably under her stare. *"This lady is... odd."*
"Mom! Can you give him food or not?" Agatha broke the awkward silence, snapping Sophie back to reality.
"Food? What food?" Sophie blinked. Hadn't they just eaten?
"My apologies. I'm not actually hungry. The little girl just assumed..." Kennen explained sheepishly, though his expression carried a hint of sorrow.
Sophie, usually oblivious, caught it this time. "Is there something I can help you with?"
*Normally, she avoided trouble, but helping a legendary dwarf? Worth a shot. If she couldn't, no harm done.*
Kennen eyed their group—a girl, two kids, and a small dog. *"What could they possibly do?"*
"Thank you, but I'll manage. Still, it's getting late. If you'd like, you're welcome to stay in our village tonight!" He offered warmly. Visitors were rare, and his people could use the cheer. Maybe it'd even lift his father's spirits.
"Yes! Absolutely! We'd love to!" Sophie beamed. *"Perfect! I was just thinking of how to ask!"*
She'd already met elves and vampires—now dwarves. If she could see a dragon or phoenix next, her fantasy bingo card would be complete. *"Though those are probably too rare..."*
Following Kennen, they reached a quaint stone village in under twenty minutes. The houses were tiny but beautifully crafted.
At the largest house, Kennen hesitated at the door, eyeing Sophie's height. *"She'll fit... probably."*
Sophie ducked inside. The entrance was snug, but the interior was surprisingly spacious—though the living room was now packed with their group.
Holding a teacup the size of a thimble, Sophie felt like Snow White in the dwarves' cottage—or like she'd stepped into a childhood game of pretend. Everything was miniature yet exquisitely made. *"If I sold these in Magic Doll..."*
Chief Gennar, helped outside by Kennen, took one look at Sophie's dreamy grin and sighed. *"This guest is... unique."*
"Sophie, this is my father, Chief Gennar. Father, this is Sophie, her son Charles, little Agatha, and Little White."
On the walk over, they'd grown familiar. Learning Kennen was 26, Sophie had insisted Agatha stop calling him "little brother"—she wasn't *that* old.
Though weak and pale, Gennar carried a dignified handsomeness, like a tragic hero. *"No wonder Kennen's so good-looking—it runs in the family!"*
"Hello, Uncle Gennar!" Sophie smiled sweetly. *"Being friendly with the chief might score some dwarf-made souvenirs..."*
"Welcome to our village, Miss Sophie," Gennar wheezed. Just two sentences left him breathless.
*"He's really sick. If only Libor were here..."* For once, Sophie missed the vampire.
"Kennen, gather the villagers. They'll be thrilled to meet our guests. It's been too long since we've had laughter here."
Seeing Kennen hesitate, Gennar smiled. "Don't worry. Your mother will be back soon, and Miss Sophie is here."
After entrusting his father to Sophie, Kennen hurried off to spread the news.
To spare Gennar's breath, Sophie mashed some soothing fruits into a paste for him. Meanwhile, Charles, Agatha, and Little White, bored, chased after Kennen.
That night, the dwarf village celebrated like never before. For once, they pushed aside thoughts of the monster in their mines. Tonight was for joy—even if tomorrow brought hardship.
Bonfires lit up the clearing. Dwarves danced in lively circles, welcoming their human guests.
Sophie shared wild berries, pastries from *Magic Doll*, and small gifts.
Kennen pulled her into the dance, and soon she was hopping along, laughing like a kindergarten teacher surrounded by children.
Eleanora, Gennar's wife, watched with a bittersweet smile. She hid her worry—though she'd found herbs to ease his illness, only reclaiming the mines would truly heal him.
Her gaze drifted to Sophie's family. *"They're kind, but no match for that beast."*
"Aunt Eleanora! This is for you!" Agatha wobbled over, clutching a giant pinecone.
"Thank you, sweetheart." Eleanora accepted it warmly. Among dwarves, bigger gifts meant greater respect—and everyone had showered the guests with presents, even Little White.
**THUD.**
The ground trembled violently, snapping the dwarves back to grim reality.
"Was that an earthquake?" Sophie looked around, but the dwarves' faces had darkened with dread.
**What terror lurks beneath their village—and can Sophie's family survive it?**