Valen's voice trembled as he watched Caelum step forward with reckless confidence.
"Cae! What are you doing?!" he asked, his hands shaking.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2DhmSZMm0
Caelum grinned, throwing a playful glance over his shoulder. "What else? I'm going to slay the monster inside that palace!" he said, his tone light, almost teasing.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLA1o1AtKb
Valen's face paled. "M-monster?!" His knees buckled slightly, the fear creeping into his chest as he trembled, nearly on the verge of tears.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnmxhi7t8nf
Without a care in the world, Caelum laughed and darted towards the grand palace, his footsteps echoing on the ground. "Catch up if you can!" he called back, not bothering to wait for his trembling companion.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUAycmVRjHk
"Cae!!! Don't leave me here!!!" Valen’s voice cracked as he shouted after him, his fear rising while he stood frozen.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwhgLXt8XD
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhamftoT6o
---
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwYMnIW9Xv
Meanwhile, deep within Ashengil Castle, young Leth lay on her bed, her tiny hands clutching the blanket. Her caretaker dozed off nearby, sprawled on the sofa, loosely holding an empty milk bottle.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3urbwJfbU
Inwardly, Leth fumed. These people! How could they let a baby starve in this forsaken place?
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF3yOR8Twhl
Suddenly, the caretaker stirred awake, rubbing his eyes. "Huh? Did you say something?"
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlblZqiW8E2
Leth furrowed her brow and puffed out her cheeks. "Ware ish my pood?!" she demanded, though her baby mouth muddled the words.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKCp1A9llk
The caretaker blinked, confused. "Your what?" Then he snickered. "Wait... do you want to poop?" He burst into laughter.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tYvi6uJSx
Leth’s face flushed with embarrassment. Ugh, this baby mouth! she thought in frustration.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdb6vsWm1Qj
After regaining his composure, the caretaker tossed the milk bottle to her. "Here. That’s all you’re getting."
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FWBrdlgvT
Leth glared at him, clutching the bottle. "Tish? Only tish? I need poods!"
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I9reaO1OV
The caretaker waved a dismissive hand. "You’re broke! Even your maids are starving! Now let me sleep." He turned his back, snoring a moment later.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0kul9PCDX
Leth scowled, her tiny fists clenched around the bottle. This heartless place! How dare they starve a baby! She could feel the sting of tears threatening to fall, but she quickly wiped her eyes.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8QjbsXRbw
Determined, Leth climbed out of bed and wandered down to the kitchen. Her hopes sank when she found nothing but a single raw potato sitting on the counter. She looked around no maids, no food, just silence.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXm59Dj4sI
With a sigh, Leth grabbed the potato and dragged a chair over to the oven. I may only be a princess in name, but even I can cook this sad excuse for a meal, she thought, preparing to boil the potato.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvH0vOnFjQ
"Tish ishtupid bish!! Makin' da baby dow tyer job!" the kitchen maid muttered under her breath, frustration thick in her tone as she finished wrapping a hot potato and a bottle in a cloth, turning it into a makeshift bundle. Glancing around to make sure no one saw her, she slipped out the back of the kitchen and carefully made her way toward a small, hidden hole in the wall—a shortcut leading to the main palace garden.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDKFSJgsGS
Meanwhile, in the garden, Prince Caelum was exploring the area near the boundary of the Forgotten Palace. He had always been curious about the old castle and its mysterious reputation, and today, he felt particularly bold. Just as he was about to reach the castle gates, something odd caught his eye.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡriRnaDs5F5
“Huh… what’s that?” Caelum mumbled to himself as he noticed a small, oddly shaped rock near the garden wall. Curiosity piqued, he walked closer and was surprised to find a little gap behind it. Pushing the rock aside, he discovered a narrow hole in the wall—just big enough for a child to crawl through.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvwhse8XQc
Without hesitation, Caelum ducked down and wriggled his way inside, curiosity leading him onward. As he made his way through the hidden passage, he finally emerged on the other side and froze.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGg7GZg68ox
There, standing in front of him, was a young girl he had never seen before—pale and slender, her eyes wide with surprise as they met his. She clutched a small bundle to her chest, her expression a mixture of shock and fear.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5leMWp1za
“Who... are you?” Caelum asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
25Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWqvCV9a8ty
