"Okay, kids! We're here now," I said as I looked at the children, noticing how nervous and unsure they looked with their wide eyes and quiet steps.
"Will this be alright?" Cassius asked, his voice small and unsure, as he looked up at me with worry written all over his face.
"You're going to be safe here," I told him gently while tapping his shoulder, hoping my voice would make him feel a little better.
As we walked closer to the gate of my old home, I was too relaxed and didn't think much about what I was wearing—a witch's robe that stood out too much—and I didn't even notice that someone was already behind me.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp edge touch the side of my neck, and I heard a voice say,
"Who's there?"
"This is House Evergreen's property. What is a witch doing here?"
The man's voice was strong and serious, like he was ready to fight if needed.
At first, I couldn't tell who he was because his tone was so cold, but I quickly glanced at the sword pointed at me, then looked over at the kids to signal them to stay calm and not move.
"Is this how the Evergreen family greets people?" I asked with a bit of sarcasm in my voice.
"Lady Valkyrie?" he said, sounding surprised as he looked at me more closely.
That's when I realized—it was Desmond, one of my father's knights.
The moment he lowered the sword, I turned around quickly, and as soon as I saw him clearly, I smiled and said,
"Desmond!"
"My lady… is it really you? You look… haggard," he said, staring at me with concern, and for a second, I didn't know what to say. Can I kill him?
Before I could reply, Desmond suddenly dropped to one knee, bowing his head. I could hear the kids whispering behind me.
"I'm truly sorry for pointing my sword at you, my lady," he said, clearly feeling guilty.
"Stop that, Desmond. I'm just Valkyrie now. I'm no longer the lady you once served," I said, trying to make him understand that things had changed.
He looked up at me, his face full of surprise at my words.
"Stand up," I told him gently, and he did as I asked.
"It's been a year since you left," he said as he got to his feet. "You've grown more mature… and even taller."
He gave me a soft smile.
I smiled back, feeling a little lighter.Then his eyes moved to the children behind me.
"Why are you bringing kids here, my lady? Don't tell me you kidnapped them," he joked.
"I'll kill you," I said, frowning, but I didn't really mean it.
"They don't look like ordinary kids," he added, still curious.
"That's because they're not," I said. "I need to speak to Duke Evergreen."
***
We entered the house without any problems, and the servants didn't question us.
"Can you make sure the kids get something to eat first?" I asked Desmond as we walked inside.
"Of course," he said with a nod, then led me to my father's office.
When the door opened, I saw my father sitting at his desk, but he stopped what he was doing as soon as he saw me.
"It's been a year. I'm home, Father," I said, smiling gently.
He stood up right away and wrapped me in a warm hug.
"My daughter," he said softly, holding me close.
***
After a few moments, we both sat down across from each other, and he looked at me closely.
"You've lost weight. Are you eating properly?" he asked gently, worry etched across his face.
I offered a small smile and gave a faint nod, though we both knew the truth wasn't so simple.
"I won't stay long, Father," I said quietly.
"I know," he replied, as if he could already read the thoughts swirling in my mind.
"I'm on a mission. Elves and fairies have been disappearing in the Enchanted Forest. We discovered they're being held in an underground base. The mastermind is Count Terrosa."
His expression hardened. "Terrosa, huh?"
"You know him?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I didn't personally," he admitted, "but I'm not surprised he's involved."
I stared at him, frustration rising. "Why didn't you tell me back when I was still the crown princess?"
He sighed, looking at me with a protective kind of sorrow. "And say what? What could a 'little' crown princess have done?"
I stood abruptly, anger flaring. "Because of that choice, people suffered. Children were taken. Lives were destroyed—because I was left in the dark."
My fists clenched at my sides, trembling with the weight of guilt and fury.
"I've heard stories about him," Father said grimly. "They say he lost his mind after his wife died under mysterious circumstances. No one knows how or why. Some whisper that he's been trying to create an elixir—to bring her back—using special beings in his experiments."
His expression darkened. "I never imagined he'd stoop so low as to use elves and fairies."
"In other words, he's dangerous, Valkyrie."
Anger surged through me, hot and unrelenting.
"I've already picked a fight with him," I said bluntly.
"What?" His eyes widened.
"I'm going to make him pay," I added, voice steady. "With my own strength—my own power."
He stared at me for a long moment. Then, to my surprise, he smiled.
"You've changed, my daughter."
I had expected him to stop me—to argue, to protect me. But he didn't.
"Whatever you choose to do, you are free to follow your path. That's why you became a witch, isn't it?"
"Yes," I nodded, softening. "But I need your help, Father."
His expression grew warm, resolute.
"I needed you to take the hybrid kids in for a little while, Father. I'll make arrangements to the Enchanted Forest." I said. "If what you said was true then, he also needed the children. I want you to protect them while I was away." I added.
"Anything you wish, my daughter." He smiled.
Then, suddenly, the door opened—and Mother stepped in.
"My lovely Valkyrie!" she exclaimed, rushing toward me with open arms. She pulled me into a warm, familiar embrace. "I heard you had arrived!"
I smiled into her shoulder, feeling a moment of comfort in her embrace. Her presence always softened the weight I carried.
***
But I hadn't come here only for comfort. There was another reason—one I couldn't ignore.
***
Another reason I came here... was to uncover the truth about the necklace.
Why was our family heirloom—the one passed down through generations—the key to the Demon Lord's seal?
That question haunted me.
Was it coincidence? Or had our bloodline always been tied to something far darker than we were ever told?
I had to know.