Valen's voice trembled as he watched Caelum step forward with reckless confidence.
"Cae! What are you doing?!" he asked, his hands shaking.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"Cae!!! Don't leave me here!!!" Valen’s voice cracked as he shouted after him, his fear rising while he stood frozen.
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---
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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.
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Inwardly, Leth fumed. These people! How could they let a baby starve in this forsaken place?
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Suddenly, the caretaker stirred awake, rubbing his eyes. "Huh? Did you say something?"
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Leth furrowed her brow and puffed out her cheeks. "Ware ish my pood?!" she demanded, though her baby mouth muddled the words.
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The caretaker blinked, confused. "Your what?" Then he snickered. "Wait... do you want to poop?" He burst into laughter.
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Leth’s face flushed with embarrassment. Ugh, this baby mouth! she thought in frustration.
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After regaining his composure, the caretaker tossed the milk bottle to her. "Here. That’s all you’re getting."
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Leth glared at him, clutching the bottle. "Tish? Only tish? I need poods!"
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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“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.
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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.
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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.
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“Who... are you?” Caelum asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.
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