The next day, they decided to leave the bunker. As they approached the gate, the castle residents lined both sides of the path, waiting for them. “Welcome back, everyone,” they called out in unison. “We are so relieved to see you safe.”

  Leon noticed the astonishment in everyone’s eyes. Their faces were filled with wonder, likely at their bald heads, their remarkably healthy skin, and their unexpectedly radiant appearance—or perhaps a combination of all three.

  Leon’s gaze darted around, searching for someone. Alice was doing the same. While Leon’s heart ached for Alicia’s presence, Alice restlessly scanned the crowd for Penelope. Leon could sense his father nearby, a faint but distinct excitement thrumming in his own chest. He knew Albert missed his wife. Monica share this anticipation too.

  Albert stopped before the head maid. “Where is my wife?” he asked.

  Dellhai bowed. “She is still in the forest, Master, with the maid, Alicia.”

  “Very well,” Albert said. “Await her return. The moment you see her, inform me. I have something important to discuss.”

  “Yes, Master. Your will is my command,” Dellhai replied.

  Eight hours ter, it was nine o’clock in the evening. Dellhai stood beside a castle guard atop the wide, imposing wall. “Anything?” she asked.

  “No, ma’am,” the guard replied, peering through his magical binocurs. “Nothing but roaming monsters and the usual dense forest.”

  She turned to another guard a few meters away. He shook his head.

  Where could they be? She wondered. They usually arrive by this hour, if not earlier. A flicker of anxiety crossed her face. I cannot fail Master Albert.

  An hour passed. Finally, one of the guards spotted movement in the trees. “I have a visual!” he excimed.

  “Do you see them?” Dellhai asked, her voice tight.

  After a tense pause, the guard confirmed, “Yes, ma’am. They’re here.” The other guard also signaled affirmatively.

  Dellhai immediately descended the wall and hurried toward Albert’s office. She knocked three times. “Master Albert? May I come in?” Silence. She knocked three times again. “Master, are you there?” Still no response. A third set of three knocks met the same silence. Following protocol, she gently pushed the handle and opened the door, cautiously peering inside. The room was empty. He’s not here? Where could he be? If I fail… She stopped herself. No. I have to find him.

  As she hurried down the corridor, holding up the hem of her long bck dress (her pace brisk but not quite a run), she encountered a maid. “Where is Master Albert?” she asked, breathlessly.

  “Ma’am, is something wrong?” the maid stammered, startled by Dellhai’s urgency.

  “Just answer the question!” Dellhai snapped.

  “He’s in his room,” the maid replied quickly.

  Dellhai immediately turned and continued down the corridor, arriving at Albert’s door moments ter, panting slightly. She paused to compose herself, took a deep breath, and knocked three times. “Master, are you there?”

  “I am,” Albert replied.

  “Madame Penelope has arrived.”

  “Very well. Thank you, Dellhai. You may go.”

  Dellhai, relieved to have completed her task, said, “I’ll be just outside, Master. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  “Come,” Albert said to Monica. “Let’s go. We need to talk to her.”

  They entered his office and waited for Penelope.

  At the main gate, Penelope and Alicia stood before the imposing metal doors. The hinges groaned as the guards swung them open.

  “Welcome, Madame Penelope,” one of the guards said. “Master Albert and his party arrived this afternoon. He’s waiting for you in his office. He asked that you be brought to him immediately.”

  “Thank you,” Penelope replied. Turning to Alicia, she said, “You can rest now. The food should be ready.”

  Alicia bowed her head. “Thank you, Madame Penelope.”

  A few minutes ter, Penelope arrived at Albert’s office. She knocked twice and entered. She and Monica exchanged a warm hug and a few brief words. Then, Penelope embraced her husband, sharing a long, tender kiss.

  “So, what happened?” Penelope asked. “Tell me everything.”

  “Would you like to sit down first, love?” Albert asked gently. “I know you’re tired.”

  “No, I’m fine,” she insisted.

  Albert returned to his desk. “I have good news and bad news. Which would you prefer to hear first?”

  Penelope’s heart quickened, but she kept her composure. “The bad news,” she said.

  “May I tell her?” Monica asked Albert.

  “Yes,” he replied.

  Monica took Penelope’s hands. Penelope’s nervousness intensified, her heart racing.

  “Penelope,” Monica began, her voice serious. “The Scroll… the Scroll of Stolid has reactivated.”

  The reactivation of the scroll could only mean something terrible had happened. Without warning, Penelope colpsed.

  Penelope’s eyes fluttered open. Her vision, blurred at first, slowly cleared. She saw two indistinct figures, then heard familiar voices calling her name.

  “Mom!”

  “Penelope!”

  Her head throbbed as her vision sharpened. She recognized the two people before her and pulled them into a tight embrace. “Son,” she sobbed, “I thought you hadn’t made it.”

  “Mom, I made a promise, remember?”

  “I know,” she said, her voice still thick with tears. “But the thought alone nearly broke me.”

  “Rex now,” he reassured her. “See? I’m fine. Even if I am a little… follicurly challenged.” He grinned, touching his bald head.

  “Madame Penelope,” Alice said, her voice filled with emotion. “I missed you so much.”

  “I missed you both terribly,” Penelope replied, her voice softening. “My heart ached every day. I was constantly on edge, but Alicia helped ease my worry. She’s a true treasure.”

  “Can I call you Mother now?” Alice asked.

  “I told you, just call me Penelope,” she said pyfully. “And did you just call me Madame?”

  Alice flushed slightly.

  “And don’t call me Mother,” Penelope continued. “It makes me sound old. Can’t you see I’m young and beautiful?”

  “You’re not just beautiful, Penelope,” Alice said sincerely. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”

  “Really?” Penelope teased. “Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

  “Of course not!” Alice protested. “Can’t you tell I mean it?”

  “Oh, I know you mean it,” Penelope said, pinching Alice’s cheek pyfully. “I’m just messing with you, you spoiled brat.”

  “Hey!” Alice excimed, stamping her foot.

  Penelope ughed. Then, she noticed something different about Alice’s skin. It was incredibly soft and smooth, yet it had a strange, almost otherworldly texture. “Alice,” she said, her brow furrowed, “your skin is gorgeous. So soft, tender… and yet, it feels different. Almost… monstrous. Is this from the skin hardening?”

  “Yes, Penelope,” Alice confirmed.

  “Oh my,” Penelope breathed. “That expins why you look so radiant! My son will be thrilled,” she added, gncing at Leon with a sly smile.

  “He is. He can never get enough of me, and he never will. I’ll keep him wanting more every day,” Alice said.

  “Speaking of wanting,” Leon interjected, “where’s Alicia?”

  “Master Leon,” one of the maids standing by said, “Miss Alicia is tired from her training. After dinner, she didn’t come out of her room. We checked on her, and she’s soundly sleeping. Should I wake her?”

  “No let her rest. She earned it,” Leon said.

  Monica entered the room.

  “Oh, you’re awake!” she excimed, rushing to Penelope’s side. “How are you feeling?”

  “What was the bad news?” Penelope asked.

  “Penelope, your husband said he’d prefer to discuss it privately,” Monica replied.

  “Alright then,” Penelope said, getting out of bed. “Let’s go.”

  Penelope and Monica left the room.

  “I think we should rest too,” Alice said to Leon.

  “Right,” he agreed.

  Inside Albert’s office, Penelope rushed into Albert’s arms. “Love,” she said, her voice trembling, “I thought our son hadn’t survived. I’m so sorry you saw me like that.”

  “It’s alright, my love,” he reassured her.

  She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “So, what exactly happened?”

  “My pride led me to make a terrible mistake,” Albert confessed. “I thought I could handle seeing our son under those extreme conditions. I was wrong. So wrong. Witnessing Leon seemingly dying in front of me… it triggered the scroll. It protected me from the trauma.”

  “You mean…” Penelope began, a knot of dread forming in her stomach.

  “Yes, my love,” Albert confirmed. “I no longer feel that emotional connection to our son. The fatherly love, the instinct… it’s gone. I still know he’s my son, and I’ll still do everything I can to help him grow stronger. But… it’s different.”

  “I’m here, my dear,” Penelope said, taking his hand. “I’ll always support you, both of you.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Albert said, his voice hesitant.

  “What is it, my love?” Penelope asked.

  “Monica will be staying with us tonight.”

  Penelope’s eyes widened slightly. “You mean… in our bed?”

  “Yes,” Albert confirmed.

  “What if she becomes pregnant?” Penelope asked, concern etched on her face. “Aren’t you worried about her?”

  Monica stepped in. “Don’t worry, Penelope,” she said gently. “I’m not fertile yet.”

  “Well,” Penelope said, a hint of resignation in her voice, “I’m gd to have you with us, Monica.”

  “Thank you,” Monica replied.

  “I’ve wanted this for a long time,” Penelope admitted. “But… never mind. You’re here now, and that’s what matters.”

  Albert retreated to his room, the two women at his side.

  Afterward, as they y together, Penelope, who was curled up on Albert’s left side, asked Monica: “Did Zigyor approve of this?”

  “When I told him about my trip,” Monica replied, “he instinctively knew what would happen. His only concern was my safety. Besides,” she added, “he has… other companions to keep him occupied while I’m away.”

  “That’s still risky,” Penelope murmured. “What if he accidentally gets one of them pregnant?”

  “He understands the risks,” Monica said, curling up on Albert’s right side. “He wouldn’t do anything unless he was certain.”

  Albert savored this moment, this return to a time when he had two women close to him. Not just any women, like Zigyor’s casual flings, but women he cherished, women he would protect with his life.