Estella carefully packed her bag, her skilled hands selecting and arranging various vials, jars, and bundles of tools with precision. As she tightened the straps on her bag, a small figure appeared at the doorway. Devon stood there with a curious gleam in his eyes.“Where are you going, Mama?” Devon asked, his voice sweet and innocent.Estella looked up and smiled at her son. “I’m going to the forest nearby to gather some ingredients.”Devon’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Can I go with you, Mama? Please?”Estella hesitated, her protective instincts flaring. The forest, though beautiful and bountiful, was also filled with hidden dangers. She didn’t want to expose Devon to any risk. “I don’t know, Devon. The forest can be a dangerous place, you see.”Sensing her reluctance, Devon’s expression shifted into an irresistible pout. He widened his big, doe-like eyes and jutted out his lower lip, looking up at her with an expression of pure innocence. “I promise I’ll behave, Mama. Please let

Back in the small house in the village, Estella moved with practiced precision, her hands deftly mixing potions and applying bandages to the wounded stranger they had found in the forest. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, most of them centered on her son, Devon.Devon sat quietly in a corner, his big, innocent eyes watching his mother's work. There was an unsettling depth to his gaze that Estella often chose to ignore. Today, though, it is impossible to dismiss them. The way he had insisted on bringing the stranger back, had been so unlike him.Estella glanced over at her son, her brow furrowing with worry. “Devon, why did you want to help this man so badly?” she asked softly, not expecting a complex answer from someone so young.Devon tilted his head, his expression serene. “He needed help, Mama. I couldn’t leave him there,” he said simply, his voice a mixture of innocence and something more profound.Estella sighed, not entirely convinced but unwilling to push further. She retur

Estella moved quietly along the stairs, her footsteps almost imperceptible on the wooden floor. In her hands, she balanced a tray laden with breakfast- a simple but hearty bowl of porridge, its soft aroma wafting up and mingling with the fresh morning air. Reaching the door to his room, she knocked softly then slowly pushed the door open and entered.Ariston sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on the world outside the window. His profile was sharp against the morning light, his eyes distant and unreadable. Estella cleared her throat gently, a sound that broke the silence and drew his attention.His eyes, cold and piercing, met hers. Estella offered a warm smile, her demeanor gentle yet confident. “I brought you your breakfast,” she said, her voice steady. “I made porridge for you. It would be easy on your stomach since you’re still recovering.”Ariston’s gaze shifted to the tray she carried. The porridge was plain, a stark contrast to the elaborate meals prepared by the top chi

As the night deepened, the shadows cast by the moonlight danced across Estella’s house. Silent as a whisper, a dark figure slipped from a window and moved swiftly toward the forest. Ariston moved elegantly, his form barely a blur against the inky darkness. He made his way to a secluded glistening lake, its surface reflecting the silver of the moon.Standing at the water’s edge, Ariston’s eyes turned from their deceptive blue to their true, feral red. He threw back his head and let out a howl- a sound both menacing and cold, a call that resonated through the forest, sending a shiver down the spine of any creature that heard it.Within moments, a figure emerged from the shadows of the trees behind him. The man, Hyde, moved with the grace and silence of a predator. He approached Ariston and bowed deeply.“My lord,” Hyde said, his voice filled with relief and reverence. “Finally, you called us. We have been looking for you everywhere since we lost you. Thankfully, you are fine.”Ariston d

The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Ariston and Devon made their way through the underbush. Ariston carefully watched the young boy who led the way with surprising confidence. Devon moved with the ease of someone far beyond his years, his bright eyes scanning the terrain for the herbs Estella needed.“There it is,” Devon said, pointing to a cluster of plants growing near the base of an old oak tree. “Mama needs those.”Ariston nodded and said, “Good eyes, Devon.”They knelt together, carefully picking the herbs and placing them into the small pouch Estella had provided. Ariston found himself admiring Devon’s precision and knowledge. For one so young, the boy was remarkably adept at identifying the plants and their uses. This might be a trait he inherited from his mother.“You’re quite adept at these things,” Ariston commented, his tone as neutral as ever, though there was a hint of genuine admiration.Devon looke