As the morning sun filtered through the windows of her quaint little shop, Estella bustled about arranging her shelves, her hands deftly arranging jars and vials of freshly crafted pills.
The peaceful rhythm of her work was interrupted by the creak of the door swinging open. Turning to greet the newcomer, Estella’s warm smile faltered slightly as she laid eyes on the unfamiliar man standing before her.
Nevertheless, she greeted him kindly, her voice gentle as she welcomed him into her store. The man returned her smile, his demeanor friendly as he introduced himself as Brett Marrock, the village chief's son.
Recognition dawned on Estella’s face as she realized who he was, and she greeted him once again.
“Welcome to my shop, Mr. Marrock.”
Brett’s gaze swept across the shelves of Estella’s store, his eye searching for a particular sight. Not finding what he sought, he turned to Estella with a curious expression. “Where’s your son?” he inquired, his tone casual yet filled with genuine interest.
Estella furrowed her brow in confusion at the unexpected question. Nevertheless, she replied with a gentle smile. “Devon’s at home for now. He might drop by later during lunch.” She paused, curiosity tugging at her, and added, “Why do you ask?”
Brett’s lips cured into a playful smile as he shook his head. “I saw him at my welcoming party,” he explained, his voice tinged with fondness. “He’s quite the charmer, your son.”
Estella’s smile widened at the compliment, her heart swelling with pride at the mention of Devon.
Realizing she had to address his reason for visiting, Estella refocused her attention on Brett and inquired, “So, what medicine can I assist you with today?”
Brett’s eyes flitted around the quaint interior of Estella’s shop, his mind preoccupied with the memory of the unexpected encounter with Devon that night. The image of his swollen knees lingered, proof of the surprising strength the young boy possessed.
Clearing his throat, Brett turned his attention back to Estella and posed his inquiry. “Do you happen to have something for swollen knees?” he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of discomfort as he recalled the soreness from Devon’s unexpected kick.
Estella nodded her head. With a soft smile, she made her way to a shelf near the counter, retrieving a small wooden box from the array of remedies. “This cream is just what you need,” she explained, handing the box to Brett.
“Apply it once a day to the swollen area, and your knees will be back to normal in no time.”
Brett accepted the medicine and paid for the medicine that Estella handed him.
He lingered at the threshold of Estella’s shop for a couple of minutes, a thoughtful expression crossing his features as he mulled over his next words. Sensing that he had something more to say, Estella paused in her work, glancing up at him with curiosity.
“You know,” Brett began, his voice tinged with admiration, “your skills in medicine are truly remarkable. If it weren’t for the immortality pill created by the Erylis family, I would dare say your abilities rival theirs.”
Estella’s brow furrowed slightly at his mention of an immortality pill, her interest piqued. “What do you mean by an immortality pill?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.
A knowing smile graced Brett’s lips as he leaned in as if sharing a secret. “Well, rumor has it,” he explained, “the Erylis family has developed a pill capable of extending a person’s strength threefold. It’s said to be quite a boom for the Vesper Pack.”
Estella’s grip tightened imperceptibly at the mention of the pill, her mind racing with questions. “But how do you know about it?” she pressed a note of caution in her voice.
Brett’s smile widened into a smirk as he revealed, “I’ve recently joined the Vesper Pack myself.”
As Brett’s figure disappeared from view, Estella was left alone in the quiet confines of her shop. The weight of his words lingered in the air, a bitter taste settling on her tongue as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
With trembling hands, she reached up to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. But it wasn’t just sadness that consumed her, it was a potent mix of anger and frustration.
How could they claim ownership of the immortality pill, a creation she had poured her heart and soul into? It was her life’s work. And yet, they dared to steal credit for it after abandoning and ruining her life?
Estella’s anger surged like a raging storm, her fists clenching so tightly that her nails dug into her flesh, drawing blood. How could they take something so precious from her?
Estella’s gaze bore into her own reflection, her eyes ablaze with fury.
“You’ve not only shattered my dreams and ruined my life but also stolen what was rightfully mine,” Estella declared, her voice dripping with contempt. The reflection stared back at her, a silent witness to her rage.
“How dare you,” Estella spat, her fists clenched at her sides. The mirror remained impassive, reflecting her anger with unyielding clarity. “I will reclaim what is rightfully mine.”
Deep in the night, Estella tossed and turned, unable to shake off the unsettling news Brett had delivered. The audacity of their actions left her restless. Seeking solace, she slipped out of her bedroom, craving the cool embrace of the outdoor air. The bench outside her house beckoned, offering a sanctuary under the moon’s pale light.Sitting there, Estella sighed heavily. “They have no shame,” she muttered to herself, her mind replaying Brett’s words.How could they betray her like that? Her regret swelled, a bitter taste in her mouth. If only she had destroyed all her research before - perhaps then this wouldn’t have happened.As Elena noticed Estella sitting outside, her concern deepened. Estella’s usually composed demeanor was replaced by a troubled expression, clear evidence that something was amiss. Earlier, when Estella had returned from her shop, Elena had sensed that something was troubling her.Elena briefly went into the kitchen and returned carrying two steaming cups of mi
The next morning dawned with a sense of purpose as Estella, accompanied by Devon, made her way to the shop. Elena had other commitments that day, leaving Estella with the responsibility of tending to the shop with Devon following her.As they entered the herbal shop, Estella turned to her son with a tender smile. “Darling, I’ll be at the back processing some herbs. If a customer comes in, just call me, alright?” she instructed, her voice filled with warmth.Devon nodded, his expression was serious yet reassuring. “Don’t worry, Mama. I’ve got it,” he assured her, a hint of pride in his tone.Estella leaned down, pressing a soft kiss on Devon’s forehead. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she murmured.With that, Estella retreated to the back of the shop, her mind focused on the task at hand. She knew that if she was to seek vengeance and confront the Erylis family, meticulous preparation was key.In the secluded work area, surrounded by shelves laden with dried herbs and vials of potent elixirs,
The rhythmic clang of the bell chimed as Brett lumbered out of the shop. Estella watched him disappear down the dusty street, a wry smile playing on her lips.Turning, she saw Devon standing in the doorway with his brow furrowed. Unlike most children his age, his expression at this moment wasn’t one of childish curiosity, but something deeper which surprised Estella.“Mama,” he began, his voice surprisingly deep and serious for someone so small, “are you sure about that man, Mr. Marrock? He seems suspicious.”Estella knelt before him, her warm smile a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within. She knew that Devon was a smart and perceptive child however, she did not realize that it was to this extent.“He’s not the most pleasant fellow, that’s for sure,” she admitted, choosing her words carefully. “But sometimes, Devon, you need to work with… undesirable ingredients to create the perfect pill.”Devon’s expression remained serious. Unlike most children who might have pictured bubblin
Brett Marrock trudged along the dirt path leading back to the Vesper Pack territory. His vacation was over, and the brief respite from the grueling demands of his life as a low-rank werewolf in the pack had ended.The Vesper Pack territory loomed ahead, a sprawling expanse of fortified barracks and watchtowers. Brett’s position within the pack was far from prestigious; he was a humble soldier, working tirelessly to prove himself worthy in a world that often overlooked him.As he approached the barracks, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, his presence both comforting and exasperating.“Brett! My friend! Back from your grand vacation?” Lucian Grum’s voice was a warm blend of sarcasm and genuine delight. Lucian was also a low-ranked soldier, but what he lacked in rank, he made up for in his vast knowledge of the pack’s intricate social web.Brett’s face broke into a tired smile. “Lucian, it’s been a while,” he said, his tone light despite the fatigue weighing him down.Lucian ch
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
The first light of dawn barely filtered through the small window of their shared room when a persistent knock woke Brett and Lucian. Groggy from sleep, Brett rubbed his eyes and stretched, his curiosity piqued by the early visitor. Lucian, always the lighter sleeper and closer to the door, swung his legs out of bed and shuffled to answer it.Opening the door, Lucian was met with an unexpected sight - the soldier they had seen so grievously injured 2 days before stood there, a broad smile on his face. Lucian blinked in disbelief, still groggy with sleep.“Good morning,” the soldier said warmly. “I wanted to thank you for the medicine you gave me. It was incredibly effective. If not for that, I’d still be in bed, unable to move.”Lucian’s confusion deepened. “But two days ago… you could barely open your eyes,” he stammered. “How are you even standing?”The man chuckled, a sound full of genuine relief and gratitude. “I know it seems unbelievable, but whatever was in that bottle worked wo
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
Morning’s gentle light filtered through the small window, casting a soft glow across the room. Estella stirred, stretching as she slowly awoke. The previous night's events were still fresh in her mind, and as she opened her eyes, she was startled to find the once-unconscious man sitting upright in the bed, his intense gaze fixed on her.Ariston’s eyes seemed to bore into her very soul. His handsome features were even more pronounced in the daylight, his chiseled jawline and high cheekbones giving him an almost regal appearance. Despite his cold demeanor, there was an undeniable magnetism about him.“Good morning,” Estella greeted, trying to steady her voice despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach. “Are you feeling better?”Ariston remained silent, his eyes never leaving hers. The intensity of his stare made her feel exposed as if he could see through every façade she had ever put up. She cleared her throat, breaking the silence.“I should explain,” she began, choosing her words c