The moonlight, initially radiant, now dims as dark clouds suddenly cover the sky. The calm lake ripples, reflecting the cruelty unfolding on the land. A blood-stained wolf takes a step back, preparing to attack its prey once again. Adam Hart, wounded, struggles to endure the pain in his torn arm. With unsteady steps, he's nearly drained of blood, the red fluid continuing to flow, creating a pungent scent for the hunter nearby.'Grrrr...'The wolf growls, revealing its sharp teeth. A red glint, with traces of flesh clinging to them, intensifies its hunger, filling the air with the anticipation of a more substantial portion to satisfy its appetite. This wolf isn't a common sight in Lake Cedar Forest; perhaps, driven by hunger, it ventures beyond its usual hunting grounds."Go! You wild beast!"Adam shouts, clenching his teeth to suppress pain, anger, fear, and exhaustion from losing much blood. The wolf leaps once more, its eyes gleaming with deadly desire. This time, its target is Ada
Like a predator in general, Leon thought with his reptilian brain. He didn't even wait for the reinforcements—his subordinates—to arrive and immediately ran towards the direction indicated by his father-in-law.Meanwhile, the Rossie guard team—led by Clark—ran in the opposite direction. Unaware of the secrets of Lucy's old cottage—the former maid of Arren's mother—they searched in the wrong direction for their young Lady.The guards explored the countryside around the valley, still within the Rossie territory. They never imagined that the Arren was in a different area.Leon's encounter with his father-in-law—initially considered a stroke of bad luck—turns out to be highly beneficial.Leon can easily bring back Arren without having to fight the countless Rossi army. If calculated, Leon's subordinates are definitely outnumbered. However, in terms of courage, they can't be considered inexperienced.The crew members of the Serenade ship all have extensive experience in battles, both at se
"Impossible! My mother is a slave! She doesn't belong to anyone!" Leon shouted, refusing baseless statements from someone he had just met."Son.…"Lucy understood why it was so challenging to explain this. Lesea was not her biological daughter. She was an adopted child."Your mother was a war victim in Prussia. The master brought her to this area after his service there. She—""No! You're lying!"There's a flash of anger in Leon's eyes, rejecting any new information about his mother. Indeed, he shouldn't have come to this area. Leon's old wounds have reopened. He now feels a tightness in his chest, unbeknownst to him."Hah … Hah …" Leon's head spins. He tries to brush off the sudden influx of memories. Memories of his mother have never been pleasant. Leon would only be hurt more by news about his deceased mother."Calm down, Sir…"Lucy reaches for the mineral water on her left side, then hands it to her guest. "You resemble Lesea a lot. Your blue eyes are very beautiful."Leon brushes
Arren couldn't scream. She was only staring intensely at Leon with deep, melancholic eyes. Her gaze seemed meaningful, as if she had eagerly awaited Leon's arrival, even if initially it was just a fantasy.Tears appeared between her eyes, and for some reason, she felt relieved seeing Leon finally reveal himself.Yet, an odd feeling surfaced—a sudden yearning hindered by the dignity still present in her heart. Arren had escaped the clutches of that man, so why was she so happy to meet him again?Ah... are feelings of love and hate meant to be this confusing?Arren couldn't decipher the contradiction in her emotions, but one thing was certain—she was happy, even if today was destined to be her last.Leon surveyed the scene, analyzing the situation. No weapons, no guards, no traps—everything seemed normal. He could easily free Arren and take her away from this cursed place. But..."Don't act foolishly. You won't get her anywhere."Abigail nonchalantly slurped her instant noodle soup, con
The dark night slowly gave way to morning. A faint red hue began to appear.Abigail finished packing and was ready to leave this cursed hut. Her impatient steps echoed throughout the room."We leave now!""Wait!"Leon stood frozen, gazing at his wife, who was alone and seemed fragile. Although freed from the restraints, Arren couldn't move freely. The cursed landmines held everything in check."Arren... hold on!""Leon..."Another separation loomed over this couple. Both knew they had no choice. Neither Leon nor Arren could defy the circumstances that held them captive."Let me say goodbye for a moment."Leon approached Arren, uttering farewell. No one wanted to perish in that place. So, Leon could only get about a meter closer."Wait for me. It won't take long."Arren nodded slowly after hearing Leon's words. She couldn't move freely, as there was an explosive trigger lurking beneath her feet.Carefully, Leon stepped back, moving slowly backward. Each step felt like a reluctant path
"Hey!"Leon stared defiantly at the enemy in front of him. The man! With a thick beard resembling a homeless person, but towering tall, almost as tall as himself."Who are you?" shouted Leon, in a fight position, prepared to attack if the man suddenly swung his axe.However, the man only panted without answering any of Leon's questions. His gaze was fixed on Abigail, who was gasping for breath, covered in blood before him.Abigail—that wicked woman—even died in a shocked position. Her eyeballs almost popped out, as if she had never anticipated this unfortunate event.It was already too late.The incident happened so quickly.At this moment, Abigail was dead."Finally..." the man sighed in relief.Clang!He casually tossed the blood-stained axe around the corpse of his prey, lying like trash on the asphalt road."My revenge against you is complete. Go to hell!" he yelled with a sharp tone and a breathless voice as if his vengeance against that woman had been fully repaid at that moment
The hustle and bustle began to echo loudly as fire trucks quickly arrived at the explosion site. Their sirens wailed, shattering the forest's tranquility, sending previously secure wild animals fleeing in fear.The post-explosion atmosphere in the cedar forest was dramatic. Police cars with flashing red and blue lights surrounded the location, escorting the fire trucks that had arrived first.The colorful lights from police sirens dazzled the creatures, adding to their fear as they sought refuge. Accustomed to a life far from human civilization, the animals now trembled, reluctant to reveal themselves.It was a truly fearful moment. After the echoes of the explosion subsided, the once quiet habitat of the wild animals became increasingly crowded with people.Animals that once felt secure away from human civilization now felt threatened, trembling and avoiding the area. The explosion had turned their habitat into a new world.Deer observed the responders from a distance as if signaling
In the still chaotic atmosphere, Arren's whisper momentarily left Leon stunned, but then he darted forward, running towards his wife."Arren! Oh! My love!"Leon embraced his wife's fragile body tightly as if he wanted to shatter her in an instant."Ergh," Arren groaned, feeling breathless, but also understanding why Leon was acting this way. "I—I can't breathe."Leon loosened his embrace, and joyful laughter colored their dramatic reunion.Leon tenderly caressed his wife's lovely face with gentle movements that seemed to merge with a dream. He still couldn't believe this miracle."Mmh…"A moment later, Arren's full lips were perfectly crushed by Leon's. In that gentle kiss, Arren could feel his extinguished passion reigniting, captivated by her husband's charm.Ah.This sweet kiss felt like a dream.For a moment, the two lovers even forgot where they stood.Some passing responders seemed awkward in completing their tasks.However, they dared not interrupt. They understood how relievin
The tip of the dagger was bent. No one would have expected that a sharp dagger could change its shape like that."No-no!" the servant cried out. She was very confused. How could Arren's stomach, which should have been stained with blood, bend the dagger without any effort?In a decisive moment, the dagger had undergone plastic deformation, like a metal dance changing its shape without being able to return to its original state."W-what's happening?" The servant wondered with trembling hands. Arren just smiled triumphantly. Her opponent had been thoroughly defeated without calculation."I anticipated this, Lesel," Arren said with a proud face.Yes. Lesel. It turned out she was Esme's henchman who was so eager to take her life."H-how did you know?"Arren immediately tore the tulle fabric covering her stomach. There was a shiny accessory there. A steel belt."W-what?"At first, the rumble and vibration were indeed felt by Lesel. She didn't expect that the collision between the dagger and
The blonde servant pursed her lips, while the black-haired one kept staring straight ahead."Fine!" she replied somewhat annoyed, but indeed their plan must not be ruined."I'll keep watch around. You need to get ready soon.""Okay."The two suspicious servants then continued their secret mission. There wasn't much for them to do except find their target and carry out their revenge."It seems he's on the west balcony. Wait for my signal, we'll launch the attack soon!""Okay!"***The atmosphere of the banquet was still lively with the melodious music playing softly in the background. Some guests enjoyed it while dining, while others continued chatting. Arren and Leon seemed happy as they greeted the guests present."It seems... I feel stifled," Arren whispered to Leon. This pregnancy made her easily tired and also felt hot all the time."Do you want to leave this place?" Leon asked, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist."Yes," Arren replied weakly."Let's go, then," said Leon, affe
Ava's eyes sparkled with happiness. She nodded eagerly and hugged Arren in return. "Thank you, Aunt!"Ava didn't expect that her birthday would be celebrated with a special feast, even though the feast wasn't specifically held for her."You're welcome, Ava!" Arren replied in kind. She was happy to cheer up her little friend who seemed down and lacking in spirit due to the absence of her parents."We have to go, Ava. This is for you," said Leon as he handed over a wrapped gift box with a purple ribbon on top."W-what's this, Sir?" Ava asked, surprised and delighted. She didn't expect to receive a gift from Mr. Leon on a day that wasn't her birthday."Consider it an installment gift," Leon joked, chuckling softly."Ahaha! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Ava as she opened the gift wrap. Inside was a brown fur teddy bear. "So cute!" Ava exclaimed happily. Arren and Leon were pleased to see her reaction.Shortly afterward, they really had to leave as there was something they needed to ensure
After some time in the hospital, Arren was finally allowed to go home. There were no signs of danger or contraindications from the treatment she received."Thank you, Doctor. I feel much healthier," Arren said after the doctor visited her for the last time."You're welcome, Madam. I'm glad you've recovered without difficulty."Doctors Freddy and Josh watched Arren leave with relieved hearts. Finally, their worries were gone. Arren was truly free from the danger that threatened her life.***On the way home, Leon kept staring at Arren with uncertain feelings. He was truly happy with his wife's recovery, but there was something that worried him."Are you sure about your plan? I don't want to put you in danger again, Darling!" Leon exclaimed, not wanting to endanger his wife anymore."There's no other way. We can do it, Darling!" Arren said firmly with strong determination.Leon sighed deeply. He couldn't prevent his wife's stubbornness. "Promise me, you'll stick to our plan.""Yes, Darli
"Sir! You're mistaken!" the nurse exclaimed, holding Leon's arm to prevent him from punching the doctor."What?!" Leon turned to the nurse. He was exhausted and couldn't tolerate any more mistakes from the doctor that would result in his children being born with defects."You misunderstood, Sir!""Yes, that's right!""Your children are fine, Sir."The voices of the nurse and doctor echoed. Leon lowered his fist and looked towards Dr. Freddy, who seemed to be breathing a sigh of relief."Tell me, Doctor! What happened to my wife and my children?!" Leon demanded, still full of anger.Before the doctor could answer, Arren's faint voice could be heard behind the nurse standing by the bed."Le—on…" she called softly."Arren!" Leon pushed aside the nurses covering his wife's presence. "Arren!" Leon approached Arren, tears streaming down his face. "Are you... awake?" he asked, gently caressing his wife's forehead."Uh huh," Arren replied weakly. "What happened? Why does it seem crowded here?"
Leon gripped Arren's hand tightly as they rushed to the hospital. Anxiety and worry consumed him. For some reason, Leon had a bad feeling."Driver! Faster!" Leon commanded as he saw Arren grimacing in pain, cold sweat dripping from her forehead and body, Arren's breaths were labored."Yes, Sir!"The driver immediately accelerated the car, doing his best to balance the increasingly speeding vehicle. He was truly worried that the young lady was suffering from an extraordinary ailment."Arren, hold on," Leon pleaded, continuing to comfort Arren with hugs and handholds."Argh, Leon..." Arren groaned as if enduring excruciating pain. Not just in his stomach, but throughout her body."We're almost there!" The driver signaled. Leon was so anxious. He nodded and prepared to take Arren to the emergency room as soon as they arrived at the hospital.Finally, after driving for some time, they arrived at the hospital."Doctor! Doctor!" Leon carried Arren to the ER, where everyone watched them with
Lora was successfully evacuated, and everyone was overjoyed. However, there was a strangeness apparent to her. Arren even noticed it. "Le-Leon...," she called out as Lora approached her.An unfamiliar scent emanated from Lora's body. It made Arren extremely nauseous."Ugh!" Arren vomited. He couldn't contain the overwhelming nausea."Darling!" Leon exclaimed in alarm. What was happening to his wife?"Le-Leon... Lora's... scent... it's very... unpleasant," she murmured as she nestled into her husband's embrace. Leon immediately caught Arren, who had almost fallen earlier. Now, his beloved wife was in a swoon."What scent?" Leon tried to sharpen his sense of smell. Indeed, he smelled something foreign and pungent, like the scent of lead. "Lora, come closer to me!"Leon tried to inhale the scent more deeply. Lora's heart, of course, was in turmoil. But the girl had already linked herself to William. Now, Mr. Leon was no longer the man who dominated her heart."Just wait a moment."With mo
Laurens's shout almost made Mrs. Dolores's heart jump out. "Oh, God!" The middle-aged woman then ran following Laurens's footsteps as he moved toward the field area."Leon! Let's follow them!" Arren exclaimed, following Mrs. Dolores's lead to her daughter's supposedly accident site. Leon followed Arren after ensuring Mrs. Dolores's house was securely closed.Arriving at the field, they were surprised to find Lora in a gaping hole. The hole, with rough soil around it, resembled a dug hole."Ouch!" Lora groaned in pain. Several wounds were visible on her knees and arms. "Mom! Help me!" she cried, tears streaming down her face."Oh, God! Lora! What happened to you?!" Mrs. Dolores trembled. "Laurens! Do something for your sister!" she ordered her son, who also seemed confused."I was just running, then... suddenly I fell in here! Huhu!" Lora continued to cry in pain.Arren and Leon had just arrived, as did the villagers who heard Laurens's shouts nearby."Get a rope!" Leon shouted, rolling
"Lora!" Arren called out, waving her hand. Lora just nodded her head, not returning the gesture of the young miss.Laurens felt uneasy. He elbowed Lora's ribs a little roughly. "Be polite, Lora!" he scolded his younger sister.Lora just snorted and turned away. She then ran off home without saying goodbye, without uttering a word.Arren, who was quite far from them, looked puzzled. However, she didn't dwell on it too much. There were many villagers waiting to talk to her."So, how will you develop our village, Miss Leader?" asked a middle-aged man who seemed to be struggling to find work.Arren just smiled and gave a brief answer. She didn't want to make empty promises. Arren would surely do her best. "You must be patient but diligent. When the village programs are finally implemented, I hope the villagers will truly make the most of them.""Thank you, Miss Leader! We will definitely do that!"Leon looked proud of Arren's gentle yet firm attitude. Arren could indeed be a good leader, l