"Mommy, I want some too!" Little Agatha jumped up and down, trying to reach the cake in Sophie's hand, but she was too short. She could only watch helplessly as the cake disappeared into Sophie's mouth.
"Be good! There's more over there—go get it yourself!" Sophie pointed to the small dining table nearby while continuing to devour her treat.
With a happy squeal, Agatha dashed to the table. Not only was there cake, but also her favorite cookies!
*Like mother, like daughter!* What a sweet, quiet child Agatha used to be—until Sophie's influence turned her into this!
"Mommy, Charles stole my cookie!" Agatha pouted, holding up her empty hand. She had grabbed the last cookie, only for Charles to snatch it away.
"Hehe, Agatha, you can have something else! This cookie looks a little burnt—I don't want you getting a stomachache, so I'll eat it for you!" Charles tossed the cookie into the air, opening his mouth to catch it.
But just as the cookie began its descent, a small, delicate hand snatched it midair.
"Hmph! What kind of big brother steals from his little sister? Shame on you!" Sophie placed the cookie back into Agatha's hand and picked up another piece of cake.
"Mom, that's not fair! *You* steal my stuff all the time! Why can't I take Agatha's?" Charles grumbled, glaring at Sophie's shameless expression.
"Uh... I was just playing with you! When did I ever steal from you?" Sophie turned away, pretending to be fascinated by the pastry chefs.
Charles sighed in defeat. *Of course she'd deny it.*
---
Deep beneath the royal palace, the underground prison—usually silent and desolate—was unusually lively today. Not only had a strange new prisoner been locked up, but the number of guards patrolling outside had multiplied. Even a fly would struggle to get in unnoticed—assuming flies existed in their world.
"Any progress? Did you get anything out of him?" Count Sibiya looked expectantly at Crown Prince Hilbaut.
"Damn it! I broke ten of his fingers, and he still won't talk! At this rate, I'll have to chop off his limbs before he spills anything!" Hilbaut spat toward the cell where a vaguely humanoid figure curled into a ball.
Sibiya sighed in disappointment. Capturing this prisoner had been pure luck. After receiving the king's orders, he had sent scouts to investigate the sudden appearance of the demonic forces. Something about this invasion felt different—more ominous—as if it would bring unprecedented disaster to Chirexia.
Fortunately, just as the king declared a nationwide military alert, Sibiya's scouts returned—with a demonic vanguard in tow. This was a major breakthrough! Interrogating him could reveal the demons' invasion plans, giving them a strategic edge.
To avoid public panic, Sibiya had discreetly transported the prisoner to the palace.
Yet, no matter how they questioned him, the prisoner remained silent. Even General Bevis, an expert in interrogation, was at a loss.
Frustrated, Prince Hilbaut took matters into his own hands—but brute force yielded no results.
"Enough. Let's try another approach before we accidentally kill him," Sibiya said, stopping Hilbaut from storming the cell again. Violence alone wouldn't crack this prisoner.
"What else can we do? If even General Bevis failed, who else can handle this?" Hilbaut grumbled.
"What about Todd and Serei? They might have ideas," Sibiya suggested.
"*Them?* A politician and a merchant? What can they do?" Hilbaut eyed Sibiya skeptically.
"We've got nothing to lose. Let them try."
But Todd, hailed as Chirexia's master strategist, exhausted every trick he knew—and still, the prisoner refused to speak. Serei, ever the pragmatist, didn't even bother trying.
---
"Sophie, come with me! I want to show you something." Serei took Sophie's hand and led her away mysteriously.
"What is it? Something tasty?" Sophie asked, puzzled.
"You'll see." Serei winked but said no more.
Behind them, hidden behind a tree, three small figures watched intently.
"Charles, where are Mommy and Daddy going?" Agatha whispered.
"Shh… They're probably sneaking off to eat something good! Let's follow them and surprise them—then they'll have to share!" Charles tiptoed forward, with Agatha and Milta close behind.
A strange procession formed: two sneaky adults followed by three even sneakier children. Servants and guards paused to watch, wondering what game the royal family was playing this time.
---
"Where *is* this place?" Sophie shivered as they entered a dark, dust-covered building. The air felt heavy, as if unseen eyes watched her and ghostly claws tugged at her clothes.
"The palace's secret prison. It hasn't been used in decades—until yesterday." Serei squeezed her hand, noticing how cold it was.
*So that's why there are so many guards!* Sophie clung to Serei, eyeing the empty cells warily.
"Here he is." Serei pointed to a hunched figure in the farthest cell. "A demonic scout, captured yesterday. You've always wondered what they look like, right?"
"A *demon*?" Sophie gasped.
Meanwhile, the guards at the entrance hesitated as three small figures approached.
"I'm the *princess*! How dare you stop me?" Milta planted her hands on her hips, glaring at the captain.
"Your Highness, General Bevis's orders—no unauthorized personnel—"
"Unauthorized? *I'm the princess!* Do I look unauthorized to you?" Milta huffed. Even the king indulged her—why should she care about Bevis's rules?
"If you try to stop me, I'll throw myself on your sword! Then you can explain to Father why I'm hurt!" Agatha smirked and darted past the guards.
The captain sighed, and the other guards wisely pretended not to see anything.
"Charles, where *are* we? It's scary!" Agatha and Milta pressed closer to him.
"Hmm, maybe it's the palace's secret storage room! See all these little rooms? They must've held treasures, but we're too late—someone took everything!" Charles explained confidently.
"But why would Mommy and Daddy come here?" Agatha frowned. If they were sneaking treats, this place was *way* too dirty.
"Maybe there's something really good inside! Let's find out!" Charles led the way, though even he wasn't sure.
Agatha's heartbeat quickened. Unbeknownst to her, beneath her dress, a fiery red mark—like a seal or crest—had begun glowing on her chest.
But no one noticed.
**What secrets does the demon prisoner hold—and why does Agatha's body react in his presence?**