“We nearly didn't make it. It's all thanks to my friend just now that we managed to get here. We nearly doubled back to take the road you guys took!” she whined.

“Your friend helped you over? She has that much authority here?” Jason voiced his confusion.

“No, but I heard that her uncle calls the shots around here, so we got in under his name,” Vivian explained.

Comprehension dawned on Jason.

He made no further comment, and the two continued to walk further into the woods. After a kilometer or so, they found an obscure spot to hide.

“Ah!”

Just as they had settled in, Vivian's high-pitched scream pierced the still air.

With a jolt, Jason turned to check on Vivian. However, before he could react, the young girl sprang up to her feet and bolted out of the hideout.

“A snake!” Her shriek seemed to reverberate through the whole forest.

Jason had no choice but to chase after her.

Thankfully, being a princess who was a stranger to the wilderness, Vivian finally slowed to a stop in front of a hill.

“S-Snake...” She panted, depleted of energy.

She held onto a tree for support as she gasped for air.

Her face was still pale with fear.

and began to calm her down. “That wasn't a snake. You

“Really?” Vivian was dubious.

course,” Jason assured. “I took a good look just now. Don't worry. Snakes don't appear in broad

convincing as

down after listening to his

head back,” Vivian suggested hesitantly as she scanned their

Jason nodded in agreement.

were so deep in the woods that the Elysians who went to the swamp wouldn't

held Vivian by her wrist, and, for the first time, she did not resist his touch. She was still reeling back from the scare

a figure darted out of the woods and appeared

“Ah!”

ducked behind Jason to shield herself from

face clouded over

you back? And who is this doll?” the man blurted

Jason remained silent.

shoulder and gave the man a

does he

curtly, his voice ringing

Vivian was rendered speechless.

stranger, she noticed a shift in his expression as he changed the subject, “Where's your mother? Didn't you say that you were going to get

a split second, Jason saw a glint of

Jason exhaled in relief.

her own. I was worried that I'd get caught outside, so I took cover. By the way, she's with us. Mom

glanced at Vivian and

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