While Delphine and Snowflake remained confused and lost deep within the forest, events unfolded far differently inside the palace laboratory...
"Hm… finally," Xara muttered under her breath as she slowly lifted the metallic half-piece helmet from the motionless head. Her movements were precise and patient, fingers steady as though even the slightest mistake could undo days of careful work.
Like removing a mask, she separated the front metal plate first. The back section followed, sliding down with a dull clink against the table, revealing what lay beneath.
A human. A smooth, bald head caught under the laboratory lights.
Xara raised an eyebrow. She leaned in closer, studying every detail.
"Oh… you really do look human," she murmured, "That is… unexpected." She nodded slowly, circling the table as her eyes scanned for signs of trauma. Apart from a few shallow scratches scattered across the scalp, there was nothing alarming, nothing fatal.
