"Sophie—!" Silei growled in frustration as he chased after his sprinting wife. *Why do I keep falling for her promises? She never keeps them!*
The others exchanged glances before bolting in the same direction, jostling for position. Charles, with his elven agility, secured third place behind Sophie and Silei. King Elroiadin, despite his royal dignity, leveraged his long legs to cling to fourth. Agatha and Milta, though petite, raced fiercely, threatening to overtake him.
As for Xiaobai? Once the center of attention, he now rode atop Charles' shoulder like an afterthought.
*Amanda's moving... Does that mean he's about to hatch? To be reborn?*
But Amanda had loved Kalina deeply. In his eyes, Sophie *was* Kalina. How would he react upon learning she'd married Silei? The thought slowed Sophie's steps.
Finally catching up, Silei marveled at her speed—since when could she outrun him?
"Sophie, you *promised* not to run!" He frowned.
"Silei... What if Amanda is heartbroken when he sees us?" Her sorrowful expression twisted his heart.
Back at Sea of Thoughts Manor, Sophie had shared Amanda's story. Silei owed the phoenix his gratitude—without Amanda's sacrifice, he'd never have met Sophie. But yielding her now? Impossible.
"He won't be. Loving someone means wanting their happiness. And phoenix rebirth is a true renewal—a fresh life, unburdened by past memories." Drawing her close, he kissed her forehead. "He may not even remember you."
"Really?" Hesitant, Sophie stared at the greenhouse doors, suddenly afraid to enter.
"Really."
Pushing the door open, Sophie spotted the pink egg resting on a heat-preserving stand at the center. Tiny. Fragile.
Tiptoeing over, she whispered, "Amanda, it's Sophie. Are you coming out?" Pressing her ear to the shell, she heard it—*thump... thump... thump...*
At her voice, the egg jerked. Sophie gasped.
"Silei, he moved! *He really moved!*"
"Let me see!" Charles shoved between them, but the egg lay still. "Move! Come on, *move!*" He gave it a nudge.
"*Charles!* Be careful!"
"Did it move?" Elroiadin panted, arriving late.
"No!" Charles groaned.
"Let us look!" Agatha and Milta crowded in.
A cluster of heads hovered over the motionless egg.
"Did it?"
"Nope."
"Why not?"
"No idea."
All eyes turned to Sophie.
"Don't look at me! He *did* move earlier!"
"Wait—Grandpa Hall would know!" Charles brightened. "He's lived forever!"
Dragged from a kitchen skirmish with Bradley, Hall examined the egg and delivered his verdict:
"It won't hatch. His soul is nearly depleted. Without your blood and tears seeping into the shell, he'd have perished long ago. This movement? A final effort. He lacks the strength to break free."
Silence fell, thick with grief. Sophie's guilt overshadowed the unasked question—*why stir now?*
Ushering the others out, Sophie lingered, staring at the pink egg until dusk. Only Silei's reminder of her unborn child finally drew her away.
---
That night, as shadows crept toward the palace, Sophie bid Silei goodnight—their forced separation under Elroiadin's "pregnancy rules" a farce they circumvented nightly.
But tonight, another man awaited in her chambers.
"Sophie. You're well?" Libor emerged from the gloom, having tracked her across kingdoms.
"Libor!" She stifled a scream. "You're back!" Clasping his hands, she noted his pallor. "You look terrible! What happened?"
"I've... managed." His gaze dropped to her rounded belly. "You're married?"
"To Silei—the prince here! Can you believe it?" Her joy faltered at his strained smile.
"He's fortunate." *As I never could be.*
After her exuberant rambling about her "culinary genius" and "ethereal grace" (delusions even Libor couldn't stomach), she finally asked, "Your mission—finished?"
"Yes." *Bazak and Lina are sealed together in the blood pool for eternity. At least they have each other.*
Originally, he'd come to spirit her away from looming danger. But now...
"Sophie, fetch Silei. There's urgent matters to discuss."
When Silei entered to find a stunning stranger in his wife's room, his eye twitched violently—until Libor's revelation eclipsed all jealousy:
"The demonic legions prepare to invade. And Kirisya Kingdom is their first target."
**Will the kingdom unite in time—or fall divided?**