KATHERINE

Whatever mystery that small chest held, I would have to uncover it later.

First, because we needed to go home.

And second, because, as expected, it wouldn’t open so easily.

"Mom, is it safe to leave? The… the Lady Prescott, she’s not in the forest with her bad son, is she?" Lavinia clung nervously to my skirt, glancing toward the ruined garden and beyond the fence.

"Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m here to protect you. No one will ever harm you," Elliot answered for me, lifting her protectively into his arms.

My heart couldn’t feel warmer.

"But, Father Duke, there’s a monster out there. You have to be careful, it’s… it’s really fierce…" I twisted my lips at her words.

Daughter, that “monster” is the same one holding you right now—your adoptive father!

A subtle laugh gleamed in Elliot’s eyes as he glanced at me for a second.

"Lavinia, we didn’t see any monster. It was probably a large animal, and you got confused because of fear," he explained, downplaying the matter.

In the futu