Upon arriving at the sacred forest, the boat slid slowly until it touched the shore.
The soft sound of water hitting the wood was the only thing heard for a few seconds.
Little Red Riding Hood was the first to get off, followed by Poro, who jumped clumsily and landed on his feet, as if he already knew the place well.
I got off afterward, more calmly, observing everything around me.
Little Red observed everyone present attentively, but her face showed something clear: she didn't care.
She didn't seem interested in anyone, not in the curious looks nor in the murmurs.
Seeing her like that, I realized she was beginning to adapt.
Not completely, but at least she no longer seemed as lost as before.
I thought the best thing would be to leave her alone for a moment.
Maybe she needed space. Maybe, without me nearby, she could muster the courage to talk to someone else or simply sort out her thoughts.
I took a step back, ready to leave.
—Wait… wait.
Her voice stopped me before I could move away completely.
—What's wrong? Tell me —I replied, turning toward her.
Little Red hesitated. Her gaze moved from side to side, until she finally pointed carefully toward a specific spot in the forest.
—Th-that woman… is she perhaps…?
I followed the direction of her finger and then I saw her.
Elizabeth. She was sitting in the same place as always, under the shade of a tree, reading a thick book as if the world around her didn't exist.
Her posture was elegant, calm, as if nothing could disturb her.
—Ah… that's Elizabeth —I said—. She's also a companion.
—Oh… I see —Little Red murmured, but her voice trembled a little—. But… do you know something? She's my mother.
Her words took me by surprise.
—Your mother…? —I repeated, unable to help it.
—Yes —she nodded—. But even so… I don't know what she's doing here. I didn't know she was in this place.
I looked at her attentively. Her eyes showed confusion, and something deeper.
—Wait… are you telling me that Elizabeth is your mother? —I asked, just to make sure I had heard correctly.
—Yes… —she answered—. But I don't know what to do. Should I try to talk to her? Or… or maybe pretend I don't know her?
I remained silent for a few seconds. I thought about everything that could go wrong.
Harsh words, rejections, painful memories.
But I also thought about the possibility, however small, that something good might happen.
—I think you should talk to her —I said in the end—. Maybe she'll recognize you. Maybe something good will happen. You won't know if you don't try.
Little Red took a deep breath.
—Okay… thank you for your help. I'll think about it a little more.
She still looked unsure, but at least she was no longer paralyzed. And even though many years had passed without seeing each other, I felt that mother and daughter needed that encounter.
I decided then to approach Elizabeth first.
I walked over to where she was sitting. Upon noticing my presence, she calmly closed her book and set it aside, looking at me directly.
—Tell me —she said with a calm smile—. What brings you here?
—Elizabeth… I have a question —I began—. Do you have children?
Upon hearing that, her expression didn't change much. She didn't seem annoyed or surprised. In fact, she spoke with a certain pride.
—Of course I do —she answered—. I have many daughters. All noble, beautiful… except one.
Her tone changed slightly.
—That one is ugly, stupid. It would have been better not to have given birth to her.
I felt a knot in my chest.
—Elizabeth… please don't say that —I told her—. She's your daughter, after all.
She looked away, clearly annoyed. She was about to ignore me completely when suddenly something caught her attention. She turned her face again and her eyes opened slightly.
In the distance, Little Red Riding Hood was standing, petting Poro's head without realizing she was being watched.
—That… that girl… —Elizabeth murmured—. Isn't she…?
Her expression changed completely. It was no longer pride or contempt. It was confusion. Denial.
—No… that's impossible —she said—. She can't be. Maybe she just looks like her.
I kept silent. I couldn't tell her the truth. It wasn't my place. That conversation had to be between them.
Without saying anything else, I slowly walked away. I felt that if I stayed, something would end up exploding.
I headed toward the bonfire. I needed to get out of there. I needed to occupy my mind with something else.
Immediately I teleported, and in an instant, I appeared in front of the forge.
The heat hit me right away. The sound of metal and fire filled the place. Lops, the blacksmith, looked up when he saw me.
—Oh, you're back —he said—. Tell me, did you get the mineral I asked for?
—Yes —I answered—. Here it is. Can you reinforce my sword again?
—Of course. Pass me the mineral and the sword.
I handed them over. Lops began working without wasting time.
The metal clanged, sparks flew, and I watched in silence at the same time, letting the noise drown out my thoughts.
Several minutes passed until he finally finished. He handed me the sword, now heavier, firmer although its burning red color hadn't changed at all.
—Here you go, knight —he said with a smile—. Now your sword is a true killing machine. Go and take down some monsters.
—Thanks —I replied—. I think I'll continue my journey.
I sheathed the sword, nodded in farewell and went out the door.
My next destination was clear: find the other two princesses.
To kill them…
or try to make a pact with them, if it was still possible.