Later that night, Gretel woke to find Manon gone from the hearth. Panic surged through her as she scanned the room, her gaze landing on the forbidden shelf. There stood Manon, her hand hovering inches from a glowing jar.

“What are you doing?” Gretel demanded, her voice a harsh whisper. “You’re stealing from the house!”

Manon turned slowly, her expression calm. “Do you think I would take what isn’t freely given?”

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Hansel stirred awake at the sound, sitting up groggily. “What’s going on?”

“She’s trying to take something!” Gretel hissed, pointing at the shelf.

Manon stepped back, her hands raised. “I’m not taking anything. But perhaps you should ask yourselves why you think I would.”

Her gaze lingered on Gretel as she spoke, sharp and searching. “Do you trust so little that you see danger where there is none?”

Gretel flushed but held her ground. “You’re the one sneaking around.”

Manon inclined her head. “Perhaps.” She turned and moved back to the hearth without another word, leaving Gretel seething and Hansel deeply unsettled.