Liza gently sat Hazel down on the floor and settled beside her. She clasped Hazel’s hands tightly, her eyes locking with her daughter’s.

“I was young and naive back then, Hazel. My father never allowed anyone to leave the Forest Land. He always warned us that the outside world was too dangerous. But I was curious—I wanted to see what lay beyond our borders.

“One night, I sneaked out of the cavern, slipped through the forest, and somehow found my way into the Kingdom of Mazi. When I arrived, I was caught by a man—the king’s brother. At first, he was terrified, thinking I was some kind of monster. He pointed a gun at me and threatened to shoot.” Liza smiled faintly, her expression tinged with the bittersweet memory.

“I begged him not to harm me, explaining that I wasn’t what he thought. In time, we became friends, and then… we fell in love.” Her smile faded as tears filled her eyes. “I would secretly leave the Forest Land at night to meet him. During one of our meetings, I realized I was pregnant. He was overjoyed, but I was terrified. I told him my father would never accept me.

“He wanted us to run away together, but we both knew it would never work. I couldn’t survive in his kingdom because I couldn’t eat anything there, and he couldn’t live here in the Forest Land for the same reason. I couldn’t bear the sun for long, and he couldn’t thrive among these woods.

“We decided to return home that night and figure out a solution together. But before we could, my father found out about my pregnancy. That was the last time I ever saw your father.” Tears rolled down Liza’s cheeks, and she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.

“When you were born, my father called you a cursed child. He said you couldn’t stay among us. But he allowed me to name you and gave you this pendant, saying it might help you one day. There’s a ghost in the forest guarding the way to this cavern, and only those carrying this pendant can pass safely.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“But my father cast a spell on me, making all the pendants useless in my hands. He didn’t want me to leave the Forest Land again. I’m so sorry, Hazel, for abandoning you when you were so young. I know I’ve failed you as a mother.”

She took a shaky breath and continued. “But I never truly left you. I sent my parrot to watch over you. She isn’t just any bird. She was born under the enchanted moonlight of the Forest Land and blessed with extraordinary intelligence. Through her eyes, I saw your life unfold.

“When you married, she brought me a petal from your wedding bouquet. She showed me your joys, your struggles, and everything in between. It was like I was there with you, even though I couldn’t be.”

Hazel’s chest tightened as she listened, her mother’s words filling the emptiness she had carried for years.

“But for the past four months,” Liza said, her voice breaking, “I’ve been unwell and unable to send her to you. My Hazel, I’m so sorry I haven’t been there for you. It tears me apart every day to know you’ve been hurting.”

“What… what about my father?” Hazel asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liza’s shoulders sagged as she answered, “I heard he took his own life after my father returned you to him and told him he’d never see me again.” Her voice cracked, and she broke into sobs.

“I’m so sorry,” Hazel whispered, tears streaming down her face as she threw her arms around her mother. “You must have suffered so much, Mother.”

“I’m sorry too, for leaving you,” Liza murmured, holding her daughter tightly. “I’m sorry.”

“Mother! Mother! Mother!” The little girls’ voices rang out as they ran towards Liza, their giggles breaking the heavy silence.

“Who is she, Mother?” one of the girls asked, her wide eyes fixed on Hazel.

“This is Hazel,” Liza said softly, her voice full of pride. “My daughter.”

“Your daughter?” the little girls gasped, their disbelief mirrored in their expressions.

“Yes, my daughter,” Liza replied with a warm laugh.

Hazel smiled faintly but then stood abruptly, urgency flashing across her face. “I need to leave now,” she said.

Liza looked at her, surprised and disappointed.

“My husband is dying,” Hazel explained, her voice trembling. “He’s been poisoned with Bich Poison, and I need an antidote to save him. Please, help me—that’s why I’m here.”

Liza’s face darkened with concern. “Bich Poison?”

Hazel nodded gravely.