Ella went back to the chamber where Agran and Jegun were occupying. She smiled at him and put the platter down on the table. "My sister told me to inform you that she loves the taste of your roasted chicken, and I also like it as well," she said.

Agran was pleased that the girls love his roasted chicken. "I'm not used to cooking, but I tried my best to make a palatable dish out of the chicken. I just obeyed Grandpa's guide on how to roast the chicken. I'm glad you and your sister like it," he replied.

She picked up the platter made of clay and washed it with clean water from the earthen jug.

Agran spoke. "Ella...can we talk...please?" he said.

"Sure...just tell me what do you want to say...I'll listen," she said, encouraging him to talk.

Agran cleared his throat before speaking. "After we get out of this castle, I would like you to come with us to the Nephilim Kingdom..." he suggested.

"Why?" she asked.

"Grandpa and I will find a healer there, someone that could cure the curse in your body so that your original look will be restored," he offered.

Ella smiled. "Thank you for offering your help, Agran. I appreciated it. I'll tell sister Ivy about your offer, okay?" she said, just to make him feel better.

"Okay, you tell her. I hope she will agree that you will come with us. Don't worry... I will take care of you and protect you. Grandpa and I will make sure that we can help you in any way we can," Agran said.

"Alright," she responded and put the clean platter on the table. "I'll return to my sister now," she said and left the chamber.

Agran watched her retreating, sighing.

~

Meanwhile, Jegun was talking to the King of Elves. They were discussing the escape plan that Zemeth had drawn out.

The king was touched that he and his clan were the first to go out. "I can't thank you enough, my friend," he said teary-eyed.

"The escape will happen in three days, so you have enough time to train your family and your clan on how to navigate the magic carpet so that our escape will be flawless. We can't afford any mistake during the escape..." Jegun pointed out.

The king was silent for a moment. "W-what if the vampires and their dark shadow of armies will suddenly attack us? What's going to happen?" he voiced out his concern. He's been thinking about it in the last few days.

"You don't have to worry about it. My companions are trained assassins when it comes to fighting the enemies. They will ward off the enemies, and our job is to escape the castle without looking back behind. Inform your family members and clans that no matter what happens they must fix their attention ahead and never stop or looked back. To ensure that everyone can get out of the castle alive. Do you understand, my friend?" Jegun told his friend.

The king nodded his head in full understanding. "Yes, I understand," he said. Then he summoned one of the servants to come into the chamber.

Five servants entered. They were holding bundles in their hands, filled with garments.

The king picked up the garments. "I instructed my wife and the servant women to weave black cloak and dresses for the girls and your friends. I hope they like it. And I also have ten servants. They will accompany you to your cave. They will be bringing with them chickens and foods for you and your companions. Just tell me anything you need, I will try to come up with anything. Please accept my small contribution to help us escapes this castle successfully," he said.

Jegun smiled, feeling grateful for the elves' generosity. "It's too much already, my friend. Thank you very much for your help! Me and my friends appreciated your gifts from the bottom of our heart. Please tell your wife and the servants that we like their gifts," he said enthusiastically.

The king smiled. "Yes, I will."

"Okay... I'll take my leave now," Jegun said.

The king nodded his head and watched his friend left the chamber, followed by the servants, carrying the gifts.

~

Back in the cave.

Zemeth was wearing a happy expression on his face.

Ramza was eyeing him. "Your eyes tell me that something wonderful happened. Can you tell me what's going on?" he can no longer hold on to his curiosity.

Zemeth was all smile. "I already confessed my feelings to Ivy..." he finally said.

Ramza broke into a laugh. "That's good! So, how it's going? Did she answer, yes?"

Zemeth can't hide his grin. "Of course, she said yes, and I also proposed a marriage to her..."

"And?" asked Ramza in curiosity.

"She agreed to the marriage, and she's willing to relocate with me to the Nephilim Kingdom!" Zemeth revealed the good news to his best friend.

"Wow, I'm speechless! I can't believe how fast you guys are moving into a relationship!" Ramza was both amused and shocked by the sudden turn of events. He never expected that once his friend made up his mind, he moved at lightning speed. "Congratulations, my friend, I'm happy for you!" he said joyfully.

"Well...what is there to wait? I let go of her the first time. I promised myself that if there is another chance to see her again, I will never hesitate to let her know my feelings for her. And what a better way to seal our relationship than a marriage, right?" Zemeth said.

Ramza gave his friend a thumb up, completely agreeing to his decision of marrying Ivy the soonest possible time. He still recalled that when Ivy entered the castle, Zemeth was at the saddest point in his life.

Now he was happier, thanks to Ivy, she made his friend happy again. He was indeed truly happy for them.

"If we are out of the castle, I will throw you guys a celebration!" Ramza grinned.

"Ah, about the celebration...we will have one after I get her in the Nephilim Kingdom. And one more thing, Ivy wants her entire family to relocate with her at my place. I'm sure you will like it because you can freely visit Kate if they are already residing in my place. How about that?" Zemeth shared with him the good news.

"Wow! That would be great! I'm very excited to attend your wedding and see my beloved Kate again!" Ramza exclaimed jovially.

"I can't wait for this mission to get over so that we can have a long rest. I'm looking forward to spending my time with my wife," Zemeth said in a dreamy voice.

Ramza patted his friend's shoulder. "You're whipped, man!" he said.

"I am," Zemeth responded with a wide grin on his face, a sign of internal happiness.

~

Back in the chamber, the girls were spending time with each other.

Jegun entered the chamber. "Hello, girls!"

"Hello, Grandpa," the girls replied in unison.

"I'm here to give you the king's gift," he said.

"What is that?" asked Ella.

"Just some clothes for you and your sister. The king's wife and the servants wave them for you, so here they are..." Jegun said and placed the garments on the bed. "Enjoy the clothes," he said.

"Thank you, Grandpa, and please extend our thanks and gratitude to the king and his family. We appreciate their gifts to us," Ivy said.

"Sure, I will. I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, girls, just go to the next chamber. Agran and I will serve you with the best of our ability," he said with a pleasant smile on his face.

"Okay, thanks, Grandpa!" Ella and Ivy said in unison.

Jegun sauntered towards the entrance, then disappeared outside.

The girls shifted their attention to the clothes and inspected them. There are six pieces of clothes with different colors and patterns.

"Oh my, the texture of the clothing is very nice. It's soft to the touch!" exclaimed Ella.

"Yes, indeed! We will have three sets of clothes each, sister! I will guard the entrance, you go ahead and change into these clothes. We've been wearing the same dirty clothes in the past few days," Ivy said.

"Alright, I'll change first and you next," Ella replied in delight.

Ivy went to the entrance and guarded the chamber so that her sister can change her clothes properly.

~o0o~

Meanwhile, at the vampires' den.

The vampire siblings just come back from their search of the entire castle. They were discussing the whereabouts of the old man and Ella. They were also baffled by the disappearance of Ivy and Kate as well as Esmeralda. No matter how their dark armies combed the forest and the entire castle, yet, they can't find what they are looking for.

"I can't believe they all just disappeared like that without leaving a trace!" Xenon was seething with anger.

Lothaire was enraged, he can't find Ella anywhere. "Don't tell me that they already left the castle! It would be impossible to hide inside this castle. Why can't we trace them at all?" he said in a frustrated voice.

Maxwell was shrouded in silence the whole time his siblings were embroiled in a heated discussion.

After a while, Xenon and Lothaire noticed that their eldest brother was not joining in their discussion. Instead, he was staring at the window, his gaze was directed... beyond.

"Brother, why are you not saying anything?" Xenon asked him in a curious voice.

Lothaire looked at his brother. "Yeah, you aren't saying anything..."

A smirk was forming on Maxwell's lips. "How can I say anything? You guys are so heated up. You took much of the conversation and didn't leave me any room to air my side. Okay, go on, continue your conversation. I will listen here and rest. I'm tired of searching for them," he said.

The siblings continue discussing the whereabouts of the girls and the others.

Maxwell was already formulating a plan in his mind.

He discovered something about their whereabouts, and he was there in time to take advantage of it.