Vera spent the whole night searching for other options. 'There must be another way for them to have a child of their own without sacrificing others.'

She smashed the book she was holding. It crashed on the wall, pages flying away in different directions. She let out a scream of frustration. 'Why isn't there any other feasible options!'

She stood up to retrieve another book from the hundreds lined up on the bookshelf.

---

She did not talk to Meda that morning. She pointedly ignored each of her attempts to converse with her. 'Serves you right for even considering that very, very horrible option.'

"I'm going to head out for a moment. I just need fresh air. I'll return later," she announced, then briskly walked away.

She had no idea where she was going, yet she did not even care. It was certainly better than suffocating in the tense atmosphere inside the apothecary. Plus, it let her calm her mind for a little bit and forget about the situation.

She let her feet and her instincts take over. She sailed across the wind, feeling the soft caress of the leaves daring to block her path. Her feet smashed the twigs beneath without abandon. She let out a deafening scream, letting every drop of pent up frustration escape from her being. She took a deep breath, and found herself in a meadow.

Towering trees stood around her. Various flora and fauna danced to the rhythm of nature. Every plant, every insect, every drop had its purpose in the grand scheme of things. The secrets of the jungle only enticed her instincts. She just stood there and took it all in. She felt the calmness of the sanctuary within the treacherous jungle seep within her soul. At last, she felt calm.

---

A butterfly landed on her outstretched finger. She watched it slowly flap its wings once, twice, thrice before flying again once more. She always loved butterflies, and judging by how they always danced around her, they loved her too.

'Return to your friends, little one,' she thought. She stood up and prepared to walk back to the apothecary.

'Certainly, Monarch.'

Her head snapped back to look at the origin of the voice. She saw nothing but the butterflies dancing around the meadow. 'It's just a daydream. Maybe.' She started walking once more, then came to an abrupt realization.

"Where am I again?"

---

She felt sheepish. Just how many times could you get lost in not even a week, huh?

'To be fair, I am new here,' thought Vera. She slowly approached the entrance of the apothecary. She peeked at Meda's room, where she saw her hunched between towers of books. On her feet were hundreds of papers scattered and crumpled. She ignored the pang of guilt and brought over several books in her room for her research. She fell asleep on the top of the books after a few minutes.

---

"I'm sorry for my behavior last week." Vera bowed at the same time. "It won't happen again, I promise."

The couple sat there with no reactions. After a few seconds, both of them chuckled, with the prince going as far as boisterously laughing at her. She just stared at them.

'Are they making fun of me?'

The silver haired woman wiped the gathering tears beneath her eyes. "No, we're not making fun of you!"

"It's just that you aren't really at fault," said the prince. "We were the wrong ones there, so we'd like to apologize too."

"But---"

"You know," the woman cut her off. "We've haven't really introduced ourselves, no?"

"Oh, yeah! We don't even know tour name!" The prince immediately stood up and held out his hand. "I am Rhysand Arthur von Kaiser, crowned prince of the Maierre Empire."

"And I am his wife, Eris Illumia di Fergje." She beamed at Vera. "Well, his wife until the throne decides to behead me for not providing him an heir in the near future."

"Don't say it like that!" The prince held his princess' hand. "That's why we're here!" He turned to Vera. "You'll surely find a way, right?"

She wasn't able to find her voice to give out an appropriate response. 'I don't want to crush their hopes, but I don't also want to give them false hopes.'

Luckily, the woman spoke before it got too awkward. "Don't pressure her!" She batted her husband's hands away. "I was just kidding!"

"Don't make jokes like that. You know I don't like them."

"Okay, okay... Sorry." The woman turned to Vera. "How about you, what's your name?"

"Ve- I mean Sarah."

"Just Sarah?"

"Yes."

"What is your relationship with Meda?"

"Oh, I am her apprentice."

"I see."

"Would you like me to call her for you?"

"If you may."

"Okay, just give me a second."

She felt nervous as she approached Meda's quarters. She softly spoke, "Meda, are you there?" She heard a soft scruffle from the inside, and a grouchy Meda emerged from it.

---

"I haven't found any other alternatives yet. Have you found the crystal scorpion diamond?"

"No, not yet."

"I see. How about the other two options, have you changed your minds?"

The couple looked at each other. "No," said the both of them.

"I don't think we can sacrifice any innocent life for our wishes."

"Plus, I don't want my wife to be put at risk."

Meda nodded at the statement.

'Maybe I did overreact last week.'

"Sarah, have you had progress?"

She sagged at Meda's question. "I've found no other leads yet." The atmosphere became gloomy. "But don't worry!" She assured the couple. "We're gonna find that, sooner or later!"

Meda started walking back to her quarters. "If that's all, I shall continue with my research. You can leave now if you want."

The couple bid their farewell, promising they'll return soon. A soft explosion was heard from the potion room. Noxious fumes wafted through the air.

Sarah ran to the potions room. She pelt panic grip her chest. "What happened!?"

She heard weak coughs, and saw Meda's silhouette through the thick smoke coming from the cauldron. "I'm fine. I just made a mistake. This is no big deal."

Sarah went over Meda to visually check upon her body. Upon seeing no injuries were present, she englufed her in a tight embrace. "Meda, I-I'm sorry. I was just---"

She felt Meda softly and slowly tap her back. "Shhhh... It's fine, my child."

"I tho-thought you were harmed, th-then I thought I won't be able to say sorry to you."

"It's fine. I already forgave you. Besides, I could see where you've came from. I was at fault, too." Meda placed her hands besides her face and stared deep within her amber eyes. "Also, I can't get mad at you for too long. Remember that."

Vera just sobbed louder at Meda's words.