forbidden

5

Over the next few weeks, Vulcan couldn't shake the feeling of isolation that had settled over him. He knew that Alex's mother's reaction was understandable, but it still hurt to be treated like a monster.

He tried to keep himself busy with his music and his studies, but his thoughts kept returning to the same question: was he doomed to be alone forever?

One day, as he was playing the piano, he heard a knock at the castle's front door. He was surprised, as he rarely received visitors, but he hurried to answer it.

When he opened the door, he was greeted by a young woman with a kind smile. She introduced herself as Lily and explained that she was a traveler passing through the area.

Vulcan was immediately drawn to her warmth and friendliness. He invited her inside and offered her a tour of the castle.

As they walked through the halls, Vulcan couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He hadn't had a new person to talk to in years, and he was eager to share his knowledge of the castle with someone.

Lily was fascinated by everything she saw, and she asked Vulcan many questions about the castle's history and architecture. He was happy to answer her questions, and he found himself enjoying her company more and more.

As the day turned into night, Vulcan invited Lily to stay for dinner. She accepted, and they sat down to a meal of roasted vegetables and bread.

As they ate, they talked about their lives and their dreams. Vulcan told her about his love of music and his desire to see the world beyond the castle walls. Lily shared stories of her travels and the people she had met along the way.

As the night wore on, Vulcan found himself feeling more and more comfortable around Lily. She didn't seem to be afraid of him, and he found himself opening up to her in a way that he had never done before.

Eventually, it was time for Lily to leave. Vulcan walked her to the door and thanked her for her company.

As she turned to leave, she paused and looked back at him. "You know," she said, "you don't have to be alone. There are people out there who will accept you for who you are."

Vulcan felt a surge of hope at her words. Maybe there was a chance for him to find acceptance and companionship outside of the castle walls.

Over the next few weeks, Vulcan couldn't stop thinking about Lily's words. He began to realize that he had been isolating himself from the world, As he pondered his newfound hope, Vulcan couldn't help but think of Alex. He missed his friend terribly and wondered if they would ever be able to see each other again.He wondered how much longer Alex would be gone and whether their friendship could survive the distance between them. gloom once more filled the castle