Heart of a Hero: Somehow I've become the Vampire Queen?!

Chapter 6 - Home Away from Home

As Ambra extended her hand, palm up, towards the forest hound, she couldn't help but admire how cute the little creature was. Its eyes held a mixture of curiosity and caution, and despite its apparent fear of her touch, its tail wagged like a metronome in overtime. The contrast of fear and enthusiasm melted Ambra's heart.

The hound took a hesitant step forward, its small frame betraying its wary nature. Ambra's fingers brushed against the soft, slightly battered fur of the pup as she attempted to pet it. The touch was delicate, a gesture of gentleness meant to convey her friendly intentions. She smiled down at the pup, her voice a gentle coo. "Hey there, little one. No need to be scared. I promise I won't bite."

The forest hound's tail wagged even faster, its initial apprehension slowly giving way to trust. Ambra's fingers worked their way through the fur, her touch light and soothing. The pup's fur was soft, a bit rough around the edges, like it had seen its share of adventures. But despite its worn appearance, there was an undeniable charm to the little dog.

"That's it, see? We can be friends," Ambra continued, her smile widening as the pup leaned into her touch.

After a few moments of gentle petting, Ambra pulled her hand back, her attention shifting from the adorable forest hound to the surroundings. The abandoned fortress had an almost homey aura about it – a place that had once seen energy and life. The idea of turning this place into a living space tugged at her thoughts.

Ambra's lips quirked into a thoughtful smile as she considered the possibilities. With a bit of cleaning up and some renovations, the fortress could become a cozy haven – a refuge from the outside world. It was near a human settlement while still sufficiently removed from civilization where no one was likely to find them. Furthermore, this fortress was abandoned, for what purpose would someone come into such a place? She imagined adding a touch of her own personality to the space, making her first mark in a new kingdom in a way.

As she pondered the idea and softly chuckled at her childish thoughts, then, a sudden nudge against her leg surprised her. Glancing down, she found the forest hound looking up at her with those big eyes, and with a small bump, it pushed against her leg. Ambra looked on softly, her heart swelling at the pup's playful behavior.

"Well, seems like you've made up your mind, huh?" she mused, her voice a mix of amusement and affection. The forest hound's antics were endearing, and the decision seemed to be made for her.

Not long after, Ambra set to work on transforming the abandoned fortress into a space she could call her own. She started by clearing away the accumulated dust and debris, her enhanced strength making the task surprisingly manageable. What might have been a grueling chore for others became a breeze for her.

As she lifted heavy pieces of furniture with ease and swept away cobwebs like they were nothing more than morning mist, the little forest hound darted around her feet, its tail wagging furiously. Every now and then, it attempted to mimic her cleaning efforts, pawing at the ground or trying to nose away imaginary dust particles. Ambra couldn't help but chuckle at the pup's attempts to be helpful.

"Easy there, little buddy," she said with an amused grin, giving the hound an affectionate pat on the head. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I think we'll leave the heavy lifting to me."

The hound responded with an eager bark as if agreeing to her assessment. It continued to follow her around as she continued her cleaning spree, occasionally darting off to chase a particularly enticing dust mote. Ambra couldn't remember the last time she had felt so lighthearted – it was as if the presence of the pup had infused the fortress with newfound energy.