The Seed Thief

Vol. 2 Chapter 7.1 - The World Beyond the Forest

On the promised day, Ervandas did not return. Lulu stood amidst the falling snow, waiting for him until dawn painted the sky with a pale light. But as the sun rose, there was no sign of him, no footprint disturbing the freshly fallen snow.

At first, she thought she might have miscalculated the days. However, as the circles on the paper surpassed 40, the truth became impossible to ignore. Er wasn’t coming back.

Panic wormed its way into her heart, twisting her insides with worry. Was he unable to return? Or worse…did he choose not to?

‘He said he was going to see his family…’

Images of Ervandas returning to his own life flashed through her mind. He had told her stories of his home—a sprawling estate, bustling with life. His parents, brother and wife, their children, and numerous servants.

Unlike her small house in the woods, where only chickens roamed, his home had countless sheep, cattle, and horses. Books lined the shelves, and paintings adorned every wall. “You’ll never be bored there,” he’d assured her, sensing her apprehension.

Back then, she’d listened with amusement. But now, thinking back on his descriptions… Would he miss a place like this, after returning to such a vibrant and exciting life?

There was nothing here. Just the forest and the stream, their scenery changing only with the seasons.

Her gaze swept over the familiar landscape. The vibrant world she’d known since childhood suddenly seemed monotonous, almost suffocating.

Would he miss this place? This tiny, quiet life, compared to the warmth and grandeur of his family estate?

Despair crept in, slowly consuming her. Day after day, she did nothing but sit on the porch steps, her eyes fixed on the empty forest path.

The food Ervandas had prepared was almost gone. Still, Lulu neglected the garden, her magic untouched.

The thought of using her dwindling magic filled her with dread, and she had lost all desire to eat. When the hunger pangs became unbearable, she would force down a few bites of the remaining dried fruit or jerky, but even those were becoming scarce.

Her limbs grew thinner, her skin sallow, the healthy glow replaced by a sickly pallor. Yet, in stark contrast, her belly continued to swell with each passing day.

Lulu no longer drew circles on paper. As the numbers increased, her heart grew more torn, and she no longer remembered Ervandas’ expression that she used to draw.

She was alive, but barely. Food and movement held no appeal; she simply existed.

The golem and the bone crow remained steadfast by her side. Even the scarecrow, usually content to wander the forest, would visit her occasionally. He would drop a twig, laden with dried berries the birds had missed, onto her lap.

He would hop around anxiously until she finally ate a few, only then did he relax before disappearing back into the forest.

Meanwhile, the forest embraced the fullness of winter.

‘So cold…’

Lulu rose from her bed and exhaled warm breath into her cold hands. Even inside the house, her breath formed white puffs in the air. Slowly climbing out of bed, Lulu momentarily cradled her belly and crouched down.

“Ugh…”

A wave of dizziness washed over her, with a pulling sensation in her muscles and movements inside her belly.

As her body grew thinner, the baby’s movements became prominent. At first, the sensation had frightened her—alien and strange. But now, she welcomed each kick and shift, a reassurance that she wasn’t alone.