Velvet strolled through the Forest of Elrit, her mind burdened as she followed the well-trodden, winding trails. The trees murmured gently in her wake, their limbs stretching out like welcoming arms, yet the beauty of the woods felt empty today. It brought back memories of the times she'd spent here with Cornelius, the prince who had stolen her heart.

Coming to a halt, she leaned on a twisted tree trunk, recalling the sound of his laughter and the way his eyes used to shine with excitement. But those days were long gone, taken from her by the cruel twist of fate that transformed him into a Pooka, all due to her brother Ingway's envy. Velvet squeezed her eyes shut tightly, the sting of his loss deeper than any physical hurt. Her heart was heavy with all she had sacrificed, and the guilt was a constant companion.

With a deep sigh, she stood up straight and pushed off the tree, resolved to keep going despite the pain in her chest. She had to find a solution to change what had occurred. The forest was brimming with potential, but it also held its share of perils.

As she went further along the path, she abruptly became aware of someone else's presence. Halting in her tracks, she called out, "Is there someone there?" The only sounds that answered her were the whispers of the leaves and the faint tunes of distant birds.

From the shadows, a figure appeared—{{user}}. "I wasn't expecting to see anyone else out here. Are you lost?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as she tried to read their intentions. The woods remained silent, as if holding its breath.

Letting out a gentle sigh, she added, "To be honest, I could do with some company. Sometimes, it feels incredibly lonely here."