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"Oh, my God! Did you just put a spell on Mr. Bear?" Haru whispered to Adis with eyes and mouth wide open while hiding behind a skeleton tree. "That is so cool!"

Adis shrugged as if there was nothing special about it. "The Ignis brothers used to be a *Cerberus statue on my palace. I separated each head and gave them their own body and life. I told you, a bit of trick will make it more... amusing."

She slapped his arm in envy. "Why is it that everything about you is so perfect? More importantly, why is Mr. Bear became so violent now?"

He captured her dainty hand and kissed it. "I think you are more violent than Mr. Bear." He hugged her shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "And I believe that we complement each other."

Haru narrowed her eyes and gritted. "Are you saying that you're made perfect to complement my flaws?"

He softly pinched her nose as he indirectly admitted. "I like that you are not just strong, but also smart." When she opened her mouth to express her protest, he hushed her. "Shh, listen. I think they are friends now."

She shifted her attention to the adorable scene, but not after giving him a piercing glare and an elbow strike on his stomach. This woman was really brazen and brutal!

Vladimir's eyes lightened up and he stammered in delightful surprise. "R-really?! Y-you want to make friends with me?" Then his countenance suddenly became gloomy. "B-but... they said that I am cursed child and a monster. I-I even hurt my own mother and made the Demon King mad. I think it is best to stay away from me so they won't bully you, too."

"Nah! It's going to be fine." Mr. Bear took Vladimir's hand for a forced handshake. Then he slouched beside the kid as if they were now the best of pals. "Besides, I'm good at fighting. If someone dares to bully you again, I'll give 'em a taste of my fist."

The vampire kid finally smiled with his eyes. He lifted the stuffed toy in the air and stared at it for a while with his sparkling eyes, then hugged it tightly, brushing his cheek against its furry face. "Mr. Bear, thank you for being my very first friend. Vladimir is very happy!"

Mr. Bear patted his head. "Now, now, good child, you will definitely make more friends in the future, so don't give up. But for now, this old man here shall be your one and only best friend, alrighty?"

Vladimir giggled by how smug his new little friend was. Subsequently, his laughter stiffened as he remembered someone. His eyes gazed at the entrance of the shelter and to the snowy field, yearning to see a gentle lady with a sweet smile meant for him. His eyes instantly stung and tears welled up in his eyes.

"You know, Mr. Bear, I have a beautiful mother. She's kind and sweet. She smells so nice and hugs me like this," the kid tightened his embrace to the plushie to show him what it felt like to be in his mother's arms. "She was the only person who did not treat Vladimir like a monster. But... I hurt her. She must be angry at me and doesn't want to see me anymore. Even so, I really love her." He could no longer contain his tears and repeatedly wiped his face with his arm. "Mother, I miss you so much. Please forgive me!"

Mr. Bear restlessly pacified the boy. "Oh no, good child, don't cry. Did you already forget? Mother loves thee."

Vladimir immediately stopped crying upon hearing his mother's lullaby. He swallowed hard while his eyes widened. "Y-you know my mother?"

Mr. Bear nodded his head. "But of course! This old man can't miss such a fine lad." Then the little bear stiffened and looked as though he was scared while pointing at Vladimir's back. "Uh-oh, the bullies are back. Run!" He spun around in Vladimir's arms and impatiently pointed towards the entrance.

Afraid that he might cause trouble again, Vladimir ran outside the fences of the orphanage and to the snowy field at great speed. When Mr. Bear ordered him to stop and turn around, he did so without second thoughts. However, his jaw suddenly dropped and his body went rigid upon seeing the person behind. His tear-stained face reddened and his tears became uncontrollable again.

Mr. Bear laughed triumphantly. "Hahaha, you are so gullible, my friend. Did you like my surprise?" After revealing his prank, he squeaked when the boy unconsciously let go and dropped him on the cold ground.

With trembling lips, Vladimir muttered in disbelief, "...Mother?" As though he was in a trance, he slowly walked towards the illusion. Then he dashed towards the beautiful maiden when he saw her knelt on the ground and spread her arms to welcome him. "Mother! Mother! You came... you finally came!" He bawled in her embrace and sobbed as though his breath would snap. "I'm sorry... I'm really sorry. Please don't leave Vladimir!"

Haru gently rocked the child as she lulled his emotion. A lump instantly formed in her throat and she croaked, "Hush now, sweetheart. Mother is here now. There's nothing to forgive. You will always be my sweet and gentle child. I'm sorry that it took a while before mother came to see you as I just woke up this morning." She gently wiped his tears away and placed her forehead against his. "But everything is okay now. I see you made a new friend."

She glanced at Mr. Bear as she continued. "I remember you told me that you don't know when you were born. So, I decided that today is your birthday and from now on, we shall celebrate it every year. Did you like your present?"

"Ah, you brat, why did you drop me?!" Mr. Bear grunted his complaint as he stood up while holding his back. "Ow, my old bones. You literally dropped me like a hot potato as soon as you see your mother. Tsk! Fine, this old man will forgive you this one time."

Vladimir gasped and nibbled his nails. "Oh, no! I'm so sorry, Mr. Bear, I just got really excited." He went down from Haru's lap and appeased the grumpy little toy. Afterward, he looked at Haru with a wide grin on his lips. "Thank you, mother, for giving Mr. Bear to me. I will definitely treasure him."

Haru smiled softly and stood up. She walked closer to Vladimir and held his shoulders. "Vlad, mother brought someone with me."

The child cleaned his face off of tears and snot then he glanced up at his mother. "Hm?"

Mr. Bear cleared his throat as he helped to introduce the other important guest. "Well, this big meanie realized that he said something that hurt your feelings. That's why he was a bit embarrassed to show himself." He tilted his head to the newcomer.

Vladimir slowly turned around and blinked as though he was seeing another illusion. He suddenly crouched down and buried his face on his knees when he figured that the man in front was real. For the nth time today, he wailed again, but this time it was louder than the previous one.

Adis grimaced and helplessly scratched the back of his head helplessly. "I knew I shouldn't have come," he mouthed to Haru.

Haru just glared at him and motioned her head to approach the crying kid. Like a henpecked husband, he obediently followed and carefully moved closer to Vladimir and even knelt in front of him.

Before he could speak, the boy beat him to it as he peeked through his fingers. "Demon King, please don't be mad at Vladimir, anymore. I promise to behave and stay out of trouble. Please don't take my mother away. Vladimir just found his home and I will do anything to keep it," he sobbed.

Adis' eyes softened and talked to the boy with the utmost sincerity. "This... big meanie just found his home, too. Hence, when I thought that I lost it, I snapped out and turned into a monster. I didn't mean to hurt you, Vladimir. I knew that none of it was your fault. I just want to blame someone because I failed to protect my home. I hope... that you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Vladimir inhaled sharply, feeling flabbergasted at the Demon King's confession. He faltered, "Y-you mean, you are not mad at Vladimir? Y-you will not take mother away from me?"

Adis gave the child a gentle smile as he ruffled his head. "Just like what your mother said, there's no reason to be angry with you. On the contrary..." he trailed off and gulped as he looked at the boy as though he was seeking his favor. "I'm wondering... if you still have a room for another person in your family? Like a father, perhaps?"

The kid's eyes dilated and he had a silly expression on his face. Then he stood up straight, tilted his head to the sky and covered his eyes with his arm. "I-I won't cry again. I'm not a crybaby. Vladimir is a big boy now." He was chanting to himself to keep his tears at bay, but countless teardrops were already pouring on his flushed cheeks. "Please don't tease Vladimir like that. I-I... will truly believe you."

"Remember I told you that I will give you a new home?" Adis asked as he gently took the kid's arm and met his golden eyes. His big hand caressed Vladimir's cheeks as he revealed. "The... adoption process may take a while and a bit complicated since you will be taking my name. But if you can wait and if it's okay with you to have me and Haru as your father and mother, then... can we be your new home?"

Vladimir vigorously nodded his head. "I will wait! No matter how long it will take, Vladimir will patiently wait. If you and mother will become my new parents, I will not wish for anything anymore." He suddenly grip his heart and unceremoniously hugged Adis' neck while laughing and crying at the same time. "Father, I'm so happy that I feel like my heart will leap out of my chest."

Adis chuckled as he enveloped the boy's small frame in his strong arms. "Thank you, my good child."

"Aww, my silly boys," Haru chortled as she hugged them both with unshed tears at the corner of her eyes.

After a while, she stroked the kid's hair as she exclaimed, "Vlad, I would like to make this world a better place for the children like you. But in order for me to do that, we need to solve the winter crisis first. So Father and Mother will be gone for a short while as we need to talk to many grumpy old officials in Lumine. Mr. Bear will keep you company and we'll be back before long."

Vladimir nodded his head in understanding. "I know that there are so many beings that are suffering right now. Vladimir is already lucky to have a Father and Mother. I will behave and stay out of trouble." He raised his hand to make an oath. "I promise."

"I... lost my parents when I was still a small child and lived in an orphanage, too." Haru started as she held the child's hand against her chest. "I always keep everything to myself and never had the courage to reach out to anyone to ask for help or to make friends. I lived a very lonely life and I hated it so much. Until I came here and met your father. Today, just like Vlad, I made new friends." She looked at him with a gentle smile in her face and placed her hand on his chest. "Don't be discouraged at the first sign of rejection. Instead, use it as your inspiration to become even better and try again. Someday, everyone will realize what a fine gem you are. Do your best, Vlad!" Haru fisted her hand and cheered on him.

Vladimir nodded with resolute eyes and a brave stance. Adis, on the other hand, ruffled his hair in amusement.

Mr. Bear climbed on Vladimir's body and hung himself on his shoulder to remind them that he was still there.

The snowy field became a heartwarming scene as the new family played together until nighttime and filled the air with their sweet laughter.