Clang!* The dagger fell to the ground unnoticed as Sophie quickly backed away for safety.
Then, two tiny snow-white hands emerged from the crack in the fruit, followed by a small head with sparse, pale blue hair. The little face tilted upward, revealing a smile that looked exactly like a Western porcelain doll's.
"Mommy, hug!" The adorable doll-like baby stretched out his chubby arms, eagerly awaiting Sophie's embrace.
*Holy crap! Since when do pears come with babies inside? And why is he calling me Mommy? Is he like a baby duck imprinting on the first thing he sees? I'm practically the poster child for single ladies among my friends! How could I possibly have a kid this big?*
Though she had to admit—he was ridiculously cute, with big sapphire-blue eyes, a tiny straight nose, delicate lips, flawless skin, and... *pointed ears?*
Sophie's eyes widened. *Pointed ears?!*
Just then, flocks of birds erupted from the distant trees, signaling something was rapidly approaching.
Sophie stood frozen, torn. *If I take him, how am I supposed to raise a kid? I've never even had one! But if I leave him here... that's just cruel.*
The baby, still waiting with outstretched arms, grew impatient. His face scrunched up, and—
*"WAAAAAH—"*
The sheer volume of his wails sent pangs of guilt through Sophie. She rushed over, scooped him up, and began rocking him gently. Little Bai, squished between them, wriggled out of Sophie's clothes, discreetly wiping his nosebleed first.
The moment the baby felt Sophie's warmth, his crying stopped. He immediately nuzzled his face against her chest.
*Oh no. Is he... trying to nurse?* Sophie's face burned. *Someone help! I don't know the first thing about babies!*
Speak of the devil. Five or six tiny winged fairies fluttered to the base of the tree.
"Honored guest," one of them chimed, "was it you who gave life to the Spirit Fruit?"
"Spirit Fruit? You mean this pear?" Sophie pointed at the hollowed-out peel. She had no idea where these fairies had come from, but they didn't seem hostile.
After examining the baby in Sophie's arms, one fairy nodded. "Yes. This is the birthplace of our kind. The child you hold is a newborn spirit, born from the Spirit Fruit. Since you gave him life, it is your duty to raise him safely. However, as you are not of our race, we must take you to the Spirit Envoy. She will guide you."
*Spirit Envoy? Sounds harmless enough. Besides, if I leave now, this kid'll starve. Might as well go. Worst case, I'll just... die again. These extra days were a freebie anyway.*
As they traveled, the fairies explained more about spirits:
- The baby *was* technically her flesh and blood—Spirit Fruits wouldn't mature without a blood offering.
- New Spirit Fruits were dark green, absorbing energy from the World Tree over time. The longer they grew, the paler they became.
- Adult spirits seeking offspring would choose a suitable fruit and perform a blood ritual to awaken it.
- Each fruit took about 100 years to mature. The World Tree bore only 1,000 at a time—when one fell, another would grow in its place.
- Though spirits lived long lives, their population stayed small. Not every adult wanted children.
Sophie's accidental cut had dripped blood onto the fruit beneath her, triggering its maturation.
The real problem?
Spirit infancy lasted *50 years*. Childhood, *200*. Adolescence, *800*. Adulthood to old age, *1,000*.
*Fifty years of diapers?!* Sophie nearly fainted. *Please, Spirit Envoy, tell me there's a fast-forward button.*
Yet, as she gazed at the baby, an unexpected warmth filled her chest. *My blood runs in his veins.* Motherly instincts she never knew she had surged forth.
*No way I'm abandoning this little guy.*
"From now on," she whispered, tapping his rosy cheek, "your name is Charles. It's a good name—there was even a prince called Charles once. May you be as happy as him, and maybe bring home a princess as your wife someday!"
"Mommy, what's a princess? What's a wife?" Charles mumbled around his thumb.
Sophie froze. *Right. He popped out fully verbal.*
"A princess is a beautiful, rich, powerful girl who can give you everything without you lifting a finger. A wife is someone who stays with you forever, follows you everywhere, and takes care of you. So, having a wife is *way* better than not having one."
"But that sounds like Mommy! I'll stay with you forever!"
"*No*, it's not the same—ugh, forget it. Nap time! Don't wake up until I say so!" Under Sophie's iron will, Charles obediently shut his big eyes.
*What's the difference between a wife and Mommy?* The question plagued him even in his dreams.
"Honored guest," a fairy interjected, sweatdropping at Sophie's parenting, "the spirit village lies ahead."
Sophie's gaze shifted from Charles to the trees beyond—where something *terrifying* awaited.
**Will the Spirit Envoy's "help" be more than Sophie bargained for?**