Astrid was carried into the crooked apartment. The walls seemed to tilt at odd angles, as if the very foundation of the building had shifted over time. The floors creaked and groaned underfoot, and the ceilings appeared to sag, giving the space a delightfully eccentric feel. Doorways led off at unexpected angles, and the windows seemed to lean inward, as if listening to the conversations within. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and dusty memories.
Despite its quirks, the apartment had a certain charm. It was as though it had developed its own unique personality over the years—a personality that was both whimsical and welcoming.
Astrid glanced at the house, unsure whether to laugh or cry at her predicament. "Who would believe this is how 'Legendary Zero' would live in this lifetime?" Astrid thought bitterly.
"Come here, cutie. You need to eat," the woman said, placing Astrid in the crib she'd seen earlier before walking into the kitchen.
"Eat what? This place has already made me lose my appetite," Astrid thought as she quietly watched the woman busy herself, mixing ingredients she couldn't identify.
"Ciara, hold Astrid. I'll bring the food now," the woman called from the kitchen.
Astrid turned to meet Ciara's cold gaze. "It's not like I want you to touch me either," she mused, not wanting to babble incoherently.
"Evelyn—Mom—I don't like this baby," Ciara said hatefully, glaring at Astrid, who stared back mockingly.
"It seems you don't have respect for your mother, huh? You dare address me by my name?" Evelyn's voice turned cold as she stared sternly at Ciara.
Ciara immediately shut up. Picking Astrid from the crib, she bit her lip and continued glaring at the baby.
"Of all the houses, why did you choose ours?" she muttered in a low tone, careful not to let her mother hear.
"I know, right? Do I look like I want to be poor with you guys? If not for that demon guy..." Astrid thought, a small frown forming on her forehead.
"Take this, baby. Feed your sister," Evelyn said, coming into the living room and handing a bottle of baby food to Ciara.
"Mom, I don't have a sister!" Ciara snapped angrily, frowning as she refused to take the bottle.
"Take it or not?" Evelyn's tone carried hints of annoyance, though she maintained a smile on her lips.
"Not that smile," Ciara muttered under her breath. Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly took the baby food, reluctantly preparing to feed Astrid.
"Good. Behave yourself in front of your sister. Let her not pick up your bad habits," Evelyn said sternly to Ciara.
Astrid glanced at the mother and daughter duo. "At least you know your daughter doesn't have a good character," she thought dryly.
Soon, Evelyn left the living room to finish her chores, leaving only Ciara and Astrid behind.
Ciara looked coldly into Astrid's eyes. "Hehe. Do you think I'll give you this food?" she taunted, eating the food right in front of Astrid.
Astrid raised an eyebrow. "So childish," she thought, shaking her head mildly. Then, a sly grin crept across her face as a mischievous idea formed.
"Let's wait for the perfect moment," she decided, excitement bubbling in her chest.
Ciara continued eating the food meant for Astrid, looking smug.
"This food is way better than what we eat on a normal day. Mom's feeding you like an Alpha. Hmph, as if you are one," Ciara said, wiping her mouth and deliberately smearing food on Astrid's lips to make it seem like she'd eaten.
Astrid's ears perked up at the word "Alpha." She remembered how Ashley had once forced her to read some of her fantasy novels.
"Alpha? Isn't that a term for high-ranking werewolves? Arya, Arya...your IQ must have dropped after you turned into a baby," Astrid thought.
"Let me see how you'll eat again," Ciara said, pinching Astrid's cheek, expecting her to cry.
"Ouch. Doesn't she know how to handle a baby?" Astrid thought, not letting out a single sound.
Ciara continued pinching, her grip getting firmer each second.
"This kid is hell-bent on hurting me," Astrid thought, glancing around the room for something she could use. Spotting a wooden comb on the chair beside them, she grinned.
"This should do," she thought, trying to wiggle free to grab it.
"Where do you think you're going? Cry already!" Ciara teased, holding Astrid more firmly.
"Damn it! I almost had it if not for these stupid short arms," Astrid fumed silently. Turning to Ciara, she realized the girl wasn't letting go anytime soon.
"Hehe. I didn't know babies were this strong," Ciara muttered, spanking Astrid's bottom lightly.
"What?! She dares spank 'Legendary Zero'? Is she tired of living?" Astrid thought angrily then a mischievous idea dropped in her mind.
"Mom! The baby just peed on me!" Ciara screamed, dropping Astrid on the ground before running out of the room.
"Hehe. You're the one who ended up crying in the end," Astrid thought, giggling lightly.
A few minutes later, Evelyn stormed into the room and saw Astrid on the cold floor.
"Ciara! How could you leave a child on the cold floor?!" she yelled, picking up Astrid immediately.
Ciara, already in her room changing out of her wet clothes, shivered at the anger in her mother's voice.
"She doesn't even care about her own daughter. It's this random baby she just picked up today," Ciara muttered under her breath, careful not to be heard.
Evelyn, meanwhile, cradled Astrid. "My princess is so strong. She didn't let out a single cry," she said dotingly.
"I've never been a princess," Astrid thought, turning her eyes away, uncomfortable with the unfamiliar affection.
The rest of the day, Astrid grumpily tolerated Evelyn's desperate attempts to make her laugh.
Night eventually fell. The faint sounds of crickets and owls echoed in the distance as Evelyn put Ciara to bed after reading her favorite story. After ensuring Astrid was sleeping peacefully in the middle of the bed, Evelyn soon joined her daughter in slumber.
But at midnight, while the house was deep in sleep, Astrid woke up with a mischievous grin.
"This is for disturbing me during the day, especially you, Ciara," she muttered. Turning to Ciara's ear, she let out an ear-splitting cry that echoed through the house.
"Mom!" Ciara cried, bolting upright.
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