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Chapter 30 - The Pacifier Wars

Evangeline stood in her crib like a tiny, wrathful emperor, surveying the destruction of her domain.

Stuffed animals lay decapitated. Rattles had been repurposed as bludgeoning tools.

And the worst crime of all…

Her favorite pacifier was gone.

Whiskerton approached cautiously, holding out a backup.

"Mistress, perhaps—"

"NO."

The replacement pacifier melted into a puddle of rubbery goo.

Somewhere in the castle, the Duke whimpered in his sleep.

Selphina's ship newly christened The Salty Comeback, cut through the morning mist, its stolen sails billowing.

Lyssa squinted at the horizon.

"Captain, we've got a problem."

Selphina followed her gaze.

The entire Evernight navy blocked their path, with Seraphina standing at the bow of the lead ship, arms crossed.

"Sister," Seraphina called. "You stole from a baby."

Selphina blinked.

"Technically, they stole from the baby." She jerked a thumb at her crew. "I just... didn't stop them."

A chorus of indignant "Hey!" rose from the pirates.

Evangeline's distant wail carried across the water. The sea itself shuddered.

Selphina sighed. "Fine. We'll give it back—"

"After we negotiate better prison conditions!" Lyssa interjected.

Seraphina pinched her nose.

"Why am I related to you people?"

…..

The Duke's office doors burst open as Dante's hair, now grown to Rapunzel-esque lengths cascaded inside, forming the words.

"WE DEMAND A JACUZZI IN THE WAR ROOM."

The Duke, nursing a hangover, groaned.

"What war room?"

"EXACTLY."

Lucien hurried in after, clutching a scroll.

"They've unionized the castle gargoyles."

As if on cue, a stone gargoyle outside the window held up a tiny sign.

"Living Statues Deserve Lunch Breaks Too."

The Duchess sighed.

"Just... give them the spa budget."

Back on the deck of The Salty Comeback, Selphina faced off against Seraphina while Evangeline's wails grew louder.

"Last chance," Seraphina warned.

Selphina smirked.

"Make me."

Then—SPLAT!

A chunk of mashed peas hit Selphina square in the forehead.

Everyone turned.

There, on the royal ship's deck, stood the Duchess holding a very satisfied-looking Evangeline.

"Bad auntie," the baby declared.

Silence.

Then Lyssa snorted.

"Yeah, fair."

Selphina wiped peas from her face and sighed.

"Fine. Truce?" She held out the pacifier.

Evangeline considered.

Then…

"MINE."

The pacifier teleported back into her mouth.

Selphina blinked.

"Okay, that's just cheating."

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