Long ago, Torsken stole Evinetta from Volien. He raised her as a warrior too, but unlike other male and female captives, he did not grant her freedom of action for a long time. She grew up as a low-class slave. Evinetta served her masters like a loyal bondwoman. However, naturally gifted, Evinetta was craftier than Torsken himself. She pretended not to know about her roots. Over time, Dex's granddaughter became a close associate of the leader of the "lifeless" dolls.
Torsken did not know that she was the daughter of Roar—the son of Dex and Gloria, who was killed by the "lifeless." The girl, however, knew everything. Dex had raised her as a spy. Constantly contacting Volien and other secret forces of the country of Nomilis, she passed on valuable information about the enemies. She was a spy for the "living" dolls, but later she was recruited by the "lifeless." However, Evinetta was a very clever and bright girl: she hated the enemies of Nomilis and deceived them. Roar's daughter was very strong. Having grown up, she became a true beauty. Now, she had come to the shop to destroy her former masters from within. Externally, Vicki looked very aggressive and laughed loudly all the time to frighten her enemies. But this was only a mask—inside, she burned with a desire to quickly deal with the evil "lifeless." She knew how to handle her work perfectly.
Veronica's friends had a place for daily meetings—a deserted corner on the outskirts of the city. Several old benches stood there, and trees grew around. On one of the benches, the name of Veronica's grandfather was carved, along with another name that was impossible to read—perhaps it had been crossed out on purpose. Steve also loved to visit this place. The "Lovers' Garden" was for him a place of invisible connection with his grandfather.
Veronica's classmates and friends especially loved to spend time here. They rested here after lessons, talked about everything, sang songs, read, and played various games. In short, they had a fun time. Veronica called this place the "Lovers' Garden." Sometimes, in the afternoon, she came here alone. This place was located near the area where Steve and Veronica lived.
When Veronica came to the old "Lovers' Garden" today, a breeze was playing there. It picked up fallen leaves and candy wrappers, chasing them between the young trees. This greatly amused Roni. She stepped closer, and the breeze did not stop frolicking. Suddenly, it began to whirl and lifted its "toys" high up. Roni clapped her hands cheerfully.
— Baby-wind, that's wonderful! — she said loudly. — You have great talent!
And the baby-wind immediately stopped playing. "Maybe he's shy or afraid of me?" Roni thought.
— Veronica, are you here already? — Emma's voice was heard. — And who were you talking to?
— Oh, — Roni smiled. — It's just the baby-wind playing with the leaves.
— Can winds really talk?
— And why not? — Roni kissed her friend.
— Veronica, you're a magician! — Emma sat down beside her. — You know, I have news for you.
— Tell me, — Veronica said, crossing her arms over her chest. — I'm listening carefully, friend.
— Roni, yesterday a certain fellow approached me and asked about you. He looked somewhat proud, but he had a vile face. He said his name was Torsken and he was from other places. He was interested in you and your brother Steve.
— Were you scared?
— No, you know me—I'm hard to scare! — Emma smiled. — Listen further, friend, don't interrupt me. And so, this vile fellow offered me a job—to spy on you.
— Who is this guy?.. And you didn't agree? — Roni turned pale.
— No, I did agree!
— Why?
— Because this man wishes you harm. And, according to his talk, he has many more spies.
— We and Vicki…
— Listen, dear friend, it turns out Vicki is Torsken's spy! This villain came to take revenge on Dex's descendants and take away that beautiful doll standing in your shop. Torsken says that the beautiful mannequin is a princess of the country of Marionis named Elisa!
— It can't be, Emma! All those stories related to grandfather Dex are just fairy tales!
— No, it all turns out to be true. I have already seen Elisa and how your brother looks at her. This doll is a real "living" doll from Marionis!
— What shall we do now?
— For now, we won't tell Steve anything, but we will watch Vicki and Elisa. We must not allow Vicki to harm her.
— What if they suspect you? — Veronica pressed against her friend. — They might hurt you, I'm very afraid, Emma!
— I'm afraid too, but what can we do. We must not allow Steve to be harmed. If they corner us, it won't be good for any of us. Therefore, we must be strong. No matter what, we must be on the side of Steve and Eloise. Together we will overcome these creatures.
— And what shall we do today?
— From today on, we will watch everyone. I told our friends everything. They will help us as much as they can.
— Hi, girls! — the rest of the guys arrived. There were six of them: three boys and three girls. Together they discussed what had happened. Emma and Veronica drew up a plan for further action. They divided into three groups. Emma and Veronica were to be constantly near Eloise so that Vicki wouldn't harm her. The second group—three boys—were to stay nearby. And finally, the third group of three girls was to guard this garden in turns, because Emma met Torsken exactly here, in the "Lovers' Garden."
After the meeting with their friends, Emma and Veronica went to the shop as if nothing had happened. Vicki met them with her head held high.
— What's wrong with you, Vicki? You look very strange, — Roni said. — I can see you are unhappy with our visit. Whether you like it or not, my friend will be with me in this shop now.
— Veronica, forgive me, please, but this girl is connected to the villains who want to harm you and your brother.
— The villain's name is Torsken, — Veronica smirked. — And you are his spy, aren't you?
— Vicki, surrender! We've come to expose you, — Emma stepped forward.
— I don't want to harm you at all. I was already about to tell you the truth.
— Don't lie! — Veronica shouted. — You are Torsken's vile mercenary. We know the legend of Dex by heart!
The boys approached the friends, ready to protect them, so the girls held their ground confidently.
— I've already said that I don't want to harm you, — Vicki held herself with dignity. — I am not afraid of anyone!
— What did you do to poor Elisa? — Veronica shouted at her. — Vile mercenary! Now you will answer for everything!
— I will answer only before my conscience, for I am not guilty of anything.
— You look pathetic, you good-for-nothing girl! — Veronica took a step forward, ready to lung at her.
— I haven't done anything. You are mistaken, Roni-sister! Understand me at last! On the contrary, I am looking after her, — Vicki's face began to radiate kindness.
— You don't look like yourself! — Emma sneered. — You are a vile mercenary!
— Oh, you cunning deceiver! — Roni shouted at her. — I am not your sister and never will be!
— Don't touch her! She is no deceiver, but my patroness. Vicki is half "living" doll, half human. She is on our side. Vicki only pretends to help Torsken, — the revived Elisa came out to them. — I am Elisa, a "living" doll, princess of the Kingdom of Marionis! I can see that you have found out about me and come to help. Did Dex tell you about me before his death?
Veronica and Emma froze in amazement. They couldn't take their eyes off Elisa.
— So, it's all true. She really exists—a living doll! — Veronica uttered. — Emma, my brother was right!
— How beautiful she is when she speaks, — Emma whispered. — She has outshone us all, Roni. Now I have no chance against her.
— So, from whom did you find out about me? — Elisa continued her forceful speech. — Tell me, girl! I must know: from Dex or someone else? I want to know how the hero of legends died.
— No, I found out about you from Torsken himself!
— You talked to Torsken? — Elisa's face became angry. — With that villain? What are you talking about, I don't understand! Or do you not know what a monster he is? Answer quickly!
— I am Roni's friend. The villain Torsken wants to win me over to his side to destroy you. He told me everything concerning you. Now, in fact, I am Torsken's spy, — Emma said proudly. — But I assure you, I only pretended to become his spy.
— If you are deceiving me, you shall not live, girl, — Elisa threatened. — I can easily destroy those like you! I don't want to frighten you unnecessarily, but if you are lying to us—confess right now!
— Elisa, sister, — Veronica said, not ceasing to admire her. — She is my best friend. She can be trusted.
— Fine then. If you trust her, then we must trust her too, — Elisa smiled, and her aggression vanished instantly.
The girls saw the courage and strength of this fragile princess. Elisa instantly turned into a strong personality. This was the quality of the true rulers of Marionis. They all looked at her submissively, as if at a leader.
— Now let's reveal all our secrets. Meet: Evinetta! — Elli solemnly introduced her to the friends.
— I am Dex's granddaughter, Evinetta!
— Dex's granddaughter? In our legend, your mother died in childhood, — Veronica was surprised. — So our elder sister from the doll Gloria is alive?
— My mother was killed by Torsken's battle mannequins. I was raised secretly from everyone by our forest friends. No one but Volien knows that I am the daughter of the fallen warrior Ruvia, — tears appeared in Evi's eyes. — Now her poor daughter, doomed to be Torsken's slave, is here with you. And I ask you, my true kin, do not turn away from me. I was stolen in childhood, then lived in captivity for many years. When I grew up, I was raised as a spy. But I always remembered my mother, her kindness and tenderness. Ruvia, though a warrior, remained a kind and gentle woman. Now you know who I am. You can do with me whatever you want. I had one dream—to see my relatives at least once. After all, I grew up hearing about you only from Volien. I saw my brave brother Steve, my beautiful sister Veronica, and you, dear Elisa! Now I am before you, my loved ones! I have seen you, and that is enough for me. If you want, I will become your slave. I will die serving you, not these heartless enemies. If you consider me an unworthy wretch because of the connection with Torsken—you can kill me right now. I will not regret it!
— Poor sister Evinetta, who has been through so much! You will not become a slave and you will not die while Steve and I are alive! We will only be glad to have you, — Roni hugged her. — Forgive me for saying so much to you! Poor sister! We will take revenge on this impostor for everything.
— Veronica, Elisa, I love you all! — Evi hugged both girls.
— Now that we are all together, let's fight the villain Torsken together, — Elisa said. — We will avenge Dex and everything he has done both here and there.
— First, let's have lunch and drink tea, — Veronica smiled. — Over tea, we will discuss all our further plans.
— You're right, friend! Now that Evi has come over to our side, our plans have changed, — Emma replied to her. — For now, we must not reveal our secrets to anyone.
— But what about Steve? — Veronica asked.
— Don't tell him for now, — Emma looked imploringly at her friend. — When the time comes, we will tell him everything. To keep him from suspecting anything, we will put on a performance for him. Torsken is starting a war. Sooner or later he will attack the shop to destroy Steve. By this time, you must leave the shop. If you stay here, they will destroy you. Torsken said that Veronica would be the first to die. Only Steve and Evinetta should remain in the shop. We also need to hide Elisa.
— And how will you defeat the battle mannequins? — Veronica asked.
— We will bring people to help, — Emma replied.
— We will surely be destroyed! — Veronica shook her head. — We must tell Steve, otherwise we won't succeed.
— No, my dear sisters. We will find out where the "lifeless" hide their weapons, and then we will fight them, — Evinetta took the initiative. — There will be a second war of humans and dolls! This is a serious matter. Veronica, we will tell Steve everything, but you must be the first to leave the shop, otherwise the "lifeless" will not spare you. They will kill you first to break Steve. After you leave, we will tell him the truth and send him to the inhabitants of the "Cursed Valley." There he will find Dex's friends. They, as in olden times, will help us defeat the army of lifeless dolls.
— But until now we knew nothing about the inhabitants of the "Cursed Valley"!
— Humans are forbidden to know about other creatures, — Evinetta explained.
— Why? — inquisitive Veronica asked.
— It would disturb the balance of all existing worlds. Man is a creation of time; he is subject to it. Therefore, he is forbidden to communicate with other worlds.
— And your world is not subject to time?
— No. We live in a world where time flows differently. Therefore, we live a very long time.
— How long?
— Our time is not measured by your concepts.
— I still don't understand, — Roni smiled.
— It's okay, I'll explain everything to you later.
— Good, sister.
— And now let's discuss our plans in detail, — Evinetta gathered all the girls around her.