"A BOY?" sophie screeched, clutching her stomach. "AGGIE, YOU WANT ME TO BE A... BOY?"
"it's the only way to wish for each other without tedros discovering us," agatha said, finally looking at her.
"but b-b-b-b-boys? two b-b-b-boys?"
"but how can she help us with boys? and why do you keep calling her yuba?" sophie badgered, pointing at the dowdy gnome. "i feel like I'm missing something─"
"a brain," hester murmured.
"we could send my demon to steal the pen," hester mulled. "surely he'll get past the shield."
"and if he gets caught? your demon dies and so do you," sophie returned. "and now that I think about it, it's a lovely idea."
"no, you look! my dad said villains can't love, and I've tried to love," hort said, beady eyes gluing to the floor. "chasing after sophie like I was an ever when i'm just... well, look at me." he rubbed at his whiskery cheeks. "made a fool of myself... and my dad. at least i can do is win the treasure and bury him. you understand that, don't you?" he looked up at tedros. "trying to make him proud, even if he's dead?"