“My lords, this is my City Lord’s manor, a shell of stone basking under the sun.”

We stopped before a grand residence, its eaves like spread wings, and Aronte turned to us with a smile.

“Oh? Here?” My curiosity flickered like a firefly, and I took in the sweeping facade.

…

The first glance felt like cool water turning lukewarm. Aside from looking imposing, its timber and lines fell far short of the Mizumi Clan’s jade-bright elegance.

“That’s right. Please rest easy, my lords; I’ll host you well. You there, open the gate.” Aronte’s voice carried like a steady drum.

“Understood, City Lord!” His attendants moved like reeds in a breeze and stepped to the heavy doors.

Creeeak—yaa—

The massive doors swung open, slow as a rising moon.

“Please, my lords.” Aronte gestured with a calm tide in his eyes.

“Mm.” Xinuo’s reply was cool as winter light, and she strode in first, her steps clean as falling snow.

“Xiao Nuo, wait for me!” My heart hurried like a sparrow, and I tugged Hill’s small hand and rushed after her.

Inside the residence.

“Wow, it’s so pretty!” Hill’s delight bubbled up like a spring, and her bright eyes roamed the path.

“It is.” I let the calm wash over me like morning mist, still holding Hill’s hand as my gaze drifted around.

Xinuo looked detached, like a cloud that wouldn’t be caught by wind, and she pinched my cheek now and then like testing ripe fruit.

Well, the materials and design aren’t great, but the inside breathes well, like a garden after rain.

Rows of flowers flanked the path, a painted river of color, their scent soft as dew; above them, butterflies flitted like living petals.

The buildings inside weren’t lavish; they sat with simple grace, like stones by a stream. Taken together, the place felt right.

“Daddy, you’re back!” A little girl of five or six—black hair, blue eyes, pink dress—ran over like a swaying tulip and hugged Aronte’s leg.

“That’s right, Lilis, Daddy’s back.” Aronte lifted her with a laugh, warm as sunlight, then faced us. “My lords, allow me to introduce my daughter, Lilis Rath.”

“Daddy, who are they?” Lilis peered at us, curiosity bright as a cat’s eye.

“These lords are Daddy’s guests. Lilis, be good, like a star that stays where it shines.”

“Mm-hmm! Lilis will be good!” She nodded earnestly, like a little bird pecking grain.

“Your daughter is adorable.” My smile rose like a lantern, and for a breath my thoughts drifted to my sister at the Mizumi Clan—may her days be gentle as rain.

“Of course—she’s my daughter.” Pride colored Aronte’s face, steady as a mountain; he clearly cherished Lilis like a treasured gem.

“Big brother, your hair is so pretty, it sparkles like starlight!” Lilis gazed at my hair, envy glimmering like a blue lake.

“Your hair’s beautiful too, Lilis.” I stroked her smooth black locks, soft as silk.

“Hehe, big brother is so gentle.” A blush bloomed on Lilis’s cheeks like peach petals, and her smile curved like a crescent moon.

“Servant, you flirt.” Xinuo pinched my cheek, stretching it long like pulled sugar.

“Ugh, Xiao Nuo, what did I do wrong now!” My heart sank like a stone into water; ever since we reached the Eastern Moon Continent, Xinuo’s moods roll in like sudden squalls.

“You’ve got nerve, Servant, even a child isn’t spared.” Her words snapped like a twig.

“Hey, hey, I didn’t do anything to Lilis. Besides, I don’t even have that kind of thought!” Frustration swelled like thunder, and I honestly didn’t get what Xinuo was thinking. Do I look like someone who targets little girls?

“Eh! Is Boss really that flirty?” Hill stared at me, eyes round as full moons, like she’d heard the sky was falling.

“…Hill, even you?” I flicked her small forehead lightly, like tapping a drum.

“Eh—eh! Boss, why knock my head! I don’t even know why!” Hill clutched her head, pouting like a puffed-up sparrow.

“Servant felt ashamed after you called him a flirt,” Xinuo said in a cool tone, calm as still water.

“Really? Is Boss truly a flirt?” Hill’s doubt rose like mist.

“Xiao Nuo! Don’t feed Hill weird ideas! How am I a flirt?” My protest flapped like a flag in wind.

“Not a flirt? When we arrived at the Eastern Moon Continent, who stripped that girl named Faya of her stockings and shoes?” Xinuo’s voice rang like a clear bell.

“She twisted her ankle. I only helped, that’s all!” My defense rushed out like a stream.

“Help? That Faya is a stranger to you, Servant—unknown as a shadow at dusk.” Her gaze cut like a blade.

“Uh, that’s… true.” I nodded weakly, like a leaf giving in to rain.

“So you could, without hesitation, remove Faya’s shoe and long stocking. Would you do that to any stranger?” Her question fell like a stone into a quiet pond.

“Uh!” The word stuck in my throat like a fishbone. Inside, another question rippled—why does Xinuo care about this? She’s always felt above the dust, indifferent as a high cloud.

Could it be…

I looked at Xinuo, heart fluttering like a caged bird, and asked, “Uh, Xiao Nuo… are you jealous?”

“Hah? Servant, who are you calling jealous!?” As soon as I said it, she faltered like a dancer missing a beat, then strode up and stretched my face hard, long like taffy. “How dare a mere Servant speak so boldly!”

“Uuu…” Pain pricked like nettles, yet a secret joy rose in me like dawn—knowing Xinuo was jealous warmed me more than tea.

“Whoa! Boss’s face got so long!” Hill watched us with glee, her exclamations popping like firecrackers.

“Uh, Daddy, big brother and big sister are really close.” Lilis blinked, then smiled like a pear blossom.

“Yes, these lords are very close,” Aronte said with a chuckle, his mood like a mild breeze.

Finally, once Xinuo’s storm passed, we could move on.

…

“My lords, here is your lodging. I hope it pleases you.” Aronte led us to the finest room in the manor, broad as a courtyard and finer than his own.

“Mm. Thank you, City Lord Aronte.” Satisfaction settled over me like evening light, and I offered my thanks.

“No, no, my lord—having you as guests is honor enough, like spring gracing my home.” Aronte waved his hand quickly, smile steady as a river. “I must handle some documents now, like sorting fallen leaves. Call me if you need anything.”

“Alright.” My reply was crisp as a bamboo knock.

“Then I’ll take my leave. Lilis, say goodbye to our lords.” His tone warmed like an ember.

“Lilis knows!” She hopped down from his arms like a little rabbit and bowed with careful grace. “Goodbye, big brother and big sisters! Can Lilis come play with you later?”

“Anytime. I’m looking forward to it.” I crouched to meet her gaze, my smile bright as lantern fire.

“Mm, then see you later!” Her voice chimed like a silver bell.

“My lords, Lilis and I will take our leave.” With that, Aronte lifted Lilis, turned like a steady current, and departed.

…