About half an hour later, Elaya slipped through the door, shy as a fawn, a plain dress skimming her knees and a rosy glow warming her healed cheeks.

Clothes do make the person; fresh from a bath and new linens, she looked several times lovelier, like rain-washed petals catching light.

“Forgive me. This humble maid took so long to return.”

She closed the door as soft as a breeze, then came to me with her head lowered, like a child who’d knocked over a jar of ink.

“It’s fine. Sit first. If you’re still hungry, keep eating. A few minutes ago Lanxia had another mountain of food sent up.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

She watched me for a few heartbeats, face pink as dawn, then took the empty chair, still taut as a bowstring, unable to relax.

“The auction’s finally wrapping up. So dull even this dragon could nod off.”

As the final lot approached, Lanxia yawned wide, like a lion after sun.

“You’re saying that now? You already fell asleep.”

“Sleep then eat, eat then sleep. Lanxia, you really uphold the laziness of the Dragon Kin.”

The sisters shot her matching looks of disdain, sharp as twin arrows.

“Eh~ There’s nothing to do! Everything next is trash.”

“True enough. Auctions are boring.”

Probably tired of the game, Lixue let my hair fall back to normal, then settled into her seat like a swan folding its wings.

Right then, Qirui announced the start of the final bid. As Nalu had said, the lot was a divine-grade sword. With a sweep of Sword Intent, I tasted its quality—lower divine, with a hairline flaw.

So we glanced and lost interest, while the hall below boiled like a kettle; bids flew, faces flushed red as sunset.

“I don’t get what they’re fighting over. What use is such a low divine weapon?” Lingxiao frowned, eyes like clear springs watching the crowd.

“For ordinary folk, even the lowest divine weapon is still divine. It outclasses normal blades,” Lingsaki said, voice steady as stone.

“She’s right. From what I’ve seen these days, divine artifacts are rare in the outside world,” I added, like pointing out distant mountains through mist.

“Fine. I shouldn’t compare home to outside.”

Lingxiao leaned into me, languid as a cat in warm light, boredom written on her face.

In the end, the Bingsaier royal family took the sword for ten million gold.

When Qirui declared the auction closed, people trickled out like tides—some satisfied, some trailing a ribbon of regret.

We’d been in the Moonhundred Auction House two or three hours. Outside, the sun had slid down; orange light stained half of Moonhundred City like ink across silk.

I stood and stretched, vertebrae humming, and said, “All right, we’re done here. Let’s head back to the Bingsaier palace. Tomorrow we’ll stroll the Tower of Moonhundred, then visit the Foxfolk tribe.”

“Lord Yumigawa, please don’t change your schedule just for this humble maid!”

I’d barely finished when Elaya sprang up, flustered as startled sparrow. “Lord Yumigawa, you can leave the Foxfolk matter for last. You needn’t worry so much. Though I’m grateful you hold it close.”

“It’s fine. Moonhundred City doesn’t have many amusements. Staying longer just feels dull.”

“Dear big brother, you’re right. Moonhundred really isn’t fun. So disappointing,” the first sister chimed, her voice like a bell with a soft crack.

“Same here. Better to visit the Foxfolk tribe.”

Looks like the sisters agreed with me, like leaves drifting the same current.

“This dragon thinks the beastkin tribes would be more fun. I want to see those Tigerkin and Wolfkin who bully the Foxfolk when they face my grandeur—what fear will stain their faces,” Lanxia said, mischief curling like smoke.

“…Hearing you all, I seem like a failed guide. I swore you wouldn’t be disappointed,” Nalu murmured, shoulders drooping like wilted blossoms.

“Don’t dwell on it, Nalu. You tried hard.”

“Tried… hard…”

Did I say something wrong? Why did Nalu’s mood sink like a stone into deep water?

“Anyway, let’s head back. The floor’s almost emptied.”

“Mm.”

…

On the street, watching Yumigawa Sumeragi’s group leave, Lixin muttered with a sneer sharp as frost, “Never thought the Mizumi Clan went for beastkin. Filthy.”

“Did they? The Foxfolk girl’s smile looked grateful, not violated,” said the tall, gaunt man in black robes beside her, pushing his glasses with a glint. “I’d say those Mizumi people bought her out of sympathy. Hm? Lady Lixin, your face just turned frightening. What’s wrong?”

“Which side are you on, boy?!”

“I stand with the Dark Demon, of course. I only spoke the truth.”

“The truth? What proof do you have that the Mizumi lad has no impure intent toward that Foxfolk girl?”

“Simple—by looks and bearing, the Foxfolk girl is nowhere near those Mizumi sisters or the other golden-haired beauty. By status, the gap is a canyon. Lady Lixin, if it were you, would you give up better for worse?”

“…You lot, teach this brat a lesson! A mere newbie daring to speak for our archrivals, the Mizumi Clan—what nerve!”

“Eh—hey?!”

…

“Welcome back, everyone. Dinner and hot water are ready. Will you dine first or bathe?”

We’d just returned to the Bingsaier palace when Colton greeted us with dependable warmth, an emperor wearing a butler’s calm like another coat.

“Dinner first.”

“Very well. This way, honored guests.”

We followed Colton toward the dining hall, footsteps soft as falling leaves.

…

Around nine, we gathered in the room Colton prepared.

Why only one room? There are seven of us! The space is large, yes, and several beds wait like white boats, but still.

Fresh from the bath, we naturally wore sleepwear. For the record, at Lingxiao, Lingsaki, and Lanxia’s fierce insistence, we bathed together; steam and laughter tangled like woven reeds.

Elaya must’ve been exhausted. She fell asleep soon after we came in, like a candle snuffed by a gentle pinch.

I sprawled on the bed, flipping through manga from the shelf. Colton had prepared thoroughly; fearing our boredom, he’d filled it with books—mostly novels and comics. Even Lingxiao and Lingsaki were absorbed, eyes drifting like fish chasing panels.

But too much manga dulls the tongue. After three or four volumes, my urge faded. Sleeping now felt early; the sisters were still engrossed, faces lit like lanterns.

“Emperor, if you’re idle, could you brush my hair?”

Lixue settled in front of me, passing a comb like a silver crescent.

“With pleasure.”

I took the comb and gently smoothed her beautiful, silken gold hair, a pale nape peeking like winter moon between clouds. Her hair felt honestly delightful, fingers sinking into softness like moss.

“Emperor, you’re born of the Mizumi Clan, yet your hand with hair is surprisingly deft.”

“Habit, really. At home, I often combed my sisters’ hair.”

“Fits your image.”

“My image?”

“Mm. The maid who likes taking care of people.”

“Calling me a maid is too much. I’m a boy! Though my main job is being Xinuo’s exclusive maid…”

“Sir Xino, right? Teacher mentions her often. I’d love to meet her someday.”

“You will. You’re a disciple of FrostyLily Dream, after all.”

“Mm. I look forward to it.”

As we spoke, Lixue leaned back, slowly yielding to gravity, until she was nestled in my arms like a sleeping fox.

“Lixue?”

“It’s comfortable in your arms. I like this.”

“I know. But brushing in this position is awkward.”

“Then figure it out, Emperor.”

“Come on…”

No helping it; I bore her weight and kept brushing, strokes slow as rain over bamboo. At this distance, her beauty felt like a quiet blessing, a small festival for the eyes.

“Lixue, your eyes are beautiful.”

“Are they?”

“Yeah. One violet-blue, one icy blue. Truly pretty.”

“With you praising me like that, I’m shy.”

She tilted her face up, and a faint blush bloomed like plum buds on snow. Also, because her yukata wasn’t tied tightly, from where I sat I could see the curve of her chest. From above… I’m a boy; is it safe to be so defenseless?

“Emperor, what are you looking at?”

“N-nothing. By the way, your yukata’s a bit loose.”

“Looser is comfier for sleep.”

“…”

Talking like that, I finished her hair without noticing. When I came back to myself, she was asleep in my arms, breath soft as petals.

I watched her peaceful, sweet face and didn’t wake her. I lifted her gently, carried her to the bed opposite, set her down, and tucked the quilt like smoothing a quiet lake.

“Dear big brother.”

“Big brother.”

At some point, Lingxiao and Lingsaki had shelved their manga. Their eyes shone with expectation and envy, fixed on me and the sleeping Lixue like stars on a moon.

“Lingxiao, Lingsaki, need something?”

A bad hunch tugged at my chest like a string.

“Dear big brother, don’t play favorites.”

“You combed Lixue’s hair. Shouldn’t you comb ours too?”

They grabbed a few combs from the vanity and presented them like tribute.

“It’s late. Tomorrow, okay?”

“Dear big brother…”

“Big brother…”

“Fine, fine! I’ll do it. Just stop with those puppy eyes.”

Night stretched long and silken, a river you drift down without touching the banks.