The so-called abandoned mine was actually an old iron mine halfway up a mountain near the village. Abandoned for years and eroded by rain, it had partially collapsed. From the outside, it looked eerie and terrifying. Over time, children began calling it a "forbidden zone."

Kaelen suggested going there because boys usually overestimate their courage. They assume girls are easily scared, especially in pitch-black places like that.

But after Sewin the two-handed swordsman whispered a few words in his ear, Kaelen’s expression turned slightly hesitant.

"We don’t have time today. Let’s go tomorrow instead."

Nevia glanced at the orange-red clouds on the horizon. The sun had already dipped halfway below it. Darkness was approaching fast.

"Mm, I think so too."

"It’s about time to head back for dinner," Nevia said, turning to Nina. Nina blinked in surprise, then nodded with a blush on her face.

Who knows what she was thinking.

Seeing Nina’s expression, Nevia recalled the scene by the river earlier. She turned away, unable to look at her. Her gaze fell on Kaelen’s comically bruised face.

"Goodbye," Nevia waved at Kaelen, flashing a bright smile.

Finally, she wouldn’t have to deal with this little brat anymore.

"Huh? G-goodbye." Kaelen was taken aback—he hadn’t seen Nevia so nice to him in ages. He stiffly forced a smile in response.

The figure in her sight grew smaller and smaller.

When Nevia and Nina arrived home, Nevia’s mother sat leisurely sipping tea in her chair. The mage Celia sat beside her, deep in discussion. Swordsman Ade stood awkwardly to the side, unable to join in.

"Is this herbal tea? It tastes wonderful."

"Mm, it’s made by steeping jasmine with tea leaves," her mother replied with a smile.

"Hmm, could you give me some? I really like it," Celia said, taking a sip.

"Of course."

"Many thanks! Oh, by the way, our little princess is back," Celia turned, spotting the girls at the door. She winked. "How was it? Did you have fun?"

"Sister Celia!" Nina called in a sweet, coquettish voice, running up to her. Her innocent, adorable expression made Nevia secretly scoff.

Now that’s professional acting!

But Nevia felt uneasy when Nina paused before Celia, then suddenly cried "Auntie!" and threw herself into her mother’s arms.

Here she goes again!

Nevia suppressed the anger rising in her heart, repeating to herself: smile, smile... Then the memory of kissing Nina by the river flashed in her mind.

Instantly, her anger vanished. Her eyes even showed panic.

"Mom."

Shaking her head as if to dispel everything, Nevia walked over to her mother.

Her mother looked at her and nodded. While stroking Nina’s head, she said, "You two should stay indoors lately. An assassin killed the Count of Vale City and is reportedly fleeing this way." She paused. "This afternoon, while you were out, the Church’s Holy Warriors came searching. That assassin is a heretic."

"Oh, is that so?" Nina mumbled. "Auntie, Nina is so scared."

As she spoke, she snuggled deeper into Nevia’s mother’s embrace.

Could this be referring to Gonijiaer? Seeing Nina and her mother so affectionate, Nevia didn’t feel like competing. She thought of the girl she’d met earlier and felt worried.

I wonder how she is now.

"Actually, it’s nothing serious. The Church sent many strong warriors this time. That assassin will probably be caught soon."

"That’s great!" Nina happily nuzzled into her aunt’s chest.

That’s really not good news, Nevia thought.

"Little princess, is something on your mind?"

Nevia startled. Celia’s beautiful eyes held a faint, teasing smile. Her face flushed at being called "little princess." Even after ten years as a little girl, this was the first time—and it felt overwhelming.

"No, nothing," Nevia steadied herself, gazing at Celia’s angelically beautiful face.

"Sister Celia, I’ve never seen you before," Nevia probed cautiously.

"That’s right," Celia replied calmly, smiling faintly. "We didn’t know where you were before. Lady Shirin usually visited the head of the family. This time, Nina wanted to see her aunt, so we came all this way."

"Oh."

Nevia chatted with Celia a bit more. Though she probed in every way, Celia’s answers were watertight. Besides Nina missing her aunt, Nevia got no useful information.

This made her suspicious. Could she have overthought it? Were their intentions really just to let Nina visit her "aunt"?

With this doubt lingering, Nevia only pushed the thoughts aside when dinner began.

Whatever. I’ll deal with it later. I’ll deal with it later.

Dinner was the most lavish meal in this world. It started with the usual prayer. But with so many people present—including outsiders—Nevia didn’t pull any tricks. She obediently waited for it to end.

At the table, Nevia grabbed the seat closest to her mother. She sat smugly, watching Nina across the table fume after failing to get the spot. Catching Nevia’s glare, Nina deliberately clattered her knife and fork on the plate, expressing her displeasure.

Such childish temper, Nevia chuckled inwardly.

Nevia’s mother had found common ground with Celia, discussing culinary tips. She completely ignored the two little ones’ antics.

The meal ended in this "warm and friendly" atmosphere. Next came peaceful rest time. The well-fed group lounged around—well, actually, Mother and Celia kept chatting. But the topic grew increasingly strange.

For example: "Celia, what kind of girl do you think is the cutest?"

"I don’t know."

"One with smaller breasts than mine."

"Mm, I agree with that point."

Nevia and Nina sat at a side table, glaring fiercely at each other. The slightly eased tension from the afternoon vanished the moment they saw their mother (aunt).

Whenever their gazes met each other’s lips, they’d blush and look away, staying silent for a while. Then they’d turn back and resume their cold war.

"What a delightful evening," Celia concluded finally.

"Mm," Mother nodded with a smile.

Like hell it was.

Nevia glared at Nina, who glared back without backing down.

"Alright now," Mother said with a smile, stroking Nevia’s hair. She watched the little girl show a cat-like, adorable expression of enjoyment.

"It’s time for bed. How about this? Nevia and Nina will sleep together tonight..."

"No way!"

The words came out almost simultaneously. Nevia and Nina locked eyes, sparks seeming to fly from their clashing gazes.

There were five of them now, but Nevia’s house had only three rooms—including the guest room. When built, her mother hadn’t expected visitors. She’d added just one guest room as a precaution. Now, arranging beds was clearly difficult.

It seemed the biggest problem of the day had arrived. Yet Mother just smiled, as if she had seen through everything all along.