As the only male present, Ade was granted a private guest room. The remaining two rooms sparked fierce debate among the women.

“I want to sleep with Auntie,” Nina declared, glancing at Nevia. She clutched Nevia’s mother’s arm tightly, refusing to let go, as if the woman might vanish any second.

“No way,” Nevia objected firmly.

“But Auntie always sleeps with me at home!”

“Still no.”

“Auntie,” Nina coaxed, shaking the woman’s arm. Mother remained unmoved, instead turning a questioning look to Celia.

“I’d like to sleep with Princess Celia,” Celia said.

“But Nevia and Nina should bond—they’re sisters. Besides…” Mother’s eyes gleamed. “Don’t we have unfinished talks?” She pressed her point.

Celia smiled. “I’d be honored.”

“Two votes. Settled. Nevia, you sleep with Nina.”

“No…” Nevia protested, her voice fading under Mother’s stern gaze until it was softer than a falling feather. “I really don’t want to.”

“Nina doesn’t want to either,” Nina pleaded, looking up with wide, begging eyes.

“What a headache,” Mother sighed. “I hate disobedient children. So—which of you wants me to dislike you?”

“Nina will be good!” Nina instantly switched sides.

“Mom,” Nevia whimpered pitifully at her mother.

“Hmm?” Mother’s tone sharpened.

“Fine,” Nevia conceded.

Nevia’s room lay three meters down the left hallway upstairs, opposite Mother’s.

“Good night, Princess Highness~~~”

“Good night.”

Celia waved, then slammed the door shut.

Nevia sighed, watching Nina’s equally reluctant face. The girl glared back irritably—

“Hmph.” Nina snorted, turning with her suitcase. She bumped hard into the still-closed door.

“Ow, that hurts!” Nina whimpered, tears welling as she clutched her forehead.

Nevia stared speechlessly. She couldn’t help but laugh, her gloom lifting slightly. She’s just a kid. Why take it personally?

She pushed the door open.

“What a cheap room,” Nina muttered, scanning the space.

Nevia turned with a smile.

“What do you want?” Nina puffed out her flat chest.

“If it’s cheap, then…” Nevia reached to push her. “How about you leave?”

“No way. You go.” Nina grabbed Nevia’s hand, yanking her toward the door.

“You…” Nevia sputtered.

“Hehe…” Nina stuck out her tongue, making a silly face.

“You’re asking for it!”

“Bring it on. Who’s scared?”

The two tussled wildly.

***

“Haha…”

Panting on the bed, Nevia watched Nina—clothes askew, golden hair tangled into a messy knot. The bedraggled sight made her burst into silvery laughter.

“You’re no better!” Nina shot back.

Nevia glanced down. Her own clothes had slipped, revealing smooth shoulder skin. She blushed, quickly pulling them back.

Sweaty from the scuffle, Nevia headed for the shower. But Nina jumped up first, dashing to the bathroom.

“I’m showering first!” Nina pulled fresh clothes from her suitcase.

Nevia froze. Seeing the pink undergarments in Nina’s hands, she instinctively looked away.

“Fine.”

The little girl’s voice faded. The door clicked softly shut.

Nevia walked to the window, gazing at the pitch-black night. She closed it.

“Ah!”

A panicked cry echoed from the bathroom. Nevia rushed in, pushing the wooden door open. Thick steam blocked her view.

“What’s wrong?” she called, stepping inside.

“Ah!” Her foot slipped on something smooth. She slid forward, tumbling into the bath.

Luckily, the small space kept her from hitting the floor. But she felt herself bump into Nina’s soft body.

Squeeze… squeeze…

Flat. No curves at all…

Wait.

Nevia realized her hands were on Nina’s undeveloped chest. The girl stared innocently. Nevia’s mind went blank.

“The water… it’s too hot,” Nina whispered weakly, meeting Nevia’s eyes.

“Uh… shower together?” Nevia blinked, surprised she’d said it.

“?”

Her clothes were soaked anyway. Nevia stripped them off, sinking naked into the hot water. Through the mist, Nina’s fair, petite form hummed a tune while washing.

Nothing special at all.

To Nevia’s horror, bathing with the “opposite sex” sparked zero male desire. Nina was just a kid—Nevia wasn’t a lolicon—but she felt utterly calm. Like still water.

Did this mean she’d fully adapted to being female?

Nevia felt lost.

Nina finished and left. Nevia stayed distracted.

After her own shower, Nevia realized the problem: no spare clothes. The only towel was with Gonijiaer, who’d vanished.

Crap. She hadn’t planned to shower earlier. Nevia frowned at the rising steam. Ask Nina for help? No way. She eyed her wet clothes but rejected re-wearing them—water would rot the wooden floors.

Next time, extra towels. She resolved silently.

Nevia climbed out, opening the door a crack. Peering through, she called: “Nina.”

“What?” Nina’s voice was grumpy.

“Bring my clothes.”

“Nope.” Classic Nina.

“...I forgot them. Please?” Nevia’s voice turned pleading.

“Fine.” A pause. “Where?”

“In the cabinet by the bed.”

“Got it.”

Rummaging sounds came. Then—

“Here.” Nina stood at the door.

Nevia reached through the gap. Nina yanked the door open. Magic lamps flooded the room, bathing Nina’s tender body in soft light. Her snow-white skin glowed like luminous jade.

Heat rushed to Nevia’s head. Nina felt shy but, as a child sharing the same gender, had no deeper thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Ah!” Nevia shrieked, covering herself and crouching. Nina jumped back.

“What the heck!” Nina thrust the clothes forward, voice tinged with guilt.

Nevia snatched them and slammed the door shut.

“…”

Nina stood at the door, shaking her head in confusion.