The next morning, Nina woke with red-rimmed eyes. It was clear such a tragic story hit little girls hard.

Getting up, eating, drinking tea—it was still a peaceful, tranquil day.

Time flowed gently like a sail drifting downstream. In the blink of an eye, afternoon arrived.

Earlier, a middle-aged man had come begging Mother to heal his gravely ill son. So Mother left home at dawn.

Celia went out with Ade. Honestly, no one knew what that swordsman was up to—he’d been mysteriously leaving early and returning late for days.

Nevia walked down the road, Nina trailing behind. Today, Nevia missed Alyssa and decided to bring Nina along to visit her friend.

Alyssa’s house sat on a small hill, surrounded by vast fields of colorful flowers. The girls strolled along the path between them, breathing air thick with sweet, enticing fragrance.

“So beautiful,” Nina murmured in awe, gazing at the multicolored blooms.

“Of course,” Nevia replied. “My mom planted these.”

Originally, this flower field was prepared by Nevia’s mother for her to cultivate the “Herbal Aura” skill. Later, after Nevia chose lilies, the other flowers were neglected. Unnoticed, they flourished into a lush, breathtaking sea of blossoms.

“That’s Alyssa’s house!” Nevia pointed ahead to a small wooden cottage. It stood right in the flower fields’ center, surrounded by vegetable patches.

Most eye-catching were two fruit trees before the cottage. Come autumn, they’d hang heavy with bright red fruit.

Alyssa was climbing one tree, scissors in hand, pruning branches.

Nevia led Nina stealthily along the path near Alyssa. She made a shushing gesture, signaling quiet, then sneaked under the fruit tree.

“Alysssssa,” Nevia called in an eerie, ghostly voice.

Alyssa visibly startled. Her body froze instantly, torn between wanting to look back and not daring to turn.

“Hahaha, it’s me, Alyssa!” Nevia switched to her normal voice.

Hearing the laughter, Alyssa relaxed. She turned, sighing with lingering relief.

“I’ll be right down,” she said, slowly climbing down.

“Has Alyssa been good lately?” Nevia hugged her tightly and blew hard into her ear.

“It tickles!” Alyssa squirmed instinctively at the breath on her ear but barely struggled. “Alyssa’s always been good.”

“Good.” Nevia released her. Nina walked over.

“This is Nina… uh, my cousin,” Nevia paused, her voice tinged with resentment.

Nina shot Nevia a smug glance.

“Y-you… hello,” Alyssa said shyly, staring at Nina. Those words seemed to drain all her courage. She lowered her head, gaze glued to the grass.

“Uh, hello.” Nina suddenly recalled her aunt’s honey and lilies—sent by this frail-looking girl. Today, she realized it was the same girl she’d met once before.

Nina felt intrigued by the little girl.

Inside Alyssa’s house.

Nevia, Nina, and Alyssa huddled together. Nevia devoured the food Alyssa served, while Alyssa stood beside her, constantly handing over treats. She wore a found apron, looking like a submissive little maid.

Alyssa made all these pastries herself. Living alone since childhood, she mastered life skills—using nature’s bounty to create simple yet delicious food. This solved her meals and saved good money.

“Mmm… so good!” Nevia hummed happily between bites.

“I’m glad you like it,” Alyssa said shyly.

Nina glanced around curiously. A portrait hung center-house: a beautiful woman with a gentle smile. The painting was lifelike—her tender gaze seemed to watch over everything.

“That’s Alyssa’s mom,” Nevia mumbled through a swallowed pastry.

“Mm-hmm.” Alyssa nodded, smiling warmly. “That’s Mom.”

She watched over Alyssa daily, giving her hope and courage. So Alyssa never felt alone—she was never truly by herself.

“Mm.” Nina nodded, her expression turning melancholic as she thought of her own mother.

“Seriously…” Nevia, the only unaffected one, grumbled. She pulled the food-piled table closer. “Let’s eat! Or I’ll finish it all alone!”

“Mm.” Alyssa grabbed a sweet biscuit, bit hard, and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out.

“Haha…” Nevia and Nina laughed at her.

Nina reached for another biscuit—but Nevia’s hand bumped hers.

“That’s mine!”

“Hey, I found it first!” Nevia snatched it and stuffed it in her mouth before Nina reacted.

“Wah! I’m angry!” Nina shouted.

“Huh?” Nevia swallowed and made a silly face at her.

“Don’t…” Alyssa whispered timidly. But Nina jumped up, furious, reaching to pinch Nevia’s cheeks. “…do that.”

The cottage echoed with playful shrieks.

---

“I’m so full.” The three girls sat side by side on the grass by the flower fields, gazing at verdant mountains and leisurely white clouds.

Clouds drifted across the azure sky—sometimes like a horse, sometimes an ox.

Nevia pointed suddenly. “Look, doesn’t that cloud look like a little dog?”

“No way, it’s clearly a kitten,” Nina retorted. She rarely missed a chance to contradict Nevia—it was part of her daily joy now.

“Hah?” Nevia stuck out her tongue at Alyssa. “Alyssa, what do you think?”

“Ah, I…” Alyssa flustered, glancing between them. She answered cautiously, “They both look similar…”

“…”

The white clouds drifted, as if carrying away all the world’s worries.