"Hah..." Rubbing her eyes, Nevia opened them to see Celia's large blue eyes gazing down with a playful glint.

"Good morning!" The girl smiled warmly. "Um... did you sleep well last night?"

"Mm, good morning!" Nevia blinked back, matching her smile.

"I think... I had a dream, but I can't remember any of it."

She tried to recall it for a moment. A faint trace of a dream lingered, but nothing concrete came to mind.

"Forget it if it won't come back," Celia said, ruffling Nevia's hair.

"Mm."

The little girl stretched and prepared to get up. Then she noticed Alyssa's small head resting on her chest. The child slept messily, a glistening strand of drool trailing from her mouth onto Nevia's pajamas.

"..."

Gently lifting the girl's arm and head, Nevia didn't want to wake her.

After washing up, Nevia returned to find Nina and Alyssa awake. Nina slumped drowsily, her clothes slipping off one shoulder to reveal pale skin. Alyssa, clearly jolted from sleep, twisted on the bed with closed eyes, half-murmuring, "Just five more minutes..."

Nevia's cheeks flushed faintly. Under Celia's surprised gaze, she hurried downstairs.

"Morning!" Forgotten swordsman Ade had already risen. He practiced sword swings at the door, pausing to nod at the little girl. "Morning," Nevia replied, watching him slash and thrust with precise, impressive movements.

"Interested in learning swordsmanship, Miss Nevia?" Ade raised his blade overhead, then wiped sweat from his brow.

"Nope," the girl shook her head.

"Mm." Ade resumed training while Nevia watched, chin propped on her hands.

"Ade!" Celia finally came downstairs. She wore her familiar blue robe, hair loose and damp-eyed from sleep. Strands clung to her face in the morning breeze, making her glow.

Ade stared, momentarily spellbound.

"Breakfast ready?"

"Uh..." He snapped back, flustered. "Not yet. I'll start right away."

"I'll have two white bread slices with butter..." Celia replied absently, still lost in last night's thoughts.

"I want milk and one bread," Nevia said with a smile, thinking, *He totally has a crush on Celia.*

"Oh, and make one like mine for Alyssa too."

"Right..." Celia seemed to remember something. "Don't forget... Nina's portion."

"Got it." Diligent Ade headed inside to cook.

"Nevia, wake them up," Celia instructed, sitting at the table and tapping her fingers.

"Okay." Nevia dashed upstairs to find Nina and Alyssa curled back under blankets.

*How to wake them...* Nevia's eyes sparkled mischievously. She yanked Nina's blanket off.

"Wake up!" she shouted into the girl's ear.

"Wah!" Nina jolted upright, wide-eyed and frantic. "Who—sniff—was that?!"

"Hehe..." Seeing Nevia's grinning face, Nina instantly knew the culprit.

"How dare you disturb this princess's rest? I'll kill you!"

Spouting threats, Nina leaped barefoot from bed, grabbing a pillow to hurl.

Nevia dodged easily, sticking out her tongue. "Catch me if you can!" She darted away as Nina puffed her cheeks and chased after her. The two girls raced around the room, laughter echoing.

Meanwhile, Alyssa—deprived of her pillow—mumbled sleepily. She rubbed her eyes, yawned, and stared blankly at the chaos.

"Nina! Nevia! Stop it! Breakfast is ready..." Celia's voice drifted up. The girls halted, glared briefly, then Nevia helped the drowsy Alyssa wash up.

"Alyssa!" Nevia pinched the child's cheek. Alyssa remained adorably confused.

*She has morning grumpiness too...* Nevia smiled softly at the girl's flushed face.

For some reason, Nina felt a pang of discomfort. She dipped a finger in cold water and flicked it at Alyssa.

"Wake up!"

"Ah!" The gentle shriek startled Alyssa fully awake. She blinked at her reflection, then at Nevia and Nina's amused faces.

"Eh? G-good... morning!"

○

Downstairs, breakfast waited. Nevia scrambled to her seat, eager.

"Here we go."

"Yay~~~"

Nevia sipped milk slowly.

*Whoosh...* She turned, milk jug in hand. Outside, gray clouds had rolled in overnight, layering the dawn sky.

"Rain coming?" Ade glanced up.

"Mm." Celia nodded absently.

"Wah!" Alyssa suddenly yelped. When all eyes turned to her, she blushed and ducked her head.

"I need to bring in the laundry..." she mumbled.

"After we eat, we'll help," Nevia said, handing her a bread slice with energetic cheer.

"Right," Nina agreed unusually.

"Let's all go to Alyssa's place after breakfast," Celia suggested.

"Okay..." Nina nodded.

"Agreed!" Nevia clasped her hands, beaming at Alyssa.

"Uh..."

As for Ade? His opinion probably didn't matter anymore.