Vera woke to the sound of birds chattering outside the window and sunlight cutting through the half-drawn blinds.

  She lay still for a moment, letting her mind catch up, then groaned and pushed herself upright. Running a groggy hand through her rumpled silver-gray hair, she glanced toward the foot of the bed where her pile of game plushies sat in a chaotic heap. Monsters, bosses, NPC companions—all chibified, hyper-cute, fluffy caricatures of things that were not meant to be fluffy.

  She’d checked. There was no longer an Elaria plush. She suspected the woman had either confiscated it or scorched it.

  Part of her thought that was a loss. The rest was extremely relieved.

  Her eyes shifted toward the traitorous wardrobe in the corner.

  She’d come dangerously close to teleporting the entire thing into the deepest part of the lake last night with a Hollow Reach. Only the reminder that she was, technically, an adult with a minimum standard of dignity and self-control had stopped her.

  Worst case, she’d stash the most incriminating outfits somewhere unreachable and pretend they’d never existed. Like any reasonable person burying their digital past.

  She shook her head. Being dragged into her gaming reality had screwed her on levels she hadn’t anticipated. Things that were normal—or at least just harmless fun—in pixel form became painfully embarrassing in three dimensions.

  Though she supposed that, in the grand scheme, she’d gained a whole lot more than she’d lost.

  Rubbing her eyes, she pushed off the blankets and stood. Stretching out stiff muscles, she pulled the blinds open fully to let sunlight flood the room, then headed for the door.

  She hadn’t even taken three steps into the hallway when she heard quick, excited footsteps in the room next door. A smile tugged at her lips.

  The door swung open and a bright-eyed Serel bounded out, colliding with her in a tight hug. “Good morning!”

  Vera brushed a hand through the girl’s hair. “Morning, kiddo. Tell me you haven’t just been sitting in your room waiting for me to wake up.”

  “Okay,” Serel said immediately. She made a zipping motion across her mouth. “I won’t!”

  Vera snorted softly and glanced into the girl’s room.

  She was relieved Serel could still greet mornings with this kind of enthusiasm. Vera continued to be hesitant about letting the girl sleep in her room because of her night terrors. Serel seemed to understand, but she clearly had her own fears. Vera did what she could to help with those, though, staying with her until she fell asleep every night and always making sure her breathing had settled before leaving.

  She would have liked for the nightmares to vanish now that she’d adapted more to Veralyth’s body and her place in this world, but she doubted that sort of trauma would evaporate just because she wanted it to. Though she hadn’t had another episode as severe as their first night in Marrowfen, she’d woken trembling a couple of nights ago, thinking about her parents.

  Today, though, Vera was focusing on the present.

  Serel chattered beside her as she went to wash up from the previous day, then the two of them made their way to the dining chamber, following the smell of something warm and savory drifting from the kitchen.

  “Good morning, my lady, young miss,” Caldrin greeted them as they peeked inside. The man was already elbows-deep in preparations.

  Vera had brought him back from Marrowfen late last night. Apparently, he’d spent more than half the evening trying to explain to the right people why a dragon had suddenly appeared in the city. People were reasonably on edge with everything that had happened recently, and it didn’t help that Hollowsstone Table’s Chapter Master had suddenly gone missing.

  That part was on Vera. She might have dropped Vanded off in an area crawling with just enough monsters that it would make his return trip difficult. He was probably back now, but she imagined it had taken some time.

  Did she feel some guilt? Yes.

  Did she regret it? Not in the slightest.

  That man needed to learn how to read a room.

  Or maybe she’d just make him spar again today. He could take at least a few good hits before things started cracking, which made him perfect for letting her move her body and have fun while burning off excess energy. And for all his character shortcomings, he didn’t at all mind a few broken bones or whatever else came with it, which was respectable enough.

  It did strike her as slightly concerning how much she enjoyed causing moderate injuries to another person nowadays, but if they were willing—and she could patch them up after—she wasn’t going to lose sleep over it.

  One or two vices had to be okay. She’d already accepted she was a battle junkie. The only important part might be keeping Serel insulated from that part.

  “So, what are you making?” she asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the doorframe while Serel scampered back into the dining room, already grabbing her drawing supplies from the cupboard. Caldrin chopped, stirred, and seasoned in the kitchen with a practiced ease that Vera couldn’t help envying.

  “A roasted barley porridge with sunfruit compote, spiced eggs, and crisped flatbread,” he said while working.

  “That’s new.” Vera frowned faintly. “Sounds a bit fancy for breakfast.”

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Would you have preferred pancakes?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I see. Unfortunately, it would violate my professional integrity to outperform my lady in the one culinary domain in which she excels. Were I to prepare pancakes, the young miss might never request yours again.”

  Vera studied him for a beat, then clicked her tongue and left the kitchen to help Serel set up.

  They sat as the girl continued a drawing she’d started the night before, depicting herself standing beside Vera and Elaria, with a dragon looming cheerfully in the background.

  Vera mostly watched. She’d taught Serel plenty of basic techniques over the past few days—shading, overlapping, and more, since Serel sometimes started asking questions like a miniature art gremlin—but the girl was still a bit too young and inexperienced to apply most of them consistently. She forgot half of them mid-drawing, but that wasn’t something Vera corrected too harshly. She thought the amount Serel had already improved was impressive enough.

  The smell of breakfast thickened in the air as a set of steps approached. Serel stopped drawing instantly, head swiveling toward the doorway just as Elaria appeared.

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  “Mama!” Serel beamed, nearly launching out of her chair to hug the woman.

  Elaria—still almost fully armored—accepted the hug without shifting her stance, her crimson gaze sliding to Vera over the girl’s shoulder. They held each other’s stare for a moment.

  Last night had been… densely awkward, in Vera’s opinion. After their conversation, they hadn’t spoken much while keeping Serel company. It wasn’t until bedtime neared that Vera realized she didn’t even know whether Elaria intended to stay the night. She’d half-feared Serel might suggest all three of them pile into one bed, but thankfully, that disaster never manifested. Instead, things had proceeded normally enough, with Vera reading a couple of stories at Serel’s bedside and keeping her company until the girl fell asleep—only with the added tension of Elaria standing at the entrance the entire time, watching with a quiet, unreadable focus.

  Afterward, Vera had asked whether she was sleeping over, and the entire exchange had been far more uncomfortable than it had any right to be. She’d almost felt like she was doing something wrong simply by mentioning that the estate had plenty of spare rooms. And Elaria hadn’t stopped watching her with that intense, evaluating stare.

  Vera had to keep telling herself that there was no way the woman suspected her of using the opportunity to spy on her or attempt something idiotic.

  In the end, Elaria had agreed to stay for at least one night. That was when Vera had fetched Caldrin and asked him to prepare a room, and she hadn’t seen Elaria again until now.

  And she was half-worried the woman was about to give her that same look again and make her feel like a criminal when she really wasn’t as depraved as Elaria thought.

  Serel eventually released Elaria and scampered back to her seat.

  Elaria remained by the doorway for a few seconds longer.

  “…Sleep well?” Vera finally asked, because she needed something to cut through the silence.

  Elaria’s eyes lingered on her before shifting to Serel, then toward the kitchen. “Yes.” A faint line formed between her brows. “Is your servant cooking? Emberlain?”

  “Yeah. He’s way better at it than me, though don’t tell him I said that.”

  “Have no fear, my lady. There is no need for you to tell me what I already know,” Caldrin called from the kitchen.

  Serel giggled. Vera ignored it.

  Elaria’s attention stayed on the kitchen doorway before returning to Vera. “You still don’t employ any other staff?”

  “Ehm, no…” Vera said slowly. “I know it looks weird considering the size of the estate, but… Caldrin seems to manage.”

  “Seems to?”

  Vera scratched her head. “Hey, Caldrin! Would you like me to hire you some help?”

  “Do you doubt my capacity to oversee this household so deeply, my lady?” he called back.

  Vera shrugged at Elaria. “There you have it. I think he’s got an ego. I’d be a terrible employer if I stepped all over it, wouldn’t I?”

  Elaria didn’t look entirely convinced. “And how do you handle Serel’s education?”

  Vera blinked. “Oh. Well—I’m working on that. Caldrin’s helped a bit, and I’ve been teaching her things myself. I actually talked with a noble in Marrowfen yesterday about getting some more proper materials.”

  She hadn’t expected Elaria to ask about that. Was the woman seriously concerned she’d turn Serel into some depraved battle goblin?

  …Was her image really that bad?

  Elaria considered her for several more seconds before finally seeming to let the matter drop and sitting down next to Serel. The girl immediately held up her drawing to the woman, as if waiting for judgment. Elaria studied it, looking faintly unsure, then dipped her head. “It is good.”

  Serel beamed. “Have you seen Mommy’s drawings? They’re even better!”

  Elaria’s attention shifted to Vera. “Is that so? I have known you for fifteen years and was unaware you had talents beyond combat.”

  Vera hesitated, unsure whether that was meant as a dig or just a neutral observation.

  “Serel mentioned yesterday that you also sing,” Elaria added.

  “Mmm! And she’s the best,” Serel declared proudly.

  Elaria glanced at her, then looked back at Vera. “…Have you always had an inclination toward the arts?”

  “I suppose you could say that.” Vera scratched her cheek. “Might never have made a big deal out of it, though. Never been one to shout my talents to the world.”

  Elaria raised a skeptical brow.

  Vera frowned. “What?”

  “Only that your humility is… surprising. Few who see your home would reach the same conclusion.”

  Vera stiffened.

  She knew this place came off as weird.

  She cleared her throat sharply. “That’s… different.”

  “I am sure it is,” Elaria said.

  “It is.”

  “If you say so.”

  Vera held the woman’s gaze. Somehow, she felt like she was losing an invisible standoff, so she broke eye contact first and turned her attention back to Serel’s drawing.

  “What do you typically draw?” Elaria asked after a moment.

  Vera paused. Serel did too, turning her head expectantly.

  Vera stayed quiet for several seconds. “…I used to like drawing cityscapes.”

  “Cityscapes?”

  A brief flicker of surprise crossed Elaria’s face.

  “Yeah. Skylines, rooftops, alley runs—the whole thing. But my favorites were the hidden corners of cities. The spots everybody walks past without thinking about much.” She lifted a hand, gesturing vaguely in the air. “Like that little music shop tucked under the old overpass. Nobody could ever find it, but sometimes you could hear someone practicing inside. Or the courtyard wedged between the tram lines where stray cats held their board meetings.”

  Elaria gave her a mildly confused look. “Board… meetings?”

  “Painter slang,” Vera said with a small smile. “Don’t mind it.” She chuckled. “These days it’s mostly portraits and quick sketches that I stick to.” She nodded toward Serel, her expression softening. “I thought I was done with drawing altogether, but when your kid is this dangerously cute, it’s impossible not to capture her now and then.”

  Serel flushed pink. “Mommyyyy…”

  Vera laughed.

  She’d never understood why her father always enjoyed annoying her with comments like that. Now she did.

  Elaria watched the two of them without commenting further. Soon, Serel returned to her drawing, and Vera helped her add a few finishing touches to the piece. Eventually, Caldrin entered carrying several plates and bowls, along with a single large pot of coffee. Vera raised her brows at the coffee—she had never learned to drink the stuff—but was surprised when he set it in front of Elaria.

  “Lady Valecrest,” Caldrin said as he poured the drink into a cup. “I took the liberty of testing a new blend that has been popular in Marrowfen. I suspect it may suit your preferences.”

  Elaria gave him a brief, scrutinizing look before turning to the cup. Soon, she wrapped both hands around it. “Thank you.”

  She took a sip without remarking on the taste.

  Caldrin didn’t look bothered. He simply continued arranging the food on the table.

  Vera watched Elaria for a moment longer before turning to her own meal. She wasn’t shocked when she tried it and found that it was delicious. Serel made an enthusiastic noise as she devoured a flatbread crisp, leaning forward between bites to continue coloring in the wings of the dragon in her picture.

  “Would you be able to make a portrait for me as well?” Elaria asked suddenly.

  Vera looked up. “What?”

  “A portrait. Can I commission you?”

  “Uh… I guess? Maybe. Of what?”

  “Of Serel.”

  Vera stared. “Oh.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “I—” Vera hesitated, glancing at Serel before returning her gaze to Elaria. She hadn’t expected the woman to want that. Or at least she’d been unsure.

  Elaria’s tone cooled slightly. “Is there a problem with that request?”

  “No, no.” Vera raised her hands before lowering them. “I mean, yes. Sure. Of course. I can do that. But will we have time? When do you need to head back to Caer Virell?”

  “Mama, you’re leaving?” Serel’s small voice cut in. The girl looked between them, panic beginning to rise.

  Vera bit her lip. Stupid. She should have waited to talk about that.

  Elaria’s brow furrowed at her, before easing somewhat when she looked at Serel. “I have duties I must return to. They cannot be postponed for long.”

  A flicker of dismay crossed the girl’s face. “T-Then… I can’t see you anymore?”

  A heavy silence stretched.

  “…I will not leave immediately,” Elaria finally said. “The Covenant requires a full and accurate report regarding the situation in Marrowfen, and I intend to complete that first. We can discuss what comes after once that is done. Do not worry yet.”

  Serel didn’t look entirely reassured, but she nodded slowly and returned to her meal. Vera wanted to place a hand on her back, but didn’t. Sometime soon, they’d need to have a serious talk about where these things were going next.

  The tension eased enough for breakfast to resume, though more quietly.

  After a few minutes, Elaria’s gaze slid back to Vera.

  “You said you specialize in portraits at present?”

  Vera met her eyes, suddenly feeling uneasy. “…Yeah?”

  “Then should I expect portraits of myself to be among the ones you have made?”

  She froze.

  Serel blinked at both of them.

  Caldrin hovered in the kitchen doorway, blatantly eavesdropping.

  “No,” Vera said flatly. “I don’t know where you’re getting that idea.”

  She had drawn Elaria a few times, but that was years ago. None of those works would have survived to this world.

  “So if I were to search this estate,” Elaria continued, “I would not find anything resembling one?”

  “No.”

  The woman’s gaze stayed on her, heat tightening the air between them.

  Once again, Vera felt like she was being interrogated for a crime she hadn’t committed. What was it with this woman and—

  Then the thought hit her.

  Her eyes widened a fraction.

  She stared at Elaria. “There’s no way… Are you deliberately teasing me right now?”

  Elaria’s eyes narrowed.

  Vera had no idea what that meant.

  “I see you are as presumptuous as ever, Mournvale.” The woman looked away without another word.

  Vera frowned. She somehow got the sense that wasn’t the right thing to say.