Yuzu yawned again, her ears twitching slightly as she nuzzled against my lap. "I used almost all of my magic to teleport here," she mumbled, her voice growing softer, the exhaustion finally catching up to her.

  "Ah, right." I continued to caress her hair, feeling how soft and warm it was under my fingers. She let out a small, content sigh, her tail lazily flicking against my leg. Then a sudden realization hit me. "Wait… what about Ai and Yuki?"

  “They’re fine,” Yuzu murmured, her eyes half-lidded as if she was about to drift off at any moment. "Resting in the shrine."

  The way she said it, so matter-of-factly, made me exhale in relief. At least they were safe. Still, the thought of Yuzu burning through almost all of her magic just to reach me made me glance down at her with a mix of concern and gratitude.

  "You really overdid it, huh?" I muttered.

  Yuzu simply smiled, her eyes closing fully as she let herself relax against me. "Was worth it," she whispered.

  I kept caressing her hair, running my fingers gently through the silky strands. She let out a quiet hum, her ears twitching slightly at my touch.

  “You can sleep, you know,” I murmured, watching as her breathing slowed.

  Yuzu shifted slightly, pressing her cheek against my lap. “Mm… but then you’ll be gone when I wake up…” she mumbled sleepily, her tail curling around her body.

  I smiled softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She let out a satisfied sigh, her grip on my sleeve loosening as she drifted further into sleep. The fireflies danced around us, their soft glow reflecting off Yuzu’s peaceful face, making the night feel even more tranquil.

  Yuzu’s breathing grew steady, her tail slowly relaxing as her body softened against me. Her ears twitched once before settling, and a quiet sigh escaped her lips.

  I glanced down at her, the dim glow of the fireflies casting a warm light over her peaceful face. Her expression, usually filled with playful mischief or exaggerated pouts, was now completely serene.

  I adjusted slightly, making sure she was comfortable before continuing to gently stroke her hair. “Sleep well, Yuzu,” I whispered, my voice barely audible against the quiet rustling of the wind.

  The twin moons above shone brightly, their light mixing with the glow of the fireflies, creating a dreamlike scene around us. The night was calm, and for once, there were no interruptions—just the quiet sounds of Yuzu’s soft breathing and the gentle hum of nature around us.

  Luna’s golden eyes flickered with understanding as she carefully adjusted her pace, the soft rustling of her maid uniform barely audible in the quiet garden. The fireflies’ gentle glow reflected off the silver tray she carried, illuminating the delicate porcelain teacups resting atop it.

  She stopped just beside the bench, tilting her head slightly as she observed Yuzu sleeping peacefully on my lap. A small, knowing smile formed on her lips as she leaned down slightly and whispered, “She must’ve been exhausted.”

  I nodded, still stroking Yuzu’s soft black hair. “She used up a lot of her magic teleporting here.”

  Luna carefully set the tray down on a small wooden table nearby, ensuring not to make a single clatter. She then took a step back, her hands neatly clasped in front of her. “Would you like me to prepare a blanket for her?” she asked softly.

  I glanced down at Yuzu, her tail twitching slightly in her sleep, then shook my head. “She’s warm enough like this.”

  Luna let out a quiet chuckle, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. “How sweet,” she murmured before straightening up. “Well then, I’ll leave you two to your… peaceful moment.” There was a teasing lilt in her voice as she turned away, her steps light as she made her way back toward the mansion.

  I sighed, shaking my head at Luna’s playful tone before looking back down at Yuzu. Her breathing remained steady, completely undisturbed by the exchange. Smiling softly, I reached for the teacup, letting the warmth seep into my hands as I gazed up at the glowing twin moons.

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  The dining room was grand, bathed in the soft golden glow of morning light streaming through tall, arched windows. Velvet curtains, the same deep violet as Viola’s outfit, framed the windows, swaying gently with the breeze. A massive crystal chandelier hung overhead, its countless facets casting a dazzling array of colors across the polished marble floor.

  The centerpiece of the room, however, was the long, ornate dining table, stretching nearly the entire length of the chamber. It was covered in an elegant embroidered cloth and laden with a feast fit for royalty. Platters of steaming pastries, fluffy bread, and fresh fruits sat beside sizzling cuts of meat, golden-brown omelets, and delicate desserts. The air was thick with the rich aroma of butter, spices, and freshly brewed tea.

  Yuzu’s black fox ears twitched excitedly as she took in the sight before her. Her tail swayed behind her as she practically bounced on her feet, inhaling deeply. “It bery good smell!” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she sniffed the air, leaning forward eagerly toward the table.

  Viola, seated at the head of the table with her ever-present witch hat slightly tilted, smirked. “Eat up. Sol made a lot of food for breakfast today,” she said, elegantly gesturing toward the feast before taking a slow sip of her tea.

  I took my seat beside Yuzu, my gaze shifting toward the far side of the room where a petite figure stood, Sol, one of the mansion’s two maids. Her short emerald-green hair framed her face neatly, and she wore the same maid uniform as Luna, though with a slightly more practical touch suited for kitchen work. She nodded in acknowledgment before disappearing into the kitchen, her movements precise and efficient.

  Yuzu, on the other hand, wasted no time. She immediately reached for a plate stacked with sweet, fluffy pancakes, her tail swishing wildly as she piled more food onto it. “Bery feast! Yuzu will eat all!” she declared with absolute determination.

  Viola chuckled, setting down her teacup. “Just don’t choke.”

  Catherine sat with an air of refined poise, her crimson eyes glinting with amusement as she delicately twirled her fork between her fingers. The morning light from the grand dining room’s windows cast a soft glow on her, making the deep crimson of her witch's robe appear almost velvety. She took a slow, deliberate bite of a golden-brown potato cube, savoring the buttery texture before speaking in a deadpan tone.

  “Your lack of faith in the cabbage is disturbing,” she remarked, her voice as calm as ever, though a mischievous glint flickered behind her eyes.

  Viola, sitting across from her, raised a skeptical brow, arms crossed over her chest as she eyed the plate of cabbage rolls sitting between them. “I’m just saying, out of all the things Sol could’ve made, why cabbage?” she said, nudging the plate away slightly as if the leafy greens personally offended her.

  Yuzu, in the middle of stuffing her mouth with a pancake soaked in syrup, tilted her head curiously. “Bery what is wrong with cabbage?” she asked, her ears perking up as she reached for a roll, inspecting it carefully before taking a big bite. Her tail twitched as she chewed, her expression thoughtful.

  Catherine took another bite of her meal, barely reacting. “Exactly. Cabbage is a noble vegetable. The foundation of many great dishes,” she continued, her tone eerily serious for such a ridiculous statement. “The true tragedy is your ignorance, dear sister.”

  Viola groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “By the gods, you sound just like Sol.”

  From the other end of the dining room, Sol let out a low chuckle, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel. She was dressed in the same neatly pressed maid uniform as Luna, though her shorter emerald-green hair framed her face in soft waves. Her golden eyes, sharp yet kind, gleamed with amusement as she leaned against the doorway.

  “She’s not wrong,” Sol chimed in, her voice carrying a playful lilt as she adjusted her sleeves. Though she and Luna were nearly identical in height, the contrast between them was clear, where Luna exuded a delicate, doll-like charm, Sol had a more confident, grounded presence, like someone who had spent years keeping everything running smoothly.

  Viola groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Not you too.”

  Sol smirked, giving a light shrug before disappearing back into the kitchen, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. “Doubt me all you want, Lady Viola, but one day, cabbage will save your life,” she called over her shoulder before vanishing from sight.

  Viola slumped back in her chair, defeated. “I hate that I can’t tell if she’s joking.”

  Catherine, without missing a beat, took another bite of her food and replied, “She’s not.”

  We kept eating in relative peace, the occasional clinking of utensils and muffled chatter filling the grand dining hall. Yuzu happily munched on a piece of fluffy bread, her ears twitching slightly with every bite. Catherine continued her silent crusade in defense of the cabbage, occasionally glancing at me with a knowing smirk whenever I hesitated to eat mine.

  Viola, despite her initial protests, eventually gave in and nibbled at her plate, though her expression remained one of mild suffering. Sol returned a few times to refill drinks, effortlessly balancing trays of tea and juice with the practiced ease of someone who had done this a thousand times before. Luna sat beside her sister, daintily enjoying a small fruit tart while swinging her legs beneath the table.

  As the last plates were cleared, Yuzu let out a satisfied sigh, leaning back in her chair with a contented stretch. “Bery… full,” she murmured, patting her stomach.

  “Good,” Sol said with a smile, gathering the empty dishes. “Breakfast should be enjoyed, after all.”

  Catherine stood, brushing crumbs off her coat before stretching her arms above her head. “Well, now that we’ve eaten, what’s next?”