"...Ughhh...."
"...Huh..? What... What happened last night...?"
I blinked against the sunlight piercing through floor-to-ceiling windows. The room swam into focus-spacious, with mahogany furniture polished to a mirror shine. A four-poster bed draped in emerald velvet. My travel-stained clothes had vanished, replaced by a crisp white nightgown.
What happened last night?
Wait a minute, my memory was a bit hazy. Let me think...
Last night, the four of us arrived in front of Claudia's mansion. After a rather tense conversation, we were allowed to enter, on the condition that we had to do some chores. Moments after Claudia herself went back inside the mansion, we all jumped for joy. And amusingly, we ran around laughing together in the garden in front of the mansion, then-
"The rock!" My hand flew to my forehead. A tender lump throbbed beneath the bandage.
When I tried to chase Manfred amidst the chaos, I tripped and hit my head against a large rock. It seems that shortly after that, I lost consciousness. And somehow, I ended up in a place like this. Ugh, what bad luck I have. Thank goodness my head has always been tough.
I looked around repeatedly. But I didn't see anyone. This room was spacious enough for the four of us. Or maybe they woke up before me? Well, that could be it.
"Hnnghh!"
I slowly placed my feet on the floor. My body still felt very stiff. It was only natural that I did a little stretching. After finishing my stretches, my vision was no longer blurry. I looked down and realized something was different. The worn clothes I had been wearing throughout the journey yesterday had been replaced with a brand-new white nightgown. Seriously, what on earth happened while I was asleep?
Curiosity got the better of me, and my feet led me to exit the room through the door in front of me. The corridor outside echoed with silence. My bare feet sank into plush carpets as I followed the scent of rosemary and sizzling waffles. Down three flights of spiral stairs, through a hall lined with oil paintings of glowering ancestors, until-
"There you are!" Fleda stood at a marble counter, kneading dough beside a man who looked sculpted from moonlight.
"Ah, Sis! You're awake!"
The stranger turned. Blond curls framed a face that belonged on a gallery-high cheekbones, eyes like melted gold, a smile that could've charmed frost from stone.
"F-F-Fleda...! W-who is that handsome man next to you!?" "Oh, he is-"
"Haha, looks like the sleeping beauty finally awakens. Let me introduce myself." His voice carried unparalleled class. "Leofric Aureo, at your service. Claudia's better half."
"Pffftt!" I choked on air. "You're married to Claudia?"
"Hey, what's wrong with you!?"
His laugh rang crystalline. "Thirteen years since then."
Oh my, I was shocked. How could I not be? Just yesterday, I had faced Claudia, who I thought was quite terrifying. And now you're telling me she's married? Moreover, her husband was so handsome that he seemed to radiate a dazzling light from his face.
"I-it's nice to meet you."
I introduced myself in return. Despite my earlier antics, he didn't seem angry at all. Perhaps it was true that two people with opposing personalities could make a great couple.
Fleda elbowed me. "Stop gaping, Sis. Help grate these potatoes."
As I shredded tubers, Leofric recounted last night's chaos: my ill-fated sprint across the garden, and the "heroic" headfirst dive into a decorative boulder.
In reality, I hadn't lost consciousness because my head hit the rock; rather, I was just extremely sleepy. Shortly after, Fleda and Alruna hauled my unconscious form upstairs while Manfred cheered.
"-and then this one-" Leofric nodded at Fleda "-demanded I fetch proper clothes.'"
Fleda flushed. "You saw her underthings! They were patched!"
"A trauma I'll endure," Leofric deadpanned.
I also asked where Manfred and Alruna had gone. Apparently, they were outside cleaning the horse stable. Phew, I was lucky I didn't go out looking for Manfred but headed straight to the kitchen instead. They must be suffering quite a bit right now.
***
"Manfred! Alruna! breakfast is ready!"
"...Finally. FINALLY!!!"
The pair's squeals echoed through the mansion as they bolted toward the dining hall. After hours mucking stables, even manure-scented air couldn't dampen their hunger.
We gathered in the dining room. Specifically, around an oak table polished to mirror sheen. Leofric presided at the head, his smile warm as summer mead. According to him, our presence made the mansion livelier than usual. "Claudia sends regrets-guild business-but insisted we feast in her stead."
The spread stole my breath: golden Rösti pancakes stacked like miniature towers, drizzled with cream and speckled with chives. Manfred's fork hovered, torn between devouring and preserving art.
"Mmmm! This is delicious!"
With various herbs and spices on top, it offered a salty and spicy flavor. The harmonious blend of spices made this dish very popular among the elves living in eastern Ingvaeon. Eating just one was never enough for me. Fortunately, Fleda and Leofric had made extra portions so we didn't have to worry about running out.
That was when the twins arrived mid-bite-two mirror images with sleep-tousled blonde braids and nightgowns dusted with snowflakes.
"Papa... food...?" yawned one, rubbing azure eyes.
"Wash up first, little stars," Leofric said, kissing their crowns.
"...Yes, Papa..."
Wait, did she just say 'Papa'? Hearing that Claudia was married was shocking enough, but twin daughters? Very, very hard to believe. They were so cute; they both look like miniature versions of Fleda.
They then returned scrubbed pink, braids re-done. The first one-identified by her slightly crooked hair ribbon-climbed onto Leofric's lap. While her sibling claimed the seat beside me.
"Introduce yourselves, Amalia, Amelie" Leofric prompted.
Amalia raised her right hand. "I'm Amalia! Big sister! Nine!" She's the one sitting on Leofric's lap.
Amelie mirrored the gesture. "Amelie! Little sister! Nine!" And she's the one sitting beside me.
Ouch. I could feel my heart being pierced by their cuteness. Their long, golden blonde hair shimmered like sunlight, framing their delicate features. With arctic blue eyes that sparkled with mischief, they exuded an enchanting charm. Their skin was exceptionally pale and smooth, giving them an ethereal quality. As they tasted Fleda's Rösti, their small, pointed ears twitched slightly, adding to their irresistible allure.
Moreover, their lisped speech had a magical effect on anyone who heard it, evoking smiles and warmth. Each word they uttered seemed to dance in the air, wrapping around listeners like a gentle embrace. It was impossible not to be captivated by their delightful presence, a perfect blend of innocence and charm that left a lasting impression.
"Amalia, Amelie, these are our guests who will be staying for a few days."
"Angels! Actual angels!" Their lisp melted Fleda instantly as she clasped her chest. "Ahem. Hi, Amalia, Amelie. I'm Fleda."
"Hi, I'm Adele, Fleda and Manfred's older sis. You can count on me if there's something difficult for you two!"
"Good morning, Amalia, Amelie. I'm Alruna. Nice to meet you both."
Manfred turned beet-red. "H-hi! I'm Manfred! I-I can play knights with you later!"
Amelie tilted her head. "Knights are boring. We ride wyverns!"
"Wyverns?" Manfred squeaked.
"Stuffed ones," Leofric clarified. "Claudia's... eccentric gifts."
Breakfast dissolved into chaos. The twins dunked Rösti in honey, debated the merits of frog versus lizard familiars, and declared Fleda's cooking "better than Papa's!"
"It seems we have two little traitors here," Leofric sighed, though his eyes sparkled.
Fleda preened. "What's your favorite food? If it's something I can make, I'll try to!"
"Amalia's favorite food...."
"Amalia doesn't know. Everything Papa makes is good, but Fleda's cooking is even better!"
"I think so too," Amelie agreed.
"Thank you!"
"Even though usually you two say Papa's cooking is the best in the world. Well, I can agree with that," Leofric said. Yep, no doubt, wherever I go, Fleda's cooking always leaves an impression.
"Then, what food do you not like?"
"No yucky veggies!" Amalia scrunched her nose.
"Yucky!" Amelie echoed.
"I'll remember that for the next time I cook!"
Post-meal, chores divided us. Leofric assigned me firewood duty-a mountain of logs behind the ice-glazed greenhouse. Meanwhile, Leofric had assigned Manfred and Alruna to clean the living room. Fleda got the easiest job-she was tasked with taking care of Amalia and Amelie while their father went to trade.
Perhaps because it was snowing, the cold air bit sharply as I stepped out of the mansion. In the corner, there were still many logs that hadn't been processed. It seemed this job would be quite arduous for me today.
Thwack!
The blade bit deep, splinters flying.
Thwack!
Manfred's laughter drifted from an open window-he and Alruna dusting ancestral portraits, no doubt botching the job.
Thwack!
Fleda's voice joined the twins' giggles upstairs. "No, Amelie! The doll's armor goes under the dress!"
Thwack!
My breath fogged the air, muscles burning, but the rhythm soothed. Each split log stacked neatly, a fortress against winter's bite.
Around thirty minutes, the firewood was split in half the usual time-years of village labor had honed my axe swings. With lunch still hours away, I trudged through fresh snowfall toward the mansion.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
My boots sank into knee-deep drifts. By tomorrow, Claudia would likely order me to shovel this.
As soon as I entered the mansion, warmth enveloped me. It felt incredibly comforting. Bored waiting lunch, I decided to look for Fleda, who was playing with Amalia and Amelie. Laughter still trickled from the twins' room.
Creak.
"Afternoon, sister!"
Fleda stood frozen, Amelie perched on her shoulders. Amalia tugged her skirt. "My turn!"
"Help!" Fleda hissed.
I scooped Amalia up. "Up we go!"
She squealed, tiny hands gripping my braids. "Higher than Amelie!"
I smirked. At 6 pes 1 (around 180 centimeters), even Fleda's stubborn posture couldn't rival me.
Amelie pouted. "Cheater!"
"Life's unfair, little star," I said, bouncing Amalia.
Fleda groaned. "You're corrupting them."
"And you're jealous."
Amalia patted my head. "Adele's tallest!"
"Tallest and strongest," I said, flexing.
Amelie gasped. "Like Mama!"
Fleda's scowl softened. "Gods help us."
For a heartbeat, I glimpsed her future-children clinging to her skirts, a cottage echoing with laughter. The thought warmed me more than any hearth.
***