The moment she stepped out of the airport, Elysia hooked a finger around the handle of her suitcase. The silver-white hem of her dress swayed lightly with each step, and her crystal-bright eyes shone with excitement.
She looked around eagerly.
This city was completely unfamiliar, and everything about it felt fresh. Every corner tugged at her curiosity.
Along the smooth walls of the pedestrian passage, emblems of crossed sword and shield were neatly affixed at regular intervals. You could hardly walk a few steps without spotting one.
At the top of the central fountain stood a round, puff-cheeked Homu, happily spraying water into the air. The droplets caught the sunlight and glittered like scattered diamonds.
Bright fast-food signs flashed in cheerful colors. Behind glass display windows, food gleamed in warm, tempting hues.
None of this existed in Siberia's endless ice and snow.
"All those years spent buried in frost and blizzards," she sighed softly, lips curved in a faint smile. "The coldest thing I touched was a rifle. The most common thing I ate was mashed potatoes. I've never seen anything this lively~"
Resting her chin on her hand, Elysia's eyes shimmered with anticipation. Her fingertip tapped her cheek lightly.
Somewhere along the way, she had already decided.
Her upcoming campus life would be her main storyline.
"…"
Just as her thoughts drifted toward youthful classrooms and sunlit hallways, a faint set of footsteps brushed past her.
A girl wearing a black mask and Bluetooth earbuds strode by. Her lashes were lowered, hiding her eyes. A nearly inaudible murmur drifted on the wind.
"She's never even seen Homu…"
"Poor thing."
The voice was soft, but Elysia stopped in her tracks.
She turned slightly, her gaze chasing after the sound. All she caught was a glimpse of fluffy white hair slipping around a corner and vanishing into the crowd.
"Judging by that voice…"
Elysia tapped her chin thoughtfully. Her eyes spun once, and she suddenly clapped her hands, excitement lighting her tone.
"That sounded like… a pretty girl!"
"Wait up, wait up…!"
Gripping her suitcase, she hurried forward. The heels of her shoes clicked brightly against the polished tiles.
By the time she reached the corner, slightly out of breath—
There was nothing left but a sea of moving heads.
Not even a strand of white hair remained.
"Aww… I missed her…"
Her shoulders drooped. The lively curve of her lips fell, and even her eyes dimmed slightly.
Hidden in the crowd, the white-haired girl tilted her head, absentmindedly twirling a lock of hair around her finger. A faint haze of confusion clouded her golden eyes.
Does she know me?
From the family?
She shook her head quietly.
"That shouldn't be possible… There's no pink hair in the family. Everyone has the same color."
Elysia rose onto her toes and spun in place, scanning the bustling hall. But the crowd was too thick. Faces blurred together, and any trace of the girl was long gone.
"Hopefully I'll see her again… If not, I might lose sleep over it."
She patted her cheeks lightly, lifting her spirits once more.
Her first day in Europe, and she had already stumbled into such an intriguing encounter.
Perhaps it was a one-of-a-kind welcome gift from fate.
—
"Have you arrived yet, Elysia?"
As she stepped out of the car in front of the hotel, she answered the call. The familiar voice in her ear made her bounce slightly on her toes.
"Just got here, Mom~!"
"Where are you now? Going to eat? Did you check into the hotel?"
"I'm about to eat~" Elysia laughed softly, her eyes curving.
"Then eat first. Don't forget to call everyone later. Don't just run around having fun."
Cocolia's voice carried gentle exasperation.
"I trust you. But I also don't. Don't casually bring any 'friends' home, okay?"
Elysia swung her suitcase with one hand and held the phone with the other, nodding along like a content kitten.
"I can't control you. But you'd better control yourself."
The tone was unmistakable. It was the regret of someone who had once brought a mischievous little wolf into a sheepfold and now feared the peace would never be the same.
"Hehe~ I know, Mom~!"
Elysia stuck out her tongue at the phone, sweet and sly all at once. "Bye-bye!"
The moment she hung up, she looked up and met the professional smile of the receptionist at the Kaslana Hotel.
The receptionist wore a crisp uniform. The same sword-and-shield emblem adorned her chest.
"Miss Elysia? Your reservation has been confirmed."
"Oh, you were already waiting for me? That's impressive efficiency!"
"It's our duty…"
The receptionist seemed momentarily dazzled by her radiant smile. She handed over the room card and gestured toward the elevators.
"Your room is on the twelfth floor. Turn right after the elevator. Would you like assistance with your luggage?"
"No need~"
Elysia waved lightly, slipped the card into her pocket, and lifted her suitcase again.
"I'm very capable, you know. This is nothing! I could even carry another person if I had to~ ♪"
With that, she dashed toward the elevator.
As the doors began to close, she winked playfully at the receptionist.
The poor girl nearly melted on the spot, clutching her cheeks as her colleague stared in disbelief.
Wasn't that a bit too fast to fall?
Not long after the elevator ascended, the very girl Elysia had been thinking about approached the counter.
She removed her black mask, revealing a cool, detached face framed by soft white hair.
"Give me a room card."
The receptionist nearly dropped her pen.
"S-Second Miss?! What are you doing here?!"
"Am I not allowed?" The girl's gaze flicked upward, eyes cold as ice.
The simple question shut her up instantly.
Anyone could tell her mood was foul.
Before the receptionist could even ask about room type, the girl had already taken a card from the counter and headed straight for the elevator without hesitation.
Only after the doors closed did the receptionist exhale shakily.
"Who ticked her off this time?"
Her colleague leaned in and whispered, "Probably the Third Miss. In all of Schicksal, she's the only one who dares provoke her…"
—
"Achoo—!"
Inside the old Kaslana residence, a loud thud echoed alongside a pitiful groan. A pale hand grabbed the edge of the desk as a girl slowly lifted herself up.
"Ugh…"
Kiana rubbed her sleepy eyes, only to find the homework in front of her completely untouched.
"Who's talking about me… so annoying! Ahh—! There's still this much left! Mom will definitely notice when she gets back. What do I do?!"
No time to think.
The white-haired homebody bolted from her room, clutching her homework.
"Big Sis! Sis—!"
"Kiana~"
A familiar voice sounded from the staircase behind her.
Her legs went stiff.
She turned around mechanically.
"M-Mom… You're back. Haha…"
"What's that in your hands? Let me see."
Leaning lightly on the railing, Cecilia tilted her head, speaking gently.
Please don't hit me…
Kiana avoided her gaze.
Her mother's current gentleness was a trap. The moment she saw that not a single word had been written, she would transform into a terrifying war goddess.
In the living room, Kiana stood like a scolded elementary student. Her twin braids swung nervously as Cecilia flipped through every summer assignment.
Every page was blank.
"Mom… I really tried to study. I just can't get it…"
"It's like ancient scripts or something. I can't understand it at all. Especially the United States language…"
"Why does one sentence have so many meanings?!" Kiana looked on the verge of collapse.
"What do you mean?" Cecilia asked.
"I mean—'What do you mean?' 'It doesn't mean anything.' 'Just mean something!'" Kiana blurted, then slumped onto the floor in utter despair.
"…."
After a brief silence, Cecilia almost sympathized.
Students these days truly had it hard.
But that was no excuse for unfinished homework.
"Where's Sirin?"
"She's mad." Kiana made a dramatic gesture.
"You annoyed her again."
Cecilia closed the notebook calmly.
"No! I just asked her to help me with my homework!"
Then her mind raced.
"Mom! I'll go apologize to her! Bye!"
And she fled like a startled rabbit, bursting out the door without looking back.
If she stayed any longer, her mother might actually make a move.
…
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