"Alright," Ryn replied before activating his ability.

  Zip.

  He appeared right outside his room.

  He then gently opened the door.

  "...."

  He found the girl already sitting up on the bed. She was running her long, slender fingers through her white hair, trying to tame the messy strands that stuck out in every direction from her nap. The duvet he had conjured for her had slipped down to her waist.

  She paused mid-motion when he appeared.

  Ryn stood there, hands in his pockets. The girl looked back at him, her violet eyes still slightly hazy with sleep.

  They stared at each other in silence for a moment. The air between them was comfortable, heavy with an unspoken familiarity.

  "Did you sleep well?" Ryn asked first, breaking the silence softly.

  The girl blinked slowly. She looked down at the soft duvet, then back at him. A faint warmth touched her cheeks.

  "Mmm."

  She nodded gently.

  "Thank you."

  Her voice was soft, melodic even in its morning rasp.

  Ryn nodded back, accepting her gratitude. He gestured toward the door.

  "Wash your face and come downstairs. Lunch is ready."

  "Mmm."

  The girl nodded again, a small, obedient hum escaping her throat.

  Ryn turned away and left the room, closing the door behind him to give her some privacy.

  _____ ___ _

  [ Ten Minutes Later ]

  The savory aroma of the vegetable stew filled the dining room.

  Ryn sat at the table, arranging the cutlery. Opposite him, little Raya was swinging her legs on the high chair, clutching her spoon impatiently. Kaya was placing a pitcher of chilled water in the center.

  Tap. Tap.

  Soft, rhythmic footsteps echoed from the hallway.

  Ryn, Raya, and Kaya stopped what they were doing and looked toward the entrance.

  The girl walked into the room.

  She had tidied her appearance completely. Her white hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of silk, and her face was fresh and glowing. She moved with an effortless, ethereal grace, as if she were gliding rather than walking across the floor.

  "Sister Ayla!"

  Raya was the first to react. She bounced in her high chair, her eyes sparkling with delight as she waved her spoon in the air.

  "Come, come quickly!"

  Kaya smiled warmly, wiping her hands on a clean towel. She pulled out the chair next to Ryn.

  "Come sit, dear," she called out gently. "The stew is hot. It tastes best right now."

  Ryn remained silent. He simply picked up the ladle and began filling the bowls, his movements practiced and calm.

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  Ayla looked at them. A soft look passed through her violet eyes.

  She nodded politely to Kaya.

  "Thank you, Auntie."

  She walked over gracefully and took the seat between the energetic child and the silent young man.

  Kaya sat down opposite them, looking at the three of them with a satisfied expression.

  "Let's eat," she announced happily.

  "Ok!" With little Raya taking the initiative, everyone began to eat, the clinking of silverware against ceramic filling the comfortable silence of the room.

  Kaya led the conversation, her face glowing with maternal warmth as she piled more vegetables onto Ayla's plate.

  "So, Ayla, how have you been, dear?" Kaya asked, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Did you manage to get some rest during the summer break? I heard the Academy's curriculum is quite demanding."

  Ayla swallowed her food gracefully before answering.

  "I am doing well, Auntie. Thank you for asking," she replied, her voice soft and respectful. "The break was peaceful. I spent most of it at the estate, preparing for the upcoming semester. It was quite relaxing."

  "That's good to hear," Kaya nodded approvingly. "You work too hard sometimes. You need to take care of your health first."

  Ayla listened attentively, nodding at every piece of advice Kaya gave. There was no awkwardness or distance between them. Despite her noble bearing and stunning appearance, Ayla fit into the modest Dale household perfectly, as if she had always been a part of it.

  Raya chimed in occasionally, babbling about her recent adventures, to which Ayla responded with a gentle patience that made the little girl beam.

  Ryn ate silently, observing the scene with a faint sense of peace.

  Soon, the plates were empty.

  Ayla placed her spoon down and immediately stood up, reaching for the empty bowls.

  "Let me help you with the dishes, Auntie," she offered.

  "Oh, no, absolutely not!"

  Kaya stood up quickly, gently taking the plates from Ayla's hands.

  "You are a guest, Ayla. Besides, look at your beautiful dress. We can't have you getting water or dust on it."

  "But..." Ayla hesitated.

  "Go sit in the living room," Kaya insisted, pointing toward the sofa where Raya was already waiting with a toy. "Play with Raya. She has been dying to show you her new puzzle."

  She then turned her head, her gaze locking onto Ryn.

  "Ryn will help me," Kaya stated firmly.

  Ryn stood up without a word of protest. He knew better than to argue with his mother when it came to Ayla. In this house, during Ayla's visits, the hierarchy was clear: Ayla was the treasured daughter, and he was the labor force.

  "Naturally," Ryn replied, rolling up his sleeves.

  Twenty minutes later, the table and kitchen were spotless.

  Ryn dried his hands and headed upstairs to his room. He took a quick bath and returned to his room. He opened his closet, pushing aside his casual home wear.

  He selected a crisp white shirt, dark trousers, and a charcoal vest. It was a semi-formal outfit, stylish yet comfortable enough for walking.

  As he buttoned the shirt, he let out a breath of relief.

  'Good thing I remembered on time.'

  Ayla had come for more than just a meal or a place to sleep. She arrived specifically to go out with him. They had arranged this outing two weeks prior. Since she missed his academy admission party, this would serve as her way to make it up to him.

  If he had forgotten, or worse, logged back into the game immediately after lunch... the consequences would have been dire.

  "The game can wait," Ryn muttered, adjusting his collar in the mirror. "This is way more important."

  He checked his appearance one last time.

  Satisfied, he grabbed his coat and tapped his Arc-Watch to hail a ride.

  He then headed downstairs.

  In the living room, Ayla was building a block tower with Raya. Seeing Ryn descend the stairs dressed in outing clothes, she stood up, smoothing her skirt.

  "Leaving already?" Kaya asked, walking out of the kitchen with a knowing smile.

  "Yes," Ryn nodded. "We should get going."

  "Have fun!" Kaya beamed, meaningfully winking at Ryn.

  Raya, however, clung to Ayla's leg.

  "Nooo! Sister Ayla, stay!" the little girl whined, looking up with big, watery eyes.

  Ayla crouched down and patted Raya's head gently.

  "I will come back soon, Raya. Be a good girl for Auntie, okay?"

  Raya pouted but eventually let go, waving her small hand reluctantly.

  "Bye bye..."

  Ryn opened the front door, allowing Ayla to step out first.

  The afternoon sun was bright. A sleek, silver vehicle was already hovering silently at the curb, its gull-wing door hissing open as it detected their approach.

  "After you," Ryn gestured.

  "Thank you," Ayla smiled before slipping into the plush backseat.

  Ryn followed, settling in beside her.

  Hiss.

  The door sealed shut, cutting off the noise of the outside world. The vehicle hummed to life, lifting smoothly off the ground before accelerating into the designated traffic lane.

  As the scenery blurred past the tinted windows, Ayla turned to him. Her posture relaxed, shedding the perfect noble etiquette she maintained in front of his mother.

  She rested her chin on her hand, looking at him with a teasing glint in her violet eyes.

  "So," she hummed playfully. "Where do you wanna go? Your big sis will buy you anything you want today."

  Ryn rolled his eyes at her.

  "Haven't you already planned everything? Besides, I'm too lazy to think."

  Ayla chuckled softly, the sound clear and melodic in the quiet cabin.

  "I knew you would say that," she teased, her violet eyes dancing with amusement. "Don't worry, I have the perfect date plan prepared."

  She leaned forward and tapped the destination on the sleek holographic console between them.

  "Alright, off we go!"