The next morning at the Vinson Estate began peacefully.
Birds chirped softly outside.
Sunlight filtered warmly across the estate grounds.
And inside Mia's barn—
SMACK.
Mia immediately woke up with a startled growl after something struck her directly on the snout.
"Grrh?!"
Another smack landed instantly.
SMACK.
"LADY MIA."
The terrifying voice of Miss Korbi echoed throughout the barn.
"CARE TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF?"
Still half asleep, Mia blinked several times in confusion while curled in dragon form atop her blankets.
Then she noticed it.
Miss Korbi standing before her holding torn black fabric with the fury of a betrayed war general.
Behind her?
Several estate maids looked emotionally devastated.
One genuinely appeared close to tears.
Mia immediately attempted the universal strategy known as:
nervous smiling.
Unfortunately, dragon smiles looked mildly threatening.
SMACK.
"Ow!"
Mia recoiled dramatically.
"Not the nose!!"
Another maid pointed accusingly toward the ruined dress pieces.
"We spent DAYS preparing that dress!"
"The stitching was handmade!"
"The fabric came from the finest tailor in the capital!"
Mia slowly lowered herself closer to the ground like a guilty oversized cat.
Mia looked up carefully.
"S-sorry…?"
SMACK.
"OW!"
She immediately covered her snout with both front paws protectively.
"Not the nose again!"
Miss Korbi looked utterly heartbroken.
"Do you have ANY idea how much effort we put into making you presentable for the royal ball?!"
"You looked absolutely beautiful!"
"And then you returned home and exploded the dress within TEN SECONDS!"
Mia's ears lowered slightly.
In fairness…
she HAD been emotionally dying.
One maid sniffed dramatically while holding a ripped sleeve.
"It was such a beautiful dress…"
The atmosphere genuinely resembled a funeral.
Meanwhile Mia remained curled defensively on the floor protecting her snout like a criminal under interrogation.
"…In my defense…"
Miss Korbi raised one hand again.
"I WAS TIRED!" Mia shouted immediately.
Silence.
Then one maid muttered quietly:
"…She does look regretful."
Miss Korbi stared at the giant guilty dragon for several long seconds afterward.
Then finally sighed deeply while rubbing her forehead.
"…Next time."
Her eyes narrowed sharply.
"You transform AFTER changing clothes first."
Mia nodded rapidly.
"Yes ma'am."
After the maids finally left the barn, silence returned once more.
Mia remained lowered against the floor for a moment, one front paw rubbing carefully against her sore snout.
"…Sighhh…"
A deep exhausted dragon sigh escaped her.
"That was a close call…"
She muttered dramatically while still protecting her nose.
"In my old life, I only owned four shirts and five pants…"
"No emotional damage. No luxury fabric. No maid death stares."
Being a dragon was somehow far more financially dangerous than office work.
After another moment, dark mana slowly shimmered around her body.
FWOOOM.
Her massive black dragon form shrank smoothly into her human appearance once more.
As always, the obsidian necklace around her neck and the bracelet crafted from her scales appeared instantly alongside the transformation magic.
Mia glanced down at them briefly.
"…Seriously."
She lightly tugged the edge of her sleeve while walking out of the barn.
"It would be REALLY useful if dresses transformed like these do."
Imagine the money saved.
And more importantly: the reduction in near-death experiences involving Miss Korbi.
Still half awake, Mia wandered quietly into the estate kitchen while morning sunlight streamed warmly through the windows.
The smell of fresh bread immediately hit her.
Comfort.
Peace.
No nobles.
Perfect.
The moment Miss Korbi noticed her entering, the head maid calmly looked over from the counter.
Though noticeably—
she was still carrying slight emotional damage from the dress incident.
"What would you like to eat, Miss Mia?"
Mia immediately answered with the energy of someone spiritually recovering from civilization itself.
"Uhhh…"
"Bread and butter."
"And maybe some tea?"
Miss Korbi nodded once.
"Alright."
She pointed toward a nearby chair.
"Sit there."
Mia obediently sat down immediately without argument.
After finishing her simple breakfast, Mia quietly sat at the kitchen table while morning sunlight spilled gently across the estate windows.
Fresh tea.
Warm bread.
Peaceful atmosphere.
Yet
something felt strange.
Usually by now, Miss Korbi and the other maids would already be adjusting her clothes,brushing her hair
fixing collars
telling her to sit properly
But today?
Nothing.
The maids simply continued their work quietly around the kitchen.
Mia slowly lowered her teacup.
Her blue eyes shifted slightly toward them.
Inside her mind:
…Weird.
Are they still mad about the dress…?
A brief pause followed.
…Yeah. They are definitely still mad.
The guilt returned immediately.
Mia quietly looked toward Miss Korbi.
"…Miss Korbi?"
The head maid turned calmly from the counter.
"Yes, dear?"
Mia hesitated slightly.
"…Are you still mad?"
Miss Korbi blinked once.
Then tilted her head faintly.
"What makes you think that?"
Mia awkwardly looked away.
"Well…"
Her voice became smaller.
"…You're not trying to dress me up like usual."
Silence.
Then suddenly—
several nearby maids looked away at the same time trying not to laugh.
Miss Korbi stared at Mia for several seconds before finally sighing softly.
"Oh, Lady Mia…"
The head maid walked closer before gently fixing a strand of Mia's dark hair.
"We were simply letting you rest today."
Mia blinked.
"…Huh?"
"You looked exhausted last night."
Miss Korbi's expression softened slightly.
"And despite what happened to the dress…"
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"…we know you did not mean it."
The guilt on Mia's face immediately became visible.
"…Sorry."
One maid laughed softly nearby.
"Honestly, seeing you panic afterward already made it difficult to stay angry."
Another maid nodded.
"You were covering your nose like a scolded puppy."
Mia immediately looked offended.
"I was under attack."
That finally broke the remaining tension in the kitchen as several maids burst into laughter.
Even Miss Korbi smiled helplessly.
Meanwhile Mia sat there quietly realizing something important again:
These people really did care about her.
After leaving the kitchen, Mia wandered into the dining hall feeling noticeably lighter than before.
Emotionally recovered.
Mostly.
At least nobody was attacking her snout anymore.
A moment later, Leo finally walked downstairs for breakfast, still looking half awake.
Though compared to months ago—
his appearance had clearly changed.
The constant training under Ebruhan was showing results now.
His posture looked firmer.
His movements sharper.
Extra muscle had begun forming naturally across his frame from relentless sword practice and endurance training.
Not overwhelmingly bulky.
Just… stronger.
More reliable.
Leo noticed Mia immediately and grinned.
"Hey."
"Feeling better?"
Mia nodded while stretching slightly.
"Yeah."
"Much lighter too."
Mostly because the terrifying dress tribunal had ended.
Leo chuckled before sitting down.
"Anyway, you hungry?"
Mia shook her head.
"Already ate."
Her eyes drifted toward him again briefly.
Even she had to admit: the training was seriously changing him.
Leo caught her staring.
"What?"
"…Nothing."
Mia answered casually.
"You just look more fit now."
Leo immediately looked proud of himself.
"Hehe."
"Training with Mr Blue Guy works."
Mia rolled her eyes slightly.
Then suddenly Leo seemed to remember something important.
"Oh right."
He pointed toward her dramatically.
"You know what day it'll be in eight days?"
Mia blinked.
"…Eh?"
Leo leaned closer before lightly tapping her nose.
"It's our birthday!"
Mia blinked again.
Leo grinned brightly.
"I'll finally be eighteen."
Then his smile softened slightly afterward.
"And you…"
Another gentle nose tap.
"…will be eight years old, my little sister."
For a brief second—
Mia froze slightly.
Because hearing that still felt strange sometimes.
Eight years.
She had really lived here that long already.
Long enough for this estate to feel more like home than her old world memories ever did.
Leo smiled warmly at her without realizing the thoughts running through her mind.
"So?"
He leaned back in his chair proudly.
"We should do something fun this year."
A moment later, footsteps echoed softly from the staircase as Emma finally stepped out from her guest room, still adjusting her hair slightly after waking up.
She noticed the two immediately.
"Oh?"
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Did I just hear something about birthdays?"
Leo nodded proudly.
"Yeah."
"In eight days."
Then he narrowed his eyes dramatically.
"You ARE coming this time, right?"
Emma blinked once.
Leo crossed his arms.
"You missed my seventeenth birthday."
Emma immediately coughed awkwardly.
"…I was busy."
Leo stared silently.
Emma sighed in defeat.
"Alright, alright."
A faint smile appeared on her face afterward.
"Of course I'll come this time, young master."
Leo finally looked satisfied.
Meanwhile Mia quietly listened beside them until Emma's attention shifted toward her.
"And Mia…"
Emma's expression softened slightly.
"Since you're turning eight…"
Her voice became more careful now.
"…be mindful if you start feeling strange, alright?"
Mia blinked.
Then immediately understood.
"…My growth phase."
Emma nodded once.
"It's getting close."
Mia leaned slightly against the table while thinking.
"…Right."
"I almost forgot."
Her blue eyes drifted downward briefly.
"Growth phases usually happen around six to eight years old, right?"
"Indeed."
Emma calmly pulled out a chair nearby before continuing.
"So if you suddenly:
feel unusually sleepy
experience unstable mana
emotional fluctuations
strange physical discomfort"
She folded her hands gently.
"Those may be signs."
Mia listened quietly.
Emma continued carefully.
"Though…"
A faint thoughtful look crossed her face.
"Your case is somewhat unusual."
Mia immediately looked up.
"…How?"
"Most dragons experience their first growth phase around six or seven."
Emma studied her briefly.
"But yours is slightly delayed compared to normal dragon development."
That made Mia pause slightly.
"…Is that bad?"
Emma immediately shook her head.
"No."
"Don't overthink it."
Her smile returned softly afterward.
"You've always been unusual from the beginning."
That was somehow both comforting and concerning at the same time.
Emma leaned forward slightly.
"You just focus on staying strong, alright?"
Before Mia could answer, Leo immediately raised one hand proudly.
"Don't worry!"
He grinned brightly.
"I'll cheer you up in your dreams again if it happens!"
Mia stared at him for a second.
Then quietly smiled.
"…Thanks, big brother."
The words came naturally now.
And somehow—
that still surprised part of her every time.
Morning sunlight stretched across the capital roads as foreign nobles and dignitaries gradually departed from the Kingdom of Lumeris after the royal ball.
Carriages lined the palace entrance one after another while knights prepared escorts for their returning journeys.
Among them—
the carriage bearing the crest of Kingdom of Norvoss naturally attracted the most attention.
Even now, palace guards remained subtly tense around it.
Not openly hostile.
Just careful.
Princess Selene stood elegantly near the palace stairs as she finished her farewells with King Cedric.
"Thank you again for your hospitality, Your Majesty."
Her golden eyes carried the same graceful calm as always.
"The royal ball was truly wonderful."
Cedric maintained a diplomatic smile.
"We are honored by your attendance, Princess Selene."
Nearby, Ebruhan stood quietly beside the king in his usual role as protector.
Selene turned slightly toward him afterward.
"And thank you as well, Dragon Nim."
Her smile carried faint amusement.
"For ensuring our journey remained safe."
Ebruhan crossed his arms calmly.
"It was simply my duty."
Selene gave a small elegant laugh.
"Even so…"
Her golden eyes briefly met his.
"…I quite enjoyed our visit."
Whether those words held hidden meaning or simple politeness remained difficult to tell.
Then finally, the princess stepped gracefully into the Norvoss carriage.
At the same time, General Aerys climbed onto his dark warhorse nearby.
Even mounted, the general's presence remained imposing.
Several Lumeris guards subtly watched him with caution.
Aerys adjusted the sword resting at his side before glancing toward the carriage.
Selene's voice echoed softly from inside.
"Shall we go?"
Aerys nodded once.
"At once, my princess."
The Norvoss escort slowly began moving forward afterward beneath the watchful eyes of the capital.
And as the carriage rolled away from the palace—
many within Lumeris quietly understood something important.
This visit had not merely been a royal ball attendance.
It had been observation.
Back at the Vinson Estate, the peaceful morning continued quietly beneath clear blue skies.
Mia stepped outside into the estate courtyard while stretching lazily after breakfast.
The warm sunlight felt nice.
Peacefully Perfect.
Nearby, Leo adjusted his academy uniform while preparing to leave for class.
"Bye, Mia."
Mia raised one hand lazily.
"Bye…"
Leo laughed slightly before heading toward the estate gates.
Then—
the sound of carriage wheels approaching echoed across the road outside.
Mia blinked.
A luxurious black-and-gold carriage bearing the crest of Kingdom of Norvoss slowly came to a stop near the estate entrance.
Leo immediately stiffened slightly.
Even the nearby servants looked surprised.
A moment later, the carriage window gently opened.
And there sat Princess Selene, elegant as ever beneath the morning light.
Her golden eyes settled calmly upon Mia.
"Hello, Mia."
Mia stared for a second before awkwardly raising a hand.
"…Princess Selene?"
Selene smiled softly.
"We are returning to Norvoss."
Then her gaze drifted briefly toward the estate itself before returning to Mia again.
"And I thought it would be rather rude to leave without saying farewell first."
The atmosphere suddenly became strangely tense.
Not hostile.
Just… unexpected.
Because this was not a palace meeting now.
This was:
outside Mia's home
without royal crowds
without political ceremony
Just a princess from a conquest empire casually stopping by to say goodbye.
Even Leo looked confused now.
Meanwhile behind the carriage, General Aerys sat calmly atop his horse, silently observing the estate surroundings with experienced eyes.
Mia slowly stepped closer toward the carriage.
"…That's surprisingly polite."
Selene laughed quietly.
"Must I always appear frightening?"
Mia immediately answered honestly.
"…A little."
That actually amused Selene more.