Alice and Rose didn’t even hesitate.
They ran.
Straight toward the grand staircase.
“WAIT-“I started-
Too late.
Their laughter echoed through the
space.
The staircase curved elegantly upward-
Its handles wrapped in crystal roses.
Each one catching the light-
Shining like frozen petals.
Soft cushions lined the steps.
Lanterns hung delicately above.
And tucked into the curve-
A small reading alcove.
Hidden.
Cozy.
Perfect. 2
“They’re going to live there,” Jason muttered beside me.
I smiled.
“They might.”
Alex didn’t run.
Of course he didn’t.
He walked.
+15 8çnus
5/11
Slow.
Observant.
Analytical.
Until-
He stopped in front of one of the decorative knight armors.
His hand moved.
Carefully gripping the sword-
And pulling.
A click.
Then-
The wall shifted.
A hidden door opening silently.
Alex froze.
Then-
“…no way.”
He stepped inside.
A second later-
A gasp.
Pure wonder.
“A LIBRARY?!”
Jason turned slowly toward me.
Very slowly.
Eyes narrowing.
“You didn’t show me that.”
I blinked.
“…I forgot.”
He stared at me.
Unimpressed.
“Amber.”
I shrugged slightly.
+15 8gnus
6/11
“There’s a lot.” 1.
Meanwhile-
Iris had wandered off quietly.
Drawn.
Gentle.
She stood at the entrance of the indoor garden-
Eyes wide.
Soft.
Rows of herbs.
Flowers blooming in careful harmony.
Sunlight filtering in through glass above.
Mrs. Sun stood beside her.
Equally enchanted.
“Oh, this is divine…”
Iris knelt slightly-
Touching a leaf with care.
Like it might disappear.
“This is beautiful,” she whispered.
Mrs. Sun looked at me-
Then smiled.
“My dear…”
A pause.
“I believe I will be staying the night.”
Jason huffed a quiet laugh.
“Oh?”
She waved a hand lightly.
“I will take care of the children.”
A knowing look.
“You two should rest.”
I rolled my eyes.
+15 Bonus
7/11
But smiled.
he rooms-
Each one told a story.
The first-
A woodland fantasy.
Two levels.
Soft green tones.
And flooring designed like a flowing river-
Separating the beds like a gentle stream.
Alice claimed it immediately.
“This one is mine!”
Rose nodded quickly.
Staying close to her.
Safe.
The second-
A castle battle arena.
Stone-textured walls.
Wooden beams.
Practice dummies.
And racks of fake swords.
Alex’s eyes lit up.
“I’m taking this one.”
Jason crossed his arms.
“Absolutely not.”
“It’s perfect.” 1
“It’s dangerous.”
“They’re fake.”
“They look real.”
“It builds character.”
“It builds injuries.”
+15 Bonus
8/11
Home
“You can’t keep it, i claimed it first.”
ighed, before Jason could respond.
“Jason…”
He looked at me.
“…let him have it, we have our own room.”
A pause.
Then he grumbled.
“…fine.”
Alex grinned.
Victory.
The third room-
A flower garden.
Soft colors.
Blooming patterns everywhere.
With a small turret-
Overlooking the ocean.
Mrs. Sun clasped her hands together.
“Oh, I adore this one.”
She turned to me.
“I will take this room.’
Of course she would.
The day passed-
In laughter.
In movement.
In something that felt…
Normal.
For once.
No politics.
No enemies.
No war.
+15 Bonus
9/11
Just family.
By the time evening came-
The kitchen filled with warmth again.
But this time-
It wasn’t me.
It was Jason.
Cooking.
Focused.
Sleeves rolled up.
Completely at ease.
“Since when do you cook?” I asked. 2
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