Morning in Sedona City
"Creak~~"
The door to Lucas's room swung open with a soft groan, and Nicole stepped inside, her fox ears perked and her eyes bright with the energy of a new day. The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden rays across the wooden floor, where dust motes danced lazily in the air.
"Huh? Amelia, what are you doing here?" Nicole's voice was laced with surprise, her gaze darting to the silver-haired girl perched on Lucas's bed. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she tilted her head. "Did you sneak in last night to sleep with the young master again?"
"She came by this morning," Lucas said, cutting in as he tugged at the collar. Dressing himself in the intricate traditional garb was always a hassle without assistance, the layers of fabric slipping and bunching in ways that tested his patience. He gave the sleeve a frustrated tug, muttering under his breath about the impracticality of it all.
"Hehe, let me help, young master," Nicole chirped, gliding over with the grace of someone well-versed in such tasks. Her small hands moved with practiced efficiency, smoothing out the folds and adjusting the sash with a gentle touch. The faint scent of lavender clung to her, a reminder of the perfume she favored, blending with the crisp morning air.
"Everything alright at the castle while we were gone?" Lucas asked, raising his arms to let Nicole work. His mind was already shifting to the responsibilities awaiting him. "Has Elisa settled in?"
"Nothing to report, young master," Nicole said, her voice soft as she straightened his collar. "Annie managed everything perfectly in our absence. Elisa's been staying with Ayesha—they're sharing a room."
"Are they awake?" Lucas asked, flicking his sleeves to test their fit. Now properly arranged, felt lighter, its silk brushing against his skin like a cool breeze.
"Up and about," Nicole replied, draping Lucas's coat over his shoulders with a flourish. "They're in the dining hall right now."
"Alright, let's go eat," Lucas said, nodding. Before leaving, he cast a glance at Caesar, the panda, still sprawled in his makeshift "bear nest" in the corner of the room. The beast was snoring loudly, his round belly rising and falling with each rumbling breath. Lucas chuckled softly, the sight a comforting slice of normalcy, then led Nicole and Amelia toward the dining hall for breakfast.
"Hey, Ayesha, you're talking smack about me!" Annie's indignant voice echoed through the hall before Lucas even reached the door. The familiar sound of her playful outrage brought a grin to his face. This was the chaos of home—lively, warm, and unmistakably his. Mornings like this, filled with banter and laughter, were what made Sedona City feel alive.
"Where? I'm just stating facts!" Ayesha shot back, her tone dripping with mock innocence. She spread her hands wide, her purple hair bouncing as she leaned back in her chair. "Don't you love grabbing people's chests?"
Annie's face flushed, her fox ears twitching as she crossed her arms over her chest, puffing out her cheeks. "You're making me sound like a creep! Look, even Elisa's laughing!" She pointed accusingly at the elf, then turned her ire back to Ayesha. "You big-breasted, bottomless-pit cow! Just you wait—tonight, I'm coming for you!"
"No way!" Ayesha's voice shot up an octave, her eyes widening in genuine alarm. "I'm sleeping with Elisa tonight. There's no room for you!" The thought of Annie's sneaky, nimble hands was enough to make her shudder. The fox-eared girl's "attacks" were infamous, and Ayesha had no intention of becoming her next victim.
"Creak!"
Lucas pushed open the door, stepping into the dining hall with a light chuckle. "Good morning, everyone," He said, his voice warm with amusement. The scene before him was a perfect snapshot of his makeshift family—rowdy, affectionate, and utterly unfiltered.
"Young master, morning!" Annie called, her mood flipping instantly as she raised a hand in greeting. Lucas's return had lifted a weight from her shoulders, her usual cheerfulness now fully restored.
"Morning, my lord (young master)," Came the chorus from Freya, Helen, Mina, and Ayesha. Hazel, the youngest, let out a sleepy mumble, her rabbit ears drooping as she rubbed her eyes.
"Good morning, my lord," Elisa said, rising to perform an elegant noble's curtsy, her white hair catching the light like spun silver.
"No need for all that formality," Lucas said, waving a hand as he settled into the head of the table. His smile was easy, inviting. "This castle's your home now, Elisa. Treat it like one."
"Thank you," Elisa replied, her voice soft but sincere. She dipped into another curtsy, her skirt swaying gracefully. The knowledge that Lucas had invited her to live in the castle—a precaution against potential attacks—filled her with gratitude. It was a gesture of trust, one she hadn't expected but cherished deeply.
"Let's eat," Lucas said, picking up a pair of chopsticks and scooping a tangle of noodles from his bowl. He glanced around the table, then pointed with his chopsticks. "After breakfast, Elisa, Annie, Mina, and Amelia, you're coming with me to the research department."
"Yes, sir," The four replied in unison, their voices a mix of curiosity and readiness.
"Slurp, slurp~"
Lucas took a hearty slurp of his soup, the rich, savory broth warming his throat. His gaze shifted to Helen, who was patiently feeding Hazel, wiping a smear of soup from the girl's chin. "Helen, how's the school been while I was away?" He asked, his tone casual but attentive.
"Everything's fine," Helen said, her rabbit ears twitching as she smiled sweetly. "The students have been diligent, attending classes and keeping up with their studies. They're quite popular now, you know. Their families keep pestering them for the next chapters of Journey to the West."
"As long as they're not neglecting their lessons, let them have their fun," Lucas said, shaking his head with a wry grin. Sedona City had been swept up in a fever for Journey to the West, the tale spreading like wildfire among the populace. It was a cultural phenomenon he hadn't anticipated but was happy to see.
"Young master, the common folk are saying Sedona City is the place Tang Seng and his crew are heading to for their scriptures," Ayesha said, her words muffled as she shoveled noodles into her mouth. She tipped her bowl back, gulping down the broth with gusto.
Lucas paused, his chopsticks hovering midair. The idea caught him off guard, a spark of wonder igniting in his chest. He scanned the table, meeting the eyes of his companions, then spoke softly, almost to himself. "Maybe. Everyone carries a piece of paradise in their heart. If they believe Sedona City is that place, then so it is."
To the people of Sedona City, his city was a beacon—a sanctuary of hope, a tangible slice of the blissful world they dreamed of. The thought humbled him, a quiet affirmation of the home he was building. To the beast-eared girls around him, the sentiment was even simpler: Wherever Lucas is, that's our paradise.
"Slurp, slurp~"
Ayesha's loud slurping broke the moment, her purple hair swaying as she attacked her noodles with relentless enthusiasm. She glanced around, noticing the others had paused. "What? You guys not eating? Fine, I'll take it all!"
"No way!" Annie and Mina shouted in unison, their chopsticks diving back into their bowls with renewed vigor.
"Slurp, slurp~"
The dining hall erupted into a symphony of slurping, the group devouring their beef noodle soup with gusto. The clink of bowls and the occasional laugh filled the air, a perfect start to the day.
Half an hour later, breakfast was done, and the group dispersed to their tasks. Ayesha headed to the guard station, her spear slung over her shoulder. Helen took Hazel's hand, leading the sleepy girl to school, with Freya escorting them for protection. Nicole, ever the diligent steward, began her whirlwind of duties—organizing the castle's affairs, auditing the accounts for the perfume shop, pizza shop, and bun stall, and preparing to launch a new noodle shop. Her to-do list was daunting, but her fox-like efficiency made it manageable.
"Let's go," Lucas said, standing and motioning for Mina, Annie, Amelia, and Elisa to follow. They stepped out into the crisp morning air, the cobblestone paths of Sedona City bustling with early risers.
"Annie, anything major happened in the city while I was gone?" Lucas asked, his boots crunching against the gravel as they walked.
"Young master, Lord Yosen sent the horses," Annie reported, flipping through her small notebook. "He waited three days for you, then left."
"How are the horses? Any sick ones?" Lucas asked, his interest piqued. The arrival of warhorses was a significant step for his cavalry, a boost to Sedona City's military strength. As for Lord Yosen, Lucas didn't give him much thought. The man's claim of "waiting three days" likely meant he'd spent his time indulging at the Drunken Night, not pacing anxiously.
"Five horses fell ill, but Lord Yosen included them in the count," Annie said, her brow furrowing as she scanned her notes. Her short legs worked double-time to keep pace with Lucas. "They're at the breeding farm now. We've already sent some greenhouse vegetables to feed them."
"Good. Don't skimp on the feed," Lucas said, his tone approving. "Fatten them up and get them into military training as soon as possible." He reached out, playfully pinching one of Annie's fox ears, earning a delighted squeak from her.
The sooner the soldiers grew accustomed to the horses, the faster they could form a cohesive cavalry unit. Vegetables were a small price to pay—Sedona City's greenhouses produced more than enough, and only a select few could afford such luxuries anyway. Next year might bring shortages, but for now, there was plenty to spare.
"Yes, sir," Annie said, tilting her head with a grin as she scribbled a note to send more vegetables to the farm.
"Have James come to my study later," Lucas added, his voice lowering. "I have a task for him regarding Riverden City."
"Got it," Annie said, nodding as she jotted it down, her fox tail swishing with purpose.
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