Anyway, I just feel good now

Morning came, and clear birdsong echoed softly in the air.

Letia slowly opened her eyes, recalling last night’s long and exhausting contest with Lily.

Normally, Lily would have given up halfway through, but for some reason, she had persisted stubbornly until neither of them could claim victory.

For a brief moment, Letia’s gaze fell upon Lily’s sleeping face.

Her cheeks were soft and flushed, her expression peaceful — as if she were drifting in a sea of dreams.

Letia found herself unexpectedly captivated, her hand half-reaching toward Lily before she pulled it back, startled by her own impulse.

Could it be that she had feelings for Lily?

No — impossible.

It was only natural to find someone charming when they looked so gentle.

And besides, Lily was her “offering” — surely touching her out of curiosity shouldn’t feel strange?

“Letia…” Lily murmured drowsily in her sleep.

Letia’s heart skipped.

That soft voice lingered in her ears, and for an instant she wished Lily would say her name again.

But Lily fell quiet, still asleep, leaving Letia restless.

If she called to Lily, perhaps Lily might call her name in return.

“Lily… are you awake?”

Letia whispered, but Lily did not stir.

Then it dawned on her — wasn’t this the perfect moment to lightly touch her face?

No, what if she woke and misunderstood?

Still… there was no real harm in a simple gesture, was there?

Letia hesitated, torn between thought and impulse.

Before she knew it, her fingers brushed against Lily’s cheek — soft, warm, and impossibly gentle.

The realization struck her mid-touch: Why am I doing this? Why am I being gentle to someone who should be my enemy?

As her thoughts tangled, Lily’s eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Their gazes met.

Letia froze, quickly pulling her hand back and pretending to look elsewhere.

Had she stayed calm, Lily might have thought it a teasing gesture — but Letia’s flustered reaction only made Lily’s eyes glimmer with amusement.

“Letia?” Lily said slyly. “Were you just touching my face?”

“So what if I was?” Letia replied stiffly, trying to sound composed.

“Oh, it’s fine,” Lily said, grinning. “But your expression looked rather suspicious — don’t tell me you were charmed by my sleeping face?”

“Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous!”

Lily chuckled. “I didn’t know you could be this cute when you’re nervous. Go on, if you want to touch, I don’t mind.”

She tilted her head closer, clearly enjoying Letia’s discomfort.

“You—!”

Letia clenched her teeth in frustration.

No matter what she said, she would only sound guiltier, and Lily’s teasing would continue.

The thought crossed her mind to silence Lily with sheer boldness — but even that would only earn more mockery later.

So she could only swallow her anger and glare.

Lily smiled triumphantly — a small but satisfying victory.

At last, she had managed to turn the tables in their endless verbal sparring.

Watching Letia’s helpless irritation was oddly delightful.

“You just wait until tonight,” Letia growled. “We’ll see who has the last word!”

“Fine by me,” Lily said cheerfully. “Right now, I’m enjoying this.”

“Hmph! I’m not wasting breath on you!”

Letia threw on her clothes and left the room in a huff.

Lily watched her storm off, then burst out laughing.

Later, Letia sat at one side of the dining table, while Mira — a fox woman — sat gloomily across from her.

Amy, now awake, came running into the dining room.

When she saw the unfamiliar foxfolk stranger, she shrank behind Letia, peeking out nervously.

“It’s all right, Amy,” Letia said gently, patting her head. “This is Aunt Mira — she’s an old friend of your mother, Rhea.”

“Old… glue?” Amy tilted her head, puzzled.

“Old friend, sweetheart — someone who’s known your family for a long time.”

“Oh! Friend!” Amy brightened. “Hello, Aunt Mira!”

“Oh no…” Mira covered her face dramatically, pretending to sob. “I’m not even married yet, and already I’m being called ‘Aunt’… it’s heartbreaking!”

“Well, ‘sister’ might not fit either,” Letia remarked.

Mira sighed. “True, but still, I’d rather be called a sister to Letia than an aunt to her daughter.”

The dining chairs were too tall for little Amy, so Letia lifted her carefully and seated her at the table.

On the table were slices of bread, fried eggs, and ham — a meal prepared by Lily.

Letia’s own cooking style tended to be wild and rustic — roasting whole creatures over an open fire — so Lily had taken it upon herself to make breakfast this time, more for appearance than habit.

Normally, she would never bother.

Amy looked around eagerly, but seeing no milk on the table, her expression drooped.

“Here it is, Amy — your milk’s coming!”

At the sound of Lily’s voice, Amy’s face lit up instantly.

Lily carried a tray with one cup of warm milk and two glasses of honey wine.

The milk was for Amy, perfectly heated — not too hot, not too cool.

The wine, of course, was for Letia and Mira.

When Mira saw the honey wine, her expression stiffened slightly — it reminded her of some past mischief she’d rather forget.

Amy didn’t notice any of this. She clapped her hands and reached for the milk eagerly.

“Amy,” Lily said in a patient tone, “what do we say first? Remember what I taught you?”

Amy thought for a moment, then smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Mama Lily!”

“Good girl,” Lily said, stroking her hair. “Always remember your manners — don’t be like some people who love to argue endlessly.”

As she said this, she glanced meaningfully at Letia.

Letia’s face darkened, but she couldn’t retaliate — not in front of Amy or their guest.

To argue now would be far beneath her dignity.

Mira observed everything silently.

It was obvious — these two were far from harmonious.

Sharing a room was probably just for show.

If she had to guess, Letia slept in the bed, and Lily on the floor.

There was no way they were as affectionate as they pretended to be.

“So,” Mira said, trying to change the subject, “you must be the young woman who came to propose to our dragon clan?”

“Yes,” Lily replied calmly. “I’ve already sent my mother to discuss the matter. She said it’s almost settled.”

“Ah… I’m afraid that’s a misunderstanding,” Letia said, glancing at her with forced warmth.

“Because Lily and I—” she hesitated, teeth clenched, “—we’re already… engaged.”

Her tone was strained, as though each word cost her effort.

Lily smiled sweetly, though inside she was muttering curses at Letia for putting it that way.

Mira, however, barely heard the tension.

The word “married” alone struck her like a bolt of lightning.