CHAPTER - 142

  Narrator: During the return trip, soothing music filled the cabin as a gentle breeze caressed the girls' faces, lulling them into sleep.

  Their calm, almost synchronized breathing created an atmosphere of tranquility.

  Dav, one hand on the wheel and eyes on the road, glanced at their reflection in the window.

  Leaning against each other, they looked like sisters... but the rare kind who truly get along.

  Dav thought, his gaze curious:

  "They almost seem like sisters... but the kind you choose and genuinely care for.

  I would have liked to bring Lucrezia too..."

  A slight smile curved his lips.

  "I'll drag her along next time... maybe I can tease her a bit, ahaha."

  The journey continued slowly, delayed by traffic.

  The two hours seemed to fly by in that unexpected bubble of peace.

  The Day Before

  Valeria had rushed into the kitchen, where Iris was helping Margherita prepare bread for the evening.

  She stopped at the doorway, her heart pounding with excitement.

  "Can I come too??"

  She asked with puppy eyes and a pout, feigning desperation.

  Iris, a bit surprised to see Valeria out of breath, asked:

  "Come where? Do you want to make bread with us?"

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Valeria, with a funny look and a pout, replied:

  "I mean the shopping, little Iris!"

  Iris, with her usual tender smile, wiped her hands on her apron and gently took Valeria's hand.

  "I don't mind... The more, the merrier.

  That way, we can have lunch together."

  Valeria bounced enthusiastically, squeezing her fingers.

  "Then I need to choose what to wear!

  I have a full closet, but nothing ever feels right!"

  Iris chuckled softly. She had never cared much about clothes.

  Valeria, happily looking at Iris:

  "Want me to show you some of my outfits? Maybe one will look even better on you!"

  Iris agreed, amused, and the two headed to Valeria's room.

  They spent the afternoon trying on clothes, laughing, posing in front of the mirror.

  Some outfits draped on Iris with such grace that Valeria was left speechless.

  Iris, shyly looking at Valeria:

  "Want to see mine now? They're not as fancy as yours, but...

  maybe you can help me choose for tomorrow?"

  They ran to Iris's room like childhood friends.

  Clothes spilled from every drawer as they flipped through a 2035 fashion magazine together, laughing and chatting for hours.

  They truly seemed like lifelong sisters.

  Iris, grateful and smiling, thanked Valeria.

  "Thank you, Vale. It was a wonderful evening."

  Valeria offered her the magazine:

  "Here! So you can stay updated and ask me for advice anytime you want!"

  She made a peace sign with two fingers, pointing them at Iris's nose.

  Later, they lay down to watch a romantic movie, eating chips and sweets until late into the night.

  Present

  Dav stopped the car in front of the academy's loading dock.

  Turning to the back seat, he gently woke the girls with a light touch on the shoulder.

  Dav, softly looking at the two sleeping girls:

  "Come on, we're here."

  Iris and Valeria stretched and yawned, their eyes still half-closed like two sleepy kittens.

  Iris got out and thanked him kindly, waiting for Margherita and the delivery workers to arrive.

  Dav, feeling tired himself, decided to go rest.

  Valeria, still half-asleep, clung to his arm like a panda and followed him silently.

  Once they reached Dav's room, he collapsed onto the bed, removing his shoes with one foot.

  Valeria flopped down beside him, moved closer to his face, and closed her eyes, finding comfort in his presence.

  Meanwhile, in Selene's room

  Sitting on the bed, phone pressed to her ear, Selene listened to the voice of her sister-in-law, Queen Eleanor.

  Eleanor, enthusiastic and curious:

  "Seli! So, how's it going with your prince- I mean, the training?!"

  Selene lowered her gaze, staring at the floor, then softly:

  "Training is going well. As for him... I don't know.

  There are many beautiful girls here, much more refined than me."

  On the other end, Eleanor's tone changed. Softer, deeper.

  "My dear... did he reject you? Or are you giving up on your own?"

  Selene raised her hand, observing it in the light streaming through the window, then smiled:

  "He's... amazing. He's not like the others.

  He doesn’t have dirty thoughts or hidden motives.

  Yes, he jokes a lot… but it's nice hearing him talk.

  And his hands are… warm."

  Eleanor shouted through the phone, excited and nosy:

  "Selene?! What do you mean his hands are warm?!

  What did you do, huh?! I want all the details, right now!!"

  END OF CHAPTER - 142