The wind was soft, cold, ale, whispering ever so subtly as it carried the birds high in the sky. The clouds drifted ever so slowly, like gentle waves sailing a sea of gold and gar as the su over the faraway horizon.

  As the sky slowly faded into the darkness, a ptinum figure streaked across it like a bolt of lightning, fast as one be as it parted the clouds before her. She spread her wings proudly, gazing at the sery under her as she reigop the clouds.

  "Waah～! So beautiful..." ［Iris］

  Of course, such a splendid ptinum figure was her than Sirius and on her back were Grey, Yuna, and Iris. They are now heading towards Erdea, the princess' eyes sparkling brightly as she gazed upon the sery unfolding before her.

  Though Iris had ridden on one of the familiars before, they were on the sea back then and all she could see was the sea and a couple isnds here and there, with ships dotted around from time to time. It was beautiful.

  But now that they are on nd, it is a pletely different experience. From winding rivers to high mountains and expansive forests, there were a lot of wonderful sights to behold, eae uo their own and just as fantastic.

  "Iris, would you like some dy?" ［Yuna］

  " I?" ［Iris］

  "Of course you , you silly girl. But, ah! Dooo much, okay? We'll be having dinner soon after we nd." ［Yuna］

  "Yes!" ［Iris］

  Yuended her hands out and as soon as she ope, a colorful bination was unveiled. There were dies of all fruity fvors, all sweet and tasty. Iris then picked out a couple few, eating one soon after.

  But it was just as Yuna said. It has only been a couple hours sihey flew yet they are already about to nd aire for the day. It is all because of a couple people, who shall not be hat their flight has been deyed.

  Thankfully, they weren't in a hurry or anything of the sort. They are only heading there early to experienew things and explore erritories. Getting te by a single day or two wouldn't really matter in the grand scheme of things.

  "Looks like this is how far we'll go..." ［Grey］

  It was regretful, but with the stars finally showing themselves in the sky oer ahey could only e to a halt aire for the day. Sirius slowly had her dest, nding gracefully and softly like a feather.

  Oer another, everyone hopped off of Sirius' back, a crisp ch resounding in the air as a couple dried leaves were ched. It was like the usual, nding in a forest when the moon is out, eyes swimmi and right.

  "Thanks for the ride, Sirius." ［Grey］

  "It was my pleasure, Master." ［Sirius］

  But unlike usual, rather than sending Sirius back to the shadows a. Rather, she only ged back to her wolf pup form, hard aiful scales transf into fluffy and glossy fur, warm and cuddly as one be.

  Just in time, the sun had finally set and darkness had encroached the world once more. The forest, though calm and peaceful, was still a scary pce to be, the subtle hooting of owls adding a touch of eeriness in the air.

  "Then... Elder Brrey, Elder Sister Yuna, are ing here?" ［Iris］

  Yet despite such circumstahe Princess Royal stayed calm and collected like usual, her head turni and right and eyes swimming in all dires as she searched for a suitable pp.

  From a tent, a sleeping bag, and some bug repelnt, she repared and ready to stay for the night. Though she had experienced camping before, she always slept in the carriage. It recisely because of that that she was a little excited... There was just itsy-bitsy little bit of a problem....

  "Hm? Didn't we tell you? We're not camping." ［Grey］

  "Eh?" ［Iris］

  "Huh?" ［Grey］

  ... her Grey and Yuna were actually pnning to camp out in the woods. Rather, the thought of it never crossed their minds at all. They only looked each other in the eye, a trace of bewilderment brewing within.

  Iris' questions were soon answered. With a simple flick of Grey's finger, something simir to a gate appeared before everyone, and as soon as they entered, yet another absurd yet beautiful sight greeted them. Iris was frozen in shock.

  A river cruising through the nds, expansive fields as far as the eyes see, aiful stars reigning above them. But perhaps what was most intriguing was the lone house standing in the middle of nowhere. It was massive aiful, unfit for the sery surrounding it.

  Of course, the said house was her than Grey and Yuna's "Sanctuary House" which took them a great deal of effort and time to plete. Their very oing house that they use whehey are on a journey.

  "Iris～! e inside! Yoing to get cold if you just stand there and stay outside for too long. Hurry～!" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah, yes!" ［Iris］

  Iris quickly snapped back to reality as Yuna called her, and soon, she headed ihe house, only to be surprised some more. The outside was already beautiful but even more so was the inside.

  From left tht, the house was fully furnished with all sorts of furniture. There were sofas, tables, mps, rugs, and many more. And not just furniture, the house es with all kinds of rooms as well, and a whole sed floor to boot!

  "Is something wrong, Iris?" ［Grey］

  "A-Ah, no... I think I'm just a little tired..." ［Iris］

  "That's not good. You shouldn't push yourself too much. Why don't you sit on the sofa for now a a little." ［Grey］

  "Okay... Thank you, Elder Brrey..." ［Iris］

  "Anytime." ［Grey］

  Yet despite how absurd it was, the owners were ag very casually, ag as if there was nothing out of the ordinary. Grey and Yuna simply headed to the kit and started taking out ingredients oer another without a single care in the world.

  Then again, they are people who'd easily beat the lights out of S-rank monsters and casually dive down to the deepest floors of dungeons and byrinths just for the sake of training. It was only to be expected, to be fair.

  "Iris～! We'll be cooking dinner now. Is there anything you'd like to eat?" ［Yuna］

  "A-Ah! I-I'm fih anything!" ［Iris］

  "Are you sure?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes, no problem at all! Elder Brrey and Elder Sister Yuna's cooking is always delicious, after all!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! That makes us gd to hear that." ［Yuna］

  There was no time to waste. With a light and merry atmosphere in the air, Grey and Yuna then grabbed their knives and started cooking. Though they would love it if Iris could also join them like before, they let her rest for now. Traveling is tough, after all.

  The sizzling oil, the gushing water, and the scorg fmes. Yet another symphony yed i as the spatus ccked and ged. Soon enough, the appetizing aromas of freshly cooked dishes danced in the air.

  "Ah, right. Everyone, you e out now." ［Grey］

  Of course, they didn't just leave Iris unattehough Sirius was with her, she is also resting from the flight, only cuddling herー or "was" cuddling. That's because after Grey's call, a number of furballs popped up from their shadows.

  There wasn't just owo, or three, but a whole eight of them. Even the usually timid Capel and the clumsy crybaby, Arar, were full of energy, running around the pd jumping towards Iris.

  "E-Eh?! N-Nine?! Did the puppies increase again?!" ［Iris］

  "Well, a lot of things happened, and now, we've gaihree new familiars." ［Grey］

  "Waah... New puppies..." ［Iris］

  She may act mature in front of others, but what Grey and Yuna saw in front of them was a young girl, eyes sparkling brightly as she looked at the mass of fluff cuddling with her. Her expressions looked exactly like the Little Princess'. They really are aunt and niece.

  Not too long after, the new familiars then introduced themselves to Iris, and in kind, the tter also did the same. Before long, they started pying with one ahe young girl's fatigue slowly melting away.

  "Yuna, have you already finished seasoning this?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, not yet. It still needs a little bit of pepper." ［Yuna］

  "Alright, then I leave it to you. I'll just finish the steak real quick." ［Grey］

  Iris pyed with the pups, and Grey and Yuna tio cook with their lightning, dishing dish after dish. Soon enough, a wonderful meal was served atop the dining table, sparkling brightly like the stars above.

  """Thank you for the meal!"""

  With a wonderful meal served before them, there was no need for hesitation. As soon as everyone fiheir prayers, they then dug in on their meals, bright smiles then blooming in their faces as fvors exploded in their mouths.

  "Mmn～! This is really delicious!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! I'm gd you liked it. Here, have some more." ［Yuna］

  "Th-Thank you." ［Iris］

  A light atmosphere was brewing in the air as everyone eheir diogether. They ughed and smiled as they chatted about some trivial things, simply talking about the daily happenings in their lives like they usually do.

  They even reached the topic about the ret shenanigans back at the Royal Castle. It has been several hours already yet they could still remember how scary the Prime Minister's smile was, one even monsters would fear.

  From oopic to ahey jumped and jumped some more. As time went by, a suddeion popped up in Grey's mind. It was one he has been w for quite some time now, only remembering it right now.

  "Right, Iris, what about your education? You would be away for quite some time. Wouldn't there be any problems?" ［Grey］

  It was a valid . Though many nobles and royals are taught by tutors during early education, there is still a curriculum they follow and a set number of assigs per subject. Missing out even a single month would be troublesome.

  "There's o worry about that, Elder Brrey. I have already taken care of my studies beforehand and my tutors have also given me some leeway." ［Iris］

  "Oh? That's good then. That means we enjoy the festival to the fullest." ［Grey］

  "Yes. I'm looking forward to it!" ［Iris］

  Fortunately, it was Iris we are talking about. If it's just her studies, she is many years ahead pared to others and is now even learning studies that even schors would usually uake iwenties. She is a prodigy.

  In fact, so much so that one would wonder how such a bright child came from such a mischievous and troublemaker of a King. No matter how one would look at it, save the physical appearahey are totally opposite of one another. It was a mystery.

  'It must be because of Her Majesty's genes...' ［Grey］

  Such was the clusion Grey could reach after thinking not so thhly about it. It would have bee if the King had even a shred of dignity and brilliance like his daughter, then the Prime Minister wouldn't be stressed out anymore.

  "Iris, you won't grow quickly if you ohat much." ［Yuna］

  "E-Elder Sister Yuna, I 't eat that much!" ［Iris］

  "No. We're not done here until you finish your pte, Young Lady." ［Yuna］

  Yuna ag a bit like a mother, dinner tinued and oer another, ptes and utensils piled up on the sink. The familiars were also enjoying their meals together, ag much more behaved now that they are eating.

  And with Yuna's encement, Iris mao finish her pte with a satisfied expression on her face. Though unbeknownst to her, Yuna actually decreased her food from time to time. She shouldn't force her if she's full, after all.

  Of course, what came after a hearty meal was washing the dishesー well, in Grey and Yuna's style, of course. With the use of magic, they easily ed the dishes oer another, not a siai behind.

  "Amazing... So you use magic like that too..." ［Iris］

  "Hahaha. Would you like to try then, Iris?" ［Grey］

  "Mmn... I would love to, but... I don't know much about magic..." ［Iris］

  "It's alright, it's alright. We'll be helping you, after all." ［Grey］

  Eyes brimming with excitement ahusiasm, Iris then joined Grey and Yuna in washing dishes, and as absurd as it may be seeing a princess wash dishes, there was only a light and merry mood in the air.

  What usually takes only a couple mio wash turned into a whole hour of lecture about magic. Fortunately, Iris already had the basics down from all the books she read. Teag her was not that difficult.

  And though she was not as brilliant as Eliza when it came to magic, she still tried her best and persisted. In the end, she was able to wash a single spoon with it. It may not look much to others, but she roud of herself, eyes sparkling happily.

  As for the other dishes, Grey and Yuna easily took care of them with a flick of their fingers, even drying and pg them ba the racks and ets. Before long, everyone headed to the living room and rexed for the rest of the day.

  "Alright, Iris, your turn." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... Then... I'll move this here..." ［Iris］

  "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. That's a bad move, you know?" ［Grey］

  "Waah! My Lion got captured! E-Elder Sister Yuna!" ［Iris］

  "Calm down, Iris. It's not the end of the world, yet." ［Yuna］

  And by rexation, they pyed bames with one another. It was a game of "Perfect 12", a chess variant pyed on a 12 by 12 board, sisting of 12 pieces. Grey was on the bck side while Iris on the white.

  Though Iris had pyed chess before, it was her first time pying perfect 12, and with all the new pieces, she was having a difficult time. That's why, to bahings out, Yuna was on her side to help and guide her though the game.

  "Uuu... I lost..." ［Iris］

  "Don't be too sad, Iris. You did good." ［Grey］

  But as one would expeo matter how good her guide was, it was still too much for

  a first-timer to beat an experienced "veteran". Grey had only pyed the game a few times, but with his "Perfect Memory", that was already more than enough to cook up some advarategies.

  Seeing Iris lose, Yuna was reminded of her first time pying bames with Grey. She was once again reminded how merciless Grey is when he's pying seriously. It doesn't matter who they were, he would crush them without a sihought.

  "Grey, this is bullying. It was her first time pying, you know?" ［Yuna］

  "Haha... I might have gotten a little bit carried away..." ［Grey］

  "Well, that doesn't really matter anymore. A loss is a loss. But now that Iris is defeated, you have to py with me !" ［Yuna］

  Tension rose in the air, and Grey and Yuna soon took their positions. They each took their turns with eyes as serious as one be, moving pieces oer another and capturing the enemies' piece as strategically as they could.

  And surprisingly enough, though Yuna had also pyed the game only a few times, she had a surprisingly strong momentum at the start, taking down Grey's pieces just like a raging flood sweeping through the fields, merciless as one be.

  "And... That's half of them!" ［Yuna］

  "Hmm... You really improved a lot, didn't you, Yuna?" ［Grey］

  "Of course! I'm not going to stay the same forever, you know?" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, that's right. Though... It seems you haven't noticed my trap yet." ［Grey］

  "Eh?" ［Yuna］

  Unfortunately for Yuna, she was simply pying right in the palm of Grey's hands. He ying the patience game and now that the time was right, he swiftly moved his pieces, taking down Yuna's pieces time and time again, Iris watg them like she was enjoying a movie.

  It was all too sudden. Yuna took out a few pieces again, but pared to the rate Grey was capturing his pieces, it was much more insignifit. Before long, the King was captured and the game was over. It was Grey's victory, once again.

  "Uuu... This is unfair... Shouldn't you at least give me a ce? How you be this cruel even to your own girlfriend?" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna, It's exactly because I love you that I'm doing this. Loss begets growth, as they say. It's only for your own good." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... Grey... You meanie..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna had already expected the oute, but she didn't think it would be so one-sided to the point Grey ractically toying with her. She already felt miserable, but with Grey's teasing, she felt even more defeated than before.

  "It's okay, Elder Sister Yuna! I think you did amazing!" ［Iris］

  "Iris... You're really the only one who uands me in this house... Uher people here who just bullies others..." ［Yuna］

  "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" ［Grey］

  "Hmph! Ask yourself!" ［Yuna］

  Feeling a little sour and bitter, Yuna started ag a bit petty trey, hugging Iris as she tried to ighe tter. She wasn't mad ry at all, just wanting Grey to feel a bit guilty. Unfortunately for her, Grey knows her too well for that to work.

  Master! You shouldn't bully the Mistress! ［Pro］

  Master... Bullying is bad... ［Aar］

  Hey, cut it out, you two. You shouldn't fall for tricks so easily. ［Grey］

  Well, it might not work on Grey, but it was super effective on the new familiars, with Pro even poung on Grey and hitting her with her soft paws. It didn't even hurt. Rather, it was quite soothing and rexing if anything.

  As for the other familiars, they already knew Yuna full well. Though she is bright and i for the most part, there are also times she acts sly ay for no apparent reasons, though Grey siders it one of her charms. She was especially cute wheried her hardest.

  "The's py aname, shall we?" ［Grey］

  "Uuu... But I'll be the one choosing what we'll py, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Sure. As long as you're happy." ［Grey］

  "Yaay～!" ［Yuna］

  It hasn't even been a minute, yet Yuna's mood has shifted from down in the dumps to high on cloud here was only brightness in her face as she selected a game from the number of board and card games there is.

  They pyed and they pyed and they pyed. The night went on and the cold breeze swept through the sanctuary, caressing the bdes of grass and dang throughout the fields. It was quiet and peaceful, the stars sparkling ever shtly.

  "Looks like she's fallen asleep already..." ［Grey］

  "She must have been tired..." ［Yuna］

  And with such a cold breeze wafting through the house, the Princess Royal had fallen asleep after the long day she went through. She was now sleeping soundly, using Yuna's p as a pillow, a subtle snore in the air.

  Now that they are aloogether, a slightly rosy atmosphere befell upon them. Yuna suddenly leaned her head on Grey's shoulder and closed her eyes, her heart beating like in harmony, a subtle symphony adrift in the air.

  "It seems like you're also tired, huh... Should I prepare the bed now?" ［Grey］

  "No, I want to stay like this for a little while... Just a little longer..." ［Yuna］

  "Alright... Just a little longer." ［Grey］

  Along with the night growing colder and the hearts beating louder, a certain feeling had also started to deepen further and further. It was not just love, but also greed which tainted his heart. Greed of wanting to hold a certain someone a holder and tighter, never wanting to let go again.

  The more he indulges, the greedier he bees. Grey had tried his best to keep his desires under trol, yet the harder he tries, the wilder it gets. Even now, he just wants to keep her to himself, barely holding himself back.

  'Haah... How troublesome...' ［Grey］

  The night only went deeper.

  CHAPTER 260 END