Dinner was... peaceful.

Suspiciously peaceful.

Unnaturally peaceful.

The kind of peaceful that made me wonder if everyone had collectively decided to behave like normal human beings for once.

No one pinched my cheeks.

No one squeezed my tail like it was a stress ball.

No one fought over who got to feed me like I was some kind of royal baby.

No passive-aggressive comments.

No dramatic sighs.

No eye-rolling competitions.

Just... food.

Warm, delicious, uninterrupted food.

We talked—normally.

We laughed—normally.

I even relaxed enough to forget, for a moment, that I was surrounded by walking disasters.

It was nice.

Too nice.

I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.

Because the moment I finished and headed toward my room, ready to finally sleep—

Chaos returned.

With interest.

"I’ll stay with My Lady tonight," Gawain declared confidently, already stepping forward like he had pre-booked the spot.

"No," Soren said immediately. "You won’t."

"And why not?" Gawain snapped.

"Because I own this estate."

"That’s not a valid reason!"

"I don’t need one."

I stopped walking, slowly turned around, and watched because they started fighting again.

But then—

"I believe it would be more appropriate if I stayed," Mikael added smoothly, as if he had just entered a polite discussion and not a territorial dispute over a sleeping arrangement.

I blinked. ’What?’

Even Agatha stepped forward. "With all due respect, Master Soren but I think I should be the one to stay with the lady."

I blinked again.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Wait.

Why was everyone suddenly applying for the position of "night guard in my bedroom"?

Was there an opening I didn’t know about?

Did I accidentally post a job listing?

Gawain pointed at Mikael. "Since when were you part of this conversation?!"

"Since I deemed it necessary," Mikael replied calmly.

"And why would it be necessary?" Soren asked, narrowing his eyes slightly.

Agatha crossed her arms. "Because none of you are exactly... reliable."

Soren’s gaze shifted toward both of them. "Did you two already forget who your master is?"

"Did you also forget that we’re guests in your estate, Sir Markhelov?" Gawain shot back without missing a beat.

"More reason for you to stay in one of our guest rooms," Soren replied smoothly.

I stood there for a second, watching four fully grown adults argue over who got to exist in my room while I was trying to sleep.

Then I turned around, walked to my door.

Then—

SLAM!

I shut the door right in their faces, locked it, and walked straight to my bed without a single ounce of guilt.

I curled up, tail wrapping comfortably around me, and closed my eyes with the kind of peace that could only be achieved through decisive action.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Meanwhile, all four of them froze.

Their heads turned in perfect sync toward the door Blanca had just shut with absolute authority.

A long, heavy, slightly awkward silence followed.

"...Well," Mikael finally said, clasping his hands behind his back like he was about to present a very reasonable suggestion, "what if we let Miss Blanca sleep... alone just this once?"

"NO," the three of them replied in perfect unison.

Not even a second of hesitation.

Mikael paused then nodded slowly, like he had expected that. "I see."

Another silence.

"What if Miss Blanca experiences homesickness once she gets to her dorm?" Mikael continued. "Would you want her to miss us?"

That made them pause.

Gawain frowned.

Soren’s expression shifted slightly.

Agatha hesitated.

Because unfortunately, that made sense for them.

"...She will miss me regardless," Gawain said confidently.

"No," Soren replied instantly.

"Yes."

"No."

Agatha sighed.

Mikael, meanwhile, looked pleased.

Because somehow, he had successfully redirected the argument.

From who gets to stay in her room tonight—

To who she would miss the most.

Eventually, they all agreed to retreat.

Not because they resolved anything or because they reached a mutual understanding, but because Blanca had already slammed the door with the authority of someone who had zero patience left.

So, one by one, they went their separate ways.

Gawain, grumbling.

Agatha, sighing.

Mikael, calm as usual.

And Soren...

...well.

Soren had other plans.

The hallway, once filled with ego, arguments, and questionable decision-making, finally fell into silence.

Peace, at last.

...Or at least, the illusion of it.

Because Soren, apparently, did not believe in following agreements he never verbally accepted.

Minutes later, a shadow moved along the outer wall of the estate like a thief and very much not using the front door like a normal person.

The balcony door slid open with barely a sound.

Soren stepped in carefully like a man who knew he was doing something he absolutely should not be doing.

He crossed the room without making a sound, eyes settling on Blanca, who was fast asleep, completely unaware of the chaos she had left behind.

For a moment, he just stood there, watching her.

Then, without a word, he moved closer and laid down beside her, adjusting just enough so he wouldn’t wake her.

Suspiciously soft for someone who argued like a tyrant five minutes ago.

He pulled her slightly closer, just enough to settle her comfortably against him.

Blanca stirred but didn’t wake up.

And just like that, Soren closed his eyes.

Mission accomplished.

Meanwhile, Gawain secretly came back and was now standing in front of Blanca’s door like a man about to commit a crime.

He looked left.

Then right.

Then placed his hand on the doorknob.

"Alright," he muttered under his breath. "Operation: Guard Beside the Lady begins now."

He slowly turned the knob but paused.

Something felt off.

He frowned slightly, turned around, and froze.

Mikael and Agatha were standing right behind him.

Smiling.

Not normal smiles.

No.

These were the kind of smiles that said "we’ve been waiting for you."

There was a long pause.

Gawain blinked. "...Good evening," he said, attempting dignity.

Agatha’s smile widened. "Going somewhere?"

Mikael tilted his head slightly. "We were under the impression that everyone agreed to retire to their respective rooms."

Gawain straightened. "I was... checking security."

"At the lady’s door?" Agatha asked sweetly.

"Yes."

"With your hand on the doorknob?" Mikael added.

"...Yes."

Gawain slowly removed his hand from the door. "...You two are very annoying, you know that?"

Agatha smiled brighter. "Good."

Mikael nodded politely. "We try."

Gawain clicked his tongue, shoving his hands into his pockets as he turned away. "Fine. I’ll leave."

He took a step.

Then stopped.

Then glanced back at the door.

"...Just once," he muttered.

"No," Agatha and Mikael said in perfect sync.

"Fine," Gawain muttered, stepping back with a huff. "I’ll leave."

Agatha and Mikael watched him carefully.

He was completely cooperative all of a sudden as he started walking away.

Mikael’s smile widened slightly while Agatha narrowed her eyes because they both knew, this wasn’t over.

Back inside the room—

Blanca slept peacefully, completely unaware, that one had succeeded, and another had failed.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

"Blanca..."

I rolled away instinctively, burying my face deeper into the pillow, fully committed to ignoring the outside world.

Warm.

Comfortable.

Peaceful.

...For exactly two seconds.

Because the next thing I knew, I was being pulled back.

"Blanca... wake up..."

I responded the only way a reasonable leopard would.

I snored loudly, on purpose.

"Blanca..."

There was a pause.

Then—

My ears.

Whoever this was had the audacity—the audacity—to start playing with them like they were some kind of interactive toy.

I didn’t even open my eyes.

I just raised my paw and smacked that person straight in the face.

"..."

"..."

"Blanca... you’re going to be late..."

Late?

That sounded like a problem for later.

Present me did not care.

Then—

My tail.

He squeezed my tail.

My eyes snapped open so fast I nearly gave myself emotional whiplash.

And there he was.

Soren was lying beside me, playing with my tail like he had every right in the world.

I narrowed my eyes at him then grabbed my OmniSync and typed with aggressive accuracy.

"How did you get in here?"

He didn’t even look guilty. "Balcony."

"..."

Of course this was normal behavior for him.

I stared at him a little longer then typed again. "You broke in."

"I prefer the term ’visited.’"

"Uninvited."

"You were asleep."

"Exactly."

He smiled slightly which was already suspicious. Then—without warning—he squeezed my tail again.

I froze. "...That’s harassment."

"You’re awake now."

"That’s not the point."

"It worked."

I glared at him before slowly dropping back onto the bed. "...Five more minutes."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

I grabbed my pillow and covered my face.

He pulled it away.

I grabbed the blanket.

He pulled that too.

I curled up.

He poked my ear.

I twitched.

This was war.

"...Blanca."

"No."

"You have school."

"...No."

"You’ll be late."

"...I’ll be fashionably late."

"That’s not how school works."

"That’s exactly how I plan to make it work."

There was a pause.

Then I felt the bed shift slightly as he leaned closer.

"Get up."

"No."

Another pause before he grabbed my tail again.

I shot up instantly. "OKAY I’M AWAKE."

"Good," he said. "Call for Agatha to help you bathe and carry your belongings."

I gave him a nod.

Once he was satisfied, he stood up and gave my head one last pat like I was some kind of obedient creature before heading toward the balcony again.

Because why use doors when you can just casually trespass?

I watched him leave, waited, listened, and once I’m sure he was gone, I finally flopped back onto the bed.

Just for a second.

A very small second.

A completely harmless second—

No.

I shot back up again.

No.

This was a trap.

If I lay down again, I would not wake up.

I knew myself.

With great reluctance, I finally shouted for Agatha.

A few seconds later, the door opened.

Agatha stepped in, already prepared like she had been waiting outside this entire time—which, honestly, she probably was.

"My Lady," she greeted.

I slid off the bed dramatically, my tail dragging behind me like I had just suffered a great injustice.

"Prepare me."

"Yes, My Lady."

And just like that, the chaos of the morning began.

Everything happened at a speed that felt both rushed and terrifyingly efficient.

By the time I was done, I looked... presentable.

"Ready?"

I turned around to see Soren was already standing at my door.

I nodded, and without ceremony, he picked me up. Agatha followed behind us, carrying my very thin luggage.

My eyes drifted slightly.

’I probably need more outfits.’

There was no way I was showing up to meet future clients in a school uniform. That was bad for business and especially for my image.

Very bad.

We made our way to the Portal Room, and Soren pushed the door open but just as we were about to step in, something felt... off.

I looked around and counted mentally.

Soren.

Agatha.

Me.

"..."

Where was—

I turned to Agatha immediately.

"Gawang?"

She didn’t even try to hide it.

Her face instantly said, ’why did you have to remember him?’

She let out a subtle sigh and raised her OmniSync. "Mikael, can you bring Sir Gawain to the Portal Room?"

There was a pause.

Then—

"Is it that time already? Did you already bring a luggage?" Mikael’s voice came through, far too cheerful.

Agatha stiffened slightly. "Yes—"

"How should we fit him inside the luggage? Should we chop him piece by piece or—"

"Mikael, the lady is asking for him," Agatha cut in quickly, her tone tightening just a little as she slowly stepped away from me.

"..."

I stared at her.

’Seriously... what did they do yesterday?’

Minutes later—

Chaos arrived.

"My LAAADY—!"

Gawain came running toward me like a tragic character in a drama, tears practically flying as he dramatically closed the distance between us.

Behind him, Mikael followed at a completely normal pace, hands behind his back, looking like he had just taken a peaceful morning stroll instead of whatever that was.

Gawain opened his mouth—

"Have fun while you’re there, Miss Blanca," Mikael said smoothly, cutting him off before he could even make a sound.

"Show them that you’re the best student they’ve ever had," Agatha added immediately, stepping in with perfect timing—and even shoved the luggage into Gawain’s arms like she was assigning him a task to keep him busy.

Gawain inhaled—

"Behave while you’re there," Soren said next, like this was a well-coordinated attack. "And don’t forget to visit me on weekends."

I nodded at each one of them.

Soren gave my tail one last squeeze before giving me to Gawain. "You should go now."

Gawain stepped closer, finally managing to get through the wall of interruptions.

For a second, I expected something dramatic, something emotional, or something... Gawain-like.

But instead, he looked... frustrated and annoyed. Like he had a thousand things to say but couldn’t say a single one of them.

"My Lady," he finally said, voice oddly restrained, "please act like a normal being when you’re there."

"..."

I glared at him.

’Excuse me?’

But before I could retaliate, I just raised my paw and waved at Soren, Mikael, and Agatha.

Because fine.

I would be the bigger person.

For now.

Gawain finally stepped into the portal.

And just like that—

We were at the Portal Station.

END OF SEASON 01