“Yes, you me to bring some art tools. Paint brushes, clays, different paints, pencils all art equipment or….” He started listening off more art supplies.

“-... Tools, paint, chisels, drizzles. Yes I would like that. Is there a space in here to store some of those things” I asked looking around my room.

This is a huge room, of course there's space.

“ Of course,” he goes to the far right past the couch and coffee table to a door. He opens it, “this princess is one of your storage closet. We can use this to store all the supplies you need and or want.” He smiles.

One of them? He said one of my storage closet?

“Thank you” I said while eating another sandwich.

“ No need for thanks, just doing my job.” He smiles warmly.

I think that's the first genuine smile he gave. That didn't feel like he was a scammer or slimy. I guess as time goes by I'll get to know him more. As well as Dad and everyone else here.

“ So you have a talent for the arts?” He continued as I watched him show me where the other two storage closets were.

“ Its a nice hobby. I'm good at sculptures out of wood or stone. I made a few flower bracelets as gifts for Mom back in the day.” My voice started to fade off as I thought about her. Mom 

Rena was repairing the cabin, her mom taught her too. Mom is the reason why we have any type of talents in the arts, in creating.

“ I see…” Sabatian cast his eyes to the floor. “Your very gifted princess. We must thank lady frey for that.”

“ You know you don't have to call me princess, Rena will be fine” I voiced changing the subject. He noticed it.

“Do I get a choice?” He asked.

“Yes?”

“Princess it is. I'll return soon with your supplies.” He said walking to the door. “ I'll be sure to tell Mary to bring more food along with the dessert”

I checked down at the tray when he left, I ate every sandwich that was on the tray. Picking up the stabilizer water I put the glass to my lips finishing the rest. Then I finished the soup, my stomach grumping once I'm done.

More food doesn't sound too bad. I don't remember Rena being this hungry before. I don't even think Rena heard her stomach grumble. Her body probably got so used to the limited food, that my slight over consumption as her body was wondering what's been missing.

Knock knock!

I place my eyes towards the door, “ come in” I said watching Mary face show up from behind it.

“ I have a slice of lemon cake, lemon tart, and shock rock lemon ice cream princess. As well as tea, I have cream, honey, and sugar cups here. I brought more sandwiches.” She cheerfully brought the new tray to me and replaced it with the now empty one.

I don't wait until I get straight into this lemon ice cream before it tries to melt.

Shock rock lemon ice cream. Does that mean it's really sour?

I dig my spoon the top scoop, lifting my spoon up I see clear yellow rock like pieces scattered throughout the ice cream. Taking a bit I creamy tartness coats my tongue and then a sour zap. 

It's like someone put electric pop rocks in ice cream, but better. The shock isn't painful at all.

“ Do you like princesses?” She smiled pleased. 

“It's different yet a bit additive.” I replied, enjoying myself.

“ It is really popular with children as well as those who have a taste for sour things.” She said lifting a finger up. “ Mana is used in the sour candies lemon pieces with lightning magic…”

“ You can use mana in food?” I was surprised.

“Yes, it falls under similar techniques that's used to make mana tools and such. It's just with food the mana have to be stripped enough so that it doesn't cause poisoning as well as be able to cast the intended spell or act.”

This place is getting more interesting. I wonder if we have a chef that can achieve this skill or do we go out to certain restaurants?

“Is there more?” I asked sheepishly looking at the now empty bowl.

“ I can bring some more. I'll also let the staff know how much you love the food here.” Mary giggled, pouring my cup of tea with slow precise elegance. She adds a splash of cream, two spoonfuls of honey.

Who knew you can make pouring tea look pretty.

I take the cup from her inhaling the creamy sweet aroma.

Tea packets back home didn't taste like this. Who knew tea was this good.

“ Thank you Mary” I voiced between sips before I started dinging on the tart.

“Your welcome princess. I'll return with some more ice cream… would you like to try a different flavor? There's bursting blue ice cream, fiery cherry, blossoming orange. There also regular ice cream, plain vanilla, chocolate all the sorts”

I would like to try all of them. But I know I won't be able to get away with eating all that ice cream during my fever. The last thing I need is my dad hovering over my eating habits.

“Uhm, maybe blossoming orange and more of the lemon please.” I can always try other flavors another time.

Knock!

Knock!

“Come in.” I said before I got a chance to ask about what the two ice cream flavors might taste like.

Bursting blue… is that like gushers? You take a bite and a goozy liquid comes out? Blossoming sounds like a flower. So like a flowery orange taste?

“ I have brought a few supplies for you princess. I can bring more tomorrow.” Sabatian voices bring in what looks like a whole craft store.

More? This is enough… more than enough. 

He starts putting up, organizing the supplies in the storage closet. “ Let me know what you want left out, princess.” He said still at work.

Mary and I glance at each other, then back at Sabatian still putting the stock away.

“ I think some paint. A chessel…. Those things. Can you place them on the table out on the balcony?” I asked, seeing the bright pretty orangeish pink sky through the glass doors.

“Of course princess.” Sabatian stated after he finished putting all my arts and crafts tools in the storage closet.  “Would you like to work with clay, wood or stones?”

I can honestly use any of them. If we were at the cabin wood for sure. Rena spent her other free time sculpting figures and such out of wood. The stone was only hard because the tools weren't good enough to cut through the stone to shape. Clay well, there wasn't any of that….. Wait there was mud.

I watched from the comfort of my bed as Sabatian carried a wooden toolbox onto the balcony table. Inside were chisels, sponges, brushes, drills, modeling knives—each tool gleaming faintly under the orange-pink hue of the setting sun. He moved with quiet precision, placing each item neatly beside a set of paints, then stepping aside to arrange two blocks of wood, two medium-sized stones, and a lump of fresh clay. It was strangely soothing watching him work. The light caught in his hair, the sound of tools clinking faintly against the table mixed with the distant rustle of leaves outside.

“It seems I didn’t need to answer,” I said with a tired smile, my voice soft but teasing. “You gave me all three.”

Sabatian turned slightly, brow raised in that calm, unreadable way of his.

“Thank you, Sabatian. You can harass my dad now.” I added, rolling my eyes with a grin.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “As you wish, Princess,” he replied smoothly, brushing his hands off before turning toward the door.

The warmth of the sunset poured through the glass doors, reflecting off the table of paints and stones, and for a brief moment, everything felt simple—peaceful, even.

Sabatian smiled wide at my comment before giving a slight bow.
“Well, excuse me, Princess. I’ll take my leave. Let me know if you need me to harass you,” he said with a teasing smirk.

I laughed under my breath as he exited my room, his light steps fading down the hall. Mary and I were the only ones left. She turned to me with her usual gentle expression. “I’ll take my leave as well, Princess, to fetch your snacks. Would you like me to help you to the balcony?”

I gave her a blank stare that said, you’re joking, right?

Her eyes darted away from mine, landing somewhere on the wall behind me as her lips twitched with amusement. “Understood, Princess,” she giggled softly. “I’ll return shortly with your snacks.”

With a graceful bow, she too exited, leaving me alone in my room—the soft glow of sunset spilling through the glass doors, painting the floor in gold and rose.

When Mary left, I chugged the rest of the stabilizer water Gabriel had made for me. The taste was faintly metallic, but it settled the lingering unease in my chest. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, sliding my feet into the slippers waiting for me.

Slowly, I pushed myself upright, pausing to see if the room would tilt or if my knees would give out. I stood still for a few minutes, breathing carefully, counting the seconds as my body adjusted.

When I finally took a step, it felt as though someone had poured cement into my legs—heavy, unmoving, punishing. I took a deep breath, resting my hand on my stomach to feel it deflate with my exhale. Another step. Then another. The heat crawled up my neck and flushed across my skin, but I ignored it.

By the time I made it to the balcony, the evening air kissed the sweat along my temples. I sank into the chair at the table, breathing shallowly but victorious.

My eyes trailed across every tool Sabatian had laid out for me—the chisels, brushes, clay, wood, and stone. They looked both inviting and intimidating, like the start of something I wasn’t sure I was ready for

“I didn’t faint this time,” I sang softly to myself, letting the little rush of triumph wash over me. The weight in my legs lingered for a few moments before slowly fading, giving me enough strength to reach for one of the wooden blocks.

I began shaping it into the form of a fox—small, nimble, alert. The rhythmic scrape of the chisel and the soft crack of splintering wood filled the air as I worked. When I paused, I lifted my gaze toward the horizon, where the sky blazed gold and rose, melting into faint streaks of violet. Sunsets here felt richer, almost alive—nothing like the pale ones from the modern world.

A knock sounded at the door, light but precise.
“Enter,” I called.

Mary slipped in with a bright smile, balancing a tray in her hands. “I brought you the bursting blue ice cream as well as the blossoming orange flavor. And more lemon cake and tarts.” Her voice carried that same gentle pride she always wore around me.

“Your very talented, princess,” she added as she approached, eyes flicking over the half-carved fox in my hands.

“Thank you,” I murmured, setting the chisel down. “I practiced a lot with my mom.”
The words came out bittersweet, but still warm with quiet pride. For a moment, the ache of memory and the joy of creation blended together, and I let both linger

Mary lingered beside the table instead of leaving right away, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she glanced out toward the glowing horizon.

“How long have you worked here, Mary?” I asked, curious. Her voice carried the weight of experience, but her face still looked so young—so soft.

She smiled faintly. “Since I was fourteen, princess. My mother worked here before me, and her mother before her. So… I suppose the Nowrk estate has been a part of my family for generations.”

“Fourteen?” I echoed, surprised. “That’s practically a child.”

Mary chuckled, the sound small and fond. “Perhaps. But the Nowrks took me in when my mother fell ill. The Duke—your father—made sure I had food, a roof, and schooling. I owe him more than I could ever repay.”

I tilted my head slightly, studying her expression. There was no fear or formality there—just genuine affection. “He’s kind, isn’t he?”

Mary’s gaze softened, and a small laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, yes. Though many would argue otherwise.”

“How so?” I pressed, curious at the little spark of amusement in her voice.

She lowered her eyes briefly, considering her words. “Your father doesn’t hide behind sweet words, princess. He’s stern. Blunt. Some take that as cruelty. But he protects this household with everything he has. He’s fair, even when fairness is mistaken for coldness.”

Her tone held admiration, not just respect. “If you ever see him smile, truly smile… you’ll understand. He carries much, but never lets the weight crush anyone else.”

I felt my chest tighten a little at her words. “He really is… a good man,” I whispered more to myself than to her.

Mary nodded. “The best kind. Quietly so.”

She adjusted the tray slightly and smiled. “Now, eat something before your ice cream melts, princess. I’ll come check on you later.”

As she turned to leave, the evening breeze drifted through the balcony, and for a brief moment, I thought about how strange and comforting it was to be surrounded by people who cared for me—people who were supposed to belong only to Rena’s world, now mine too.

Mary gave one last courteous bow before leaving the room, the faint click of the door echoing as silence returned. I exhaled softly, setting the carving knife aside and placing my half-finished fox sculpture on the table. The creature’s wooden form still looked a little lopsided, but it had personality—stubbornly charming in its own way.

My eyes wandered to the tray of desserts. The blue and orange ice creams shimmered faintly under the dying light, tiny sparkles flickering across their surface as if alive with mana.

“Alright,” I murmured to myself, dragging the tray closer. “Let’s see what makes you ‘bursting’ and ‘blossoming.’”

I took a spoonful of the bursting blue first. The second it touched my tongue, a rush of icy sweetness spread through my mouth—like cool mint mixed with something electric. Then—pop! Tiny sparks of cold fizzed across my tongue, sending shivers down my throat and straight to my toes.

“Oh, wow,” I gasped, blinking as a misty puff of cold air escaped my lips. “That’s… new.”

I quickly reached for the blossoming orange to chase the shock away. The flavor melted warm and soft, like sunlight wrapped in fruit and honey. My chest bloomed with a strange warmth that seemed to rise all the way up to my face.

“Warm and cold at the same time,” I muttered, alternating spoonfuls with cautious curiosity. “Are desserts here supposed to feel like emotions?”

The air around me shimmered faintly with mana as the two flavors mixed on my tongue. The cold blue left trails of frost against the table’s edge while the orange glow danced faintly along my fingertips. It faded as quickly as it appeared, leaving nothing but the lingering sweetness of the treat.

I smiled softly, resting my chin in my hand as I looked out over the balcony. “Magic even in ice cream,” I whispered, the thought oddly comforting.