But that''s not all.

    To one side, half-hidden behind a low wall of blooming shrubs, there''s also a swimming pool!

    Its surface is like glass, mirroring the eternal dusk sky. Pale stone lines the edges, and there''s a quiet serenity to it that makes me want to dip my toes in right now.

    Not far from the pool, a round firepit sits surrounded by curved stone seating. Cozy. Intimate. Perfect for late-night barbecues, roasted fish and chicken, and stories that stretch into the stars.

    "And that''s the full tour," Alvero says with a polite bow, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "If either of you ever want to redecorate, renovate, or add something new, just say the word. As Black Sigil holders, the Hearthcarvers Guild offers lifetime customization support… at a very generous discount."

    "That''s nice," Eris replies casually, then turns toward me with a smile. "What do you think, Felicia? Want to change anything?"

    I shake my head without hesitation. "Nope! I''m more than satisfied!"

    And I am. More than satisfied. This place feels like a dream.

    But then a small frown creeps onto my face as a thought worms its way in.

    "Although…" I murmur, glancing around at the massive gothic mansion surrounding us. "…there might be one tiny issue."

    Now that I actually stop and think about it…

    "Isn''t this house a bit too big?" I glance at Eris, brow raised. "It''s just the two of us. Do we even need this much space?"

    Eris doesn''t even hesitate. "I think it''s fine," she says, then shrugs with a grin. "Besides, if Gordon and his family ever visit, we''ll want enough space for them to stay comfortably, right?"

    "…Hmmm. That''s true," I mutter, thinking of Gordon''s loud laugh and his adorable daughter. Yeah… it would be nice to have them over.

    But before I can say anything more, Eris suddenly leans in closer, so close I feel the warmth of her breath against my ear, and whispers something that short-circuits my entire brain.

    "Also… I want to prepare a big place for the mini Felicias. 3" Sёarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    …Eh?

    I blink.

    Mini… me?

    Eris then winks.

    ???

    …

    HEYYYYYYYYY!!!?

    The moment I realize what she means, I let out a half-gasp, half-squeak and shove her back, flustered and very much on fire!

    Meanwhile, Eris just laughs, clearly way too pleased with herself.

    Oh my god.

    Oh my freaking god!

    Once again, she''s talking nonsense!

    We''re both girls—there''s no way we can have a mini Felicia!

    But she doesn''t care. She just grins and turns to Alvero, as if she didn''t just say something that shattered my entire ability to form coherent thoughts.

    "Seems like Felicia likes it," she says with a shrug. "So, how much is the property? We''ll take it."

    "Oh?" Alvero blinks, clearly not expecting a decision so soon. His eyes brighten behind his glasses, and with a quick motion, he pulls a scroll from a storage ring.

    He clears his throat. "Let''s see… factoring in the location, dungeon-grade foundation enchantments, the private mana grid, and furnishings… the total comes to about… six hundred and ninety million crowns."

    I freeze.

    …Eh?

    Six hundred… and ninety…

    M-million?

    MILLION!?

    My brain shorts out.

    "What the hell!?" I yelp. "Wait—wait—wait a damn minute!!"

    I grab Eris''s arm in panic, eyes wide.

    But Eris just smiles.

    "Okay," she says without missing a beat. "Where do I sign?"

    I stare at her, mouth open, completely frozen.

    Alvero nods, already pulling out a second scroll. "Just give me a moment. I''ll prepare the final paperwork."

    Meanwhile, I just… stand there.

    Frozen.

    Staring at nothing.

    My mind an absolute whirlwind of panic.

    Six hundred and ninety million crowns…

    Holy.

    Freaking.

    SHIT.

    It all happens so fast.

    Within minutes, Eris and Alvero finish signing the scrolls and sealing them with shimmering wax runes. A brief glow, a flash of mana, and just like that, it''s official.

    The mansion is ours.

    Eris clasps her hands behind her back, looking entirely too relaxed as she turns to Alvero. "So, when can we move in?"

    "Tommorrow, if you wish," he replies with a gracious nod. "The property is now fully registered under your names. You''re free to begin living here as early as tomorrow night."

    I blink.

    Wait, what?

    "E-Eris…" I tug at her sleeve, my voice barely a whisper. "A-Are you… secretly a lost princess or something?"

    She blinks, amused. "Huh?"

    "I mean—690 million crowns??" I hiss, trying to keep my voice down.

    Eris pauses for a second, as if seriously thinking it over. Then she just shrugs and gives me a soft smile as she lifts her hand and pats my head.

    "Hey, don''t worry about the money," she says quietly, her voice warm and steady. "Everything for you, Felicia. Anything you want, I''ll make sure you have it."

    Badump!

    My heart skips a beat.

    Then another.

    Oh god, She''s pampering me way too much lately! It''s dangerous! My brain is melting! My heart is melting!

    Before I can recover, Alvero clears his throat politely and steps forward, offering something in both hands.

    "Here is your Keystone," he says, placing two polished stone in Eris'' hands. "The blue one will bring you back to Mistvale. The red one returns you here, to Noctis Sanctum. Please keep them secure. If someone else gets hold of these, they can use them."

    "Got it. Thanks for the warning," Eris replies, tucking the stones carefully into her pocket.

    Alvero nods, then continues. "As for the connection between Noctis Sanctum and the Umbrafrost Expanse, our enchanters will begin sealing the dungeon''s original entrance by tonight. Once it''s done, only the two of you will be able to pass through using your keystones. If you ever want to register a third person, we''ll need their mana signature added to the array."

    "Understood," Eris says. "We''ll let you know if that ever happens."

    And with that, it''s done.

    We officially own a mansion.

    Our mansion.

    Just thinking about it makes my chest swell… though I still can''t quite believe it.

    A few hours later, we return to Mistvale. We pack our belongings and triple-check the keystones, just to be safe.

    And then, finally, we say goodbye to Gordon''s family at the Gilded Horns.

    Tomorrow, we move.

    But for now, we sit on the inn''s rooftop one last time, gazing up at the stars.

    The night sky is breathtaking—clear, endless, sprinkled with countless twinkling lights.

    In our hands, warm mugs of chocolate milk.

    Around our shoulders, a cozy blanket we''re both wrapped in.

    I rest my head on Eris''s shoulder, quietly watching the sky.