A little while later, we find ourselves back in the dining room. Morning sunlight filters lazily through the tall windows, spilling golden light across the tables and floor. The scent of sizzling meat and fresh bread drifts through the air, warm and comforting.

    We order a big breakfast.

    Hearty and satisfying, just the way we like it.

    Today it''s Filoan bird sausages, thick, juicy links grilled to perfection, and omelettes made from the bird''s massive eggs. I''m talking one egg per omelette. The thing would takes up the whole plate. Easily over a thousand calories, probably more.

    By the time the food arrives, I''m already leaning forward in anticipation.

    And then… I pause.

    Because Lily is the one bringing the tray over.

    She sets it down in front of us with her usual bright smile, but there''s something in her eyes, something soft, a little bittersweet. She lingers for just a second longer than usual.

    I glance down at my plate…

    And that''s when I see it.

    There, traced gently across the golden surface of my omelette in a delicate swirl of red sauce, are the words:

    "Goodbye Felicia, wish you the best in your new house!"

    I blink.

    And then my eyes sting.

    My breath catches, and before I even realize what I''m doing, I push my chair back and rush around the table.

    "Lilyyyyy!!"

    "Feliciaaaa!!"

    I throw my arms around her, and she catches me in a hug that''s equal parts laughter and tears. We hold each other tight, sniffling like two kids saying goodbye on the last day of school.

    Behind me, I hear Eris let out a soft chuckle. "Hey now," she says, arms crossed and grinning. "It''s not like we''re disappearing forever. The new house isn''t even that far. You can come visit any time!"

    "I will!" Lily says, dabbing at her eyes with the edge of her apron. "And you two better come back here now and then. Even just for a meal!"

    "Okay," I whisper, my voice thick. I nod quickly. "We will. Promise."

    She gives me one last squeeze, then steps back, offering me a warm smile that makes my heart ache in the best way. "Then go on. Eat. Before it gets cold!"

    "Nn," I murmur, still wiping at my eyes as I return to my seat.

    I glance down at the plate again.

    The little message in sauce is too cute, I almost don''t want to eat it.

    I''ll miss Lily. More than I expected. She''s always rushing around this place, busy with guests and trays and orders—but somehow, she always had time for us. For a smile. For little kindnesses like this.

    I hope she''ll get a chance to visit someday. We could show her around the new estate, take her through the gardens… maybe even bring her into the dungeon if she''s feeling adventurous.

    But for now…

    I pick up my fork.

    Nom.

    Nom nom.

    The sausages are incredible.

    Each one has a crisp, golden skin that gives way to juicy, perfectly spiced meat the moment I bite in. The flavor warms my whole mouth—just a little smoky, just a little sweet. The omelette, too, is impossibly soft and creamy, folded around bits of fresh herbs that seem to melt the moment they hit my tongue.

    Every bite is warm and rich and real.

    And just when we''re leaning back, full and satisfied, Lily returns—with another surprise.

    Two enormous milkshakes, pale and frothy, each crowned with a swirl of whipped cream… and two generous slices of pie. One apple, one berry. Both still warm, dusted with sugar, and very obviously not on the bill.

    Lily sets them down with a wink.

    We both gasp. Then giggle. Then dig in.

    It''s decadent.

    But then—

    Clink!

    Eris suddenly freezes, her fork falling against her empty plate. She turns to me sharply, eyes wide.

    "Felicia… wait. You can taste again?!"

    "Huh?"

    I blink.

    The question hits me harder than I expect. I pause, halfway through a bite of pie, and look down at the plate… then back at Eris. Sёarch* The novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    And then I really think about it.

    The smell of the sizzling sausage when we came downstairs. The freshly baked bread. The sweet tang of berries in the pie. The creamy smoothness of the milkshake still lingering on my tongue.

    It''s all so… vivid.

    And real.

    And there.

    My eyes slowly widen.

    I didn''t even notice until now.

    But it''s true.

    I can taste again.

    I can really taste again!

    "OOOOOOHHHH!!" I gasp, eyes wide. "Eris! You''re right! I can taste again!"

    I jump up, nearly knocking my chair over, arms shooting into the air like I''ve just won a tournament.

    "HELL YES!!" I shout. "MY SENSES ARE BACK, BABYYYYY!!"

    Eris bursts out laughing, nearly choking on her milkshake as she tries to breathe and not snort it out her nose.

    But I''m not joking. Not even a little. I mean it.

    Every bite is amazing. Every sip is heaven. After days of eating in numb, tasteless misery, it''s like someone turned the world back on.

    Alter was right. The senses do return. It just took a few days. And now…

    Thank the gods.

    I flop back down into my chair, grinning like an idiot and cradling my milkshake like a holy relic.

    "Eris, you have no idea how awful it was. Eating without tasting is evil. Pure, flavorless evil!"

    Eris wipes her mouth and smirks. "Well, now that you''ve been restored to your full sensory glory… what do you say we celebrate?"

    I tilt my head.

    "A stroll through the food market?"

    My eyes light up.

    "Nn!!" I nod, practically bouncing in my seat.

    Even if I''m already a little full… I want this.

    I need this!

    And so, once we finish the last bites and wave a heartfelt goodbye to Lily, we step out of the Gilded Horns together, hand in hand, into the sun-drenched streets of Mistvale.

    Straight toward the food market.

    -------------------

    Moments later.

    The smells reach me first.

    Grilled meat. Sweet pastries. Spices I can''t even begin to name.

    It''s like my nose wakes up all at once, and my stomach follows right after—completely ignoring the fact that I already had a full breakfast. It wants more.

    We drift from stall to stall, sampling everything we can get our hands on. Skewers dripping with marinade. Soft, pillowy meat buns. Those tiny honey-glazed fruits I still don''t know the name of, but love anyway.

    We even buy a lot of stuff to bring to our new house so that we won''t have to cook for a couple more days.

    After that, we slow down a little, walking through Mistvale''s winding streets one last time.

    We don''t say much, but both of us are taking it all in. The cobbled roads under our feet. The Eclipse clothing shop Eris once dragged me into, all bold fabrics and glittering displays. The arched stone bridges stretching over quiet, lantern-lit canals. The tall clock tower where Eris and I climbed after I got that awful score at the Adventurer''s Guild—trying to forget it all, even if just for a while. And that little garden park, still peaceful, even after everything that happened there with the Crimson Order.

    There''s a softness to it all now. A kind of quiet nostalgia that settles in the chest and makes everything feel both full and a little bit distant.

    Eventually, the sun begins to drift lower in the sky, casting long golden lines through the city, and we find ourselves standing outside the Hearthcarvers Guild.

    We enter, then come to the Guild''s Dimensional Transit Hall.

    Alvero is already there, waiting for us. He looks as polished as ever, dressed in a tailored coat that somehow never seems to wrinkle.

    "Miss Eris, Miss Felicia, we''ve completed the sealing process on the dungeon''s original entrance," he says with a respectful bow. "With this, no one will be able to enter your property without your express permission."

    Eris nods once, calm and composed. "Very good. Thank you very much, Guildmaster."

    "We''ve also withdrawn all observers from the estate," he continues. "The final round of cleaning and security checks has been completed. Everything is in excellent condition."

    "And what about the payment?" she asks.

    "Oh, the Guild have received it in full," Alvero replies, dipping his head again. "Thank you for your purchase of the Noctis Sanctum."

    Eris allows herself a small, satisfied nod. "Alright, glad to hear it."

    Then, with a graceful motion, Alvero gestures toward the swirling gate behind him. "If you would present your keystone, Lady Eris."

    Eris steps forward and places the red keystone onto the platform at the base of the gate.

    The air hums.

    A swirl of bright crimson erupts from the center of the archway, opening the passage like a rip in reality.

    Before we step through, Alvero adds with a small smile, "We also prepared a few welcome gifts for you."

    "Oh?" I perk up. "What kind of gifts?"

    "They''re waiting for you at the mansion. I hope they please you."

    "Alright," Eris says with a faint smile, taking my hand. "Let''s go see."

    And just like that, we step through the gate.

    A moment of light.

    A rush of wind.

    A flicker of sensation.

    And then, in an instant…

    We arrive.

    Our new home.

    Noctis Sanctum.