After dinner ended, both Celitia and Ariel stayed overnight at the palace.

Celitia wanted to be more reserved and stay in a separate room, but was vetoed by Sophia.

"I did drink alcohol, you know."

Having finished washing up, Celitia sat on the bedside.

Unlike her usual pallor, she now had a rosy glow from the alcohol on her cheeks.

She said threateningly to Sophia: "Aren't you worried I might do something to you?"

"What's drinking? I had a bit too." Sophia blinked. "I'd like to know what you're planning to do to me."

"You asked for this—"

Celitia suddenly launched a sneak attack, pouncing on Sophia and pinning her firmly to the bed.

Light flaxen-gray long hair fell down, covering the girl's golden hair.

She leaned down, and her breath, rich with the heavy fragrance of alcohol, hit Sophia's face.

"This time, it should be my turn, right?"

Celitia leaned closer and closer, about to cover her lips.

Suddenly, Celitia felt an itch under her armpit and couldn't help but shiver.

Then, the world spun, Celitia's body flipped over, her back hit the bed, and she was firmly pinned under Sophia.

Sophia giggled: "You were careless, Lily."

"Too despicable!"

Celitia was embarrassed and angry, waving her hands to push her away, but both wrists were caught by Sophia and firmly pressed above her head.

"Watch carefully—you need to do it to this extent to successfully pin me down."

Sophia's strength was incomparable to Celitia's. She used just one hand to pin the girl's hands to the bed.

Celitia struggled desperately but couldn't break free. Sophia still had leisure to free one hand and continue tickling her armpit.

"Hahaha... stop... stop tickling... hahaha..."

Celitia laughed until tears almost came out, tickled by Sophia until she had no strength left.

"Do you still dare to pin me down?"

Sophia stopped and dangerously leaned close to Celitia, breathing hot air onto her face.

"Next time?" Celitia pouted. "Of course I'll still dare next time—mmph!"

Before Celitia could finish, Sophia had already leaned down and firmly blocked that stubborn mouth.

Kissing the girl until her breathing was chaotic, Sophia's kisses traveled downward from her neck to her collarbone.

Sophia whispered like a demon: "Do you have energy today, Lily?"

Without waiting for Celitia's answer, Sophia's hands had already reached the girl's chest, unbuttoning her nightgown one by one.

The V-line of the neckline deepened, gradually revealing her curves.

"Of course I do."

A trace of alluring blush appeared at the corners of the girl's eyes, her voice lazy as she reached out and softly embraced Sophia's neck.

Lifting her eyelids, Celitia secretly glanced at Sophia, and while she wasn't paying attention, quietly hooked one leg around Sophia's waist.

Then, suddenly using clever force, she pulled Sophia to the side, Celitia turned over and sat up, once again successfully pinning Sophia beneath her.

Sitting on the girl's waist, Celitia smiled triumphantly: "I told you I'd still dare—ah! Where are you touching?!"

Lifting the girl's skirt, fingertips sliding across cool skin, Sophia's hand quietly reached into the depths.

"Hmm? You clearly like it, don't you, Lily."

"I... I don't! This time, no matter what, it has to be my turn—ah!! Sophia!!"

The bed curtains fell, covering the girls' intertwined bodies and concealing the chaotic gasping within.

It wasn't until after the pleasure passed and they embraced to sleep that Sophia suddenly said in Celitia's ear:

"Lily, tomorrow is the first day of the new year. Let's get up early and go watch the sunrise by the sea together?"

"Mm?"

Having fought up and down with Sophia for half the night, Celitia was exhausted.

She was already nearly asleep and only made a vague sound from her throat.

"Let's go watch the sunrise together, okay?" Sophia wouldn't give up and shook her.

In the middle of winter, in such cold weather, actually wanting to run to the seaside to watch the sunrise in the wind?

What, was the sun on New Year's Day green, or rounder than usual?

Besides, with your morning grumpiness, could you actually get up?

In this moment, countless complaints passed through Celitia's mind.

But Celitia only hugged Sophia tighter, burying her head deeper into her neck, breathing in the sweet fragrance from her hair.

"Okay." Celitia answered unclearly.

Sophia smiled happily and leaned down to gently kiss her forehead:

"Mm, then good night, my dear Lily."

The next morning.

The maid received Sophia's orders to wake her before dawn.

The result was predictable—Sophia slept like a pig, and no matter how the maid called, she wouldn't wake up.

The maid didn't dare continue calling and looked to the already-awake Celitia for help with a mournful face.

"Miss Celitia, please help!"

I knew it would turn out like this.

"You may withdraw," Celitia sighed. "I'll wake her."

Celitia got dressed and left the covers.

Suddenly missing her large body pillow, Sophia's hands flailed about as she mumbled: "Lily..."

"Time to get up, Sophia." Celitia tried to wake her gently.

Feeling like there was a mosquito buzzing in her ear, Sophia grabbed the blanket and covered her head completely.

Celitia: "..."

Without something stimulating, it really wouldn't work.

Celitia took a deep breath, grabbed the blanket with both hands, and yanked it off forcefully.

"Kyaaa—!!"

Sophia's scream immediately echoed through the bedchamber.

"You have ten minutes. Get up immediately, wash up, and prepare to leave."

Celitia spoke coldly and emotionlessly. "Otherwise, never mention nonsense like 'getting up to watch the sunrise' to me again. Do you understand?"

"...I understand."

She silently shed tears like noodles.

Lily is so scary!!

After getting ready and boarding the carriage, accompanied by the swaying wheels, the two arrived at Cassia's trading port.

The sky was still dark, everything around was quiet, and nothing had started operating yet.

Ships were moored at the harbor dock, swaying with the rise and fall of the waves.

Breathing in the salty sea breeze, Sophia's still somewhat muddled brain finally cleared up.

She pulled Celitia to sit on a bench high up on the dock.

Looking at the scenery before her, Celitia remembered that this was also where Sophia had first confessed to her.

Waves crashed against the shore, the sound of the tide rolling, seemingly eternal and unchanging.

And what changed were only the people who came and went here.

Celitia couldn't help but feel dazed.

"Look!"

Sophia excitedly shook her arm, pointing toward the distant horizon. "The sun is coming up!"

The round sun peeked out from below the sea level, leaping into the sky and radiating golden-red light.

The New Year's sun hadn't turned into strange colors, nor was it rounder than usual.

It was exactly the same as always, without any change.

...How nice.

Sophia turned her head and showed her a brilliant smile: "Happy New Year, Lily!"

"Mm," Celitia's voice was slightly hoarse. "Happy New Year, Sophia."

Celitia suddenly pulled Sophia over, and in the girl's astonished eyes, cupped her face and kissed her lips deeply.

In the entanglement of lips and tongues, Celitia slowly closed her eyes.

The sea doesn't change, the sunrise doesn't change.

Can people also remain unchanged?

She... didn't want things to change.

After a long while, Celitia reluctantly released Sophia.

She looked deeply at the girl before her, trying to fill her eyes completely with her own reflection.

Forcibly suppressing the trembling in her voice, pressing down the emotions that were almost overflowing.

"Next time," Celitia said hoarsely, "we'll come watch the sunrise together again, okay, Sophia?"

Sophia smiled brilliantly at her, full of tender affection:

"Okay."