"Aaaarrrggghhhh!!"

Axxel's scream echoed from the backyard. A few minutes earlier, he had been tinkering with the magic scroll—turning it over, inspecting it from every angle, and even performing what looked like a ritual—yet nothing worked.

The rest of us, who had been waiting patiently, eventually decided to head back inside. Axxel, however, remained outside, stubbornly wrestling with his "mystery."

Creak!

The back door opened, revealing Axxel with slumped shoulders and a lifeless expression, as though he had just lost his reason to live. Without a word, he trudged to the dining table and sat down with us.

"I think we can already guess how it went just by looking at your face," I teased.

Thud!

Axxel slammed his hand on the table.

"Damn it! I'm so annoyed! Why didn't I think of something this simple? Back when it was still a game, everything was easy—you just clicked 'use' and it worked! But now that it's real… how are we even supposed to activate this thing?"

His outburst startled everyone, especially Daisy, who flinched in her seat.

"Hey! Don't damage my furniture!" I snapped. "And you scared Daisy!"

"Ah, sorry… I got carried away," he said awkwardly, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin.

"But seriously," Key murmured, "this is a real mystery. I mean, potions are simple—you drink them. But for other items, like that scroll... how exactly are we supposed to use them?"

What she said made sense.

I'd never thought about it before—mainly because I'm a Skill Master. I already possess every skill there is, so I've never needed to use scrolls myself.

Come to think of it, I've never actually tried using any item that isn't consumable. Now that Key mentioned it, even I was starting to wonder.

After dinner, Axxel and Key stayed for a bit before returning to the capital.

Daisy was reluctant to let them go, but once they promised to stay in the city for a while, she finally smiled again.

Days passed peacefully after that, as winter wrapped the entire region in its silent embrace. I still went to the capital twice a week for household supplies, though there was one significant change—Daisy had started to spend more time with friends.

Elise and the others often invited her to play, and sometimes even Axxel and Key took her along to the city.

Of course, for safety, I always sent Abiyasa or Lusserina to escort her.

The capital had grown more crowded with visitors.

Even during the coldest nights, the city felt warm and alive—its streets lined with fluttering banners and glowing lanterns, and just one week remained until the Festival of the Moon Goddess.

Outside, winter's chill ruled the world, but inside, the fireplace filled the house with gentle warmth.

I sipped a cup of hot chocolate while reading a book, enjoying the quiet moment—until suddenly...

Ding! Creak!

The doorbell rang, followed by the sound of the door opening.

"I'm home!" called a familiar voice.

I looked up and smiled.

"Rima! Welcome back. How did it go? Is it finally done?"

"Yes, finally. I can finally relax a bit," she sighed dramatically. "Ah~ I missed this sofa so much."

"I'm glad everything went well."

Moments later, Lusserina arrived with another cup of hot chocolate.

"Thank you, Lu. You really are the best," Rima said.

"You're welcome, my Lady," Lusserina replied before returning to the kitchen.

The sky was painted orange by the time Daisy and Abi returned from the city.

"Mama Luna, I'm home!" Daisy called out as she ran through the front door.

But she stopped halfway. Her eyes widened as she looked between me and Rima—two women who looked identical.

Confused, she shifted her gaze back and forth several times. I couldn't help but smile at her expression.

As I rose to greet her, Rima got ahead of me.

"Who's this, Lun? Don't tell me she's your love child," Rima said with a mischievous grin.

"Hush! Don't say weird things like that—you'll give her the wrong idea!" I scolded.

When Rima approached, Daisy instantly hid behind Abi.

Once she realized which one of us was the real me, she ran straight into my arms.

"Aww… rejected before I even said hello," Rima pouted.

"You were acting like a kidnapper. What did you expect?" I teased.

We sat together near the fireplace afterward. I explained everything about Daisy to Rima through telepathy.

"You must be confused seeing how much we look alike," I said to Daisy with a gentle smile. "This is my twin sister, Rimaria Oberyth. You can call her Aunt Rima."

"N-nice to meet you…" Daisy said softly, bowing her head.

"Hey!" Rima protested. "Since I'm your mother's twin, that means I'm also your mother! You can call me Mama Rima!"

Daisy turned to me for confirmation.

"You can call her whatever you like," I said kindly.

"...Aunt Rima," Daisy murmured shyly.

"Aww…" Rima's shoulders slumped. But she soon leaned in and rubbed her cheek against Daisy's.

Feeling uncomfortable, Daisy tried to wriggle free, but Rima held on tight. Tears began to well up in Daisy's eyes.

"S-sorry…" Rima released her immediately, smiling awkwardly.

Daisy hurried back into my embrace.

"I don't like Aunt Rima…" she whimpered.

At that, Rima collapsed onto her knees, defeated. Her expression was blank, as though her soul had left her body.

"Hahaha! That's what you get for being weird," I said, laughing.

Peace didn't last long after Rima's arrival. Every day leading up to the festival, we had to prepare our outfits.

I told her we could wear something simple, but of course, Rima refused.

According to her, as noble elves, we had to "embody grace, dignity, and the wisdom of High Elves."

We visited her acquaintance's boutique—owned by Igun, a famous designer who dressed the city's nobility. Since Rima and I had identical figures, only Daisy needed measuring.

Abiyasa and Lusserina, on the other hand, didn't require new attire—they would wear their usual uniforms.

Snow continued to fall over Nuzantra and its surroundings.

Despite the cold, my excitement for the first day of the Festival of the Moon Goddess kept me warm.

After washing my face, I began dressing in the winter gown Rima had chosen for me.

In the mirror, a silver-haired High Elf gazed back.

Her gown shimmered softly, woven from fine fabric embroidered with patterns resembling frost across a windowpane. The fur collar draped over her shoulders looked as if it came from a northern mythical beast, radiating majesty and purity.

A corset cinched her waist perfectly—graceful yet commanding, the presence of someone who could rule without raising her voice.

Around her neck hung a heart-shaped pink gemstone that glowed faintly against the snow-white dress.

It seemed alive, carrying whispers of an old memory—love, sacrifice, or perhaps forgotten magic.

Matching earrings swayed gently with each movement, scattering reflections of light across the room.

In that reflection stood not just a woman, but a figure of legend—a Winter Queen, a Keeper of Moonlight, a sorceress reborn from her slumber.

In silence, her elegance spoke louder than words: a perfect union of beauty, wisdom, and strength.

Once I finished dressing, I went downstairs.

Rima was already there, dressed identically to me.

Abiyasa and Lusserina were busy setting the table.

After breakfast, Lusserina hurried to help Daisy get ready.

Thirty minutes later, Daisy came down the stairs with her—wearing a white gown similar to ours. She looked like a small reflection of us: pure, graceful, and full of innocent charm.

We ate together before departing for the capital.

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

Only the sound of hooves, turning wheels, and the winter wind accompanied us on the road.

Inside the carriage, I sat beside Rima, while Daisy and Lusserina sat across from us. Abiyasa handled the reins outside.

"What's wrong, sweetheart? Nervous because it's your first time?" I asked gently.

Daisy nodded, pouting slightly.

"Don't worry. It's my first time too. So let's enjoy it together, alright?" I said with a wink, holding her small hand.

Daisy looked up at me, hesitated for a moment, then smiled after I nodded in reassurance.

"Haha, you really do act like a mother," Rima teased.

I turned my gaze sharply toward her.

"Hehe, kidding, kidding. Well… you are a mother, after all," she added slyly.

She wasn't wrong.

Even if Daisy was adopted—and even if my other children were once nothing more than data from a game—they were still my children.

My family.

"We'll be arriving soon, my Lady!" Abiyasa called from outside.

"Alright, let's get ready," I replied.

A few minutes later, the carriage stopped at the eastern gate of Nuzantra. The guards we saw daily greeted us warmly.

Since we planned to walk and enjoy the festival, we left the carriage in their care.

I looked down at Daisy and smiled, gently squeezing her hand.

"Are you ready?"

"Mm! Ready!" she said with bright determination.

I smiled.

The day we had been waiting for had finally come.

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