Lights of gold and white, grag the verdant trees and neon gardens. The sun now climbing down the sky, step by step as the seds pass. Peace was all over the pce as the afternoon tio unfold.

  Cards of bd red. Four sets of 13, one made of hearts, one of spades, another of clovers, and finally, there were diamonds. Kings, Queens, and Jacks, parading all over them. Two jokers red and bck, dang around. Such was a deck of cards.

  Such a beautiful deck of cards ced upside down, only a red cover to be seen. Face up and face down, they were flipped time and time again as hands reached out to them. Five people taking turns oer another.

  "Thish! And... Thish!" ［Natalia］

  It was the little princess' turn, and after careful sideration, she pointed one card after the other, revealing two sevens, o and one diamond. A pair of red was formed, cards taken off the table.

  "Yaay～! Nalia shcoresh agaan!" ［Natalia］

  A cheerful smile soon bloomed as a pair was made, a happy face beaming warmth and joy all over the pce. It was a smile which could easily thaw ahe coldest of hearts into a uddle.

  The happy little prihen pced her cards down and started pig pairs once again, everyog her py ever so happily, reag out to the cards with her cute little hands. Her thinking face was really adorable, too.

  What everyone is pying is the card game "Memory". And since Grey had yet to make a proper and designated deck of cards for the game, they were only using the traditional deck of pying cards, pying itle princess' room.

  The rules were very simple. The pyers only o match the same value cards which are of the same color, with exception of the jokers which only be matched with each other. After os it wrong, it would be the pyer's turn.

  Of course, with their exceptional memrey and Yuna were given a little bit of a handicap. They were only allowed to get three pairs per turn, providing the others a ce to watd win. It has been a couple games sihey started.

  "Uuu... Ish wrong..." ［Natalia］

  The smiling face was no more as soon as the cards the little princess flipped didn't match. But it wasn't in any way a bad turn. In fact, in just that siurn, the little princess mao make four pairs. Quite a good score if oo be asked.

  "Hmm... The Little Princess' memory's really good, huh..." ［Grey］

  "Un! She might win this game." ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! My daughter's really smart, after all. Mommy's proud of her!" ［Natasha］

  A happy atmosphere soon loomed over the pce as everyone praised the little princess. Even the princess who was dejected a while ago has nhtened up, looking at the cards carefully and remembering where which cards were pced with attentive eyes.

  After the little princess, it was Iris' turn. She mao match three pairs, handing the urn to the Princess. The game tinued and it wasn't long before the game finally ended. As for the victor, it was...

  "Waah! I-I won!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! gratutions, Iris!" ［Natasha］

  "Hahaha. That was a great game." ［Grey］

  It was Iris. Though she gged behind in the beginning, she mao make a eba the ter phase. She mao collect all the remaining pairs i turn, sg one higher thatle princess.

  "Uuu... Nalia losht agaan..." ［Natalia］

  The only one who didn't cheer on Iris' victory was the little princess who was now down aed. It was only natural. After all, she hasn't won a siime, and she was so close this time as well. It was a total pity.

  "Fufufu! Now, now, don't be sad Natalia. You still wiime." ［Natasha］

  "Uuu... Okay... Andh Aunthie... Gatuashonsh." ［Natalia］

  "Y-Yes! Thank you, Natalia." ［Iris］

  Her artiight have gotten much better, but she still couldn't word out the word "gratutions". The only thing ot did was make her more adorable. A warm atmosphere once again enveloped the room.

  Without the ever so eig and Prihe atmosphere in the room was very quiet and peaceful. Though it ity that the Queen had to join them for her queenly duties, they still mao make a fulfilling afternoon for themselves.

  "Then, should we py aname?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Py agaan!" ［Natalia］

  "Okay! The's pyー Hm?" ［Yuna］

  Yuna didn't even finish her words. On the er in her eye was a lone red flower in a beautiful vase, almost wilting, its leaves aals almost falling. Though it looked much different now, it was a flower very familiar to her eyes.

  "Missus Natasha... Is that..." ［Yuna］

  "Oh that... Yes, that's the flower you gave Natalia before you departed. Actually, I'm still surprised it sted this long. Did you, by any ce, ent it?" ［Natasha］

  "Ah, un... I did..." ［Yuna］

  Yuna replied but her eyes were fixed on the flng at the little princess from time to time. As she remembered the promise she made with her, she then started giggling softly to herself, patting the little princess' head soon after.

  "Little Princess, did you keep the promise to Big Sis here? Have you been a good girl while we were away?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Nalia, gud girl! Very, very gud!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! I see, so you've been a good girl! Then it seems Big Sis here will have to keep her side of the promise." ［Yuna］

  Caressing the little princess' head ever so gently, Yuna g Grey's dire, sending a message just by log eyes with him. There were no words needed. All it took was a single gnce for the tter to uand her iions.

  Though the little princess didn't really uand anything, she just kept on smiling, enjoying Yuna's soft and ats. Her hair was ruffled a little bit but she didn't mind at all, blissfully enjoying such big sisterly fort.

  "Then, Little Princess, do you want to head to the kit? Big Sis and Big Bro will make you some sweets as promised!" ［Yuna］

  "Waah～! Reawly?! Sweetsh?!" ［Natalia］

  "Of course! It's a promise, after all!" ［Yuna］

  Bright as the m sun, the little princess beamed a smile towards everyone's dire. It was a critical hit. Everyone's hearts were now smitten with the little princess' indomitable ess. She really was the cutest!

  Left hand holding Grey's and right hand holding Yuna's, the little princess headed towards the Royal Kit with everyone following after her. Each of her little steps resounding in the long corridors as everyoched her pace.

  Thankfully, it was still early iernoon and dinner was still quite some time away. Because of such circumstahe Royal Kit was quiet and peaceful, not even a single person in to be seen. It was one of the rare times even the Head Chef, Carlton was not present.

  There was no need for permissioher. Though they usually ask politely before using the kit, Grey and Yuna have actually been allowed by the King himself to use it if they wao. Not to mention that the princesses were with them.

  "Fufufu! It seems like we have the kit all for ourselves!" ［Yuna］

  "Then, shall we get started?" ［Grey］

  "U's go!" ［Yuna］

  Their spirits through the roof, Grey and Yuna quickly headed to ay ter and started unloading ingredient after ingredient. If before, they took out loads of meat, herbs, vegetables, and spices, now, there was only eggs, sugar, dairy, fruits, flour and a lot of pastry stuff. A full dispy.

  There are already a handful of pre-made sweets in Grey's iory, but si was for the little princess, it was only natural they would make some more. A number of recipes already started revolving in their heads, all tasty and delicious.

  "Iris, how about you? Do you want to help us out again?" ［Grey］

  "I-I ?" ［Iris］

  "Un! Of course! Iris is always wele to join us!" ［Yuna］

  "Th-Then I'll be in your care." ［Iris］

  Grabbing a smaller apron in his "Iory", Grey quickly ha to Iris and had Yuna tie it for her. She was then given a small footstool. a little spot for herself, and a couple ingredients for her to use. She was ready to set foot to battle.

  "Are you ready, Iris?" ［Yuna］

  "Yes! I'm ready!" ［Iris］

  "Fufufu! That's the spirit!" ［Yuna］

  Hyped aermined, everyohen quickly and fervently started their tasks. Grey hahe cold desserts, Yuna with the pastries, and Iris with the much simpler ones like pudding, tarts, and the likes.

  Whisk Stir Cck Fwoosh

  Mixtures were stirred and whisked, pots and trays were pced, and fmes were lit abze. A harmonious symphony pyed out i as the metal tools clicked and ccked, apanying everyone's footsteps as they danced around the kit.

  Pies, puddings, tarts, custards, shortcakes, sponge cakes, macaroons, cookies, ice cream, fruit sads, and a lot more were dished out oer another. It has only been more than an hour yet the number of sweets already surpassed what was humanly possible.

  "Waah! Yellow! Red! Gwin!" ［Natalia］

  "Our Natalia's so smart～! Mommy's very proud of you!" ［Natasha］

  "Hehehe!" ［Natalia］

  And as the three were busy making sweets, the mother and daughter princess bo was also busy pying with one another. Now, Natalia's identifying the colors of the dishes and fruits which are pced atop the table with a happy smile on her face.

  Of course, there weren't just familiar dishes dispyed atop the table. As the main desserts, Grey prepared something he always loved ever since he was a child. A special dessert he and Yuna enjoy in their free time. Mango float!

  Chop Chop Chop Crush Crush Crush

  Chopping sounds echoed i as Grey chopped three kinds of fruits into tiny and fine pieces. There were cherries, strawberries, and mangoes. Crushing sounds soon followed as he turned some graham crackers to fine powder. He also sliced a number of fruits inte pieces for ter use.

  After some chopping and crushing, Grey then took a bowl and mixed densed milk, cream, and varact, adding in the chopped fruits and graham powder in the mix, whisking until the volume increased noticeably.

  Everything mixed perfectly, Grey took a couple trays and pced them atop the table. A yer of whole graham crackers was then pced otom, followed by the cream mixture, and stly by the sliced mangoes, cherries and strawberries, repeating the process until a couple yers were made.

  Finishing the top yer with all the fruits left and dusting the graham powder, all was finally finished. All that was left was to chill it. But of course, si would take a lot of time, several hours to be exact, magic was used to speed up the process again. A beautiful treat was made in a matter of minutes.

  "Waah～! It looks so good! I have a bite?!" ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... You're too excited. Let's eat together ter, alright?" ［Grey］

  "Un! Okay!" ［Yuna］

  Two replies, the same meaning. A bright smile pstered on her face, Yuna quickly finished making her sweets and soon after, Iris also finished with hers. Everyone safely finished, dozens of sweets and desserts atop the ter.

  Of course, sihey were finished, what followed after was the up. Thankfully, even with the creams, powders, and fruit juices stig oable, it was still easy to remove with magic as if they ouched the kit to begin with. Magic really is a life saver.

  "Then, should we head back to the Little Princess' room a?" ［Grey］

  "Um! Eat sweetsh!" ［Natalia］

  Just as jolly aed as they came in, everyone headed out the kit just as cheerfully. They quickly headed back to the Little Princess' room, the little child once again holding Grey and Yuna's hands as they walked.

  As soon as they arrived, Grey quickly took out a table, draped a white cloth atop of it, and took out a couple of fancy chairs. The sweets and desserts were then dispyed , a colorful dispy filling the table soon enough.

  """Thank you for the treat!!"""

  "Thank you!" ［Natalia］

  Not a single sed was wasted. As soon as the sweets were dispyed, everyone quickly got a serving for themselves and dug into the sweetness, heading to sugary wondernd where oeeth would surely ache from sweetness.

  "Yellow! Shweet andh Tashty!" ［Natalia］

  "Oh my! This custard is amazing!" ［Natasha］

  "Un! It's very delicious! Good job, Iris!" ［Yuna］

  "Th-Thank you!" ［Iris］

  Smiles and satisfied faces bloomed here and there as dies eheir choice of sweets and desserts. Of course, there was also tea and drinks to soothe the throat of the sweetness. A perfect sweets party.

  "Big Sish! Big Sish!" ［Natalia］

  "Hm? Is something wrong, Little Princess?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! That! Nalia wantsh!" ［Natalia］

  A cute request from the adorable little princess, her hands pointing towards the special mango float Grey just made not long ago. It was a request hard to deny, a piece of cold sweetness nding otle princess' pte.

  "Here, Little Princess. Say ahh～!" ［Yuna］

  "Ahh～!" ［Natlia］

  A cute little mouth wide and open, Yuly spoon fed mango float to the little princess. As soon as she did, a gentle flow of fvors surged in her mouth, her eyes widening in delight, sparkling brightly soon after.

  It was her too sweet nor was it too sour, just perfect with a hint of strawberry and cherry. The cream which apahe treat felt like soft clouds ihe mouth, melting ever so gently. It wasn't too soft either, banced by the graham crackers. It was the perfect treat for all ages.

  "How was it, Little Princess?" ［Grey］

  "Um! I love ish!" ［Natalia］

  "Hahaha. I'm gd to hear that." ［Grey］

  After the little princess, everyohen also had their share of the mango float. They all had the very same rea, totally delighted as smiles of satisfa were painted on their faces, enjoying the treats ever so happily.

  Such a happy time tinued until Yuna once again looked at the red flower from before. Seeing it again, she remembered another promise she made to the princess. One far more important than the one before.

  "Right, Princess Natalia, do you still remember our oath?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Nalia rembers!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! Then sihe Little Princess has been a good girl, this Big Sis will keep her oath. Big Sis will make your wish e true!" ［Yuna］

  "Wish?" ［Natalia］

  "Un! Any wish! The Little Princess just o say it!" ［Yuna］

  Big and round eyes stared into Yuna as the little prihought of what to wish for, her face looking ever so serious as if it was a life-ging situation. And though such a serious face doesn't suit her age, it only made her more adorable.

  "Th-Then! Nalia wantsh flower!" ［Natalia］

  "A flower?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Help Mishter Flower!" ［Natalia］

  Said Natalia as she poiowards the same flower Yuna was looking at before, everyone's eyes following where her fingers were pointing to. It was a wish her one of them expected at all.

  To the little princess, the flower wasn't anything on anymore. It has bee an important treasure to her, one she always looked at before she sleeps. It was such a simple wish, one whily showed her purity and innoce. Qualities whily moved everyone's hearts.

  "If that's what the Little Princess wants then sider it done! Big Sis here will help Mister Flower ter on." ［Yuna］

  "Waah～! Reawly? Promish?" ［Natalia］

  "Of course! It's a promise! But first, let's finish our food, okay?" ［Yuna］

  "Um!" ［Natalia］

  Warmth and happiness looming over the room, everyone tiheir little sweets party with one another, merrily chatting and ughing with one another. Of course, there was also the regur doting otle princess.

  Time passed, and soon, for one reason or another, more people joined in ohe Queen joihem first, followed by the King and Prince, and finally, there was Julius who just returned home from the Royal Academy.

  More time passed and soon, the sun finally desded the skies, darkness dev the world as the moon and stars showed themselves. The city became quiet once again, street and house lights illuminating the pce.

  Of course, it went without saying that Grey and Yuna had returo their room already. They once again took their baths and ged to their warm and fy pajamas, ready to retire for the day.

  "Fwaah～! That was a tiring day, wasn't it?" ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha, you say that again. But oh well, the Little Princess is cute so it's okay. It makes it worth it using the gate to e back quickly." ［Grey］

  "Un! It sure is!" ［Yuna］

  Like a little child, Yuna was now sprawling in the bed, her arms stretched out as she rolled over the bed, left and right. She was like a cute little puppy, zing about without a care in the world.

  "Mmn... Grey, I have a question..." ［Yuna］

  "Hm? What is it?" ［Grey］

  "Between me and the Little Princess... Who's cuter?" ［Yuna］

  Halt, Grey did. As soon as such a questi inside his ears, he was faced with an insane dilemma. It was the first time he faced such a questio he could already feel fear and uneasiness creep inside his heart.

  It was especially nerve-wrag with Yuna staring at him very ily with her pure, i blue eyes. Though he would usually feel happiness in such a situation, the situation couldn't be any different. He could only feel chills running down his spine.

  "A-Ah, right... I just remembered. I have something to give you, Yuna." ［Grey］

  "Hm?" ［Yuna］

  Avoiding the question as much as he could, Grey quickly took out a beautiful ptinum ring from his "Iory". It was the Mythical-Grade Ste Ri as a reward for defeating the boss monster back at the Labyrinth of Fmes.

  Seeing the ring, Yuna's eyes soon widened from surprise, her face turning redder by the moment as her heart thumped and pumped madly. She was feeling feverish, panic striking her heart as her eyes started to swirl.

  "U-Uhm! G-Grey, th-that is?!" ［Yuna］

  "ht, I totally fot to tell you. I actually got a lot of Mythical-Grade items in the Labyrinth. This Ste Ring is one of them. I'm sure it will be very useful to you. Here you go." ［Grey］

  "A-Ah, un! R-Right, a ste ring! Thank you!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna's face became even redder as she received the ste ring from Grey, but now, for a totally different reason. If before, it was because of surprise and shoow it is because of embarrassmereme embarrassment to be exact.

  "Hm? Is something wrong, Yuna? Your face is bright red." ［Grey］

  "That's... That's because of you... Dummy... I... I thought you were... Umm... I thought you were gonna propose..." ［Yuna］

  Stuttering and fumbling, Yuna answered Grey's question. It was only then that the tter realized where exactly it went wrong. Now, his face also became feverish, just as red as Yuna's, flustered as one be.

  "Uh... No... That's... I'm not proposing..." ［Grey］

  "I... I see... S-Sorryー" ［Yuna］

  "For now, that is... But one day... Wheime is right, I'll surely do it properly... You better prepare yourself..." ［Grey］

  "U... Un..." ［Yuna］

  Faces red as one be, silenced soon swallowed the room as Grey and Yuna tried to calm their rag hearts. It seemed like a simple task but with ead every time they locked eyes, their hearts only raced faster.

  It took several minutes before the two finally calmed down, ying down on the bed in each other's embrace, feeling the rhythm of their beatis and the warmth of their bodies in the depth of the night.

  "Right, Grey, what's your answer?" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Ao what?" ［Grey］

  "About my question. Who's cuter? Me or Princess Natalia?" ［Yuna］

  "Umm... Are we really doing this?" ［Grey］

  "Un. We are." ［Yuna］

  Well, Grey might have avoided it for some time, but he couldn't avoid it forever. His heart which was once filled with peace, warmth, and fort was now flooded with a surge of uneasiness and trouble. Needless to say, it was going to be a long night.

  CHAPTER 199 END