[Short Story] A Morning Landscape

One morning in the Galarc Kingdom castle.

It was one of those cherished days when Christina and Flora were staying over at the estate—a quiet morning just before the household began to stir.

“Mm…”

Christina’s eyes fluttered open. Still lying on her back, she turned her gaze toward the soft morning sunlight streaming through a gap in the curtains, painting gentle rays across the room.

“…Hehe.”

She glanced to her side and found Flora sleeping peacefully, her breathing soft and rhythmic. Watching her adorable little sister’s defenseless sleeping face, Christina’s expression melted into one of tender affection.

What a lovely morning.

It was the kind of pleasant awakening that felt like a rare gift. No lingering drowsiness clouded her mind, no fatigue weighed down her body—her consciousness had been crystal clear from the very moment she opened her eyes. Days when she could wake like this were few and far between.

After indulging in the sight of her sister’s peaceful slumber for a while longer, Christina carefully slipped out of bed, moving with deliberate slowness to avoid disturbing Flora’s rest. She crept toward the window on silent footsteps.

“…!”

In the dim room, she eased the curtains open just slightly and peeked through the narrow gap. The newly risen sun bathed the earth below in its gentle glow, painting the landscape in warm morning light. Christina squinted against the brightness of the fantastical scene before her eyes. And then—

…Lord Amakawa.

There, in the garden below, she spotted the master of the estate swinging a wooden sword with practiced precision.

Rio.

It must be his early morning training—a routine he never failed to avoid. Even having attained a strength that could be called the world’s strongest without exaggeration, he remained humble and never grew complacent, continuing to refine his skills day after day.

He’s truly so diligent.

Without even realizing it herself, Christina’s lips curved into a soft, fond smile. She gazed at Rio as he silently swung his wooden sword, her eyes even more dazzled than when she had looked at the morning sun itself. Then—

“Hm?”

Rio seemed to sense her gaze and looked up, his eyes meeting Christina’s directly.

“…!?”

Christina’s body jolted with a start.

He noticed me!?

A mixture of guilty conscience and bashful embarrassment flooded through her, and she reflexively thought to hide. But their eyes had already locked—closing the curtain now would be far too late. As Christina stood frozen in place, uncertain what to do—

Rio said nothing. He simply waved at her with a friendly, warm smile.

“…………”

Christina awkwardly smiled back and returned the wave with a small, hesitant motion. Rio placed a hand over his chest and bowed respectfully before resuming his training as though nothing happened.

I didn’t make him uncomfortable, did I? Then it shouldn’t be strange to keep watching like this, right?

With those reassuring thoughts settling her nerves, Christina decided to continue observing Rio as he swung his wooden sword in the morning light. Then—

“Onee-sama?”

“…!?”

It seemed Flora had woken up. Called out to from behind without warning, Christina’s body jumped up with another startled jolt.

“Flora…” she breathed.

Don’t startle me like that,

Christina thought automatically—but it wasn’t as if Flora had done anything deserving of reproach. It was simply that Christina felt like she had been caught looking at something she shouldn’t have been, which made her react so dramatically to her sister’s innocent question.

“What are you looking at?” Flora asked curiously, still half-sitting up in bed with sleepy eyes.

“…It’s nothing,” Christina answered with a carefully composed expression, glossing over the truth. “The morning sun just felt pleasant.”

“Then let’s open the curtains properly,” Flora suggested with gentle enthusiasm. “I’d like to feel the sun too.”

“…Are you sure you don’t want to sleep a bit more?” Christina asked, concern softening her voice.

“No, I’m fine,” Flora replied with an innocent smile that brightened the room. “I slept so soundly and feel wonderfully refreshed. It’s such a lovely morning.”

And so—

“…What a coincidence,” Christina said, her lips curving into a soft smile of agreement. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

She slowly pulled the curtains open wide, inviting the full warmth of the morning sun into the room and bathing them both in its golden light.

“It really is beautiful weather,” Flora murmured, squinting her eyes as she gazed at the morning sun through the window.

“…Lord Amakawa is already awake and conducting his training as well,” Christina mentioned, keeping her tone casual.

It would be immediately obvious to anyone who looked out the window anyway. If Flora was going to discover it regardless, Christina reasoned, she might as well mention it herself first.

“Oh my, is that so?” Flora’s eyes widened with admiration as she leaned forward to look. “How very like Rio-sama.”

And then—

“So that’s how it is,” Flora said softly, as if she’d realized something or perhaps come to some understanding. A delighted, knowing smile bloomed across her face.

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