“……Ngh.”

Rolling around on the bed, I moved to the center, let out a big yawn, and sat up.

“…What time is it?”

Looking at the clock on the wall, I saw that it was just past 10.

I woke up earlier than I thought.

“Brrr!?”

As soon as I stepped out from under the covers, the cold air in the room made me cry out.

That woke me up instantly…

Of course, this room has a magic tool for heating, but since it’s that awkward time of the season, I hadn’t turned it on yet… Maybe it’s time to start using it.

For now, I should throw something on…

As I was about to ride on the 【Floating Orb】 that was lying under my bed and head toward the wardrobe, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

Whoever was outside must have noticed I was awake… but it wasn’t Seriana.

Elena, maybe?

“Come in… huh? Teresa?”

“Good morning, Princess.”

The one who entered the room was Teresa, dressed as impeccably as always, without a single flaw in her appearance.

At this hour, she’s usually already busy with work… Is she off today?

As I pondered that, she walked past me, opened the wardrobe, and took out a shawl.

“Here you go.”

Then, she smoothly draped it over my shoulders.

“A-Ah, thanks.”

It was knitted from wool or something similar, providing just the right amount of warmth.

Nice choice.

“Elena is already preparing breakfast. Let’s go.”

“Alright.”

◇

Ever since I went to invite Elena the other day, she has, for some reason, been spending her days from morning till night in Seriana’s room.

Normally, when she had visitors, she would return to her own estate, but since this season rarely brings unexpected guests, she’s been staying put.

Not only Elena, but Fiora has also started coming to this room.

Her work isn’t affected by the weather, but since she adjusted to the town’s residents’ schedule and gave her subordinates some time off, she ended up with free time as well.

Since Zighart has been heading to the dungeon, the underground research lab is also temporarily closed.

She could still do some work alone, but apparently, using that facility alone was inefficient. So, she stayed home at first… but got bored.

I hadn’t known about that, but when Seriana invited her, she agreed immediately.

These three really don’t know how to kill time.

Despite gathering in this room, they don’t actually do anything together.

They read books, write letters, and chat occasionally—each doing whatever they liked.

And starting today, Teresa joined in.

During the rainy season, Teresa’s main job was overseeing the supply negotiations for the 2nd unit soldiers who were stationed at hunting grounds for monster suppression in the territory.

But now that things had settled down, and since she had been working nonstop, Liesel and August forced her to take a break.

For Teresa, her job is practically her hobby.

But since she was made to stop working, she ended up here instead… Well, a little rest is necessary.

Seriana’s room has completely turned into a gathering place.

Should I call it a salon, to make it sound fancier?

Though, today, the scene inside is far from elegant.

Seriana’s office has a no-shoes policy.

After opening the door and stepping inside, you take off your shoes and put on slippers.

That entrance area is about six tatami mats in size, so those who are only calling for her without entering usually just relay their message from there.

Inside, the room is covered with short-pile carpets, and cleaning is done thoroughly every day.

Basically, what I’m saying is that Seriana’s room is very clean, and even if you sit directly on the carpet, it wouldn’t be a problem.

As usual, I continued my daily stretching routine… though ever since I got a mat a few years ago, it had turned into yoga.

With nothing else to do, I started it up again, this time with Teresa.

Seriana and Elena were used to seeing it, but Fiora found it strange.

Intrigued, she joined in.

“Sera, could you press down on my back lightly?”

“Sure.”

At Fiora’s request, I turned to look at her.

She had spread her legs about 90 degrees and was leaning forward slightly.

Normally, she wears robes or skirts, but today, she was borrowing pants from Teresa.

I walked over to her and placed my hands on her back.

“Pushing now—one, two, three, four!”

“…!”

With each count, I pressed down on her back.

Since I’ve regularly been using 【Mira’s Blessing】 on her and she doesn’t lead an inactive lifestyle, she has the most feminine figure among the women here, despite her age.

However, she still doesn’t do much intense exercise, so her joints were quite stiff, and she let out a small gasp.

“…You’ve been doing that for quite a long time. You started before we even met, right?”

Seriana’s muttering reached my ears.

Now that she mentions it, I’ve invited her before, but she never joins in.

“I have. Want to try, Seria-sama?”

I stopped pressing on Fiora’s back and, standing on one leg, lifted my right leg straight up—demonstrating an I-shaped balance—as I answered Seriana.

I don’t have much confidence in my strength or athletic ability, but when it comes to flexibility and balance, I’m top-notch.

“…Close your legs.”

I tried inviting her again, but Seriana, half-lidded, responded with that.

“…Okay.”

Does she just not like opening her legs?

“Moving parts you don’t usually use… it’s not bad… at all…!”

Fiora, struggling with her forward bend, tried to defend the exercise, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.

Well, I guess I’ll just wait until she feels like joining in someday.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Cloak】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】・15 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・28 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Heavy Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・8 cards