Lucy had never considered herself someone with a talent for complaining.
But after realizing that not only dinner, but even breakfast was going to be eaten at Kabe's residence, she could not stop herself from voicing her dissatisfaction.
"If you don't like eating here, you can go handle meals at the guild instead."
"But the meal expenses are included in your rent. I cannot exclude them."
"Sorry, please pretend I didn't say anything."
Lucy immediately surrendered with astonishing speed, bowing her head toward Sorano and retracting her earlier complaint.
Joking aside, a fully independent luxury apartment for zero cost per month was already unbelievable enough. Now that it even included two meals a day, she would have to be foolish to refuse.
Hearing their voices, Laki peeked out from the kitchen.
"Sorano, go wake Kabe up. Lucy and Meredy, you two can sit first. I'll be ready soon."
"What? Why do I have to wake him up?"
Sorano immediately showed resistance at the assignment, clearly unwilling to accept it.
But Laki's next sentence blocked all her objections.
"Then you cook breakfast. I'll go wake him instead."
"…Forget it. I'll go."
Sorano did not know how to cook, and she did not want to stain her clothes with oil and smoke, so she reluctantly accepted the task.
Seeing her so unwilling, Lucy awkwardly tried to help.
"Sorano, if it's too much, I can go instead."
"You?"
Sorano glanced at her, then shook her head without saying anything and walked upstairs.
"Eh? What does that mean? Does she think I can't even wake someone up?"
Lucy muttered in confusion and mild dissatisfaction.
Meanwhile, Meredy, who was already seated obediently at the table waiting for breakfast, casually spoke.
"Just a reminder. Kabe's room is not empty."
"You forgot Irene auntie stayed over last night?"
Those words struck Lucy like a bolt of lightning.
She stiffly turned her head toward Meredy, stammering.
"You mean… they are both… still sleeping together right now?"
"Obviously. Kabe has been away for a month. Not only Irene auntie, even Laki…"
Meredy tilted her gaze toward the kitchen with a mischievous look.
Lucy's eyes widened instantly, her face turning bright red.
At that moment, Sorano rushed back downstairs with quick, heavy steps. Her expression was a mix of embarrassment and anger, clearly having witnessed something upstairs that was difficult to describe.
"That bastard, first thing in the morning he is already causing trouble and polluting my ears. I will kill him."
"What?!"
Lucy and Meredy nearly jumped out of their chairs.
Even knowing those people were bold, they had not expected things to be that extreme.
Lucy looked at Sorano, who was still irritated, and could not believe that something like that was happening right above their heads. Instantly she became restless, unable to sit properly, a strange heat building in her body as she fidgeted in discomfort.
At that moment, Laki came out of the kitchen carrying several dishes.
"Breakfast is ready. Lucy, Meredy, help me carry them."
"Sorano, did Kabe wake up?"
Lucy and Meredy quickly responded and hurried into the kitchen.
Sorano, her cheeks still slightly flushed for reasons unclear, replied irritably.
"He is up. And very energetic. Already started doing 'group exercises' first thing in the morning."
She had intended to complain, but Laki reacted with complete indifference.
"Then ignore them. We'll eat first."
"What?"
Sorano was visibly stunned.
Her man was upstairs with other women, and yet there was not even a reaction?
Or was this exactly why Laki could remain Kabe's woman so calmly?
Her openness left Sorano completely unsettled, even making her wonder if she was overreacting and why her own progress with Kabe had stalled.
Lucy, unaware of Sorano's thoughts, would have been even more shocked if she knew.
Because no matter how it looked, this situation was clearly Kabe's fault.
Uncomfortable with the atmosphere, breakfast ended quickly with very little conversation.
After helping Laki clean the dishes, Lucy immediately used the opportunity to bring up the sparring match with Sorano.
"Let's go. To the open area behind the estate."
Sorano stood up expressionlessly and walked directly toward the back gate of the manor.
"A duel between Celestial Spirit Mages? This is my first time seeing something like this. Wait for me."
Laki followed with interest, and the three of them arrived at the backyard.
Compared to its barren state a year ago, the yard was now filled with various flowers and plants.
Between the flowerbeds, a stone path led all the way to a massive open-air swimming pool.