The soft afternoon light filtered through the trees as Cecilia and Valerie arrived at the main cottage. It was exactly 3 PM, and the two women looked flushed but satisfied after spending the better part of their day decorating the other cottage. Valerie adjusted her shirt and let out a small sigh of relief.
Serena, still carrying little Crissy in her arms, met them at the entrance. Her eyes softened as she approached Valerie. She gently wiped the sweat off Valerie's brow with her handkerchief, her touch lingering.
"You've been working hard again," Serena said softly, her voice carrying both pride and affection.
Valerie gave a small laugh, shaking her head. "It's nothing, really. You should be praising Cecilia; she's the one who's been putting her whole heart into this."
Cecilia looked away, pretending to focus on her bag, but her heart soared at the casual intimacy between Serena and Valerie. Though she managed to hide her excitement, she couldn't help but think, 'My ship is sailing again'.
"Enough talking," Cecilia said, clapping her hands. "Let's head to the other cottage before it gets dark. We've worked hard on it, and it deserves to be admired."
The others agreed, following Cecilia's lead with curiosity and anticipation.
The group arrived at the second cottage, and everyone stopped in awe the moment they stepped inside. The structure was an impressive combination of luxury and intellect.
The intricate carvings along the doorframes and walls gave the space a scholarly charm, while the polished furnishings brought an air of sophistication.
The living room was the heart of the first floor. Its dark brown furniture, including a plush sectional sofa, created an inviting yet elegant atmosphere. A massive TV dominated one wall, flanked by sleek shelves filled with decor and entertainment accessories.
"This is beautiful," Serena murmured, gently bouncing Crissy in her arms.
"It's cozy too," Brianna added, brushing her fingers over the arm of the sofa.
The group moved into the kitchen, where their amazement continued. The oak cabinets, polished to a golden sheen, lined the walls and concealed a host of modern appliances.
The dining area featured sturdy oak furniture, its warm tones matching the kitchen's rustic elegance. Even the bathroom carried the same luxurious design, with gleaming tiles and polished fixtures.
"I can't believe you two did this," Brianna said, looking between Valerie and Cecilia.
They climbed the stairs to the second floor, where the first stop was the master bedroom.
"Why is there a master bedroom here?" Brianna asked as she entered. "This is supposed to be for the tutors, right?"
The room was breathtaking. A king-sized bed with plush linens stood at the center, flanked by dark oak nightstands.
The balcony doors let in natural light, illuminating the soft beige walls and offering a stunning view of the surrounding forest.
The attached bathroom was equally grand, boasting a marble tub, double sinks, and a rain shower.
"It'd be a waste if no one used this," Valerie said, smirking as she leaned against the doorway. "But it wouldn't be fair for just one person to have it."
Serena caught Valerie's teasing tone and grinned. "Cecilia and Brianna should share the room. Don't you think, Val?"
Brianna's face flushed a deep red as she looked between Serena and Valerie, both of whom wore mischievous smiles. Cecilia, equally flustered, nodded. "That… makes sense. But it's up to Brianna."
Brianna hesitated, her thoughts a whirlwind. The butterflies she'd felt earlier were back, fluttering harder than ever. After a long five minutes of silent contemplation, she finally nodded. "Okay… if you're sure."
"Perfect!" Serena said, clearly pleased.
The group moved on to the other rooms, which were intended for the tutors. Each was tastefully decorated with dark wood furnishings and simple but elegant decor.
Rodan tugged on Valerie's sleeve. "Where's Leon's room?"
Valerie pointed to a door down the hall. "That one's for Leon."
Excited, Rodan grabbed Leon's hand. "Come on, let's check it out!" The two boys dashed off, leaving the adults smiling after them.
Leon's room was tailored perfectly to his quiet personality. The furniture was a mix of dark brown and black, giving the space a sleek and mature look.
A large desk sat near the shaded window, which offered a serene view of the forest. The bed was modest but comfortable, with soft black linens that matched Leon's aesthetic.
"They're going to love it here," Valerie said, watching as the boys explored.
"I wouldn't be surprised if their friendship turns into something more," Cecilia added with a knowing smile.
Next, the group visited the library.
The room was massive, its walls lined with bookshelves that were already filled with an array of titles. Several workstations had been set up, clearly intended for Rodan's magic lessons.
Serena turned to Valerie. "Did you put the books here?"
Valerie shook her head. "Nope. They were here when we arrived."
Brianna raised her hand slightly, smiling sheepishly. "I asked the builders to add them. Mystery solved."
From there, they moved to the backyard.
The backyard featured a state-of-the-art training field, designed for young hunters. A track field circled the area, while targets, weight lifts, and other training equipment were strategically placed. It was clear that no detail had been overlooked.
At the entrance of the cottage, a vibrant garden greeted them. Serena and Brianna couldn't resist admiring it again, despite having seen it before.
"This is perfect," Serena said, glancing at the cottages. "We should build an outdoor dining area so we can all eat together."
Everyone agreed, with Leon and Rodan eagerly offering their ideas.
They decided to have a picnic, Serena and Brianna decided to make some food, fetch the things needed for the picnic and left the kids to Cecilia and Valerie.
It was another peaceful day... Or is it?
new update, my lovies <3! and thank you lulla_by, Astrid_DL, Danika_Kiseki_8938, imodji97, Luesk, Mia_Eparwa, EngelCeciditDeCael, Ireallyloveher, Dominick_Ray for the power stones <333!!