Columbina's room was also deep within the palace.
Unlike the cold, imposing atmosphere of the Tsaritsa's office, it was warm and elegant.
The walls weren't carved from ice, but covered in warm wooden panels.
Several potted plants sat on the windowsill, looking especially vibrant amid Snezhnaya's ice and snow.
A soft beige sofa and a natural wood coffee table stood in the center of the room, with an exquisite tea set on the table.
One look at it and Bai You had a feeling it was a gift from Sandrone.
"Wow, your room is so pretty!" Bai You's eyes widened as she looked all around.
"It's so warm, completely different from outside."
"Is it?" Columbina smiled gently.
"I don't like places that are too cold, so I made my room a little warmer. Sit wherever you like, and make yourself at home."
Bai You climbed onto the sofa, put the fruit bread on the coffee table, and sat properly, swinging her two short little legs.
Columbina went to the kitchen to make tea, then came back with an exquisite teapot and poured Bai You a cup.
"This flower tea is made with ice plum blossoms, a Snezhnayan specialty," Columbina said.
"It's good for you, and it's sweet. Children all like it."
Bai You picked up the cup and drank in little sips.
The flower tea was sweet, with the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms. It was delicious.
"It's delicious!" Bai You's eyes sparkled.
"Have some more if you like it." Smiling, Columbina poured herself a cup, then picked up a piece of the bread Bai You had given her and took a bite.
After that first bite, she began taking big mouthfuls, like a kitten mad with hunger.
"Mmm, it's delicious." Columbina's eyes curved.
"Where did you buy this bread? It tastes very distinctive."
"Uh... I made it myself, then put it in the packaging."
[You actually believe that yourself???]
The system suddenly popped up in her mind again.
Bai You ignored the system.
"Then where do you live? This bread is delicious. I've never had bread this good before."
"Can I follow you from now on? I could rent a place near your home, too. I want to eat more of this bread."
Bai You had never expected Columbina to say that. Although she knew Columbina hadn't eaten much good food, she hadn't expected her to be this crazy.
Could it be that the system's bread really is that good? Bai You wondered.
[Of course, that's all thanks to me. Everything produced by the system is guaranteed to be top quality.]
The system popped up again and said smugly.
Bai You promptly took a piece of bread and stuffed it into her mouth. After a couple of bites, she found it really was quite tasty. The only drawback was that it was just plain bread.
"I... I live in the Korolevsky Theater..."
"Then can I follow you when you go back? I'll talk to the person in charge of the theater. Don't worry, I won't disturb your life. I just want to eat bread."
After hearing Bai You's answer, Columbina continued.
Bai You didn't know what to say at this point. She was completely stunned. She hadn't expected Columbina to actually do it...
She turned to look at the anticipation in Columbina's eyes. Now that Columbina had said all that, she didn't seem to have any reason to refuse.
"Okay, I'll ask Odette when I get back and see if she can arrange a room for you."
"Odette? Is she the one who dances ballet so beautifully? I think I happened to see her perform before," Columbina asked curiously.
"That's right. I'm sure she'll be happy to welcome you," Bai You said happily.
Columbina nodded gently. "If I get the chance, I'd like to see her perform again."
"Really?!" Bai You's eyes lit up.
"If Odette knew you were going to see her perform, she'd definitely faint from happiness!"
Columbina laughed at that. "Is it really that exaggerated?"
"Yes! Absolutely!" Bai You nodded vigorously. "Odette is a huge fan of yours. She really admires your light steps!"
Columbina couldn't help laughing aloud, her light purple eyes full of gentle amusement.
Speaking of Odette, I seem to miss Varesa a lot too.
I wonder if they've finished rehearsing. Looks like I need to hurry back.
Bai You thought to herself.
(She'll return in another two chapters.)
The two chatted about the theater for a while, then the topic turned back to Bai You.
"Oh, right, Bai You," Columbina said, looking at her. "Your codename is Water Nymph, isn't it?"
"Mm-hmm!" Bai You nodded.
"Water Nymph..." Columbina repeated softly, a smile in her eyes. "What a lovely name."
She looked at Bai You, her eyes full of seriousness:
Columbina continued, "I once heard a legend that water nymphs are spirits who live in the deep sea. Their songs can calm storms, and their dances can make flowers bloom."
Bai You felt a little embarrassed. She lowered her head and sipped her tea.
Columbina really was so gentle.
She thought of Varesa again. Alas, if Columbina hadn't said she was coming along, she might have used the necklace to teleport right in front of Varesa in a little while.
[See? See? I told you Columbina was easy to get along with.]
The system popped up in her mind again and said smugly.
[Well? I was right, wasn't I? And look, isn't this an idol meet-and-greet delivered right to Odette and Varesa's door?]
Shoo, shoo, Bai You said in her mind. Don't bother me.
[Oh, already forgetting who helped you? I'm so hurt... Sob, sob.]
The system spoke with a cheeky air.
Ignoring the system's teasing, Bai You continued chatting with Columbina.
"Bai You, I said at the door that I'd sing for you. Let me sing for you now," Columbina suddenly said.
???!!! Wait! She's really doing it? This girl really takes action-she does whatever she says!! Bai You thought.
"Okay, I'd like to hear it too~" Bai You could only nod gently and agree.
Columbina's eyes curved slightly. She didn't touch any instruments, merely lowered her gaze a little, gently relaxed her shoulders, and slowly eased her breathing.
An exceedingly light, gentle melody slowly drifted from her lips.
She wasn't singing at the top of her lungs, only humming softly.
There was no instrumental accompaniment, no elaborate vocal flourishes, only her clear, ethereal voice, as light as falling snow brushing past the eaves.
The melody was long and soothing, without a single word or lyric.
There was only pure, gentle humming, slowly flowing through the warmly heated room.
Holding her hot tea, Bai You unconsciously sat up straight and even softened her breathing.
She didn't dare make a sound and interrupt. She simply sat there quietly, her eyelashes lowered, and listened.
She didn't know how much time had passed before the gentle melody slowly faded, like a snowflake falling softly into a lake and silently melting away.
Its lingering resonance still floated quietly in the air.
It took Bai You a while to come back to her senses. Her eyes sparkled, and she couldn't help exclaiming softly, "That was so beautiful! Even when you're just humming, it sounds so beautiful!"
Columbina grew a little embarrassed by the praise...
Afterward, Columbina taught Bai You how to mobilize resources as a Harbinger, how to travel freely, how to avoid tedious official duties, and so on.
Just as Columbina was still explaining everything in detail.
Knock, knock, knock-
The door was pounded hard.
A cool, angry, tsundere girl's voice came from outside the door.
"Co! Lum! Bi! Na!"
A very, very special thank-you to Daida Shiluosi for the Great God Certification gift つ♡⊂
It's my first time seeing this gift (=ﾟДﾟ=). Thank you so very much.
There'll be another three or four chapters during the day. I got carried away playing games, so there are only two chapters for now. I'll put the other gift thank-yous in a new chapter once I've sorted them out during the day ♡=•ㅅ＜=)
I played games all night, and now I owe 23 extra chapters for gifts ヽ(ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ. Before school starts, I should be keeping up five or six chapters a day and will make them up.
Also, does anyone play Teamfight Tactics? I think I can give out the coins for that arena, so you can get it faster ヽ(｀･ω･´)ﾉ