How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game

Chapter 486: Surprise and Goodbyes~

Early morning.

I slipped into my loose white clothes, layers soft and baggy to brace against the sharp bite of winter air.

A mess of colorful scarves hung around my neck—most of them knitted by Snow.

She had gone overboard, as usual.

I didn’t mind.

Their warmth helped. Not just against the cold, but... something else.

As I walked down the hall, the scent of breakfast drifted faintly from the kitchen.

My mother’s voice followed soon after, soft but edged with concern.

”How about some breakfast before you all head out? It’s still quite early, after all...”

She pressed a hand gently against her cheek, clearly wishing we’d stay just a little longer.

My father stood next to her, letting out a slow, tired yawn, rubbing one eye like he hadn’t slept much either.

”We’ve got no time, Mom! The ship’s about to arrive!”

Reina’s voice rang out as she bolted out the front door, practically hopping into her boots mid-run.

Snow, far more composed, gave a small bow with that graceful smile of hers.

”Fufu~ We appreciate the thought, Mother, truly. But we really do have to catch the ship this time. We’ve already overstayed by several days, haven’t we?”

”I see...” my mom said softly, smiling despite herself. ”Time really just flies by.”

”Hehe~ Don’t worry, Mother,” Alice chimed in cheerfully. ”We’ll stay longer next time! The proper semestral vacation is just around the corner, right?”

Rose nodded along beside her, brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. ”Maybe we can invite you somewhere in the central capital next time, Mother. Somewhere nice.”

My mother smiled again, eyes softening as she took them all in. ”Fufu... I appreciate the thought, my dear daughters. But truly, it’s enough. I had fun just having you all here. Even if it was brief.”

There was a short silence.

Then, slowly, the girls stepped in one by one, giving my mom heartfelt hugs and whispering their thanks.

Her arms, though gentle, held them tightly as if she didn’t want to let go.

”Thank you for everything...”

”Take care, Mother...”

”I’ll write to you next week!”

The scene was warm and a little loud—but in the best way. Laughter, gratitude, quiet sniffles here and there.

In the corner, my dad awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and slowly backed out of the moment like a man escaping a dangerous emotional trap.

Looks like Dad was still having a bit of trouble being around the girls.

”This will be our farewell for now as well, Father,” Snow said gently, giving a graceful nod. ”I hope you’re blessed with a good yield in the land this year.”

”Y-Yes... I hope so too, Princess— I mean, daughter Snow...” he fumbled, quickly correcting himself with a cough.

Yeah... it’s definitely going to take a little more time for him to adjust to the sudden status shift in the household. Not just because one of the empires ’princesses’ now casually called this place home.

Especially not ones who could legally wipe out our entire bloodline with a flick of their finger and still smile sweetly afterward.

Not that he had to act this awkward though.

If he had just tried to get a little closer to the girls while they were staying here, maybe things wouldn’t have been so tense for him.

Too late now though.

Today marked the final day of our somewhat extended winter vacation at the estate.

After a few more hours, we’d be heading back to the academy.

The snow had started to ease, and the road had finally cleared up—no more excuses for delays.

My mother turned toward me with that soft, knowing look only moms could give.

”Take care of them, okay, Riley?”

I smiled and nodded.

”Of course.”

She didn’t say anything more. She didn’t need to.

Outside, the carriage was already prepared and waiting by the gates. Reina was the first to hop in, sitting by the window with her arms crossed.

”Hurry up, will you!” she called out.

”Hear that, girls? Reina’s already getting impatient,” I said, raising my voice a bit. ”Hurry up and finish your goodbyes.”

”H-Hey! That’s not what I meant!” Reina immediately snapped, her voice cracking a little. ”P-Please don’t listen to him, seniors— I-I mean, sister-in-law’s...? no... b-big sisters! B-Big bro just misheard, okay?!”

She glared at me, flustered and red-faced.

Honestly, teasing her like this might just become a new hobby of mine.

She really was starting to act more and more like Dad—awkward under pressure and always fumbling her words when things got just a little too emotional.

Of course, she’d never admit that.

And I wasn’t planning to tell her.

Waving our goodbyes to my parents one last time, the carriage slowly rolled away from the estate, wheels crunching softly over the snow-covered road.

Our next destination—The Mage Association’s central gate in the nearest city.

From there, we’d catch the teleportation array back to the academy.

As the estate slowly disappeared into the white backdrop, I found myself quietly leaning against the window, watching the familiar trees blur past.

The vacation hadn’t been long. In fact, it was technically cut shorter than expected.

But strangely enough, it felt like it had lasted just the right amount of time—long enough to breathe, to laugh, to spend time with the girls... and to face a few surprises I hadn’t anticipated.

New bonds. New challenges. A master I never thought I’d have... and even a new older sister, in her own weird way.

Thinking back, this little break had turned into something way more memorable than I originally planned.

A quiet sigh escaped my lips.

”By the way,” Reina suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence. She was sitting at the far right-hand side corner of the large carriage, hugging her knees a little. ”Where did sister Liyana go? I didn’t see her this morning.”

For reference, I was currently sandwiched between Snow and Rose. Alice sat beside Reina, her gaze half-distracted by the passing snow outside.

”She left last night,” Snow answered calmly, adjusting the fur trim on her cloak. ”Said she needed to prepare a few things with the Duke. She didn’t explain in detail, but knowing our dear little sister... she’s probably already waiting for us at the Association building.”

Snow’s response made me blink for a second.

So, she was calling Liyana ”our dear little sister” now? Huh. I guess they’d gotten closer than I thought. Close enough that even Liyana’s vague disappearances weren’t strange to her anymore.

That used to be a ’me only’ experience.

”I see,” Reina muttered, nodding a little. ”Guess I can still say my goodbyes then.”

”Instead of worrying about goodbyes, how about you worry more about becoming a proper senior for her?” I replied with a teasing smirk, glancing her way. ”She’s joining the academy next school year, remember? With how lazy you’ve been lately, I doubt you can be a good role model.”

Reina sat up straight and puffed her cheeks. ”I’ve never neglected my training! I’ve just... been enjoying a few well-earned breaks here and there! Besides, it’s vacation! You’re allowed a little breathing room!”

”And yet... you’re still the same rank in class, right?” I added, nudging the final blow.

”T-That’s because ranking is based on different metrics!” she snapped, flailing her arms a little. ”And for your information, my rank is in progress!”

Alice chuckled quietly beside her, trying not to laugh out loud, while Rose just smiled faintly. Snow gave a small, approving nod though I just laughed even more.

”Stop laughing you idiot brother!”

’Yup my little sister is the cutest when she’s angry’

....

”Ah, you’re here!”

As soon as we stepped into the Mage’s Association building and made our way toward the docking station for the floating ships, Liyana’s bright voice rang out.

She was waiting for us in the lounge area, casually waving her hand with a wide smile.

As usual, a crowd had already begun to form around her—though none dared get too close.

Everyone kept a respectful distance.

After all, she was the daughter of the Grand Duke, the ruler of this land. Her presence demanded attention even when she wasn’t trying.

Though, come to think of it, she hadn’t bothered to hide herself in public much lately.

Not since I returned from the estate.

Back then, she would use spells to conceal herself or keep a low profile, especially when walking with me or the other girls.

But now? She didn’t seem to care.

And honestly, I didn’t either.

Snow, Alice, Rose...

Just walking beside them already drew enough attention to make anyone’s head spin.

Trying to hide our relationships now would just be pointless—not to mention stupid.

”Hehe~ darling, you smell so good~” Liyana grinned, rushing toward me with her arms open wide before burying her face into my chest.

Then—

”O-Ow...!”

Rose tugged sharply at Liyana’s ear, pulling her away with a calm but clearly unamused look.

”We’re in public,” Rose said simply, not even needing to raise her voice.

Liyana pouted as she rubbed her ear. ”That hurts, you know, sister Rose...”

”Then control yourself,” Rose replied flatly, letting go.

”Yes~ Yes~” Liyana chirped playfully, not at all offended as she twirled back beside us like nothing happened.

I couldn’t help but sigh a little.

Seeing Rose openly reprimand Liyana like that still caught me off guard sometimes.