Meanwhile, I glanced to my side. Ronald had fainted. Not dramatically. Not with flair. Just fainted.

  I poked his cheek, pulled, and pinched, but he didn't even flinch. His eyes were still open, glassy and stunned, as if fear itself had short-circuited his brain. I swear I saw his pupils were waving tiny white flags.

  Miss Judy tilted her head, utterly unbothered, and chuckled like a kind older sister. "Young Master Ronald always faints when he sees us. It's so adorable."

  Adorable, huh?

  I watched as she casually pulled out a tiny porcelain bottle from her inventory. The cork popped with a faint ping, and a pungent smell drifted upward. My nose nearly staged a revolt. Sharp, acrid, like old metal mixed with lavender? No, probably poison. I mean, probably not. I clamped my nose in disgust.

  She brought it near Ronald's nose. I prayed for Ronald. R.I.P, bro.

  Two seconds passed.

  His eyes snapped open like someone had slapped a resurrection spell on him. He sat up abruptly, scanning the room like a soldier with all his sensors active but eyes on vacation. “Wh-What happened?”

  He reminds me of a broken robot. They didn't replace his parts while he was out every time, right? I pressed my hands against his squishy shoulders. Safe. Still soft. Nothing rattled. I wiped a sweat I didn't know I had from my forehead.

  Miss Judy laughed again, a melodic, unsettling sound that somehow made my spine tingle. "Fufufufu. Young Master Ronald is always like this after waking up. He's like a broken record."

  I gave an awkward smile, then patted Ronald on the head. My poor baby boy. Now I'm not sure if his trauma was the punchline or the warning.

  Miss Judy glanced at her watch and clapped her hands lightly. "Well, look at the time. Lunch." She turned to Ronald with a soft command. "Young Master Ronald, please guide Miss Llyne to the dining room."

  Still rubbing his eyes, Ronald gave a sluggish nod. Miss Judy offered a graceful bow and vanished like mist.

  "Wow. It's lunch time already?" I stretched, letting the sunlight burn my body through the windows. "My stomach didn't even complain. Guess the excitement must've killed it."

  Ronald chuckled, a sheepish sound that reminded me of a shy puppy I've always wanted but Ma never let me have. "I'm sorry, Llyne. You must have been scared."

  I waved it off. "Nah. It was seriously fun. You must love living here."

  His cheeks tinged pink as he scratched the back of his head. “Yes… I do. Aside from the horror and the practice room… every day has been… peaceful.”

  Hmm? What's with that pause? Is he being abused? I peeked at his face. But his eyes... hmm... Looks like some digging needs to be done.

  "Oh well. I'm glad you're having fun." I gave him a few playful whacks on the back.

  His back steamed briefly. "But… why are you here? Did your Master allow you to leave?" Ronald asked, concern plain in his voice.

  "Yup! But let's talk about that after lunch. I've got a whole bunch of stories to tell you." I tugged him up and dragged him toward the dining room like I owned the place.

  The moment we entered, the air hit me: warm, spiced, and fragrant. Seasoned meat, fresh bread, and a faint whisper of herbs were vacuumed into my two nostrils.

  I felt weightless, flying, tongue out, drool waterfalling. Ronald tugged me back with a gentle nudge, snapping me into reality.

  We sat, and I launched into my story, barely keeping my mouth from choking on the food. From the moment I entered my House, the strange trials, shifting dreams, monsters that shouldn't exist, and the eccentric old man who carried me skyward, I spilled it all. Ronald’s eyes went wide at every ridiculous detail. He gasped. He laughed. Sometimes both at once. His reactions? Absolutely priceless.

  My chest swelled with pride. He was an excellent audience, no, the best I’d ever had. Period. I might even frame this moment in my brain for posterity.

  After lunch, I wandered to the windows, gazing down at the vineyard below. From up here, it looked endless, a green-and-gold puzzle stitched across the valley. Sunlight draped each cluster in gold, sparkling like tiny gemstones, and the occasional bird flitted between the trellises.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Miss Judy offered a tour through the windows, and my heart skipped a beat with every blink. The scenery was breathtaking. Gleaming colors, perfect patterns, treasures ripening silently under the sun.

  I nudged Ronald's elbow and whispered, "The vineyard… wow. Not literally to die for, but close enough.”

  The House of Vodka, once a strange and slightly terrifying place, had turned into a pocket of wonder, brimming with secrets, stories, and warmth.

  If only we lived on the ground, I would stay here forever.

  When night finally arrived, I flopped face-first onto a ridiculously soft bed in the guest room.

  "Fuwahh! It's a bed. It's a bed! It's been so long since I've seen or slept on one!" I shouted, kicking my feet in delight.

  Ronald peeked in, curious. "What do you usually sleep on?"

  "Futon!" I said proudly, rolling around like a delighted child, throwing confetti I'd hidden under my clothes.

  "I've never seen a futon before," Ronald admitted.

  "Never?" I sat up.

  "Never," he repeated.

  "Then we're going shopping tomorrow! You have to try it!" I declared.

  "But… you're leaving tomorrow," Ronald reminded.

  "Ah, true." I paused. Maybe I should kidnap him? Best solution. But he's so huge... Who cares! I'll sacrifice a muscle or two. My grin widened mischievously.

  Ronald blinked, worries in his eyes. Why does it feel like Llyne wants to commit a crime? He wrapped his arms around himself. Against... me?

  Then, a puff of stinky alcoholic breath whispered in Ronald's ear. "What do we have here?" Ronald's whole body flinched; his soul temporarily left reality. I waved it goodbye.

  "Little Chad here can take you shopping," came a familiar voice. The old man had returned, so did Ronald's soul.

  "You're alive!" Ronald and I said in unison, half in cheer, half in disbelief.

  "So how about it, huh?" he asked, smirking.

  "Brilliant! Thanks, old man!" I beamed. Looks like I wouldn't need to pull a muscle.

  "But… what about training, Master?" Ronald asked, visibly conflicted.

  The old man waved it off. "Skipping a day ain't gonna kill you. You should relax once in a while. Let your muscles breathe."

  "I second that!" I nodded vigorously.

  "But Miss Judy—" Ronald began again.

  "Don't worry. I'm the Master of the House. Listen to me, got it?" the old man said, tone firm enough to silence doubt. But upon closer inspection, I could see his pupil quiver violently.

  Ronald nodded, eyes sparkling, unaware of his Master's impending doom.

  Seeing his glittering eyes, the old man ruffled his hair like a proud father and sent him off.

  Once Ronald left, the old man looked at me with a gentle smile. "Good night, L. Sweet dreams."

  "You too, old man," I waved.

  The door closed softly behind him. I lay surrounded by plush blankets and quiet thoughts. What a hectic day it had been.

  I smiled to myself, picturing Ronald's goofy embarrassment, the vineyard winds, and the sheer absurdity of everything playing back like a vivid dream. Sleep claimed me swiftly.

  The next morning, I threw the blanket aside and jumped on the bed. Arms wide, eyes closed, taking a deep breath. “HA! I’m ready!”

  Dressed and posing in front of the mirror, I hummed, "A day to remember, a sunny bright day~"

  Just then... knock knock.

  "Miss Llyne, wake up. It's breakfast," Miss Judy's melodious voice rang through the door.

  I spun to the door and flung it open. Arms and legs outstretched, neck bent backwards. "I'm up, and my stomach is more than ready!"

  I couldn't see her face, but I knew she was smiling. How could she not? I'm irresistible.

  "Oh my, how earnest. Let me lead you to the dining room."

  "Alrighty!"

  The moment we stepped in, the aroma hit me once more. Fresh pastries, grilled meats, bubbling stews. Around the table sat the old man, Ronald, and a few other cheerful faces.

  Warm smiles. Stories. Laughter. Endless servings. Even the old man tossed a few playful jabs Ronald’s way.

  Once breakfast ended, Ronald and I prepared for the next destination: Rona's house.

  "Isaac's closer, but let's go to Rona's house first," I suggested. "We can visit the market near her place, alright?"

  Ronald brightened. "Sure!"

  I tucked the map safely into my inventory. Just as I turned to leave, I caught Ronald reaching out, hands poised as if he wanted to princess carry me.

  I glanced at his arms and back at his face. "…What's wrong?"

  "We're going back down, so I need to carry you."

  "Huh? Didn't you know there's a teleportation port connecting from here to the grape farm?" I blinked.

  "…Huh?" Ronald looked like his world had shattered. "There was?"

  I nodded and pointed him to it. "There."

  He stared at it for a moment. Mouth opened, then blushed. "Ugh… I think I'm going to die…"

  I patted his back, laughing. "It's not your fault. The old man likes teasing you."

  While mine... Heh. Her teasing would kill.

  Ronald nodded sheepishly. "Yeah… he's always like that."

  Before we stepped in, I handed Miss Judy the bottle of wine from my inventory. "Mission done. I'm sure one reliable soon-to-be-but-don't-know-when disciple."

  Miss Judy took it and turned away.

  We stepped into the teleportation port.

  FLASH.

  The world shimmered, reassembled. In a blink, we stood at the edge of the grape farm, dew and soil greeting us like old friends.

  Ronald blinked in awe. "Whoa… That was amazing."

  I laughed, "Same!" I patted my body. "It's all intact."

  The sun greeted us. The sky above was painted blue. Before us… the market.

  Bustling. Vibrant. Alive.

  The chatter of merchants, clatter of carts, and the scent of fresh pastries mingled in a dizzying symphony. Every stall promised a tiny adventure for the senses.

  "This place is so lively," I said, eyes drinking in the colors and sounds.

  “It sure is. Best produce, best snacks. It’s a wonderland,” Ronald beamed.

  As we walked through the streets, he introduced me to merchants, handed me samples, and even insisted on treating me. What a good pal I have.

  The food? A burst of joy.

  As I laughed beside Ronald, shopping bags in one hand, stories spilling from the other, I realized:

  This world might be dangerous. Twisted. Wild. Even cruel. But today? It was beautiful.