Fantasy Family Simulator (FFS)

Sun Lake was named after its round shape, resembling the sun, with dense yellow water plants that, under the bright sun, reflected a golden hue.

At the lake's edge, Reilly and Kelina stood together, quietly admiring the beautiful scenery. The spring breeze stirred gentle ripples across the lake's surface, where fish occasionally blew bubbles, captivating Kelina's attention.

"Wow, look at that red fish! What's it called?" Kelina asked curiously.

"That's a Red Scarf Fish. Its wide, thin tail waves in the water like a red scarf. It's pretty but not tasty, and it has a lot of bones," Reilly explained.

"And what about this one?"

"That's a Black Spotted Fish. We saw some of them last time in Dam Town."

"Oh, look at those crabs! They're crawling out of the water!" Kelina noticed a group of crabs making their way onto the shore and laughed.

"Those are Giant-Eyed Crabs. They like to lay eggs in mid-spring, so it must be that time of year," Reilly said, watching Kelina's playful excitement with a smile.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a square piece of paper. Taking a deep breath, he said, "By the way, Kelina, I mentioned a gift last time. I've prepared it, and this is one part of it..."

Kelina immediately turned her attention away from the lake, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I knew you wouldn't forget! What is it?"

She carefully took the drawing from Reilly and flipped it over, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Wow, did you draw this yourself, Reilly?"

The picture showed a sky with clouds tinged red by the setting sun. A wide road stretched from a distance, narrowing as it reached the edges of the paper. Standing on one side of the road was a blue-haired girl in tight clothes, hands on her hips, her face turned away in a pout. The sunset bathed half of her face in a golden-red glow, capturing a mix of anger and playfulness that made her look adorable.

Kelina instantly recognized herself in the drawing, recalling the day she had given Reilly a bottle of perfume. She blushed, realizing how much effort Reilly had put into capturing that moment.

"I love it! Thank you, Reilly!" she said, trying to hide the overwhelming joy bubbling inside her. "But you said this is just one part of the gift?"

Reilly nodded, gaining confidence from her pleased reaction. "Yes, but the next part is a bit special. You'll need to close your eyes..."

Kelina hesitated for a moment, then shyly closed her eyes. Reilly quickly took out several small jars of different colored jams—strawberry, blueberry, apple, and more. Concentrating, he channeled his magical energy, condensing water elements into ice.

Creating ice wasn't much different from manipulating water, but it required more focus and energy. Soon, a delicate ice sculpture began to take shape in the air—a bouquet of roses formed from ice, with each petal carefully carved.

As Kelina felt a cool breeze brush her face, she realized she had misunderstood Reilly's intentions. A bit disappointed, she sighed inwardly, but curiosity still filled her heart.

Using a small knife, Reilly carefully refined the ice sculpture. Once satisfied with the shape, he poured the colorful jams over the roses, freezing them into place.

"Alright, Kelina, you can open your eyes now!" Reilly said, holding the sculpture in his hands, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Kelina opened her eyes, and her breath caught. "Is this an ice sculpture? It's so beautiful! How did you get the colors onto it?"

Leaning closer, she caught a whiff of fruity sweetness, her eyes lighting up even more.

Reilly smiled. "It's not just an ice sculpture. It's an ice cream bouquet, a dessert I made myself. I call it the Rainbow Rose. Try it."

"It's almost too beautiful to eat," Kelina said, still marveling at the creation. The roses sparkled under the sunlight, each petal glowing with vibrant colors. Knowing it was made by Reilly gave it even more significance.

"If you like it, I can always make more," Reilly said gently. "But you should eat it before it melts."

"Alright, but you promised—you'll make more for me in the future," Kelina said with a playful pout. She took a small bite of the ice cream, the sweet and cold treat melting on her tongue. She closed her eyes, savoring the taste, just as Whitepaw, who had been playing in the grass, suddenly crashed into her from behind.

"Ah!" Kelina yelped as she stumbled forward, falling into Reilly's arms.

"Mm…"

For a moment, Reilly's mind went blank, but his arms instinctively wrapped around her. Kelina let out a soft sound, her face turning as red as a rose as she buried it in Reilly's shoulder.

The unexpected turn of events left both of them stunned, like a firework exploding in their hearts, leaving them speechless for a full minute. The world seemed to shrink until it was just the two of them, sharing the warmth of each other's embrace.

When they finally separated, their eyes met, and the intimacy of the moment lingered between them, only growing stronger.

Whitepaw, observing from the grass, was confused by his master's strange mood—an odd mix of contentment and something deeper. Sensing that it should give them some space, the little tiger quietly slunk away, hiding in the bushes.

Through the gaps in the leaves, Whitepaw watched the two figures draw closer, their lips meeting in a kiss. The exchange was soft yet passionate, their tongues dancing together in a world of their own. When they finally parted, Reilly gazed into Kelina's eyes, remembering something his father had once told him: When love comes, don't rush it, but when it does arrive, take responsibility for it.

Taking a deep breath, Reilly gently cupped Kelina's face and whispered, "I love you, Kelina."

"I love you too, Reilly," she replied, her smile glowing with the warmth of a dream come true.

Whitepaw trotted over, wagging his tail as he let out a dissatisfied growl. Who is this woman? Why are you neglecting me for her? it seemed to say.

Kelina giggled as she picked up the little tiger, who squirmed in her arms. "So this little guy is the one who brought us together," she mused.

Whitepaw, annoyed, wriggled free and ran off again, while Reilly chuckled. This little guy just earned himself an extra treat tonight, he thought, recalling the moment of connection Whitepaw had helped spark.

...

On his way back to the estate, Rhett spotted a familiar figure leaving the knight training grounds—a girl in a purple outfit.

"Ellie?" he called out.

Hearing the voice, Ellie turned around and forced a smile. "Good afternoon, Lord Rhett."

At just twelve years old, Ellie's emotions were easy to read. Rhett quickly picked up on her disappointment. "Ellie, was the knight aptitude test not successful?"

She nodded, looking down as she nervously twisted the hem of her shirt. "I… I didn't pass the test. I'm sorry for letting everyone down."

"Sorry? You have nothing to apologize for," Rhett said kindly. "Not becoming a knight doesn't mean you've failed anyone. You can still find your own path in life, can't you?"

Ellie's eyes briefly brightened before dimming again. After a moment, she seemed to make a decision. "Lord Rhett, I have a request. Will you grant it?"

"Let's hear it," Rhett replied.

"Even if I can't wield Dou Qi, I still want to serve Deep Rock Castle as a retainer. I want to train with everyone else and go on missions when needed. Please, grant me this!"

Rhett paused for a moment, seeing the determination in her eyes, and then smiled. "Alright."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Ellie practically jumped for joy.

"But," Rhett added, "you can train, but you won't be allowed to join missions until you're of age."

In the Kingdom of Gold, sixteen was considered the age of adulthood. Ellie would have to wait four more years before she could become a full-fledged retainer.

Ellie nodded eagerly, grateful for the opportunity. "Thank you, Lord Rhett! I promise I'll work hard!"

Rhett watched her run off, a mixture of pride and concern in his heart. Is it really suitable for a girl to be a retainer? he wondered.

He had considered suggesting she work as a maid instead, but seeing the determination in her eyes had changed his mind. If she's willing to chase her dream, who am I to stand in her way?

Back at the castle, Rhett settled into a chair with a plush cushion as a maid began massaging his shoulders.

"Lord, here's some chilled blueberry juice for you," Steward Switha said, placing a crystal glass filled with dark liquid on the table.

"Thank you, my good steward," Rhett replied, touching the cool glass as he thought back to the simulation.

That Rainbow Rose ice cream Reilly made… Pretty creative. I'll have to ask him to make some for me when he returns. Can't let him forget about his old father just because he has a girlfriend now, Rhett mused with a grin.

But not tonight. He didn't want to interfere with whatever good things might be happening. After all, ensuring the family line continued was far more important.

Later, during a small family dinner, Rhett raised a glass to their guest. "Welcome to Falcon Town, Kelina. I hope you've had a wonderful day here."

Kelina clinked her glass with his, sneaking a glance at Reilly before responding. "It's been one of the best days of my life—better than I can even describe."

After dinner, Rhett turned to Tack and Vanessa. "So, Ellie didn't pass the knight test today?"

Tack shook his head with regret. "A shame. She has the drive and would've trained hard if she had the talent."

Vanessa's eyes filled with disappointment as she added, "Lord Rhett, Ellie may not have the talent, but she's quick and hardworking. I'd like to request she be allowed to serve as a maid here at Deep Rock Castle. I know she's young, but..."

Before she could finish, Rhett interrupted, "I've already spoken with her, and I've agreed to take her on as a retainer."

"What?!" Vanessa gasped, realizing everyone was staring at her. She quickly lowered her voice. "But she's just a girl… and still so young..."

"She'll grow older in time," Rhett said calmly. "And being a girl doesn't mean she can't chase her dreams. If becoming a knight is her pure ambition, then who are we to stand in her way? Gender shouldn't be an obstacle."