On the side of Heim Castle's plaza stood a small glass greenhouse, about 20 square meters in size.
It was originally built by the old marquis to grow vegetables and fruits during the winter.
After it was passed down to Hel's uncle — the unfortunate Count of Heim, who had been in office less than a year before meeting an untimely end — he decided that the small greenhouse couldn't generate much profit with vegetables.
Instead, he opted to grow high-value flowers.
At least compared to cheap vegetables, the young nobles, head over heels in love, were willing to spend a fortune pursuing their romantic desires on these flowers.
However, after the greenhouse was converted, the unlucky count died the following year, and his money-making plan came to a halt.
Later, when Heim's economy fell into deficit, Sebas, temporarily managing the territory, resurrected the plan and entrusted the greenhouse to Anna's mother.
Though the flowers weren't particularly rare, producing such quality blooms in the harsh winter was no small feat.
The profits from selling flowers helped offset some of the castle's expenses.
After Anna's mother passed away, the greenhouse fell into Anna's care.
Whenever she had free time, young Anna would come here, carefully tending to the plants.
Being in the greenhouse always reminded her of her childhood memories.
When the flowers bloomed fully, her mother would often pick the best white violet and pin it in Anna's hair.
It wasn't the most dazzling flower, nor the most fragrant, but it was Anna's favorite.
She could spend the entire day in the small greenhouse, either watching her mother work or running among the flowers.
This little space was imbued with Anna's love and longing for her mother.
After Hel arrived, whenever she had nothing to do, she would also come here, resting her head on Anna's lap, enjoying the beauty of "half a sky."
She would do nothing, think of nothing, simply relishing a lazy afternoon in pastoral bliss.
Anna would always gently stroke Hel's hair, just as her mother once comforted her, coaxing Hel to sleep.
Thus, in Anna's little world, there was now a special bed just for Hel.
One evening, Hel returned from the Magical Beast Forest and came to the greenhouse, planning to relax before the undead army arrived.
However, she noticed that Anna was not there.
"Huh? The little girl isn't here today?"
Hel looked around the empty greenhouse in surprise. Normally, Anna would always be here.
"Master, don't you remember? You exhausted Anna a couple of days ago and created Number Four. So it's highly likely that Miss Anna is now resting in her room, recovering," Niv kindly reminded her.
For some reason, Hel felt a small sense of delight upon realizing Anna wasn't there.
"I see." Hel nodded silently and began to turn away.
"Then I'll go synthesize a little mage instead — that thing's quite useful."
"Master~"
Niv called softly from behind, making Hel pause at the greenhouse door.
"What is it, Niv?"
"Do you want to rest on Niv's lap, Master?"
Hel looked to see Niv already sitting on Hel's special little bed, her white-silk-clad legs swinging playfully, making Hel's head spin.
"Then… lie down for a bit?"
Hel decided to accept Niv's offer without hesitation.
Outside, green birds flitted across the greenhouse, chasing glowing moths.
Whenever the moths fluttered, tiny specks of luminescent dust scattered like stars, tracing a miniature galaxy in the sky.
Hel rested her head on Niv's lap, enjoying the faint floral scent emanating from her, which remained distinct even among the flowers of the greenhouse.
She watched the sun slowly tilt westward, the sky gradually dimming, revealing countless stars.
She had long forgotten the feeling of watching the stars in such tranquility.
Yet something felt missing.
Looking at the vast sky and Niv's youthful face, Hel suddenly realized: today's sky was no longer just half a sky.
Niv noticed Hel's expression and the way her gaze lingered on her chest.
She immediately understood what Hel was thinking.
Niv glanced down at her flat chest and instinctively reached out to squeeze it.
"Do you like busty lolis, Master?"
"Behave, don't talk nonsense — I am not a loli fan," Hel replied, reaching out to pat Niv's delicate chin in reassurance.
This AI assistant was perfect in every way — except for her blunt honesty. Couldn't she leave a little face-saving for her master?
"Based on Master's microexpression, current emotions are: 79% embarrassment, 28% flustered anger, 3% secret delight.
Niv concludes: Master is a white-haired, busty, silk-clad loli enthusiast."
Hel awkwardly tugged at her mouth — her secret was practically exposed.
"Then…" Niv pouted, puffing out her otherwise flat chest, and said seriously:
"Let Niv satisfy Master's preference."
"Satisfy? How? Are you going to modify your body again? That's too troublesome…"
Before Hel could finish, Niv's chest swelled visibly in an instant.
Hel was stunned — it grew instantly, like inflating a balloon.
Then she realized: Niv's blood-like tissue is made of primal matter, much like slime — shape-shifting at will. Achieving this was not difficult.
Hel quietly lay back on Niv's lap once again, now with a full half-sky above her.