"Hmmm... thank you for this, Aokitsu. It’s wonderful to be back home," I say to Aokitsu, who managed to get Pandora to give us both time off. We came to my territory to date in peace without having to wait for work to end.

’Hmmm... this is so nice...’ I look around, taking in all this snow and ice, this freezing, frigid climate I lived in for years. There really is nothing like coming home.

Even though living in Pandora’s castle is great, there’s still a unique and special charm to returning to the home where we grew up.

"Hehehe, I’m glad you liked it, Freya. Elena and Pandora said we can stay for two months before we have to go back," Aokitsu says, wagging her tail as I invite her into my house.

It’s been so long since I’ve been back here. Before Pandora, the demonic territory was divided among "rulers" who controlled each part. Me, Thalor, Calypso, and Elena’s mother — but after Pandora was born, she became the absolute owner of everything again, so many of us, except for Elena’s mother, went to serve Pandora. And since we were practically at war, we had no chance of returning to our homes.

Now, after everything, I’m finally coming back to my home. I see this immense white mansion with deep blue tones that highlight the freezing climate and atmosphere.

’These flowers...’ I look at the white lawn and the flowers perfectly placed in the soil near the mansion — blue and white flowers, forming a characteristic garden I always loved to watch during intense snowstorms.

"Aokitsu, I hope you like this place. I know it’s kind of cold and might not be the most pleasant for you since you’re a fox, but it’s an important place to me... I think you’ll at least find it beautiful," I say in a composed manner, seeing my former servants lined up waiting for me as soon as I open the mansion.

’All this care and order... yes... it’s perfect.’ Pandora’s castle is too chaotic and lively. This silence, these cold, calm, neutral, and serene expressions of my servants are something else I’ve missed. After all, these expressions are a trademark of this cold environment.

"Don’t worry, it’s better than having to depend on Pandora in so many different ways. Besides, the place really is beautiful, even if a bit cold," she says, her tail bristling a little as I give an order to the servants to prepare my room.

"Hey Freya... could you find me a pretty place, with a frozen tree and a nice scenery? I want to surprise you... and also thank you for all your help... without you, I know Pandora would have killed me... and even though I hate her for enslaving my people... it’s true that she solved a lot of their problems," Aokitsu says, a little embarrassed.

"Not to mention all the lessons you gave me... I hate to admit it, but I wasn’t very clever, and I failed my people badly in the past. Thanks to everything you taught me, I understand leadership better now, and I think my people have started to forgive me for my past mistake." She runs her hand through her hair, flushed with embarrassment since she’s not very good with words.

"Of course. You can go with my servants. And since you’re preparing a surprise for me, I think I’ll get dressed then. Any preference?" I ask her with a slightly shy smile too. After all, she’s about to do something for me.

"...Wear a formal dress, please... I also brought formal attire for what I’m going to do, and I think it’s appropriate for the situation... I-I think you’ll be very surprised and I hope you like it..." Aokitsu’s tails wag excitedly as I smile.

"Alright. I’ll see you in two hours. Is that enough? Or do you need more time? Also, feel free to ask my servants for anything you want — they will obey you," I tell her, giving her full freedom to do as she pleases.

"Perfect! That’s enough time, and I’ll make good use of your servants’ help." As soon as she confirms, I head with my servants to my room. I wonder why she’s so anxious. The whole way from Pandora’s castle to my mansion, Aokitsu seemed nervous.

"Fufufu, at least she’s adorable..." I can’t believe I’ve managed to get into a relationship. It’s truly strange for me. After all the war and all the improvements Pandora made, most demons had time to focus on relationships, pleasure, and building a future. So many of my colleagues are getting into serious relationships and progressing. I’m glad I didn’t get left behind. Aokitsu is great. Even though she used to be kind of stupid, rude, and easily irritable in the past, now she’s quite clever, intuitive, and a bit more polite.

"An outfit... I wonder what to wear with her... what kind of outfit she’d like... something formal... maybe I have something suitable and formal that’s neutral, since I don’t know what she’ll do." I enter my room and immediately head to my closet.

I notice some of my body measurements have changed, so I pick a white dress with navy blue that has size-adjusting magic. The ruffles of the dress are semi-transparent, which helps give a beautiful neutral highlight against the snow, while some blue flower accessories are attached at the waist.

"Earrings... I think Aokitsu would like something simpler." I pick drop-shaped earrings made of dark blue crystals with the earring base made of gold, forming a different contrast with the rest of the outfit.

"Makeup. I don’t think I need makeup since I prefer something lighter and more neutral, but a red lipstick would actually go well." A maid immediately brings me a soft red lipstick, and I apply it lightly to my lips. I don’t make it too intense so it doesn’t look odd on my face. Quickly, I comb my hair into a slightly lighter and freer style, leaving it loose and brushed down in long, straight strands.

"I think this is perfect... I just need to choose a good bracelet, a good necklace, appropriate footwear, and a perfume... since Aokitsu is sensitive to strong scents, a light perfume as gentle as a cold breeze would be better." Another maid quickly brings a perfume upon hearing what I say.

’This one is good...’ I set it aside to use later, since I want to finish with the jewelry first.

’I wonder what Aokitsu wants...’ Aokitsu, who was so anxious to come to this place, must want something. I wonder what she’s planning. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I’m even anxious myself. Normally, I don’t dress up this much.