The night was cold, but the atmosphere inside the Heroic Tavern was warm and lively. Moonlight, dressed in her receptionist attire, and Sunshine, wearing a beautiful casual dress instead of her usual Golden Armor, or light armor with the Solaris design, sat at a table across from each other. Mixarnt was sandwiched between them, feeling the palpable tension as the two women exchanged icy glares. Moonlight’s gentle smile was laced with annoyance, while Sunshine’s grin was equally strained, her blue eyes flickering with irritation, making it change to her golden flame eyes from time to time.

"Is something the matter, General Sunshine?" Moonlight asked, her voice calm but carrying a subtle edge.

Sunshine’s grin tightened. "Oh, nothing’s the matter. I’m just wondering, how did we end up here? You said you’d find a good place for us to eat—a restaurant—but why are we in my father’s tavern?" she asked, her tone dripping with annoyance.

Moonlight’s smile didn’t waver. "Like I said, the restaurants are full, and Mixarnt wouldn’t enjoy it there," she replied smoothly. She then turned to Mixarnt, her expression softening. "Mixarnt, have you memorized the table etiquette? What utensils to use when eating?"

Mixarnt blinked, looking genuinely confused. "No. I only eat with one fork, one knife, and one spoon. Does matter?" he asked innocently.

Sunshine’s eye twitched. "I know that! But—grrr..." She had planned to pamper Mixarnt by teaching him table etiquette, imagining herself giggling as she spoon-fed him and guided him through the intricacies of fine dining. But Moonlight had seen right through her plan and ruined it. "Tsk, forget it," Sunshine muttered, crossing her arms.

Mixarnt, sensing the tension, tried to ease the situation. "I-it’s okay, Sun. We can eat at a place you like next time. Aha...haha... I mean, there are a lot of tourists and guests because of the Aether Knight trials, so it can’t be helped," he said, his tone cheerful but nervous.

Sunshine sighed, knowing Mixarnt was too innocent to realize that Moonlight, as Eclipse, could have easily reserved a table at any fancy restaurant with her influence. But Moonlight had chosen the tavern deliberately, knowing Sunshine’s plans and wanting to keep things casual. Sunshine, in turn, knew Moonlight’s secret identity but kept it to herself, respecting her friend’s desire to live as Moonlight.

"Fine, fine..." Sunshine said, reluctantly letting go of her frustration.

"Fufu, good thing you’ve calmed down, General," Moonlight said, her smile sweet but with a hint of mischief.

"Shut up, Moon. You’re so annoying as always," Sunshine shot back, though there was no real malice in her voice.

Gundrik, sitting at the bar, avoided looking at the trio. He could feel the tension radiating from the table and muttered under his breath, "Sorry, my prodigy," feeling a pang of sympathy for Mixarnt, who was caught between two strong-willed women.

Just then, a drunk man stumbled over to their table, his words slurred. "Oh, look, pretty ladies! Hey, why don’t you just join me and my friends—ugh." He stopped mid-sentence as Moonlight and Sunshine turned their gazes toward him. The man froze, feeling as if he had just stared into the eyes of two monsters. Their auras were so menacing that he felt his knees go weak.

Before the situation could escalate further, Captain Edward, one of Sunshine’s subordinates, appeared and bonked the drunk on the head, knocking him out cold. Edward sighed, turning to the man’s friends, who had been cheering moments ago. "You dare say that to a Knight General of the kingdom? Are you guys asking for a death sentence?" he said casually, though his tone carried a clear warning.

The drunkards paled as they realized who they were dealing with. "G-g-g-general! We’re sorry!" the leader stammered, dropping to his knees in fear.

Sunshine stared at them, her gaze so intense that they felt an overwhelming pressure, as if they were being burned to death. Moonlight, too, turned her gaze toward them, her crimson eyes radiating a terrifying aura that made them feel as if their bodies had already exploded just from her glare.

"Okay, okay, Sun, Moon, that’s enough," Mixarnt said, breaking the tension with his usual cheerful tone. "We came here to eat. And tavern folks are like that most of the time. Just don’t mind them. Let’s hurry and order something to eat! I wanna play cards with you two later!" he said, his innocent smile lighting up the room.

Sunshine and Moonlight exchanged a glance before reluctantly relaxing. "Fine," Sunshine said, though her lips twitched into a small smile. Moonlight nodded, her expression softening as well.

As the tension eased, the three finally began to enjoy their meal. Mixarnt, oblivious to the undercurrents between the two women, was just happy to spend time with them. For Sunshine and Moonlight, it was a rare moment of camaraderie, even if it was laced with their usual rivalry. And for Gundrik, watching from the bar, it was a reminder of how much his prodigy had grown—and how much chaos he seemed to attract wherever he went.

As the night deepened, Sunshine and Moonlight walked side by side, their steps in sync while Mixarnt happily led the way a few paces ahead. The cool night air was refreshing, and the streets were quiet, save for the occasional sound of their footsteps and Mixarnt’s cheerful humming.

Sunshine glanced at Moonlight, her voice low so Mixarnt wouldn’t overhear. "Hey, Eclipse, are you sure you can stay at my house? Wouldn’t your mom be angry?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and curiosity.

Moonlight sighed softly, her crimson eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. "Hey, don’t call me that. I’m in my Moonlight persona right now," she reminded Sunshine gently. "And yes, it’s fine. Mother wouldn’t mind. She rarely cares for me—or rather, she only cares about Eclipse and not me as Moonlight."

Sunshine nodded, her expression softening. "I see... Well, I already told my mom and big sister not to reveal your identity to Mixarnt," she said with a gentle smile. Despite their rivalry, the bond between Sunshine and Moonlight ran deep. They were best friends, their connection as natural as the moon shining with the help of the sun, or the moon enduring the sun’s heat without breaking. The two women giggled quietly, their laughter blending harmoniously with the night.

"Just so you know," Moonlight said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of playfulness, "Mixarnt is mine."

Sunshine grinned, her blue eyes turned to golden flame, flickering with determination. "No way I’m losing to you!" she shot back, her tone light but competitive. The two laughed, their rivalry as fierce as their friendship.

Ahead of them, Mixarnt turned around, his grin wide and curious. "Hey, what’s so funny? Also, Sun, is this the right direction? Your house is so far!" he said, oblivious to the conversation behind him but happy to see the two women getting along.

Sunshine rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her fondness for the boy. "Yes, just keep heading straight, and you’ll see a large mansion. That’s the Solaris mansion—my home," she said, her tone teasing as she approached. "And it’s General Sunshine to you, you damn brat," she added with a grin, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

Mixarnt laughed, dodging her hand playfully. "Alright, alright, General Sunshine! Lead the way!"

As they continued walking, the trio’s laughter echoed through the quiet streets. For Mixarnt, it was a perfect night—spending time with two of the people he admired most. For Sunshine and Moonlight, it was a rare moment of camaraderie, their rivalry set aside as they enjoyed the simple pleasure of each other’s company.

The Solaris mansion soon came into view, its grandeur illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Mixarnt’s eyes widened in awe. "Wow, your house is huge, Sun!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

Sunshine smirked, her pride evident. "Of course it is. What did you expect from the Great Solaris noble house?"

Moonlight chuckled softly, her gaze warm as she watched Mixarnt’s reaction. "Well, let’s head inside. I’m sure Lady Arabella and Helia are waiting."

As they approached the mansion, the night felt alive with possibilities. For Mixarnt, it was another adventure. For Sunshine and Moonlight, it was a reminder of the bond they shared—a bond that, despite their differences would always bring them back together. And as they stepped into the warmth of the Solaris mansion, the night seemed to promise more laughter, more memories, and more moments of unexpected joy.