♢♢♢♢
Mirai's eyes snapped open. She woke drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. Her entire body trembled from the nightmare.
"Wha... What was that?"
She sat up slowly, rubbing her forehead and groaning. It felt like the worst nightmare imaginable.
"Who was that guy? It was just a dream, right?"
She sighed, gradually calming down. She noticed Anastasia was no longer there. Even though they had only spent a few weeks together, she already missed her.
Knock, knock.
Someone new knocked at her door. Mirai turned toward it and called out.
"W-Who is it?"
"It's me, young lady Mirai."
"Anastasia?!"
It sounded a little like her voice. Still half-asleep, Mirai clung to the hope that it might be her.
However.
"Huh? No, I am not her... I am your newly assigned maidservant, Juliette."
"Ah... I'm sorry. I'll open the door."
Mirai walked slowly to the door and opened it. A tall woman greeted her—not as tall as an Ice Giant, but much taller than Mirai.
