A few hours later, Alice woke up, rubbing her eyes. She looked around, her confusion evident.
"Did Alice fall asleep during training?" she asked, tilting her head.
Spark nodded. "Yes, Alice was tired and fell asleep."
Alice turned to Zhao Shi, standing beside Spark. With an apologetic look, she said, "Alice won't fall asleep again."
Zhao Shi responded with a faint smile. "Little Miss can tell us whenever she feels tired, and then we can rest."
"That's enough training for today," Spark declared, standing up from the couch. "Let's go."
"Father, are we going somewhere?" Alice asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Alice was a good learner today," Spark nodded. "I will take Alice to an exciting place."
"Exciting place!" Alice's eyes sparkled with joy as she jumped up, her twin tails bouncing. "Yay!"
...
In the city, their carriage slowed before a tall gate. The plaque above the entrance read "Clear Sky Tower." Many figures and carriages could be seen going in and out of the wide gate.
Alice peeked her head out the window, her eyes wide with wonder. "Father, where is this place?"
"A very fun place,"
As they entered, Alice's gaze was drawn to the tall building rising towards the sky. This imposing structure was visible from every corner of the city, the tallest building in the entire area. The Clear Sky tower was renowned not just for its height but for the myriad wonders it housed within its walls.
"Father, what's inside?" Alice asked, her voice filled with awe.
"You'll see," Spark said with a grin, leading her by the hand. "Just keep your eyes open."
They moved past a courtyard adorned with intricate gardens and fountains, the beauty of which captivated Alice. Eventually, they reached a grand staircase leading up to the main tower.
Inside, the atmosphere was even more magical. The main hall was filled with shimmering lights and decorations. Booths lined the walls, offering everything from exotic foods to rare trinkets. Children ran around laughing, while adults engaged in conversations.
As the two entered, people noticed and made way for them, whispers filling the large room.
Spark seemed tempted to go, but he restrained himself, glancing at Alice, who was clutching her sweets.
"Why didn't we go in that one, Father?" Alice asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"Well, because there are monsters who will rob Alice's sweets," Spark replied with a playful smirk.
Hearing him, Alice stared down with vigilant eyes, clutching her sweets protectively, as if expecting those said monsters to jump out at any moment.
Soon, they arrived on the fourth floor. Unlike the other floors, this one was serene and empty, with no shops or animals. It was a common viewing area, offering a breathtaking panorama of the city below.
Alice ran to the balcony, her eyes wide with amazement as she looked down. From this height, the people below appeared as small as ants, and the entire city spread out before them like a living map.
"Look, Father," Alice pointed toward a direction with excitement. "That's our home!"
She was pointing at the Duke's mansion. Due to its large area, their mansion was easily visible from up here.
"It is," Spark nodded, his expression softening as he watched her excitement.
The evening was setting in, and the sun began to hide behind the horizon, casting a golden glow over the city. The sky was painted with hues of red, orange, and pink, creating a picturesque scenery that seemed almost magical.
"Father, look, it's so beautiful," Alice said, her eyes reflecting the brilliant sunset. Her voice was filled with awe, and her gaze never wavered from the horizon.
Spark stood beside her, the corners of his mouth lifting in a rare, genuine smile.
"Yes, it is," he agreed, his tone softer than usual.
After a while, when Alice had seen everything from the fourth floor, Spark spoke. "Let's go."
As the platform began its descent, Alice looked up and asked. "Father, are we not going up anymore?"
"It's already evening, and we need to return home," Spark said gently. "Maybe some other time."
"Did Alice have fun?" he asked.
"Um," Alice nodded vigorously, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alice had lots of fun!"
Spark ruffled her hair, feeling a rare sense of contentment as they descended back to the ground floor.