By the next year, what was intended only as a temporary stay turned into a permanent one. With all that happened, Vanessa and Mike decided they preferred Daphne and Bloom to live with them outright. It took a lot of trying, but Vanessa convinced Daphne she owed them nothing, and to consider herself an ordinary part of their household instead of a houseguest. With her situation - and that she was raised to never allow her royal title to let her believe she was above anyone - not holding herself in debt was easier said than done. The least she could do was be grateful.

"So, what is this place?" Daphne asked Vanessa as they walked with a four-year-old Bloom. "What's so good about it for Bloom?"

"It's called preschool," Vanessa explained. "It's a really good place for kids. She'll get to be around other kids her age for a few hours. You told Mike some time ago you wanted that for her."

Daphne blushed. "Forgive me. I didn't go to regular school growing up, so I'm a little clueless about this."

"Oh? Were you homeschooled?"

"Yes. It was really rigorous. Really strict schedule. How to dress. How to sit. If I'm honest, I hated it."

"I'd hate that too. Don't worry. The rules won't be so strict. She'll be free to make all the friends she can."

Daphne breathed a sigh of relief at that. Bloom, oblivious to their conversation, was swinging on their arms and singing softly to herself. Daphne still feared being absent from Bloom, but she felt that way about Vanessa and Mike, and they only ever proved themselves trustworthy. If they said preschool would be good for Bloom, Daphne would take their word for it.

As the school came within their sight, the group found themselves among a sudden of many parents and children. Shy, Bloom let go of Vanessa's to hide behind Daphne's leg. Daphne held her arm around her all three headed inside. Domino had schoolhouses, but since Daphne had never been in one, she was as mystified as Bloom. Vanessa led them to a classroom marked with "B".

"Bloom," Bloom said, pointing at the letter.

"That's right," Daphne praised her. "That's the first letter of your name."

"Hello there." The classroom's teacher had stepped out. "Do you need a hand?"

"We're looking for Ms. Moretti," Vanessa answered. "Classroom B?"

"You're in the right place!" She looked downward toward Bloom, or rather the orange pigtails that were visible from behind Daphne's leg. "And who is this shy sweetheart hiding from me?"

"It's okay," Daphne soothed, rubbing Bloom's back. "Tell her your name."

Bloom only shook her head and tightly hugged Daphne's legs. The teacher kneeled down to Bloom's eye level.

"Hi, little one," she said softly. "I'm Ms. Moretti. Will you tell me your name?"

Bloom hesitated for a few seconds before muttering her answer. "Bloom."

"What a cute name! There are lots of other kids here, and we have do many fun things in preschool. If you come in, you can see."

Bloom slowly grabbed Daphne's and Vanessa's hands and walked forward, but paused in the doorway. They assured her again everything was alright, and she walked again, all three following Ms. Moretti to a large case of shelves.

"Your stuff goes here, Bloom," Ms. Moretti. "When you're ready, you can sit anywhere you want." Ms. Moretti walked off to check on the other children, leaving Daphne and Vanessa to help Bloom put her stuff away. The task took no more than a minute, but when it was time for them to leave, Bloom again clung to Daphne's legs.

"You'll have a good time and you'll make some friends." But Daphne's words weren't assuring, only making Bloom bury her face. Daphne sat on her knees and gently held Bloom's shoulders. "We're coming back. And you can tell us all about preschool when we do. You'll be okay. We promise."

A tight hug followed, and Daphne lightly kissed Bloom's cheek. Bloom reached for a hug from Vanessa, which she got, and gave a kiss after. Finally, they exchanged waves of goodbyes until Bloom could no longer see her guardians. She sniffled.

Outside the door, hidden from view, Daphne wasn't taking it easy either. "You never told me she acts like that when I leave."

"Because she doesn't," Vanessa clarified. "She misses you, but she's never timid like that. Maybe because you were with us a lot before you left her with us."

"Will she really be okay? I feel like I'm doing something wrong."

"You're not. It's the first day. Give both of you time."

In the classroom, Bloom found her way to an empty table, away from the other students who seemed to already find friends. Ms. Moretti got the children's attention and introduced herself as their teacher. She then asked the kids to say their names for everyone, starting with the table closest to her, and eventually ending with Bloom in the back. Bloom was a little less shy saying her name this time, though she said nothing else.

After all names were said, Ms. Moretti gathered the children on the play mat for them to play on their own. Bloom followed slowly behind, but didn't step on the quickly crowded mat. Instead, she looked around and found a small bookcase. She surveyed it, and pulled out a box of crayons and book of blank paper. She returned to her table and immediately started drawing. For the first time since she entered the classroom, Bloom smiled as her classmates' noise became drowned out as she became immersed in her doodles.

Eventually, Bloom finished filling the first page and was ready to start another when she heard a voice near her.

"I like your picture."

Bloom hurriedly covered her drawing as she found herself face-to-face with one of her classmates.

"Sorry. I thought your picture was nice."

Bloom uncovered the book. "Thanks. I draw a lot."

"Can I watch?"

"Uh, okay." The classmate pulled one of the empty chairs near Bloom and seated herself. Bloom started on the next page. Her classmate watched quietly as Bloom's doodles formed a new picture.

"You draw really nice. I can't draw."

"I could teach you. I mean, if you like it."

"Okay. That'll be fun! Can I use your crayons?"

"Okay!" Bloom turned the page again and drew a line down the middle of the new, blank space. "I can draw on this side and you can draw on that."

"What do I draw?" her classmate asked.

"I draw flowers and houses and the sky and lots of stuff. Try that."

For the next few minutes, both girls drew on their respective side of the sheet. Bloom's classmate became upset when her picture wasn't coming out how she wanted, but Bloom told her it was fine.

"You made spaghetti!" Bloom joked. "I like it!"

"Really? You're nice."

"My name's Bloom," Bloom stated, not shy at all this time.

"I'm Selina. Want to be my friend?"

"Yeah!"

Bloom and Selina returned to drawing, sharing the sketchpad Bloom chose from the shelf. A few feet away, their teacher, as she watched over the other children, smiled when she caught a glance of the two together.

"Mommy! 'Nessa!" Bloom hurried over to the ladies to give them the biggest hug.

"Did you have fun at preschool?" Daphne asked.

"Yes! And I met Selina!"

"Selina?" Vanessa questioned.

Bloom hopped out of Daphne's arms, ran to Selina, and pulled her confused friend along back.

"Look! This is Selina!"

"Hi," Selina said shyly. "I'm Selina."

"Nice to meet you, Selina," Daphne replied.

"Bloom taught me how to draw."

"Oh? Did you, Bloom?" Vanessa asked.

"Yeah! We had crayons and we shared a notebook and we drew together until playtime was over."

"That's great! But it's time to go home now," Daphne gently told her. "You'll get to see Selina tomorrow."

"Awww. Okay." Bloom turned to Selina. "You'll come back tomorrow?"

"I guess. If I'm supposed to."

Bloom perked up and hugged her new friend. "Okay! Bye! See you tomorrow!"

Bloom walked away with her guardians, she and Selina waving goodbye until neither could see each other anymore. Bloom happily told Vanessa and Daphne all about her day at preschool, and they listened and entertained her as she went on. Daphne, in particular, felt relieved. Hearing Bloom had a great time put Daphne's anxiety aside. If it was safe and made Bloom happy, she was all for it. She would be okay if this moment - her little sister obliviously chatting while they walked with the woman who was almost becoming a second mom to her while their surroundings were peaceful - lasted forever.

But at this point, she knew better than that.