A Lesson in Hospitality

The poolside breeze was perfect, but the atmosphere on the terrace of the mansion turned tense in the blink of an eye.

Francis was sprawled across one of the expensive lounge chairs, lazily looking around while holding a glass of imported liquor. He still couldn't get over the fact that his cousin had inherited such a comfortable life.

“You're such an idiot, Erik,” Francis muttered, adjusting his sunglasses. “You have a house like this, everything my family never had, and you barely enjoy any of it. If this place were mine, I'd invite all the hottest girls I could find. You don't even do that. You spend your whole life locked in your room playing those games.”

Erik opened his mouth to answer, but never got the chance.

A commanding presence had appeared behind them.

Helena, Erik's mother, was carrying a tray of snacks. She was not a fan of stupid, sexist remarks, especially when they came from a spoiled nephew who was spending his vacation at her house for free.

“Oh, really, Francis?” Helena asked with a smile.

It was the kind of smile that looked perfectly pleasant right before trouble arrived.

“So you think this place is only useful for entertaining a select group of beautiful women?”

Francis swallowed.

A chill ran down his spine.

“Aunt Helena, I was just joking...”

“No, you weren't.”

She closed her eyes for a moment and quietly whispered an ancient word in the language of her ancestors, a family secret Erik had always assumed was nothing more than an old legend.

Then she opened her eyes again.

“But you know what? You have a point. This place is missing a little beauty.”

Her smile returned.

“And since you're so eager to have that special group here... you'll be the first member.”

Erik's eyes widened.

Francis barely had time to process the words before something strange began happening to him.

The fabric of his shorts seemed to shrink and rearrange itself, transforming into a tiny denim bikini with delicate side ties. His broad shoulders narrowed, his careless posture disappeared, and his entire silhouette shifted into a distinctly feminine shape.

His skin seemed to take on a warm, sun-kissed glow.

Then came his hair.

The short, spiky hairstyle began growing rapidly, strands cascading down his head before gathering into a long brown ponytail that swayed in the breeze.

Francis stumbled backward.

His face was changing too. The rougher masculine features softened, his faint beard disappeared, and his reflection seemed to become more delicate with every passing second. Even his lips and eyes took on an unfamiliar appearance, enhanced by perfectly applied makeup that he had certainly never put on himself.

Within moments, the transformation was complete.

Francis fell onto the marble beside the pool, staring at his hands in disbelief. They were slimmer now, with neatly manicured nails.

He looked down at himself.

Then he froze.

“What... what happened to my voice?!”

The words came out in a soft, unmistakably feminine voice.

Francis immediately covered his mouth in shock.

Helena simply placed the tray on the table as calmly as if nothing unusual had happened.

“There. All done.”

She looked her new creation up and down.

“Now you're officially part of the select group you thought Erik should invite.”

Erik remained speechless.

Helena gave him a quick glance before turning back to Francis.

“I hope you enjoy the sunshine, Francisca.”

“Francisca...?”

“Yes. It suits you much better.”

Francisca stared at her in disbelief.

Helena smiled.

“After all, from now on, your only job around this house is to enjoy the pool, look pretty, and welcome the real guests your cousin decides to invite.”

Erik was still standing there like a statue, staring at the beautiful woman who had replaced his obnoxious cousin.

He wasn't sure whether he should feel sorry for Francis...

Or laugh at the sheer brilliance of his mother's lesson.

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