Even before the sleepy sun finished crawling over the rooftops,
Argenthal —The capital of the Velmoria Kingdom,
One of ten loyal realms under the Empire of Praxis was already humming like a songbird that had way too much tea.
Carts trundled along cobbled streets, wheels rattling like impatient teeth.
Vendors shouted cheerful lies about how their pears were the juiciest in the empire and how their buttons would stay on.
Smoke puffed out of chimneys like grumpy little clouds, while pigeons strutted like nobles, stealing breadcrumbs from toddlers and dodging fishmongers with an alarming amount of confidence.
By a mossy old fountain, two ancient men argued about last night's card game like it was a war crime trial.
Spoiler: both had cheated.
And on every corner, bored guards did their best to look important while secretly daydreaming about toast.
This was Argenthal — the proud jewel of Velmoria.
A city that never fully slept. A kingdom that whispered its history through every cobblestone.
And looming in the middle of all this royal morning bustle… was the Grand Duke's estate.
Coated in glitter, gold, fire-breathing statues, and a whole lot of "don't even think about it," the estate stood like a schoolteacher glaring at a room full of late students.
Its towers pierced the sky.
Its gates looked like they judged you. And its hundred chimneys puffed with the elegance of a noble too proud to admit they were cold.
But inside?
Inside was a different world.
The halls whispered with elegance.
Marble floors reflected candlelight. Velvet curtains swayed as sunlight painted soft lines across polished walls.
The air carried the scent of roses, honeyed tea, and just a pinch of furniture polish.
Servants glided through like clockwork dancers — not rushing, not lingering.
Just moving in perfect, practiced harmony.
Well... almost everyone.
In the east wing, on the second floor — right where the sun poured in like melted butter — a certain room glowed with soft light.
A quiet door creaked open.
This was Jenna's room.
A room that felt like a fairytale took a nap inside a pastry shop.
The windows stretched wide and open. The creamy-white curtains shimmered like snowflakes that had melted into lace.
Outside, birds chirped in the garden, and the breeze carried up the scent of morning stars—sweet and soft, like nature's way of saying good morning.
The walls were painted in gentle cream, with golden leaf trim that curled like vines.
Tiny stars glittered on the ceiling — enchanted ones that twinkled faintly, even after sunrise.
At the far wall, a shelf lined with picture books, plush animals, and one extremely serious stuffed bear sat in order. His name? Baron Fuzzlewhip.
He did not mess around.
And under the big, fluffy blanket on the even fluffier bed?
One tiny, stubborn lump.
It wiggled.
Then — boop — a little hand shot out, grabbed a pillow like a shield, and retreated.
"Mnnn… nooo…" came a muffled voice. "I was having a good dream today…"
Standing beside the bed was Lina — personal maid, giggle specialist, and the unofficial big sister of said sleepy lump.
Lina was sixteen, with warm brown eyes and a braid that bounced when she laughed.
Her white blouse and navy skirt were neat as ever, apron tied perfectly.
She always smelled like fresh soap and the cookies she couldn't stop sneaking from the kitchen.
But today, her eyes held something extra — a tenderness that always showed when Jenna didn't want to wake.
She knelt beside the bed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, and leaned in with a soft grin.
"Good morning, my lady~ The sun's already up! If you don't wake soon, your strawberry jam might run away with the butter."
From under the covers, the reply came sharp, sleepy, and betrayed.
"Let it go. I'm still dreaming…"
Lina chuckled. "But you promised! You said we'd have jam toast and tea by the window today, remember?"
"That was a dream, Jenna," came the deadpan reply. "She's a liar."
Lina leaned closer, eyes sparkling. "Dream Jenna also said she'd wear the pink dress with the giant bows!"
There was a long pause.
Then, rustle-rustle.
A small black-haired girl peeked out, one squinty blue eye glaring like she'd just been woken from saving the world.
Her hair looked like she'd fought a pillow and lost. One cheek was squished from sleep.
"…Traitor dress," Jenna muttered. "I don't wanna be a lady today."
Lina smiled, brushing her hair from her face. "Then don't. Just be my little Jenna."
She booped her nose. "But you do have to brush your teeth, sleepy bean."
Jenna yawned loudly like a lion cub having a very dramatic morning.
"YaaaAAawwwnnn~"
She kicked off the blankets with a dramatic fwump! and immediately shrieked.
"MY TOES! THEY'RE FROZEN!"
Lina gasped. "Emergency! Princess Cold Toes requires slipper reinforcements!"
She dashed, grabbed the bunny slippers, and dropped to one knee like she was presenting enchanted armor.
Jenna giggled as she slipped them on. "That's not my name."
"Oh? Then who are you today?"
"…Jenna the Brave. Queen of Jam."
Lina bowed low. "Your Majesty, I am at your service."
She helped her sit up and smoothed the ruffled shoulder of her nightgown.
Jenna leaned into her — small, sleepy, and still half in dreamland — resting her head on Lina's shoulder.
Her tiny fingers curled into Lina's apron, like she was afraid to let go.
"…You're warm," she whispered.
"So are you," Lina whispered back, gently hugging her.
For a long moment, neither of them moved.
The house ticked on around them — trays clinking, guards yawning, someone somewhere grumbling about tea being too cold.
But inside this room, wrapped in sunlight and morning air, it was just them.
A maid.
A little duchess.
And a bond that felt warmer than any hearthfire.
Sometimes, Lina wished she could freeze time like this — just her and Jenna, safe in their quiet corner of a world too loud.
"…Okay," Jenna finally said. "But I want double jam."
Lina smiled, eyes twinkling. "You'll get triple."
Outside, the breeze carried the scent of flowers and the whisper of something new, just on the horizon.
And with that, Jenna began her morning.
One girl and one maid — two hearts that understood each other.
TO BE CONTINUED...