{☆} — Light had begun to flood the halls of the Fleuret manor, signifying the arrival of dawn. Stella Nox Fleuret had been enjoying the daily newspaper in her study as well as a tray of hot breakfast that had been thoughtfully prepared for her this morn. Truthfully, she saw no point eating her morning meal at the manor’s spacious dining hall when her father hardly stayed home during the early hours of the day. Eating her meals alone was something she had adapted herself to accept, yet she could not bear the still silence at times. Only during supper hours did she eat at the table, when she would dine together with the kitchen staff and attendants whom she warmly considered family. 

As she read her paper in peace, the blonde maiden had indulged herself in a steaming cup of lemon and ginger tea. Not really a favorite of hers, but the sweet aroma of citrus and spice sufficed for both her nose and tastebuds. Amethyst eyes scanned the front page and widened from behind the rim of her teacup at the bolded headlines – the rise of insurgents at the capital of Accordo, the sudden outbreak of a rare, fatal disease in Solheim, and the kingdom of Lucis reopening outside negotiations after years of isolation. With such a number of major events happening around the continent all at once, it’s a surprise her kingdom remained calm and uneventful. Good tidings from the goddess? Perhaps.

Just as lithe fingers caught the edge of the next page, a soft knock on the door had interrupted her from her quiet leisure. She wondered who her visitor was, until she recalled the head attendant mention that a new hired hand was to replace the princess’ former personal attendant. Could this be her? Stella neatly tucked the paper away and rose from her chair. 

“Ah, please come in.” She called out, beckoning her guest inside with an inviting voice.