A lady stood poised as the maid adjusted her dress, a rose pink dress that shimmered irresistible. Her golden blonde hair cascaded down her back, loose and flowing in soft waves.
In her mid-twenties, Lyrian embodied elegance, her refined features and noble demeanor commanding respect. As the daughter of most esteemed families, Lyrian's aristocratic bearing was unmistakable.
Once the maid finished, she stepped back and spoke softly. "All is done, my lady."
Lyrian glided across the room, her eyes locked on her reflection in the mirror. pleased with what she saw, she turned and faced Maid.
"Has my father arrived?"
"Yes, he has. He's waiting for you at the table," the maid replied.
Lyrian's face lit up with a radiant smile as she anticipated seeing her father. She swept out of the room and descended the stairs, entering the dining area with poise.
Inside, a distinguished gentleman with an aristocratic air sat at the table, embodying the epitome of nobility.
"Father," Lyrian murmured softly as she approached the table.
Lord Ryker Windsor's face lit up with delight at the sight of his daughter. As a renowned figure in the kingdom of Valtoria and member of the royal court, Lord Ryker's prestige was undeniable.
"Dear, how are you?" Lord Ryker asked. His voice was warm as Lyrian took her seat.
"I should ask the same of you, Father." She replied, "I haven't seen you for a while."
As they spoke, the maid served their meal in the dining area.
Lord Ryker's lips curled upward. "I have been dealing with issues at the palace."
Lyrian heard issues at the palace, and her curiosity piqued. "Issues? What kind of issue?" She asked
Lord Ryker hesitated before responding to her daughter. "The crown prince is relinquishing his position."
Lyrian's eyes widened in surprise, yet delight flickered across her face at the news. She suppressed her laughter, thinking it wasn't to laugh about this matter in front of her father.
"Is this bad news? Why would he relinquish his position?"
Lord Ryker waited until the maid departed before responding. "Neither good nor bad. The challenge lies in selecting a new crown prince."
"Shouldn't it be a straight forward?" Lyrian inquired, earning her father's attentive gaze.
"Valtorian has three worthy princes; choosing one is simple," she reasoned.
Lord Ryker was impressed by his daughter's astute remarks. But he knew the reality was more complex. The sudden relinquishing of the crown prince could bring more disruption in the kingdom and within the court.
As Lyrian savored her meal, unfazed by the conversation, Lord Ryker posed a thoughtful question. "In your opinion, which of the three princes do you think is most suitable for the crown?"
It was a deliberate probe, seeking for her genuine thoughts.
A sly grin spread across Lyrian's face as one name sprang to mind. "Kael is the ideal choice. As second to Asher, he deserves the title."
Lord Ryker's smile mirrored his daughter's, pleased that her answer aligned with his own thought.
Whereas the notion of Kael as a crown prince resonated with Lyrian's ideas, filling her with excitement and joy.
*
*
The competition announcement reverberated throughout Mirage Maison Manor, captivating every maid in attendance. As whispers spread, excitement was palpable, visible on the face of each maid who heard the news.
Miranda's thoughts drifted back to the evening Kael shared the news with her. Clearly, he hadn't deceived her, as the official declaration confirmed. Yet, despite her relentless pondering, she couldn't grasp why Kael would urge her to win the competition. After all, she already served him indirectly by tending to his mansion.
Since arriving at the manor, Miranda has struggled to comprehend Kael's intentions. From rescuing her from Prince Erian's guards to requesting her personal service, his actions baffled her. What drove him? Why did events unfold differently than she expected?
Was this the concept of predestination at play? If so, it would explain why her planned demise had been thwarted and why Kael entered her life. Miranda reminded herself that this was a novel, crafted by her own hands.
Miranda realized she held a key to unraveling the mysteries; she shifted her perception, adopting the role of an author.
What sparked Kael's interest in my arrival? She thought.
Kael's mission in the novel was to simply secure the throne and rule Valtoria.
With this newfound understanding, Miranda recognized her starting point. She had created this world, its characters, and the intricate plots. Now, she would explore the threads connecting Kael's ambitions to her own presence in the manor.
What was Kael's mission in the novel? To secure the throne and rule over Valtorian.
"I saved you, and I want you to serve beside me," Kael's words echoed in her mind.
Is that what he meant? She thought, or was that a clue to her purpose in this world?. Serving Kael and helping him take the throne and rule Valtorian. Considering she knew everything to know about the future of Valtorian, that was her advantage.
A sly smile spread across her face. She has got her own answer to her mission. If she proves to be a great help to Kael, then she could win a merit. The closer she will be to Kael, the faster the story will go and the faster she will go back home.
The competition was a blessing in disguise to her—not just her but every maid. That's why this won't be the simple competition that she thinks it will be. Everyone who will enter the completion would be ready to do whatever they can do, putting all their energy into succeeding this completion.
The announcement of the competition announced the first competition will be making tea. It was also announced that Kael will personally judge the result. The expressive tea that would catch his attention will win. The completion takes three days, which means three tasks will be presented every day of the competition.
No one knew what the next task would be after making tea, which worried her. How is she supposed to win a competition, not knowing what is next on the competition? At least Kael could have done more than just telling her about competition.
Anyway, she looked forward to the day.