Dawn gradually broke, and the land lay hazy beneath a veil of silvery gray gauze.
At this hour, everything was deathly still. Then, suddenly, a bird's cry pierced the silence. Before long, a strip of pearly white rose along the eastern horizon, and the land slowly brightened as well.
In little Princess Mia's room, the beautiful Miss Rita lay on the bed, sleeping unusually soundly. Half-awake and still somewhat dazed, she casually reached beside herself—only to suddenly touch someone.
At first, Rita assumed the person beside her was Lady Durandal, so she did not pay much attention. But the next second, a voice completely unlike Lady Durandal's—far younger—came from beside her, and she instantly woke up.
Opening her beautiful eyes, her lovely wine-red gaze fell upon the side of the bed. Adorable little Princess Mia was lying next to her.
The memories of last night returned, and Rita realized what had happened.
She sat up and gently rubbed her temples. Compared to last night... she was more clearheaded now, but that only gave her an even worse headache.
Why had she agreed to something like that last night?!
She had been muddleheaded for a moment...
After agonizing over it for quite a while, she decided that since it had already happened... she could only leave it as it was for now and make up for it later.
Rita carefully got out of bed. Looking at the little princess on the bed, she thought for a moment... then tucked the blanket around her before heading to the kitchen.
After busily working for a while, she placed an exquisite breakfast, some dessert, and a cup of black tea on the table in Mia's bedroom.
Then, after leaving behind a note, she turned and left.
The moment Rita left, little Princess Mia opened