Sophia's day began in the early morning.
Slurp, slurp-
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Feeling something against her cheek, Sophia opened her eyes and saw a puppy standing beside her, wagging her tail as she watched her.
"Ah, Betty... morning..."
"Woof, woof! Woof, woof!"
At Sophia's greeting, Betty barked as if saying hello, then turned, jumped off the bed, and slipped out through the gap in the door. Sophia sat up, stretched, and stared into space for a while before getting out of bed to wash and dress.
Back at the castle, Sophia had done these things herself, too. Although other noble children apparently had maids to look after them, in Sophia's memory, her maid had only ever dragged her over to the washbasin and urged her to hurry up and wash her face and brush her teeth. If she was too slow, she would be scolded...
Sophia quickly finished washing and put on her clothes. Of course, there was no maid here to hurry her along. She had her own reason for being so quick.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Sophia finished getting ready, a knock came at the door. She opened it to find a blonde, blue-eyed girl smiling at her.
"Sophia, let's go!"
"Yes, all right. I'm coming, Alice."
Of everyone in the Tower, Sophia was closest to Alice, since they were about the same age. Sophia was nine that year, while Alice was a year younger and the youngest child in the Tower. As a result, Sophia often treated Alice like a little sister. It was quite a novel experience for Sophia, who had never had a little sister before.
Sophia left her room and took the Elevator down to the first floor with Alice, leading Betty along on her leash.
They began their first lesson of the day-taking Betty