The first light of dawn seeped into my room, rousing me from sleep. I stretched and reached for the little wooden ladder beside my bed, the one that connected me to the outside world. I heard a bell would rang outside my chamber to keep my servants moving.
In a practiced motion, I pulled it close and watched as Zoe led the maids in quietly, their steps soft but quick, their presence filling the room with an energy I was still trying to get used to.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Zoe greeted, her voice was steady, holding a tray of food in her hands. It was almost as if feeding me was some sacred duty. The lady of the house must never be starved or allowed to miss a meal—a custom that still felt foreign to me.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked, her gaze kind yet watchful as I slid down from m
