She woke before dawn to tend to the estate, her hands moving automatically through the familiar tasks—sweeping the hearth, gathering eggs, mending old clothes.
Selene’s days blurred together in a quiet, monotonous rhythm… or so she thought.
Today felt different. She heard the sound of hooves ruffling the dirt, signaling a visitor—but from whom? Her family had many relatives, but this was unexpected.
She quickly gathered the remaining eggs into her basket and rushed toward the estate. After scurrying through the household, she handed the basket to one of the maids in the kitchen. “Be careful, Selene!” one of them called as she noticed her hurried pace.
Selene was nervous, slightly excited. She glanced at the carriage outside and realized it definitely wasn’t one of her cousins or aunts. She nearly bumped into Alderman, the butler of the estate. “Careful, Miss Voss,” he said, his voice always kind. She had a close friendship with all the servants—after all, given her situation, she often felt more like one of them than the first daughter of the Voss family. Her younger sister had claimed that title.
She grinned. “Sorry, Alderman! I think we have guests… I want to see who it is!” Then she rushed off.
Finally, she reached the front of the house, where her parents were already waiting in their fine clothes, as was her sister. As always, they excluded her. She gazed down at her worn, faded dress and sighed, catching her breath before lifting her gaze.
Her sister whispered in her ear, “Why are you even here? Don’t you know Mom and Dad won’t tolerate your appearance?” She snapped back, but her parents were about to comment when the carriage arrived.
It looked royal—or perhaps a lord. Who knew? Selene was just excited to see a new face. She hadn't left the estate since she was born and didn’t even know what the kingdom or the town looked like.