The servants of the Zhao Estate were already well busy when Magdalene entered the kitchen expecting a full table. Meaning her husband and children and a grey fluffy cat whose name translated roughly to Love Love stalking around waiting for food to be dropped or for someone to be weakened by her big orange eyes.

However, this was not the case this morning. At the large circular table, there sat her husband with the morning paper in his hands. She can make out the major story plastered on the front page: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT OFF?!

Sitting nearby was her youngest, Bolin, happily filling his chubby cheeks with breakfast and not holding a single care in the world about the mess he was making. Magdalene wanted to lightly scold him but thought against it.

‘He’s just a child.’ She reminded herself as she sat down.

Missing was both Faye and Elvira. She had hoped to talk to Elvira and maybe get insight about what happened last night. She’s certainly not the first person to end an engagement to a member of the imperial family but she is the most recent. Magdalene knew this would be seen as a slight against not only her own family but the royal nobles as well.

Personally, Magdalene did not care and a petty part of her really did enjoy how much trouble Elvira caused last night. She did not make it known in front of everyone else during the commotion…but she definitely laughed about it in the car.

“Every time I think nothing interesting is going to happen at these things, something always does.” Her husband, Bao, comments. He lowers the paper, revealing the locks that both of their children inherited as well as his handlebar moustache. “I need to stop skipping out on these events, wouldn’t you say, Leanie?”

Magdalene chuckled softly. “Even if you would’ve went, you would’ve left before the announcement and before Faye convinced Elvira to steal a car.”

Bao raised his brows, his expression showcasing amusement. “Faye convinced Elvira to steal a car? That’s new.”

“Maybe not but between the both of them, who would convince the other to do so?”

Bao thought on it for a moment before nodding. “That’s true. So where is our wannabe hood?”

“Well, I thought she’d be here but I guess that’s wishful thinking.” Magdalene sighed, propping her elbows on the table as she laid her chin on her palms. “Kids really do slip away from you when their older…”

Bao nodded, lifting the paper back up. Magdalene looked over to Bolin who was still happily munching away. A warm smile formed on her face.

“Bo?” She called out.

The boy paused and looked up at her with his doe-eyes. “Hm? Mommy?”

“Don’t grow up too fast…okay?” She whined.

Bolin said nothing, instead tilting his head to the side in the same manner a puppy would which caused his mother to smile.

Magdalene leaned back in her chair, looking over to one of the lingering maids. A blonde woman named Manon who came from North Luckstead. Truth be told, she was unsure about having her around.

North Luckstead was Gavell territory and the Gavells were about as about trustworthy as a spider babysitting a collection of baby flies. Potential dissenters being the baby flies.

And what else would you call a Conwyn that ran from the “promised land” and “bred with a foreigner” as some of the other nobles would say.

But this was a prejudice. One she has to work through. And why should some lowly maid receive the brunt of mistrust for the actions for a family she has more than likely only heard of and never spoke to?

“Manon…” She quietly called out.

The girl calmly lifted her head. “Yes, Your Grace?” She spoke softly.

“Tell the chefs I just need something simple. You’re new but they’ll know what I mean.”

The blonde bowed. “Of course, Your Grace.”

She watched the maid leave before turning her attention back to the table.

“Something simple, Leanie? You need to eat more than that.” Bao urged.

Magdalene shrugged. “I’m not that hungry. I don’t plan on leaving the house today and I’ll probably go back to sleep after I eat anyways. Yesterday was so draining and I just want to sit by the radio all day today. I think I deserve that. The only reason I even went yesterday was because it was Elvira’s engagement party.”

Bao sighed. There was no talking her into eating a more filling meal. “Very well, Leanie.” But he still flashed her a comforting smile even if it was really filled with worry and annoyance.

This was the usual energy of the Zhao Estate. Giving off the appearance of cold, dark, lonely halls when in reality each room is filled with a calm life. The family was brooding, elegant…but most importantly…cozy. Each member of this household offering a different comfort.

If you want to bask in the nostalgia of untethered youth, then you watch over Bolin in his playroom. If you wanted to watch the cogs of a designer spinning while learning the intricacies of sewing, you go to Bao. If you want to indulge in the daily lives of fictional characters whose every day lives were filled with drama, you go to Magdalene. If you wanted to listen to the soft musings of poets of both from around the world, you’d go to Faye.

Everything about how Magdalene’s family appears is deliberately different and yet, it comes to each of them like a fish to water and they often forget they’re doing it until they leave the house.