Just as the girl finished speaking, she suddenly jumped out the window and disappeared. At that exact moment, Arina woke up from her sleep. Her stomach growled, and she muttered, “Guess this is what I get for skipping dinner.”

She got out of bed and headed downstairs to the dining room. As she passed the living room, she noticed the door slightly ajar. Her curiosity got the better of her, so she peeked through the gap. Inside, her parents and older brother were sitting seriously, discussing something important. But she couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.

Just as she was trying to listen more closely, the butler called out:
“Young Miss, you’re awake,” he said as he opened the door.

Startled by the noise, her family turned to look at her. Arina thought to herself, “I swear, if I wasn’t such a coward, I would’ve chewed him out on the spot!”

She put on a bright smile and stepped inside:
“Good evening, Father, Mother.”

Her brother, Edgar, puffed up his cheeks in mock offense:
“Did you forget someone?” he said, puffing them up even more and making a silly face that made her burst into laughter.

Edgar pouted:
“Why are you laughing at me again, Arina?”

With a fake annoyed expression, she replied:
“Fine, fine. Good evening to you too, Edgar.”

He nodded smugly:
“That’s more like it.”

Just then, her maid walked in with a tray.
“Your dinner, milady,” she announced.

Arina’s eyes lit up.
“Yes! Just in time—I’m starving!”
She sat down and eagerly picked up her knife and fork.

After she finished eating, her nanny came in with a plate of fluffy pastries that looked like clouds.
“I made these especially for you, my dear,” the old woman said warmly.

Arina beamed at her.
“Wow, thank you so much!”

She took a bite, and under her nanny’s hopeful gaze, she exclaimed:
“This is so delicious!”

She thought to herself: The cake is soft and fluffy, the cream smooth and rich, and there’s even a hint of sweet strawberry jam on top—absolute perfection.

Suddenly, Edgar’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts:
“Hey~ give me a bite! You look like you're enjoying it way too much!”

Arina quickly objected:
“No way! This was made just for me!”

But before she could stop him, Edgar snatched the plate and stuffed the entire thing into his mouth. All she could do was stare in shock, speechless.