The morning sun rose slowly over the palace rooftops, its light spilling across curved tiles and gilded eaves, warming the quiet courtyards below. Birds fluttered between flowering trees, their soft calls echoing through open corridors.

Somewhere in the distance, bells chimed faintly, signaling the start of another meticulously ordered day within the palace walls.

Servants moved in practiced silence through the outer halls, sweeping stone paths, replacing lanterns, setting out trays of fresh tea and steamed buns. Water splashed into basins. Silk robes rustled. Doors slid open and closed with gentle precision.

Near the edge of Kayla’s residence, tucked discreetly behind a bamboo grove, stood the servant quarters. A cluster of modest rooms meant for low-ranking staff, temporary attendants, and, currently, one very misplaced soul.

Inside one of the rooms, morning sun filtered softly through the lattice windows, bathing the small chamber in pale gold. Dust motes drifted lazily in the air.

A kettle sat cold and untouched on a low table. A pair of shoes lay discarded near the door, one upright, the other tipped over like it had given up on life.

Inside, Evelyn lay sprawled across one futon like a defeated general, plain white long-sleeved silk hanfu twisted halfway up her legs, sleeves tangled, mouth wide open, snoring with zero shame. One arm was flung dramatically above her head. One leg kicked out, the other bent at an awkward angle, as if she had attempted to escape in her sleep and failed.

Her long auburn hair fanned wildly across the pillow, some strands sticking to her cheek, others trapped beneath her neck at angles that should have been painful, but clearly weren’t, judging by the way she slept like a rock.

A soft breeze stirred the curtains.

She snorted, and again. Each snore varied in pitch and volume, as if she were experimenting with different musical notes in her sleep, sometimes low and rumbling, sometimes sharp and sudden, sometimes so long and dramatic it felt like she was competing with thunder.

Outside the room, two young servants passed by and halted in the corridor.

“…Is something wrong in there?” one whispered.

“…Is someone dying?”

“…Should we call a healer?”

“…No one dies that loudly,” a third voice said doubtfully.

“Maybe someone’s just snoring.”

They exchanged uneasy glances.

“…Snoring doesn’t usually sound like that.”

“…Then it’s a ghost.”

“…If that’s a ghost, I’m resigning.”

They both hurried away.

Inside, Evelyn shifted, unaware of what she just started, her arm flopped down onto her face.

She murmured something unintelligible, then rolled onto her side, which somehow ended up upside down, one foot now hanging halfway off the futon, the hem of her robe sliding dangerously high, completely unaware of concepts such as dignity, posture, or palace decorum.

She sighed contentedly.

The sun climbed higher. Outside, more footsteps passed, trays clinked, and voices murmured. Meanwhile inside, Evelyn remained gloriously unconscious.

Until, a knock came ringing to her door. 

But such disturbance still didn't made her stir, causing for second knock to rang, and finally she hear it. Her brow twitched, and her lips parted.

“…Five more minutes…” She muttered.

The knock persist, and at last her eyes fluttered open in slow motion, unfocused and glassy.

She stared at the ceiling beams.

“…Why… is the sky wooden…?” she whispered, while her gaze drifted further.

“…And why… does my bed smell like… bamboo?”

She squinted. Her brain tried to think deeply through what she was seeing, but failed to connect the dots.

“…Did I… fall asleep in a tree…?”

She yawned hugely, rolling onto her back and stretching like a lazy cat, bones cracking audibly. She rubbed her eyes, then sat up slowly, hair falling into her face.

“…Mmm… morning… whoever you are…”

Another knock rang but this time it became firm. Evelyn blinked.

“…Oh.”

Finally realizing the knocking was not, in fact, a hallucination, she dragged herself to her feet, barefoot, sleeves slipping off her shoulders, posture loose and unbothered.

She shuffled toward the sliding door, eyes were half-closed, and yawned deeply, before sliding the door open without a second thought, and said,

“Yes? What is it—”

Her words cut off abruptly as a hand flew up and clamped over her mouth.

Her eyes snapped open.

“MMPH?!”

She stumbled backward as the person shoved her inside and slammed the door shut behind them.

“What—who?!”

“Shush! Are you crazy?!” the intruder hissed.

Evelyn blinked, vision clearing, and there stood Kayla. Dressed in an exquisitely tailored long-sleeved hanfu in soft jade and ivory, hair pinned with delicate gold ornaments, posture straight and regal. Currently looking one breath away from either strangling her or collapsing from stress.

“Oh,” Evelyn said calmly.

“It’s just—”

“Shush!” Kayla clamped her mouth shut again.

“I’m not alone! There are servants outside!” she whispered fiercely.

Evelyn’s eyes widened. She gulp and slowly nodded.

Kayla finally removed her hand, sighing.

Evelyn leaned against the wall, blinking drowsily.

“…Good morning to you too,” she whispered hoarsely.

Kayla spun on her.

“Why didn’t you wear the veil I gave you the other day? I told you to wear it every time, even when you sleep! Have you forgotten where we are?!” Her voice was low, urgent, and trembling with stress.

Evelyn smiled lazily.

“Mm. I forgot,” she admit softly, voice raspy with sleep.

“I was sleeping so soundly I forgot where we were. For a moment, I almost thought we were back home.”

Kayla froze.

Her expression softened just a fraction, but the anxiety didn’t fully leave her eyes.

“They almost saw your face,” she said, exhaling slowly as she forced herself to calm down.

“You gave me a fright. Starting today, do not forget the veil. And do not take it off. Ever. Do you understand?”

“Yes, yes,” Evelyn nodded obediently.

Kayla stared at her for a long moment, then released a sharp sigh, finally relaxing.

“…You are impossible.”

Evelyn grinned.

“You say that like it’s a flaw.”

That earned her a pinch to the bridge of Kayla’s nose.

“I came to check on you because the servants reported… strange noises.”

Evelyn blinked.

“…What kind of strange?”

“I didn’t know either,” Kayla said flatly,

“until I arrived and realized it was your snoring.”

Evelyn looked mildly proud.

“…Ah. Healthy lungs.”

Kayla turned away, muttering,

“I should have let you sleep in the stables.”

“Wow,” Evelyn gasped softly.

“So cruel. So heartless. Is this what palace life has done to my sweet little sister?”

Kayla whirled back around.

“I am not sweet!”

Evelyn leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially.

“You just threatened to exile me to livestock housing because I snore. That’s love.”

Kayla opened her mouth, only to closed back again and just muttered.

“…I hate you.”

Evelyn beamed.

“Also love.”

Kayla crossed her arms.

“Get dressed properly. You look like you lost a fight with your own clothing.”

Evelyn glanced down, and saw her hanfu was twisted, her sash hung loose. One sleeve was halfway inside out, and her hair stuck out like a startled hedgehog.

“…I see nothing wrong,” she said solemnly.

Kayla deadpanned,

“You look like a ghost who failed to haunt correctly.”

Evelyn nodded thoughtfully.

“Tragic. Even in death, I lack elegance.”

She shuffled back to the futon, grabbed the veil, and began tying it around her face, badly.

Kayla saw this and could not help but sighed and walked over.

“Give it here.”

Evelyn bent down without protest, having to lean slightly due to the difference in their height. Kayla’s hands moved swiftly, practiced, precise, adjusting the veil with the effortless familiarity of someone raised under court etiquette. Every fold fell into place as it should.

Evelyn watched her with sleepy eyes.

“You look very official today.”

Kayla stiffened slightly.

“…I have morning duties.”

“Ah,” Evelyn said softly.

“Princess life.”

Kayla’s fingers paused for half a breath.

“…Yes.”

Evelyn suddenly leaned forward, eyes lighting up.

“So. When do I get breakfast?”

Kayla blinked.

“…You just woke up.”

“Yes, and I survived the night. That deserves a reward.”

Kayla sighed.

“…Get dressed properly. I’ll have food sent over.”

Evelyn’s eyes lit up.

“You are the best sister in the world.”

Kayla rolled her eyes at her.

 “So,” Evelyn asked casually,

“what’s my task as your servant today?”

Kayla’s expression turned serious. She studied Evelyn carefully.

“Today, nothing too difficult,” she said.

“But I need you on your best behavior. I also need for you to use that quick mind of yours.”

“Why?” Evelyn asked.

Kayla sighed again, as though another weight had settled on her shoulders.

“By court law, any personal attendant assigned to a royal child, especially the only princess, must receive formal approval from the Emperor himself.”

Evelyn straightened slightly.

“…Right. I almost forgot about that.”

“They’ll examine you,” Kayla continued.

“Your background will be checked. Your behavior observed. The way you speak, stand, and respond, all of it matters. Even servants born and raised in the palace must go through this.”

She paused, then added dryly,

“And since you appeared out of nowhere, their scrutiny won’t be light.”

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

“…So they’ll be checking everything.”

Kayla nodded.

“Everything.”

Evelyn swallowed.

“We’re meeting the lion so early, ha."

Kayla snorted.

“A lion is a bit much. And I don’t think any animal resembles him.”

She inhaled, steadying herself.

“Don’t worry. I already prepared everything.”

“Prepared?” Evelyn asked, frowning. 

“What did you prepare? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t have time to explain,” Kayla replied, a confident smile tugging at her lips.

“You’ll understand later.”

Evelyn studied her for a moment, still puzzled.

“Don't think too much. I’ll be with you,” Kayla added, her voice softening.

“I won’t leave your side. They require me to stay beside you. I’m the only one in the palace who knows how to read sign language.”

Evelyn nodded, smiling.

“Right.”

But beneath that smile, her fingers curled slightly, hiding the nervousness she refused to show in front of her younger sister.

“We’ll get through this together. Right?” Kayla said suddenly, her expression betraying her own unease.

Evelyn’s smile softened. She reached out and pulled Kayla into her arms, holding her tightly, just like she had back then, when the missile had stolen their last breath together.

“We will,” Evelyn murmured.

“I’m here. Your elder sister is here.”

Kayla leaned into the embrace, a quiet chuckle slipping out.

“Elder brother,” she corrected.

Evelyn laughed softly.

“Right. Of course.” She tightened her hold just a little.

“Your elder brother is here.”

She closed her eyes, only to open them again with expression firm and unyielding.

After a moment, Evelyn spoke again, her tone suddenly lighter, as if to dispel the heaviness in the air.

“Do you think they heard us talking just now?” she asked out of nowhere, deliberately changing the subject.

Kayla blinked.

“I don’t know… were we talking too loudly?”

“I don’t think so,” Evelyn replied, suddenly lowering her voice, and leaning closer.

“I was very quiet just now.”

Kayla snorted and pulled out of her embrace, unable to hold back a laugh.

“Yes, we were…” she said, and went to mimicked her now elder brother, lowering her own voice dramatically.

“Very quiet.”

That made Evelyn huff out a laugh before reaching over and giving her younger sister a gentle pinch on the nose.