In the cold air of a casual winter morning in A town, Arthur wakes up when everything outside the window next to his bed is still covered in darkness. If it was a usual day, he would slowly make the bed, wash his face, brush his teeth, change his clothes, come downstairs to make his favorite breakfast with a fried egg and two slices of butter bread, then finally open his shop at 7 AM.

However, today, he quickly gets out of bed, ignoring the messy blanket. Then he washes himself in the cold water of the winter while brushing his teeth at the same time. He is not late. It is just 5 AM. Even the chickens of Miss Quillen, who lives quite near his house, have not made any noise yet. The morning sunlight of the winter never appears on time in A town. Because of that, in the last year, Arthur always opened the shop 1 hour late until the last day of the winter. No one knows why he is in such a hurry today. More actually, only Arthur knows for what he has been rushing like that lately. 

Changing to his best clothes, a plain white T-shirt and a long black baggy, in the mirror, a 5.5 ft tall young boy stands timidly while shaking like an angry chihuahua dog after finishing a cold washing. Can not stand the cold anymore, Arthur decides to wear a couple of purple warmy shock which were sewed a picture of a dog that he likes and a big but comfy coat.

After that, Arthur tries his bed to adjust his hair with his rough hands and old comb, but it is useless. His little long curved messy light orange hair can not cover or keep his pointy ears warm as he wishes. Arthur sighs and gives up. He gets out of the room and goes to the shop at the downstairs of the house. 

Arthur lost his parent since he was 10. His paternal grandfather had been taking care of him since then. He lived with him here and helped him run the shop until two years ago when he was 20. Arthur's grandfather passed away because of the old age, leaving him a small tea shop and the amount of saving money, which was enough for Arthur to move to the capital. However, Arthur chose to stay in this town until now.

A small but tidy tea shop has a dark chocolate floor and green walls with many small yellow windows. On the right hand are several couches with huge brown tables, while on the left hand are some smaller ones and single chairs. Face to face of the front door is a small cuttie funnel which is decorated in a flower pattern. Arthur will get it on fire when the weather is cold. He always adds some special herbs like his grandfather used to do so that the entire room will smell lovely. That is what he is doing first right now after running down the staircase next to the counter at the corner of the shop.

He adds a bunch of anonymous white flowers to the fire, then quickly goes to the backyard, where he puts all the cleaning tools. He points at them and says: "Dọn dẹp" (Clean up), a simple incantation. Broom, mop, brush, bucket,... some move inside to clean the floor and the tables, while some go outside to clean the snow, slippery path, and windows. Everything looks so marvelous, but it is just a common thing to a witch like Arthur. 

The young man is now making his breakfast. No egg like usual, he just roasts 2 slices of bread, then adds some jam on top of them. Those are his breakfast for today. While eating, he keeps looking at the clock on the wall. It is 6:45 AM now. Like no more time to be wasted, Arthur eats as fast as he can, then cleans his jammed face. 

He goes to the hardworking cleaning tools and says: "Trở về" (Return). In a flash, all the tools run back to the backyard and stay where they used to be put. Finally, Arthur turns the "Open" sign on the front door to the other side, being ready to welcome the customers. It is so weird. Who would come to the tea shop so early in this weather? Is it that Arthur can not see some little snowy flowers flying freely out there? Definitely no, his eyes have not been moving from the front door for any second after he stands at the counter. A little long bang hair can not hide the light in his eyes. What is he looking for out there?

At exactly 7 AM, when the sun still can not escape from the heavy grey clouds, there is a black shadow slowly traveling towards the tea house. When that phantom reaches the corner of Arthur's eyes, his heart jumps as loudly as the yell of Miss Quillen's chicken. His ears burn red, his tongue twists and his hands are cold as ice. 

He mumbles: "Here he comes". Arthur inhales and exhales slowly to keep his mind calm. He tries to keep his little curve back as straight as he can and the clothes too. He wants to look tidy and bright in front of this special customer.

A tingling sound from the bell above the front door wakes Arthur's messy mind up. Standing there, the reason for Arthur's hurriedness since the early morning is a young "boy".

A beautiful young "boy", with short curved hair which is bright like sunshine, little pointy ears, as eye-catching as sweet apple lips, a high and straight small nose, like pigeon blood eyes attracts everyone in the shop. Right now, Arthur somehow feels a little bit happy because he is the only one here. The "boy" with a calm face goes to the counter. He wears a long black coat, a white silk dress shirt, light brown wool-cashmere pants, and clean black shoes. He even wears a precious bolo tie adorned with a deep red ruby. What a weird style for a young kid like him! However, Arthur knows that it is not like what it is. 

Every step of the breathtaking angelic boy stamps on Arthur's heart. His breaths become shorter while his hands are shaking like the maple tree's branches outside. Arthur feels like his tongue is bleeding when the boy finally stops in front of him, looking at the old menu on the counter.

"Any suggestions for me?" - smiling kindly, one of the greatest witches in the kingdom, Quincy Kensington asks Arthur in a quite low voice.

At that time, Arthur swears his heart stops for a while.

(link of the picture: https://www.google.com.vn/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fzenfusionhome.com%2Fmaple-tree-winter-care-tips-steps%2F&psig=AOvVaw2E0-l6W4Zm_qtAYBqJDnLF&ust=1747485833560000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCMip_tiCqI0DFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE)

End chapter 1.