Pale grey light shone through the windows, causing Lucian's eyes to flicker open. His gaze fell on your still sleeping form, which was cuddled up next to him. Your chest rising and falling in a harmonic motion signaled the peacefulness of your resting state. Lucian smirked to himself when he saw you nuzzle your head into his chest. Carefully, he ran his fingers on his left hand through your (h/c) hair while placing soft kisses on your neck and collarbone. You shifted slightly in your sleep, but did not wake up. Wanting nothing more than to remain in this position with you, he rested his head against his crimson red pillow and stared lovingly at you.

However, this peace was soon disturbed by his bedroom door opening, revealing the blue-haired doll. She held a letter in her hands and waited for her master to take it from her. Lucian merely glared at the paper object and signaled the doll to set it on the nightstand next to him. After doing so, she left, closing the door behind her. Regretfully, he released his hold on you and sat up in his bed. Though, he made sure not to wake you up. As he reached for the letter, he felt a weight on his lap. You had rested your head in his lap, remaining peacefully asleep. A smile found its way onto Lucian's face while he opened the sealed envelope.

Pulling out the piece of parchment inside, he tossed the envelope aside and began to read the contents of the letter. His eyes narrowed as he read on. To his utter displeasure, the council had assigned him the task of tending to a complaining high-ranking mage family. However, the family was not high enough to be on the council, but just below the status of council members. Apparently, a group of galeynae, which were a combination of a troll mixed with a lizard and bat, were sneaking into the family's courtyard and eating the shrubbery. They constantly changed the time of their attacks and would only show when no one was around. If they were discovered in the act, they would run off into the nearby countryside, disappearing from sight. The family blamed the council for the destruction of their yard, since the council was responsible for monitoring the pests. Obviously, the guards assigned to watching the galeynae failed in their duties. Personally, Lucian just wanted to kill the pests, but they were immune to all physical harm and could only die by a rare disease existent only among the galeynae. Thus one couldn't spread the disease over the population, since it was impossible to attain unless a galeynae. Once the disease had taken a galeynae's life, it would vanish into thin air.

Running his fingers through his hair, Lucian sighed in frustration. Of course the council found it fitting in giving him the task of dealing with the galeynae. Throwing the letter on the ground, Lucian glanced down at you. The task would require the entire day, which meant he would need to leave soon. Gently, he placed your head onto one of the crimson red pillows. Giving you a kiss on the lips, he went off to get ready for his assigned task.

When you awoke, you found yourself alone in the room with the ivory sheets laying over you. Sitting up in the bed, you scanned the room for any signs of Lucian. Instead you found Nafera standing in the room. Before you could ask her anything, she spoke, as if knowing your question.

"My master needed to leave. He wanted me to inform you that he won't be back until later in the evening. He suggested that you begin to read the book he gave you".

"Alright thank you" you stated, your eyes wandering around the room.

With Lucian gone, you had the urge to explore his room for any secrets. Though, Nafera interrupted your thoughts of disturbing Lucian's privacy by walking up to you and signaling for you to follow her out of his room. Sighing, you nodded your head and exited the room with her. The two of you remained silent and Nafera left you after you had reached your room. You dealt with your morning routine and changed into a short sleeved lavender dress, which had an accompanying silver chain belt. Putting on a pair of simple silver slippers, you went out of your room. However, you remembered that you needed your book. At first you were confused as to where you left it, but then it occurred to you that you left it on the chair in the dining room. Now knowing the location of the text, you went towards and into the dining hall.

Seeing the book on the chair, you set it on top of the table and began to read. For breakfast you had over-easy eggs, two pieces of toast covered in mixed berry jam and a bowl of honey dew melon. When you finished your meal, you allowed Nafera to take your dishes for you, thanking her in the process. Looking back down at the book, you closed it. You found the text interesting, but you needed a change of scenery. Moreover, you couldn't leave the mansion due to the bracelet on your wrist. Thus you found it necessary to explore the mansion a bit more. Taking the book in your arms, you got up and exited the dining room.

You hadn't ventured around the first floor that much except for the dining room. Thus you walked in between the two staircases, leading up to the second story, and entered the hallway beyond. To your utter annoyance, you found most of the doors locked. It would seem that Lucian had anticipated your curiosity and sealed all the doors on the first story. However, reaching one of the last doors on the left in the hallway, you found yourself able to turn the metal doorknob. Doing a mental victory dance, you opened the door fully.

On the other side laid an expanse of rich green grass. Daisies were spread out among the grassland while in the distance you could see two tall trees with greyish-silver trunks and luscious green leaves. Between the two trees was a wooden swing, which was attached to the trees by a silver-blue rope. Beyond the trees and grass rested a crystal blue lake. At first the swing had grabbed your attention, but when you looked upwards that was no longer the case. In the room there was no ceiling, only an expanse of clear blue sky.

Outside you were sure that it was still cloudy, meaning that this sky could only be a creation of magic. However, it still was amazing. The fake sun shined on your face and you were surprised to feel warmth from it, since it merely was an illusion of the real thing. Not being able to contain yourself any longer, you laid down on the grassy floor and spread out your arms and legs. You felt like a child again while a grin spread across your face. Without any further hesitation you rolled around on the clean crisp grass, laughing along the way.

If someone saw you, they may have thought you strange, but you didn't care. Right now you could relax and not worry about Lucian controlling your movements. You could just let your worries evaporate, letting you cool down from your adventure into the cave. Never would you have to go back there and you laughed in joy at that fact. Five more minutes passed before you were satisfied with rolling around like a child.

Sitting up, you stretched out your legs while leaning back on your arms, soaking up the rays of the shining sun. Your eyes fell back on the book and you decided to pick up your reading. Going over to the trees, you leaned against the right one. The lake stared back at you while you allowed your (e/c) eyes to read the words on the pages. Waves rolled on the lake, created by a nonexistent breeze. Each gentle wave brought a calming sound to the atmosphere of the room. You had no perception of time, as you sat under the tree and read the text before you.

Though, when you noticed the darkening sky, you guessed that it was around six in the evening. Setting the book down on the grass, you leaned further back and closed your eyes. As you read the book, you tried to memorize parts of the text, which made your mind exhausted. Thus sleep would be welcome. You wouldn't mind sleeping in the grassy room. As your consciousness began to leave you, you heard a loud grumble come from your stomach. Hearing your stomach, you realized that you hadn't eaten since breakfast. Sighing, you went to get up, but noticed the door to the room opening.

Nafera stood in the doorway with a plate of sandwiches in her hands. Your stomach growling with a quickening desire for the food, you met her halfway in the room. She handed you the light blue plate with chicken salad sandwiches on top.

"I'm sorry that I didn't give you anything to eat earlier. Please forgive me".

"Don't worry about it. It's my fault for forgetting to eat this afternoon, so thank you for the food".

Bowing a little she walked off, but you could see something flash in her eyes. Did she just show another emotion? You were almost certain that she looked relieved at your reply. Maybe she was finally learning how to express herself and become more than just a doll. Smiling, you hoped that was the case. It would mean you could finally have a conversation with someone besides Lucian.

Glancing back down at the sandwiches, you went back over to your spot under the trees. By now stars painted the ceiling while an enchanting moon shined brightly behind some stray clouds. Relaxing once again under the peaceful sky, you bit into one of the three sandwiches on the plate. The sandwich was delicious and you found yourself quickly consuming the item of food. Soon all three sandwiches were gone. With your stomach now thoroughly satisfied, your eyes peered over at the empty swing.

Letting your childish side take over, you hopped onto the swing and lifted yourself up into the air. Your legs swung back and forth, keeping the swing in constant movement. The cool night air blew your (h/c) hair back and forth while your slippers fell softly to the ground below. Eventually, you slowed down and ended up just sitting on the wooden swing. Leaning on the right side of swing against the silver-blue rope, you felt your eyes closing.

Sleep had conquered your form, which prevented you from seeing the approaching figure. A hand rested on each of your shoulders, as lips moved closer to your ear. Their warm breath tickled your ear and caused your eyes to flicker open. Turning your head slightly, you found lips pressed against your own.