Rosia was not your everyday palace girl. No, she was a slave — but not just any slave. She was the proud queen of the Bucket Kingdom.
What's the Bucket Kingdom? It's simple. A big, dented old bucket, right in the middle of a dusty palace hallway. Rosia sat on it every day, wielding her mop like a sword, ruling her tiny kingdom of dirt, mud, and runaway chickens.
"Bow before your queen!" she announced loudly to no one but the mop. "One day, this bucket won't be just a bucket — it will be my royal throne! And this mop? My mighty scepter!"
Her loyal subjects were nearby, of course. Claude, the ever-smiling boy, was busy juggling three eggs and an apple that looked older than he was. Zara, the girl with the brightest laugh in the kingdom, was steadily losing a battle with a chicken that had a minor goal of world domination (or at least escaping the palace).
"Rosia!" Claude whispered, eyes wide and very serious for once. "The queen's 'magical' chicken has run away — again! And the royal footman Hugo says it's your fault because of muddy footprints in the throne room."
Rosia sighed dramatically and threw her mop in the air. "Great! Next, they'll say it's my fault when it rains, or when the bread tastes like old socks."
Zara giggled. "Come on! Operation Catch-The-Chicken starts now!"
They tiptoed through the glittery but very slippery marble floors like three secret agents on a very silly mission. The chicken was fast—it clucked like an alarm and darted between pillars, under tables, and above the heads of very surprised guards.
Rosia took a running leap... and slipped on a secret mud patch. She landed with a loud splash right next to the chicken, who looked equally muddy but very unbothered.
"Well, that's one way to host a royal bath," Rosia muttered, wiping mud off her face.
Claude laughed, "Queen of Mud! Has a nice ring, doesn't it?"
"Maybe I should make mudprints my royal signature," Rosia said, grinning despite the mess.
After a few more crazy chicken chases, they finally caught the silly bird in a big wooden box.
Breathing hard, Zara looked at Rosia. "You know, if being a slave means chasing chickens and cleaning mud, I think I'll pass on the whole 'ladylike' thing."
Rosia smiled. "Just wait till they make me go to school next!"
Suddenly, the palace doors creaked open, and there was Hugo. Standing tall, polished shoes shining, and with a very serious face.
"Rosia," he said, "the queen demands the silver slippers be cleaned—immediately. And I want no muddy footprints left anywhere in the palace!"
Rosia gave a mock bow. "At once, Your Highness of Chores!"
Claude and Zara laughed as Rosia grabbed her mop-officially ready for the next royal adventure.Rosia's mop waved like a tiny flag of hope as she cleaned the last of the muddy footprints from the throne room floor. The silver slippers were shining now, dust-free and ready for the queen's next grand event.
Claude and Zara flopped down near the big velvet curtains, giggling quietly. "Rosia," Claude said, "you're a superstar mop-wielder today. No wonder Hugo is so worried."
Rosia smiled but didn't relax. "You haven't heard the best news yet," she said, lowering her voice like she was sharing palace secrets. "The queen is adopting me."
Zara's eyes grew wide. "Wait, the queen what?"
"Yep," Rosia said, nodding. "Apparently, the noble family next door has no heir, and they want me to join them. I'll get new clothes, a real bed, and... school."
Claude almost dropped his apple. "School? You? The queen's adoptive slave? This is huge!"
For Rosia, all these words swirled in her head like a storm. Adoption meant leaving the Bucket Kingdom behind—no more chasing chickens, no more muddy floors. But it also meant a whole new world, filled with strange rules, fancy parties, and—worst of all—school.
"When do I start?" Zara asked, bouncing with excitement.
"Tomorrow," Rosia said.
Claude gave her a fist bump. "We'll miss you, but we want you to be the best fancy lady ever!"
Rosia laughed and hugged her friends tight. "Don't worry. I'll be back. But first? I need to survive the noble school without turning it into a mud pit."
The palace buzzed with whispers and rumors. Footman Hugo looked less grumpy now, probably because the queen had given orders to make sure Rosia was treated well.
That night, as Rosia lay on her lumpy blanket, she stared at the bucket throne one last time. "Goodbye, Bucket Kingdom. Hello, big school and bigger adventures."
And with that, the queen's adopted daughter fell asleep, dreaming of royal gowns, magical classes, and maybe a few less chickens to chase.When morning came, Rosia woke up feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the day she'd leave her Bucket Kingdom behind for good.
Outside her little room, Claude and Zara waited, looking serious but smiling.
Zara handed Rosia a small, slightly squished apple. "For luck," she said.
Claude added, "Remember, Rosia, school is kind of like chasing chickens—but with more books and fewer mud puddles."
Rosia laughed. "Thanks, I'll need all the luck I can get."
The carriage was huge, shiny, and smelled like something between roses and clean socks. Rosia stared wide-eyed as the carriage rolled through the palace gates.
When they arrived at the noble house, it was even more dazzling than she'd imagined. Pillars taller than trees, gardens filled with sparkling flowers, and doors so big she had to look up to see the top.
Inside, Lady Amara, the noble lady, greeted her with warm eyes and a gentle smile. "Welcome, Rosia. We're very happy to have you."
Rosia felt a flutter in her stomach. New clothes, new bed, new life—the world was opening wide.
That night, as she lay in a soft, warm bed, Rosia looked at the old bucket throne resting in her old room one last time.
"Goodbye, Bucket Kingdom," she whispered. "Here's to bigger thrones and bigger adventures."
And with dreams full of new friends, new schools, and new challenges, Rosia closed her eyes and slept soundly, ready for the journey ahead.