Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of the Astral residence, filling the room with warmth.
June paced back and forth nervously, her hands clasped together.
Jenny sat on the sofa, calmly sipping tea… watching her best friend panic.
"Jenny…" June finally stopped and grabbed her hands dramatically."I did something terrible."
Jenny blinked. "You ate all the pastries without me again?"
"No!" June pouted. "This is serious!"
Jenny put her cup down. "Alright, tell me."
June leaned closer and whispered like it was a forbidden secret.
"At the royal ball… when that noble asked my family name…"
Jenny raised a brow.
"I panicked," June continued, squeezing her eyes shut."And I said I'm from the Astral family."
Silence.
Then—
"YOU WHAT?!"
Jenny jumped up so suddenly the tea almost spilled.
"June Oberoi! That's MY family name!"
"I know!" June cried. "I didn't know what else to say!"
Jenny held her forehead. "Do you realize what you've done? If anyone investigates—"
June dropped onto the sofa dramatically.
"I'll be exposed… and then they'll ask why the Master of the Magical Tower was secretly at the royal ball… and then the nobles… and then the royal family…"
She covered her face.
"I'm doomed."
Jenny watched her for a moment… then suddenly laughed.
June peeked through her fingers. "Why are you laughing? This is a disaster!"
Jenny crossed her arms with a playful smile.
"Well… if anyone asks, we'll just say you're my long-lost cousin."
June's eyes sparkled. "Really?!"
"Of course," Jenny said confidently. "I won't let anything happen to you."
June hugged her tightly.
"Jenny, you're the best!"
Jenny smirked. "But you owe me pastries for the rest of your life."
"Deal!"
They both laughed — unaware that far away in the palace, someone was already searching for the truth.