Far from the towering Magical Tower, beyond the quiet streets of the capital, the Imperial Palace slowly woke under the soft light of morning.
Golden sunlight slipped through the tall windows of a large royal chamber.
On a wide bed covered with silk sheets, someone stirred.
June Astral slowly opened her eyes.
Her long brown hair with bangs was messy from sleep, strands falling across her face and shoulders.
The sunlight touched the edge of the bed.
June frowned slightly.
"...Too bright."
With a quiet groan, she sat up and stepped down from the bed. The cold marble floor touched her bare feet.
As the sunlight reached her face, June quickly raised her hand and covered her eyes, blocking the light.
"Why is the sun so aggressive this morning…" she muttered softly.
Her messy hair fell around her shoulders as she walked slowly across the room, still half asleep.
Despite being the daughter of the Emperor and the Duke of the Southern Pearls, at this moment she looked nothing like a powerful noble.
She looked like a sleepy girl who had just been dragged out of bed.
Outside the door, maids waited quietly.
One of them spoke carefully.
"Your Grace… are you awake?"
June pushed her hair back slightly, still shielding her eyes from the sunlight.
"…Unfortunately."
The maids quickly entered the room to prepare her for the day.
But none of them knew that today, June had already made a decision.
A small smile appeared on her face.
"Prepare my travel clothes."
The head maid blinked in surprise.
"Travel, Your Grace?"
June's brown eyes finally opened fully.
"Yes."