Golden morning sunlight streamed through the windows, chasing away any lingering shadows and painting the unfamiliar ceiling in a warm, bright glow.
Nova opened her eyes, staring blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling above her. She turned her head to the left, only to find the other side of the massive bed completely empty. Her brilliant blue eyes remained unfocused for a moment as the memories of the previous night washed over her.
Pushing herself up from the mattress, she walked over to the huge mirror. She stare at her reflection, her brows knitting slightly in deep thought. After a moment, she turned away and slipped into the bathroom to freshen up.
When she emerged a short time later, she was wrapped simply in a red bath towel, staring blankly at the empty bed. "I know I forgot something," she thought, tilting her head. "Where did Cassian go?"
Knock. Knock.
The soft, hesitant tapping at the bedroom door caught her attention. Holding the towel secure over her chest, she walked over and pulled the heavy wooden door open.
Standing in the brightly lit hallway was a young maid, dressed in a black-and-white uniform. Her dark hair was neatly smoothed back, and in her arms, she was holding a massive, luxurious shopping box. Hearing the door open, the maid raised her head, parting her lips to offer a greeting.
Instead, the words died in her throat.
The maid’s eyes widened. She stared at Nova, utterly stunned by the raw, breathtaking beauty of the lady standing before her. She was so completely stunned she forgot to breathe, her gaze glued to Nova’s flawless face and damp, cascading black hair.
Noticing the absolute trance the girl was in, Nova offered a slow, cunning smirk.
"What do you think?" she teased, her voice smooth like honey. "Is this Queen beautiful?"
The maid nodded, almost dropping the box. "Really beautiful. Just... too beautiful," she breathed, unable to look away.
Nova chuckled, a light, musical sound. She was about to speak but then, her sharp eyes turned toward the ceiling corner just behind the maid. Instantly, she spotted the tiny, perfectly concealed lens of a hidden camera tucked into the molding.
"A spy camera," she thought. Ignoring the camera, she tilted her head, letting a curtain of her long, dark hair slide over the left side of her face to hide her features from the lens. She returned her attention to the dazed maid.
"Did you bring something for me?" she asked gently, staring at her with the gaze of a harmless, angelic girl.
The maid violently snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing crimson. "Oh! My deepest apologies, Young Miss!" she stuttered, bowing deeply. "The Young Master had to leave the estate urgently early this morning. He instructed me to deliver these clothes for you."
Nova offered a soft, harmless smile and reached out to take the large box. "Thank you," she murmured.
She pulled the box inside and let the door click shut.
Out in the hallway, the moment the door closed, the maid finally let out the breath she had been holding. She hopped in place a few times, clutching her cheeks in excitement. "She’s really beautiful! Too beautiful! I have to tell the others!" she whispered, sprinting down the corridor.
Back inside the bedroom, Nova placed the box on the mattress and pulled off the lid. Inside lay several complete outfits, all in varying shades of pure white. She stare at the outfits, her expression darkening with every piece. They were overwhelmingly girlish—frilly hemlines, floral embroidery, and even a sweater with a fluffy kitten pattern.
A look of pure disgust spread on Nova’s face. "What the hell is this?" she hissed.
She pinched the shoulder of a fitted, white floral gown, lifting it as if it were a dead rat, before tossing it back onto the bed. "Everything in this package is the exact opposite of who I am," she muttered in deep frustration.
Reaching back in, she pulled out a set of pure white undergarments.
"Exchange," she commanded in a low whisper.
Instantly, the white fabric dissolved into the air. In her palms rested a black tube and a matching pair of black silk underwear.
A satisfied smile spread across her lips. After putting them on, she ignored the rest of the ridiculous box and marched straight to Cassian’s massive, walk-in wardrobe. Sliding the heavy doors open, she found rows upon rows of designer clothing—sleek black trousers, expensive black dress shirts, and tailored suits.
"This is much more my style," she murmured approvingly.
She pulled one of his black button-down shirts off its velvet hanger and slipped it on. To her sheer disbelief, the garment swallowed her entirely. The hem fell past her mid-thigh, acting like a short dress, and the sleeves hung so far past her hands they looked like empty tubes.
"Alright, I’ll admit it. I really am short," she murmured.
Rolling the heavy cuffs up her forearms until her hands were finally free, she turned back to the mirror. The oversized shirt draped over her small frame perfectly, making her look dangerously alluring yet untouchable. A satisfied smirk appeared on her lips.
Opening the bedroom door, she stepped out and walked barefoot down the grand staircase.
At the bottom of the stairs, several maids were already lined up, waiting to attend to her. As Nova descended, their eyes widened, captivated by her striking presence.
Noticing their intense stares, Nova offered a polite smile. She opened her mouth to greet them, but her sharp eyes caught a glint of glass near a chandelier. Then another near a portrait. And another behind a vase, catching the hidden cameras there.
"Is this big guy that terrified of death? Why are there hidden cameras everywhere?" she wondered, scanning the living room. The lenses were perfectly hidden, practically invisible to a normal human, but they stood out to her glowing blue eyes like beacons.
"What’s available to eat?" Nova asked softly, adjusting her glasses.
"This way, Young Miss," one of the maids managed to reply, snapping out of her trance. She quickly guided Nova toward the grand dining hall.
Seeing the long wooden table filled with massive, freshly prepared breakfast spread, Nova’s eyes sparkled with genuine excitement. She immediately took a seat and began elegantly serving herself.
As she ate, a blonde haired maid stepped forward, bowing respectfully. It was Sonnie.
"This girl is far younger than I imagined," Sonnie thought, stealing another glance at Nova. "And her beauty is incomparable. She’s completely flawless. No wonder the Boss willingly carried her into the mansion himself. Who could resist her?"
Nova raised her head, locking eyes with Sonnie. Instantly, the familiar blue text began operating in her line of sight.
[Ding!]
Target Information Downloaded:
* Name: Sonia Georgia (Code name: Sonnie 675)
* Status: Single
* Identity: Seventh-Rank Information Collecting Spy
* Note: Currently unnoticed by Cassian
* Threat Level: 0.03
Nova’s brows knitted slightly, her gaze turning heavy as she stared right through Sonnie.
"Do you need something from me?" she asked, her tone dropping a few degrees into a chilling cold, though she calmly picked up a fork to continue her meal.
Sonnie froze, her blood running cold. "Why do I suddenly feel like she can see straight through my soul?" she panicked inwardly, fighting hard to suppress her rising nervousness.
"Nothing, Young Miss," Sonnie replied quickly, forcing a polite smile. "I just noticed your attire and wanted to ask if you would like me to fetch you a proper set of dresses."
"It’s fine. Cassian has plenty of clothes. I can just wear his," Nova dismissed nonchalantly, taking a bite of her food.
"Huh?" Sonnie blinked, deeply surprised by the casual use of her Boss’s first name. She took another quick glance at the oversized garment Nova was wearing. "Pardon my manners, but it looks like they threw you inside that shirt," she thought, smiling awkwardly.
Before Sonnie could reply, the heavy front doors of the mansion banged open.
"Cassian! Cassian, I’m here!" a cheerful female voice shrieked, echoing through the room.
Nova’s brows knitted together in immediate annoyance. She slowly turned her head toward the grand entrance. Marching into the dining room was a young woman dressed in an incredibly bright, colorful, short gown. She looked every bit the arrogant, noble heiress. Gripped tightly in her hands was a large lunchbox, messily decorated with hand-drawn heart shapes.
Nova’s frown deepened. Just breathing the same air as this newcomer felt irritating.
Seeing the heiress, Sonnie immediately dipped into a respectful bow. "Welcome, Miss Clara."
Clara giggled, a high-pitched, grating sound, and walk right up to Sonnie and was about to opened her mouth to ask for Cassian, but her gaze suddenly landed on the girl sitting at the dining table, calmly eating.
Clara’s breath caught in her throat. The lunchbox she’s holding nearly slipped from her fingers. "So beautiful," she thought, feeling her heart beating fast with jealousy.
Nova stared back at Clara, her expression filled with utter discomfort at the Clara’s mere existence. "You are...?" she prompted, snapping the girl out of her jealous daze.
[Ding!]
Target Information Downloaded:
* Name: Clara Dolway
* Identity: Noble Young Heiress
* Status: Single (Obsessively in love with Cassian)
* Threat Level: ??
Clara shook her head lightly, forcing a awkward smile. "Oh! I’m Clara. And who might you be?" she demanded softly. "Who is this little girl, and what is her relationship with Cassian?" Clara’s mind raced in full panic. "And why does she have to be so ridiculously beautiful?!"
Nova completely ignored the question. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and said.
"Why are you wearing so many clashing colors?" Nova asked bluntly. "Who exactly are you trying to blind? Even the colours are attacking themselves"
Clara’s jaw dropped. She looked down at her expensive, multi-coloured dress in pure shock. "Is it... is it not good?" she stammered defensively.
Nova’s expression remained blank. "Would I complain if it were good?" she replied dryly, turning her attention back to her breakfast. "Really hurting my eyes already, so annoying" she murmured.
Clara pushed her bottom lip out in a heavy pout, staring at her own skirt, deeply discouraged. But then, anger burned in her chest. "Wrong! This is the absolute latest fashion on the market! Where did this little bumpkin even come from?" she thought in anger. "Little girl, did you perhaps just escape form the forest?" She questioned with deep hatred.
Sensing the sudden hostility in Clara’s tone, Nova paused, her fork hovering in the air. She slowly turned her glowing blue eyes back to her, adjusting her glasses once again with her free hand.
"Be careful," Nova warned, her voice dropping to a low, chilling whisper that commanded the entire room into a deadly silence. "I am far older than you think. Spare me the little girl title"