The baron's study was a haven of silence in the morning.
Sophie dusted quietly around a desk while James worked diligently at his paperwork. The sun's morning light streamed through the window, casting the room in a golden glow. James signed another document with a flourish, his eyes occasionally flitting to the design sketch on his desk. He appeared lost in thought as he worked, occasionally murmuring under his breath.
The head-maid noticed this, pausing her dusting and breaking the silence.
Sophie:"My lord, is there something troubling you?"
James:"It's just... Lena's ribbon that she got from our capital's trip..."
He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. His brow was furrowed, a frown playing on his lips.
James:"She came home from the capital with this... this ribbon,"
He said with the air of mild frustration. Sophie raised an eyebrow, curious.
Sophie:"Is that not something girls typically bring back from such trips? As a memento?"
James:"She said that a boy bought for her on our way back..."
The headmaid blinked. Then smiled—just a little too knowingly.
Sophie:"Ah... I see."
He shot her a look.
James:"Don't 'I see' me, Sophie. She's barely ten in body—and already boys are giving her gifts?"
Sophie:" Come to think of it... The young mistress had been asking me on how tie her hair properly with a ribbon lately..."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.
James:"I don't need to be reminded of my young child starting to show an interest in boys yet,"
He said, a slight edge in his tone.
James:"She's barely even ten. I don't even want to think of the day some boy tries to take her hand and stroll through a garden. I thought she'd be focusing on inventing and creating. Not...
He gestured vaguely to the ribbon.
James:"...This."
Lena:"Father, have you seen my ribbon?"
He was still frowning at the ribbon like it offended him when Lena's voice piped up. Her father looked up, seeing his daughter standing in the study doorway.
James:"Ah...Yes. I saw it. Why?"
He said, quickly smoothing his expression into something more composed.
Lena:"I need to know how to style my hair properly! That boy at the capital had did my hair during that trip..."
James froze.
"That boy."
The words echoed in his head like a death knell. Sophie, bless her soul, immediately turned and pretended to be deeply engrossed in dusting the same spot on the bookshelf—for the seventh time. Lena stepped forward innocently, eyes bright.
Lena:"He used this ribbon and tied it with a bow just right... it felt really nice..."
She twirled slightly.
Lean:"I want to learn how to do it myself!"
He slowly stood up from his chair—back stiffening like he'd been personally betrayed by all of childhood.
James:"You—"
He cleared his throat.
James: "You want to look like him, is that it?"
She blinked.
Lena:"...Huh? No! I just want my hair to look cute..."
Cute?!
Sophie made a very quiet cough that suspiciously sounded like "Oh dear."
James took one deep breath.
Then another.
Finally, he reached into his desk drawer—producing not only the ribbon but also... a folded piece of parchment labeled "Emergency Fatherly Protocol: Romantic Rivalries (Draft)."
He cleared his throat again.
James:"Ahem. Sophie."
Sophie:"Yes, my lord?"
James:"...Prepare tea."
Pause.
James:"And send word to the blacksmith."
"We're reinforcing the manor gates." 🏰💥🎀