Two days passed in a blur, the kind of days that slipped by almost unnoticed, stitched together by routine and fleeting thoughts.
That morning, the city of Fenn awoke under a sky so clear it seemed almost surreal. Birds filled the air with loud, insistent tunes, their songs weaving through the streets and alleyways. Some perched gracefully on the branches of ancient trees, swaying gently in the morning breeze, while others flitted along the ground, pecking and hopping in search of worms and insects.
The sunlight fell in golden streams, catching on rooftops and cobblestones, painting the city in a warm glow that belied the tension and secrets brewing beneath the calm surface. It was a morning of ordinary life, yet for some, it would mark the quiet before a storm.
A gentle breeze wound its way through the streets of Fenn, brushing past chimneys and rooftops, carrying with it the faint chirping of birds and the scent of morning dew. It twisted and swirled until it reached the quiet Bungalow where Jack stayed, slipping through cracks in the windows as if inspecting the room itself.
Inside, Jack stood fully dressed in the outfit meant for the upcoming event, everything impeccably arranged, his hair tamed and styled to the point that he was almost unrecognizable. A subtle, confident smile tugged at his lips, and for the first time in days, his blue eyes caught the sunlight, flickering as they met the morning light filtering into the room.
The air seemed to pause for a heartbeat around him, the calm before the day's storm, as if even the world had taken notice of the man prepared to step into a ceremony far grander than the quiet bungalow could contain.
"I kind of look like a butler… except for this inconvenient epaulette and these tight boots," Jack muttered to himself, adjusting the stiff fabric with a frustrated tug. "I guess I'll have to do something about them. I can't handle this kind of pressure all day. Nyx would only end up worrying if I collapsed under it. I need to represent myself as the respectable big brother she believes me to be, and I have to stay in character. One slip, and the whole purpose of pretending to be someone else will fall apart."
He paused, exhaling sharply. What to do?
Jack practiced a bow, imagining the grand hall already surrounding him, the noble guests observing every gesture. Each movement had to be precise, every expression controlled, or else the façade would crumble.
Luckily, he had a few minutes to spare before the vehicle sent by the Vikii family arrived to escort him.
The Vikii family was a lineage of royal blood, making them the most powerful noble family in Fenn. One of their members had once held the office of mayor, now long deceased and likely reduced to dust and bones, but their influence over the city remained unmatched.
He finally decided.
"Guess I'll just have to wear my own boots… It's not like they're going to notice anyway," he muttered, an amused edge creeping into his voice as he roughly kicked off the shoes he was wearing.
Without wasting time searching or second-guessing himself, Jack went straight to the closet and pulled out his boots. A thin layer of dust dulled their surface, but it didn't bother him; nothing a quick polish couldn't fix before the carriage arrived.
It's been a while, old friend, he thought, eyeing the boots with a quiet sort of fondness.
....
Honk! Honk!
Just as Jack finished polishing his boots, a pair of short honks sounded from outside. He rose at once and went to the door, already fastening his coat as he reached for the handle.
When he opened it, the vehicle was waiting out front, its engine humming low, ready to take him to the mansion.
At the mansion, the moment Jack arrived, everyone treated him with utmost respect, without realizing he was the same man they had looked down on just two days ago. Some even parted paths when they saw him approaching, quietly assuming he was a noble from a wealthy household.
What's going on? Do I have something on me? Jack wondered, slowing to check himself as he walked. He glanced down at his coat, his boots, even his hands.
No, there's nothing on me. Everything's fine… so what's with this? Did I walk into the wrong place?
Unease crept up his spine. Maybe they weren't greeting him.
Could it be someone's behind me?
He shifted slightly and looked over his shoulder.
There was no one behind him, only workers bowing in his direction.
"…Okay?" Jack uttered, uncertain, his voice small compared to the sudden weight of attention around him.
"You're finally here!" a female voice called out from somewhere up the stairs.
Jack turned toward the sound, searching for its owner.
"Did you have a good trip?" Vanessa asked, her familiar smile already in place as she stepped into view.
She wore her usual tailored Victorian maid uniform: a long-sleeved black dress with a high collar, speaking of formal, old-European domestic service. The buttoned bodice and fitted waist gave her a structured elegance rare among ordinary maids. Over it, a pristine, full-length white apron with ruffled hems marked her role unmistakably. A subtle blue ribbon tied at her neck added a delicate Victorian flourish, hinting not only at refinement but at a touch of noble lineage. A refined presence set her apart from common household staff.
Vanessa! Jack thought, a surge of relief washing over him that someone had finally recognized him.
Yet, despite that, one thought stubbornly lingered: she still looked like a child in his eyes.
He quickened his pace toward her. Vanessa mirrored his movement, hesitant at first, unsure of what to expect. But the moment they were close enough, she dashed forward, just as Jack had imagined her temperament, full of energy and warmth. She wrapped her arms around him in a hug, her smile wide and radiant, tugging at the corners of her mouth in delight.
"I really missed you, you know?" Vanessa exclaimed, her voice bright and earnest.
Jack froze, caught off guard by the sudden display. He lingered in place for a few seconds, hands raised instinctively, wary of crossing a line. In this nation, embracing a minor with whom you had no familial relation was considered a crime punishable by death, and with so many witnesses around, he wasn't about to risk it.
Vanessa tilted her head slightly, her eyes flicking up to meet Jack's almost bewildered expression.
"What's the matter? Why aren't your arms around me?" she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice, the corners of her mouth curling into a mischievous smile.
Jack shrugged.
"Sorry, but I can't hug you, or do anything like that."
"Really?" Vanessa said, releasing her hold on him.
"But why? I thought I already told you, I'm a grown woman."
"Yes, you are… I know that," Jack said, his tone steady. "But I can never dream of putting my arms around you." He framed the lie carefully, choosing each word to sound believable, measuring his tone to avoid suspicion, and making sure Vanessa would accept it without a second thought.
"How noble of you," Said Vanessa, her smile warm and glowing. "I wasn't expecting that from someone like you."
Jack let out a short laugh. "Me neither. But as you know, there's a first time for everything. We just have to… adapt to the new me." A faint, composed smile settled on his face, practiced and convincing.
Vanessa nodded slowly. "You're right. But I think that kind of thing doesn't apply to us."
What's that supposed to mean? Jack wondered, even as he tilted his head slightly in acknowledgment, pretending he understood Vanessa's words when, in truth, he didn't.
"Come on," Vanessa said brightly. "I'll show you around the kitchen and a few other spots you might like to visit after everything's done."
With that, she turned and started ahead.
Okay… I need to keep my guard up around her. I can't afford to get careless... I wonder what the other maids think after seeing that little display.
Jack subtly glanced toward the surrounding workers, half-expecting odd looks or quiet laughter. But to his surprise, no one reacted at all. They went about their duties as usual, indifferent and composed, as if nothing unusual had happened in the first place.
After a brief pause, he stepped forward and followed Vanessa into the dining hall, where her figure was already fading into the bustle beyond the doorway.